Despite the fact that the Wii has outsold the PS3 last year in the US and sold the most software in December, Nintendo sees the decline in sales for the whole gaming industry in 2011 as a beacon to release a new console, Iwata said: “Usually, the Wii enjoys high sales in December, but last year, even though ‘The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword’ was highly acclaimed, we were not able to expand it sufficiently to our target audience, and although the Wii was the platform which sold the most software in December, we were not able to propose new Nintendo titles to our broad audience.”

He added “Therefore, except for Ubisoft’s Just Dance 3 there were no Wii titles with huge sales in the year-end sales season. Along with effects from our trade marketing activities in December which mainly focused on the Nintendo 3DS, we were not able to sell the Wii as well as we usually do. However, not just the Wii, but the overall performance of home consoles in December was lower than the previous year, and I think that the market is now waiting for a new proposal for home consoles.”

Nintendo has announced that the WiiU is going to be available by year end, and it will be re-unveiled at this year’s E3.
 
Source
 

Best of Show:
 

- Batman: Arkham City (Rocksteady/WB Games for PC, PS3, Xbox 360)
- WINNER: BioShock Infinite (Irrational Games/2K Games for PC, PS3, Xbox 360)
- The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim (Bethesda Game Studios/Bethesda for PC, PS3, Xbox 360)
- Tomb Raider (Crystal Dynamics/Square Enix for PC, PS3, Xbox 360)
- Uncharted 3: Drake’s Deception (Naughty Dog/SCEA for PlayStation 3)
 

Best Original Game:
 

- Bastion (Supergiant Games/WB Games for PC, Xbox 360)
- WINNER: BioShock Infinite (Irrational Games/2K Games for PC, PS3, Xbox 360)
- From Dust (Ubisoft Montpellier/Ubisoft for PC, PS3, Xbox 360)
- Journey (Thatgamecompany/SCEA for PlayStation 3)
- Sound Shapes (Queasy Games/SCEA for PS Vita)
 

Best Console Game:
 

- Batman: Arkham City (Rocksteady/WB Games for PS3, Xbox 360)
- Mass Effect 3 (BioWare/EA Games for PS3, Xbox 360)
- WINNER: The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim (Bethesda Game Studios/Bethesda for PS3, Xbox 360)
- Tomb Raider (Crystal Dynamics/Square Enix for PS3, Xbox 360)
- Uncharted 3: Drake’s Deception (Naughty Dog/SCEA for PlayStation 3)
 

Best Handheld/Mobile Game :
 

- Contre Jour (Mokus/Chillingo/EA for iPad, iPhone)
- Mario Kart (Nintendo/Nintendo for 3DS)
- WINNER: Sound Shapes (Queasy Games/SCEA for PS Vita)
- Super Mario (Nintendo EAD Tokyo/Nintendo for 3DS)
- Uncharted: Golden Abyss (SCE Bend Studio/Naughty Dog/SCEA for PS Vita)
 

Best PC Game:
 

- Battlefield 3 (DICE/EA Games for PC)
- WINNER: BioShock Infinite (Irrational Games/2K Games for PC)
- End of Nations (Petroglyph Games/Trion Worlds for PC)
- Star Wars: The Old Republic (BioWare Austin/EA Games for PC)
- Torchlight 2 (Runic Games/Perfect World for PC)
 

Best Hardware:
 

- WINNER: PlayStation Vita (Sony Computer Entertainment)
- Rocksmith (Ubisoft San Francisco/Ubisoft for PC, PS3, Xbox 360)
- Sony 3D Display (Sony Computer Entertainment)
- Wii U (Nintendo)
- Zoom for Kinect (Nyko)
 

Best Action Game:
 

- WINNER: Battlefield 3 (DICE/EA Games for PC, PS3, Xbox 360)
- Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 (Infinity Ward/Sledgehammer/ATVI for PC, PS3, Xbox 360)
- Gears of War 3 (Epic Games/Microsoft Studios for Xbox 360)
- Prey 2 (Human Head Studios/Bethesda for PC, PS3, and Xbox 360)
- Rage (id Software/Bethesda for PC, PS3 and Xbox 360)
 

Best Action/Adventure Game:
 

- Assassin’s Creed: Revelations (Ubisoft Montreal/Ubisoft for PC, PS3, and Xbox 360)
- Batman: Arkham City (Rocksteady/WB Games for PC, PS3, Xbox 360)
- WINNER: BioShock infinite (Irrational Games/2K Games for PC, PS3, Xbox 360)
- Tomb Raider (Crystal Dynamics/Square Enix for PC, PS3, Xbox 360)
- Uncharted 3: Drake’s Deception (Naughty Dog/SCEA for PlayStation 3)
 

Best Role-Playing Game:
 

- Dark Souls (From Software/Namco Bandai Games for PS3, Xbox 360)
- Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning (Big Huge Games/38 Studios/EAP for PC, PS3, and Xbox 360)
- Mass Effect 3 (BioWare/EA Games for PC, PS3, Xbox 360)
- Star Wars: The Old Republic (BioWare Austin/EA for PC)
- WINNER: The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim (Bethesda Game Studios/Bethesda for PC, PS3, Xbox 360)
 

Best Racing Game:
 

- Driver: San Francisco (Ubisoft Reflections/Ubisoft for PC, PS3, Xbox 360)
- WINNER: Forza 4 (Turn 10 Studios/Microsoft Studios for Xbox 360)
- Mario Kart (Nintendo/Nintendo for 3DS)
- Need for Speed: The Run (EA Black Box/EA Games for PC, PS3, Xbox 360, Wii)
- Wipeout 2048 (Studio Liverpool/SCEE for PS Vita)
 

Best Fighting Game:
 

- Skullgirls (Reverge Labs/Autumn Games for PS3, Xbox 360)
- Street Fighter III: 3rd Strike Online Edition (Iron Galaxy Studios/Capcom for PS3, Xbox 360)
- WINNER: Street Fighter X Tekken (Capcom/Capcom for PS3, Xbox 360, PS Vita)
- Soul Calibur V (Namco/Namco Bandai for PS3, Xbox 360)
- Tekken Tag Tournament 2 (Namco Bandai Games for Arcade)
- WWE 12 (Yuke’s/THQ for PS3, Xbox 360, Wii)
 

Best Sports Game:
 

- WINNER: FIFA Soccer 12 (EA Canada/EA Sports for PC, PS3, Xbox 360)
- Madden NFL 12 (EA Tiburon/EA Sports for PS3, Xbox 360)
- NBA 2K12 (Visual Concepts/2K Sports for PS3, Xbox 360)
- SSX (EA Canada/EA Sports for PS3, Xbox 360)
- UFC Undisputed 3 (Yuke’s/THQ for PS3, Xbox 360)
 

Best Strategy Game:
 

- Age of Empires Online (Gas Powered Games/Microsoft Studios for PC)
- End of Nations (Petroglyph/Trion Worlds for PC)
- WINNER: From Dust (Ubisoft Montpellier/Ubisoft for PC, PS3, Xbox 360)
- Skulls of the Shogun (Haunted Temple Studios for PC, Xbox 360)
- Trenched (Double Fine/Microsoft Studios for Xbox 360)
 

Best Social/Casual Game:
 

- Dance Central 2 (Harmonix/Microsoft Studios for Xbox 360)
- Disneyland Adventures (Frontier Developments/Microsoft Studios for Xbox 360)
- Rocksmith (Ubisoft San Francisco/Ubisoft for PC, PS3, Xbox 360)
- Rhythm Heaven (TNX/Nintendo for Wii)
- WINNER: Sound Shapes (Queasy Games/SCEA for PS Vita)
 

Best Motion Simulation Game:
 

- Dance Central 2 (Harmonix/Microsoft Studios for Xbox 360)
- Fruit Ninja Kinect (Halfbrick/Microsoft Studios for Xbox 360)
- Sesame Street: Once Upon a Monster (Double Fine Productions/WB Games for Xbox 360)
- The Gunstringer (Twisted Pixel Games/Microsoft Studios for Xbox 360)
- WINNER: The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword (Nintendo EAD/Nintendo for Wii)
 

Best Online Multiplayer Game:
 

- WINNER: Battlefield 3 (DICE/EA for PC, PS3, Xbox 360)
- Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 (Infinity Ward/Sledgehammer/ATVI for PC, PS3, Xbox 360)
- Gears of War 3 (Epic Games/Microsoft Studios for Xbox 360)
- Star Wars: The Old Republic (BioWare Austin/EA for PC)
- Uncharted 3: Drake’s Deception (Naughty Dog/SCEA for PlayStation 3)
 

Best Downloadable Game:
 

- WINNER: Bastion (Supergiant Games/WB Games for PC, Xbox 360)
- From Dust (Ubisoft Montpellier/Ubisoft for PC, PS3, Xbox 360)
- Insanely Twisted Shadow Planet (Fuelcell Games/Microsoft Studios for Xbox 360)
- Journey (Thatgamecompany/SCEA for PlayStation 3)
- Papo & Yo (Minority/SCEA for PlayStation 3)

 
What do you think? tell us in the comments section.

The lack of best fighting game category and the exclusion of great games such as Bayonetta, Vanquish and other great games from the VGA is really embarrassing for the industry. Also, Super Mario Galaxy 2 not being nominated for GOTY 2010 was clearly a very big mistake.
 

Anyway, I was checking Gamespot’s list of categories and the nominees for GOTY 2010. I can say that the staff at Gamespot did a great job in selecting the categories and the nominees. First of all, Gamespot nominated Battlefield Bad Company 2 for GOTY 2010 while excluding Black Ops. Battlefield Bad Company 2 is the best military shooter of the year, so it is certainly the right thing to do. Second, they nominated Super Mario Galaxy 2 for GOTY which also the right thing to do.
 
Platinum games dominated the list with both of Bayonetta and Vanquish got nominated for GOTY 2010. God of War 3 wasn’t nominated for GOTY and I think I know why. I guess at some point the staff at Gamespot had to choose between GOW3 and Bayonetta and they chosen Bayonetta over GOW3 and it’s certainly the right choice as Bayonetta is clearly the better game overall.
 
 

While it’s a disappointment that Gamespot didn’t make a category for Best fighting game of the year, there is no doubt that Gamespot’s list of categories and nominees were chosen more wisely and professionally than Spike VGA’s ones. Click here to see the complete list of categories and nominees.
 

In everything we create, the main concept always revolves around design. Design is made up of two key factors: functionality and appearance. How well these two are served determines how good the overall design is. This is the basis of design in every aspect of what we see around us. How well something works, and how good it looks while working defines the quality of its design. This is a good indication why many products succeed in the market, while many others fail. This is no different in the videogame industry.
 

I played through the demo of Enslaved the other day, and this is what brought the topic to mind once more. The demo booted up, and I was greeted by Monkey’s lovingly dealt snarls and glares. The game handed control over to me, and up I push on the control stick. Monkey stutters forward with a heavy, slow step, and then kicks off at full speed. I removed the pressure from the control stick, and pushed on it again. The same thing happened. At first, I thought it may have been one of those randomly generated animations, and something that would happen on rare occasions, but, as I played more and more, it became evident that this was part of the design.
 
 

Snarly-snarly, Mr. Monkey.

This sort of thing forces me to question whether or not any of the designers ever decided to sit down with their efforts. The problem with this implementation of what is commonly found in platformers, which is to say slow movement at first, then having the character speed up, is that it’s of an unwieldy nature. The time it takes from when the control stick is tilted, to when Monkey hits full speed is too long, and the period of acceleration in between is almost non-existent; Monkey simply kick-starts into full gear after half a second’s delay. Although this issue is very easily remedied by Enslaved’s forgiving platforming style, there is still no reason for such a system to exist. Not in the way it is, now, at least.
 

Let’s look in the direction of the opposite extreme, now, shall we? Super Mario Galaxy. Arguably one of the best platformers to have ever been made. That’s a reason to immediately assume control design perfection, and you wouldn’t be very wrong. Pick up the Nunchuk, and smack that control stick to the far end. Mario will run on the spot for a fraction of a second, and speed up gradually, but quickly; not suddenly bursting forward like he’s had an injection in the rear. This is an effect that is so natural to the mind that it goes by unnoticed. It doesn’t annoy you, and so you don’t take note of it. Almost as if it makes sense, and that’s what the mind expects to happen. Albeit, Super Mario Galaxy is a much more precision-based platformer than Enslaved is, and so not having the effect perfected would destroy a large part of the gamer’s sensation of total control, while Enslaved simply annoys the player.
 
 

Happy plumber alert.

In Super Mario Galaxy, functionality is not sacrificed for appearance. This is one of the biggest flaws of today’s gaming industry: appearance over functionality. Animators have dictated that their lovingly-crafted dodge maneuver’s animation must complete all the way until the character’s hair falls back into neat curls over his shoulders before he can slam his fist into the face of the zombie gnawing on his leg. In fast-paced videogames, such as most Action/Adventure titles, FPSs, TPSs, etc. the functionality of the gameplay tends to be more important than the appearance. If I’ve got a sniper’s laser aimed squarely at my head, you’d better believe that I’m going to give up on reloading my gun and dive for cover. You’d better believe it.
 

Designers have alleviated a lot of these issues with simple fixes: allowing the characters to do multiple actions at the same time, such as reloading while taking cover, and, in many cases, even allowing players to ‘cancel’ out of the animation, and force the characters to do a more important action, such as block or dodge in the middle of an attack. That doesn’t mean, though, that functionality over design immediately equates to a better game.
 
 

Suggested course of action: press Square.

Game designers have also used this concept of appearance over functionality to their advantage; especially when it comes to the Horror genre. It’s a simple, quick and easy way to cause tension amongst gamers as they play through the game. Being chased through the desolate woods by a bloodthirsty bear? Why don’t you shoot it? Oh, right, you’re busy reloading. Sucks that that animation takes forever, and forces you to move at a pace no quicker than a lazy stroll. That is a brilliant example of how greater care to appearance than functionality can, in fact, enhance the experience.
 

Game designers have been caught up in this craze of achieving cinematic gameplay, and it’s been costing games their greatest assets: their gameplay. While it can aid in some instances, it generally tends to drag the experience down, frustrating the gamer and pulling them out of the experience, rather than enhancing it. It’s nice to play a game that’s extra flashy and pretty all over, but I don’t think I’d prefer watching my character tie his shoelace in the middle of a firefight, rather than watching my character trip over his untied shoelace as he shotguns baddies in the face.

There were a lot of Zelda fans that hated the cel shaded look of Wind Waker, but I wasn’t in the same boat. Wind Waker art style was and still to this day unique and very attractive. On the other hand, Skyward Sword looks like an average PS2 or Wii game because of the so generic art style. It’s good to see a game full of colors in these days, but the truth to be told, Skyward Sword looks empty and lifeless and there isn’t a single stand point in its visual style that distinguishes the newest Zelda game from other videogames in the market, unlike the previous games in the series.
 
 

If you look closely at games such as Okami and the two previous major Zelda titles that have been released in the last eight years (Wind Waker and Twilight Princess), Skyward Sword looks artistically dated in comparison. I know that Nintendo’s console (the Wii) isn’t a technical powerhouse like the PS3 and Xbox360, but Skyward Sword also disappoint from a technical stand point. After seeing Super Mario Galaxy 2, I don’t know why Skyward Sword doesn’t look at least, as good as Mario’s latest adventure.
 

There is no doubt that Skyward Sword is going to be a high quality videogame. I was very hyped for this game before its official unveiling, but this is the first time I’m not super excited and slightly disappointed about a brand new Zelda game because of its generic look. What do you think? Do you feel the same way? Share your thoughts with us in the comments section.
 

5. ModNation Racers:
 
 

ModNation Racers is an upcoming kart racing game in development by United Front Games for the PS3. Players will be able to design and create their own characters, vehicles and race tracks in great detail. The overall style of the cars and characters is based on vinyl art and collectors’ toys, but players will be able to greatly modify their clothing and overall look. Players are also able to create and modify race tracks using the in-game ‘Track Studio’ tool. If you had tried the online beta which was made available in the US in December 2009 and in Europe in January 2010, I think you know how much fun the game is. ModNation Racers will expand on the great features Little Big Planet established while offering a different type of gameplay.

4. Lost Planet 2:
 
 

 
 

The first game was good despite some shortcomings. But it seems that the sequel is going to improve on every aspect of the original game. With improved visuals, bigger Akrid bosses, four co-op play in campaign mode, and better online experience, Capcom seems to have a winning sequel in their hands.

3. Alan Wake:
 
 

 
 

The wait for this game is almost finished. The game was shown for the first time in E3 2005 and since that time, Remedy has been hard at work to deliver this “Psychological action thriller.” The main protagonist Alan Wake is a bestselling writer, hasn’t managed to write anything in over two years. Now his wife, Alice, brings him to the idyllic small town of Bright Falls to recover his creative flow. When she vanishes without a trace, Wake finds himself trapped in a nightmare. Word by word, his latest work, a thriller he cannot even remember writing is coming true before his eyes. From what we have seen so far from the game, Alan Wake is highly likely to meet expectations.
 

2. Super Mario Galaxy 2:
 
 

 
 

The first game is not only the best game on the Wii, it’s one of the best games of this generation. Super Mario Galaxy 2 is about to expand the great gameplay and level design of the original game while introducing new items and power-ups. The new items include, drills that allow Mario to drill through planets and dirt, they can also be used to explore the interior of planets and uncover hidden treasures. One of the new interesting power-ups is the Rock Mushroom, which gives Mario the ability to turn himself into a boulder and smash through barriers. If you have a Wii, you owe it to yourself to get this game.
 

1. Red Dead Redemption:
 
 

 
 

If you have to buy only one game in May, then get Red Dead Redemption. This is without a doubt is shaping up to be the best game in May and possibly 2010 game of the year. Red Dead Redemption gives the player a large, open world environment allowing the player to move freely. Players on foot can walk, run, interact with the environment, and combat enemies with firearms. This game has everything a great game should have; stunning visuals (mind blowing attention to details), unique open world settings, amazing gameplay mechanisms, a very interesting online multiplayer, and more innovative ideas than you could possibly imagine. Rockstar games is taking the sandbox gaming to the next level in Redemption.

 
I know. There are many games coming next month not mentioned in the list, but honestly, these are the hottest titles I think gamers (including me) are looking forward to the most next month. Which games are you planning to get in May? Tell us in the comment section.
 

Today, Kojima tweeted another interesting tweet, revealing that he is working on another ‘Confidential Project’ which will make him leave his next project to the side in favor of this new “Confidential Project”:
 

“I’m going to leave my next project to the side while I focus on the “Confidential Project.”"
 

We can understand from his tweets that Kojima is working on two different projects at the same time. The first project will be different and it’s going to “challenge a certain type of taboo” and the second one is a very “Confidential Project”. E3 isn’t very far away, and I think we will see what the legendary developer is up to in June.
 

Though, this isn’t the only big Wii title to get a 2010 release date in North America. Team ninja’s hotly anticipated action game ‘Metroid: Other M’ which will provide a completely different experience from Retro Studio’s recent series of first-person action adventure will release on exactly June 27th in the US.
 
 

The Wii lineup for 2010 looks much stronger compared to last year’s. Now, all we need from Nintendo is to announce a 2010 release for the upcoming Zelda game.
 

Speaking on his new show on Gametrailers (Pach-Attack) the infamous video games analyst Michael Pachter has predicted that Halo: Reach will outsell all of the upcoming games in 2010. He predicted that Bungie’s upcoming Xbox360 exclusive ‘Halo: Reach’ is going to sell between 8-9 million copies which according to him would make the forthcoming entry in the Halo series the best selling game of 2010. Though, he spoke of the possibility of a Nintendo game to take the crown of the best selling game of 2010, but at the same time, he has doubted that the upcoming peripheral from Nintendo the Wii Vitality Sensor to sell as hugely as the Wii fit. Also, he said that the next Call of Duty game which is being developed by Treyarch may not sell as good as Modern Warfare 2 did in 2009 because of the fact that Treyarch is developing the game not Infinity Ward.

I think that Halo: Reach will be the best selling exclusive in 2010. But when it comes to the overall best selling game of 2010, there is a high probability that a multiplatform game such as the upcoming Call of Duty game to take the crown simply because it’s available on more than one platform. Which game do you think could end up being the overall best selling game of 2010? Any thoughts? Let us know in the comment section.
 

- PlayStation 2 41.6K
- PlayStation 3 276.9K
- PSP 100.1K
- Xbox 360 332.8K
- Wii 465.8K
- Nintendo DS 422.2K
 

- The top 10 best selling games in January:
 

1. NEW SUPER MARIO BROS. WII WII NINTENDO OF AMERICA Nov-09 656.7K
2. MASS EFFECT 2* 360 ELECTRONIC ARTS Jan-10 572.1K
3. WII FIT PLUS W/ BALANCE BOARD* WII NINTENDO OF AMERICA Oct-09 555.7K
4. CALL OF DUTY: MODERN WARFARE 2* 360 ACTIVISION BLIZZARD Nov-09 326.7K
5. MARIO KART W/ WHEEL WII NINTENDO OF AMERICA Apr-08 310.9K
6. SPORTS RESORT W/ WII MOTION PLUS* WII NINTENDO OF AMERICA Jul-09 297.6K
7. CALL OF DUTY: MODERN WARFARE 2* PS3 ACTIVISION BLIZZARD Nov-09 259.0K
8. ARMY OF TWO: THE 40TH DAY 360 ELECTRONIC ARTS Jan-10 246.5K
9. JUST DANCE WII UBISOFT Nov-09 191.9K
10. DARKSIDERS 360 THQ Jan-10 171.2k