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

[retrosportsgamer]

In the vein of The Ultimate Shooting Collection, while it doesn't have any unique Wii control features, SNK's Arcade Classics Vol 1 is the best on the Wii.

That game would be in my personal top 15 list for this type of project.

[ninjainspandex]

Lost in Shadow for sure is a hidden gem, it is Hudson Soft's swan song, before they went defunct. Great game with a brilliant gimmick with a very strong ICO feel, really surprised to see this one still going for $10 now, who knows how long that will last. I'd highly recommend picking this one up while it is still cheap

Also how about Castle of Shikigami 3 on the Wii?

[Michi]

Still liking the list (and the addition of Honorable mentions), but still torn over the inclusion of DKC Returns. Personally, it'd be something I'd keep, but the biggest complaint I hear about that game, by far, is how they implemented the Wii controls. Now, I've never had much of a problem with them, but a lot of people have and it's not a complaint that would pop up in, say, the 3DS port. Of course, I haven't played the port, so I can't comment on what changes were made, but I do think it's something to take into consideration.

As for Muramasa, I think that no matter how nice the visuals may look on a handheld, their true splendor is lost by not seeing it on a bigger screen. The inclusion of this one probably lies heavily on whether or not you prefer handheld to console gaming. Besides the translation, is there anything it improves upon beyond, perhaps, the visuals? I mean, does it look as good on, say, the Vita TV as it does on the Vita by itself?

And I know it's already on the list, but in regard to RE4, I will defend the Wii edition to my dying breath. It had a hell of a lot of ports, but the PS2 version had inferior graphics and the GC didn't have the extra content. Plus, the control scheme was probably one of the most enjoyable for any Wii game. It may be the one time a game was ported to a system where the vast majority of people didn't complain about how a game controlled, and in fact, complemented the motion controls instead. Sure, you have the new HD versions, but those were only released physically in Japan.

It's getting really hard for me to narrow stuff down further at this point. The Wii's got so many good games that you could make solid arguments for a huge chunk of them.

[dsheinem]

As for Muramasa, I think that no matter how nice the visuals may look on a handheld, their true splendor is lost by not seeing it on a bigger screen. The inclusion of this one probably lies heavily on whether or not you prefer handheld to console gaming. Besides the translation, is there anything it improves upon beyond, perhaps, the visuals? I mean, does it look as good on, say, the Vita TV as it does on the Vita by itself?

Muramasa is playable on Vita TV, which allows you to experience it as a console game: http://www.gamefaqs.com/boards/684034-m ... h/70352330

I think that, given the availability of an enhanced port in HD that you can play on the go or on TV, we can safely remove it from the Wii list now to make room for something more deserving.

[Exhuminator]

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.

I think that no matter how nice the visuals may look on a handheld, their true splendor is lost by not seeing it on a bigger screen.

It's a matter of taste, for sure. For me bigger is not always better. The Vita OLED looks amazing, and Muramasa takes full advantage of it with higher res sprites and more vibrant colors than the Wii original.

We should probably include The Last Story in this "best Wii" games list. Overall it's a great RPG, only held back by massive slowdown at times. The combat system was amazing and never stopped being fun.

[FerretGamer]

A good game is a good game regardless of screen size.

[prfsnl_gmr]

The List (no particular order for now)

I have about 300 Wii games, and I co-authored the "Games that Defined the Nintendo Wii" article. We considered many of these games when we drafted that article, and I would like to cover some more of them in a later "Hidden Gems" article.

I think that this list is very good, but I would like to comment on a few of the games:

Super Mario Galaxy
Super Mario Galaxy 2

These are exceptional 3D platformers. There isn't anything else quite like them on any other system, and Nintendo seems to be taking the 3D Mario games in a different direction. They should be on the list.

Xenoblade Chronicles

I have not yet completed it, but I have read that this is the Wii's best RPG. It shoudl remain.

Zack and Wiki Quest for Barbaro's Treasure

This unique puzzle game utilizes the Wii's unique features in creative ways. It is also very challenging and very fun. It is a great pick.

Metroid Prime Trilogy

While Metroid Prime 3: Corruption certainly belongs on the list, I am not sure we should include the rest of the trilogy. IMO, the first two games are better on the GameCube.

Resident Evil 4

The motion controls make this game too easy, and the HD ports are better. I think this game should be removed from the list.

Donkey Kong Country Returns

This is a great 2D platformer, but it is just that. Moreover, the motion controls do not improve it, and there are better 2D platformers on other systems. I would remove this game.

Little King's Story
Fortune Street

No comment. I have not played these games.

Punch-Out!

This game is great. It is tremendous fun, and you can use the Wii's unique hardware as much ("It supports the Balance Board!") or as little ("You can play it like the NES original!") as you want.

Kirby's Epic Yarn

This is a beautiful game with a phenomenal soundtrack. It oozes charm, and unless Yoshi's Wooly world outdoes it, it should remain on the list.

Skyward Sword

No comment. I have not beaten this game yet.

Fire Emblem Radiant Dawn

I have not beaten this game, but I don't see why we should include it when most fans of the series agree that later installments such as Fire Emblem: Awakening are superior.

No More Heroes

Shamefully, I have not beaten this game. I have played enough to know that it is awesome, however, and the motion controls are immensely satisfying. Moreover, the Wii original remains, to my knowledge, the best version. Accordingly, I think it should stay.

Trauma Team

No comment. I have not played through this yet.

Wario Land Shake It!

IMO, this is th best 2D platoformer on the Wii an arguably the best game in the splendid Wario Land series. It should stay.

Kirby Return to Dreamland

No comment. I have not played it.

Tatsunoko v Capcom

This is a very fun fighting game, and it is arguably better than UMVC3. It will likely remain a Wii exclusive; so, I think it should stay.

The Last Story

No comment. I have not completed it.

Pandora's Tower

This is a very good, engaging game. The art direction and "mythology" are exceptional, and the game's time-limit mechanic is unique and engaging. The story and characters are (suprisingly) engaging on an emotional level; I regard the game very highly; and I think it should remain on the list. (As you mention, however, it does have a loading bug near the end of the game. It is tremendous pain, but not everyone encounters it. Moreover, you can easily get around it if necessary.)

Endless Ocean

No comment. I have not yet played this game.

Muramasa: The Demon Blade

The art direction in this game shines, and the Wii version remains the best version. (It really must be played on a large screen.) Accordingly, this game should remain on the list until it receives an HD port.

Sin and Punishment

This is the best rail shooter on any system. It shoudl remain on the list.

Ghost Squad

This is an unremarkable arcade rail shooter. I see no reason to include it when there are so many other superior games on the market.

Wii Sports

You must include this game. It defines the system, and despite its age, I still play ot with my family.

Lost in Shadow

This is a decent, slow-paced platformer that is entirely too long. It's mechanics wear out their welcome about 1/3 of the way into the game, and despite the fact I love 2D platformers, I could not bring my self to finish this one.

Klonoa

This remains the best version of a very good 2D platformer. I could see including it on the list until it receives an HD port.

New Super Mario Bros.

This game was good, but not great, and I understand that NSMBWiiU is superior. I would not include it.

Red Steel (1 and 2)

No comment. I have not completed either of these games.

Sonic Colors

This is the 3rd best 3D platformer on the Wii and one of the very best modern Sonic games. It should be on the list.

Wario Ware Smooth Moves

This game is a lot of fun. I can see including it.

Ivy the Kiwi

This is fun 2D puzzle-platformer. It is too easy and too short, however, and I think that the portable versions are better. I would not include it.

Fishing Resort

No comment. I have not played this game.

Excitebots

This is the Wii's best racing game, and I don't think Nintendo will make another one. It should be on the list.

Elebits

This is a good concept, but IMO, it is a bit too hard and a bit too dull. I did not complete it, however, and I should probably give it another chance.

Ultimate Shooting Collection 2

This is a great collection. I see no reason not to include it.

Okami

Okami is one of my favorite games on any system. Suprisingly, however, the Wii version's pointer controls are not as precise as a joystick, and IMO, the HD versions are superior. (The improved resolution makes the game look even better, and as I mentioned earlier, the traditional controls are more accurate.)

Dead Space Extraction

No comment. I have not yet played this game.

A Boy and His Blob

This game definitely belongs on the list. It is a wonderful update of a classic game; the game is wonderfully designed; Wayforward's animation is spectacular; and the game's simply story is heartwarming. It also puts the Wii's unique capabilities to good use, and I think it belongs on the list. (It is one of my vry favorite Wii games, and I loved every minute of it.)

EDIT: This is a great topic, BTW. My personal "20 Best Wii Games for 10 Years From Now" are:

Bit.Trip.Complete
Boom Blox
A Boy & His Blob
Just Dance!
Kirby's Epic Yarn
Let's Tap
Metroid Prime 3: Corruption
The Munchables
Muramasa: The Demon Blade
Pandora's Tower
Punch Out!!
Sin & Punishment: Star Successor
Sonic Colors
Super Mario Galaxy
Super Mario Galaxy 2
Super Paper Mario
Tatsunoko vs. Capcom
Wario Land Shake It!
Wii Sports
Zak & Wiki: The Quest for Barbaro's Treasure

[Exhuminator]

Excitebots
This is the Wii's best racing game, and I don't think Nintendo will make another one. It should be on the list.

I agree it should be on the list because this is such a unique and crazy racing game. However, it was not developed by Nintendo, it was developed by Monster Games http://www.mgiracing.com/

[prfsnl_gmr]

Excitebots
This is the Wii's best racing game, and I don't think Nintendo will make another one. It should be on the list.

I agree it should be on the list because this is such a unique and crazy racing game. However, it was not developed by Nintendo, it was developed by Monster Games http://www.mgiracing.com/

Nice catch! Since Nintendo published it - and since it bears the "excite" name - I assumed that Nintendo also developed it. I will have to check out the developer's other work.

EDIT: It appears that Nintendo has relegated them to developing 3DS ports...

[BoneSnapDeez]

So I had no idea that Wario Land Shake It! was a 2D platformer. I always ignored it because it looked like a collection of mini-games or something. I am intrigued now.