E3 1995-2007: A Retrospective

by Randy Nelson { Jul 10th 2008 at 6:00PM }

Although it's a mere shadow of its former self in terms of floor space and companies attending, next week's E3 Media and Business Summit in Los Angeles will nevertheless be the focal point of the global games industry. It's the 13th year for an expo that's seen its share of high (and low) points, major announcements, and big game debuts.

In preparation for our week-long coverage of this year's show, join us for a look back at everything important that's happened since the very first E3 opened its doors in 1995. Let's take a ~~stroll~~ strut down memory lane, shall we?

Tags: e3, joystiqfeatures

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

CTC XBL-supapaypamawio PSN-ctclaw @ Jul 10th 2008 6:07PM

I just hope something regarding Major League Eating is shown...does anyone know if it's out? I can't find it on the Wiiware channel anywhere...

eNrique @ Jul 11th 2008 1:16PM

play beyond 599???

Mr.ESC @ Jul 10th 2008 6:12PM

Boy that picture brings me memories.

Neverwinter nights was so awesome in fact is one of the games I played non stop with Diablo II LoD,HeXen 2,F.E.A.R Online and Sonic 3 and Knuckles.

I never bought Never winter nights 2 since it didn’t improved much and Guildwars looked a hell lot better. Too bad Guildwars never was as good as Neverwinter.

I also remember when I wanted a Ngage ,I’m glad I never got one.

RobLink (Alex Kidd incarnate) @ Jul 10th 2008 6:13PM

Aaah, E3 '06. So many memories, so many memes.....

Mr.ESC @ Jul 10th 2008 6:23PM

Giant enemy crab!!

Hit it's weak spot for massive damage.

Good ol times.

Mr.ESC @ Jul 10th 2008 6:18PM

"Nintendo GameCube had its big coming out party at E3 2001. The system was playable in North America for the first time at the event, along with launch titles such as Luigi's Mansion and Wave Race: Blue Storm. Nintendo also showed off Metroid Prime (to a rave response), Miyamoto's new project, Pikmin, and Super Smash Bros. Brawl"

O-o? wat?

Don't you mean Super Smash Brothers Melee?

Danny @ Jul 10th 2008 6:36PM

I just saw the same thing. I mean, I knew things were shown first at EA, but 7 years before release? I wonder if they'll show some Final Fantasy XVII footage this year.

Tarvus Domicus @ Jul 10th 2008 6:22PM

What groundbreaking moments!

For me, it doesn't get any better then this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=98VjTbC4gC4

Lord Bowser @ Jul 13th 2008 7:23AM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6KgwgOL5uY4

thatguy @ Jul 10th 2008 6:28PM

Wow.. I've been attentively watching E3 since 1999, since I was 14 years old. Time sure does fly by. So does great gaming.

Deric Lee @ Jul 10th 2008 7:11PM

I went to E3 2001....I think...which ever was the one where they showed xbox and game cube for the first time.

I got to go with my school, I remember getting drunk, losing my friends at a club, then running around Pasadena on foot for 3 hours trying to find my hotel and spraining my ankle in the process.

And that was only day one!!

Deric Lee @ Jul 10th 2008 7:13PM

Did I also mention that I'm one of the few that got to play Kameo on the game cube! Yeah me(and the other 10,000 attendies that year)

Red Leader @ Jul 10th 2008 8:59PM

I'm incredibly jealous of everyone who got to go to an E3. I was too young to go on my own, and didn't have any friends with as great of an interest as me.

Vaf @ Jul 10th 2008 9:24PM

I miss the old E3.

Eric @ Jul 11th 2008 1:07AM

I have a sneaking suspicion that there is a mistake on the E3 2006 description... in fact, I know there is.

The Wii controller wasn't revealed at E3, it was revealed in September at a show in Japan.

The PlayStation 3 Sixaxis was revealed at E3 2007, after Nintendo revealed theirs.

Jonah Falcon @ Jul 11th 2008 2:24AM

Don't forgot to do photo comments in the retrospective.

JRM @ Jul 11th 2008 4:10AM

I think Joystiq took it too easy on Sony on the 2006 page. Sony's was the most disastrous, pitiful, keynote made by any of the console manufacturers in all of the E3's.

JRM @ Jul 11th 2008 4:11AM

I think Joystiq took it too easy on Sony on the 2006 page. Sony's was the most disastrous, pitiful, keynote made by any of the console manufacturers in all of the E3's.

K387 @ Jul 11th 2008 8:59AM

Ya, I remember going to E3 2001 back when Well Rounded Entertainment was operational. I couldn't believe the hoopla that surrounded the event.

My two best moments:

1. Sharing a cab ride with a guy from Sega who put me on a guest list to go behind the scenes (which my editor loved)

2. Mentioning to BioWare that I was from Canada only for them to treat me like a brother. They gave me a more in-depth look at Neverwinter Nights and gave me all sort of exclusive screenshots and such and even took me to the BioWare lounge where I got to chill with a bunch of people from the team. I later ran into them at the airport and they remembered who I was and everything.

K387

GoonieGooGoo @ Jul 11th 2008 10:35AM

Aaah...e3 memories...good times.

It's sad that no matter how they try to sugarcoat it....today's E3 is a Pale pale imitator of what it used to be. I'll be surprised if the show lasts another 5 years.