Surprisingly, I didn't notice a single drop in the frame rate as the three of us dashed around the screen opening fire on the various Akrid creatures that crawled out of the ground. Controls were simple but effective; the right shoulder locks on to an enemy and holding the B button down puts your character into a boosted dash. This is the quickest way to move around the screen and the crux of the combat system. Letting go of the B button will stop the boost, but your character continues to move onscreen as a result of the momentum, leading to a few extra seconds of speed. 

The Y button serves as your standard attack, with the X button being a slightly stronger move using your secondary weapon. There's also a special attack gauge that builds up as you get hits on your enemies. Once it's full, tapping a button on the bottom screen will result in a high damage and flashy attack. 

Despite there being a PS3 version of the game, E.X. Troopers felt right at home on the 3DS. Visually, it's a feast for the eyes with the colorful graphics and character designs really popping off the screen. The low polygon count of the environments actually works to the game's advantage, making the cell shading seem that much more pronounced. 

While I'm still disappointed at the lack of proper online play, it looks like I'll be grabbing the 3DS version of E.X. Troopers at launch. This is the sort of thing I had always wanted from the Lost Planet franchise, and it's great to finally see it happening. I asked the representatives present if there were any plans for an American release, but alas, I was met with an "Unfortunately not."

Check out the various images from the E.X. Troopers booth in the gallery below, and keep your eyes peeled for footage of the game in the coming days!