3D gaming isn't just a fad anymore. Nintendo's latest handheld is built upon a glasses-free 3D foundation and Sony is promising over 30 stereoscopic 3D titles launching before the year's end. And while a lot of 3D games aren't worth the eye strain they may or may not cause, many of them are worthy enough to justify springing for a shiny new 3DS or an expensive 3DTV. Here's our list of the best upcoming games in 3D. Headaches and nausea not included.
SOCOM 4: U.S. Navy SEALs
SOCOM 4 will be the first real SOCOM game on the PlayStation 3. I say that because not only was SOCOM: Confrontation such an utter disappointment, but it was developed by Slant Six, not SOCOM’s original developer, Zipper Interactive. Zipper was instead hard at work on MAG, which put a previously unimaginable 256 players in one online deathmatch.
Even with all that chaos, though, it wasn’t about running and gunning. MAG players had to work as a team to complete objectives and stay alive. The same can be said for SOCOM 4’s squad-based, more tactical gameplay. SOCOM 4 will be the first game in the series to feature stereoscopic 3D, which should help soldiers better judge their targets on the battlefield thanks to the depth 3D adds. The fierce multiplayer action will ensure bullets are flying in all directions. The 3D will ensure those bullets feel like they’re coming right for you.
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Kid Icarus: Uprising
At launch, there wasn't a ton of amazing games that showed off blazing fast 3D on the 3DS. Where are all the blistering twists, turns, and flips? Maybe we'll be waiting until June or whenever Nintendo sees fit to release Kid Icarus: Uprising on their new handheld. After going hands-on with the latest incarnation of the Kid Icarus franchise, Game Revolution can attest to the eye-melting beauty at hand in Uprising. Not only is the 3D effect awesome, the frame-rate is also smooth as silk. Look out for the genre bending, rainbow-of-awesome-straight-into-the-eyes Uprising later this year.
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Motorstorm: Apocalypse
Motorstorm: Apocalypse is one of the PS3’s flagship 3D titles and for good reason. The game has been built from scratch with 3D in mind. All of the game’s post-apocalyptic environments serve as the perfect venue for the Motorstorm festival and as a 3D showpiece. Towering buildings crash and crumble down upon you, and change the terrain and track for your next lap.
Watch out for pedestrians! No, don't avoid them, make sure you hit them as you race – it’s hella cool in 3D to see the bodies pop over your hood.
Sadly but respectfully, Sony has delayed Motorstorm: Apocalypse in the wake of the devastating Earthquake and following Tsunami in Japan. When it does finally arrive, it will officially raise the bar in terms of games in 3D.
Click here for more information on Motorstorm: Apocalypse.
Metal Gear Solid: Snake Eater 3D
Snake? Snaaaaaaaaakee! Oh, there you are on the 3DS. The PlayStation 2’s iconic third installment in the Metal Gear Solid franchise is making its way over to the 3DS. Using the added field of depth, you can more easily sneak around enemies to avoid detection.
This isn’t some port, either. Many of the new features introduced in the PSP’s Metal Gear Solid titles will be found on Snake Eater 3DS. Knowing Kojima Productions, it’s bound to take advantage of the 3DS in ways yet to be seen. Tactical espionage action has never looked so good!
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ICO and Shadow of the Colossus Collection
Two revered PS2 classics from Team ICO on one disc? As if that wasn’t more than enough gaming goodness to warrant a purchase (or re-purchase), the masterminds over at Sony are adding stereoscopic 3D to the package. Each of the classic titles will be re-mastered to today’s HD resolutions. The 3D will ensure that each game’s beautiful landscapes are even more stunning then ever before.
Click here for more information on ICO and Shadow of the Colossus Collection.
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D
What more can we say really? It’s Ocarina of Time, in 3D! The timeless classic and arguably the best game of all-time is coming to the 3DS.
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The Last Guardian
You already know we’re looking forward to Team ICO’s ICO and Shadow of the Colossus Collection, and those are just PS2 titles. Using the raw power of the PS3 to its maximum, Team ICO has created a surreal experience with The Last Guardian that teams a young boy up with a mystical beast known as Trico. The sheer size of the beast compared to the boy will make for some amazing moments in 3D. The towering castles and underwater areas will feature unprecedented detail and depth. Information is still scarce on The Last Guardian, but we’re sure to hear more at this year’s E3.
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Mortal Kombat
Nothing is better than finishing off your opponent with a gruesome, gore-filled fatality. Scratch that. It’s far better when doing so in 3D. Mortal Kombat is reaching back to its early arcade roots except for one major thing: the third dimension. Characters engaged in kombat are up-front and center, while meticulously animated backgrounds come to life. Blood spurts, and limbs fly toward you in realistic fashion when the adjustable 3D is turned to max. You can’t, however, turn down the level of violence, or our level of anticipation for this game.
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Metal Gear Solid: Rising
Lightning Bolt Action in shocking 3D. Raiden has ditched his girly facade to become an uber-cool cyborg with white blood. Metal Gear Solid: Rising tells the story of what happens to Raiden between the events of Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty and Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots. From the looks of what we’ve seen so far, Raiden grew his obsession for cutting things Zan-Datsu style. On top of all the slicing and dicing, Raiden draws energy from the electrified spines of his enemies. At last year’s E3, Kojima Productions announced that Metal Gear Solid: Rising would be available in 3D on the PlayStation 3, and we couldn’t possibly be happier.
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Uncharted 3: Drake’s Deception
As the follow up to the immensely successful Game of the Year in 2009, Uncharted 3: Drake’s Deception has to up the ante in almost every way. How do you beat over-the-top action, Hollywood-style cut-scenes and flawless gameplay? You go bigger and better – and that’s just want Naughty Dog plans to do with Uncharted 3: Drake’s Deception.
Nathan Drake is stuck in a web of lies, and he must figure out who he can trust in order to survive. A new enemy threat is after the ring around Nathan Drake’s neck, which just so happens to belong to the famous explorer, Sir Francis Drake. In the past Drake discovered tropical oasis and snowy mountaintops, but this time, he’ll find himself in the unforgiving desert after his plane has crashed. All-new sand and fire effects bring the world around you to life. With the 3D on, vines hang realistically adding depth to scenes. It also helps improve Drake’s accuracy when unloading a clip into some hired mercenaries. Uncharted 3: Drake’s Deception is coming in November, and it’s not just our number one most anticipated game in 3D, it’s one of our most anticipated titles, period.
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