VGXPO, one of the few large-scale video-game shows on the East Coast, opens today and runs through Sunday at the Convention Center. The three-year-old show's first appearance in Center City represents a major upgrade from last year's event, which was housed in a nondescript suburban hotel, with equally nondescript attendance.

The show this weekend will feature dozens of exhibitors, including Intel, Dell, Nvidia and Ziff-Davis. Gamers will have a chance to try perhaps the most eagerly awaited new game of the year, Rock Band. Events include a chance for attendees to show off their skills in live competition with the PMS Clan, an elite, all-female group of professional gamers. A battle of the bands will decide which group plays the best video-game music, and COSPlay competitions will be held on Saturday and Sunday. For the uninitiated, COSPlay is gamer-speak for dressing up like your favorite video-game character. So don't be surprised if you see the likes of Master Chief, Link and Princess Peach strolling near the Convention Center this weekend.

The show floor will offer new and retro games to play, high-end gaming systems to test out, and even a seminar on how to break into the video-game industry.

On Saturday, Spencer Halpin's Moral Kombat, an indie documentary film that chronicles the raging debate over video-game violence, will premiere. Later, Newsweek video-game correspondent N'Gai Croal will moderate a panel discussion of the film.

Adult admission to VGXPO is $15 per day at the door or $30 for the entire weekend. For kids 14 and younger those prices drop to $10 and $20. Doors open at 3 p.m. today and 10 a.m. Saturday and Sunday. Beat the rush by preregistering. For more information, check out www.vgxpo.com.

Aside from Rock Band, which launches this month - at $169 for the game and bundled instruments, I might add - the other big music game of the season is Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock, which debuted earlier this week on all three next-gen consoles as well as PlayStation 2.

Priced at $99 with the guitar controller, the game features music from the Beastie Boys, Kiss, Heart and other bands. It's a must-have title and will compete with Rock Band on many holiday shopping lists. There are some whispers already around the Net, however, of defective guitar controllers, so be sure yours is operating properly.

By now, you've probably heard something about the controversy surrounding Manhunt 2, released on Halloween by Grand Theft Auto publisher Rockstar Games. This one was actually banned in Britain and is rated for gamers 17 and older in the United States.

Nonstop, grisly killing is not my idea of what gaming is all about, so don't expect a review. Despite my misgivings, it's hard to see how the U.K. can ban adults from playing the game while at the same time allowing ultra-violent movies like Saw and Hostel. In any case, parents take note - this one is definitely not for the kids.

at dmccauley@phillynews.com.