This article is from the first edition of The Video Game Librarian website I published between 2008 and 2010. It was originally written on April 10, 2008.
Choosing what games to buy for your video game collection can sometimes be a tough task. Where do you start? Ideally, it would be great to be able to buy at least one copy of every game, but realistically, that’s just not possible. So here are ten highly recommended titles that belong in every Wii collection. They may be critically acclaimed, they may be sitting atop the sales charts or they may be cult classics that have been unjustly overlooked. But all of them are essentials.
The first thing you’ll notice about this list is that eight of the ten titles have been published by Nintendo. It may be that other developers don’t understand the Wii like Nintendo does just yet, but as of today, if you want a quality Wii game, you want one made by Nintendo.
Here are the titles you want to start with when building a “Core Collection” of Wii games…
Excite Truck
Publisher: Nintendo
ESRB Rating: Everyone
One of the first racing games released for the Wii, Excite Truck pioneered the play style of using a sideways Wii Remote as steering wheel. Steering is smooth, the graphics are good, and the game’s emphasis on accomplishments (like getting big air, smashing into other trucks and drifting) as opposed to winning is a welcome change for a racing game. The turbo booster (for awesome speed) and the in-game level deformation are just icing on a delicious mud pie.
Ghost Squad
Publisher: Sega
ESRB Rating: Teen
Ghost Squad is a light gun shooter that uses Nintendo’s Wii Zapper cradle to its fullest (it can also be played with just a Wii Remote). The light gun game has been missing in action from the video game scene in recent years and Sega’s bargain title ($30 at most retailers) does everything it can to bring it back. Fans of the genre will find plenty to like in Ghost Squad (including a hilariously bad dub), while those that have never played a light gun game will get a thrill out of the quick draw gameplay. The title is also completely bloodless, making it appropriate for all but the youngest players.
The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess
Publisher: Nintendo
ESRB Rating: Teen
Link’s latest adventure was originally built for the GameCube, but the enhanced Wii controls and graphics make this game a must have Wii title as well.
Metroid Prime 3: Corruption
Publisher: Nintendo
ESRB Rating: Teen
If you ask around, the general consensus will be that Metroid Prime 3 is the best first person shooter on the Wii. You would also find out that the game is the fantastic capper to the Prime trilogy that started on the GameCube.
Super Mario Galaxy
Publisher: Nintendo
ESRB Rating: Everyone
Mario’s latest 3D adventure was the toast of the town during the holiday season and it’s hold on Wii owners was only shaken by Super Smash Bros. Brawl. It currently sits as the best-reviewed game for the Wii on Game Rankings.
Super Paper Mario
Publisher: Nintendo
ESRB Rating: Everyone
Eschewing the series’s RPG roots for a dimension-hopping platformer, Super Paper Mario zaps players back and forth between the 2D world and the 3D one, creating a different kind of platformer.
Super Smash Bros. Brawl
Publisher: Nintendo
ESRB Rating: Teen
Super Smash Bros. Melee was the best selling game on the GameCube, ultimately moving more than seven million copies. Brawl looks to up the ante with more characters, more stages, a single-player quest mode called Subspace Emissary, online play and the inclusion of third-party characters like Sonic and Solid Snake.
WarioWare: Smooth Moves
Publisher: Nintendo
ESRB Rating: Everyone
The party game on the Wii, WarioWare: Smooth Moves employs bits of gameplay that can measured in the seconds. In those few seconds players are expected to figure out the game and figure out the Wii Remote motions that will lead them to victory. It’s frantic and it has been described as the best Wii game there is for four players.
Wii Sports
Publisher: Nintendo
ESRB Rating: Everyone
Yes, it ships with every Wii system sold, but that won’t always be the case. And Wii Sports is an essential experience for anyone that owns (or is interested in) the Wii. It’s simple representation of bowling, baseball, tennis and boxing has made addicts of millions of Wii owners both young and old.
Zack & Wiki: Quest for Barbaros’ Treasure
Publisher: Nintendo
ESRB Rating: Everyone
Zack & Wiki is a return to the point-and-click adventures that were commonly found on the PC in the 80s and 90s. The games used humor and story in ways rarely seen in video games before or since. While the reviews have not painted Zack & Wiki as the best adventure game ever, they have said that this animated tale of pirates and the high seas is a must have for Wii owners looking for something different.