The 50 Best Nintendo Wii Games - #10-1

The final installment of the 50 best Nintendo Wii games - the top ten! Hopefully you've been a faithful reader and have gone through the other 40 picks that I've put time into - and if you disagree with any of them or think that I'm missing any, leave a comment and hopefully we can get a great discussion going!

50-41 | 40-31 | 30-21 | 20-11 | 10-1

The 50 Best Games Available for Wii
Top 10

10. Super Paper Mario
Release Date: 4/9/2007 | Players: 1 | ESRB: E (Everyone) | Genre: Platformer
Ratings: IGN: 8.9 | Gamespot: 8.8 | Nintendo Power: 9.5 | Test Freaks: 9.4
If you are like me and loved the original Mario games on the NES, then Super Paper Mario is definitely a game for you. The idea is that you are mostly playing in a 2D world, meaning it is like the original Mario games where you constantly run to the right, but have the ability to temporarily switch into 3D (and it is necessary at times to figure out where you need to go). In addition to Mario with his 2D/3D power, you also get to control Luigi, Peach, and Bowser - all of whom have special abilities as well and are necessary to get past certain points (Luigi can high jump, Peach can float, and Bowser can spit fire). You hold the controller horizontally, and change to 3D by simply hitting the A button. The game is a lot of fun, which is why it's in the top ten, but it doesn't use the Wii controls overly well. It's not too challenging, but if you love the old Mario games, you will definitely find this one to be an instant classic!

9. WarioWare: Smooth Moves
Release Date: 1/15/2007 | Players: 1-4 | ESRB: E (10+) | Genre: Party Game
Ratings: IGN: 8.2 | Gamespot: 9.1 | Nintendo Power: 9 | Test Freaks: 9.1
A fun game for up to four people of any age that will keep you entertained and off the couch all night, Smooth Moves utilizes the Wii's motion sensing technology to its fullest potential! The games is a series of mini-games designed to keep you on your toes (literally!) and acting quickly to whatever is thrown at you. The reason it falls in the top ten is that it is a game that is fun for everyone and is designed to bring people together - this is a must-have if that is what you want out of your Wii!

8. No More Heroes
Release Date: 1/22/2008 | Players: 1 | ESRB: M (Mature) | Genre: Action Adventure
Ratings: IGN: 7.8 | Gamespot: 9 | Nintendo Power: 8 | Test Freaks: 9.4
An very fun game with an interesting story, No More Heroes is a game where you are a new assassin trying to move up in the assassin world, with the ultimate goal of being number one. You do this by completing missions, making money, and then paying for "rank missions" - missions where you have to kill off the assassin directly ahead of you (thus moving yourself up in rank). The game is not overly long, but it is one that is a lot of fun to play, and for $30 you can't really ask for more than that.

7. Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock
Release Date: 10/28/2007 | Players: 1-2 | ESRB: T (Teen) | Genre: Rhythm/Music
Ratings: IGN: 8.6 | Gamespot: 8 | Nintendo Power: 9 | Test Freaks: 9.4
While Rock Band may have all the various instruments, Guitar Hero III has the better gameplay and much better use of the WiiMote (hence the much higher ranking). You plug your WiiMote into your guitar (with the WiiMote actually being in the guitar), and the game actually uses the Wii's motion sensing technology and takes advantage of the WiiMote's speaker. Whenever you get star power, lift the front of your guitar up and your special will turn on. When you miss a note, you hear that noise come out of your guitar, so the pressure is on to not mess up! There are unlockable characters and songs, as well as venues, and you can play with or against a friend too. And if you're looking to play with a friend, you don't have to be at the same place because GHIII offers online play! All in all, a great game that is definitely worth getting!

6. Super Mario Galaxy
Release Date: 11/12/2007 | Players: 1-2 | ESRB: E (Everyone) | Genre: Platformer
Ratings: IGN: 9.7 | Gamespot: 9.5 | Nintendo Power: 9.5 | Test Freaks: 10
If you enjoyed Mario 64 on the N64, then you will definitely enjoy Super Mario Galaxy on the Wii. It is a game that uses the Wii's motion-sensing technology, from having to shake your WiiMote to launch Mario out of a cannon to holding the WiiMote horizontally to surf on the back of a giant ray. The idea behind the game is pretty similar to all Mario games (which does not make them bad at all) - you need to save Princess Peach from Bowser. Like Mario 64, you go around collecting stars, and your ultimate goal is to collect all 120 of them. Bottom line, Super Mario Galaxy is a great game and an instant classic, and a must-have for anyone who enjoys the Mario platform!

5. Mario Kart
Release Date: 4/27/2008 | Players: 1-4 | ESRB: E (Everyone) | Genre: Racing
Ratings: IGN: 8.5 | Gamespot: 8.5 | Nintendo Power: 9 | Test Freaks: 9.6
Who doesn't like Mario Kart? It has been a hit ever since it came out on the Super Nintendo, and every game has been a blast since then. Race your way through all new levels, or go and try your stuff on the throwback levels, with 26 players available (including your Mii!). Mario Kart also offers new battle levels, as well as some of the classic ones, and the online play is absolutely incredible (it works really well and is a lot of fun!). Bottom line, you have to get Mario Kart, and pick up an additional Wii Wheel in the process, and I promise that you will not be disappointed at all!

4. Resident Evil 4
Release Date: 6/19/2007 | Players: 1 | ESRB: M (Mature) | Genre: Action Adventure
Ratings: IGN: 9 | Gamespot: 9.1 | Nintendo Power: 9 | Test Freaks: 9.6
If you have enjoyed any of the Resident Evil series, then this is an absolute must-buy - especially for the $20 that you can get it for now. The interactive controls that really use the Wii's motion-sensing technology are great - you use the Nunchuk to move around, the WiiMote as your gun (point and shoot!), and also use the WiiMote as your knife (slash across the screen!). In Resident Evil 4, the camera also follows Leon Kennedy for the first time (instead of being just a screen that you work through and then you move onto the next). This is definitely neat, but also makes it a little bit more frightening (or realistic). The gameplay is great and the game itself is very addicting - if you are old enough to play (and enjoy) Mature rated games, this is definitely one for you!

3. The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess
Release Date: 11/19/2006 | Players: 1 | ESRB: T (Teen) | Genre: Action Adventure
Ratings: IGN: 9.5 | Gamespot: 8.8 | Nintendo Power: 9.5 | Test Freaks: 9.8
One of the most anticipated games for the Wii, The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess is the latest installment of the Zelda franchise, which started on the NES, and definitely lives up to the hype. The game utilizes the Wii's motion-sensing technology (how many times can I say that in the top ten?), with the WiiMote being used to slash Link's sword, point and shoot the grappling hook, and all sorts of other great possibilities. Similar to many of the Zelda games, it is not overly difficult, but you do have to spend some time trying to figure your way through things (causing more frustration than anything). A lot of fun, and being able to turn into a wolf and run fast is cool (although this could have been done a little bit better), it is yet another must-have if you have enjoyed any of the Zelda games in the past!

2. Metroid Prime 3: Corruption
Release Date: 8/27/2007 | Players: 1 | ESRB: T (Teen) | Genre: Shooter
Ratings: IGN: 9.5 | Gamespot: 8.5 | Nintendo Power: 10 | Test Freaks: 9.8
Metroid Prime 3 takes the possibilities for first person shooters on the Wii to a whole new level. You control Samus with the Nunchuk and aim with the WiiMote, but also use the motion-sensing technology for things like pulling back your grappling hook. The graphics are fantastic, and the necessity for quick thinking and acting makes the game incredibly fun and addicting. If you enjoy first person shooters, you need to go with Metroid Prime 3 - and unfortunately your experience with any other FPS will never be the same...

1. Super Smash Bros. Brawl
Release Date: 3/9/2008 | Players: 1-4 | ESRB: T (Teen) | Genre: Fighting
Ratings: IGN: 9.5 | Gamespot: 9.5 | Nintendo Power: 10 | Test Freaks: 10
And finally, the BEST game for Nintendo Wii is Super Smash Bros. Brawl - a game that incorporates everything great about the Wii. Both single and multiplayer modes are fantastic, and you can play with any controller setup you want (WiiMote, WiiMote w/ Nunchuk, Classic Controller, or GameCube Controller). Super Smash Bros is definitely a game that you can enjoy for months, years even, and will hardly get old and you challenge strangers and friends online! If you're looking for a great game with excellent replay value, Super Smash Bros is for you!! This is definitely a must-buy game!

So that's it - that's my top 50 games! As I said before, I see this as a constantly changing and evolving list. If you think a game should be added or dropped, leave a comment! There are a boatload of games that are scheduled to come out later this year that will definitely make it somewhere on here! Hopefully you've enjoyed this!

50-41 | 40-31 | 30-21 | 20-11 | 10-1