Anybody else severely disappointed by the lackluster e3 this year? Well lets go back to the good ole' days when companies actually did their utmost best to showcase their games, consoles, equipment, etc. to the general Generation X/Millennial public.


zz9y_UR2MT0


This was E3 of 1999, probably one of the best video game conferences in history. This conference showcased the power of the upcoming Sega Dreamcast and the subsequent Playstation 2 and Nintendo Dolphin.


https://www.diabloii.net/gallery/data/515/medium/e3-1999-booth.jpg


Online gaming started to have a presence at this e3 with Sega announcing to have a dial up modem on its console & online only games having a higher presence from PC gaming.


http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/0/1992/1070425-sega03.jpg


Many iconic games were announced or showcased more heavily this year like Quake 2, Donkey Kong 64, Final Fantasy 8, Diablo II, and Sonic Adventure among others.


http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/2f7eea2d7cfbf1ab177495bfcbba77b4-650-80.jpg


This E3 is very nostalgic, not because I necessarily remember it, I do not, but because it reminds me of a more simpler but yet more innovative time in gaming. It harkens me back to the first time I played my SNES at my older cousins house when I was like 4 or 5. When I was first booted up my GameBoy Color in Christmas of 2000. When I first played my PS1 when I was 5 or 6.


http://cdn2.pu.nl/media/teruggooidinsdag/5e3report-1.jpg


The much simpler time in gaming when all you needed to do was pop your cartridge or CD, turn on the system, and be at your game within seconds. When genres like platformers, strategy, racing, RPGs, action adventure, among others had more presence within the gaming landscape and they weren't completely overshadowed by generic FPS's.


https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/0/1992/1070263-sega03.jpg


A time when, while online gaming was on the rise, local split screen multiplayer was still king, especially on the Nintendo 64 and Nintendo GameCube with their 4 controller ports. So many nostalgic memories of playing games like Diddy Kong Racing, Mario Kart 64, Super Smash Bros. Melee, Sonic Adventure 2: Battle, and F-Zero GX with family and friends.


https://static2.gamespot.com/uploads/original/gamespot/images/2004/features/gamespotting/041604/560339-gamespotting_017.jpg


I could go on and on, but the fact that e3's suck so much now, has a lot to do with the decline in gaming over the years. Perhaps I'm being a bit of a nostalgia nut, but gaming IMHO isn't as fun as it used to be :\'(. Looking at this old e3 video from G4TV (remember them? Icons was such a great show :D) just evokes so many memories and feelings.

I like this thread but I missed out on all this. I became aware of E3 too late. If I actually did see them back then, I completely forgot about them like when I run into people I went to school with that I don't remember but they still remember me.

Awesome topic. E3 was awesome back during the '90s, as was video gaming generally. We couldn't go online at our house back then, so for E3 1999, I had to wait until the next issue of GamePro magazine came out so I could look at the pictures of PS2 screenshots, and the preview of Donkey Kong 64, which I was really excited about at the time. Also, I remember a rumor some kid started that a sequel to Super Mario 64 would be show off that year, but sadly that didn't happen.

You guys probably haven't seen this before, but here's a video from 1996 and the official premiere of Super Mario 64.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P4AJYog_s2s

I only became aware of E3's 2 or 3 years ago.....very, very late. However, looking back at E3's from the 1990s and 2000s give me both wonder and nostalgia and it sucks I couldn't have experienced them. Maybe someday I will experience an E3.

Anybody else severely disappointed by the lackluster e3 this year? Well lets go back to the good ole' days when companies actually did their utmost best to showcase their games, consoles, equipment, etc. to the general Generation X/Millennial public.


zz9y_UR2MT0


This was E3 of 1999, probably one of the best video game conferences in history. This conference showcased the power of the upcoming Sega Dreamcast and the subsequent Playstation 2 and Nintendo Dolphin.


https://www.diabloii.net/gallery/data/515/medium/e3-1999-booth.jpg


Online gaming started to have a presence at this e3 with Sega announcing to have a dial up modem on its console & online only games having a higher presence from PC gaming.


http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/0/1992/1070425-sega03.jpg


Many iconic games were announced or showcased more heavily this year like Quake 2, Donkey Kong 64, Final Fantasy 8, Diablo II, and Sonic Adventure among others.


http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/2f7eea2d7cfbf1ab177495bfcbba77b4-650-80.jpg


This E3 is very nostalgic, not because I necessarily remember it, I do not, but because it reminds me of a more simpler but yet more innovative time in gaming. It harkens me back to the first time I played my SNES at my older cousins house when I was like 4 or 5. When I was first booted up my GameBoy Color in Christmas of 2000. When I first played my PS1 when I was 5 or 6.


http://cdn2.pu.nl/media/teruggooidinsdag/5e3report-1.jpg


The much simpler time in gaming when all you needed to do was pop your cartridge or CD, turn on the system, and be at your game within seconds. When genres like platformers, strategy, racing, RPGs, action adventure, among others had more presence within the gaming landscape and they weren't completely overshadowed by generic FPS's.


https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/0/1992/1070263-sega03.jpg


A time when, while online gaming was on the rise, local split screen multiplayer was still king, especially on the Nintendo 64 and Nintendo GameCube with their 4 controller ports. So many nostalgic memories of playing games like Diddy Kong Racing, Mario Kart 64, Super Smash Bros. Melee, Sonic Adventure 2: Battle, and F-Zero GX with family and friends.


https://static2.gamespot.com/uploads/original/gamespot/images/2004/features/gamespotting/041604/560339-gamespotting_017.jpg


I could go on and on, but the fact that e3's suck so much now, has a lot to do with the decline in gaming over the years. Perhaps I'm being a bit of a nostalgia nut, but gaming IMHO isn't as fun as it used to be :\'(. Looking at this old e3 video from G4TV (remember them? Icons was such a great show :D) just evokes so many memories and feelings.


I do remember those times when games were simpler.

E3 was good all the way until around 2005 or '06. After that E3 ended up getting some changes and the overall feel of it was also changing.

E3 images from 2000-2004
http://www.digitpress.com/images/e32k2/acclaim.jpg
http://www.digitpress.com/images/e32k2/rayman3.jpg
https://i.ytimg.com/vi/YO4iL4yBekE/hqdefault.jpg
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/07/PlayStation_E3_2003.jpg
http://68.media.tumblr.com/4962d69b2691e0599fd4bb3c598af00b/tumblr_njfx7wZ74e1r6rrw3o9_1280.png

I like the overall vibe these images give.

The Wiki divides it into 3 eras. the '95-'06 era. The '07-'08 era (the worst E3s I've ever seen). And the '09- present era.

I like this thread but I missed out on all this. I became aware of E3 too late. If I actually did see them back then, I completely forgot about them like when I run into people I went to school with that I don't remember but they still remember me.


I agree! I think the first E3 I vividly remember was 2004. Granted E3s in the early-mid 2000's were still pretty solid :D


E3 was good all the way until around 2005 or '06. After that E3 ended up getting some changes and the overall feel of it was also changing.

E3 images from 2000-2004
http://www.digitpress.com/images/e32k2/acclaim.jpg
http://www.digitpress.com/images/e32k2/rayman3.jpg
https://i.ytimg.com/vi/YO4iL4yBekE/hqdefault.jpg
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/07/PlayStation_E3_2003.jpg
http://68.media.tumblr.com/4962d69b2691e0599fd4bb3c598af00b/tumblr_njfx7wZ74e1r6rrw3o9_1280.png

I like the overall vibe these images give.

The Wiki divides it into 3 eras. the '95-'06 era. The '07-'08 era (the worst E3s I've ever seen). And the '09- present era.


Damn it just shows how much things have changed in the gaming industry!

Yo @MachineHead the poster child of 1990's Kids 8), what is the first e3 you remember?

Damn it just shows how much things have changed in the gaming industry!

I agree. Can we go back to then? :(

I became aware of E3 in 2002, but I didn't start watching it until 2011. Ya 'see I only knew of E3 due to gaming magazines mentioning the event and all the news that came from it. However, I wasn't able to watch it until I got into watching live streams. In 2002 I couldn't live stream (not with the bad internet speed I was using anyways).

I agree. Can we go back to then? :(



What year do you want to go back to?

What year do you want to go back to?

2002-2004.

Yo @MachineHead the poster child of 1990's Kids 8), what is the first e3 you remember?


Thanks for the compliment, Zelda. Hopefully, I'm the poster child for the cool '90s kids, as opposed to the annoying '90s kids who troll 14 year olds on YouTube for not being able to remember Pogs.

Anyways, I can actually remember the very first E3 from 1995, believe it or not. Obviously, nobody actually knew what the hell E3 was at the time because it was a new event that had no reputation, but I do remember it. Us kids were really excited about the Sega Saturn launch, which was supposed to happen during the fall of 1995, but a few weeks after E3, my buddy came to school with a new issue of a video game magazine telling everybody that Sega had done their stupid trojan horse console launch of the Saturn and that it was already available to buy four months before we thought it would be.

Also, I clearly remember seeing screenshots for Super Mario 64 after E3 1996 while looking at video game magazines, though I still didn't actually know what the event was yet.

The first year that I was actually aware of what E3 was I would say was 1998.

Thanks for the compliment, Zelda. Hopefully, I'm the poster child for the cool '90s kids, as opposed to the annoying '90s kids who troll 14 year olds on YouTube for not being able to remember Pogs.

Anyways, I can actually remember the very first E3 from 1995, believe it or not. Obviously, nobody actually knew what the hell E3 was at the time because it was a new event that had no reputation, but I do remember it. Us kids were really excited about the Sega Saturn launch, which was supposed to happen during the fall of 1995, but a few weeks after E3, my buddy came to school with a new issue of a video game magazine telling everybody that Sega had done their stupid trojan horse console launch of the Saturn and that it was already available to buy four months before we thought it would be.

Also, I clearly remember seeing screenshots for Super Mario 64 after E3 1996 while looking at video game magazines, though I still didn't actually know what the event was yet.

The first year that I was actually aware of what E3 was I would say was 1998.

All I have to say is that you're lucky :(.

First E3 I watched was in 2006 (Giant Enemy Crab!) and I don't think it's been any better or worse since then. I guess I missed the boat on the golden age of E3s. :\'(

The event I'm usually more excited for is Tokyo Game Show. Now THAT has really declined over the years.  :-\\

Thanks for the compliment, Zelda. Hopefully, I'm the poster child for the cool '90s kids, as opposed to the annoying '90s kids who troll 14 year olds on YouTube for not being able to remember Pogs.

Anyways, I can actually remember the very first E3 from 1995, believe it or not. Obviously, nobody actually knew what the hell E3 was at the time because it was a new event that had no reputation, but I do remember it. Us kids were really excited about the Sega Saturn launch, which was supposed to happen during the fall of 1995, but a few weeks after E3, my buddy came to school with a new issue of a video game magazine telling everybody that Sega had done their stupid trojan horse console launch of the Saturn and that it was already available to buy four months before we thought it would be.

Also, I clearly remember seeing screenshots for Super Mario 64 after E3 1996 while looking at video game magazines, though I still didn't actually know what the event was yet.

The first year that I was actually aware of what E3 was I would say was 1998.


I remember reading about E3 in video game magazines in 1996 and seeing those screen shots of Mario 64. Quite a few gamers from back then probably first became aware of E3 from those Mario 64 shots. Just from the magazine coverage, it was easy to tell that this game was going to be a sensation. And this was the first I heard of E3, but I had some notion of what it was from reading descriptions of it attracting, I think, tens of thousands of game developers and journalists and seeing a few photos of the events. I remember in mid-96 fantasizing about how awesome it would be to go to an E3. It would be like a Mecca for nerds.

I was also looking forward to the Saturn but actually never ended up getting one, having an N64 and Playstation instead. Sega really messed up.

Those screen shots were probably from this event at E3.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BoQ_9thx480

2002-2004.



back when Playstation was about to get popular?

back when Playstation was about to get popular?

The PS2 was already popular during 2002-2004.

The PS2 was already popular during 2002-2004.


Didn't the PS3 debut a year or 2 later? ???

Didn't the PS3 debut a year or 2 later? ???

The PS3 came out in November 2006. The PS2 was still the most dominant console in 2006 (even though the Xbox 360 came out in November 2005). The 7th Generation of Video Game Consoles (PS3, Xbox 360, Wii) took over the 6th generation in 2007. However, the PS2 was still popular in the late 2000s and support for it by SONY was continued until 2013.

I became aware of E3 in 2002, but I didn't start watching it until 2011. Ya 'see I only knew of E3 due to gaming magazines mentioning the event and all the news that came from it. However, I wasn't able to watch it until I got into watching live streams. In 2002 I couldn't live stream (not with the bad internet speed I was using anyways).


Thats' wassup! Yeah the first E3 I remember hearing about was 2004. Although the first one I remember streaming from online was the one from 2008 I believe. Before that, I use to have a subscription to Game Informer in which every year during E3 they would showcase the announcements in the editorial.

http://www.gameinformer.com/cfs-filesystemfile.ashx/__key/CommunityServer-Components-ImageFileViewer/CommunityServer-Components-UserFiles-00-00-36-50-71-Attached+Files/7380.logo.gif_2D00_610x0.png


I agree. Can we go back to then? :(


I'll build a time machine so then we'll be able to experience the 2000's together ;)



Thanks for the compliment, Zelda. Hopefully, I'm the poster child for the cool '90s kids, as opposed to the annoying '90s kids who troll 14 year olds on YouTube for not being able to remember Pogs.

Anyways, I can actually remember the very first E3 from 1995, believe it or not. Obviously, nobody actually knew what the hell E3 was at the time because it was a new event that had no reputation, but I do remember it. Us kids were really excited about the Sega Saturn launch, which was supposed to happen during the fall of 1995, but a few weeks after E3, my buddy came to school with a new issue of a video game magazine telling everybody that Sega had done their stupid trojan horse console launch of the Saturn and that it was already available to buy four months before we thought it would be.

Also, I clearly remember seeing screenshots for Super Mario 64 after E3 1996 while looking at video game magazines, though I still didn't actually know what the event was yet.

The first year that I was actually aware of what E3 was I would say was 1998.


Its my pleasure, and damn thats amazing! So you remember the jump from 2D to 3D pretty vividly, that shows how much you've seen through gaming over the years. Its pretty bizzare how the first video game you played, Super Mario Bros on NES, has become so antiquated over the years via technological advances in graphics, controls, network functions, etc.

Question, do you remember this iconic ad from 96'?

tk2QDaq9OEk

I remember seeing this a few years ago randomly on YouTube and thinking, "Damn, gaming has advanced immensely within the last 18 years :o!".


I remember reading about E3 in video game magazines in 1996 and seeing those screen shots of Mario 64. Quite a few gamers from back then probably first became aware of E3 from those Mario 64 shots. Just from the magazine coverage, it was easy to tell that this game was going to be a sensation. And this was the first I heard of E3, but I had some notion of what it was from reading descriptions of it attracting, I think, tens of thousands of game developers and journalists and seeing a few photos of the events. I remember in mid-96 fantasizing about how awesome it would be to go to an E3. It would be like a Mecca for nerds.

I was also looking forward to the Saturn but actually never ended up getting one, having an N64 and Playstation instead. Sega really messed up.

Those screen shots were probably from this event at E3.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BoQ_9thx480


That's awesome! Do you still have the issues stored somewhere?

Thats' wassup! Yeah the first E3 I remember hearing about was 2004. Although the first one I remember streaming from online was the one from 2008 I believe. Before that, I use to have a subscription to Game Informer in which every year during E3 they would showcase the announcements in the editorial.

http://www.gameinformer.com/cfs-filesystemfile.ashx/__key/CommunityServer-Components-ImageFileViewer/CommunityServer-Components-UserFiles-00-00-36-50-71-Attached+Files/7380.logo.gif_2D00_610x0.png

I'll build a time machine so then we'll be able to experience the 2000's together ;)


Its my pleasure, and damn thats amazing! So you remember the jump from 2D to 3D pretty vividly, that shows how much you've seen through gaming over the years. Its pretty bizzare how the first video game you played, Super Mario Bros on NES, has become so antiquated over the years via technological advances in graphics, controls, network functions, etc.

Question, do you remember this iconic ad from 96'?

tk2QDaq9OEk

I remember seeing this a few years ago randomly on YouTube and thinking, "Damn, gaming has advanced immensely within the last 18 years :o!".

That's awesome! Do you still have the issues stored somewhere?


I have a lot of the issues stored in a few boxes in my brother's apartment, ranging from about 1990 to the early 2000s, EGM, GamePro, Nintendo Power and various other periodicals. Most are in decent shape, but in the late 90s my sister had an idea for decorating my room using cool game art from these magazines - taping it to the wall in a huge collage - so some issues are missing pages.

I have a lot of the issues stored in a few boxes in my brother's apartment, ranging from about 1990 to the early 2000s, EGM, GamePro, Nintendo Power and various other periodicals. Most are in decent shape, but in the late 90s my sister had an idea for decorating my room using cool game art from these magazines - taping it to the wall in a huge collage - so some issues are missing pages.


Thats awesome! I only had a subscription to Game Informer, from about 2006-2009. Most of the issues I still have in the attic of my house. I kind of wish I had more subscriptions...

From what I've heard, Nintendo Power was at its peak in popularity during the 90's and many iconic issues were released during that time.

Oh man... I went to the very first E3 when I was six along with my late neighbor Elizabeth (may she rest in peace). I remember seeing Sega Saturn there? I think Sonic X-Treme was there too... Virtua Cop as well. The defining moment was the Virtual Boy, which Elizabeth dubbed the "Headache-O-Matic" after I got a headache from it... EarthBound was there, Elizabeth spent way too much time at the Sega, SNK, Namco, and Capcom panels, I saw MegaMan X3 (Elizabeth told me she was at the 1993 Consumer Electronics Show when MegaMan X was first shown to the USA), and when "$2.99" was said and everybody was happy, I didn't know why so I clapped and cheered along.
My parents and Elizabeth's parents would take us to all the E3s, our last being 2003, as the next week my dad accepted a job in Japan and Elizabeth coincidentally died the day after. I attended the 2007 E3 at Santa Monica on my trip to the USA, but nowadays I just stick to Tokyo Game Show.