Games

Looking back at the top 15 Wii games

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The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword
Xenoblade Chronicles
Zack & Wiki: Quest for Barbaros' Treasure
The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword
A Boy and his Blob
Dewy's Adventure
Kirby's Epic Yarn
Klonoa
La-Mulana
The Last Story
Little King's Story
Super Mario Galaxy 2
Metroid Prime 3: Corruption
Muramasa: The Demon Blade
No More Heroes 2: Desperate Struggle
Sin & Punishment: Star Successor
Xenoblade Chronicles
Zack & Wiki: Quest for Barbaros' Treasure
The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword
A Boy and his Blob
Dewy's Adventure
Kirby's Epic Yarn
Klonoa
La-Mulana
The Last Story
Little King's Story
Super Mario Galaxy 2
Metroid Prime 3: Corruption
Muramasa: The Demon Blade
No More Heroes 2: Desperate Struggle
Sin & Punishment: Star Successor
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The Wii U, Nintendo's new tablet-inspired game console, arrives in stores in just a few weeks. And since it's backwards compatible with existing Wii games and accessories, now is a good time to reflect on the top 15 best games the Wii had to offer. Even if you don't own a Wii, if you plan to buy the Wii U you should check these titles out.

15. No More Heroes 2: Desperate Struggle

No More Heroes 2: Desperate Struggle

  • Developer: Grasshopper Manufacture
  • Publisher: Ubisoft
  • Released: January 6, 2010
  • Metacritic score: 84/100

A whole new gang of unsavory villains need to be taken to the cleaners in No More Heroes 2. Travis Touchdown returns to the sleazy town of Santa Destroy, where players will enjoy more of the same killer action and punk style of the original game, minus some of its hang-ups. You no longer have to drive to each destination and the side jobs play like simple retro 8-bit arcade games, which streamlines the experience considerably.

14. A Boy and his Blob

A Boy and his Blob

  • Developer: WayForward
  • Publisher: Majesco Entertainment
  • Released: October 13, 2009
  • Metacritic score: 80/100

This re-imagining of the 8-bit classic stars a helpless boy who befriends an invincible alien blob that loves jellybeans. Different beans cause the blob to transform into various shapes, which must be used strategically to survive levels filled with enemies, pitfalls, and obstacles. It's a great concept that is brought to life with simple but charming 2D graphics and animation. With 40 levels and another 40 mini-challenges, there's plenty here for fans of traditional puzzle-platform games to chew on.

13. Dewy's Adventure

Dewy's Adventure

  • Developer: Konami
  • Publisher: Konami
  • Released: September 18, 2007
  • Metacritic score: 67/100

Konami's Wii exclusive makes good use of the controller's tilt functionality to control a water droplet named Dewy. The slippery controls can be frustrating at times (and explains the low Metacritic average), but they work ok and give the game its unique feel. The player can transform Dewy into ice and steam for different effects throughout each level. Don't be fooled by its cute and colorful graphics, which are among the best on the Wii: Dewy's Adventure is a challenging game with imaginative puzzles and level designs.

12. Muramasa: The Demon Blade

Muramasa: The Demon Blade

  • Developers: Vanillaware, Marvelous Entertainment
  • Publisher: Ignition Entertainment
  • Released: September 8, 2009
  • Metacritic score: 81/100

Vanillaware's gorgeous 2D artwork is Muramasa: The Demon Blade's biggest selling-point. It's a fast-paced action game with fierce combat split between two heroes (each with their own stories and boss encounters). Mythological demons from medieval Japan come to life in screen-filling battles, while RPG elements allow you to upgrade your characters and equipment. The convoluted story is a bit tough to follow, but the addictive swordplay and amazing set pieces will keep you coming back for more.

11. Klonoa

Klonoa

  • Developer: Paon
  • Publisher: Bandai-Namco
  • Released: May 5, 2009
  • Metacritic score: 77/100

This remake of the 1997 PlayStation classic will make a fantastic addition to any game library. It's a 2.5D game, which means the play field is 3D but the player is limited to a 2D plane. This makes it clear where you can and can't go while avoiding the troublesome camera issues found in many free-roaming 3D games. The story and presentation are nauseatingly cute, but if you can look past that you'll be rewarded with a fun game with great graphics, music, and play control.

10. Metroid Prime 3: Corruption

Metroid Prime 3: Corruption

  • Developer: Retro Studios
  • Publisher: Nintendo
  • Released: August 27, 2007
  • Metacritic score: 90/100

Despite the Wii remote's pointer functionality, the Wii isn't exactly known for great first-person shooters. Thanks to the third installment in Retro Studios' take on the Metroid universe, the Wii got at least one game that does things right. What it lacks in competitive multi-player it more than makes up for with a solid single-player campaign.

9. La-Mulana

La-Mulana

  • Developer: Nigoro
  • Publisher: EnjoyUp Games
  • Released: September 20, 2012
  • Metacritic score: 87/100

Originally a freeware PC title developed by independent developer Nigoro, La-Mulana is a love letter to all things retro gaming, but with its own distinct puzzles and logic. You set off after your father in search of the secrets of La-Mulana, said to be the cradle of civilization. This Metroidvania was a labor of love crafted over many years, and the result is truly special. The WiiWare version costs around US$10 dollars and features remastered graphics and music.

8. The Last Story

The Last Story

  • Developer: Mistwalker / AQ Interactive
  • Publisher: XSEED Games
  • Released: August 14, 2012
  • Metacritic score: 80/100

Nintendo commissioned this role-playing epic from Mistwalker, led by Final Fantasy creator Hironobu Sakaguchi. Rather than retreading old territory, Sakaguchi delivers a progressive RPG experience with real-time, team-based combat that proves a bit overly ambitious. However, the story has excellent pacing, features a strong cast of characters, and sports unusually high production values. If you're a fan of RPGs, chances are good that you'll dig The Last Story.

7. Sin & Punishment: Star Successor

Sin & Punishment: Star Successor

  • Developer: Treasure
  • Publisher: Nintendo
  • Released: June 27, 2010
  • Metacritic score: 87/100

Treasure, a developer known for its action shooting games, delivers one of the most jaw dropping rail-shooters ever with this sequel to the N64 cult-classic from 2000. Choose from one of two siblings and take on legions of bosses that require intense concentration and pattern memorization. You won't believe your eyes as you fly through varied settings like ruined cityscapes, deep sea trenches, desert highways, and more, including some that play like traditional 2D space shoot-em-ups.

6. Zack & Wiki: Quest for Barbaros' Treasure

Zack & Wiki: Quest for Barbaros' Treasure

  • Developer: Capcom
  • Publisher: Capcom
  • Released: October 23, 2007
  • Metacritic score: 87/100

This point-and-click adventure game makes excellent use of the Wii remote's various functions. You direct our hero, Zack, to examine objects of interest by pointing at the screen, and interact with them using all sorts of motion controls. It's a great looking game with diorama-like levels and intricate puzzles. But since you'll often have to resort to trial and error, patience is a must to see this pirate adventure through to the end.

5. Kirby's Epic Yarn

Kirby's Epic Yarn

  • Developers: Good-Feel, HAL Laboratory
  • Publisher: Nintendo
  • Released: October 17, 2010
  • Metacritic score: 86/100

The Kirby games have always been designed so that everybody can finish them, so don't expect anything too challenging here. However, the inventive level design wherein Kirby transforms into a UFO, a robotic tank, a fire engine, a dolphin, and more, are simply fun to play. And the unique arts and crafts inspired visuals make this one of the most visually pleasing 2D games ever made.

4. Xenoblade Chronicles

Xenoblade Chronicles

  • Developer: Monolith Software
  • Publisher: Nintendo
  • Released: April 6, 2012
  • Metacritic score: 92/100

Monolith Software tried their best to rejuvenate the role-playing genre with Xenoblade Chronicles, and the result is considered one of the best RPGs of its generation. Its innovative game system successfully marries some aspects of MMORPGs with traditional single-player games. While parts of its presentation could be better, the sprawling vistas and cinematic cut-scenes will keep you glued to your controller for the 60 or so hours it will take to complete this mammoth RPG.

3. Little King's Story

Little King's Story

  • Developer: Cing
  • Publisher: Xseed Games
  • Released: July 21, 2009
  • Metacritic score: 87/100

You'll build a buzzing kingdom, amass an army of loyal citizens, and rescue several princesses from the evil hordes in Little King's Story. This real-time strategy game owes much to Nintendo's Pikmin series, but brings plenty of new ideas to the table. Along the way you'll conquer surrounding kingdoms by besting their eccentric rulers in wildly different battles. Soldiers, carpenters, miners, hunters, farmers, cooks, and more are under your command, and bringing the right combination with you is the key to victory.

2. Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess & Skyward Sword

The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword

  • Developers: Nintendo EAD, Monolith Software
  • Publisher: Nintendo
  • Released: November 19, 2006 & November 20, 2011
  • Metacritic scores: 95/100 & 93/100

We're cheating a little bit with this entry, pairing together two games, but it would be a shame to play one and not the other. Both games offer around 35 hours of adventure, each with their own unique settings, characters, and game mechanics. Twilight Princess has a darker visual style and a more traditional Zelda setting than those of Skyward Sword. However, Skyward Sword makes better use of the Wii's motion controls, and introduces more ideas to the time-honored Zelda formula. You can't go wrong with either one.

1. Super Mario Galaxy & Super Mario Galaxy 2

Super Mario Galaxy 2

  • Developer: Nintendo EAD
  • Publisher: Nintendo
  • Released: November 12, 2007 & May 23, 2010
  • Metacritic scores: 97/100 & 97/100

Topping our list is another combination of games best played together, like two halves of the same coin. Nintendo reignited the old Mario magic with new gravity-defying levels, fun new power-ups, and plenty of gargantuan boss battles. The sequel is more or less an expansion of the first game, but the addition of Yoshi (Mario's trusty dinosaur steed) and other new ideas keep things interesting. Despite the Wii's limited horsepower the graphics are fantastic, and both games feature excellent orchestral scores. Considered by many to be two of the best games ever made, Mario Galaxy 1 and 2 belong in every gamer's collection.

Any list like this is subjective, so there are bound to be some Wii classics we've missed that make your list. Let us know what they are by dropping us a line in the comments.

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5 comments
Charles Bosse
Okami should be on this list. Even though it was not a Wii exclusive, the gameplay on Wii knocked everything else out of the water.
knitwicca
I agree with most of your choices but MUCH prefer Mario Karts to the Mario Galaxy games. Just one person's preference.
Jason Falconer
Hi Charles, I agree Okami is a great game but as you mentioned it isn't a Wii exclusive, and what with the recent HD release on the PS3, it seems like that is the best version of the game to get.
@Knitwicca Everyone has a favorite Mario Kart, and mine is the first one on the SNES. I could never really get into it in the same way. And comparing a racing game to a platformer is like comparing apples to oranges.
Jared Pryatel
There's a few I've barely even heard of. But what about:
-Metroid Other M -Monster Hunter Tri -Smash Bros. Brawl -Super Paper Mario -Red Steel -Donkey Kong Country Returns -Mario&Sonic at the Olympic Games -Wii Music -Just Dance -Big Brain Academy -Sonic and the Secret Rings -Resident Evil: The Umbrella Chronicles - Resident Evil 4 -Goldeneye 007
Any of these could have easily replaced a few on that list...
But there's just so many fantastic Wii games.
Paul Anderson
No Fragile Dreams or Disaster Day of Crisis???
i dont agree ports should ever be in a top 20 list of any console either