GameRevolution's Top 25 Wii Games

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

With Nintendo's new console now sitting happily on store shelves, it's safe to say the era of the Wii has officially come to an end. As we welcome the next generation with open arms, we can't help but look back on these last several years and smile. While yes, the Wii primarily catered to a casual audience, it was home to some of the very best gaming experiences of the last six years. It was an underpowered machine—even at its launch—but it still managed to wow the world with both motion control and some killer game experiences. As such, the GR staff has put together a list of the best games to ever grace Nintendo's revolutionary box.

Note: This list reflects the opinions of the GR staff at large. So if you're looking to pick a fight, you better be ready to take on all of us. But be warned, Mr. Tan is pretty accurate with a shuriken.

25. Kirby's Return to Dream Land

While Epic Yarn was a unique departure for the franchise, it didn't have the same charm of the originals. Fortunately, the Wii still got a classic Kirby experience with Kirby's Return to Dream Land. With the same great gameplay you've come to know and love from prior entries in the series, the latest entry in the franchise is clearly a love letter to fans of the original games. Not only that, but there are loads of extra modes including multiplayer and all sorts of stuff to unlock. Return to Dream Land is a fantastic package that all Wii owners should check out.

24. Mario Kart Wii

Ever since Mario started karting on the SNES, Nintendo's racer has become a staple for each subsequent console. Like every one of its predecessors, the entry on the Wii is an absolute blast to play. With an added (and completely optional) motion control option along with some killer new courses, you're bound to sink dozens and dozens of hours into this game. Rarely do gamers group up around the same television to compete against their friends nowadays, but Mario Kart Wii proves that its still one of the most enjoyable and engaging ways to play.

23. No More Heros 2: Desperate Struggle

The Wii is often criticized for not having enough mature, adult-themed games. The No More Heroes franchise is often one that people point to when arguing against that point, as these Suda51 games are far from family friendly. Between the two that launched on the Wii, Desperate Struggle offered the most insanely twisted—yet totally awesome—experience. In an industry dominated by corridor shooters and sports games, No More Heroes 2 is an absolute breath of fresh air. Just don't play this one around the kids.

22. Okami

Often referred to as Zelda with a wolf—ummm hello Twilight Princess?—Okami is one of the most highly revered action adventure games of the past ten years. While the Wii version of the game is actually a PS2 port, it features motion control support that takes the paintbrush mechanics to new levels of awesome. If you're looking for an enchanting adventure to tide you over until the release of the next Zelda, you really can't go wrong with Capcom's work of art.

21. Resident Evil 4: Wii Edition

The fourth installment in the Resident Evil franchise is inarguably one of the best GameCube games of all time, and its port to the Wii is just as awesome. While not quite as astounding as it was the first time around, Resident Evil 4 is still an incredible survival horror game and the added Wii functionality makes the gameplay mechanics slightly less cumbersome. Using the Wiimote to aim is surprisingly satisfying and serves as a great example as to why motion controls shouldn't be ignored. If you're looking to re-experience RE4 or perhaps jump into it for first time, you can't go wrong with the Wii version.

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Tags: Nintendo, Wii, Mario, Zelda, Metroid, Donkey Kong, Super Smash Bros., Retro Studios, Top 25 Games, Best of GR

Comments

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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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/

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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.

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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 ;).

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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. ^_^

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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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