Will Nintendo show a new ‘Zelda?’ Will Rockstar roll out a Western?

On June 2, the world’s largest video game conference will descend on Los Angeles for the 15th annual Electronic Entertainment Expo (“E3″ in gamer speak). While video games have done a lot of maturing in recent years to include non-traditional players, the show is still considered by many as “for gamers, by gamers.” In that sense, these are the known games that invoke a bevy of involuntary thumb twitches.

Red Dead Redemption

There aren’t a lot of Western-themed video games. So when the maker of “Grand Theft Auto” decides to make one, we take notice. A sequel to 2004’s “Red Dead Revolver,” Rockstar Games’ latest open-world adventure, lets players assume the role of outlaw as they traverse frontier towns, prairies and mountain passes to restore order to the American Frontier, circa 1908. Instead of cars, you’ll be stealing horses. Giddyup.

Heavy Rain

Sony admits its strategy is to further blur the lines between video games and movies. “Heavy Rain,” a hyper-real “interactive drama” is the latest manifestation in a long line of titles that argue realism — not imagination — is the future of games. For example, players will assume control of remaining characters (instead of “continuing” with dead ones) to finish. That said, it’ll either be the next big thing or a beautiful disaster. And the suspense is killing us.

Modern Warfare 2

Little is known about the sequel to 2007’s excellent “Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare,” but the floodgates will be opened next week on the follow up. Far from being the most innovative game on our list, “Modern Warfare 2″ has it where it counts: developer pedigree, intense explosions and more action than a Jerry Bruckheimer flick. If there’s one unequivocal “man game” on our list, it’s this one.

New Zelda for Wii

Despite its phenomenal return to the top, some long-time gamers feel as if Nintendo has turned its back on traditional gamers in favor of the casual games Wii owners seem to prefer. Whether or not that’s the case, the expected announcement of a proper “Zelda” game for Wii this year is sure to soften any feelings of alienation. And as one of the most critically acclaimed series ever, a new Zelda will undoubtedly arouse excitement.

Project Trico (working title)

Arguably the most beautiful and original game of last generation will finally get an update this year. Though unannounced at the time of writing, the spiritual successor to “Shadow of the Colossus” will likely come in the form of “Project Trico” (working title). A trailer of the game surfaced this month and shares many of the motifs (visual design, mood, music) that Team Ico, the developer, is known for.