The fourth annual E3 Electronic Expo was held this year in Atlanta Georgia, and showcased over 1,600 new interactive entertainment titles. E3 is the world's largest trade show and is dedicated to interactive entertainment, educational software, and other related products. Everything from PC and MAC products to Console titles for Nintendo 64 and PlayStation games were on display. Some 440 exhibitors spread out in the Georgia World Congress Center (it's the size of 35 football fields).

And now, the "must-check-out" list:

Tomb Raider III, coming soon from Eidos Interactive. Yes, she's back. Lara Croft is returning in a globe-trotting adventure with a revamped game engine including richer terrain detail, an upgraded At, and a reflection system with realistic transparencies and shadows. Some of its incredible special effects include rain, snow and fire.

Microprose put on a strong showing with several titles. European Air War, the most notable, is set in World War II. Players will get a chance to fly 20 different aircraft. Some may recall 1942 Pacific Air War; this one improves upon that title with contemporary graphics and a new At, as well as new flight dynamics.

Also from Microprose is Mechwarrior 3. The display version gives new meaning to "resources and systems control". Mechwarrior fans will be very pleased with this one. Players take control of mission planning and decide which mechs go on a mission and which targets are going to be hit. New equipment and parts will greatly improve the customizing and repair of your mechs.

Falcon 4.0 shows major promise, with Cuttingedge graphics, dynamic campaigns and, of course, multiplayer gameplay. Flying an F-16 in a game was never so much fun before. Star Trek The Next Generation: Klingon Honor Guard drops the player smack in the middle of the most hostile part of the Star Trek Universe. A fast paced 3-D first person shooter, Guardians: Agents Of Justice is a turnbased strategy game where the players control a group of super heroes. If the canned heroes are not good enough, there is also an option to customize new ones.

DreamWorks Interactive made a big show with the game Trespasser, a first person perspective set in ost World of Jurassic Park. Physics-based gameplay in incredible. You can pick up such things as large tree limbs or planks and use them as weapons. Its projected release date is Fall '98. This one is a must have.

From Interplay, the games that are going to burn up your hard drive are Fallout 2 and Baldur's Gate. F-2 sports new creatures to kill and much smoother looking locations, plus hand to hand combat. Baldur's Gate incorporates several features that gamers will love, including control of the party's marching formation.

This is an incredible benefit during combat. Also, the buildings are not just eye candy - you can enter and explore them. Spellcasting and combat are enhanced with some eye-pleasing graphics, white players manage up to five other NPCs in the party. Baldur's Gate is one game that will make AD&D gainers proud. Two other new Star Trek titles hit warp 10 soon! Star Trek: Secret of Vulcan Fury is set in the Classic timeline and captures the took and feel of the original show. Star Trek Klingon Academy is the next step for the successful Star Fleet Academy. It presents the Star Trek world from the Klingon's perspective, taking players into a simulated war campaign against the Federation. Rich graphics and new systems and star ships make this a game that may surpass its predecessors.

Sony Interactive Studios is releasing a 3D fantasy RPG called Ever Quest, a virtual world of dark dungeons, tall towers, ancient crypts, and diverse species. There are fully developed economic systems, alliances and politics, all in real- time rendered graphics. Using the Internet, more than 1,000 players can enjoy this world. Their website: www.everquest.com

Midway Home Entertainment Brings Jackie Chan fans a dream come true - Jackie Chan's Stuntmaster Video Game is set for early 1999. Jackie Chan's movements have been recorded as motion captures and integrated here; the result is some incredibly authentic action. Players step into Jackie's shoes and must ward off attacks from enemies who have ruined the filming of Chan's latest movie.

Jane's Combat Simulations is addressing subjects the players have been hoping for with First Fighter Legends: Europe 1944. While flying, players are able to use large formations to tactical advantage, along with terrain and cloud cover to hide from enemy attacks. Next in line for JCS is World Air Power: Israeli Air Force. The terrain engine shows some detailed landscapes and is almost photo realistic. Players will be able to fly one of seven jets from the Israeli airforce in a total of 42 missions.

Sierra Studios ushers in Half Life. This one promises to break the gaming barrier in several areas, as the creature At guides things to chase after you; hide in a room and they'll try to tear the door down to get to you. King's Quest Mask Of Eternity is another hot one from Roberta Williams that will rocket the series to a new level with a true 3D world that offers the player a chance to have complete freedom of movement and physical interaction with the environment.

It should be noted here that more than half of the new titles shown at E3 had some form of multiplayer component. More than half featured 3D graphics. Over 100 had been designed exclusively for play on the Internet. All categories of gaming and multimedia entertainment had been represented.