Nintendo Says Will Is The Video Game of The Year

2006 was the year we saw our favourite plumber return to doing what he does best, while Nintendo DS and Wii proved that there are still many untrodden paths for videogames to wander, while both Game Boy Advance and GameCube played host to some sensational experiences of their own.

Looking back on a landmark year in gaming, we pick the cream of the crop to praise the games that towered above all else on their respective platforms. While it's virtually impossible to create such a list without leaving some real gems by the wayside, one thing is certain: every game in the list below warmed our gamer hearts during the past twelve months and should only be missed at your own risk.

Earlier this week we chose our highlights on Game Boy Advance and Nintendo GameCube, and today we round up the list with our picks for Nintendo DS and Wii.

Nintendo DS

Game of the Year: Animal Crossing: Wild World

Plenty of Game Cards entered and exited our game pouch this past year, but none secured a place as permanent as Animal Crossing. Visiting other towns via Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection breathes an endless flow of surprise into what is already a wonderfully whimsical experience on its own. No other game ever created the sense of belonging that you get from booting up Wild World after a short absence. You may get out of town for a while, but you'll never leave forever.

Honourable Mention: New Super Mario Bros.

Nostalgia alone would have been enough to greet Mario's return to 2D platform gaming with abundant cheers, but the subtle evolution of the genre turned this into a modern classic that warmed the hearts of existing fans and newcomers alike. The new Mushroom Kingdom was more malleable than ever before, and we'll never get tired of making Mario jump around. Ever.

Wii

Game of the Year: The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess

The pick-up-and-play brilliance of the packed-in Wii Sports notwithstanding, the undeniable crown jewel in the Wii's launch line-up is the majestic Twilight Princess. With 16:9 widescreen presentation and the feeling of wielding Link's weapons in your hands, this Wii title manages to rise above the GameCube version. Aiming your bow at an enemy in the distance, then hearing the arrow leave your hand right before you knock an approaching adversary off his steed with your sword while riding Epona is an experience unlike any other. The main quest is a thunderous ride from one jaw-dropping environment to another, but the fact that it takes place in a world so vibrant and full of things to discover will ensure that you'll happily get side tracked and immersed in the most beautifully crafted Hyrule you've ever seen. Sensational.

Honourable Mention: Rayman Raving Rabbids

If Wii is the console to bring fun back to the forefront in videogames, Raving Rabbids is the title to spread a big grin all over it and make it boogie. It is essentially a large collection of mini-games, but these small challenges make such imaginative use of the Wii Remote and Nunchuk, and everything is presented with so much humorous detail that any quick session will have you laughing out loud at your screen. But all of that is circumstantial, really. The sheer genius of the Rabbids alone would have secured Rayman's latest this position, and we cannot wait to see what Ubisoft and Michael Ancel have in store for Wii in 2007.

And as we wrap up 2006, we turn our heads towards a new year full of promise... Or maybe we'll try Rayman's disco challenge just one more time... Or make one last attempt at that elusive Star Coin... Or just fish for a while in one of Hyrule's ponds. After all, what's the rush?

By Nintendo