Top 5 handheld highlights from Day 2 of E3 2008

We're technically into the third day of E3 (yes, press conference day does count), which means that we can cast an eye back on yesterday's madness and pick out what we believe to be the key elements.

It's handy, if nothing else. Besides, if you haven't got time to go through all 59 of yesterday's updates (a record for Pocket Gamer, incidentally), then consider this the next best thing.

Oh, and if you missed it, you can also check out our Top 5 E3 highlights from Day 1.

Well, we didn't say everything in these features would be positive. But this is one of the bigger stories of the day, so here it is.

During its presentation on Tuesday, Sony broke off from its PS3-centric message to showcase some of the PSP titles coming our way. Suddenly, Sega's much anticipated RPG Valkyria Chronicles was shown. The remarkable visuals raised an eyebrow, but logic suggested it could be a title available on PSP through Remote Play.

But it isn't. It's a PS3 title that somehow infiltrated the PSP line-up. It took a few hours before the blunder was confirmed, though, which is why this is technically a Day 2 story.

Poor old PSP. Even when it has the limelight its big brother can't help stumbling onto the stage. It's like the drunken aunt you get at every family party who ends up tripping over the cat and diving head first into the crudités table.

Sony's blunder just happened to enjoy a considerably larger audience, that's all.

Read the full story on Valkyria Chronicles not making it to PSP.

Yes, yes, we know all Star Wars games are rubbish. But that's obviously not true. And even if you think it is, take a look at the video for this one. It's not looking too shabby, is it?

Obviously seeing and playing are two very different things, but you can still get some indication of a game's merit from real-time footage (which is considerably more indicative than a trailer, remember).

Anyway, we're clearly not saying it's going to be brilliant. But at the moment, we're just suggesting it looks as though it could be.

Watch the Star Wars: The Force Unleashed PSP footage.

Bit left-field, choice-wise? Yeah, perhaps. But sometimes you've to got to go with your gut. And our gut says Rhythm Heaven could emerge as a little more special than just another rhythm-action affair.

It's by Nintendo, remember. And Nintendo doesn't often churn out vapid rubbish. The Kyoto giant may not be making a big song and dance about it, but from the footage we published yesterday we think there's something in this.

Then again, we could just be drunk.

Watch the Rhythm Heaven DS footage.

Finding innovation at E3 is tantamount to locating a town in the world where you can't buy Coca-Cola. It's rare, in other words, but it does exist.

We could have gone with Spider-Man: Web of Shadows, which promises a relatively intriguing premise and game mechanic, but we've been too disappointed by Spidey games to give this latest one the benefit of the doubt. Bridges burnt and all that.

So instead we're going we're putting our trust in this, Avalon Code. It promises a unique action RPG (don't they all?) in which players modify components of the game as they go along.

Time will tell if we should have stuck with Spidey. Or neither.

Read the full story on Avalon Code for DS.

5. First James Bond 007: Quantum of Solace DS screens

Okay, the Star Wars game used above joke also works here (i.e. there's never been a good James Bond game). But it's equally as untrue.

That said, this is a bit of a leap on our part. Still, Quantum of Solace is a big game, and first images are a big deal given that Activision has kept details as far away from public domain as G8 leaders are kept from crowds of 'supporters'. So it's made the highlights list.

All we need now is for the publisher to talk. About some concrete DS details, see. Perhaps if we strapped Activision down on a solid gold tabletop and used a ludicrous looking laser…

Read the full story on Quantum of Solace: The Game DS.