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Playtest: the top 10 DS and PSP games from E3 2009

Quality out of the multitude

Playtest: the top 10 DS and PSP games from E3 2009
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DS + DSi + PSP

E3 2009 proved to be a strong show for both Sony and Nintendo's handheld platforms.

PSP was invigorated by Sony's promised wave of big franchises - Dissidia: Final Fantasy, Jak and Daxter: The Lost Frontier, LittleBigPlanet - as well as the PSPgo hardware refresh - although the market reaction to its premium price point remains to be seen.

In terms of Nintendo, we'd expected to hear more about the DSiWare download channel but had to make do with barely trumpeted announcement concerning Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Minis March Again: a 2007-title retweaked to encourage user-generated puzzles.

Yet we were also surprised by the number of companies still making solid mature and hardcore games for the platform, including Ubisoft's GTA-lite Cop: The Recruit and the 18-rated fps C.O.R.E..

None of these titles made it onto our list of the top 10 list however, but there were plenty of topnotch games available on the showfloor for prolonged play testing. These are the ones that really caught our attention.

10. The Lord of the Rings: Aragorn's Quest
(DS: TT Fusion/Warners)

Although to be released on DS and PSP, we're particularly highlighting the DS version for its marvellous graphics and all round presentation. You take the role of Aragorn in this single player experience which highlights key battles from The Lord of the Rings trilogy. Gameplay-wise the thirdperson actioneer isn't anything new but otherwise, this is about as good as licensed product gets.

9. SOCOM US Navy SEALs: Fireteam Bravo 3
(PSP: Slant Six/Sony)

It's been awhile since we've played a SOCOM game and going hands on with Fireteam Bravo 3 reminded us of why we love this series so much. Big levels, great visuals, and even better tactical shooter gameplay are sure to make this another hit entry for the franchise. But what we love the most is the new online co-operative play for up to four players.

8. Monster Hunter Freedom Unite
(PSP: Capcom)

The sheer amount of gameplay being packed into this console-quality game is enormous, but it's the attention to detail that really put this on our radar. Not only does Monster Hunter Freedom Unite offer new items, weapons, monsters, and environments, you can expect free downloadable content the day it launches too. That's a great value, especially for a game that provides hundreds of hours of role-playing if you want the full experience.

7: Might & Magic: Clash of Heroes
(DS: Capybara/Ubisoft)

From the team that bought us the addictive casual game Critter Crunch comes something much deeper. Using the extensive backstory from the Might & Magic franchise, Clash of Heroes takes the match-3 mechanic into new tactical territory. Combining turn-based Solitaire-style attacks with strategic boss battles, numerous unit and race choices and polished graphics, this labour of love deserves to be a breakout hit.

6. MotorStorm: Arctic Edge
(PSP: Bigbig/Sony)

You'd think that Gran Turismo would hog the road, but the fun we had playing MotorStorm: Arctic Edge convinced us this is headed in the right direction too. Where the former omits online play and limits the competition to just four cars, Arctic Edge delivers online racing and more onscreen action. It looks phenomenal too, giving us plenty to look forward to.

5. Scribblenauts
(DS: 5th Cell/Warners)

Building on 5th Cell's previous DIY Drawn to Life games, Scribblenauts takes the idea much, much further boasting over 10,000 nouns that you can spell out to magically create objects for your avatar Maxwell to use to solve over 200 puzzles. We love the sketchy 2D art style but it's the seamless in-game dictionary combined with the open-ended gameplay that really impressed.

4. Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story
(DS: Alpha Dream/Nintendo)

As a huge fan of previous Mario & Luigi games, Bowser's Inside Story was definitely one of my most enjoyable E3 playtests. The gameplay remains the same with you controlling Mario and Luigi in a combo rhythm-action stylee as - inside of Bowser's body - they bounce on enemies' head, knock them out with hammers and kick shells at them. This time however you also get to control Bowser and his Goomba minions.

3. Soul Calibur: Broken Destiny
(PSP: Namco Bandai)

We expected Tekken 6 to earn the nod for top portable fighting game, yet it's this stunning remix of Soul Calibur IV that turned our heads at E3. Gorgeous graphics and tight controls assure Broken Destiny a spot among the best games of the show and a must-have title when it ships.

2. The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks
(DS: HAL/Nintendo)

Continuing where Phantom Hourglass left off, the dungeon parts of Spirit Tracks were brilliant. Gaining control of your own phantom guardian, who provides extra muscle as well as a puzzle-solving attributes, brought new options to gameplay. We weren't so sure about the 3D train demo however. Still, there’s plenty of time for extra polish on that.

1. Gran Turismo
(PSP: Polyphony/Sony)

Much rumoured as a candidate as vapourware, instead Gran Turismo turned out to be our game of show, as this impressive driving simulation promised unparalleled realism never before seen on a handheld. The lack of online multiplayer and only four cars on the screen is disappointing of course, but the spot-on physics and handling had us gripping the PSPgo tightly.

Jon Jordan
Jon Jordan
A Pocket Gamer co-founder, Jon can turn his hand to anything except hand turning. He is editor-at-large at PG.biz which means he can arrive anywhere in the world, acting like a slightly confused uncle looking for the way out. He likes letters, cameras, imaginary numbers and legumes.