Best of E3 2006 Awards

Special Mentions

Anything and everything we haven't covered in the other categories, but deserves to be called out.

• Best Shooter
• Best Role-Playing Game
• Best Online Multiplayer Game
• Best Racing Game
• Best Massively Multiplayer Game
• Best Strategy Game
• Best Action/Adventure Game
• Best Original Game
• Special Mentions

Winner: Nintendo Wii

Special Mentions: Wii (Nintendo)

How could it be anything else? Nintendo's press conference had jaws flapping all week, and their huge stand had lines longer than anything we've seen for years. The Wii's control system fascinated and intrigued all comers and if the range of games on show at E3 is anything to go by, the Wii will enable developers to indulge their creative sides in ways we've never imagined.

Although it's clearly the least powerful of the three next-generation systems, neither the Xbox 360 nor the PlayStation3 came anywhere close to arousing the kind of interest and buzz of the Wii. Some of this certainly has to do with the keen marketing acumen of Nintendo, but most of it comes down to the simple fact that the Wii showed more innovation and creativity than anything else at the show.

Although the real test for Nintendo will come over the next few months, as it works to maintain the momentum it's already generated, there's no doubt the Wii is off to a flying start. Nothing else made anywhere near this much impact in LA this year. >>>More info

Runner-ups

Microsoft Live Anywhere: Unifying Xbox 360 games with PC and cellphone content has enormous potential, and Microsoft is uniquely placed to make it a reality. It'll be fascinating to see where they go with it.

Dead Rising: This gets the all-important Yahoo! Games award for Most Zombies. Seriously, guys, that's a lot of zombies. >>>More info

WarioWare Smooth Moves: The Wii version of this endlessly addictive franchise is taking full advantage of Nintendo's new controller. This is one anyone can pick up and play. >>>More info

Guitar Hero 2: Guitar Hero -- with more tracks and a much-improved two-player mode? Sold. >>>More info

Elite Beat Agents: Think Dance Dance Revolution on the Nintendo DS. Tap the screen with precision and rhythm while a comic book-style story plays out in the background. >>>More info