While at E3 2010, we noticed a trend amongst the games on display. 2D games were prominently featured at basically every publisher's booth, and were even better than most of their 3D cousins. It's awesome enough seeing all these 3D games popping up everywhere, but seeing almost all of them pack in co-op (sometimes with up to six players) just has us chomping at the bit. Perhaps it's due to New Super Mario Bros. Wii's success, but 2D gaming is alive and well, and possibly better than ever.

In keeping with our excitement over this resurgence in 2D bliss, we put together a list of the most impressive 2D titles from E3 2010. Enjoy.

Game: Donkey Kong Country Returns
Plays Like: Freaking Donkey Kong Country
New Hook: Simultaneous Co-op
Why We're Hooked: The game was an absolute blast to play at E3. A "barrel blast," if you will. Sorry, had to do it. Seriously, with the Metroid Prime games, developer Retro has forever won my attention, especially when it comes to reviving dormant franchises. I can't say that I wasn't a little shocked to hear that Retro was working on a new Donkey Kong title, but the real surprise was that it was planned as a sequel to Donkey Kong Country. As a huge fan of Rare's work on the series, I had some high expectations about this game. So far, the E3 demo managed to meet them. Co-op with Donkey and Diddy just feels joyous and perfectly simian. At any point, the two can latch together and form a sort of "DK Tank" with Diddy providing the firepower and flight capabilities, and Donkey offering the bulk and mobility. The plethora of hidden items littered throughout the stages points to a massive undertaking of a game. I can't wait.

Game: Kirby's Epic Yarn
Plays Like: Kirby meets Castlevania II: Simon's Quest
New Hook: Awesome yarny art syle, Simultaneous Co-op
Why We're Hooked: As if the art style of this game wasn't enough, Sakurai and crew saw fit to include some delightful 2-player co-op and a whole new method for taking down baddies. This time around, Kirby is no longer inhaling his enemies and absorbing their powers. Instead, Kirby is armed with a yarn-whip that he uses to take down his foes. A simple crack of the yarn, and Kirby has enemies literally coming apart at the seams. The demo on display was gorgeous and already offered some fun little yarn-based challenges -- nothing too difficult, mind you; this is still a Kirby game. The trailer we saw offered up the potential for plenty more 2D goodness. There looked to be a variety of new Kirby transformations (including MegaZord Kirby), and the bossesseemed cool as well. Kirby's always been one of the more underappreciate Nintendo platformers, but that has afforded the franchise some flexibility in the past that has resulted is some killer games. Let's hope that Nintendo can knit something along the seams of Kirby Superstar and Canvas Curse.

Game: Rayman: Origins
Plays Like: Presumably Rayman 1
New Hook: Co-op control over Rayman and his most awesome of cohorts, Globox
Why We're Hooked: Well, Rayman is back, and this time he's done away with those increasingly annoying Rabbids and gone back to his roots: awesome 2D platforming through resplendently inventive worlds and a suitably zany art style. Though this game was one of the only games to make our list that wasn't playable at the show, it's still the one I'm most anticipating. As if getting to play as my favorite limbless hero once again wasn't enough, this time around, we get to hop into the game co-op with the second player controlling Globox. That's right, Rayman's pudgy, constantly disoriented, goofball of a best friend is playable for the first time ever, and it looks to be fantastic. Despite the fact that Rayman seemed overly intent on perving out in the trailer, the game looks like it could offer a stunning, artistic adventure through some gloriously imagined worlds. This one may be a long ways off, but it's worth waiting for.

Game: Castlevania: Harmony of Despair
Plays Like: Castlevania: Symphony of the Night
New Hook: Six-player Co-op
Why We're Hooked: I just said this in my Lords of Shadow preview, but it's always worth repeating: Castlevania games rock. The fact that we're getting a new console Castlevania in the vein of Symphonia of the Night or Aria of Sorrow would be enough for me. That coupled with the kick-ass pixel art and 6-player co-op makes this a must-play. If all this weren't enough, there have been plenty of other little tweaks to make the game feel distinct. The map is more integrated this time around with enemies gaining the ability to follow players from room to room and the new feature of being able to zoom out to a full map of the castle at any moment in real time. On top of all this, there are mutliple playable characters culled from the more recent annals of Castlevania history including Alucard, Soma Cruz, Shanoa, and Johnathan Morris. Castlevania: Harmony of Despair could prove to be one of the more interesting franchise entries in years.

Game: Bionic Commando Rearmed 2
Plays Like: Bionic Commando
New Hook: Jump button, upgrade system
Why We're Hooked: It's definitely not because of the jump button. I'll tell you that much. It's not like I'm against the addition, I just don't really see the reasoning. I know that it'll likely feel more accessible to people unfamiliar with the series, but it was one of the distinctive characteristics of the franchise, and it's sad to see the game get watered down a little in that regard. Luckily, the game should still prove to be awesome. I mean, the killer grappling gameplay still seems to be intact. The first Bionic Commando: Rearmed was a stellar update to one fo the finest platformers on the NES. If Rearmed 2 can offer that same level of fun, but with the added depth of the upgrade system, then there is no way it won't be great.

Game: Rush 'N Attack: Ex-Patriot
Plays Like: Shadow Complex
New Hook: Huge, open-ended levels; stealth
Why We're Hooked: Shadow Complex was so good, that any game bearing any resemblance to it automatically has a leg up. Good thing that Konami's latest retro revival seems to be earning the favorable comparison while forging its own path to a degree. Though the game isn't completely open-ended in the way that most Metroidvania titles are, its three massive levels seem to offer enough exploration to keep  my interest. The stealth elements in the game also seem to add to the Shadow Complex vibe, as you'll find yourself lurking in the shadows and pulling guards to their doom in order to evade detection. Rush 'N Attack was never a top-tier franchise, so it's interesting that Konami selected it for this reboot. This latest game looks like it could take the franchise to new heights if everything pans out.

Game: Hard Corps: Uprising
Plays Like: Contra
New Hook: Anime art style, easier difficulty setting
Why We're Hooked: Well, the game is a spiritual successor to Contra: Hard Corps, one of the most (excuse me) hardcore entries in the lauded franchise. That alone is probably enough for me. For those of you that need more, the anime-inspired art style really brings the visuals to life and makes everything feel bouncy and almost jubilant (despite the level of decimation going on). Two-player Contra game sessions have offered me some of my favorite gaming exeriences ever, and this game just might have what it takes to match that old school level of fun. I don't know about everyone else, but I'm also glad to see the inclusion of an easier difficulty setting this time around (where you can take three hits instead of the usual one), since it means that I'll be able to play the game with gamers of various skill levels.

Game: Limbo
Plays Like: A Boy and His Blob meets Braid
New Hook: Minimalist video and audio
Why We're Hooked: Like most of the games on this list, Limbo is absolutely beautiful to behold. The minimalist, silhouetted visuals and the washed out audio complement each other perfectly, and foment a feeling of haunting loneliness in the beholder. The gameplay seems relatively straightforward, but the ambiance might just make up for it. The game is a puzzle-based platformer at heart, so there won't be too much that gamers haven't played before, but when the overall feeling of the game is this awe-inspiring, none of that really matters. The first title from Indie developers, PlayDead Studios, Limbo could certainly help make a name for the Danish studio.

Game: Shank
Plays Like: Devil May Cry
New Hook: Devil May Cry... in 2D!
Why We're Hooked: Shank started as a self-published XNA game, but quickly earned the attention of EA who announced it would publish the title under the EA Partners label after a widely impressive showing at PAX East. After its E3 appearance, there's no denying that Shank just might achieve the level of success for which it was destined. Playing as a fast-paced hack-and-slash/shooter hybrid (ala Devil May Cry), players will have the main character flipping about the environment, while slicing throats and pulling off potshots with ease. The mix of gunplay and up-close action is thrilling, and the boldly hand-drawn art style is evocative and disarmingly violent. Most of the progression system and the possiblity for co-op is being kept under wraps right now, but the ultra-varied animations and hectic action are certainly enough to pique my interest.

Game: Batman: The Brave and The Bold
Plays Like: Shantae
New Hook: Unlockable items, Drop-in/drop-out co-op
Why We're Hooked: After Rocksteady face-punched everyone's expectations with Batman: Arkham Asylum, it's almost fitting that WayForward do the same with its newest Batman title. Though The Brave and the Bold is based off the cartoon of the same name, and though Kevin Conroy is nowhere in sight, it still looks like it could pack enough face-punching of its own to keep me interested. The seemingly deep upgrade system, high-flying co-op, and huge assortment of Batman characters are a welcome addition, and should help make this yet another 2D game worth snatching up.

Game: Lost In Shadow
Plays Like: Echochrome
New Hook: Shadow manipulation for puzzle solving
Why We're Interested: I suppose this game isn't strictly 2D (shadow manipulation does make use of three dimensions), but your movement is restricted to a 2D plane. Plus, this game is awesome, so it definitely earned its spot on the list. Lost in Shadow has been flitting about for quite some time now. The game has persistently been popping up at gaming events, but has never really been quite flashy enough to grab most people's attention. It's grabbed mine though. The clever idea of manipulating projected shadows onto a background to allow for progression makes for some grueling brain teasers, while feeling amazingly fresh. The almost Ico-like tone of isolation felt in the game is perfect and adds an air of importance around each of your actions. Though this game has been overlooked time and time again, it's shaping up to be a delight.

Game: Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World: The Game
Plays Like: River City Ransom
New Hook: Attached to white-hot entertainment property, hipster chiptunes soundtrack by Anamanguchi
Why We're Interested: If you're a modern nerd, then you've likely heard of Scott Pilgrim, the indie comic book turned Edgar Wright film starring Michael Cera turned Ubisoft videogame. The film is slated to come out soon, and has a huge amount of hype surrounding it. Despite this, I had assumed the game would be yet another cash-in and had ignored it just on principle. Even after hearing Anamanaguchi announce to adoring PAX revelers at PAX East that they would be lending their talents to the game's soundtrack, I had remained ignorant of this title. After E3, I can remain ignorant no longer. Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World: The Game is already burning its way up players most-wanted lists with its killer four-player co-op, eminently listenable soundtrack, and completely zany, tripped-out art style. This is yet another 2D game that just might set the world on fire.