Nintendo Wii Tops Best of E3

There are dozens of E3 awards doled out by videogame Web sites, TV shows and magazines throughout the month of May. But there's only one E3 Award that speaks for the masses. The E3 Game Critics is a collection of 37 journalists (including myself, representing The Hollywood Reporter) from both the gaming world (Game Informer, IGN, GameSpot) and the mainstream media (CNN/Money, Newsweek, MTV, Rolling Stone). It's for this reason that these awards are held in such high esteem by game publishers. (Every year, E3 judges are given the chance to look at E3 games the month before the show and at the show they're allowed to get hands-on time behind closed doors of all competing games.) The following is a rundown of what the E3 judges thought were the best of the best at E3 2006.

Nintendo had a very good show. The Wii earned the coveted Best of Show Award this year, as well as Best Hardware. The Japanese publisher waked away with a total of five awards after receiving a record 13 nominations this year. Excite Truck for Wii earned the Best Racing Game Award, while Wii Sports took home the Best Sports Game trophy. Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass for Nintendo DS rounded out the winners.

These Nintendo awards run true to the overall reaction to the show. Sony wowed the press last year with what turned out to be smoke and mirrors. This year, the reality of PlayStation 3 games didn't have the same overwhelming impact. PS3 took home Best Hardware from the Game Critics last year. This year, a pair of PS3 games won awards. Ubisoft's Assassin's Creed earned Best Action/Adventure Game and Heavenly Sword received Best Fighting Game. While Heavenly Sword is a first-party PS3 exclusive, I expect Ubisoft to release the critically acclaimed Assassin's Creed for Xbox 360 and PC, as well.

Nintendo's Wii brings something new to the game industry. Despite the lower price point (which Nintendo has not announced, but has confirmed it will be less than $250), Wii has the potential to introduce a new, broader audience to games. More than anything else, that's what the videogame industry needs. The hardcore gamers--the guys who will pay $600 for a PS3--aren't going to go away. But new gamers are needed to grow the industry into the public conscience. Wii, with its innovative controls and unique games, has that potential. And Nintendo has a slew of big franchises that can capitalize on this new console that will appeal to the full spectrum of hardcore and casual gamers.

Microsoft, which had a solid E3 show, saw its next premiere franchise, Epic's Gears of War, win two awards. The Xbox 360 game, which has been called the next Halo, took home the Best Console Game and Best Action Game honors. Bioware's Xbox 360 game, Mass Effect, which Microsoft will publish, earned Best Role Playing Game. Overall, Microsoft had a great collection of exclusive games heading to Xbox 360 this fall and next year.

Electronic Arts' Spore once again had a good show. Last year it took home four awards (Best of Show, Best PC Game, Best Simulation Game and Best Original Game). This year Will Wright's game had three repeat awards (Best Original Game, Best PC Game, Best Simulation Game). While Spore is definitely a great game, I'm not a fan of awarding the same game the same award two years running. I believe each year, new games should get a chance to shine. And it's not like there weren't other games that stood out at the show.

Other winners included id Software and Activision's Enemy Territory: Quake Wars for Best Online Multiplayer, Gas Powered Games and THQ's Supreme Commander for Best Strategy Game, and Harmonix and Red Octane's Guitar Hero II for Best Puzzle/Trivia/Parlor Game.