10. Wario Land: The Shake Dimension
With a wide variety of masterfully crafted side-scrolling obstacle courses packed with puzzles and enemies, The Shake Dimension takes Wario on a journey to run, jump and smash his way through one of the best platformers on the Wii – and as
the title suggests, the motion-mechanics of the Wii Remote are used to full effect as you shake your way to victory. And with each stage boasting multiple “missions” within and coins to collect, The Shake Dimension will keep you coming back
time and time again.
9. Monster Hunter 3
The Monster Hunter series has always been the benchmark for JRPG beast slaying, and Monster Hunter 3 (or Tri) is a worthy standout addition to the franchise. It’s one of the deeper games on the Wii and has a pretty steep learning curve,
with plenty of mechanics to learn and difficult enemies to beat. However, those who spend the time to get acquainted with it will be rewarded with plenty of gameplay choice, cosmetic and skill customisation and gorgeous visuals that still
hold up today.
8. Red Steel 2
More of a reboot than a sequel to the Wii launch title, Red Steel 2 is better than the original in almost every way. Set in a Japanese/Western-inspired setting, you play as a nameless warrior that has to use all manner of swords and guns to
beat a rival clan. The story might be a little thin, but that’s not why you play Red Steel 2. You play it for the incredible swordplay; where else can you swing your controller around like a sword and have the onscreen enemies fall at your
feet. Nothing else comes close to making you feel like a real samurai badass.
7. No More Heroes 2: Desperate Struggle
The sequel to one of the most original, bombastic games released for the Wii, No More Heroes 2: Desperate Struggle is no less bizarre (in the best possible way). You reprise your role of Travis Touchdown, on a mission to become the number
one assassin in town. Along the way, you’ll be treated to a veritable smorgasbord of game genres to enjoy, including frantic sword combat, retro mini-games and even a workout regimen for your overweight cat. What more could you want?
6. Madworld
If you ever had the misconceived notion that the Wii is just for kids and elderly relatives, Madworld will set you straight. Presented in a ‘Sin City-esque’ style, in which everything is black and white except for the gratuitous amount of
blood, you’re dropped into a classic kill or be killed scenario in which you have to be the last man standing to survive. With deliciously violent beat ‘em up gameplay, a mysterious conspiracy to uncover and a stylised aesthetic that’s aged
incredibly well, Madworld is just as fun as when it first released.
5. Muramasa: The Demon Blade
Telling a story in the traditional Kabuki style of combining dance with drama, Muramasa: The Demon Blade is a game like none other. While ostensibly an action game, it combines role-playing elements into a 2D side-scrolling package that’ll
charm you from the first minute. Tight combat, enchanting music and a mesmerising world make this as much a piece of art as it is a video game.
4. The Conduit
Fusing fast and fluid gameplay with advanced visuals, The Conduit holds up as one of the most impressive games on the Wii console. This explosive first-person shooter’s control scheme was meticulously designed with the Wii in mind,
providing an innovative and still-unique experience that certainly stands up as the best shooter you’ll find on the console. The rich and compelling narrative is simply the icing on the cake.
3. Dead Space: Extraction
A prequel to the original Dead Space game, Extraction takes the series from the realm of survival horror to light gun action. Making good use of the Wii’s motion controls, you have to use your remote to aim your weapon at the horrific
Necromorphs who are out to rip you limb from limb. While it might be lighter on scares, there’s still plenty of story for those interested in the lore to uncover, and for everyone else, it’s still a high octane action bonanza.
2. The Last Story
With an innovative combat system, vast customisation and many discoveries to make throughout the game’s rich narrative, The Last Story features one of the most thrilling adventures in the RPG genre as you explore the Lazulis Island and its
sprawling medieval capital as you search your fortune. It’s a truly masterful game packed with stunning visuals and fantastic gameplay, and one that comes highly recommended for fans of the genre.
1. Pandora's Tower
An RPG that came out at the end of the Wii’s lifespan, Pandora's Box was worth the wait. With a dark, engaging narrative in which you have to defeat 12 monstrous beasts to save your love interest, you’ll have
to explore dungeons, solve puzzles and defeat swarms of baddies to save the day. In that regard, it’s reminiscent of a Zelda title, but without the shackles of decades of lore, it’s free to take the story into strange, exciting directions.
