As E3 draws to a close for another year, it’s time to take a look at the major third party announcements that we haven’t already covered in our Microsoft, Nintendo and Sony wrap-ups. We’ll also focus on new rather than previously announced titles.

EA

EA has been relatively subdued at this year’s event, but it did find time to unveil Need For Speed: Hot Pursuit. Burnout developer Criterion Games has been entrusted with returning the series to its former glory. As the title implies, the new game pits cops against crims. With players able to take on either role, multiplayer could be intense. Despite its relatively unadorned title, this will actually be the third game in the series to feature the ‘Hot Pursuit’ subtitle, suggesting that EA’s branding department is well and truly bereft of ideas. Look for it on 360, PS3 and PC in November 2010.

Spare Parts is an offbeat action adventure game from EA’s Bright Light studio. The game has a strong emphasis on cooperative play. After being decommissioned and unceremoniously tossed out with the trash, robot double act Mar-T and Chip could be forgiven for looking out for themselves. Instead, they’ll be rescuing others from the clutches of the villainous Lord Krung. Spare Parts is due for release on XBLA and PSN in summer 2010.

Konami

Konami revealed that it would publish NeverDead, a third person shooter from Aliens vs Predator developer Rebellion. As the game’s immortal protagonist, you’ll split your time between hunting mutants and trying to keep your own dilapidated body from falling apart. NeverDead is slated for release on 360 and PS3.

Konami has been quick to embrace Microsoft’s fledgling Kinect peripheral, announcing the fantasy themed (and bizarrely titled) Adrenalin Misfits. Also on the way, Dance Masters, which I’d describe as the first of many Kinect dance games were it actually the first.

Multiplatform Mexican wresting sim Lucha Libre AAA: Heroes del Ring is also in the pipeline, along with sequels to two of Konami’s longest running franchises. Silent Hill 8 is on its way to 360 and PS3, while Castlevania: Harmony of Despair will be an XBLA exclusive.

Square Enix

Square Enix will publish Mindjack, a cyberpunk action game in which combatants use forbidden technology to control other people’s bodies. If the concept sounds vaguely familiar, you may be recalling Geist, the 2005 GameCube shooter from n-Space. Multiplayer should be a hoot. Mindjack is due for release on 360 and PS3 this October.

The 3DS has obviously made an impression at Square Enix, which has revealed that at least four titles in the works, including Chocobo Racing 3D and an entirely new Kingdom Hearts adventure. The publisher has also confirmed that Dragon Quest and Final Fantasy will appear on the 3DS in some capacity.

THQ

THQ’s E3 showing was headlined by the announcement of Valhalla Game Studios’ Devil’s Third for 360 and PS3. With its female protagonist, drab colours and ultra violence, this third person action game appears superficially similar to WET, but we won’t hold that against it. The action appears to take place in a post apocalyptic urban environment in which killing is as automatic as breathing. Melbourne, then? Devil’s Third is the first project that Dead Or Alive producer Tomonobu Itagaki has overseen since his acrimonious departure from Tecmo in 2008. A release date is yet to be announced.

Ubisoft

Ubisoft unveiled a broad range of titles, including the Kinect compatible Child of Eden. In this abstract feast for the eyes, Players are tasked with eliminating a virus that threatens to destroy the accumulated memories of the entire human race. At least if they fail, no one will remember it anyway. Child of Eden is scheduled for release on 360 and PS3 in Q1 2011.

Project Dust is a downloadable God game from the creator of revered platformer Another World. In Project Dust, players are charged with protecting their population from earthquakes, floods and other natural disasters. The game due for release on XBLA, PSN and PC in autumn 2011.

Ubisoft also announced Mania Planet from Nadeo, the creators of the user generated racing phenomenon TrackMania. The new tools will allow users to create customised shooting, racing and role playing experiences.

High speed action sequel Driver: San Francisco is due for release on 360, PS3, Wii and PC in spring 2010. This represents Ubisoft’s first serious attempt to revive the series it acquired from Atari in 2006. The sequels continue with Wii exclusives Raving Rabbids: Travel in Time and Just Dance 2. Rayman Origins, an episodic 2D platformer with a vibrant hand drawn aesthetic, promises to one of the more interesting spin-offs. The game is apparently the work of only five developers.

As usual, E3 has ushered in a veritable avalanche of new software. Has anything in particular caught your eye? Drop us a line and tell us about your E3 highlights.