Six current PS3 games that would benefit from 3D

3D is coming to gaming – of that there can be no doubt. But will it offer developers and gamers more than just astonishing visuals and actually add something to the gameplay? Here are the games that we think Sony might patch for 3D graphics and what benefit that 3D technology might bring.

Shooters in 3D? Yes please!

Killzone 2
Out of all the current game genres, the first-person shooter would probably benefit most from the jump to 3D. The fixed camera would help give the best 3D effect and being able to accurately judge distance would aid combat – especially in using projectiles to weed out those pesky cover-hunger enemies.

MotorStorm: Pacific Rift
This massively under-rated racer didn’t sell as well as Sony hoped it might, therefore a 3D makeover might help it pick up some late sales. It’s got the graphics engine for it too – MotorStorm: Pacific Rift remains one of the best-looking racers on any console. In terms of 3D-gameplay, this would be little more than an exercise in player immersion.

Gran Turismo 5
The game that already supports head tracking – which uses the PSEye to produce a pseudo-3D effect without the need for glasses – is a showcase for the PS3’s graphics capabilities. It’s likely then that it would also become a showcase for 3D too. Being able to judge distance to a rival racer or corner in the road will see those lap times come tumbling down.

Will 3D lead to new gameplay styles?

UPDATE: Sony has shown Gran Turismo 5 running in 3D at CES 2010.

Uncharted 2
The best-looking game on PS3 – and on any other console for that matter – would look even better in 3D. Natch. But how would 3D benefit that gameplay? Okay it may not in this instance, but in the future we may see puzzles in these types of games that require you to use spatial awareness to solve.

LittleBigPlanet
3D, combined with motion wand control, would feasibly make level creation more tactile and easier to do – like the way a tablet makes drawing on a computer better than using a mouse. In terms of playing the game in 3D… It’s Sackboy in 3D! Just look at him!

Metal Gear Solid 4
This makes the list simply because Kojima likes, nay loves, to be at the cutting edge of technology and using it in interesting and innovative ways in his games. Would this really effect the gameplay in MGS4? Probably not, but with Kojima on the case you know that there would be some weird and pretentious uses of 3D tech in Metal Gear Solid 5.

At the moment it looks like 3D in gaming will offer just a bit more than games currently do. Like 3D in the movies, they will be more of a 'high-def plus' bonus than a must-have element to games. But then factor in head-tracking and motion control and the immersion that 3D brings and we could be about to enter a new era of gaming. We shall see.