10 predictions for E3 2009

The only thing more fun than reporting on the big news that emerges from E3 is guessing what that news will be in the days before the show. Some years are packed with more surprises than others and 2009 appears primed to electrify the gaming world with cool announcements.

Sony will likely unveil a new PSP model, Microsoft could move into handheld gaming, and Nintendo is sure to get our attention by announcing new games. Do you have any predictions or think we're off the mark on our estimations? Leave a comment or post your thoughts in the forum.

10 predictions for E3 2009

Sony unveils PSP Go!

Probability: Certain

Without a doubt, E3 2009 will be Sony's show when it unveils the next PSP iteration. Whether it's PSP Go! or PSP 2 or PSP-4000, this is the story that will dominate the show.

All signs point to a revised handheld that retains the basic specifications of the current PSP-3000, though without a UMD drive and incorporation of a touchscreen and flash memory drive.

Joining the new hardware will be a digital download initiative that pushes PlayStation Network for the purchasing of games and incorporation of network features in titles for multiplayer, individual profiles, and potential trophy support.

PSP game rentals to be announced for PlayStation Store

Probability: Unlikely

This curious rumour popped up recently from a survey Sony sent to select registered PSP owners. There's little evidence to back up the notion that game rentals will be announced for the new PSP hardware next week, though it's a tantalising proposition.

Think timed downloads of games in the way that digital movie rentals are currently offered on the PlayStation Store. The only problem with this rumour lies in the potential for piracy. How eager is Sony to provide a rental service with the risk of piracy already high without a digital rental service?

Microsoft reveals plans to bring games to Zune HD

Probability: Iffy

Since the company first announced work on a digital music player, rumours have swirled about bringing games to the platform, and Microsoft has just talked freely for the first time about the Zune HD.

It seems likely that a games-enabled Zune HD would be less of a direct rival to PSP or DS and more a casual games device like the original iPod.

Should Microsoft formally reveal Zune HD gaming, expect a smattering of titles like Geometry Wars and Braid - not Halo or Fable. Simple titles from Xbox Live Arcade and Xbox Live Community Games will be announced as compatible with the Zune HD - something originally promised last year during Game Developers Conference.

Nintendo announces first wave of Game Boy Advance, Super Nintendo DSiWare retro titles

Probability: Certain

Already confirmed by Nintendo, we've yet to see any legacy wares hit the DSiWare shop. Game Boy, Game Boy Advance, and Super Nintendo titles would bring much needed appeal to DSi and we expect the first titles for the service to be announced next week.

Expect one or two notable games such as Super Mario Advance 2 or Metroid Fusion joined by a few lower profile releases.

Less likely would be Nintendo revealing the titles as live on the DSiWare shop the day of the company's media briefing on Tuesday, June 2. Instead, we expect the games to be announced for the following week.

High profile iPhone game Car Jack Streets to appear as DSiWare

Probability: Could go either way

The poor retail performance of Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars is unlikely to scare Tag Games away from releasing its top-down action game Car Jack Streets as DSiWare later this year.

Working with Nintendo to bring some hardcore appeal to the handheld, Tag Games might be fulfilling its promise to take its game to other platforms beginning with DSi. It appears very likely, though the announcement may very well not be made during E3. Any revelation of Car Jack Streets coming to DSi could be held for a later date.

Nintendo won't have a playable demo for The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks

Probability: Likely

Don't be surprised if Link resorts to an E3 cameo instead of a full-fledged playable appearance next week. Nintendo has a knack for not showing some of its biggest titles until right before release.

Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks has no set release date, which probably means it won't see store shelves until 2010. As a result, Nintendo may very well not show much more than a trailer and some new screenshots for the game during E3, leaving a playable demo back in Japan. We'd love to be proven wrong on this one, though.

LittleBigPlanet will be confirmed to support content sharing with PlayStation 3 version

Probability: Likely

Promising to be one of the biggest handheld titles of the year, LittleBigPlanet would be gigantic evolution were it to support content sharing with the PlayStation 3 version.

Downloading levels, objects, and other goodies from the PlayStation 3 would be a first for a handheld game, providing limitless gameplay. Sony has admitted to researching the possibility of bringing cross-platform content sharing to the PSP iteration, which makes E3 a perfect time to formally announce the feature.

LittleBigPlanet could break new ground with such innovation and we're crossing out fingers that this prediction comes true.

Bethesda details Fallout or The Elder Scrolls iPhone game

Probability: Unlikely

Although Elder Scrolls and Fallout 3 developer Bethesda Softworks has made clear work has begun on a high profile iPhone game, it seems unlikely that details will surface during E3.

The focus will assuredly be placed on the company's console titles, while a select number of low profile App Store games are expected from its partner company Vir2l Studios. The prospect of getting a Fallout or Edlers Scrolls spinoff for iPhone information during E3 seems slim, though we welcome the opportunity to be proven wrong.

iPhone to be passed over, focus placed on PSP and DSi

Probability: Certain

In a trend that has become somewhat of a tradition at E3, mobile gaming will be overlooked in favour of handheld platforms promoted by Sony and Nintendo.

All of the praise lavished on Apple for the success currently being experienced with iPhone and iPod touch is bringing attention to the platform, but don't expect it to gain a lot of playtime from game makers next week.

iPhone developers aren't exhibiting at the show: instead, a few will be wandering the halls or showing games in private suites off-site. Even big publishers like EA are only showing a handful of titles, most of which have already been released.

Part of this is a result of Apple Worldwide Developers Conference being slated for the following week, but it's also because E3 has always been the domain of handheld rather than mobile gaming.

Pocket Gamer will have the best coverage of handheld gaming during E3

Probability: Incontrovertible

There's no question you can bank on our E3 coverage to be the best source for breaking portable gaming news, interviews, and game previews.

Starting Monday, we'll be reporting from Los Angeles. Expect news and hands on with games from Sony, Nintendo, Electronic Arts, Capcom, Konami, and more through Friday.

Keep an eye on our Twitter feed for juicy headlines. You can also tell us what you want to see in the forums, as well as give your thoughts on breaking news and expectations for newly announced games.