The Top 25 Wii Games (according to IGN)
1. Metroid Prime 3: Corruption
Publisher: Nintendo
Developer: Retro Studios
Wii Exclusive: Yes
Nintendo's Metroid Prime trilogy draws to a climactic and satisfying close in Corruption, a first-person adventure/shooter that takes the fundamentals established in its GameCube predecessors and expands upon them in nearly every regard. As you control famous heroine Samus Aran through a world whose stunning beauty is only matched by its epic size, you can now use the WIi remote for a new level of aiming speed and accuracy. The trademark environmental puzzles, a staple of the series, return in full, and for the first time in the trilogy, Aran travels between multiple worlds as she unravels the mysteries of a deeper storyline. If you're looking for a true hardcore game on Wii or if you just want to play something a little grittier, this phenomenal game is a must-own. And did we mention it looks so good that it gives some Xbox 360 titles a run for their money?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2 Super Mario Galaxy
Publisher: Nintendo
Developer: Nintendo
Wii Exclusive: Yes
Sure, millions of players out there bought Nintendo's new system to go hands-on with Wii Sports, but if you own the company's little white box and don't also own Super Mario Galaxy, you are missing out on the console's best game. Nintendo has with Galaxy crafted a platformer so fun, beautiful and fresh that you won't want to stop playing. Mario travels across the galaxy, spinning, jumping and floating his way between small satellites, spaceships and asteroid fields on his way to enormous worlds, all of which can be traversed with full 360-degree freedom, a platformer novelty that never fails to satisfy. And the game's dazzling graphic presentation is complemented by a beautiful soundtrack -- one of Wii's best. There is a reason why this title won IGN.com's overall Game of the Year award.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3 The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess
Publisher: Nintendo
Developer: Nintendo
Wii Exclusive: No
Nintendo's latest console-based Zelda adventure doesn't always get the credit it deserves, likely because it's a GameCube port and also one that doesn't really truly innovate the series. We get that, but the fact remains, Twilight Princess is still an exceptional effort from one of the Big N's most talented teams. Featuring an all-new storyline centered on the escapades of Hyrulian hero Link, the title boasts a larger open world than ever before, new Wii remote controls, high-quality environmental puzzles and epic boss battles. It is every bit as enormous in scale and engaging as you would expect from a major Zelda project and it's very clearly a game designed from the onset to appease the hardcore gamer. For all these reasons and more, Twilight Princess is an absolute must-buy Wii title and still the very best adventure experience to be had on Wii, if not any console, this generation.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4 Okami
Publisher: Clover Studios / Ready at Dawn
Developer: Capcom
Wii Exclusive: No
We know Capcom's gorgeous adventure game, Okami, arrived on Wii more than a year after it shipped for PlayStation 2. Furthermore, Wii remote integration aside, there weren't any major content changes to speak of. And yet, even if it were just a straight port, which it isn't, we still wouldn't have any trouble recommending that every Wii owner pick up Okami, Capcom's very own stab at a Zelda-caliber adventure. The good news is that the beautiful, cel-shaded game, featuring a ginormous world to explore, great controls and a huge single-player quest that'll keep you busy for more than 30 hours, has come to Wii with a new 480p 16:9 widescreen mode and much speedier celestial brush controls powered by the Wii remote. Once you start playing this epic project, which stars a wolf goddess named Amaterasu, you won't want to put your WIi remote down.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
5 Zack & Wiki: Quest for Barbaros' Treasure
Publisher: Capcom
Developer: Capcom
Wii Exclusive: Yes
This innovative, clever and colorful cel-shaded adventure from Capcom proves that point-and-click gaming needn't remain a relic of the past. Clearly inspired by such titles as King's Quest and Grim Fandango, you take on the role of a boy pirate named Zack and his trusty golden, floating monkey (we have no idea, so don't ask), Wiki, as they search through gorgeous puzzle-filled levels in search of treasure. The game solely utilizes the Wii remote for control and puzzle-solving. You'll simply point and click around the interactive environments and objects to proceed, a process much easier said than done. Don't believe us? Let's talk again after you've spent 45 minutes scratching your head, desperately trying feel your way through one of Z&W's difficult puzzles. We think Capcom was trying to nab some of the casual sector with the premise, but it's the hardcore crowd that will truly love the presentation and challenge to be had within this bargain-priced AAA effort.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
6 Super Paper Mario
Publisher: Nintendo
Developer: Intelligent Systems
Wii Exclusive: Yes
Is it an RPG or a platformer? And is it 2D or 3D? The answer is yes, both, and all, which is precisely why we love Super Paper Mario from veteran developer Intelligent Systems. The game follows the run-and-jump-filled exploits of Nintendo's famous plumber as he travels through the second and third dimensions, fighting enemies, gaining experience, and solving puzzles. The ability to switch from 2D to 3D perspectives at any moment is clever, but the way in which puzzles unravel, requiring you to view sections from both viewpoints, is downright genius. Add in tight controls, a fun real-time battle mechanic, and a highly stylized visual presentation, not to mention some funny writing (even if it does tend to stretch on and on and on at times), and you're left with a very different kind of Nintendo romp -- one every bit as enjoyable as some of the classics it takes inspiration from.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
7 de Blob
Publisher: THQ
Developer: Blue Tongue
Wii Exclusive: Yes
One part platformer and one part painting game, de Blob is a unique, stylized offering designed to take advantage of Wii's strengths. We think this is one of the freshest "new-school" titles to hit any system since Katamari Damacy and we can't recommend it enough to Wii owners looking for something a little different. You control a jiggly ball whose goal is to splatter a monochromatic world with great gobs of color. To do that, you'll engage in a variety of fun platformer challenges, battle enemies, and race against the clock as you amass points. It's a seemingly simple concept with a lot of hidden depth. It's also one with mostly tight control and a stunning presentation compete with gorgeous cinematics and refreshingly polished in-game graphics, not to mention a catchy dynamic soundtrack that changes on-the-fly as you play. de Blob is proof that third-parties who apply themselves can make great Wii games.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
8 Wii Fit
Publisher: Nintendo
Developer: Nintendo
Wii Exclusive: Yes
Is it really a game? Doesn't matter. What does is that Wii Fit is exactly the type of experience that Wii was designed for -- namely, altogether new and genre-busting, but also a bridge to different audiences. More importantly, though, it's not just a gimmick. Wii Fit provides a real exercise tool that works and also one that happens to be good fun. So whether you're pounding out push-ups, striking strenuous yoga poses or running place, or doing squats, an on-screen virtual instructor will offer helpful guidance and give you realizable goals. Additionally, you can jump into a number of games designed to get your heart rate up, most of them genuinely entertaining -- you might even forget for a few minutes that you're exercising.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
9 Super Smash Bros. Brawl
Publisher: Nintendo
Developer: Nintendo
Wii Exclusive: Yes
This is about as much of a no-brainer as it gets, with Smash Bros. being easily one of -- if not the single most -- anticipated Wii game since the system's launch, and a huge fan favorite since its days on N64. Including a huge list of modes and options, Smash Bros. is the definitive brawler for Nintendo's console, mixing in a tried-and-true arcade-like combat experience with more fan-service than even the most hardcore Nintendo fans would have expected from the start. If you've got a solid online connection with a few friends, Smash is also an impressive Wi-Fi title. Even without it though, it's one of the best local multiplayer games out there, and a must-own package. There's no reason this game shouldn't sell 1:1 with Wii console sales, pure and simple.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
10 Resident Evil 4
Publisher: Capcom
Developer: Capcom
Wii Exclusive: No
Hands down one of the top games of the last several years, and for some one of the best of all time, Resident Evil 4 blends impressive visuals with suspenseful gameplay, an amazing design, and now pixel-perfect control. The series may be moving from horror over to action/horror (or just action), but with the move to Wii, Capcom's chilling franchise got a control overhaul, and it has made all the difference in the world. It adds a level of response and precision that wasn't otherwise available in previous versions, making for a far more entertaining experience. Resident Evil 4 is not only one of the top five highest rated Wii games on our review list, but it's also the definitive version of our 2005 GameCube game of the year. Oh, and it's $19.99 new. Yeah, you should already own this one.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
11 Wario Land: Shake It!
Publisher: Nintendo
Developer: Good Feel
Wii Exclusive: Yes
As a pure bundle of classic gaming revived, Wario Land: Shake It! is a must-own platformer for anyone that considers themselves an "old school" gamer. Using just the Wii-mote on its side, Wario Land is a mix of the tried-and-true Wario design, now augmented with tilt control for specific sections of the game, and quick shake actions to slam down on terrain and enemies, or shake piles of loot into the air. Sure it just came out, but it already makes our list. It's just fun. Here's hoping this one spawns more classic titles for Wii fans to get into, as we could really use a sequel, a Super Mario Bros. 4, or a new Super Metroid. Nintendo? Are you reading this? We want more.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
12 SSX Blur
Publisher: EA
Developer: EA Montreal
Wii Exclusive: Yes
EA's snowboarding title, designed specifically for Wii, remains an underrated and overlooked project and we still can't figure out why. It looks good. Motion boarding works, tricking is easy to learn, but extremely difficult to master, and the übers are even tougher. This Wii-exclusive addition to the franchise is a mix of new and classic tracks, all packed onto one mountain, so while it isn't going to be 100% for veterans of the series, the motion integration is top notch. We're still hoping for that balance board SSX game – Ubisoft's taken Shaun White there -- but until then, Blur more than has us covered.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
13 Scarface: The World is Yours
Publisher: Vivendi Games
Developer: Radical Entertainment
Wii Exclusive: No
Scarface: The World is Yours is Wii's GTA, pure and simple. The game is extremely violent, the language is incredibly vulgar, and the seamless addition of Wii pointer control makes it a step above its other console counterparts. It may be late to the party, but Scarface is best played on Wii, as there's simply nothing better than taking a chainsaw to a group of Cuban drug smugglers, pumping up your rage meter, and then taking out their reinforcements with a red-filtered first-person mode. Tony Montana is a bad ass, and we feel like bad asses by association. Don't you want to too? This one is a tough game to find, but if you see it, buy it. Then again, you should already own it, right?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
14 Trauma Center: New Blood
Publisher: Atlus
Developer: Atlus
Wii Exclusive: Yes
During Wii's launch, Atlus was there with Trauma Center: Second Opinion, and even on day one it was an awesome offering on Wii. Last year we got the sequel to the company's anime/arcade/surgery game with New Blood, and with added co-op play, online rankings, a challenge mode, and even more tools of the trade to save lives with, the series was even better the second time around. Another one that's a little on the rare side to find, New Blood is worth every penny, and a perfect showpiece for just how original, simple, and obscure Wii's library truly is. It's fun, easy to get into, but punishingly difficult in its tougher modes, so it's a perfect option for both the casual and hardcore crowd. We're waiting for the third offering on Wii, but until that's available, New Blood is easily making our list of one of the top 25 Wii games you should already own. Stomach tumors have never been so much fun!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
15 Boom Blox: Bash Party
Publisher: EA
Developer: EA
Wii Exclusive: Yes
Not every game on our list is going to be a top-rated title, but every game on our list is a must-own game, and Boom Blox: Bash Party is yet another one. Mixing a deceptively simple design with an instantly approachable control method, Boom Blox goes back to the basics and finds fun in a pile of blocks, a ball, and a few friends. If you've played it, chances are you're already hooked. If you haven't, you're missing out on one of Wii's best local multiplayer games, and a truly innovative (but oh so simple) concept. The level creator and Wi-Fi sharing makes this one an even bigger no-brainer when it comes to good old-fashioned fun, as it has near-endless potential, and is a downright blast to play.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
16 Medal of Honor Heroes 2
Publisher: EA
Developer: Team Fusion
Wii Exclusive: No
When it comes to quick, responsive FPS control, there are few better examples than Medal of Honor Heroes 2. Beating out even Nintendo's own Metroid Prime 3 in terms of speed and control, Heroes 2 set the bar when it first released, and still stands as one of the best FPS experience available on Wii. The game may have been developed alongside the PSP version, but this one is far from a port, as slick visuals blend with 60 frames per second, and IR control makes gunning down Nazis all the more enjoyable. A Wii-specific arcade mode is also included, as are 32 player online battles via EA Nation. If you're looking for proof that FPS games control better on Wii than any other console out there, you need to look no further than Medal of Honor Heroes 2. You should already own this one.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
17 Pro Evolution Soccer 2009
Publisher: Konami
Developer: Konami
Wii Exclusive: No
With Pro Evolution Soccer 2009 for Wii, the experience is so unique and so revolutionary that it simply needs to be played, and should be owned by any serious Wii gamer. But beware: this title isn't for newbies. Using the IR pointer for control over your whole team, players can literally grab whoever they want on the squad, and slide them to the position they should be in. Once you master the controls, you'll be strategically placing players around the field even as you control the soccer ball. And in the 2009 version of the game, you've got a greater command of the defense than you ever did before. Konami's title is the one to beat where soccer is concerned and Wii owners get all of this goodness to themselves.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
18 No More Heroes
Publisher: Ubisoft
Developer:Grasshopper
Wii Exclusive: Yes
Style. Out of all the games released on Wii so far, nothing beats No More Heroes when it comes to style -- its presentation, art direction and overly vicious M-rated level of violence put it in a category so far removed from the rest of the fare on sale for Nintendo's latest console that it demands to hold down a position in your active library. Suda 51 is the creative mind behind this tale of an up-and-coming assassin seeking to rise in rank among the most infamous killers in the world, and his most notable previous effort on a Nintendo console -- Killer 7 on the GameCube -- found a cult following among owners of the Big N's last-gen system. Owning No More Heroes in this generation, then, serves as a vote of confidence for Suda 51's creativity -- the more support shown to efforts like this that are truly built for the hardcore gamer, the more likelihood that future projects with that M label will appear on Wii -- like Fatal Frame IV, Suda's latest project, which is still awaiting confirmation of a release in the States.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
19 Mario Kart Wii
Publisher: Nintendo
Developer:Nintendo
Wii Exclusive: Yes
There are some Nintendo franchises that are just understood to be present in your library of titles for any Big N system, and Mario Kart has been chief among them ever since the SNES. With clockwork regularity, this series has appeared on every piece of Nintendo hardware released in the past decade and a half. And it's always offered consistent, accessible fun for multiple players. Mario Kart Wii puts a new spin on the expectations for the classic series by introducing a few new elements, including the Wii Wheel accessory and in-game motorcycles. Both additions enhance the madness at any multiplayer party where Kart is played, as it's even more laughable now to see your friends falling well behind your first-place racer while their arms are twisting this way and that, trying to overcorrect for corners and avoid approaching Banana Peels. Just keep an eye out for that sneaky, sinister Blue Shell.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
20 Excite Truck
Publisher: Nintendo
Developer:Monster Games
Wii Exclusive: Yes
Day 1 of the Wii launch saw only two first-party Nintendo titles on sale for the system, and while The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess understandably found more favor with the fans, this high-octane racer proved to be just as worthy of purchase. If you were an early adopter, standing in line for hours to be one of the first to purchase your Wii machine at 12:01 a.m. on November 19, 2006, chances are you walked away with this one. If you came into the Wii family later than that, though, you should still revisit it. Excite Truck is the Big N's update to its previously motorcycle-focused Excitebike series, and offers some of the fastest action on the system. Your trucks catch huge air after jumps, the terrain deforms and reforms itself in real time while each race is occurring, you can import a customized soundtrack of your own music -- the list of features goes on. If Mario Kart Wii is the family-friendly, everyone-can-play racing game you need to own, then Excite Truck is its compelling contrast -- no items, no frills, no balloon-popping battle mode. Just loud, fast racing that's all about speed.
- - - - - - - - - ------- ---------------------------------------------------
21 MadWorld
Publisher: SEGA
Developer
latinum Games
Wii Exclusive: Yes
Who says Wii doesn't have any games for adults? Development studio Platinum Games (headed by the same guys who brought you Okami and Viewtiful Joe), would argue differently. Its ultra-stylized fighter, MadWorld, was created exclusively for the over-18 crowd. You control Jack, a buffed-out and brutal contestant on a live TV game show called Death Watch. His only goal is to stay alive and he does so with finesse, pulverizing enemies who cross his path. MadWorld is realized by way of spectacular black and white graphics and the monochromatic hues are perpetually drowned in red, gory blood as the main character chainsaws his foes in half, crushes their heads or impales them anus-first on a set of rusty spikes. Yeeeouuch! If you like classic brawlers like Final Fight, this M-rated entry, which frankly only barely shipped without an AO rating in our humble opinions, will certainly have you covered. Not just with buckets of blood, but smart controls and an intriguing storyline. If you're squeamish though, you've been warned.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
22 Tiger Woods PGA Tour 10
Publisher: EA
Developer:Tiburon
Wii Exclusive: No
What do you get when you add Wii MotionPlus to one of the best golf simulations on the market? Why, the very best golf game that money can buy, of course. Tiger Woods PGA Tour 10 for Wii takes virtual golfing to new heights with amazingly responsive controls that believably transport on-the-course play to your living room. As you pull back and pivot the Wii remote, so does Tiger, and nearly in real-time. You can reliably add draw and fade to your shots and the power of your swing, as well as your follow-through, will be measured appropriately. You're not going to want to leave the course, ever. And you might not since the game comes packed with various gameplay modes, both offline and on, not to mention a spectacular disc golf mode. EA's game is so good that in many ways it outclasses some of Nintendo's own sports offerings, including many of the minis in Resort.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
23 Excitebots: Trick Racing
Publisher: Nintendo
Developer:Monster Games
Wii Exclusive: Yes
First things first: if you have to choose between Excite Truck and Excitebots: Trick Racing (and hopefully you don't), go with the latter. It's an all-around more complete game complemented by a tighter control scheme and some truly outlandish level designs. We recommend both titles, though. Excite Truck is ever-so-slightly more grounded in reality and Excitebots simply goes crazy. In the unofficial sequel, you lose the trucks in favor of transforming robots -- uh-huh'; don't ask – and you zoom along dynamically deforming tracks, zip through shortcuts, catch huge air and nail big tricks as you rank against other crazy animal-shaped robot racers. It's surreal, but it's great fun, especially since the control scheme is more responsive than ever before. More than most videogames in recent memory, Excitebots really feels like and embraces its videogame status. It never takes itself seriously, but instead throws every crazy hook in the name of fun and not realism. With an online mode to boot, it's one of the best racers around and one that you won't easily put down.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
24 The Conduit
Publisher: SEGA
Developer:High Voltage Software
Wii Exclusive: Yes
When it comes to first-person shooters on Wii, there are only a few considerations. Metroid Prime 3: Corruption, if you consider it an FPS – we prefer to label it an adventure. Medal of Honor Heroes 2, designed simultaneously for Wii and PSP, for its great control scheme. And now The Conduit from High Voltage Software, created from the ground up for Nintendo's system and packed full of amazing control options, not to mention an addictive online experience. The FPS sometimes lacks distinguishing features where storyline and play mechanics are concerned, but it makes up for its identity shortcomings with the most configurable and ultimately satisfying control scheme of any console-based FPS we've played, a fun single-player experience and a rewarding online one made even better with WiiSpeak support. It doesn't transform the FPS genre, but if Wii is your first and only console, it'll thrust you headfirst into the competitive FPS matches that other system owners have been experiencing for years.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
25 Punch-Out!!
Publisher: Nintendo
Developer:Next Level Games
Wii Exclusive: Yes
More than two decades ago, Little Mac challenged Mike Tyson for the world championship title. It was a fight for the ages and it's never quite been forgotten. Now, development studio Next Level Games has recreated the Punch-Out!! experience for a new generation of players. The Wii iteration of the boxing game is very much a remake of the original title, incorporating the original brawlers (and adding one or two competitors), slightly enhancing the controls, and adding motion and Balance Board support for those who would prefer to play the game with waggle. But really, this is Punch-Out!! with a huge makeover. The visuals have seen dramatic improvements, whether we're talking about the gorgeous new cel-shaded fighters, all of whom animate fluidly, or the flashy backgrounds and story cut-scenes that lead up to the bouts. And when you complete the game, you'll unlock a mode that allows you to defend your title against fighters who have all reacted to their initial weaknesses so that you'll have to modify your approach to beat them again.
1. Metroid Prime 3: Corruption
Publisher: Nintendo
Developer: Retro Studios
Wii Exclusive: Yes
Nintendo's Metroid Prime trilogy draws to a climactic and satisfying close in Corruption, a first-person adventure/shooter that takes the fundamentals established in its GameCube predecessors and expands upon them in nearly every regard. As you control famous heroine Samus Aran through a world whose stunning beauty is only matched by its epic size, you can now use the WIi remote for a new level of aiming speed and accuracy. The trademark environmental puzzles, a staple of the series, return in full, and for the first time in the trilogy, Aran travels between multiple worlds as she unravels the mysteries of a deeper storyline. If you're looking for a true hardcore game on Wii or if you just want to play something a little grittier, this phenomenal game is a must-own. And did we mention it looks so good that it gives some Xbox 360 titles a run for their money?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2 Super Mario Galaxy
Publisher: Nintendo
Developer: Nintendo
Wii Exclusive: Yes
Sure, millions of players out there bought Nintendo's new system to go hands-on with Wii Sports, but if you own the company's little white box and don't also own Super Mario Galaxy, you are missing out on the console's best game. Nintendo has with Galaxy crafted a platformer so fun, beautiful and fresh that you won't want to stop playing. Mario travels across the galaxy, spinning, jumping and floating his way between small satellites, spaceships and asteroid fields on his way to enormous worlds, all of which can be traversed with full 360-degree freedom, a platformer novelty that never fails to satisfy. And the game's dazzling graphic presentation is complemented by a beautiful soundtrack -- one of Wii's best. There is a reason why this title won IGN.com's overall Game of the Year award.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3 The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess
Publisher: Nintendo
Developer: Nintendo
Wii Exclusive: No
Nintendo's latest console-based Zelda adventure doesn't always get the credit it deserves, likely because it's a GameCube port and also one that doesn't really truly innovate the series. We get that, but the fact remains, Twilight Princess is still an exceptional effort from one of the Big N's most talented teams. Featuring an all-new storyline centered on the escapades of Hyrulian hero Link, the title boasts a larger open world than ever before, new Wii remote controls, high-quality environmental puzzles and epic boss battles. It is every bit as enormous in scale and engaging as you would expect from a major Zelda project and it's very clearly a game designed from the onset to appease the hardcore gamer. For all these reasons and more, Twilight Princess is an absolute must-buy Wii title and still the very best adventure experience to be had on Wii, if not any console, this generation.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4 Okami
Publisher: Clover Studios / Ready at Dawn
Developer: Capcom
Wii Exclusive: No
We know Capcom's gorgeous adventure game, Okami, arrived on Wii more than a year after it shipped for PlayStation 2. Furthermore, Wii remote integration aside, there weren't any major content changes to speak of. And yet, even if it were just a straight port, which it isn't, we still wouldn't have any trouble recommending that every Wii owner pick up Okami, Capcom's very own stab at a Zelda-caliber adventure. The good news is that the beautiful, cel-shaded game, featuring a ginormous world to explore, great controls and a huge single-player quest that'll keep you busy for more than 30 hours, has come to Wii with a new 480p 16:9 widescreen mode and much speedier celestial brush controls powered by the Wii remote. Once you start playing this epic project, which stars a wolf goddess named Amaterasu, you won't want to put your WIi remote down.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
5 Zack & Wiki: Quest for Barbaros' Treasure
Publisher: Capcom
Developer: Capcom
Wii Exclusive: Yes
This innovative, clever and colorful cel-shaded adventure from Capcom proves that point-and-click gaming needn't remain a relic of the past. Clearly inspired by such titles as King's Quest and Grim Fandango, you take on the role of a boy pirate named Zack and his trusty golden, floating monkey (we have no idea, so don't ask), Wiki, as they search through gorgeous puzzle-filled levels in search of treasure. The game solely utilizes the Wii remote for control and puzzle-solving. You'll simply point and click around the interactive environments and objects to proceed, a process much easier said than done. Don't believe us? Let's talk again after you've spent 45 minutes scratching your head, desperately trying feel your way through one of Z&W's difficult puzzles. We think Capcom was trying to nab some of the casual sector with the premise, but it's the hardcore crowd that will truly love the presentation and challenge to be had within this bargain-priced AAA effort.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
6 Super Paper Mario
Publisher: Nintendo
Developer: Intelligent Systems
Wii Exclusive: Yes
Is it an RPG or a platformer? And is it 2D or 3D? The answer is yes, both, and all, which is precisely why we love Super Paper Mario from veteran developer Intelligent Systems. The game follows the run-and-jump-filled exploits of Nintendo's famous plumber as he travels through the second and third dimensions, fighting enemies, gaining experience, and solving puzzles. The ability to switch from 2D to 3D perspectives at any moment is clever, but the way in which puzzles unravel, requiring you to view sections from both viewpoints, is downright genius. Add in tight controls, a fun real-time battle mechanic, and a highly stylized visual presentation, not to mention some funny writing (even if it does tend to stretch on and on and on at times), and you're left with a very different kind of Nintendo romp -- one every bit as enjoyable as some of the classics it takes inspiration from.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
7 de Blob
Publisher: THQ
Developer: Blue Tongue
Wii Exclusive: Yes
One part platformer and one part painting game, de Blob is a unique, stylized offering designed to take advantage of Wii's strengths. We think this is one of the freshest "new-school" titles to hit any system since Katamari Damacy and we can't recommend it enough to Wii owners looking for something a little different. You control a jiggly ball whose goal is to splatter a monochromatic world with great gobs of color. To do that, you'll engage in a variety of fun platformer challenges, battle enemies, and race against the clock as you amass points. It's a seemingly simple concept with a lot of hidden depth. It's also one with mostly tight control and a stunning presentation compete with gorgeous cinematics and refreshingly polished in-game graphics, not to mention a catchy dynamic soundtrack that changes on-the-fly as you play. de Blob is proof that third-parties who apply themselves can make great Wii games.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
8 Wii Fit
Publisher: Nintendo
Developer: Nintendo
Wii Exclusive: Yes
Is it really a game? Doesn't matter. What does is that Wii Fit is exactly the type of experience that Wii was designed for -- namely, altogether new and genre-busting, but also a bridge to different audiences. More importantly, though, it's not just a gimmick. Wii Fit provides a real exercise tool that works and also one that happens to be good fun. So whether you're pounding out push-ups, striking strenuous yoga poses or running place, or doing squats, an on-screen virtual instructor will offer helpful guidance and give you realizable goals. Additionally, you can jump into a number of games designed to get your heart rate up, most of them genuinely entertaining -- you might even forget for a few minutes that you're exercising.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
9 Super Smash Bros. Brawl
Publisher: Nintendo
Developer: Nintendo
Wii Exclusive: Yes
This is about as much of a no-brainer as it gets, with Smash Bros. being easily one of -- if not the single most -- anticipated Wii game since the system's launch, and a huge fan favorite since its days on N64. Including a huge list of modes and options, Smash Bros. is the definitive brawler for Nintendo's console, mixing in a tried-and-true arcade-like combat experience with more fan-service than even the most hardcore Nintendo fans would have expected from the start. If you've got a solid online connection with a few friends, Smash is also an impressive Wi-Fi title. Even without it though, it's one of the best local multiplayer games out there, and a must-own package. There's no reason this game shouldn't sell 1:1 with Wii console sales, pure and simple.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
10 Resident Evil 4
Publisher: Capcom
Developer: Capcom
Wii Exclusive: No
Hands down one of the top games of the last several years, and for some one of the best of all time, Resident Evil 4 blends impressive visuals with suspenseful gameplay, an amazing design, and now pixel-perfect control. The series may be moving from horror over to action/horror (or just action), but with the move to Wii, Capcom's chilling franchise got a control overhaul, and it has made all the difference in the world. It adds a level of response and precision that wasn't otherwise available in previous versions, making for a far more entertaining experience. Resident Evil 4 is not only one of the top five highest rated Wii games on our review list, but it's also the definitive version of our 2005 GameCube game of the year. Oh, and it's $19.99 new. Yeah, you should already own this one.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
11 Wario Land: Shake It!
Publisher: Nintendo
Developer: Good Feel
Wii Exclusive: Yes
As a pure bundle of classic gaming revived, Wario Land: Shake It! is a must-own platformer for anyone that considers themselves an "old school" gamer. Using just the Wii-mote on its side, Wario Land is a mix of the tried-and-true Wario design, now augmented with tilt control for specific sections of the game, and quick shake actions to slam down on terrain and enemies, or shake piles of loot into the air. Sure it just came out, but it already makes our list. It's just fun. Here's hoping this one spawns more classic titles for Wii fans to get into, as we could really use a sequel, a Super Mario Bros. 4, or a new Super Metroid. Nintendo? Are you reading this? We want more.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
12 SSX Blur
Publisher: EA
Developer: EA Montreal
Wii Exclusive: Yes
EA's snowboarding title, designed specifically for Wii, remains an underrated and overlooked project and we still can't figure out why. It looks good. Motion boarding works, tricking is easy to learn, but extremely difficult to master, and the übers are even tougher. This Wii-exclusive addition to the franchise is a mix of new and classic tracks, all packed onto one mountain, so while it isn't going to be 100% for veterans of the series, the motion integration is top notch. We're still hoping for that balance board SSX game – Ubisoft's taken Shaun White there -- but until then, Blur more than has us covered.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
13 Scarface: The World is Yours
Publisher: Vivendi Games
Developer: Radical Entertainment
Wii Exclusive: No
Scarface: The World is Yours is Wii's GTA, pure and simple. The game is extremely violent, the language is incredibly vulgar, and the seamless addition of Wii pointer control makes it a step above its other console counterparts. It may be late to the party, but Scarface is best played on Wii, as there's simply nothing better than taking a chainsaw to a group of Cuban drug smugglers, pumping up your rage meter, and then taking out their reinforcements with a red-filtered first-person mode. Tony Montana is a bad ass, and we feel like bad asses by association. Don't you want to too? This one is a tough game to find, but if you see it, buy it. Then again, you should already own it, right?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
14 Trauma Center: New Blood
Publisher: Atlus
Developer: Atlus
Wii Exclusive: Yes
During Wii's launch, Atlus was there with Trauma Center: Second Opinion, and even on day one it was an awesome offering on Wii. Last year we got the sequel to the company's anime/arcade/surgery game with New Blood, and with added co-op play, online rankings, a challenge mode, and even more tools of the trade to save lives with, the series was even better the second time around. Another one that's a little on the rare side to find, New Blood is worth every penny, and a perfect showpiece for just how original, simple, and obscure Wii's library truly is. It's fun, easy to get into, but punishingly difficult in its tougher modes, so it's a perfect option for both the casual and hardcore crowd. We're waiting for the third offering on Wii, but until that's available, New Blood is easily making our list of one of the top 25 Wii games you should already own. Stomach tumors have never been so much fun!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
15 Boom Blox: Bash Party
Publisher: EA
Developer: EA
Wii Exclusive: Yes
Not every game on our list is going to be a top-rated title, but every game on our list is a must-own game, and Boom Blox: Bash Party is yet another one. Mixing a deceptively simple design with an instantly approachable control method, Boom Blox goes back to the basics and finds fun in a pile of blocks, a ball, and a few friends. If you've played it, chances are you're already hooked. If you haven't, you're missing out on one of Wii's best local multiplayer games, and a truly innovative (but oh so simple) concept. The level creator and Wi-Fi sharing makes this one an even bigger no-brainer when it comes to good old-fashioned fun, as it has near-endless potential, and is a downright blast to play.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
16 Medal of Honor Heroes 2
Publisher: EA
Developer: Team Fusion
Wii Exclusive: No
When it comes to quick, responsive FPS control, there are few better examples than Medal of Honor Heroes 2. Beating out even Nintendo's own Metroid Prime 3 in terms of speed and control, Heroes 2 set the bar when it first released, and still stands as one of the best FPS experience available on Wii. The game may have been developed alongside the PSP version, but this one is far from a port, as slick visuals blend with 60 frames per second, and IR control makes gunning down Nazis all the more enjoyable. A Wii-specific arcade mode is also included, as are 32 player online battles via EA Nation. If you're looking for proof that FPS games control better on Wii than any other console out there, you need to look no further than Medal of Honor Heroes 2. You should already own this one.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
17 Pro Evolution Soccer 2009
Publisher: Konami
Developer: Konami
Wii Exclusive: No
With Pro Evolution Soccer 2009 for Wii, the experience is so unique and so revolutionary that it simply needs to be played, and should be owned by any serious Wii gamer. But beware: this title isn't for newbies. Using the IR pointer for control over your whole team, players can literally grab whoever they want on the squad, and slide them to the position they should be in. Once you master the controls, you'll be strategically placing players around the field even as you control the soccer ball. And in the 2009 version of the game, you've got a greater command of the defense than you ever did before. Konami's title is the one to beat where soccer is concerned and Wii owners get all of this goodness to themselves.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
18 No More Heroes
Publisher: Ubisoft
Developer:Grasshopper
Wii Exclusive: Yes
Style. Out of all the games released on Wii so far, nothing beats No More Heroes when it comes to style -- its presentation, art direction and overly vicious M-rated level of violence put it in a category so far removed from the rest of the fare on sale for Nintendo's latest console that it demands to hold down a position in your active library. Suda 51 is the creative mind behind this tale of an up-and-coming assassin seeking to rise in rank among the most infamous killers in the world, and his most notable previous effort on a Nintendo console -- Killer 7 on the GameCube -- found a cult following among owners of the Big N's last-gen system. Owning No More Heroes in this generation, then, serves as a vote of confidence for Suda 51's creativity -- the more support shown to efforts like this that are truly built for the hardcore gamer, the more likelihood that future projects with that M label will appear on Wii -- like Fatal Frame IV, Suda's latest project, which is still awaiting confirmation of a release in the States.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
19 Mario Kart Wii
Publisher: Nintendo
Developer:Nintendo
Wii Exclusive: Yes
There are some Nintendo franchises that are just understood to be present in your library of titles for any Big N system, and Mario Kart has been chief among them ever since the SNES. With clockwork regularity, this series has appeared on every piece of Nintendo hardware released in the past decade and a half. And it's always offered consistent, accessible fun for multiple players. Mario Kart Wii puts a new spin on the expectations for the classic series by introducing a few new elements, including the Wii Wheel accessory and in-game motorcycles. Both additions enhance the madness at any multiplayer party where Kart is played, as it's even more laughable now to see your friends falling well behind your first-place racer while their arms are twisting this way and that, trying to overcorrect for corners and avoid approaching Banana Peels. Just keep an eye out for that sneaky, sinister Blue Shell.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
20 Excite Truck
Publisher: Nintendo
Developer:Monster Games
Wii Exclusive: Yes
Day 1 of the Wii launch saw only two first-party Nintendo titles on sale for the system, and while The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess understandably found more favor with the fans, this high-octane racer proved to be just as worthy of purchase. If you were an early adopter, standing in line for hours to be one of the first to purchase your Wii machine at 12:01 a.m. on November 19, 2006, chances are you walked away with this one. If you came into the Wii family later than that, though, you should still revisit it. Excite Truck is the Big N's update to its previously motorcycle-focused Excitebike series, and offers some of the fastest action on the system. Your trucks catch huge air after jumps, the terrain deforms and reforms itself in real time while each race is occurring, you can import a customized soundtrack of your own music -- the list of features goes on. If Mario Kart Wii is the family-friendly, everyone-can-play racing game you need to own, then Excite Truck is its compelling contrast -- no items, no frills, no balloon-popping battle mode. Just loud, fast racing that's all about speed.
- - - - - - - - - ------- ---------------------------------------------------
21 MadWorld
Publisher: SEGA
Developer
latinum Games Wii Exclusive: Yes
Who says Wii doesn't have any games for adults? Development studio Platinum Games (headed by the same guys who brought you Okami and Viewtiful Joe), would argue differently. Its ultra-stylized fighter, MadWorld, was created exclusively for the over-18 crowd. You control Jack, a buffed-out and brutal contestant on a live TV game show called Death Watch. His only goal is to stay alive and he does so with finesse, pulverizing enemies who cross his path. MadWorld is realized by way of spectacular black and white graphics and the monochromatic hues are perpetually drowned in red, gory blood as the main character chainsaws his foes in half, crushes their heads or impales them anus-first on a set of rusty spikes. Yeeeouuch! If you like classic brawlers like Final Fight, this M-rated entry, which frankly only barely shipped without an AO rating in our humble opinions, will certainly have you covered. Not just with buckets of blood, but smart controls and an intriguing storyline. If you're squeamish though, you've been warned.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
22 Tiger Woods PGA Tour 10
Publisher: EA
Developer:Tiburon
Wii Exclusive: No
What do you get when you add Wii MotionPlus to one of the best golf simulations on the market? Why, the very best golf game that money can buy, of course. Tiger Woods PGA Tour 10 for Wii takes virtual golfing to new heights with amazingly responsive controls that believably transport on-the-course play to your living room. As you pull back and pivot the Wii remote, so does Tiger, and nearly in real-time. You can reliably add draw and fade to your shots and the power of your swing, as well as your follow-through, will be measured appropriately. You're not going to want to leave the course, ever. And you might not since the game comes packed with various gameplay modes, both offline and on, not to mention a spectacular disc golf mode. EA's game is so good that in many ways it outclasses some of Nintendo's own sports offerings, including many of the minis in Resort.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
23 Excitebots: Trick Racing
Publisher: Nintendo
Developer:Monster Games
Wii Exclusive: Yes
First things first: if you have to choose between Excite Truck and Excitebots: Trick Racing (and hopefully you don't), go with the latter. It's an all-around more complete game complemented by a tighter control scheme and some truly outlandish level designs. We recommend both titles, though. Excite Truck is ever-so-slightly more grounded in reality and Excitebots simply goes crazy. In the unofficial sequel, you lose the trucks in favor of transforming robots -- uh-huh'; don't ask – and you zoom along dynamically deforming tracks, zip through shortcuts, catch huge air and nail big tricks as you rank against other crazy animal-shaped robot racers. It's surreal, but it's great fun, especially since the control scheme is more responsive than ever before. More than most videogames in recent memory, Excitebots really feels like and embraces its videogame status. It never takes itself seriously, but instead throws every crazy hook in the name of fun and not realism. With an online mode to boot, it's one of the best racers around and one that you won't easily put down.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
24 The Conduit
Publisher: SEGA
Developer:High Voltage Software
Wii Exclusive: Yes
When it comes to first-person shooters on Wii, there are only a few considerations. Metroid Prime 3: Corruption, if you consider it an FPS – we prefer to label it an adventure. Medal of Honor Heroes 2, designed simultaneously for Wii and PSP, for its great control scheme. And now The Conduit from High Voltage Software, created from the ground up for Nintendo's system and packed full of amazing control options, not to mention an addictive online experience. The FPS sometimes lacks distinguishing features where storyline and play mechanics are concerned, but it makes up for its identity shortcomings with the most configurable and ultimately satisfying control scheme of any console-based FPS we've played, a fun single-player experience and a rewarding online one made even better with WiiSpeak support. It doesn't transform the FPS genre, but if Wii is your first and only console, it'll thrust you headfirst into the competitive FPS matches that other system owners have been experiencing for years.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
25 Punch-Out!!
Publisher: Nintendo
Developer:Next Level Games
Wii Exclusive: Yes
More than two decades ago, Little Mac challenged Mike Tyson for the world championship title. It was a fight for the ages and it's never quite been forgotten. Now, development studio Next Level Games has recreated the Punch-Out!! experience for a new generation of players. The Wii iteration of the boxing game is very much a remake of the original title, incorporating the original brawlers (and adding one or two competitors), slightly enhancing the controls, and adding motion and Balance Board support for those who would prefer to play the game with waggle. But really, this is Punch-Out!! with a huge makeover. The visuals have seen dramatic improvements, whether we're talking about the gorgeous new cel-shaded fighters, all of whom animate fluidly, or the flashy backgrounds and story cut-scenes that lead up to the bouts. And when you complete the game, you'll unlock a mode that allows you to defend your title against fighters who have all reacted to their initial weaknesses so that you'll have to modify your approach to beat them again.
