The Tokyo Game Show. It's hard to describe what this event is like. You have to see it. Thankfully, I work in television, so it's not too hard for me to show you. Let me then describe what it feels like. The convention center TGS takes place in has a low ceiling by convention-center standards, and the walls are exposed concrete. The result: deafening noise. At E3 there was a dull roar that drove me crazy by the third day, but at TGS it was like someone boxing my ears with bricks.

On top of that, there are more people than you can imagine. It's almost overwhelming. But it's manageable, thanks to the amazing Japanese efficiency that keeps people from smashing into one another. Of course I couldn't help but bump into every single person in attendance. To make matters worse, the game companies tend to give away swag bags that are long, like an oversize envelope, so when people pushed past me I'd get smacked in the family jewels. Thought I'd share that for you folks at home.

On to the games
There wasn't a ton of exciting revelations. Indeed, a lot of TGS's high-profile games were games we saw at E3 for the American market. One interesting update: "Metal Gear Solid 3" has an opening title sequence that looks like classic Bond movie credits. The intro starts with silhouetted Solid Snake (or Big Bosses, who knows) dancing against a colored background as a Shirley Bassey soundalike wails on. For an old-timer like myself it's great, but I can already hear the cries of hard-core fans.

Sega smash
Sega had a nice showing at TGS. The follow-up to "Shinobi," called "Kunoichi," was on hand. U.S. gamers know it as "Nightshade." A terrible idea. The nightshade is a plant family that includes the eggplant. Hard-core ninja action, an eggplant does not say. Other than that, the game looks good, though I have little hope Sega dealt with the notorious difficulty found in "Shinobi."

Another interesting title was "Phantasy Star Online 3: C.A.R.D. Revolution." It's a turn-based online card game where you summon the creatures to do battle for you. Given the amazing popularity of card games in America and Japan, this direction makes sense. But don't expect me to jump online with this puppy when it's released.

The biggest treat -- and the biggest disappointment -- was the "Sega Ages" line. These are classic Sega games such as "Golden Axe" and "Afterburner" updated for contemporary consoles. In many cases they're now 3-D. These updates don't sacrifice the look of the original game. So what's disappointing, you say? Sega has no intention of bringing the line to the United States. Indeed, Sega representatives expressed amazement when we told them they should.

Capcom's lineup
Things were impressive at Capcom. "Onimusha 3" looks good -- much better then the second outing. But the game that really grabbed me was "Monster Hunter" for the Xbox. It appears to play similarly to "Phantasy Star Online." You're one of four monster hunters. While PSO was claustrophobic, the anime-styled environments in "Monster Hunter" are expansive. The setting is a cross between traditional fantasy and medieval Japan. The game feels big, the monsters are enormous, the weapons are oversize, and every fight looks like a boss battle. I haven't yet seen anything to convince me jump online with my PS2, but "Monster Hunter" could change that.

Of course there were other games, but these were the ones that really stood out for me. Games 'n' pain: That pretty much sums up the 2003 Tokyo Game Show.