Mario Kart 7 (Nintendo 3DS)

What better way to spend a long car ride than playing one of the best racing titles on the 3DS? Mario Kart 7 sticks with the traditional Mario Kart gameplay, featuring good natured go-kart racing between some of the Mario legacy’s favorite characters. Expanding on previous Mario Kart titles, it brings new features to the Mario Kart series, in particular, allowing players to customize their vehicles with things like chassis, tires, and even hang gliders.  Not only is Mario Kart 7 one of the best rated racing titles on the 3DS, but it’s one of the best rated 3DS titles, period.

ModNation Racers: Road Trip (PlayStation Vita)

ModNation Racers: Road Trip is the PlayStation Vita edition of the well reviewed but only mildly popular PlayStation 3 version. While the game isn’t without its flaws, the gameplay is well polished and very enjoyable. On top of that, ModNation offers a very compelling feature: User Generated Content. You can create your own vehicles and courses to share with the online community. It’s easy to lose track of time and spend hours in the editor.

Wipeout 2048 (PlayStation Vita)

The Wipeout series has always been popular ever since its original release in 1995, but following the release of Wipeout Pure on the PSP, the franchise became one of the go to games for portable racing. Wipeout 2048 continues with that tradition, offering interesting new level designs and the sophisticated polish that fans of the series have come to expect.

StarFox 64 3D (Nintendo 3DS)

While it’s not exactly a racing game – nor is it even a new game – StarFox 64 3D is one of the 3DS’ most popular titles, and its flight simulator environment does work well with the ambience of a car (or plane) ride. Even though it’s a remake of the Nintendo 64 original, the game was one of the greatest games of its time, and little has changed that.

Rayman Origins (PS3, 3DS, PS Vita, Xbox 360, Wii, PC)

Moving away from racing titles, Rayman Origins is a surpringly simple game that takes the popular Rayman series and returns it to its 2D side-scrolling roots. Available for all of the major platforms, Rayman Origins is one of the hottest games on the market right now.  Fans of the Rayman series have already given the game high praise, but you don’t have to be familiar with the franchise to enjoy it. A healthy appetite for the 2D platformer is all it takes to fall for the quirky hero.

A Few Other Great 3DS Titles

Racing games may not be for everyone, and if Rayman doesn’t tickle your fancy, the 3DS has plenty of other great titles that can eat away the hours of a long trip. The Legend of Zelda: Orcarina of Time 3D, a remake of what is arguably the best Zelda game of all time. Super Mario 3D Land is another popular 3DS title, full of original content.

A Couple Great Vita Titles, Too

For the Vita gamers out there, one of the more popular games on the market today is Metal Gear Solid HD Collection. While it has no new content, it contains remastered versions of some of the most favorite Metal Gear Solid games. Uncharted: Golden Abyss is another Vita must-have.

The “Big 3”

The Big 3 refers to the three largest players in the gaming industry right now: Microsoft, Sony, and Nintendo. Each had their own press conference (or two) at E3 this year, much like every year, and they all had some big news to share.

Nintendo

Nintendo was the only major player to have some new hardware to show off this year – the Wii U. Nintendo has officially stated that the Wii U will launch during this year’s holiday season, perhaps as early as October. Apart from an official launch window, we also got a look at the final version of the new GamePad tablet controller.

The GamePad has a large touch screen that can interact with games in a number of different ways as well as all of the standard motion controller capabilities of the original Wii controller. It also features a web cam, IR blaster (TV remote), microphone, speakers, and dual analog sticks.

The Wii U console, while not necessarily in its final form, is looking small and powerful. It’s roughly the same size as the original Wii, but capable of full 1080p video output with graphics performance 1.5 to 2 times better than the PS3 and Xbox 360. Some of the demoed titles, such as the upcoming Zelda Wii U game, look absolutely stunning.

Microsoft

Unlike Nintendo, Microsoft didn’t have any fancy new hardware to show off. Instead, it focused on new and improved services and software coming to the Xbox 360.

Xbox SmartGlass was Microsoft’s biggest announcement. It is a new software layer that integrates your Xbox 360 with all of your Windows 8 devices, such as tablets and smartphones. SmartGlass can sync shows and movies across all of your devices as well as turn them into viewing companions for more immersive video experiences. Your tablet or smartphone can also be used as a remote, ideal for controlling Internet Explorer, now coming to Xbox.

Sony

Sony’s announcements primarily revolved around the PlayStation Vita. It was all about cross-platform play, such as using the Vita to play multiplayer games with players on PS3. Sadly, other than that, Sony had very little else to announce other than new games.

The Games

Everyone knows E3 is all about the games, so what were some of the most anticipated titles we saw at E3 this year?

Halo 4

The Halo series has always been a favorite among Xbox gamers, and everyone is looking forward to the newest installment, Halo 4. Game play is expected to remain largely similar to the original titles; what everyone is after is the compelling new story line it brings. Release date is scheduled for November 6^th of this year (just in time for the winter holidays).

PlayStation All-Stars Battle Royale

We’re surprised it took Sony so long to come up with a PlayStation variant on the widely successful Smash Bros. series, but it looks like we finally have something with PlayStation All-Stars. Whether or not the title can actually compete with Smash Bros. is yet to be seen, but what’s most interesting about it is the fact that it’s available for both PS3 and PS Vita and capable of cross-platform play.

Gears of War: Judgment

Another Xbox favorite, Gears of War: Judgment offers a prequel to the original title for those curious about the back story of COG and its soldiers. Game play will surely be as action-packed as ever.

1: WipEout 2048 vs. Super Mario 3D Land

It’s tough to crown a number one PlayStation Vita game so early on, but WipEout 2048 is definitely a top pick. The game play isn’t much different from the previous versions, but it has had a massive visual overhaul that make for quite the ride.

Super Mario Land 3D is definitely the best 3D title Nintendo has to offer – some even say it’s the only title actually worth playing in 3D. It’s your classic Mario, but with a 3D twist. What’s not to love?

2: Uncharted: Golden Abyss vs. The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D

Uncharted: Golden Abyss really is the most visually striking handheld game ever (for now), and not only does it leverage the PS Vita’s power beautifully, it also makes use of all of its other new features. Plus the game play is just what you’d expect from the Uncharted series. It’s definitely a top pick.

The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D is the 3DS’ number two go-to title. The fact that it’s 3D isn’t why people love this game. It’s the fact that it’s one of the most loved of the Zelda titles ever made. The ability to carry now it in your pocket makes it extremely popular. The slight graphics overhaul is a nice bonus as well.

3: Rayman Origins vs. Mario Kart 7

Rayman has already made its place among the great classics, and Rayman Origins brings most of that greatness to the PS Vita. It keeps with the original 2D platformer experience but also ties in many of the Vita’s new features, like the touch screen.

Mario Kart has always been a staple in Nintendo’s classic lineup, and Mario Kart 7 is no exception. It’s just like previous installments, but with a few new features (such as kart customization) for more complex and immersive game play.

4: Super Stardust Delta vs. StarFox 64 3D

Super Stardust Delta is a unique space-based shooter with cutting edge graphics and addictive game play – pretty much what you’d expect from the Stardust series if you’re familiar with it. It’s by no stretch a complex game, but the simplicity is one of its greatest appeals. That, plus its affordable price on the PlayStation Network makes it one of the top rated Vita titles.

Just like Zelda, StarFox 64 3D is a 3DS port of the Nintendo 64 classic. The game play is almost exactly as it used to be, only with revamped graphics, improved audio and voiceovers, and a new multiplayer mode. It’s like carrying a nostalgia fix in your pocket.

5: Lumines: Electronic Symphony vs. Dead or Alive: Dimensions

Puzzles always make for great casual games, and Lumines is no exception. This latest rendition for the Vita not only brings new challenging puzzles, but also wonderful visual and audio effects – in other words, everything that made the game great, just got better.

Dead or Alive: Dimensions stays true to the buxom babe fighter genre the franchise has perfected over the years. The game play is as enthralling as ever, and the 3D aspect certainly has its perks. It’s just a shame the 3DS doesn’t have a larger screen.

The Display(s)

One of the 3DS’ biggest selling points is its glasses-free 3D display – more of a marketing gimmick, really. There are only a small handful of 3D-ready titles available, and of those, Super Mario 3D Land is the only one worth playing in 3D. Many people don’t actually like the 3D affects.

The Vita, however, has a 5-inch, fully touch-enabled OLED display which outshines the 3DS in nearly every aspect. The only downside is that its large screen might make the overall size a bit large to fit comfortably in your pocket. Score one for the Vita.

Controls

Like the previous DS systems, the 3DS has a D-pad, bumpers, a touch screen, and various buttons. Unlike its predecessors, it also has a single joystick and gyroscope/accelerometer.

Not to be outdone, the Vita has all of this, plus an additional joystick, an electronic compass, and a touch pad on the rear of the device. If anything, the Vita might have too many inputs, since they do lead to some complicated game play; nonetheless, we have to side with the Vita in this category as well.

Graphics

As a significantly newer device, it should come as no surprise that the Vita has far superior graphics capabilities than the 3DS. The Vita features an extremely high-performance quad-core CPU and quad-core GPU, capable of outputting 150 million Tri/s. The 3DS can only manage about 30 million. This is another clear win for the Vita.

Game Library

Launched with 25 titles (all of about two were very good), the Vita has a small selection. That number is very quickly growing, and thankfully, the Vita is compatible with all PSP and PS Mini titles on the PlayStation Network. Unfortunately, for anyone hoping to migrate from a PSP, you’ll have to repurchase your games.

The 3DS doesn’t have a lot of worthy 3D titles, but it does have the HUGE Nintendo DS library at its disposal. Plus many of the greatest franchises, like Mario and Zelda. The 3DS takes this category…for now.

Connectivity

Both the 3DS and Vita have WiFi, but only the Vita has Bluetooth and a 3G version available. Both have built-in web browsers and even Netflix streaming, but the Vita’s larger screen makes a big difference. The PlayStation Network also offers a wide selection of movies and TV shows to rent or purchase. Mark another win for the Vita.

Price

The WiFi-only version of the Vita weighs in at $249, a full $80 more expensive than the 3DS. The Vita also uses Sony’s proprietary Memory Stick storage, which is an additional $20 purchase at minimum (that’s just the 4GB card). 3DS games are, on average, about $10 cheaper than Vita titles as well. Considering the extra performance and features the Vita has, it’s still a good value, but the 3DS is easier on your wallet.

Overall

The Vita dominates in just about every category except Game Library and Price (arguably the two most important). The Vita game library will definitely improve over time, but we expect it won’t get much cheaper for a while. If all you’re after is a solid portable gaming experience, go for the 3DS (or DSi XL if you like a bigger screen). For premium graphics and features, the Vita is amazing.

What remains to be seen is whether the Vita can hold its own against the growing smartphone gaming trend.

On The Surface

Not surprisingly, the New iPad looks nearly identical to the iPad 2, and even the original iPad. Compared to the iPad 2, it features the same screen size, 9.7 inches, and the same width and height as well, 7.31 and 9.5 inches respectively. They even come in the same color choices – white or black.

Where they do differ, though, is the thickness. The New iPad is actually slightly thicker than its predecessor, by a full .8mm. It’s enough to notice when comparing the two side-by-side, but the new model also features more tapering along the edge, giving the illusion of a thinner body. That .8mm may not seem like much, but it may render many cases and skins incompatible. If you’re thinking about upgrading, remember that you may need to invest in a new protective case.

The Display

The greatest incentive to upgrading to the New iPad is the new display. With a pixel density of just 264ppi, it doesn’t quite make the 300ppi cutoff Apple previously set for “Retina” displays, though it still calls it one. Still, it has a resolution of 2048×1536, which is currently unmatched by any other tablet. Compared to the iPad 2’s 1024×768 (a mere 132ppi), this is a major improvement. The New iPad will be able to play 1080p content at its native resolution. Text and images will appear much crisper, and fine details will be perceptible where they weren’t on the iPad 2.

The Processor

The New iPad also comes with the A5X processor, a more powerful variant of the A5, found in the iPad 2. This may seem like a compelling reason to upgrade to the New iPad, but it’s actually not.

First, the A5X’ CPU is a dual-core CPU nearly identical to the A5’s. General processing power had not been significantly increased compared to the iPad 2. Where the A5X has seen major improvements is in its GPU.

The A5 uses an SGX543MP2 GPU, while the A5X has an SGX543MP4 GPU (the same GPU found in the PlayStation Vita). In short, the New iPad’s GPU 2 to 4 times more powerful. Ultimately, this results in nearly the same real world performance since the New iPad has 4-times as many pixels as the iPad 2 which requires about 4-times the GPU processing power to run.

If a performance upgrade is what you’re after, you’re better off waiting until next generation.

4G LTE

Apple finally has a 4G product for us, and with LTE, you can expect data speeds over 25Mbps. This works well in tandem with the HD display since HD content requires a fast connection. If you don’t stream much in HD, you won’t notice much of a difference between 4G and 3G, though. Most people prefer the Wi-Fi only version since it’s significantly cheaper anyway.

The Lack of Siri

Many people were looking forward to getting Siri on their tablet, but it looks like Apple has opted to keep Siri restricted to the iPhone 4S, at least for now. The New iPad is just as Siri-less as the iPad 2.

The Price

In order to stay competitive with other tablets, the New iPad actually has a pretty attractive price tag, starting at $499 for the 16GB Wi-Fi version. What this does, though, is push the iPad 2’s price down to $399 – now that’s a bargain. Anyone in the market for a new tablet, should definitely consider the iPad 2.

What it really all comes down to is whether or not you can live with a 1024×768 resolution display. If you can, stick with your iPad 2.

Amazing Graphics

A few Nintendo loyalists have been trashing the Vita, claiming it’s simply a poor attempt at coping the Nintendo DS (referring mostly to the new touch-interface). What they forget to mention is the fact that the Vita some killer graphics capabilities.

The Vita actually utilizes components that will be used in smartphones that aren’t even out yet. It features a quad-core CPU as well as a quad-core SGX545MP4+ GPU (essentially a faster 4-core version of Apple’s dual-core A5 processor found in the iPad 2). This thing is truly capable of PS3 and Xbox 360 level graphics, which means you’ll be getting a lot of the same PS3 games rather than watered down portable versions the DS and PSP have. Games like Uncharted: Golden Abyss have already proved this.

The Price

The PS Vita comes in two flavors: a 3G cellular data version for $299 (plus monthly data plan), and a WiFi-only version for $249. Both are a spectacularly good deal.

Sure, the Nintendo 3DS and DSi XL are available for around $160, but the Vita isn’t really competing with the DS; it’s competing with smartphones. The smartphone gaming market is on the verge of rapid expansion, but they have a few huge speed bumps to get over:

1. Pricing. You can buy a new smartphone for about the same price as the PS Vita, except you’ll be locking yourself into a 2-year agreement. If you ever break or lose your phone, or want to buy a new one, it’ll cost you upwards of $500. The PS Vita is subsidized by game licensing, so its price will only go down from here on out.
2. Performance. We’ll be seeing quad-core phones before the end of the year, but the PS Vita has already achieved that performance today.
3. Controls. With the exception of the Xperia Play, smartphones are pretty much only offer touch screeninputs. Serious gaming is basically impossible. Thankfully, the Vita has dual joysticks, a D-pad, left/right bumpers, and of course a handful of buttons.
4. Games. The PS Vita is a gaming device, so there’s no question that it will soon have a massive game library with hundreds of great titles. Smartphone app stores are still hazy on the gaming department while they wait to see if smartphones can make suitable gaming devices.

Everything Else

Overall, the PS Vita has been very well designed. Its 5-inch 960×544 qHD OLED display looks great and still keeps it small enough that it will fit in your pocket, though it’s probably a bit too bulky to carry it everywhere you go. With the exception of transitioning from the joysticks to the touch screen (and visa-versa), the controls are very well thought out.

The gaming experience really is unmatched in the portable realm; however, full-sized games also mean full-sized load times. Starting up a game like Uncharted can take a few minutes. Fortunately, the sleep function makes pausing and resuming gameplay almost instantaneous. The Vita also makes for an excellent media device, with lots of options for storage and most popular media formats. That big beautiful screen does take a heavy toll on battery life, though. Expect about 5 hours of gaming on a single charge – enough for a long car trip, but bring a charger for a long flight.