The Wii opened gaming to everyone with its motion controller and a worldwide smash: Wii Sports, Super Mario Galaxy, Zelda Skyward Sword, Super Smash Bros. Brawl. This Top 50 gathers the console's best, re-tested and re-ranked by RomWize, each title with its re-evaluated score, its versions, their rarity and their collector value.
"Cult Chunsoft visual novel, Japan-only. Five protagonists whose choices interlock across Shibuya, photo-novel presentation, brilliant writing. Widely regarded as a genre peak, strongly recommended in import for visual novel fans."
"Sequel to Sin and Punishment on Nintendo 64, Wii-exclusive intense rail shooter by Treasure. Isa and Kachi traverse ten futuristic stages with Wiimote aim and stick dodge, nonstop action, gigantic bosses. Deep scoring for speedrunners, multiplier modes, punchy soundtracks. Tough progressive difficulty, signature demanding but exhilarating Treasure gameplay. Genre peak, Wii gem to know."
"HD renaissance of Punch-Out!! by Next Level Games, Wii-exclusive. Little Mac, young Bronx boxer, climbs the WVBA championship against a gallery of caricatural boxers. Guard combat, left/right dodges, well-timed counters. Tough progressive difficulty, each opponent a puzzle to decipher. Wiimote+Nunchuk option or Wiimote alone. Signature colorful art direction. Perfect return of an NES classic."
"Wii port of Pikmin 2 GameCube with motion controls. Olimar and Louie collect treasures to repay a debt, no time limit this time. Two new Pikmin: purple (strength) and white (poison), multi-floor underground dungeons. Deeper and longer than the first, more thorough exploration, bonus local multi. Excellent enhanced version for those who missed GameCube. Essential like the first."
"Direct sequel to No More Heroes, Travis returns to climb the ranking again after a personal vendetta. Refined combat with possible dual katanas, more varied levels, wacky 8-bit pet management mini-games. Suda51 still on form, more mature writing but humor intact. Bosses as memorable as the first entry, unique atmosphere preserved. A sequel worthy of the cult, sometimes surpassing the original on pure action."
"Capcom vs Tatsunoko studio heroes (Gatchaman, Casshern, Tekkaman) versus fighter. 2D side-view two-on-two combat, hyper abilities, team assists. Roster of thirty-something characters including Mega Man Volnutt, Ryu, Chun-Li for Capcom and Yatterman, Polimar for Tatsunoko. Vibrant manga art direction, accessible but deep gameplay. Lively online at its time. Excellent unique Wii fighter, underrated outside Japan."
"Hospital. Six Doctors (the Japanese Trauma Team) puts seven physicians with different specialties through a hospital drama. Surgery, diagnosis, first response, forensics, each specialty has its own gameplay with dedicated Wiimote control. TV-series-style episodic storytelling, plot thickens steadily. Tense, educational and surprisingly moving. Atlus knows how to tell a medical story beyond scalpel simulation."
"Capcom puzzle adventure where pirate Zack and his magic monkey Wiki search for legendary Barbaros' body parts. Wiimote at the heart of gameplay, each puzzle exploits a unique gesture (turn, shake, draw). Twenty-five very different themed levels, deranged cartoony vibe. No combat, pure thinking. Colorful cel-shaded presentation, humorous writing. Unique Wii gem, perfect Wiimote demonstration."
"Capcom puzzle adventure where pirate Zack and his magic monkey Wiki search for legendary Barbaros' body parts. Wiimote at the heart of gameplay, each puzzle exploits a unique gesture (turn, shake, draw). Twenty-five very different themed levels, deranged cartoony vibe. No combat, pure thinking. Colorful cel-shaded presentation, humorous writing. Unique Wii gem, perfect Wiimote demonstration."
"Kirby and the world stitched from yarn, felt and buttons. Instead of inhaling, Kirby morphs into car, submarine or parachute as needed, spooling his body into thread. Gorgeous art direction, tender and inventive stages, warm local co-op. Difficulty is very gentle, you basically can't die, but the visual beauty and creative level design carry the whole adventure."
"Super Paper Mario changes the usual Paper Mario formula by blending RPG and platformer. Mario can switch between 2D paper and 3D to solve puzzles, special Pixl abilities (fairy companions). Four playable characters: Mario, Peach, Bowser, Luigi with unique abilities. More mature and emotional scenario than usual Paper Marios, brilliant writing. Sublime paper art direction. Underrated Wii gem."
"Wii port of Call of Duty with pointer aiming. Decent feel, faithful campaign, online multi active back then. Visible technical compromises versus HD versions, but the Wii FPS experience remains one of the more solid on the console."
"THQ Blue Tongue platformer where you repaint a monochrome world. Striking art direction, dynamic jazz soundtrack, intuitive Wiimote controls. A charming Wii exclusive, recommended for fans of joyful platformers."
"Steven Spielberg and EA physics puzzler tailored for the Wiimote. Throw, demolish, stack blocks with rock-solid physics, four-player local multi. A clever party game that really uses motion control, still fun today."
"Visceral and EA rail shooter set in the Dead Space universe. Precise pointer aim, tight prologue narrative, two-player local co-op. An ambitious Wii exclusive that delivers for genre fans, recommended for SF horror lovers."
"Cult Nintendo rhythm game with minigames in sync with the music. One-button play, perfect timing, irresistible cartoon charm. Two-player local multi, brilliant party game and still one of the best Wii titles to discover today."
"Strategy-adventure by Yasuhiro Wada (Harvest Moon) about managing a miniature kingdom. King Corobo recruits peasants, soldiers and artisans, expands borders, slays monsters. Adorable art direction, writing full of weird humor, whimsical medieval atmosphere. Real strategic depth, demanding learning curve. Underrated Wii gem, an absolute discovery for anyone who loves audacious genre blends."
"Nintendo compilation of wacky microgames built around the Wiimote. Hundreds of seconds-long challenges, varied Wiimote poses, lunatic vibe. A cult party game that fully exploits the controller, essential for Wii game nights."
"Sonic Colors marks the blue hedgehog's return to grace. Levels mixing 3D and 2D in Dr. Eggman's space amusement park. Colored Wisp powers transform Sonic (laser, drill, frenzy). Polished level design, controlled speed, light scenario full of humor. Five themed worlds, many unlockables. More accessible and fun than previous 3D Sonics, considered a successful franchise return. Still plays great."
"Bizarre Creations twin-stick shooter adapted for Wii and DS. Galaxy-based stage design, precise pointer or nunchuk aim, score chasing. A solid Wii take on the twin-stick classic, recommended for pure arcade shooter fans."
