http://www.dualshockers.com/2011/12/23/the-system-with-the-highest-average-metacritic-score-is/

With an average review score of 69.5 (that’s almost a C-minus!), the PlayStation 3 had the highest average Metacritic score of the three big consoles in 2011. The Xbox 360 came in a close second with an average score of 68.9 per game and the Wii … well, Nintendo’s little white box sat at a 62.2. If this were Console Success 101, at least they all passed, right?

The Metacritic report really drives home how much focus has been placed on the Nintendo 3DS and Wii U in Kyoto. Despite its robust roster of IP, Nintendo didn’t seem to do much with it on the Wii this year; the system had fewer high-scoring exclusives than either the Xbox 360 or PlayStation 3. 

It looks like the inability to snag multi-platform releases really hurt the Wii this year, with games like Batman: Arkham City, Skyrim and Portal 2 giving the 360 and PS3 a sizeable leg-up.

It appears flagship franchises were in high order for all three console-makers this year; Zelda, Gears of War and Uncharted were the three highest-scoring series for Nintendo, Microsoft and Sony. But it seems like Sony had the best result in terms of critical acclaim here. Twelve of the PS3′s releases this year scored a 90 or higher.

Nintendo’s DS and 3DS and Sony’s PSP got their own list, with The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D, Pokemon White and Tactics Ogre: Let Us Cling Together taking the top spots for those consoles. PC games were in a league of their own, apparently, with Portal 2 being the most critically-acclaimed title for that platform.

When you think about it for two seconds, 2011 was a pretty solid year for our beloved pastime. And don’t fret: our own Game of the Year list is forthcoming. Man, all this talk of awesome games makes me want to … wait, when did my PlayStation 3 turn itself on?

Can we finally put to rest the "average is 75-80" bullshit now? Clearly it;s around 60-70. Only another 10 points lower and we'd be around that magical 50 number that so many people seem akin to pushing.

Turns out I'm right, as usual. :P

still the exclusives titles as in owned by Nintendo, Microsoft, and Sony. Legend of Zelda Skyward Sword beats Gears of War 3 and Uncharted 3.

Couldn't have put it better myself, the Wii is a great system it just has some really bad 3rd party games ): Overall though the 3DS is doing really well so far :)

Is this for all time or just 2011?

Also a better way in my mind would be a sum of the scores on a log scale. In my mind having bad games shouldn't be seen as a negative, also the amount of good games needs to be factored in, not just their ratio to bad ones. Zelda may have a higher score then Gears and Unc but Gears and Unc together should be more than Zelda, get it?

 I think this is just for 2011.

console exclusive lineups this year

xbox 360 : gears 3 ( 91 ), forza 4 ( 91 ), bastian ( 86 ), etc... 

ps3 : uncharted 3 ( 92 ), lbp 2 ( 91 ), team ico collection ( 91 ) etc...

( then theres still all the multiplats that both HD consoles get )

wii : skyward sword ( 93 ) and ?...

now i don't know about you but i'd rather have a console that has many high rated games than one with one game that scores a point or 2 above the competition and nothing else

it's for 2011. it's in the op.

Xenoblade! I rather have all three, having only one is dull and boring in my book. Having a combination fo Wii + PS3/360 is best, and having all three is a party!

great points, i guess i overlooked xenoblade because its not out yet in the us