By all accounts (except, maybe, those of its investors) Nintendo had a banner year in 2010.  The DS continued to rack up inexplicable sales numbers in its 6^th year on the market. The reveal of its successor, the Nintendo 3DS, helped the gaming giant dominate E3, the biggest party of the industry's year, and re-establish a foothold in the minds of serious gamers. But the best reason gamers should have paid attention to Nintendo these past twelve months was for its incredible line-up of Wii titles.

Step back and look at the riches bestowed upon lucky owners of that little white box, and it grows increasingly difficult to maintain the argument that grand digital experiences exist only in HD. In the span of one year, we have seen one of the highest Metacritic-rated games ever (Super Mario Galaxy 2), a direct follow-up to many gamers' favorite game of all time (Metroid: Other M), a glorious and unexpected reboot of a beloved franchise (Donkey Kong Country Returns), a stunning sequel to a cult classic (Sin & Punishment 2), and the cutest gosh-darn ball of string to ever grace a screen (Kirby's Epic Yarn). And that's only counting Nintendo's first- or second-party efforts. Add in a deluge of third-party titles like Monster Hunter Tri, Red Steel 2, and Goldeneye, and it's safe to say the Wii has never seen a better line-up of games in a calendar year.

Confession Time: 2010 was an amazing year for Nintendo franchises.

But 2010 is now over. After such a feast of gaming goodness, one might predict the dusty barrenness of famine to soon follow. And looking at Nintendo's announced releases for 2011, that just might be the case. Some are clamoring for Wii 2; some couldn't care less, with all of their fevered anticipation resting on the release of a 3D handheld marvel. As we embark on a new 365, full of excitement over looming launch-dates and the mystery of the unexpected, let's take a quick look at what Nintendo has lined up for Wii. (And lest we forget, at this time last year we hadn't yet heard of DKCR or Kirby... so this in no way represents a full representation of what's to come.)

Heavy Hitters

Mario Sports Mix

Sure, it's another sports-themed fest of mini-games. But fans will tell you, Mario sports games always deliver the fun when teamed with a bunch of friends in the same room. Just 'cause they're cartoons doesn't mean they're not competitive; you don't need to land a head-shot to want to destroy your up-till-now best friend, and this game will give you four different arenas in which to try. Developed by Square Enix, this is Nintendo's first big release of the new year, and will assuredly rack up big-time sales. I wish they had chosen a more robust line-up of sports—Dodgeball, really?--but with Volleyball, Basketball, and Hockey, there should be a good amount of variety to the play styles. A must for those with little siblings.

Due Out: February 7, 2011.

The Last Story

Speaking of Square Enix: You know that little game called 'Final Fantasy'? It was co-created by Hironubu Sakaguchi, who since went on to head up a studio called Mistwalker, developers of The Last Story. It's a big-time RPG being published by Nintendo—a rarity in any generation, but especially this one on the Wii—and it will be out in Japan in early 2011.

There's still no word on an American or European release date, (although as of now, reports say that there are "no plans" for a release in the West) but given the limited amount of games forthcoming, let's hope we get to experience this tale soon. Little is known about the actual story, but the box art alone begs to be framed. And with that pedigree, expectations run high.

Due Out: JAP - January 27, 2011.

                 USA/EUR -  ??

Due Out: TBA

The Conduit 2

The original Conduit was something of an enigma. A talented development team (High Voltage Software) created a demo to showcase their powerful new Wii graphics technology. People got excited. Based on this hype, they fleshed out the demo into an entire game, sought a publisher (SEGA finally answered the call), and released to an FPS-starved Wii audience. The result? Some loved it; many thought it average at best. The controls set a new standard, and the game did boast some impressive tech, but the run-of-the-mill storyline combined with the massive competition on the HD consoles left excited gamers tasting humble pie. The fact that a sequel was greenlit is impressive, and another risk by SEGA, especially considering how underwhelming their other mature Wii titles have faired. But with support for true headset voice-chat, improved online performance, the inclusion of Wii Motion Plus, and a more inspired campaign-mode, The Conduit 2 could surprise people again in 2011.

Due Out: February 15^th, 2011

The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword

What is there left to say about Link and his adventures? Plenty, apparently: Aonuma and his team have gone on record that with this entry in the fabled series, they plan to change up the formula we've all grown accustomed to. Cue the cries of exultation and blasphemy. After Ocarina of Time set up the way 3D Zelda games have worked, main entries in the series have rarely veered too far off this path. Many have grown tired of the formula, but just as many would see a change as a slap in the face to their venerated classic. Here's hoping the painterly artistic style and Wii Motion Plus-only gameplay are not the only new directions taken with one of the most eagerly awaited games of the new year.

Due Out: sometime 2011

Diamonds in the Rough

Rhythm Heaven Wii

During the Nintendo Conference 2010 in Japan, Satoru Iwata showed a sizzle reel of trailers for upcoming games, and one snuck by without much notice.

Yes, that is a Dog Vs. Cat badminton game.  In planes.

The original Rhythm Heaven was a DS sequel to a Japan-Only GBA game, Rhythm Tengoku. Think WarioWare with a beat. The DS game consists of quirky contests of tapping, sliding, and flicking to the music, and it is packed full of humor and challenge. Sometime in 2011, the crazed music micro-game contest is due to hit Wii.  A console version is cause for celebration if you're a fan of this sort of experience, and even if it never releases outside of Japan, the intuitive controls should make it Import-friendly.

Due Out: TBA

Super Meat Boy

Super Meat Fighter II?

Say it ain't so, Team Meat. The developers behind one of the most critically acclaimed games on PC and XBLA this past holiday have said (on their Twitter page) that the WiiWare version of Super Meat Boy has been cancelled. Games on Nintendo's downloadable service must fit a 40 MB cap, and the team says SMB would be neutered beyond repair and they wouldn't feel right releasing an inferior product. Hope remains for a retail version, though chances are iffy. A super-hard platformer where you bounce around as a slab of raw meat, leaving bloody streaks on the walls and getting chopped to bits by chainsaws all to save your girlfriend (she's a bandage, by the way) imprisoned by a fetus in a jar—Yep, the world needs this game on as many devices as possible. Cross your fingers you can break yours soon in the maniacal pursuit of victory this game offers up. In the year after Super Mario Bros.' 25^th anniversary, it'd be a shame not to have its spiritual hell-bent cousin provide a new generation with such a bloody thrill.

Due Out: TBA

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What games did I miss?  What are you most looking forward to playing in 2011?  And what might Nintendo be hiding up their sleeves?  Let us know in the Comments section below.

(A version of this story first ran on www.videogamejungle.com)