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FEATURED VOXPOP nick_olsen
Welcome home, Mario; we’ve missed you!
By nick_olsen
Posted on 05/13/13
[ Editor's Note: As Nick Olsen is a writer for Theory of Gaming, this won't be counted in the monthly Vox Pop prize. However, it is very much a worthy read. ] By Nick Olsen Co-founder, Theory of Gaming In 1985 Nintendo started a revolution when it...

GameRevolution's Top 25 Wii Games

Posted on Wednesday, December 26 @ 11:00:00 Eastern by Alex_Osborn



10. New Super Mario Bros. Wii


Nintendo's hallmark 2D platforming series made a triumphant return to consoles with New Super Mario Bros. Wii. Even after 25 some odd years, the classic gameplay of Nintendo's side-scroller is still a blast to play. With the added ability to play with up to three additional friends at a time, this game quickly became one of the best couch co-op experiences of its time. If you're a glutton for power-up suits there's also plenty of awesome to be found. Soaring through the sky with the propeller suit or sliding across the ice in the penguin getup could very well be the definition of fun.



9. Metroid Prime 3: Corruption

Retro Studios blew gamers away when they revitalized the Metroid franchise by turning it into a first-person action adventure. After two entries on the GameCube, Retro rounded out the trilogy on the Wii with Corruption, which not only concluded the series in expert fashion but also made wonderful use of the Wiimote's pointer controls. In many ways, Nintendo's motion controller feels designed specifically with Metroid Prime in mind. Here's hoping we get one on the Wii U that takes it one step further with the GamePad.



8. Muramasa: The Demon Blade

Ignition Entertainment's gorgeous 2D side-scroller is an absolute must for owners of a Wii. Heck, the game jaw-dropping hand-drawn art is reason enough to purchase this game. The game was developed by Vanillaware, the same team behind the PS2 cult-classics Odin Sphere and GrimGrimoire. If the Wii's SD visuals have you down on the console, playing Muramasa will make it readily evident to you that artistic beauty can overshadow technical limitations. Oh yeah, and it's pretty fun to play too.



7. Donkey Kong Country Returns

We had to wait several years, but after a 3D collect-a-thon, a quirky rhythm-based adventure and two console generations in between, the classic 2D side-scrolling of Donkey Kong Country made its triumphant return. With Retro Studios at the helm, you don't need me to convince you that this game is supremely polished and an absolute blast to play. If you look back fondly on the days of playing as DK on your SNES, there is absolutely no reason for you not to play Donkey Kong Country Returns. Seriously, you'd be doing your inner child a serious disservice.



6. Super Smash Bros. Brawl

You know what they say, third time's a charm—but what if the first two times were also incredible? After blowing Nintendo fans away on the N64 with the original Super Smash Bros., HAL Laboratory went on to make Melee for the GameCube, which only improved the mashup brawler even more. The third entry continues the trend of astounding improvement with Super Smash Bros. Brawl, the best four-player brawler gaming currently has to offer. Heck, it was so awesome that Sony couldn't help but steal the concept.


Comments
  • Jonathan_Leack
    Jonathan_Leack

    Joined: Jan 2012
    Posted: Dec 26th, 2012 at 11:49 am
    I've gotta say, out of the three last-gen consoles the Wii had the best top 5 list.
  • Lien
    Lien

    Joined: Feb 2008
    Posted: Dec 26th, 2012 at 12:07 pm
    Ya being sarcastic? Every top list with the wii system is almost like Nintendo showing off their merchandising. We got Mario game, zelda game, mario game, zelda game, mario game, zelda game, mario game... oh and also fire emblem. Remember how the Snes and the gamecube top 10 list actually had something not nintendo brand in it?

    I kinda wished the wii had more exceptional third parties like Xenogear. Makes me sad a little to tell the truth. I mean the wii had great technical potential for making immersing games like Mario galaxy. So i'd kinda hope to see Galaxy clones as the years went by, but instead, we had our fill with failed gimmicks games that feels more like casual gaming then anything... The wii u better make it up for it.
  • wildmario
    wildmario

    Joined: Jan 2007
    Posted: Dec 26th, 2012 at 12:46 pm
    Yeah if only 3rd parties put in more effort in their nintendo games instead of making quick cash ins to fund other non nintendo projects.
  • Jonathan_Leack
    Jonathan_Leack

    Joined: Jan 2012
    Posted: Dec 26th, 2012 at 1:33 pm
    Oh come on let's be realistic here. Super Mario Galaxy 2 is the highest-rated game of all-time. Skyward Sword was the best action RPG of the generation. Xenoblade Chronicles was the best JRPG of the generation.

    I didn't even own a Wii and have just begun to pick these gems up for my Wii U, but even then I give credit where credit is due.
  • Heath_Hindman
    Heath_Hindman

    Joined: May 2011
    Posted: Dec 26th, 2012 at 5:10 pm
    I can swing to your jive, though my two favorite JRPGs of this generation have been Ni no Kuni and Valkyria Chronicles. So THIRD best in the Book of Heath! ^_^ That's just me though.
  • whytenoiz
    whytenoiz

    Joined: Feb 2011
    Posted: Dec 27th, 2012 at 5:51 am
    I'm inclined to agree with Jonathan, as soon as you get over the fact that Mario is a pop culture icon and has bombarded our videogame screens for almost 30 years you can see that Mario galaxy is one of the most solid titles. I never owned a Wii but since picking it up on Wii U I wonder why I haven't. There truly is something for everyone and it is impossible to deny that Nintendo's time and energy paid off in spades for this game.
  • Alex_Osborn
    Alex_Osborn

    Joined: Jan 2012
    Posted: Dec 27th, 2012 at 11:09 am
    The Mario Galaxy games are astounding, but it wouldn't go so far as to say Skyward Sword is the greatest action-RPG of the generation. Glad you love it though, Jonathan.

    I'm also trusting Heath that Ni No Kuni is going to blow JRPG fans away when it FINALLY comes to North America.
  • Noritama
    Noritama

    Joined: Feb 2012
    Posted: Dec 26th, 2012 at 3:44 pm
    I agree up till skyward sword and Twilight Princess. I believe those roles should be switched.
  • Alex_Osborn
    Alex_Osborn

    Joined: Jan 2012
    Posted: Dec 27th, 2012 at 11:06 am
    I'm sure a lot of people feel that way. A couple of us on staff just loved Ocarina of Time nostalgia factor that was packed into Twilight Princess. Plus, the excessive padding in Skyward Sword was a major letdown, personally.
  • Longo_2_guns
    Longo_2_guns

    Joined: Jun 2003
    Posted: Dec 26th, 2012 at 5:11 pm
    If Twilight Princess is the second best Wii game, something something disappointing lineup.

    Really though, while the Wii controls were still fairly novel when TP came out, they were really nothing super special, and the game itself was rather weak.
  • Alex_Osborn
    Alex_Osborn

    Joined: Jan 2012
    Posted: Dec 27th, 2012 at 11:11 am
    I'd agree that the motion controls were nothing special, but I have to disagree with your thoughts that it was rather weak. Loved the darker tone. Plus, the dungeons were quite spectacular.
  • Mr_Rawky
    Mr_Rawky

    Joined: Dec 2012
    Posted: Dec 27th, 2012 at 4:10 am
    You have no idea how happy I am to see Twilight Princess beat Skyward Sword, I even created an account so I can make this comment and show my appreciation to you fella's and fella'ettes.

    Although, I probably wouldn't have put it at No 2 and Xenoblade would be No 1 for my personal list.
  • Alex_Osborn
    Alex_Osborn

    Joined: Jan 2012
    Posted: Dec 27th, 2012 at 11:12 am
    Thanks for checking out the list! You should stick around and comment on our articles more often. We love a good discussion and always appreciate another perspective.
  • Stickyellowsock
    Stickyellowsock

    Joined: Oct 2009
    Posted: Dec 27th, 2012 at 5:11 am
    Still to this day have not picked up and played a wii even once...sort of proud of that fact/
  • Alex_Osborn
    Alex_Osborn

    Joined: Jan 2012
    Posted: Dec 27th, 2012 at 11:14 am
    :(

    You're missing out. Not the largest lineup of must-play games, but the ones that are worthy of your attention are some of the best gaming experiences of the past several years.
  • cyruszuo
    cyruszuo

    Joined: Dec 2012
    Posted: Dec 27th, 2012 at 1:21 pm
    Good list, and the Wii had some GREAT games.

    I'd add to the list:
    Rhythm Heaven
    Rune Factory: Frontier
    Lost Winds: Winter of Melodias
    World of Goo
    Moto Heroz
    Tatsunoku vs. Capcom
    NBA Jam
    Metroid: Other M
    (I know it is hated, but personally think if you walk out of the room to get a drink when the cut scenes start and look up how to do the scanning spots you'll find that the gameplay itself is really fantastic)

    I like Murasama, but mostly b/c it was beautiful, it honestly doesn't play that well.
    And there are a few others I think are over-rated, but there are a lot of WAY under-rated Wii games, so I'll let a little Nintendo fanboyism slide ;).
  • Heath_Hindman
    Heath_Hindman

    Joined: May 2011
    Posted: Dec 28th, 2012 at 3:05 am
    See I liked Muramasa's tight controls. At first I wasn't a fan (as with all Wii games) but I grew into them quickly. ^_^
  • MattAY
    MattAY

    Joined: Mar 2006
    Posted: Dec 28th, 2012 at 6:09 am
    I completely forgot about Zack & Wiki. What a great game that was! Proof that third party games can be sublime. Shame a second wasnt made.

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