Some said it couldn’t be done, but we set out to prove all the doubters wrong and found 50 Wii games that could only be classified as awesome. We got through the initial hurdle, presenting 10 impressive endeavors worth playing on Nintendo’s shiny console. Now, though, we‘re taking a look at 10 more titles that are worthy of your time and attention as our very serious list of the top 50 Wii titles rolls on, and will continue until the launch of the Wii U this Sunday!
40. NiGHTS: Journey of Dreams
While a massive amount of praise has always been bestowed upon the Saturn classic NiGHTS into Dreams, the game’s sequel NiGHTS: Journey of Dreams didn’t get nearly as much recognition. That really is a shame because Sega’s second foray into the lore of NiGHTS was a superb example of dreamy on-rails flying and colorful charm. If you can bear with the cheesy story and voice acting, Journey of Dreams serves as a stellar successor to the original Saturn title.
39. Fire Emblem: Radiant Dawn
While not as well-received as its GameCube predecessor, Fire Emblem: Radiant Dawn on the Wii was still a highly polished tactical RPG romp. The surprisingly high level of difficulty was daunting, no doubt, but that only served to make victories that much more rewarding. Ultimately, while this game would be hard to recommend to a newer audience, Fire Emblem aficionados definitely had something to really dig into and enjoy on the Wii with Radiant Dawn.
38. Klonoa
After much success on the original PlayStation, Klonoa: Door to Phantomile was remade for the Wii. The new version of the game, simply titled Klonoa, offered an even more charming experience thanks to its updated visuals. What didn’t change was the sheer quality of the platforming gameplay which was solid the entire time. Sadly, unlike the original, Klonoa became a bit of a cult hit on the Wii, appealing mostly to a small group of gamers.
37. Punch-Out!!
Nintendo decided to capitalize on one of its early favorites during the Wii’s life cycle. After the success of Mike Tyson’s Punch-Out!! on the NES, it made all the sense in the world to resurrect this fast-paced boxing title. Little Mac really did have one last run left in him as was proven by the wholly entertaining and wonderfully charming Punch-Out!! for the Wii. Whether you were a fan of the original or a newcomer to the series, this iteration of Nintendo’s brand of boxing was a true champ … unlike that poor pun we just used.
36. Battalion Wars 2
After a successful outing on the GameCube, the Battalion Wars series saw a return a few years later on the Wii. Battalion Wars 2 delivered more of the tried and true strategy gameplay that the original was known for, all the while improving the overall feel of the game and throwing in some new mechanics and modes. With a nicely paced single-player campaign and fun online component, Battalion Wars 2 quickly became a favorite for many Wii owners, and rightfully so.
35. Ivy the Kiwi?
Sonic the Hedgehog creator Yuji Naka went down a different path when he took on the role of designer for Ivy the Kiwi? The game starred an adorable bird that automatically ran around the game screen, and it was up to the player to draw vines using the Wii Remote to help guide her onto ledges, away from perils, and toward collectible feathers. Ivy the Kiwi? was a pleasant amalgamation of rich presentation and poignant puzzle-like level design. With its storybook visuals, catchy music, and engaging gameplay, this on-rails puzzle platformer was a sheer joy to play on the Wii, even if saying its title made you sound like an airhead. “I, like, totally like Ivy the Kiwi? Like, OMG!”
34. Blast Works: Build, Trade, Destroy
Based on the freeware hit Tumiki Fighters, Blast Works: Build, Trade, Destroy had the distinction of being one of the more unique titles on the Wii at the time of its launch. The game offered up a distinct brand of side-scrolling shoot ‘em up gameplay crossed with Katamari Damacy-esque elements. Enemies you shot down could be collected and used as protective armor on your ever-growing aircraft, and the fast-paced action made for a hectic experience. These tropes alone would’ve provided a functional and complete game, but Blast Works even featured an editor for players to create ships, bosses, and stages, as well as online functionality to trade creations with others.
33. WarioWare: Smooth Moves
WarioWare: Smooth Moves launched on a Wii system devoid of Mario Party back in 2007. While there was still the enjoyable Rayman Raving Rabbids, a Nintendo-flavored party game was definitely missing, and Wii Sports didn’t have enough staying power to provide a proper fix. What we got with Smooth Moves was a fast-paced micro-game collection for up to 12 players that easily trumped anything Mario Party would ever do on the console in subsequent years.
32. Sin & Punishment: Star Successor
After its predecessor initially launched exclusively in Japan on the Nintendo 64, it would be easy for a lot of gamers to completely disregard Sin & Punishment: Star Successor. The fact of the matter, however, is that this on-rails shoot ‘em up was a delightful experience rife with hectic gameplay, intense action, and sick style. Here’s hoping Star Successor doesn’t mark the end of this series, because it would be a fine franchise on the Wii U.
31. Silent Hill: Shattered Memories
Oh, Silent Hill, how low you’ve fallen. Sadly, while this particular survival horror franchise may not exactly be all that great these days, Silent Hill: Shattered Memories on the Wii was a hell of a game. To call it the last great title in the series would certainly be fitting. The game was also available on the PlayStation 2 and PSP, but the Wii is where it managed to shine brightest. The haunting setting, wonderful pacing, unsettling vibe, and Wiimote-friendly puzzles created an experience that was truly unforgettable, unlike the recent Downpour which people are really just trying to forget about.
We've gotten through 20 great Wii games and there are 30 left. What titles will make the cut next?
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