Feature: E3 Through The Ages

The Electronic Entertainment Expo is arguably the most important event in the gaming calendar. Since its inception in 1995, we have seen some jaw-dropping presentations from the major studios, and more than a few commercial blunders. E3 2010 was no exception, promising exciting times ahead for motion technology and 3D gaming. With this year's expo done and dusted, DS takes a look back at some of the most memorable E3 moments from yesteryear.

E3 1995: Sony Enters The Gaming Arena

The mid-'90s was a hugely significant era for the gaming industry. With the medium enjoying considerable growth, the Entertainment Software Association (ESA) decided that a flagship event was required for studios to exhibit their wares, and E3 was born.

Held at the Los Angeles Convention Centre, the first E3 took place in 1995. During the event, Sony unveiled the PlayStation to the West. Although the console had debuted in Japan the previous year, titles such as Battle Arena Toshinden, Warhawk and Ridge Racer appeared outside the territory for the first time, marking Sony's arrival on the global gaming scene. To top it all off, Michael Jackson made a surprise appearance at the show. He would be the first of many A-list celebrities to attend the convention over the years.

While Sony hogged the spotlight, Sega shot itself in the foot with an unorthodox Saturn unveiling. Flying in the face of the machine's previously set release date, the firm announced that its new console would be available "tomorrow". The move did nothing for Sega's relationship with developers and retailers, and left the system lacking in launch titles. Needless to say, the Saturn was a commercial failure.

E3 1996: Genres Are Redefined

One year later, the event continued to grow and showed signs of becoming the force that it is today. With the PlayStation and Sega Saturn's lifecycles already under way, Nintendo launched its bid for market dominance with the revealing of the N64. Demonstrating the machine's capabilities with flagship release Super Mario 64, Nintendo's mascot was shown in a fully fledged 3D environment for the first time; and a revolution was promised in the platform genre.

The platformer wasn't the only category about to have its mould shattered, Squaresoft showcased Final Fantasy VII, a game that would go on to become one of the most popular role-playing titles of all time and the spark that lit the JRPG powder keg in the West.

Elsewhere, Epic MegaGames showed off the Unreal Engine - the tool that became the bedrock of many modern first-person and third-person games, including the BioShock titles and Batman: Arkham Asylum.

E3 1999: Enter The Dreamcast

Throughout the '90s, E3 continued to provide a platform for the latest cutting-edge releases of the fifth hardware generation. When the sixth generation commenced at the turn of the century, Sega used the event as a vehicle to promote its new console, the Dreamcast.

Though many avid fans had already imported the system from Japan, Sega announced 15 Western launch titles and the surprise inclusion of a 56K modem for Western users. Games on display included Sonic Adventure, Virtua Fighter 3TB, Sega Rally 2 and House Of The Dead 2. The public was also given a first glimpse of Yu Suzuki's anticipated new project Shemue.

Sega's Dreamcast enjoyed initial success, outselling the N64 between July and September of 2000. However, Sony's PlayStation 2 arrived on the scene later that year, and the rest is history.

E3 2000: The PlayStation 2 Emerges

The gaming industry had survived the Millennium Bug unscathed and a new age was about to commence. Sony double underlined its ambitions for the 128-bit era, revealing the PlayStation 2 at E3 2000. A trailer for Hideo Kojima's Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons Of Liberty provided an effective showcase for the platform, while previews of Tekken Tag Tournament and Onimusha: Warlords promised strong third-party support.

Achieving market dominance shortly after its launch, the PlayStation 2 went on to become the bestselling home console of all time. Recent statistics indicate that the machine has shifted almost 143 million units worldwide.

E3 2004: Miyamoto Wields The Shield

The 2004 expo should have gone down in history as the moment the battle lines were drawn on the handheld front, as Nintendo unveiled its DS and Sony its PSP. However, it wasn't the Big N's portable console that stole the show. Emerging from a veil of smoke wielding a sword and shield, legendary game designer Shigeru Miyamoto made quite an entrance when he took centre stage to talk about the upcoming GameCube release Zelda: Twilight Princess. Few individuals could pull off such a stunt and maintain their dignity, but Miyamoto dazzled the crowd and even managed to upstage Link.

E3 2005: Microsoft Sends Out A Wakeup Call

In 2005, E3 was televised for the first time and a record 70,000 attendees flocked to the event. Sony unveiled the PS3, albeit in an unplayable format, and Nintendo rolled out its seventh generation console under the codename Revolution, but kept the system's motion control interface under wraps.

Microsoft also showcased the Xbox 360 at the event, firing a warning shot at the competition. To show off the platform's credentials, the studio presented a demo of a psychological horror game that was said to harness its full capabilities. The game was Alan Wake, and who would have guessed that it wouldn't see the light of day for another five years? Whether it was worth the wait is another matter entirely.

E3 2006: The Current Hardware Generation Gets Under Way

The battle for market dominance during the current hardware generation commenced at E3 2006. Sony and Nintendo placed their cards on the table, revealing a list of launch titles for the PS3 and Wii respectively, while Microsoft made a bit to capitalise on its head-start by announcing a slate of new Xbox 360 releases and a significant expansion to its online service.

Many attendees were adamant that Nintendo stole the show that year, arguing that the lengthy queues for the Wii demonstrations were testament to this. The Wii has gone on to shift more units than any other home console of seventh generation to date... but the war is far from over.