LIFE - A Salute to E3 Booth Babes

Booth Babes 101

Wed, 10 May 2006 03:00:00 EDT

In days gone by, booth babes used to be an Electronic Entertainment Expo staple — like free swag and "Duke Nukem Forever" screenshots — but when E3 went invite-only in 2007, the babes bounced. This year has heralded many new video game innovations, but it's also marked the return of a bigger E3 and, with it, the return of booth babes. This gallery salutes all the girls over the years who were forced to dress skimpily and take a picture with an overweight fan male fan dressed exactly like them.

Damsels on Display

Wed, 03 Jun 2009 03:00:00 EDT

Models pose with a dragon character outside the Koei display at the E3 Expo in 2009.

Level Up

Tue, 02 Jun 2009 12:13:40 EDT

A booth babe promotes Everquest at E3 in 2005. (Photo courtesy of matchity/Flickr).

We Would Like to Play

Tue, 02 Jun 2009 12:10:58 EDT

A young man is eager, some might say too eager, to play Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles with two attractive women at E3 in 2003. (Photo courtesy of farbfilm/Flickr).

Coolio, Also an Endangered Species

Wed, 18 May 2005 03:00:00 EDT

Rapper Coolio and a group of booth girls pose for a photograph at the entrance to E3 2005.

Better Than a Mosaic

Tue, 02 Jun 2009 12:44:44 EDT

A woman dressed like a Roman warrior promotes the game "Gods and Heroes: Rome Rising" at E3 2005. (Photo courtesy of matchity/Flickr).

She Hulks

Tue, 02 Jun 2009 12:05:24 EDT

Two girls wear the Hulk's trademark tatters to promote "The Incredible Hulk: Ultimate Destruction" at E3 2005. (Photo courtesy of matchity/Flickr).

Unreal Is One Word for It

Thu, 17 May 2001 03:00:00 EDT

A visitor is surrounded by impersonators of characters from the game ''Unreal'' as he tests the new version at E3 2001.

This Isn't a Starbucks, Is It?

Tue, 02 Jun 2009 12:06:38 EDT

Booth girls promote the accessories company Nyko at E3 2003, while an attendee walks into the shot. (Photo courtesy of farbfilm/Flickr).

Carmen Electra, the Ultimate Booth Babe

Tue, 13 May 2003 03:00:00 EDT

Carmen Electra performs with the Pussycat Dolls during the Vivendi Universal Games E3 Kick-off Party in 2003.

Foxes

Tue, 02 Jun 2009 12:45:01 EDT

A group of booth girls takes a break from promotion at E3 2005. (Photo courtesy of matchity/Flickr).

It’s Not the Electronic Subtlety Expo, Okay?

Tue, 02 Jun 2009 12:48:58 EDT

Though naughty nurses are relatively run-of-the-mill for E3, these two dress up to promote Trauma Center: Second Opinion at E3 2006. (Photo courtesy of jez'/Flickr).

Veni, Vidi, I Dressed Like a Space Roman

Tue, 02 Jun 2009 12:34:03 EDT

Booth babes join with a booth dude to promote "Imperator" at E3 2005. (Photo courtesy of matchity/Flickr).

Gary Coleman, Looking Sharp

Tue, 02 Jun 2009 12:10:25 EDT

Gary Coleman poses with booth girls to promote "Postal 2," which featured cameos by the "Diff'rent Strokes" star, at E3 2006. (Photo courtesy of farbfilm/Flickr).

Role-Playing Game

Tue, 02 Jun 2009 12:46:38 EDT

What do dancers like these at E3 2006 have to do with "Soul of the Ultimate Nation," described on its Wikipedia page as "a fantasy-based massive multiplayer online role-playing game?" Nothing. And that's the magic of E3. (Photo courtesy of jez'/Flickr).

That's a Lot of Skin

Tue, 02 Jun 2009 12:55:41 EDT

A group of booth girls assembles at E3 2005. (Photo courtesy of farbfilm/Flickr).

Not For Sale

Tue, 02 Jun 2009 13:08:18 EDT

A model with the price of the legendary failure known as the Nokia N-Gage reveals the price of the gadget at E3 2003. (Photo courtesy of farbfilm/Flickr).