Game Gadgets is the regular gadget column written by Sam Lawrence. Request a gadget to be reviewed here.

I'm sure everyone has heard a few rumours flying around the interwebs about a lot of hardware announcements at E3 this year. Every console maker has something to be rumoured with Sony having the most. If you want to read on, why wouldn't you, ill let you read about the rumours and how likely they are to actually happen. Oh if I'm wrong I'm sorry, actually just blame Mick.

PSP Slim?

Well what seems to be the most likely, actually its almost guaranteed to happen, is a redesign of the PSP. The PSP "Go!"(what a stupid name by the way), as it has been referred to, has a larger screen, flip or slide out controls and will be UMD less. Ah the UMD a failed attempt at a new format, it sucks the battery and if the rumours are true then this new PSP will have a much longer battery life. The other change that the loss of UMD will make is a focus on Digital Distribution or Memory Cards for physical media in places with major download caps, Australia anyone? This is not a PSP 2, hardware specifications will be minimal at best and no second analogue nub will be added unfortunately.

Likelihood: 95% This has all but been announced.

How smart is it: Very, a move to digital distribution could give the PSP the boost it needs,

This would be really cool. Image courtesy of playstationlifestyle.net

PS3 Slim?

Well since we started with the Sony rumours we might as well keep going, a PS3 slim is rumoured to be unveiled at the show. Let me just say that if this is announced it is the stupidest idea in the world ever. I'm not saying that I don't want a slimmer PS3, but there are a lot of more important things that Sony needs to concentrate on.

Something like getting the price down, getting online features that match Xbox Live or making Home actually useful. The PS3 still costs $699 in Australia! I'm the biggest PS3 fan on the site, just go onto the forums and ask anyone but I can see these things are still wrong. Microsoft seems to be in a more likely position to release a slimmer 360. Just to prove how stupid they would be to release a slim now; the PS2 didn't get a slim version til 5 years after its initial release in Japan. The original Playstation had a 5 year gap until the PSone came out. It's only been 3 years since the launch of the Playstation 3; give it at least another year before a slim comes out. But saying all of that it still might be true, a few shots of a PS3 slim on a Chinese production line have been put up on various websites but the whole thing looks a bit suss, I think we will have to wait until E3 to find out the truth.

Likelihood: 50% But please not yet, and not the one in the photos. If it is true it better have a price drop as well.

How smart is it:

Could this be real?

Zune Portable Gaming?

This is a very interesting rumour, Microsoft might be heading into the Portable gaming market with a ZuneX. Honestly, why not? They are competing very well in the console section; I believe an Xbox hand held would be a fantastic thing.

Think of all the Arcade games that could come to a handheld; Not to mention that if Halo or Gears of War were to come to a Handheld. If Microsoft did a handheld right it could be a chart topper. The only problem that could come with them doing a handheld could come by its competition. If it is more powerful than a PSP but only slightly then a lot of PSP ports could come its way. But if it is too costly it might price itself out of the market. There are two things I haven't herd rumours about but would be a given; Xbox Live connectivity and connecting to the 360. Think about that for a second; Keep friends lists on both consoles, transferring games from the Live Arcade and how does cross console chat sound. I think that sounds bloody awesome!

Likelihood: 50% I think this has to happen at some point right? Why not sooner than later.

How smart is it: This would be a great move for Microsoft. The 360's sales would probably have a spike at the same time.

The claimed ZuneX?

Microsoft and Sony motion Controllers?

Now onto Microsoft and Sony together; both of these companies had rumours last year before E3 that they have motion controllers in the works. Guess what, they have resurfaced this year. The main difference between the two years for the Xbox 360 is that instead of the rumour mentioning them copying the Wii controller they are now going the Eye-toy route. This camera will track a person's motion as the input with out having a controller in hand. If this sounds like the Eye toy to you, you're not alone; but the way they work is much different. Instead of showing you on the screen it will match a part of your body to a part in the character you're playing on screen. An example would be having your Left arm to the left arm of a boxer in Fight Night Round 4. Sony seems to be going after the Wii market if the rumours are to be believed, a Playstation 3 version of the Wii controller that "breaks apart" into either 2 or 4 sections has been spotted by focus test groups and has a 1:1 motion ratio.

Is this the rumoured motion camera?

So What About a Motion Controller on the PS2?

I'm going to add a bit of fuel to the fire here, if Sony is making a motion controller. Why not make it so that the PS2 can use it as well? At $199 with a motion controller and some similar games as the Wii, (Pii sports anyone) I think this would be a massive hit for Sony and would go hand in hand with my next rumour.

A PS2 with a built in upscaler to 1080p and a HDMI output is the last rumoured hardware from Sony. It will allow people to view DVDs, Singstar and Buzz in 1080p with out it looking like a total mess. It would also be nice to see God of War in HD.... Oh sorry God of War III is coming on the PS3, Sony's HD gaming system

Likelihood: 20% I really hope that this doesn't happen, the PS2 was one of the greatest systems ever made just leave it be

How smart is it: For a general consumer it would be a good move on Sony's part, as a gamer I don't want it to happen.

So these are the E3 rumors with my predictions, agree or disagree we all know that E3 will reveal all. Until then why don't you give me your opinions on the official forum.