The age of the online game has officially arrived. All three consoles and both major handhelds have built-in online capability, meaning the games on them can be played over the Internet against other people. Some games have better online experiences than others, and the best one of the year available on a Nintendo platform gets the NWR Award for Best Online Game.

Even though it isn't a true Metroid game, the 4-man Quake-style online death matches were a perfect fit for the DS. Playing against a wide variety of opponents anywhere there's a wireless connection is something FPS junkies should appreciate. Being able to trash talk your buddies between rounds is pretty neat, too. If we ever see more online shooters on the DS, let's hope they are as good as Prime Hunters.

Runner-up (tie): Clubhouse Games

Having forty-two different card and board games is good enough on its own, but when thirty-nine of them are playable online, that's just icing on the cake. No matter what you feel like playing in Clubhouse Games, you'll probably be able to find someone online willing to play the same thing. Oh, and there's online Pictochat, too!

Runner-up (tie): Tetris DS

Do you think you're good at Tetris? The only way to prove it is to play head-to-head online. Tetris DS allows you to do that, as well as partake in a four-player match and the frantic Push mode. Everyone's Tetris ranking can be found online, so you can finally show your friends who the real Tetris master is.