List: Best 30 Wii Games plus Ghost Squad (10 years from now)

[chuckster]

Regarding games available as updated or better versions, I agree with definitive versions, but not with better sequels.

I looked into a similar list when beginning to build my PSX and PS2 collections. With Resident Evil specifically, I would not--as a gamer serious enough to be playing through games for a console 10+ years old--want to forgo RE1 or RE3 on PSX just because many consider RE2 the crown jewel, I wanted all three because they're different games, and ll therefore offer a unique experience.

These are more narrative games than most platformers, however, and a more fair comparison may be the Crash Bandicoot or Spyro games (when speaking about DKCR for example), though my feelings are the same in that case. That is personal preference though, and the games are similar enough that I would include these as a single entry so a player can try one out to see if the others are worth pursuing.

When considering updated editions, I look at the experience. I chose to let RE4 on PS2 or GC go in favor of the Wii version, because I thought the latter was close enough in experience while superior with it's extra content and controls. Aside from radical changes that alter the game experience itself, (looking at you, REmake), I don't think you necessarily lose anything when buying the same game in an updated version.

Of course, you could also argue that this is a Wii list. If you disregard backwards-compatibility, (as with PS1/PS2), DKCR for example would have no competition from Tropical Freeze, since it's not a Wii game. If all you have in ten years is a beat-up Wii, it would be worthwhile to include games like DKCR. If this were a Wii U list, inclusive of backwards compatibility, it would change the scenario.

[Blu]

I'd be willing to remove Dead Space Extraction if there was a more definitive version elsewhere. There's a lot of rail shooters that originated on the Wii, and like Dave said, we could add whichever rail shooter is the most definitive.

I think it's important to note that not many consoles had the capability to do rail/light gun-esque shooting games like the Wii did, up until the introduction of Playstation Move. The plus is that all of them are also pretty affordable as of now. Perhaps it's an off-shoot and an entirely new article that we could brainstorm and compile.

Here's the few that I can think of:
Dead Space Extraction
Resident Evil Umbrella Chronicles
House of the Dead Overkill
House of the Dead 2 & 3 Return
Ghost Squad
Gunblade NY & LA Machine Guns
Resident Evil Darkside Chronicles
Mad Dog McGree
Target Terror

As long as one of those makes the list, then we're being fairly inclusive across genres.

EDIT:
To add to the discussion and debate:

Might we consider the best and greatest from each respective genre to pick and choose from the lists we're making?

OR

Can we ignore genre considerations as a criteria, resulting in games spanning fewer genres but are clearly (by forum consideration) the best on the console?

The reason why I ask is I think we'll get around 15-20 that are widely agreed upon, then have some that there will be sparse support of. If that happens to be the case, maybe it's typical Racketboy fashion to just include the Honorable Mentions.

These articles are really what I think came to mind, and is a separate one from the "Games that Defined the...." series articles we have here.

http://www.racketboy.com/retro/cheapest ... p-bargains
http://www.racketboy.com/retro/sega/dre ... s-under-10

I know it certainly wouldn't be titled cheapest or on a few of the games we have already listed here, but I think those articles actually help because even though those games are cheap, they're still relevant and worthwhile.

Some added thoughts for a few games near the bottom:

Sonic Colors is a return to glory after such a rough spot for the series. It's not at all glitchy, I found it to be very polished, had a fantastic soundtrack, tight controls, and let you use virtually every control scheme that the Wii had available.

Sonic & Sega All-Stars Racing was good but I believe the PS3/360 versions were better.

Ivy the Kiwi? is surely great, I think what will determine whether or not if it has lasting appeal is if this new Kirby game on Wii-U does it all better than Ivy the Kiwi? and becomes more popular and better selling than Ivy the Kiwi

[mjmjr25]

Just home from work and have just now skimmed the last 4 pages - if someone is so inclined to provide a synopsis of what has been newly agreed on, please do...if not give me a bit to process it all and update the OP.

One thing I think i'm hearing is that Wii Sports should be in over Wii Sports Resort, is that accurate?

Can we get a couple posts just with straight up or down for:
Trauma Team
Ultimate Shooting Collection 2
Lost in Shadow
Ivy the Kiwi?
Muremasa
Mario Sports Mix
Deadly Creatures
Dead Space Extraction
Sonic Colors

Mine

Trauma Team - no opinion, haven't played
Ultimate Shooting Collection 2 - yes (while I found 4 of 5 ports inferior to other console ports or arcade - not to the point it still isn't a very affordable way to get 3 great games, 2 good games, all of whichare pricey)
Lost in Shadow - yes. I think this will be similar to ICO in the way it is appreciated more and more as time goes on.
Ivy the Kiwi? - yes. an absolute favorite of mine. The artstyle is so fun, it is a game anyone can play, there is enough difficulty at the end to appeal to more seasoned gamers, the music is fun, and the motion controls are spot-on. Fun and unique - one i'll never sell.
Muremasa - yes. It was brilliant and as a person who doesn't play handhelds nearly as often as consoles - I think there is a distinction between them. If this was on PS3 I would say no.
Mario Sports Mix - no. Fun, mario characters, better thought out gameplay than the Mario/Sonic olympic games, but none of the games leave you feeling like you HAVE to get back to this game - unlike Wii Sports swordplay.
Deadly Creatures - no opinion - haven't played.
Dead Space Extraction - no opinion - haven't played
Sonic Colors - yes. Much like Sonic Adventure Battle 2 is the must-own GCN title, this is the must-own Wii Sonic title.

[Hazerd]

Legend of Zelda games will always "hold up" imo, unless you hate the series

But my list would be:

1. Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword
the controls in this game were surprisingly good, didnt feel like it had too much waggle or shaking.

2. Metroid Prime Trilogy
Still prefer GameCube controls to motion

3. Xenoblade Chronicles
This is the superior version, the NEW 3DS version looks terrible imo, this game has massive graphical environments and they dont look good on a portable screen.

4. Super Mario Galaxy 1
5. Super Mario Galaxy 2
6. The Last Story
7. Pandora's Tower

8. Kirby Return to Dreamland
Dont think this game will hold up 10 years from now, will have more amazing Kirby games that will tower over this one.

9. Data East Arcade Classics
This may very be the last we see of Data East games in a physical sense ever, would be nice if they released a Volume 2. Sure we may see eShop games, but think ill be keeping this on the shelf, it all started with Joe & Mac on SNES for me.

10. Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess
The Gamecube version is the superior version to me, but ill be keeping this around too.

[chuckster]

The genre idea is interesting, but then again, that may bring it closer to a "Best Of" list, rather than a historically significant one.

The real question is the context here, at least for me. Are these really just games I think I'll keep around to play on Wii, due to what I like? That would mean a list dominated by platformers and Zelda. Are they games that I think will simply stand the test of time and something I could show my daughter in ten years to show her the best and most definitive Wii games? That list has already been put together here on RB (though I'm always happy to see discussion on these kinds of lists). Or is it just a collection of games that I don't think I'll be able to find updates/clear improvements on in the next ten years? This last is much harder, because it involves quite a bit of speculation, though it does rule a great many games out (Brawl, NSMB, etc.).

[Blu]

I think that's the point I was trying to hit Chuckster, that you carved out a bit better.

Sure, there's Looney Tunes Space Race on Dreamcast, but it's not a game I think I'd go back and play with my child or friends if I had to pick 25 from my library to show them. I'd likely pull Daytona USA. That's what I think I mean -- I don't want a genre that's less popular but has critically acclaimed games to get lost in the mix of platformers, shooters, etc solely because of popularity.

It's specifically why I left Animal Crossing City Folk -- for me the Gamecube and whatever version is most recent (in this case New Leaf) is leaps and bounds above Animal Crossing City Folk for Wii.

[Exhuminator]

Can we get a couple posts just with straight up or down for:
Trauma Team*
Ultimate Shooting Collection 2
Lost in Shadow
Ivy the Kiwi?
Muremasa
Mario Sports Mix
Deadly Creatures*
Dead Space Extraction*
Sonic Colors*

I consider Trauma Team and Sonic Colors both to be must plays. Deadly Creatures is an interesting concept for a game, but the longer you play it the worse it gets. It's overrated simply due to being rare and unique in design. Dead Space Extraction is a really fun co-op game, but I don't know how fun single player would be. It does have extraordinarily good graphics for a Wii title. Ivy The Kiwi? is a middling platforming game with bland graphics and is a bit of a one trick pony. I own Lost In Shadow and Muramasa (on Vita actually) but I have not played either yet.

*I have personally beaten these games to completion.

[BoneSnapDeez]

Muramasa most certainly belongs. A supremely good game. I'd argue that the Wii version is better, as I feel that the controls are a bit smoother (it uses up to jump which is oddly satisfying). The Vita game may technically have a "better translation" but the story is so incoherent it's not quite relevant.

[Exhuminator]

The Vita game may technically have a "better translation" but the story is so incoherent it's not quite relevant.

Well at least the Vita version bothers to translate the names of the 108 swords. And you can remap the Up button to jump on the Vita version if you want. Seeing this game on the Vita OLED in high res versus the original Wii graphics is a night and day difference. I used to have the Wii version myself, but sold it after getting the Vita one. Personally I think the Vita version is far superior. That said, the Wii version is no slouch and should be obtained if that is one's only option!

[foxhound1022]

I'm not a huge handheld guy myself, so if I had to choose between a port on a console or handheld, I'd go console 9 times out of 10.