The Best Nintendo Wii Games Under $20
As some of you know, my wife recently got me a Wii for my birthday, so being the cheapskate I am, I did my research of the best games for the system that won’t set me back a bunch of money. Â Now, I haven’t played all of these, but I’m going mostly on critic’s reviews and word-of-mouth from gamers with similar tastes. Â I figured the $20 price point word be a place to start, so I’ll list the top picks under that mark (Prices listed are an average eBay price and lowest Amazon.com prices for US games, including shipping.)
Since retail Wii games aren’t the only thing you can play on your Wii, I’m also including some of the most critically acclaimed WiiWare titles so far and my picks for the best cheap Gamecube games that would complement a solid Wii library. Â I’m not including any Virtual Console games just yet. Â I’ll probably have another feature targeted towards retro games later on.
Check out the other Cheapest Games Worth Your Time articles
Best Retail Games Under $20
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Zack & Wiki: Quest for Barbaros’ Treasure: $16 Everyone that I talk to seems to have high praise for Zack & Wiki. It’s a cool and original puzzle-filled adventure that will work your brain while you’re having fun. The game’s relatively low-profile release has kept the prices down, but it may end up being those hidden gems that increase in value after it leaves store shelves. Shop for Zack & Wiki on eBay Shop for Zack & Wiki on Amazon.com |
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Resident Evil 4 Wii Edition: $18 You could save a few extra dollars by picking up the Gamecube version of this 2005 blockbuster title, but you can still get this affordable Wii edition to have Wii-mote controller shooting and movement. Â (Heavily recommended by everyone I’ve spoke to) Â Regardless of which version you chose, you should be more than happy with this action-packed thrill-fest. Shop for Resident Evil 4 Wii Edition on eBay Shop for Resident Evil 4 Wii Edition on Amazon.com |
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Puzzle Quest: Challenge of the Warlords: $17 I love games that mix genres effortless to create a fresh gaming experience. Puzzle Quest brought the unlikely duo of the puzzle and RPG genre together, resulting in a bit of a cult classic. Sure, it may be cheaper on XBLA, but its still a great value on the Wii.  It’s easy to find for $20 new, but you could also save a few bucks buying a used copy online. Shop for Puzzle Quest on eBay Shop for Puzzle Quest on Amazon.com |
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Geometry Wars: Galaxies: $19 This is another old-school game that showed up on XBLA first, but has had a full retail release on the Wii. Of course, the developers added some extra goodness to the addictive shooter so it is worth the few extra dollars (plus you can also re-sell it, if needed). And luckily, Galaxies gives you the option of using a Classic Controller instead of the Wii-mote in case you don’t enjoy wrist cramps. Shop for Geometry Wars Galaxies on eBay Shop for Geometry Wars Galaxies on Amazon.com |
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Rayman Raving Rabbids: $17 RRR was one of the hottest Wii launch titles from a third party and many Wii owners are still have good fun with 70 or so mini-games and its wacky sense of humor.  It is now available on other platforms, but the Wii’s controls seems to be the most natural.  Now that the sequel as been out for a few months, you’ll see this quickly coming down in price. (and much cheaper than Wario Ware: Smooth Moves) Shop for Rayman Raving Rabbids on eBay Shop for Rayman Raving Rabbids on Amazon.com |
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Elebits: $15 Elebits is one of those quirky games and unique games that has a small but strong following — kinda like Chibi Robo had at the end of the Gamecube’s lifespan. I haven’t had the chance to play with it myself, but I’ve heard good things, so if you need to round out your Wii library on the cheap, you might want to look into it. Shop for Elebits on eBay Shop for Elebits on Amazon.com |
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Sega Superstars Tennis: $15 Taking a page from Nintendo’s fan service, Sega took their Virtua Tennis formula and filled it with so much Sega goodness that any fan can’t turn down the game at a bargain price. Shop for Sega Superstars Tennis on eBay Shop for Sega Superstars Tennis on Amazon.com |
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NiGHTS: Journey of Dreams: $15 After about a decade of begging Sega for a sequel to the Saturn classic, they finally delivered one for the Wii. It didn’t blow anybody’s mind, but is a solid follow-up that stays rather true to the original. |
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Excite Truck: $18 This Wii launch title is still as fast an fun as it was on day one, but now that most Wii early-adopters have moved on, you can find this little racer dirt cheap. Shop for Excite Truck on eBay Shop for Excite Truck on Amazon.com |
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Blast Works: Build, Trade, Destroy: $19 Even though there were a couple bigger-name games that were under $20, I wanted to feature Blast Works as it retails new for $20 and it a unique shooting game (better known as TUMIKI Fighters on the PC) from an indie developer. However, unlike the original PC game, the Wii version has a good editor and online sharing capabilities that really add extra depth to the game. Other great games from the developer, Kenta Cho, are available as unlockables as well. Shop for Blast Works on eBay Shop for Blast Works on Amazon.com |
Cheap Gamecube Must-Haves For Your Wii
If you’re a Wii owner, you really shouldn’t overlook the quality titles that are in the Gamecube’s library. Â There are so many solid games that still outshine many Wii titles. Â However, many of them have been out for a while, so you can scoop them up for next to nothing. Â I’ve limited this section quite a bit, but if you want a more detailed guide, check out the Cheapest Gamecube Games Worth Your Time.
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Metroid Prime: $7 Metroid Prime 2: Echoes: $12 The first two games in the series may not have the Wii-mote capabilities of the third installment, but if you haven’t played these yet, scoop them up while you wait for part three to come down in price Shop for Metroid Prime Series on eBay Shop for Metroid Prime Series on Amazon.com |
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F-Zero GX: $9 I’m really looking forward to seeing a new F-Zero game on the Wii, but until then, I’m still quite content with the fabulous racer that was a team project between the arcade geniuses at Sega and the fine folks at Nintendo.  I do believe it holds the place of my favorite racer of all-time due to it’s insanely high speeds and  the addicting nature of trying to hit all the boosts and turns in a given track. Shop for F-Zero GX on eBay Shop for F-Zero GX on Amazon.com |
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The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker: $12 Once people got over their initial disappointment that Link was featured as a cute cel-shaded character, they realized that Wind Waker deserved high praise as yet another legendary installment in the Zelda franchise. Now that Twighlight Princess is has taken the spotlights, it’s a bit easier to find Wind Waker for just over $10 Shop for Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker on eBay Shop for Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker on Amazon.com |
The Best WiiWare So Far
Wiiware is still in its infancy, but there are a number of quality games for it that are at the $10 price point. Â Most of them cater to specialized tastes, so make sure to read up a bit on them before plunking down your Nintendo Points.
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Dr. Mario Online Rx: $10 Some gamers I know swear by this classic puzzle game. Â It’s not my personal favorite, but it’s a worthy download for fans of the genre. Â (However, I’d still recommend getting Puyo Pop Fever for the Gamecube instead — see down below) |
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Toki Tori: $10 If you enjoy a mix of platforming and puzzle-solving, Toki Tori should be right up your alley. Â It’s a remake of a little known gem on the Gameboy Color that is filled with 70 mind-bending levels and a colorful and cheery presentation. |
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Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: My Life as a King: $10 This isn’t your typical Final Fantasy game by any means. Â Instead of a pur action RPG like it’s prequel, My Life as a King is actually a city-building simulation at it’s core. Â It isn’t for everyone, but the general consensus has been good so far. Â If you enjoy the FF games, but want something a little different, give this a try. |
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LostWinds: $10 This drop-dead gorgeous platforning adventure game uses 3D graphics with a 2D perspective, but also throws in an innovative control scheme (with the Wii-mote, of course) that makes you re-learn what you know about platformers. Â From what I’ve played so far, it’s kinda slow-paced and will require you to do some puzzle-solving, but nearly every review of the game has been positive. |
Near The $20 Mark
Here’s a few more Wii games that you may be able to snag for less than $20 if you’re lucky, but average out to be a bit more most of the time.
- House of the Dead 2 & 3 Return: $22 Â – eBay /Â Amazon
- No More Heroes: $23 Â – eBay /Â Amazon
- Trauma Center: Second Opinion: $22 Â – eBay /Â Amazon
Other Cheap Wii Favorites
- Mercury Meltdown Revolution: $12 – eBay /Â Amazon
- SSX Blur: $12 Â – eBay /Â Amazon
- Ghost Squad: $17 Â – eBay /Â Amazon
- MLB Power Pros: $16 Â – eBay /Â Amazon
- Madden NFL 07: $9 Â – eBay /Â Amazon
- Madden NFL 08: $16 Â – eBay /Â Amazon
- Sonic & The Secret Rings: $15 Â – eBay /Â Amazon
- Tony Hawk’s Downhill Jam: $11 Â – eBay /Â Amazon
Other Cheap Gamecube Favorites
- Super Monkey Ball: $8 Â – eBay / Amazon
- Super Monkey Ball 2: $10 Â – eBay / Amazon
- Star Wars Rogue Squadron II: Rogue Leader: $8 Â – eBay / Amazon
- Viewtiful Joe: $6 Â – eBay / Amazon
- Viewtiful Joe 2: $7 Â – eBay / Amazon
- Super Mario Sunshine: $11Â – eBay / Amazon
- Resident Evil: $12 Â – eBay / Amazon
- Resident Evil Zero: $11 Â – eBay / Amazon
- Eternal Darkness – $20 -Â eBay / Amazon
- Pikmin: $19 – eBay / Amazon
- Star Fox Adventures: $8 Â – eBay / Amazon
- Pac-Man Vs. / Pac-Man World 2: $10 Â – eBay / Amazon
- Wave Race: Blue Storm: $9 Â – eBay / Amazon
- Sonic Mega Collection: $8 – eBay / Amazon
- Soul Calibur II: $9 Â – eBay / Amazon
- TimeSplitters 2: $9 Â – eBay / Amazon
- Puyo Pop Fever: $9 – eBay / Amazon.com
- Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door: $13 Â eBay /Â Amazon
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Top notch list. I often find myself complaining to others that it’s difficult to buy new or used Wii games without paying near the full MSRP, but I forgot about the discounted price of some of the Wii titles on this list. The Gamecube titles are old hat, but only for those that have been into the Gamecube/Wii scene for awhile.
Thanks — and yeah, I didn’t want to spend too much time on Gamecube ones, but I didn’t want to neglect them either.
Some people skipped over the Gamecube completely, so they might want to consider those 🙂
Mercury Meltdown Revolution is another good choice. The MSRP is $20, and it can be found on ebay for under $10.
I saw that a bunch when I was researching on Amazon.com, but the boxart cried out “ultra-budget”. That combined with the fact than I never heard of it before, made me ignore it.
I guess I’ll have to take a look at it — thanks!
I’ve gotta disagree with you on Puzzle Quest. Though the puzzle gameplay is good, the RPG bits are tedious, the story is boring, and the enemy AI is extremely unfair.
If you’ve got a Wii, don’t waste your time on the GC version of RE4. Being the only console version with both 480p progressive scan AND true widescreen, as well as having ALL the bonuses that were included in the various versions, as well as having the best controls, the only reason not to get this version is if you don’t have a Wii.
Great list. I’m getting sick of waiting for GoldenEye to come out on the Virtual Console and need to fill the gap while they fight over the licenses.
Covarr, I can pretty much agree with you on the Puzzle Quest comment. The RPG elements are far from great, but it’s an interesting take. But yeah, I wish they would have sped it up a bit — especially at the beginning 🙂
The Williams Pinball collection is 19.99 and is a great pinball game.
Good list, but you missed out pikmin for the cube, quite cheap and a classic, pikmin 2 is better but more expensive. Endless ocean for the wii is quite good too, relaxing not sure how much it would be stateside.
Thanks, guys — I’ll look into those as well!
Keep up the recommendation!
Nothing beats a good modchip. http://www.d2pro.com/
I agree that Endless ocean is great fun. My favorite Wii game yet.
Wii or Nintendo.
Guily Gear Wii is £5 in the UK
You outdid yourself with this list, racket. I’ll be picking up a few of these titles in the near future.
Great list, may I suggest Donkey Konga 2? The game is either at or below $17 for the gamecube, but the real savings come with the DK Bongo’s, Gamestop has them all discounted to $5 each wherever they’re still in stock. The original Donkey Konga is just a so-so game, it has no rhythm, but the sequel is phenomenal and Jungle Beat is a great option too. In fact, I think Gamestop still sells it new for $15 or less with a DK Bongo.
I know you didn’t want to tflood the list with Gamecube games, but once DK is gone, he’s gone.
I got Zack & Wiki for $7.96 at Toys R Us a few weeks ago!
Elebits was an absolute blast and I’m looking forward to the Action RPG DS sequel. It might be a little over 20$ (probably not anymore) but Castle of Shikigami III is a great hardcore SHMUP. Ultimate Shooting Collection is also coming out sooner or later, with three great SHMUPs on one disc.
great list. i’ve already got zak and wiki, galaxy wars, blast works, dr. mario online and lost winds and can vouch for each of them as a great game. i’d add to the list Strong Bad’s Cool Game For Attractive People – $10 on WiiWare, plus Konami’s Pro Evolution Soccer 2008 which is an amazing game that i’ve seen selling new in stores for $19.
Final Fantasy on Wiiware’s actually $15. Still, I didn’t know Zack and Wiki was that cheap! I really should get it…
I really have been meaning to check out zak and wiki
This is a great list. Maybe I should get some of these instead of waiting for new releases.
Awesome list. I actually own a bunch of those games already. (I’m a notorious cheap-ass :)) If you don’t have them already, definitely check out Zack & Wiki, Mercury Meltdown Revolution, and as others have said before, Pinball Hall of Fame: The Williams Collection.
Thanks for the list! Looking forward to picking up some of these myself!
Yeah, I just bought F-Zero GX on Amazon. Good times, as soon as it arrives.
I also bought Final Fantasy VII on eBay because this list reminded me of a list you wrote a while back. The full PS1 version with case and all discs was like $50 used, which is more than I’d normally spend. Fortunately, Amazon is still selling VIII and IX new for when I get a chance.
Very good list. If you are in the mood for a fun puzzle game, Octomania is great. The Wii specific controls are somewhat lackluster, but turn the controller sideways and it plays perfectly fine. It’s 4 players, wi-fi, and I believe I saw it at a local GameStop for $9.99 new. The voice acting in the game is horrendous, but it almost seems intentional. Also, I was surprised that some of the dialogue is truly funny.