Wii is already the best-selling current-generation system in the world. You could say that the Big N finally found that much-talked-about bridge leading into the living room of the casual gamer -- one that it's only just begun to explore. But Wii's rise to the top hasn't been without a few obstacles -- specifically, an onslaught of throwaway software from third-parties desperately hoping to cash-in on the get-up-and-move wave of titles, mini-game-fests and shallow, forgettable experiences. We're not going to try and sugarcoat it: Wii continues to see too many of these types.
Thankfully, though, there are a variety of innovative, fresh and fun titles to be enjoyed on Wii, too. We're talking about the growing list of amazing, AAA-quality games, both from Nintendo and more and more from third-parties. It is precisely with this thought held firmly in mind that we present to you the ultimate roster of Wii titles that you must own at all costs. The Top 25 (in capitals for effect). These are the very best. The cream of the crop. The standouts and the trendsetters. The games that you won't want to stop playing. So we really don't care how you do it. Take on a second job. Sell your car. Beg for money on the streets. Doesn't matter. Just make sure that you own all of these titles so that you may experience the height of Wii gaming.
Publisher: Nintendo
Developer: Retro Studios
Wii Exclusive: Yes
Nintendo's Metroid Prime trilogy draws to a climactic and satisfying close in Corruption, a first-person adventure/shooter that takes the fundamentals established in its GameCube predecessors and expands upon them in nearly every regard. As you control famous heroine Samus Aran through a world whose stunning beauty is only matched by its epic size, you can now use the WIi remote for a new level of aiming speed and accuracy. The trademark environmental puzzles, a staple of the series, return in full, and for the first time in the trilogy, Aran travels between multiple worlds as she unravels the mysteries of a deeper storyline. If you're looking for a true hardcore game on Wii or if you just want to play something a little grittier, this phenomenal game is a must-own. And did we mention it looks so good that it gives some Xbox 360 titles a run for their money?
Publisher: Nintendo
Developer: Nintendo
Wii Exclusive: Yes
Sure, millions of players out there bought Nintendo's new system to go hands-on with Wii Sports, but if you own the company's little white box and don't also own Super Mario Galaxy, you are missing out on the console's best game. Nintendo has with Galaxy crafted a platformer so fun, beautiful and fresh that you won't want to stop playing. Mario travels across the galaxy, spinning, jumping and floating his way between small satellites, spaceships and asteroid fields on his way to enormous worlds, all of which can be traversed with full 360-degree freedom, a platformer novelty that never fails to satisfy. And the game's dazzling graphic presentation is complemented by a beautiful soundtrack -- one of Wii's best. There is a reason why this title won IGN.com's overall Game of the Year award.
Publisher: Nintendo
Developer: Nintendo
Wii Exclusive: No
Nintendo's latest console-based Zelda adventure doesn't always get the credit it deserves, likely because it's a GameCube port and also one that doesn't really truly innovate the series. We get that, but the fact remains, Twilight Princess is still an exceptional effort from one of the Big N's most talented teams. Featuring an all-new storyline centered on the escapades of Hyrulian hero Link, the title boasts a larger open world than ever before, new Wii remote controls, high-quality environmental puzzles and epic boss battles. It is every bit as enormous in scale and engaging as you would expect from a major Zelda project and it's very clearly a game designed from the onset to appease the hardcore gamer. For all these reasons and more, Twilight Princess is an absolute must-buy Wii title and still the very best adventure experience to be had on Wii, if not any console, this generation.
Publisher: Clover Studios / Ready at Dawn
Developer: Capcom
Wii Exclusive: No
We know Capcom's gorgeous adventure game, Okami, arrived on Wii more than a year after it shipped for PlayStation 2. Furthermore, Wii remote integration aside, there weren't any major content changes to speak of. And yet, even if it were just a straight port, which it isn't, we still wouldn't have any trouble recommending that every Wii owner pick up Okami, Capcom's very own stab at a Zelda-caliber adventure. The good news is that the beautiful, cel-shaded game, featuring a ginormous world to explore, great controls and a huge single-player quest that'll keep you busy for more than 30 hours, has come to Wii with a new 480p 16:9 widescreen mode and much speedier celestial brush controls powered by the Wii remote. Once you start playing this epic project, which stars a wolf goddess named Amaterasu, you won't want to put your WIi remote down.
Publisher: Capcom
Developer: Capcom
Wii Exclusive: Yes
This innovative, clever and colorful cel-shaded adventure from Capcom proves that point-and-click gaming needn't remain a relic of the past. Clearly inspired by such titles as King's Quest and Grim Fandango, you take on the role of a boy pirate named Zack and his trusty golden, floating monkey (we have no idea, so don't ask), Wiki, as they search through gorgeous puzzle-filled levels in search of treasure. The game solely utilizes the Wii remote for control and puzzle-solving. You'll simply point and click around the interactive environments and objects to proceed, a process much easier said than done. Don't believe us? Let's talk again after you've spent 45 minutes scratching your head, desperately trying feel your way through one of Z&W;'s difficult puzzles. We think Capcom was trying to nab some of the casual sector with the premise, but it's the hardcore crowd that will truly love the presentation and challenge to be had within this bargain-priced AAA effort.
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