20 huge video games to watch for at E3

There are always awesome new video games coming out, but if you don't know where to look, it can be tough to keep up. That's what the Electronic Entertainment Expo, or E3, is good for.

E3 is easily the biggest gaming event of the year, where all the heavy-hitters of the video game industry come together in Los Angeles to show off what they're working on. Hundreds of video games, big and small, will be at E3 2016, and we've compiled a list of 20 of the games you definitely need to know about before the show starts next week.

Keep in mind that these are just the ones we already know about. Plenty of new, completely unexpected games are sure to be announced, too, and we'll have all the news as it hits next week.

"The Legend of Zelda" for Wii U

The long-awaited next entry in Nintendo's venerable "Zelda" series was revealed two years ago, but we don't even know its name yet. What we do know is that it takes series hero Link to a massive open world, one where Nintendo claims players will have total freedom to decide where to go and what to do once they get there. As you can see, it's got a gorgeous art style.

Nintendo has confirmed that this is basically all it's showing at E3 this year, so get ready to see plenty of "Zelda." Despite the fact that this game is launching simultaneously on Wii U and Nintendo's mysterious new NX console in early 2017, only the Wii U version is being shown.

Platforms: Wii U, NX

"Mass Effect: Andromeda"

The story of Commander Shepard wrapped up pretty directly in "Mass Effect 3," but the game's developer isn't done with this amazing sci-fi universe yet. The new entry in the excellent role-playing game series gives players a chance to explore the Andromeda galaxy for the first time, making friends and enemies with its native inhabitants. 

"Mass Effect" has a grand tradition of allowing players to shape the world through the decisions they make, as well as develop meaningful relationships with characters along the way. Combine that with an entire new galaxy to explore, and "Mass Effect: Andromeda" could be pretty outstanding.

Platforms: PS4, Xbox One, PC

"Battlefield 1"

As "Call of Duty" goes to the future this year (more on that later), its main competitor in the military shooter genre goes way back, all the way to World War I. It's an interesting choice, especially as other multiplayer shooters like "Overwatch" and "Battleborn" become increasingly cartoonish and over-the-top. 

We don't know yet how developer DICE will make it fun to participate in a war where the technology is comparatively primitive with previous "Battlefield" games, but the studio has a killer pedigree. If anyone can do it, DICE can.

Platforms: PS4, Xbox One, PC