The Wii saw a bit of reality sink in this year; as Xbox 360 and PlayStation console sales numbers started to increase, Wii sales began to slip.  Fortunately, that doesn’t mean the top games for the Wii were not up to par.  So without further ado, here they are, Platform Nation’s Top 3 Games of the Year for the Wii category 2011. We will start off with Platform Nation’s number 3 pick and work our way to the #1 Platform Nation Wii Game of 2011.

3. Rayman Origins

Good to see Rayman make the list, as Rayman games always prove to be tons of fun. Rayman Origins brings all of the best aspects out of a platformer, and bundles it into a fun, addictive package.  The creative level designs and great graphics stand out, and that’s not easy to do on a console that features the platformer master himself, Mario.  Out of the Rayman series thus far, what is your favorite title and did we get this one right as number 3?

Go back to where it all began in the Glade of Dreams. Rayman is hastily called upon by the Fairy Council to save the Glade from some “nefurrious” Darktoons, but with a little help from his best friend Globox and two crafty wizards, the Teensies, Rayman just may be able to live up to his title as a hero of light. Together, this group will need to embark on a hilarious quest to restore peace to their home before it vanishes completely.

2. Kirby’s Epic Yarn

Sticking with the platformer theme (a game style that Nintendo embraces fully), Kirby’s Epic Yarn is a gorgeous and imaginative addition to the Wii library, and had some fantastic gameplay elements. This game was one of those I was most looking forward to for the Wii. Since its announcement at E3, it has made a great running, and has landed in the number 2 slot for this year’s Wii Game of the Year.

Pull some strings and join Kirby on his most epic adventure yet. Featuring an all-new look and composition, the ever-morphing Kirby can take on new and exciting shapes, and even transform into powerful vehicles. His unique yarn structure allows him to easily change into a speedy racecar, a UFO or even a massive tank to take out his enemies. Kirby’s interactive textile terrain can easily be manipulated to reveal hidden areas and objects. Will you be able to string together the pieces you need to fulfill Kirby’s adventure?

1. The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword

Now we know some of the Zelda Fans were a little heated over the handheld category, but the number 1 pick for the top Wii game of the year goes to your favorite game series!  Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword is the game that many Wii owners held out for, and that persistence paid off with what many are saying is the best Zelda game to date.  It’s no surprise to see this incredible game reach the top of the Wii chart for Game of the Year for Wii.  If you still own a Wii, and don’t own this game, then make this a top priority for your next purchase.

As you step through the brush, you sense something is off. You creep slowly toward the river that meanders through this small clearing. You peer into the water and only see your reflection staring back at you. Taking a few deep breaths to calm yourself, you turn around to look up and see a massive monster towering over you. Pulling your sword from its sheath and raising your shield — you look skyward and get ready for an epic battle.

And there you have it, wrapped up with a beautiful bow: the top 3 Platform Nation Wii games for 2011. Now, these games are picked by our writers and editors here at Platform Nation, and maybe you have a different opinion of what should have made the list. Either way if you disagree or agree, let us know in the comment section below.

Source (game descriptions) Best Buy

Wait, what? Nintendo made a big deal considering online services and their new home console last summer at E3, and if this new rumor is to be trusted, apparently Valve and EA want to be the forerunners of the Big N’s Wii U online service. EA is seemingly trying to convince Nintendo to use their Origin online service as the primary online source for entertainment on the new console, and as an exclusive for that matter. On the other side, Valve is attempting to get the uber popular gaming service Steam as the U’s main gateway to online entertainment.

Here is where I heartedly reiterate the fact that this is all huge speculation and just a rumor. Admittedly, I’m a huge Valve fan, but even if I weren’t I think I’d still be rooting for Steam here. I mean, I think the fact that the third suggested Google topic for “EA Origin” is “EA Origin sucks” sort of speaks for itself.

Source: WiiUGo.com, gonintendo.com

Uncharted 3: Drake’s Deception was released on Nov 1, 2011 and garnered praise from the gaming community for once again recreating an action movie story without skimping on personality. Another part of the game that’s been improved upon since Uncharted 2 are the match modes in online multiplayer. With Uncharted 3, you’ll be able to customize your weapons in multiplayer for both aesthetics as well as in-game benefits. Below you’ll find a list from Naughty Dog that features the current choice of handgun mods that can be used while out on the online battle field.

What thousands of PS3 users have now discovered, though, is that there is no BF1943. It’s not in the box, it’s not on the disc, and it’s not hiding behind a PSN code. This left many wondering if they had just been hoodwinked.

It sure seems like it. According to Gamepur, DICE stated “the Limited Edition will not come with BF1943, but with the Back to Karkland expansion,” and in response to one inquisitive Twitter user, the Battlefield account stated that “in lieu of 1943 being available on disc for PS3 customers, EA has made all BF3 expansions available early to PS3 customers.”

Aside from lacking a variety in diction and any semblance of a mea culpa, this also seems a bit shady. If you recall from last month, Sony had announced that they had managed to swing it so that PS3 users would be getting BF3 expansions one week before other platforms (same as how the 360 would be getting Modern Warfare 3 expansions first).

So sorry to say, PS3 BF3 owners, but you’ve been duped. Instead of a free game (albeit a 2-year-old downloadable one), you get zero apologies and a “hope you don’t remember!” Am I alone in thinking this is pretty much a…not great thing to do? At least their servers aren’t down, I guess.

Source: NeoGAF

Carl Manneh, the managing director at Mojang, issued a blog post with the good news.

We are [...] excited that Microsoft joins us at MineCon as the main sponsor for the convention. Microsoft will participate in the preview of the Xbox 360 version of Minecraft and will also be showing off some cool stuff in the exhibition area of the event. It’s going to be a great celebration of everything Minecraft.

The Minecraft conversion, which is only being overseen by creator Markus Persson (the job of porting falls to 4J Studios), is going to include Kinect support, and is scheduled for release sometime next spring.

Home (Sweet Home?)

This fall PlayStation Home is being seriously overhauled.  First and foremost, the Central Plaza is being replaced with a ‘Hub,’ designed to quickly and seamlessly connect the user with the types of games that appeal most to him or her.  Secondly, the games in Home will be categorized into ‘Districts’.  Choosing between Action, Adventure, Sportswalk and Pier Point (Arcade), the user will join others with similar gaming tastes.  In addition, the Home experience will more resemble a game than ever before.  A questing system is planned, encouraging both depth and breadth of gaming and social interaction.  With a goal of being a social experience in addition to gaming, there are plans for entertainment and shopping options as well as community events and socializing with other gamers.

As for me, I’m going to give it another go after the redesign.  I’ve tried Home a few times, but nothing has ever grabbed my attention enough to keep me going back.  I only visit when I’ve heard or read about new offerings for specific games I like, or to tour the virtual Sony E3 booth.  However, I do know one thing that would definitely draw in a lot of gamers, namely trophy support.  If Sony is already building in a questing system, and wants to draw new and former users, adding trophies seems to fit the bill perfectly.  Currently the virtual items live only in Home; I don’t see how adding trophy support would be a detriment to the overall experience.

Why don't you go to your Home?!

Source: PlayStation Blog

“The first chance to play Trials Evolution before its release will be at the Gamescom videogame exposition in Cologne, Germany during the week of August 15. The following weekend, the game will arrive at the Penny Arcade Expo in Seattle Washington, giving gamers on two continents an opportunity to preview what could be the most ambitious downloadable console title yet.”

The release goes on to list new features including:

• Multiplayer – both local and online
• Challenging but balanced single player game
• Outdoor environments and curved driving line
• Full-featured track editor
• Global track sharing
• Bike and rider customizations

The third of the E3 gameplay video’s for Metro: Last Light has just recently hit the internet and I am now going to pass it on to our readers for your viewing pleasure.
Metro: Last Light is the sequel to the game Metro 2033, a horror shooter taking place in the year 2033 where after an apocalyptic event, a handful of survivors have raised a new generation underground in the old Moscow metro tunnels, where they fight for their survival from each other and the mutants born from the outside.
The sequel is in production and the E3 video’s are looking good.
Now all we need is an announced release date.
If you are curious about the original game, and would like to give it a try, feel free to take a look through our site’s Amazon storefront.
Enjoy the show!

We have the newest trailer for the Batman: Arkham City fans among us right here for your viewing pleasure. The newest trailer (courtesy of G4TV) gives us a look at the Penguin in action and Batman wiping up the floor with some thugs that are just getting in his way.

I for one can’t wait for Batman: Arkham City and watching the trailers that have been released so far just makes me want to play this one that much more.

Pre-order your copy of Batman: Arkham City by clicking on the console of choice below. Batman: Arkham City will hit store shelves October 18, 2011.

Source: G4TV

Speaking to Joystiq, AC: R lead writer Darby McDevitt stated  “‘Lost Legacy’ for the 3DS… was announced, but that kind of morphed into this (Revelations) idea”, probably confirming the cancellation of an eventual release for Lost Legacy on Nintendo’s handheld. “The story that was announced about Lost Legacy was that Ezio goes to Masyaf and investigates the holy land,” McDevitt said. He also pointed out that he started work on Revelations as early as February 2010, affirming the team does “a lot of thinking ahead of time on big arcs, like knowing where Ezio is going, knowing where Desmond is going, knowing where Altair is going… The major beats of all our characters’ stories are planned well in advance, so we don’t get Lost-itis where we’re opening up more than we could possibly close off”; which, it must be said, is nothing but a good thing.

Speaking of the franchise’s side project, known as “The Fall” (a comic telling the story of two assassins during both modern times and the Russian Revolution), McDevitt stated such piece was “really well-received” and hinted those characters and story arcs would play a “role in a bigger picture,” without going into further details.

Source: Joystiq, IGN