WiiWare Essentials Best Wii Exclusive Games
Best Wii Multiplatform Games by Year
The best Wii multiplatform games look very different from the Xbox 360 or PlayStation 3, because it wasn’t trying to compete with them in terms of raw pixel pushing power. Not having the extremely deep pockets of Microsoft or Sony, when they zigged Nintendo zagged. The Wii flipped the script by doubling down on feel‑good fun: a $249 launch and point‑and‑swing controls that made a TV remote into a game controller anyone could use.
With Wii Sports included, the magic was revealed in minutes, and along with Wii Fit it turned living rooms into play zones for families and newcomers. The result was 101 million systems sold—more than either Xbox 360 or PS3—with demand so hot it routinely sold out through the holidays. Early models played GameCube discs, Miis and the Wii Shop/Virtual Console gave it personality and a retro pipeline, and the whole wave was big enough that Sony and Microsoft built their own motion‑control answers.
Unlike other lists, this guide tells you which games to skip because better versions exist elsewhere.
The Essentials covers the multiplatform games that shined and hold up well today. If a newer version of a game is clearly better than the Wii release, I leave out the original and mention the improved version at the end, so you can enjoy the best experience today.
To make my list a game needs to demonstrate at least two of the following: genre-defining innovation, outstanding technical excellence, enduring cultural impact, or universal acclaim.
Finally, heads up—I earn a small commission if you buy anything through my links. I only link to games I genuinely recommend. If a remaster or remake is better I tell you, even if it means losing a game sale.
2007
No More Heroes (Grasshopper Manufacture)
No More Heroes is the Wii’s standout action game, a punk‑rock brawler where otaku drifter Travis Touchdown wins a beam katana in an online auction and climbs the assassin rankings by taking down larger‑than‑life bosses. The hack‑and‑slash combat leans on motion controls for satisfying finishing moves—swinging the Wii Remote to deliver the killing blow—while the infamous shake‑to‑recharge beam katana gimmick walks the line between clever and obnoxious.
Between assassinations, you mow lawns and collect coconuts to fund the next ranked fight, turning odd jobs into deliberate satire of open‑world busywork. IGN awarded it Best Story and Best Action Game for Wii, and GameSpot gave it Editor’s Choice for nailing stylish violence with motion‑driven flair. It spawned three sequels and multiple ports (including the PS3 and 360), cementing Travis’s cult status, and still holds up today as the rare Wii exclusive that made waggle feel essential.
Resident Evil 4 (Capcom)
Resident Evil 4: Wii Edition is the best version of a revolutionary masterpiece. To say it’s one of the best Wii multiplatform games is an understatement, as it’s one of the most influential titles of its generation. IGN’s head-to-head crowned the Wii port the winner, thanks to pointer aiming that makes headshots feel instant and precise. As Leon Kennedy you head to rural Spain to rescue the President’s daughter, trading zombies for cunning Ganados in set pieces that rewrote horror combat. The Wii adds pointer precision, gesture-based knife swipes, and PS2 extras like Separate Ways for a complete package.
RE4’s over-the-shoulder camera, smart inventory, and action-horror balance became the blueprint that influenced Gears of War and a generation of third-person shooters. The legendary village siege, the Merchant’s weapon upgrades, and relentless pacing still hold up today, and Wii’s fluid pointer controls remain the best way to experience them. If you only play one version of RE4, make it this one.
2008
Bully: Scholarship Edition (Rockstar Vancouver)
Bully: Scholarship Edition is one of the system’s best third-party games, a rare open-world school sim that feels like a full-blown Rockstar sandbox squeezed onto Nintendo hardware. You play troublemaker Jimmy Hopkins, dumped at Bullworth Academy while his mom vanishes on honeymoon, scheming your way through cliques, pranks, and classes to climb the social ladder.
What makes the Wii version special is how physically engaging it feels: fistfights use left/right Wii Remote punches, humiliation moves mimic grapples and new class mini-games, like rat dissection, leverage motion controls. It’s the complete Scholarship Edition, and reviews argue that it’s not just one of Wii’s most cinematic sandboxes, but maybe the best version of the game, with motion controls adding physicality that the Xbox 360 version didn’t have.
Call of Duty: World at War (Treyarch)
Call of Duty: World at War is the best all-around first-person shooter on Wii, thanks to pointer controls that make it shine. You bounce between a US Marine fighting across the Pacific and Red Army soldier Dimitri Petrenko pushing from Stalingrad to Berlin, with co-op support throughout the campaign—a series first. IGN praised how brutal the game can be, with torture, flamethrower executions, and real WWII footage creating an unflinching war story.
Pointer aiming delivers excellent precision in combat, with motion-based grenade throws and customizable sensitivity for multiplayer dominance. It doesn’t include Nazi Zombies but still proved Wii could deliver serious, hardcore shooters, darker and more visceral than most games on the platform. World at War still stands as the Wii’s FPS gold standard.
de Blob (Blue Tongue Entertainment)
de Blob is one of the Wii’s best platformers, a paint-splattering rebellion where you roll through Chroma City, splashing color back onto INKT’s gray authoritarian makeover. The setup is charming: dictator Comrade Black drains the city, the Color Underground recruits you, and you repaint districts while smashing Inkies and racing timers. The soundtrack layers instruments as you restore each block, turning urban cleanup into a joyful riot of color and music.
Though it was released on iOS simultaneously (and technically a best Wii multiplatform game), it’s a Wii showcase: tight nunchuk movement and satisfying motion gestures make stomps and ziplines feel tactile. IGN nominated it for Best Platform Game while Australia’s GDAA crowned it Best Game of 2008, recognizing top-tier design across gameplay, graphics, and audio. Today it still holds up as one of the platform’s most joyful, creative platformers.
Ōkami (Clover Studio)
Ōkami arrived on the Wii as the best PS2‑era version of this action‑adventure masterpiece, with IGN’s head‑to‑head calling it “far and away, the best option” thanks to 480p widescreen, faster loads, and skippable cutscenes. As Amaterasu, the sun goddess reborn as a white wolf, you restore a cursed land through the Celestial Brush; pointer‑painting blooms trees, slashes foes, and summons miracles with gestures that feel more immediate than analog sticks.
The sumi‑e watercolor style turns classical Japanese painting into a living world, fueling the “games‑as‑art” conversation and drawing frequent comparisons to Zelda’s structure and techniques. The Wii’s controls let you whip out brush techniques with lightning speed, making exploration and combat flow. Beautiful orchestral-folk music, mythology-rich storytelling, and environments evoking ukiyo-e scrolls secured placed Ōkami among gaming’s greatest achievements.
Pro Evolution Soccer 2009 (Konami)
Pro Evolution Soccer 2009 on Wii is the pointer-driven soccer game that raised the bar, beating FIFA 09 All-Play as the platform’s best football sim by reimagining the sport around IR controls instead of adapting button schemes. The Playmaker system is a revelation: draw off-ball runs by holding A, ping passes with B to exact spots, chain one-twos and free runs, and literally conduct your attack with the cursor. Defense and finishing use simple gestures—nunchuk shakes for shots and tackles—backed by tutorials that make high-skill tactics accessible.
Master League’s season-long management, a fully licensed UEFA Champions League campaign from groups to the final, and Champions Road’s tournament ladder give the whole thing structure and depth. Online two-player plus four-player local keeps it competitive. Classic Controller support exists, but the pointer is why reviewers called PES 2009 “the bar” for Wii football—it’s the thinking player’s choice on Nintendo hardware.
2009
The Beatles: Rock Band (Harmonix)
The Beatles: Rock Band is one of Wii’s finest rhythm games because it delivers its full vision without compromise. Three-part vocal harmonies and lavish “dreamscapes” look amazing and much better than Rock Band 2 on the hardware, with Nintendo World Report praising how smart art direction achieved near-parity with HD consoles. Up to six players perform together—guitar, bass, drums, plus three mics—with harmonies tailor-made for these songs that instantly became a Rock Band essential.
Story mode walks the entire arc: sweaty Cavern Club sets through Abbey Road’s surreal dreamscapes to the rooftop farewell, making “playing the history” the point. The vocal training and Beatle Beats drum drills make musicianship doable without dumbing it down. While Rock Band 3 offered deeper mechanics, its Pro Mode required expensive peripherals the average Wii owner wouldn’t buy—Beatles gives you everything out of the box, cementing harmonies as a series staple and taking home top music-game awards. It is definitely one of best Wii multiplatform games.
Dead Space: Extraction (Visceral Games, Eurocom)
Dead Space: Extraction is one of Wii’s best because it fuses a tense, story-driven Dead Space prequel with pinpoint IR dismemberment in a cinematic rail-shooter, all running at 60fps. Set just before Dead Space, survivors flee the Aegis VII colony to the USG Ishimura as the Marker triggers a Necromorph outbreak, tying directly into series lore while keeping the pace tight and character-focused.
The pointer isn’t a gimmick—it’s essential, with strategic limb-targeting, tilt-to-alt-fire, and proper Stasis/Kinesis puzzle beats making the Remote feel purposeful. Vooks called it proof “the Wii really is a graphical powerhouse when developers really apply themselves,” with atmospheric lighting and detailed models keeping the scares readable. Nintendo Life’s 9/10 and an IGN Gamescom “Best of Show – Wii” nomination confirmed it as a rail-shooter king, and fresh retrospectives still recommend it as a short, satisfying horror blast on original hardware.
Guitar Hero 5 (Vicarious Visions)
Guitar Hero 5 is the definitive version across all platforms, with better graphics and performance than HD consoles, thanks to Vicarious Visions pushing the Wii harder than anyone expected. Party Play’s instant drop-in, flexible instrument combos (multiple guitars, drummers, vocalists), and 85-song setlist make it the one to own.
The exclusive DS-linked Roadie Battle is IGN’s “hands-down crowning achievement in any version of Guitar Hero thus far—we’re talking any version, any game,” turning local multiplayer into platform-defining magic. Technical firsts matter: it’s the first Wii game supporting high-capacity SDHC cards, streaming DLC directly from SD, auto-login, system friend codes replacing game-specific hassles, and importing tracks from World Tour, Smash Hits, and Band Hero. GH5 is the Guitar Hero to get on the Wii, setting new standards for the system.
The House of the Dead: Overkill (Headstrong Games)
House of the Dead: Overkill is the Wii’s grindhouse light‑gun masterpiece: sleazy, stylish, and built for pointer snap‑aim and co‑op mayhem. The plot plays like a lost Tarantino/Rodriguez reel: rookie Agent G teams with foul‑mouthed Detective Isaac Washington to take down crime lord Papa Caesar as Bayou City dissolves into mutant carnage, complete with Director’s Cut remixes and a finale that sticks the landing.
HD:O nails the feel: IR aiming and shake‑to‑reload are instant and readable, Zapper and dual‑wield options work, and score‑chasing upgrades make replays addicting even across seven set‑piece stages and a harder Director’s Cut run. It technically a ‘best Wii multiplatform game’ because it later hit the PS3, but the Wii original remains the definitive pointer experience. Reviewers called it a must-play shooter thanks to a killer aesthetic, big explosions, and the series’ best pacing. It also endures: new players still praise how intuitive the pointer is and how the grindhouse tone “more than holds up,” a case of style and motion design aging gracefully on Wii.
2010
DJ Hero 2 (FreeStyleGames)
DJ Hero 2 is the Wii’s best rhythm party game you can still throw on today: turntable scratching, crossfades, and freestyle sections fused into 83 killer mashups from 85+ artists. The pitch is pure plastic‑peripheral joy: spin, tap, and slide on the Wii turntable (with the Remote embedded in the mixer) while the sequel adds freestyle scratches/crossfades, MC vocals, and a better Empire career that sets up battles against real‑world DJ avatars. It snaps right into living-room play—left-handed and right-handed swaps, gesture effects, and drop-in modes that make couch competitions immediate.
The multiplayer suite is the star: DJ Battles and modes like Accumulator, Checkpoint, Streak, and Power Deck Battles turn setlists into tactical duels, online or off. Reviews called it a richer, more interactive sequel and one of the era’s best music games, with a setlist that broadens beyond hip‑hop into dance and house without losing pop appeal. It also holds up culturally—retrospectives cite its deeper DJ focus and accessibility for newcomers, keeping it a top Wii party pick. The Party Bundle version is the best version to own. If playing solo, grab the Turntable Kit.
GoldenEye 007 (Eurocom)
GoldenEye 007 is the Wii’s best original FPS: an all‑new, Daniel Craig‑era reimagining that nails pointer controls, stealth‑meets‑spectacle pacing, and four‑player/online multiplayer in one big package. The campaign retells the GoldenEye plot for 2010, swapping Pierce Brosnan for Craig and modernizing levels with destructible cover, gadgets-as-smartphone, and flexible stealth or guns‑blazing routes.
On the Wii the control story is the headline: full Remote/Nunchuk pointer aiming with deep sensitivity and bounding box options makes this the “true way to play,” while Classic Controller Pro, GameCube pad, and Zapper are all supported for purists. Eurocom’s engine delivers one of the system’s sharpest shooters, and multiplayer shines—four‑player split‑screen with classic modifiers, plus 8‑player online and inventive modes like Black Box to keep lobbies lively. Reviewers flat‑out said it’s “in contention to be the system’s best first‑person shooter,” because it marries Bond fantasy to responsive IR gunplay better than any rival on the console.
2011
Just Dance 3 (Ubisoft)
Just Dance 3 is the Wii’s definitive party game—motion‑based dancing that anyone can pick up in seconds, backed by the series’ best soundtrack and living‑room‑proof design. The formula is deceptively simple: copy the on‑screen coach, nail the pictogram cues, and ride crowd‑pleaser routines in Solo, Duet, and Dance Crew, while Sweat mode and playlists keeping sessions flowing. Reviewers loved the Wii Remote’s tracking for making the core mechanic intuitive and welcoming, with controls that feel natural rather than fussy.
Though it is one of the best Wii multiplatform games, the case for the Wii version specifically is overwhelming. This entry won the Teen Choice Award for Choice Video Game and became the Wii’s best-selling third-party title ever, with nearly 10 million sold; proof that it expanded gaming far beyond traditional audiences. That reach came from the Wii version’s strengths: players can stand anywhere, join mid‑party, and succeed without camera fuss or floor space demands, making this the party pick to own on Nintendo hardware.
Rayman Origins (Ubisoft)
Rayman Origins is Wii’s hand‑drawn platforming masterpiece, blending razor‑sharp level design, hilarious 4‑player co‑op, and painterly UbiArt visuals into one of the console’s most joyful runs. In the Glade of Dreams, Rayman, Globox, and the Teensies rescue Electoons, free the Nymphs, and steady the Bubble Dreamer’s nightmares while unmasking the Magician’s sabotage. It’s old‑school precise—run, punch, hair‑helicopter, wall‑scramble—then flips genres with treasure‑chest chases and Moskito shoot‑’em‑up stages.
UbiArt’s artist‑first tech keeps action fluid and responsive, a 60fps goal Michel Ancel called essential for comfort and control. On Wii you get the full experience with crisp art, clean readability, and your choice of Remote‑only, Remote+Nunchuk, or Classic controls. Critics singled out its inventive stages and welcoming challenge as a late‑era Wii standout that still crushes in local co‑op.
Skylanders: Spyro’s Adventure (Toys for Bob)
Skylanders: Spyro’s Adventure is Wii’s best toys-to-life launch; the magic of slapping a detailed figure on the wireless Portal and watching it spring to life on-screen never gets old. As Portal Master, you bring Spyro and 31 different heroes back to stop Dark Portal Master Kaos across two dozen story chapters packed with humor, personality, and Pixar-like charm from the Toy Story writers. Each character plays differently—some ranged, some melee, some hilariously overpowered—and they level up, equip goofy hats, and unlock elemental gates that beg for collecting more figures.
Drop-in co-op is easy and fun: just set a second figure down and you’re in, with Four Swords-style antics and sheep you can pound into the ground. Built as the Wii lead platform, it’s the smoothest version with the fewest bugs, version-specific touches, and an altered final level that the HD ports never fully got. This is the polished original, and the toys-to-life pick to own.
Tiger Woods PGA Tour 12: The Masters (EA Tiburon)
Tiger Woods PGA Tour 12: The Masters is the Wii golf sim that finally nails it—smooth MotionPlus swing tracking meets Augusta’s prestige in the series’ most complete, welcoming package. Face angle and tempo read so naturally that shaping fades and draws feels intuitive, with putting that’s dead-on and drives that carry real weight. Balance Board stance tracking, first-person TrueAim, and deep calibration let the game scale from beginner to purist without dumbing the sim down
The Masters license transforms the experience: Augusta National in full glory, Road to the Masters career, iconic Moments, Jim Nantz’s voice, and a caddie system that guides without hand-holding. Wii-specific modes—Disc Golf, mini-golf, party play, robust online—round out a feature set that outperforms even the PS3’s Move implementation for consistency. Purists may favor 11’s leaner focus, but 12 is the richest, most accessible golf sim on Nintendo hardware. While it is one of the best Wii multiplatform games, it’s best played on the Wii.
That’s it for the best Wii multiplatform games. Did I miss any? Let me know in the comments below. Next I’ll be covering the best console-exclusive titles, and the best WiiWare games. Coming soon!
Games Not Included
Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare Reflex. Great game, but didn’t play well on the Wii compared to the other consoles at the time.
Rock Band 3. As great as this game is, the Wii did not do as good a job with it as the PS3 or the Xbox 360.
FIFA Soccer 09. A hugely influential game for the sports genre. For the Wii, it’s not as strong as PES 2009.