Issue 83: The Best Games of 2011

Prepare to play those games all over again. Also, prepare for flame wars.

By Andrew Hsieh. Posted 01/01/2012 08:00 Comment on this     ShareThis

Can it really be 2012?

No way. 2012 is next year, isn’t it? It’s got to be still 2011. The year of 3DS and eShop. The year of Wii U revelations and Miyamoto “retirement” bombs. Heck, we can’t forget– the year of The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword and Xenoblade Chronicles. (At least in Europe.) Boy, 2011 sure was– is– great! I for one am glad that it’s still 2011 and not 2012. That would be so silly.

While we’re at it, let’s talk about the best games of 2011. We here at Nintendojo are devoting this unprecedented sixth week of December 2011 to the crème de la crème, discussing only the finest games ever to come out on Nintendo systems this year. And boy, there’s a lot to talk about. For Wii there’s everything from rune factories to pink marshmallows to giant smackin’ swords, and with 3DS burly brawlers duke it out with tiny sumo wrestlers and Miis piloting, uh, wings. In DS land alone we’ve got phantom detectives and pocket monsters and little girls with huge demon friends. It’ll be a hard choice– especially since we’re limiting ourselves to three games per system. Don’t worry, we brought our fireproof suits.

And because of all the hullabaloo surrounding “best of” lists, we’ll also throw in four new categories for this year– best art direction, best soundtrack, best story, and best multiplayer. What’s that? Those will start flame wars too? Aw, don’t be silly. (Note to self: bring fireproof suits for those awards too.)

Finally, as always, we’re ending it all with a staff round table, discussing all the games that should have won– but didn’t. And we’ll even publish some selected comments, too! Just let us know in every post what your choice would have been for the best games of 2011, and we just might put ’em in. We like you, see? Consider it a happy it’s-still-2011 present.

Anyway, people keep shooting off fireworks in the distance for some reason and shouting things like “happy new year!” and “happy 2012!”. Seriously, it’s getting annoying, so I’m gonna have to go out there to tell ’em off. Remember: it’s still 2011. A beautiful year! And don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.

Still in denial,
Andrew


Issue 83: The Best Games of 2011

The Best DSiWare Games of 2011 by Andrew Hsieh
I want to say one word to you, just one word: tactics.

The Best WiiWare Games of 2011 by Pierre Bienaimé
We’ve got a need for speed.

The Best DS Games of 2011 by Kevin Knezevic
Monster (and animals) rule the year!

The Best Wii Games of 2011 by Katharine Byrne
Man, that’s a lot of swords.

The Best 3DS Games of 2011 by Mel Turnquist
Well, you can’t say we’re not Nintendo fans.

The Best eShop Games of 2011 by Andy Hoover
Going in, and out, and up, and down. And sideways.

The Best Games Overall of 2011 by Adam Sorice
Take a wild guess.

The Best Art Direction of 2011 by Andrew Hsieh
What’s prettier: watercolor or pretend watercolor?

The Best Soundtracks of 2011 by Andrew Hsieh
Harp-free! Maybe.

The Best Multiplayer Games of 2011 by Andrew Hsieh
“Okay boys, we’re gonna use the Kirby technique this round.”

The Best Stories of 2011 by Andrew Hsieh
No spoilers. We promise.

Round Table: Hey, What About–? by Nintendojo Staff
Otherwise known as “screw you, this game is way better.”


Additional features in this issue…

Wednesday

  • Airship Travelogues Episode 011 by M. Noah Ward and Marc Kleinhenz

Coming Up Next Week…

Issue 84: Our Feature Presentation
Bringing back daily news and revealing brand-new columns!

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