Link's long-awaited return

Earlier today we brought you a list of five Nintendo games to thrill you in 2011, but one big name was absent: Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword, as it wasn't really fair to put arguably this year's biggest title against anything else.

Link's previous adventure on Wii, Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess, was never developed with Wii in mind, having been designed as GameCube's swansong. Skyward Sword, on the other hand, is set to make far better use of the Wii's unique abilities than its predecessor.

Requiring either MotionPlus or the new Wii Remote Plus accessory, Nintendo is promising more control over Link's actions than ever before. The E3 demonstration showed off familiar items - a bow-and-arrow, bombs and swordplay - but it's the new items that always intrigue in new Zelda titles. Link will have access to a whip and a new flying beetle that seeks out new areas and items, all controlled with the extra accuracy afforded by MotionPlus.

Moblins hate swords. Fact.

Taking a graphical style that's billed as "a watercolour painting come to life", the game blends visual elements from other Link's previous adventures. While not quite as strongly cartoon-styled as Zelda: Wind Waker, it's certainly a change from the dusky visuals of Twilight Princess, which may or may not be a good thing depending on your point of view.

We played Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword at E3 in 2010 and we'll have more news and previews in the coming months before its release.