Top 50 and Bottom 40 Wii games (including WiiWare)

[Rob2600]

Top 50 Wii disc games according to Gamerankings.com, Gamestats.com, and Metacritic.com:

(current as of January 3, 2012)

1. Super Mario Galaxy 2 - 9.7
2. Super Mario Galaxy - 9.7
3. The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess - 9.6
4. The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword - 9.4
5. Super Smash Bros. Brawl - 9.3
6. Xenoblade Chronicles - 9.3
7. Metroid Prime Trilogy - 9.2
8. Rock Band 3 - 9.2
9. Rock Band 2 - 9.2
10. Resident Evil 4: Wii Edition - 9.1
11. Metroid Prime 3: Corruption - 9.0
12. Kirby's Epic Yarn - 9.0
13. Okami - 9.0
14. Donkey Kong Country Returns - 8.9
15. The Beatles: Rock Band - 8.9
16. Guitar Hero 5 - 8.9
17. DJ Hero 2 - 8.9
18. New Super Mario Bros. Wii - 8.8
19. Boom Blox Bash Party - 8.8
20. Tiger Woods PGA Tour 11 - 8.8
21. Tiger Woods PGA Tour 10 - 8.8
22. Punch-Out!! - 8.7
23. Guitar Hero: World Tour - 8.7
24. Sin and Punishment: Star Successor - 8.6
25. Zack & Wiki: Quest for Barbaros' Treasure - 8.6
26. Boom Blox - 8.6
27. Little King's Story - 8.6
28. DJ Hero - 8.6
29. Tatsunoko vs. Capcom: Ultimate All-Stars - 8.6
30. No More Heroes 2: Desperate Struggle - 8.5
31. Super Paper Mario - 8.5
32. Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock - 8.5
33. Monster Hunter Tri - 8.5
34. Pro Evolution Soccer 2008 - 8.4
35. MLB Power Pros - 8.4
36. Pikmin 2 (New Play Control) - 8.4
37. Goldeneye 007 - 8.3
38. Mario Kart Wii - 8.3
39. Dead Space Extraction - 8.3
40. de Blob - 8.3
41. Call of Duty: World at War - 8.3
42. No More Heroes - 8.3
43. Pro Evolution Soccer 2010 - 8.3
44. Pro Evolution Soccer 2009 - 8.3
45. Guitar Hero: Metallica - 8.3
46. Wii Sports Resort - 8.2
47. Pinball Hall of Fame: The Williams Collection - 8.2
48. Bully: Scholarship Edition - 8.2
49. WarioWare: Smooth Moves - 8.2
50. MadWorld - 8.2


Top 40 WiiWare games according to Gamerankings.com, Gamestats.com, and Metacritic.com:

(current as of October 19, 2010)

1. World of Goo - 9.3
2. Cave Story - 8.9
3. Art of Balance - 8.9
4. LostWinds: Winter of the Melodias - 8.6
5. Tetris Party - 8.6
6. Maboshi's Arcade (also known as MaBoShi: The Three Shape Arcade) - 8.5
7. Mega Man 9 - 8.4
8. Bomberman Blast - 8.4
9. Swords & Soldiers - 8.4
10. Strong Bad's Cool Game for Attractive People Episode 5: 8-bit Is Enough - 8.4
11. And Yet It Moves - 8.3
12. Tales of Monkey Island Chapter 4: The Trial and Execution of Guybrush Threepwood - 8.3
13. Art Style: Orbient - 8.2
14. NyxQuest: Kindred Spirits - 8.2
15. Tales of Monkey Island Chapter 3: Lair of the Leviathan - 8.2
16. Rage of the Gladiator - 8.1
17. LostWinds - 8.1
18. Tales of Monkey Island Chapter 5: Rise of the Pirate God - 8.1
19. Bit.Trip Core - 8.1
20. Strong Bad's Cool Game for Attractive People Episode 4: Dangeresque 3 - 8.1
21. Mega Man 10 - 8.0
22. Castlevania The Adventure ReBirth - 8.0
23. Tales of Monkey Island Chapter 1: Launch of the Screaming Narwhal - 8.0
24. Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: My Life as a King - 8.0
25. Strong Bad's Cool Game for Attractive People Episode 2: Strong Badia the Free - 8.0
26. Bit.Trip Void - 8.0
27. Bit.Trip Beat - 8.0
28. Tales of Monkey Island Chapter 2: The Siege of Spinner Cay - 7.9
29. Rubik's Puzzle Galaxy: RUSH - 7.9
30. You, Me, and the Cubes - 7.9
31. Toki Tori - 7.9
32. NEVES Plus - 7.8
33. Bubble Bobble Plus - 7.8
34. Contra ReBirth - 7.7
35. Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode 1 - 7.7
36. Bit.Trip Runner - 7.7
37. Art Style: Cubello - 7.6
38. Strong Bad's Cool Game for Attractive People Episode 1: Homestar Ruiner - 7.6
39. Strong Bad's Cool Game for Attractive People Episode 3: Baddest of the Bands - 7.6
40. Bonsai Barber - 7.6


- - -


Worst 40 Wii disc games according to Gamerankings.com, Gamestats.com, and Metacritic.com:

(current as of May 20, 2009)

1. Offroad Extreme Special Edition - 1.0
2. Kidz Sports International Soccer - 1.0
3. Mini Desktop Racing - 1.2
4. London Taxi: Rush Hour - 1.3
5. Monster Trux Arenas - 1.3
6. Myth Makers: Trixie in Toyland - 1.4
7. Kidz Sports Ice Hockey - 1.5
8. Ninjabread Man - 1.7
9. Anubis II - 1.7
10. Ocean Commander - 1.8
11. Billy the Wizard: Rocket Broomstick Racing - 1.9
12. Kidz Sports Basketball - 2.0
13. AMF Bowling: Pinbusters - 2.0
14. Alan Hansen's Sports Challenge - 2.0
15. M&M's Kart Racing - 2.3
16. Balls of Fury - 2.3
17. Kawasaki Jet Ski - 2.3
18. Big League Sports - 2.3
19. Spy Games: Elevator Mission - 2.3
20. Kawasaki Snowmobiles - 2.4
21. Rig Racer 2 - 2.5
22. Army Men: Soldiers of Misfortune - 2.5
23. Kawasaki Quad Bikes - 2.6
24. Cruis'n - 2.6
25. Looney Tunes: Acme Arsenal - 2.6
26. Jenga: World Tour - 2.7
27. Myth Makers: Orbs of Doom - 2.7
28. Game Party - 2.7
29. Chicken Shoot - 2.8
30. Alvin and the Chipmunks - 2.8
31. Rock 'N' Roll Adventures - 2.8
32. MLB Superstars - 2.8
33. Jumper: Griffin's Story - 2.9
34. Hannah Montana: The Movie - 3.0
35. Ten Pin Alley 2 - 3.0
36. Pimp My Ride - 3.1
37. Classic British Motor Racing - 3.1
38. Wonder World Amusement Park - 3.1
39. The History Channel: Battle for the Pacific - 3.3
40. Ultimate Duck Hunting - 3.4
(41. Hooked! Real Motion Fishing - 3.4)


Worst 25 WiiWare games according to Gamerankings.com, Gamestats.com, Metacritic.com:

(current as of June 8, 2009)

1. Hockey Allstar Shootout - 1.7
2. SPOGS Racing - 1.8
3. The Incredible Maze - 2.0
4. Pong Toss: Frat Party Games - 2.0
5. Yummy Yummy Cooking Jam - 3.3
6. Family Glide Hockey - 3.5
7. Family Pirate Party - 3.8
8. Protothea - 3.8
9. Pirates vs. Ninjas Dodgeball - 3.8
10. Home Sweet Home - 4.3
11. Midnight Bowling - 4.4
12. Sandy Beach - 4.4
13. Major League Eating: The Game - 4.5
14. Plattchen Twist 'n' Paint - 4.5
15. VIP Casino: Blackjack - 4.5
16. Niki: Rock 'n' Ball - 4.6
17. Family Table Tennis - 4.7
18. My Pokemon Ranch - 4.7
19. Snowboard Riot - 4.7
20. My Aquarium - 4.8
21. Party Fun Pirate - 4.9
22. Planet Pachinko - 4.9
23. Big Kahuna Party - 5.0
24. Madstone - 5.0
25. Potpourrii - 5.0

Based on their reviews, these games are complete wastes of money. Please do not buy these games.


I hope these lists are helpful!

[theoakwoody]

I have been playing Zach and Wiki nonstop for the last 3 days so it defintely deserves to be close to a 9.0 IMHO.

[Rob2600]

I have been playing Zach and Wiki nonstop for the last 3 days so it defintely deserves to be close to a 9.0 IMHO.

How's the difficulty? I might buy it for my younger brother for Christmas.

I want to buy two games for him. One is definitely Super Mario Galaxy. For the other, I'm deciding between Zack and Wiki, Lego Star Wars: The Complete Saga, Mario and Sonic at the Olympics, Resident Evil: The Umbrella Chronicles, Medal of Honor Heroes 2, and Link's Crossbow Training.

[otaku]

Personally that list depresses me. Thus far I've tried mario party 8 (sucked) and wario which was awesome (for a week or two) and sure wii sports is sorta neat for awhile as well. If your into nintendo games (I'm not so much anymore) then mario, zelda, metroid make it worth it. I'm not though (probably should have considered this before buying the wii)

I am however loving the virtual console and all its retro goodness. They can and should make improvements to it though, and keep the games coming!

I intend to rent mario and sonic olympics (when I can get ahold of it!) and smash bros should be great. Oh and sega's ghost squad

[Rob2600]

Personally that list depresses me. Thus far I've tried mario party 8 (sucked) and wario which was awesome (for a week or two) and sure wii sports is sorta neat for awhile as well. If your into nintendo games (I'm not so much anymore) then mario, zelda, metroid make it worth it.

Yes, Mario, Zelda, and Metroid top the list. However, Mario Party 8 isn't one of the Wii's top 25 games. It's not even close.

What about some of the other games like Zack & Wiki, Fire Emblem, Trauma Center, The Godfather, Battalion Wars 2, etc.? Also, Resident Evil: Umbrella Chronicles and Medal of Honor Heroes 2 were just released and are receiving great reviews.

Overall, I think it's a very good, diverse list of games, especially for its first year. It's a good mix of action, adventure, first-person shooting, survival horror, sports, mini-games, strategy, racing, puzzle, one-on-one fighting, etc.

What type of games are you into? What types of games would make the Wii's library better in your opinion?

[Daria]

Zack and Wiki's awesome.

It's senario based puzzle solving. It's challenging but not impossible. And then there's the scoring and hidden items which encourage you to keep on retrying levels even after you beat them.

I've tried a few Wii games, haven't liked very many of them especially the early launch titles. But I loved Paper Mario (but then I like that series) and Mario Party 8 is mindless fun. But I play that only at work with a bunch of kids (I work in an elementary school.) Don't actually own it.

[otaku]

Yes, Mario, Zelda, and Metroid top the list. However, Mario Party 8 isn't one of the Wii's top 25 games. It's not even close.

What about some of the other games like Zack & Wiki, Fire Emblem, Trauma Center, The Godfather, Battalion Wars 2, etc.? Also, Resident Evil: Umbrella Chronicles and Medal of Honor Heroes 2 were just released and are receiving great reviews.

Overall, I think it's a very good, diverse list of games, especially for its first year. It's a good mix of action, adventure, first-person shooting, survival horror, sports, mini-games, strategy, racing, puzzle, one-on-one fighting, etc.

What type of games are you into? What types of games would make the Wii's library better in your opinion?

More games that use the wii's controls and are just good. Played godfather elsewhere. Trauma center I played on ds. and the others I don't care for (maybe RE Umbrell since RE4 was kinda cool)

What I need is: smash bros and nights into dreams. Gonna play sonic and mario olympics tonight

[Neil Koch]

How's the difficulty? I might buy it for my younger brother for Christmas.

I want to buy two games for him. One is definitely Super Mario Galaxy. For the other, I'm deciding between Zack and Wiki, Lego Star Wars: The Complete Saga, Mario and Sonic at the Olympics, Resident Evil: The Umbrella Chronicles, Medal of Honor Heroes 2, and Link's Crossbow Training.

Link's Crossbow is a good bet. It comes with the Zapper and it's only $25. You could get that and another game - there's some solid games like RE4 and Godfather that are $30 or under now.

[Bluteg]

It's hilarious to me when two of the top 25 games are Maddens.

[GrandAmChandler]

I don't care what any ratings system says. Carnival games + 3 other people + Beer = Gaming Heaven.

[Rob2600]

It's hilarious to me when two of the top 25 games are Maddens.

Why?

The Sony PlayStation 2, one of the most successful consoles ever, features three Madden NFL games, two Tony Hawk games, and two SSX games in its top 25.

[Rob2600]

Link's Crossbow is a good bet. It comes with the Zapper and it's only $25. You could get that and another game - there's some solid games like RE4 and Godfather that are $30 or under now.

Good idea. I think Resident Evil: Umbrella Chronicles and Link's Crossbow Training would make a good combo. That's $70 total for two games and the Wii Zapper, which is a very good deal.

[theoakwoody]

How's the difficulty? I might buy it for my younger brother for Christmas.

I want to buy two games for him. One is definitely Super Mario Galaxy. For the other, I'm deciding between Zack and Wiki, Lego Star Wars: The Complete Saga, Mario and Sonic at the Olympics, Resident Evil: The Umbrella Chronicles, Medal of Honor Heroes 2, and Link's Crossbow Training.

Rob,

I don't know how old your brother is but some of the puzzles are pretty challenging and might frustrate some youngsters. If he's in middle school or older it should be fine. Lego Star Wars is really fun to play together so if you want to play a game with him that would be a good choice.

[Rob2600]

Rob,

I don't know how old your brother is but some of the puzzles are pretty challenging and might frustrate some youngsters. If he's in middle school or older it should be fine. Lego Star Wars is really fun to play together so if you want to play a game with him that would be a good choice.

Thanks for the tips. Lego Star Wars might be a better choice. If he wants to play Zack and Wiki, he could add it to his GameFly queue.

Is anyone looking forward to Soucalibur Legends, Trauma Center: New Blood, or Geometry Wars: Galaxies?

[The Great Dane]

Thanks for the tips. Lego Star Wars might be a better choice. If he wants to play Zack and Wiki, he could add it to his GameFly queue.

Is anyone looking forward to Soucalibur Legends, Trauma Center: New Blood, or Geometry Wars: Galaxies?

I'm really excited about Trauma Center: New Blood. Second Opinion and Under the Knife are both awesome, so this one is on my Christmas wish list for sure.

[Cryomancer]

This thread, much like gaming/movies in general nowadays is giving me Headaches: The Colon-Subtitle Curse.

[Rogmeister]

I don't have a Wii yet but I bought my first Wii game this evening...of course, it was Super Mario Galaxy. I hope to pick up a Wii tomorrow morning. If I'm unable to, I hope it won't bee too many months before I can play this game. I'll have to keep this list (and the discussion of it) in mind when I am ready to start picking up a few other Wii titles...

[Rob2600]

I don't have a Wii yet but I bought my first Wii game this evening...of course, it was Super Mario Galaxy. I hope to pick up a Wii tomorrow morning. If I'm unable to, I hope it won't bee too many months before I can play this game. I'll have to keep this list (and the discussion of it) in mind when I am ready to start picking up a few other Wii titles...

Were you able to buy a Wii?

[Rogmeister]

I didn't get the Wii where I was hoping to...I didn't realize people were lining up to reserve one at 6:00 in the morning. However, later in the day I managed to order one online through Half.com and I'm hopeful I'll have it by the end of the week.

[j_factor]

Given the scores in the lower portion of the top 25, I'm surprised Elebits didn't make the cut. I really liked that game.

[Rob2600]

Given the scores in the lower portion of the top 25, I'm surprised Elebits didn't make the cut. I really liked that game.

Thanks for pointing that out. I've updated the list in the first post.

[j_factor]

Ah, okay. Didn't realize you compiled this list by hand.

[Rob2600]

Ah, okay. Didn't realize you compiled this list by hand.

Yeah. The scores on gamestats.com, gamerankings.com, and metacritic.com differ slightly, so I averaged each game's score and came up with the top 25. I'll update it as new games are released.

[Chadt74]

Just bought a Wii and this is a nice little thread. Hopeing to give the top three a try over the next week and will come back with my impressions...

[Rob2600]

I didn't get the Wii where I was hoping to...I didn't realize people were lining up to reserve one at 6:00 in the morning. However, later in the day I managed to order one online through Half.com and I'm hopeful I'll have it by the end of the week.

What a great way to start out...Wii Sports and Super Mario Galaxy!

[whoisKeel]

While I have no problem with Mecury Meltdown Revolution placing 19th, I think Wii owners should give it a 2nd look. This game is well worth the $20 budget price.

And Super Mario Galaxy really is all that and a bag of Doritos.

[j_factor]

I like Mercury Meltdown Revolution, but I also never owned any previous Mercury release. It's probably not selling because it's a port of a port of a remake. Plus it didn't exactly burn up the charts on PSP or PS2 either. Still, it is a pretty good game, and the Wii version is the one to get if you don't have it in any form.

[Rob2600]

While I have no problem with Mecury Meltdown Revolution placing 19th, I think Wii owners should give it a 2nd look. This game is well worth the $20 budget price.

Amazon.com is selling Mercury Meltdown Revolution for $18. I think I'll order a copy!

http://www.amazon.com/Ignition-Entertainment-Mercury-Meltdown-Revolution/dp/B000NKRJAG/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=videogames&qid=1195620575&sr=8-1

By the way, I updated the top 25 list in my first post. I added Geometry Wars: Galaxies, Medal of Honor Heroes 2, and Resident Evil: The Umbrella Chronicles.

Soulcalibur Legends was just released, but doesn't seem very good according to the reviews so far.

[Neil Koch]

Soulcalibur Legends was just released, but doesn't seem very good according to the reviews so far.

I'm a big SC fan (love SCII on Xbox) but the idea of Legends sounds pretty bad. It might make a decent bonus mode (like Konquest on MK:Armageddon) but it doesn't look like it's a good full game.

[dlopez9069]

I'm a big SC fan (love SCII on Xbox) but the idea of Legends sounds pretty bad. It might make a decent bonus mode (like Konquest on MK:Armageddon) but it doesn't look like it's a good full game.

It seems pretty good so far but ive only played about 20 mins of it.

[BydoEmpire]

I'm surprised MoH Heroes 2 didn't get a little bit higher average - it's a great game, and a well rounded package.

[Rob2600]

I'm a big SC fan (love SCII on Xbox) but the idea of Legends sounds pretty bad. It might make a decent bonus mode (like Konquest on MK:Armageddon) but it doesn't look like it's a good full game.

Soulcalibur Legends seems to be just an average game. Its overall rating is 5.5. I'm sure some people will like it, but most people probably won't.


I'm surprised MoH Heroes 2 didn't get a little bit higher average - it's a great game, and a well rounded package.

Medal of Honor Heroes 2 received an overall rating of 7.9, which is very good! The online mode is supposedly excellent.


By the way, I've updated the original post and added a list of the 15 worst Wii games. I figure it'd be helpful to fellow gamers to have both lists. Buy the best games and avoid the garbage.

[Flack]

It is amazing to me that there are any games, much less four, listed below Chicken Shoot.

[Rob2600]

It is amazing to me that there are any games, much less four, listed below Chicken Shoot.

Haha. I almost want to rent Balls of Fury just to see how bad it is. :)

[Neil Koch]

Is that based on the movie? I've never seen it in stores.

And to get a little off topic, the movie's actually not that bad. It was written and directed by people from Reno 911, so if you like that style of humor, you'd probably like the movie.

Anyway, I actually have Far Cry and didn't think it was too bad until I got pretty far in the game and it got super cheap by planting snipers that you can barely see (much less shoot at given the wonky controls) every fifteen feet or so.

[Rob2600]

Is that based on the movie? I've never seen it in stores.

Yeah, it's based on the Balls of Fury movie. I haven't seen it, but I saw the Reno 911 movie in a theater. It was decent...definitely better than The Ten, which I also saw in a theater.

Anyway, Rockstar Table Tennis seems to be a much better ping pong game for the Wii.

UPDATE: I've expanded the worst Wii games list to 20. I've also discovered a Wii game even worse than Balls of Fury. It's called Billy the Wizard. Has anyone played it?

[Icarus Moonsight]

Damn it! I just grabbed Ninjabread Man the other day. It looked quirky and I'm usually all over the quirk. Has anyone here played it? I'm just wanting to know If I should return it and grab something else or stick with it cause the reviews are harsh. Did a google search and the reviews I am finding are not very helpful. They all pretty much say "It sucks!" and skirt around the why n' hows, other than game length. Apparently you can go through start to finish in just over an hour and 25% of that is tutorial. Unless the levels are randomly generated each time you play I can't see this having any legs that the gingerbread-kin are known for. WTF? O_O

[Rob2600]

Who else is looking forward to No More Heroes? I like the stylized graphics and the game looks like it'll be fun:

http://media.wii.ign.com/media/827/827358/vids_1.html

Regarding the top 25 list in the original post, I expect Super Smash Bros. Brawl to be in the top ten once it's released in February.

[Merlins Beard]

Regarding the top 25 list in the original post, I expect Super Smash Bros. Brawl to be in the top ten once it's released in February.

School buses are yellow.

[Rob2600]

School buses are yellow.

Yes.

I haven't been keeping up with previews. Are there any other Wii games coming out within the next few months besides Super Smash Bros. Brawl and No More Heroes that could crack the top 25?

[Merlins Beard]

Mario Kart..

[Rob2600]

Mario Kart..

Good one. I didn't realize that was coming so soon!

I'll be keeping an eye on Mario Kart, Wii Fit, Nights: Journey of Dreams, and No More Heroes.

[-^Cro§Bow^-]

Though I've only played the first game, I would suspect based on the previews thus far that the new Trauma Center: New Blood will likely be on that top 25 list. Also, I'm a big fan of Super Swing Golf, but I don't really see it listed either way. I've read previews that everything most reviewers felt was wrong with the first game, has been fixed in the sequel. I believe Trauma Center: New Blood may be out already, and Super Swing Golf 2 comes out very soon.

[Rob2600]

Though I've only played the first game, I would suspect based on the previews thus far that the new Trauma Center: New Blood will likely be on that top 25 list.

Trauma Center: New Blood has been receiving mixed reviews. It's weird...some reviewers love it, but others feel like the single player mode is way too difficult. Overall, it's rating is a 7.3 out of 10.

[koster]

I haven't been keeping up with previews. Are there any other Wii games coming out within the next few months besides Super Smash Bros. Brawl and No More Heroes that could crack the top 25?
I don't know whether it will crack the top 25 (especially since the U.S. release has been pushed back once already), but I'm looking forward to Endless Ocean. Even if that game turns out to be just a graphically-updated Everblue 2, I'll be a happy camper, er, scuba diver. :)

And here's hoping No More Heroes doesn't get delayed because of the gratuitous violence the game supposedly contains...

[TheDomesticInstitution]

I agree that the Rapala Fishing game was horrible... Don't buy it, the fishing game on Wii Play is way more fun. I haven't played much Wii other than the Wii Play and Wii Sports- but today I got 2 early christmas gifts- Metroid Prime 3 and Ghost Squad, which I am both really looking forward to playing. But the Zapper is proving a little hard to find.

[Rob2600]

Reviews for Cruis'n are starting to pop up and they're unfavorable. I've added the game to the worst 20 Wii games list in the original post.

I must point out that based on the high-res videos I watched on IGN, the graphics don't seem nearly as bad as IGN's review states. I know Cruis'n might not be a great video game, but is this another case of reviewers trying to outdo each other with over-the-top bashing? If so, I hate when that happens.

[Rob2600]

I've updated the worst Wii games list and expanded it from 20 to 25. So many horrible Wii games have been released recently and I want to help make sure nobody wastes money on them!

I added:

Alvin and the Chipmunks
Game Party
Jenga: World Tour
Mini Desktop Racing
Offroad Extreme Special Edition

I made some tweaks to the top 25 Wii games list, but not much has changed recently. I wonder what the next game to make it into the list will be? Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi 3? Puzzle Quest: Challenge of the Warlords? NiGHTS: Journey of Dreams? Nitrobike? Rygar: The Battle of Argus? Endless Ocean?

[Chadt74]

As a Wii owner I thank you for the list and updates, it is fun to see the good, bad and ugly.

[Icarus Moonsight]

I concur. You saved me from Ninjabread Man. ;) I swapped it for the Zapper a few weeks ago. :D

[Rob2600]

As a Wii owner I thank you for the list and updates, it is fun to see the good, bad and ugly.

You're welcome. I enjoy compiling lists like this. In fact, I had created a spreadsheet in the late 1990s with all of the magazine and web site review scores for Nintendo 64 games. Every month, I'd update the spreadsheet with new games and scores. This was years before anything like Metacritic, Gamestats, or Gamerankings existed. I worked at a video game store at the time, so I had free access to every video game publication out there.


I concur. You saved me from Ninjabread Man. ;) I swapped it for the Zapper a few weeks ago. :D

Cool. :) Before Ninjabread Man was released, I looked at some screenshots and it looked like it'd be a fun, silly, enjoyable game. However, the reviews state the game isn't even worth $20. D'oh!

[Rob2600]

I wonder what the next game to make it into the list will be? Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi 3? Puzzle Quest: Challenge of the Warlords? NiGHTS: Journey of Dreams? Nitrobike? Rygar: The Battle of Argus? Endless Ocean?

I just updated the top 25 Wii games list in the original post. Reviews are beginning to trickle in for NiGHTS: Journey of Dreams and it has received an 8.1 overall so far, so I added it to the list. I hope the rest of the reviews are as positive!

If anyone buys it tomorrow and plays it, let us know how it is.

UPDATE: A few more NiGHTS: Journey of Dreams reviews are in and its overall score has gotten a bit lower (7.4). It's still not bad and there are plenty more reviews still to come.

[ZackyH]

I've read some user reviews for Puzzle Quest and they've pretty much said they've completely ruined this game when they ported it over to Wii. The controls are supposed to be bad and people are having trouble reading the text. Since I don't have a DS or PSP I'm wondering about the PS2 version. Maybe I should just wait until I get a 360.

[Rob2600]

I've read some user reviews for Puzzle Quest and they've pretty much said they've completely ruined this game when they ported it over to Wii. The controls are supposed to be bad and people are having trouble reading the text. Since I don't have a DS or PSP I'm wondering about the PS2 version. Maybe I should just wait until I get a 360.

That's weird. So far, the reviews for the Wii version of Puzzle Quest are a 7.3 overall, which is pretty good. I haven't played it though.

[ZackyH]

That's weird. So far, the reviews for the Wii version of Puzzle Quest are a 7.3 overall, which is pretty good. I haven't played it though.

Yeah, IGN gave it a 7 but says, "At $30, the Wii version of Puzzle Quest is the most expensive out there. But it looks, sounds, and controls worse than versions that cost half that."

Reviews on Amazon have been a lot harder on the game giving it 1 and 2 star ratings because of it.

[Rob2600]

I just added a new game to the worst 25 Wii games list in the original post:

The Golden Compass

Congratulations to Shiny Entertainment for developing this piece of garbage and to Sega for publishing it.

[Rob2600]

I added The History Channel: Battle for the Pacific to the worst 25 Wii games list.

No More Heroes is starting to receive great reviews, but I want to wait for a few more scores before I add it to the top 25 list.

[PsychoCandy]

I'm waiting for no more heros game looks pretty solid, and I've only read encouraging things. I 've wanted to play killer 7 for awhile but haven't picked a copy up yet..

[Neil Koch]

Killer 7 certainly has an interesting story and the graphics are lovely, but I'm not totally sold on the gameplay.

But No More Heroes looks like it'll be more of a traditional game, and I like what I've read from the designers saying that they're going to use motion controls but they're not going overboard with them.

[Rob2600]

I updated both lists in the original post and extended them from 25 to 30.

I'm watching a few new/upcoming games that might be very good:

No More Heroes
Samurai Warriors Katana
Nitrobike
Bomberman Land
Super Swing Golf Season 2
Cars Mater-National
Asterix at the Olympic Games

Any thoughts or impressions? I'll give them some more time to see how their scores average out.


I also added three games to the worst 30 Wii games list:

M&M's Kart Racing
Counter Force
Kidz Sports Basketball

EDIT: IGN just reviewed Indianapolis 500 Legends and gave it a decent score, so it's off the worst 30 Wii games list for now, but just barely. I'll be watching for any new reviews though.



I'm waiting for no more heros game looks pretty solid, and I've only read encouraging things. I 've wanted to play killer 7 for awhile but haven't picked a copy up yet..


Killer 7 certainly has an interesting story and the graphics are lovely, but I'm not totally sold on the gameplay.

But No More Heroes looks like it'll be more of a traditional game, and I like what I've read from the designers saying that they're going to use motion controls but they're not going overboard with them.

I saw a used copy of Killer 7 for the GameCube for $6 at GameStop, but didn't buy it. I should have. If I see another one, I will.

No More Heroes should be great. Twelve more days...

[Neil Koch]

The local EB has new copies of the PS2 version Killer 7 for $10.

For those games on your watchlist, I wouldn't hold out too much hope for Samurai Warriors Katana, since it's basically a FPS version of Dynasty Warriors. Unless the formula is radically changed, those games have been getting bad-to-average reviews for the past couple of years.

Asterix at the Olympic Games? Oy. So we need two cartoony collections of olympic-themed minigames? I don't expect this to do to well either.

I expect No More Heroes to be rated highly unless it's really screwed up. There's a lack of mature and free-roaming games on the Wii (excepting the ports of existing ones form last gen like Scarface) and given the pedigree, I'm sure the fanboys out there will be gushing about it.

Nitrobike looks kind of generic, but there's a lack of good racing games on the Wii, and if it uses a control style similar to Excite Truck, it might do well.

[PsychoCandy]

The first Dynasty Warriors was fun, but after that it got so repetive that to me, it was like "Oh no another one"

[Rob2600]

I just added No More Heroes to the Top 30 Wii Games list in the original post. Who else is buying it tomorrow?

Based on reviews so far, it seems like Samurai Warriors Katana and Nitrobike turned out to be average. However, Super Swing Golf Season 2 and Endless Ocean turned out to be quite good...almost good enough to make it on the list.

[PsychoCandy]

I will be. I might snag endless ocean also, this is assuming I DON'T have to work 12 hours... then it might slip til saturday:-/

[DJ Daishi]

no one mentions metal slug collection!?!

[Rob2600]

no one mentions metal slug collection!?!

No More Heroes just bumped Metal Slug Anthology off the list! Right now, it would be ranked number 31.

[Fuyukaze]

I actualy liked GT Pro Series. It's definitly not a $50 game but for $20 new, it's not bad at all.

[Rob2600]

I actualy liked GT Pro Series. It's definitly not a $50 game but for $20 new, it's not bad at all.

Speaking of GT Pro Series, it was just bumped off the worst Wii games list by Ultimate Board Game Collection.

[DJ Daishi]

has anyone found any good prices for No More Heroes...been looking around but couldn't find anything...even at CAG.

[Neil Koch]

There's a $5 off coupon for any Wii game at EB's website, but I think it's for online orders only.

I'll probably end up picking up NMH sometime this week. It's nice to see a new Wii game that's not a mini-game collection or recycled content from other systems. Plus I'm a sandbox game geek, and I really like the visual style of this...

[DJ Daishi]

There's a $5 off coupon for any Wii game at EB's website, but I think it's for online orders only.

I'll probably end up picking up NMH sometime this week. It's nice to see a new Wii game that's not a mini-game collection or recycled content from other systems. Plus I'm a sandbox game geek, and I really like the visual style of this...

I finally get to use my 2 year old EBGames/GS gift card.



...Neil, is your avatar from Fulltime Killer?

[Neil Koch]

Yes, it is.

And that EB card might not be worth anything. I know a lot of store gift cards will start deducting a monthly "serivce charge" if they haven't been used within a year.

[Rob2600]

I want to buy No More Heroes, but I just bought Zack & Wiki: Quest for Barbaros' Treasure at Best Buy for $29.99 instead. I couldn't resist. While I was there, I bought Endless Ocean for $29.99 as well.

I'll post my impressions within the next few days, but based on its reviews, I'd say go to Best Buy and buy Zack & Wiki while it's cheap:

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=8560826&st=zack+wiki&lp=1&type=product&cp=1&id=1188561459815

You can even check the in-store availability so you don't waste a trip.


Actually, I just checked Amazon.com and the price is $29.99 there, too:

http://www.amazon.com/Zack-Wiki-Quest-Barbaros%252019-Treasure/dp/B000P297ES/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=videogames&qid=1201146618&sr=8-1


The price must've just been lowered today because yesterday it was $39.99 on both web sites.

[Rob2600]

I just added another game to the list of worst Wii games in the original post: Monster Trux Arenas

[DJ Daishi]

just got No More Heroes (New+Sealed) on ebay for $36+$7 shipping!

[Icarus Moonsight]

No More Heroes (used) is $34.99 at Game Crazy with your MVP (SCORE!). I'm lovin' it by the way. ;)

[Rob2600]

just got No More Heroes (New+Sealed) on ebay for $36+$7 shipping!

Great! I still have to buy it, but I will, I promise. Right now, I'm working on beating Zack & Wiki.

[Rob2600]

I just updated both lists in the original post.


I added two games to the top Wii games list:

Bully: Scholarship Edition
Super Smash Bros. Brawl

Both games are off to a strong start, but I'm sure they'll shift around the list as more reviews are published.


I added twelve games to the worst Wii games list:

Jumper: Griffin's Story
Kawasaki Jet Ski
Kidz Sports Ice Hockey
Kidz Sports International Soccer
King of Clubs
London Taxi: Rush Hour
Myth Makers: Orbs of Doom
Myth Makers: Super Kart GP
Pimp My Ride
Rig Racer 2
Sea Monsters: A Prehistoric Adventure
WWII Aces

More wastes of money.

[Rob2600]

I added another game to the list of the worst Wii games in the original post:

Classic British Motor Racing


I'm also watching these potentially highly rated games:

Go, Diego, Go! Safari Rescue (I know, I know...but it's receiving good scores so far)
House of the Dead 2 & 3 Return
Opoona
Pinball Hall of Fame: The Williams Collection
Pro Evolution Soccer 2008
Sega Superstars Tennis

We'll see if they make the top list as more reviews are published.

[Rob2600]

I just added two games to the list of top Wii games in the original post:

Pro Evolution Soccer 2008
Pinball Hall of Fame: The Williams Collection


I have Pinball Hall of Fame: The Williams Collection and it's fun, especially for $30.

[mercarian]

Seems like a very fair listing. The only thing that concerns me is that sometimes gaming review magizines can be swayed by advertising money. However, if I was going to make a list of top games for the Wii, it would indeed by somewhat similar to what's listed. I'll have to check out a couple of those games, they look like a lot of fun O_o

[BydoEmpire]

Pinball Hall of Fame: The Williams Collection
...I have Pinball Hall of Fame: The Williams Collection and it's fun, especially for $30.I was just checking the thread to see if that got added, it is a blast, and very well done. Lots of polish for a $30 niche-y title.

[Rob2600]

I just added two games to the list of the best Wii games in the original post:

Mario Kart Wii
Okami

I'll update the list of worst Wii games soon.

[Rob2600]

I just added a game to the list of the best Wii games in the original post:

Wii Fit

I also added two games to the list of the worst Wii games:

AMF Bowling: Pinbusters
Kawasaki Quad Bikes

[slapdash]

Why is Wii Fit already in the top 30? It's not released yet, right? Is this a worldwide ratings list, or is something funny going on?

[Rob2600]

Why is Wii Fit already in the top 30? It's not released yet, right? Is this a worldwide ratings list, or is something funny going on?

Wii Fit release dates:

Japan: December 1, 2007
Europe: April 25, 2008
U.S.: May 19, 2008

This is a worldwide message board, so I figure the list of best and worst Wii games should be worldwide, too. :)

[Rob2600]

I just added a game to the list of the best Wii games in the original post:

Boom Blox


I also added a game to the list of the worst Wii games:

Puppy Luv: Your New Best Friend

[Rob2600]

I just added two games to the list of the top Wii games in the original post:

Death, Jr.: Root of Evil (we'll see if this one stays as more scores are published) EDIT: Nope. Death, Jr. dropped a few points and is off the list. It still seems like a pretty good game though.
Lego Indiana Jones: The Original Adventure


I also started a list of the top WiiWare games in the original post:

Defend Your Castle
Dr. Mario Online Rx
Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: My Life as a King
LostWinds
Toki Tori


Finally, I added a game to the list of the worst Wii games:

George of the Jungle and the Search for the Secret

[Rob2600]

I just added another game to the list of the top Wii games in the original post:

Blastworks: Build, Trade, Destroy


I also added a game to the list of the worst Wii games:

Kawasaki Snowmobiles


As you can see from the list, don't buy any Wii games with "Kawasaki" in the title.

[j_factor]

Don't buy any games with "Kawasaki" in the title, period.

[Mayhem]

Cheers for keeping this up to date... I had a count and I've got 18 of the top 30 games (though two are on PS2 instead - Okami and GH3) and plan to get three more shortly (Boom Blox, Pro Evo and Indiana Jones).

[Rob2600]

Cheers for keeping this up to date... I had a count and I've got 18 of the top 30 games (though two are on PS2 instead - Okami and GH3) and plan to get three more shortly (Boom Blox, Pro Evo and Indiana Jones).

You're welcome! You have a really good collection of games. I want to get Boom Blox, but I'll wait for the price to go down. I feel like $50 is a little too high for that type of game, even if it is highly rated.

[Zing]

This was interesting to read, since I wasn't even aware there were 70+ games for the Wii.

[Rob2600]

I wasn't even aware there were 70+ games for the Wii.

There are a lot more than 70! There are currently 262 games released in North America, 245 games released in Europe, and 167 games released in Japan for the Wii:

Wikipedia - List of Wii games (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_wii_games)

[Rob2600]

I just added another game to the list of the top Wii games in the original post:

Rock Band


I also added a game to the list of the top WiiWare games:

Block Breaker Deluxe

[Rob2600]

I just added another game to the list of the top WiiWare games in the original post:

Gyrostarr

[Rob2600]

I just added two games to the list of the top Wii games in the original post:

Final Fantasy Fables: Chocobo's Dungeon
Guitar Hero - Aerosmith

Depending on how the reviews go, Final Fantasy Fables: Chocobo's Dungeon might fall off the list...or it might move up a bit. We'll see.


I also added a game to the list of the worst Wii games:

Alone in the Dark

[Icarus Moonsight]

Poo on a stick... I was hoping that Alone would have been a good addition. Crap. :/

[Rob2600]

Poo on a stick... I was hoping that Alone would have been a good addition. Crap. :/

The Xbox 360 and computer versions have been receiving average scores overall, which is better than the Wii version, but still probably not worth buying.

[Rob2600]

I just added a game to the list of the worst Wii games in the original post:

Wonder World Amusement Park


Also, Guitar Hero: Aerosmith dropped off the top 30 list and Alone in the Dark dropped off the bottom 40 list. It's score is still below average though.

[Rob2600]

I just added two games to the list of the top Wii games in the original post:

MLB Power Pros 2008
Order Up!


I also added two games to the list of WiiWare games:

Major League Eating: The Game
Pong Toss: Frat Party Games

Despite there being some solid WiiWare titles, none of them have cracked 8.0 yet.

[riverdragon]

Great work on this list with the compiling of scores. I am buying a Wii this weekend so I will certainly use this list as a guide as to what games to pick up!

[Rob2600]

Great work on this list with the compiling of scores. I am buying a Wii this weekend so I will certainly use this list as a guide as to what games to pick up!

Thanks! Use it as a guide of what not to pick up, too! :)

Some games that didn't quite make it onto the list but also received good scores are Wii Sports, Rayman Raving Rabbids, Excite Truck, Medal of Honor Heroes, Lego Indiana Jones, and Resident Evil: The Umbrella Chronicles.

Let us know which games you end up buying.

[riverdragon]

What NOT to pick up is pretty important too. I'm sure it will save me from some real stinkers. I am looking at a Wii Bundle at Costco that comes with Smash Bros., Mario Galaxy and Wii play. Besides that I definately want House of the Dead.

So how long does it take for the buy/sell forum to open to new members here? It worked for me when my account wouldn't allow me to post but now that my account is fixed it disappeared. I'd like to look there and maybe find a GC controller and memory card becasuse I never had a GC and figured I should take advantage of the Wii's backward compatibility

[Rob2600]

I'd like to look there and maybe find a GC controller and memory card becasuse I never had a GC and figured I should take advantage of the Wii's backward compatibility

GameStop still sells new, official, wired GameCube controllers. They should still have official GameCube memory cards too, new or used.

You should also be able to find third party wireless GameCube controllers in stores. If you want an official WaveBird though, you'll have to spend about $30 online.

[Mayhem]

Wow yeah... Lego Indy and Umbrella Chronicles not on there? I think people have been rating them too harshly... both are great imo!

[Rob2600]

Wow yeah... Lego Indy and Umbrella Chronicles not on there? I think people have been rating them too harshly... both are great imo!

Both games were very close to making it into the top 30.

Lego Indiana Jones - 7.7
Resident Evil: The Umbrella Chronicles - 7.6

[TonyTheTiger]

I'd like to look there and maybe find a GC controller and memory card becasuse I never had a GC and figured I should take advantage of the Wii's backward compatibility


GameStop still sells new, official, wired GameCube controllers. They should still have official GameCube memory cards too, new or used.

You should also be able to find third party wireless GameCube controllers in stores. If you want an official WaveBird though, you'll have to spend about $30 online.

Though they aren't the easiest to come by, Wavebirds go for about $18 used at Gamestop. You can always use the store inventory search on Gamestop.com to stay vigilant.

[carlcarlson]

This list is indeed quite helpful. I just got my first (and second and third) Wiis this past week so I've been checking this list out to see what I should try to play. I got lucky in that one of the bundles I bought already had most of the games I want, so now there are only a few left to find.

And riverdragon, the buy/sell forum is open to new members ten days after joining if I recall. If it's been longer than that and you can't see it you should probably contact a mod. (and welcome by the way)

[Rob2600]

This list is indeed quite helpful. I just got my first (and second and third) Wiis this past week so I've been checking this list out to see what I should try to play. I got lucky in that one of the bundles I bought already had most of the games I want, so now there are only a few left to find.

Thanks! I'm glad people are finding my lists useful. Like I wrote above, there are several games that are very good, but didn't quite make it onto the Top 30 list. Medal of Honor Heroes 2, Dragon Ball Z, Naruto, Excite Truck, Resident Evil: The Umbrella Chronicles, Elebits, etc. If you can find them cheap and you like the genre (first-person shooting, one-on-one fighting, etc.), then give them a shot.

[riverdragon]

And riverdragon, the buy/sell forum is open to new members ten days after joining if I recall. If it's been longer than that and you can't see it you should probably contact a mod. (and welcome by the way)

Like magic right after I posted that the buy/sell forum appeared. Thanks for the welcome!

I try to avoid gamestop if possible but I might go there tonight and see what I can find. I am on vacation in San Diego right now and am going to check out a place called Luna Video Games that I found in the phone book so maybe I will find what I am looking for there.

The wavebird seems great but I am not sure I want to deal with more rechargable batteries then I already am but it does seem like it is worth it. Anyone tried the Pelican wireless gc/wii controllers they sell at wal-mart? I think they are about $20.

[Tupin]

I've heard that Order Up! is really good.

I would buy it if I wasn't already getting a Disk System and games.

[Rob2600]

I just added a new game to the list of the top Wii games in the original post:

Madden NFL 09 All-Play


I also added a new game to the list of WiiWare games:

Strong Bad's Cool Game for Attractive People Episode 1: Homestar Ruiner

[Rob2600]

I just added a new game to the list of the top Wii games in the original post:

Mario Super Sluggers


I'm watching the scores for:

Ferrari Challenge Trofeo Pirelli
SNK Arcade Classics: Volume 1
Star Wars: The Force Unleased
Tiger Woods PGA Tour 09 All-Play


I also added a new game to the list of WiiWare games:

My Aquarium

[Rob2600]

I just added a new game to the list of the top Wii games in the original post:

Tiger Woods PGA Tour 09 All-Play


I also added three new games to the list of WiiWare games:

Groovin' Blocks
Helix
Midnight Pool


I also added a new game to the list of the bottom Wii games:

Myth Makers: Trixie in Toyland


Looking at the list in the original post, I think it's safe to assume that any video game with "Myth Makers" in the title is a waste of money.

[Rob2600]

I just added a new game to the list of the top Wii games in the original post:

de Blob


I also added four new games to the list of WiiWare games:

Mega Man 9
Strong Bad's Cool Game for Attractive People Episode 2: Strong Badia the Free
Plattchen: Twist 'n' Paint
Potpourrii


The top ten WiiWare games is becoming quite a strong lineup.

[Rob2600]

I just added five new games to the list of WiiWare games in the original post:

Art Style: Orbient
Bomberman Blast
Madstone
Midnight Bowling
World of Goo

Again, the top ten WiiWare games is becoming quite a strong lineup!


I'm also watching the scores for Wario Land: Shake It!, Sam & Max Season One, and Crash Bandicoot: Mind over Mutant. One of them might crack the top 30.

[Rob2600]

I just added two new games to the list of the top Wii games in the original post:

Guitar Hero: World Tour
MySims Kingdom


I also added five new games to the list of WiiWare games:

Art Style: Rotohex (very good)
Home Sweet Home (average)
The Incredible Maze (very bad)
Strong Bad's Cool Game for Attractive People Episode 3: Baddest of the Bands (very good)
Tetris Party (very good)


I also added a new game to the list of the worst Wii games:

Army Men: Soldiers of Misfortune




I'm watching the reviews for some new and upcoming games:

Alien Crush Returns (WiiWare)
Animal Crossing: City Folk
FIFA Soccer 09 All-Play
Mushroom Men: The Spore Wars
Naruto: Clash of Ninja Revolution 2
Rayman Raving Rabbids TV Party
Rock Band 2
Shaun White Snowboarding: Road Trip
Sonic Unleashed
Star Wars: The Clone Wars - Lightsaber Duels
Tales of Symphonia: Dawn of the New World
WWE SmackDown vs. RAW 2009

I'm looking forward to a few of them and hope they turn out to be good!

[Rob2600]

I just added two new games to the list of the top Wii games in the original post:

Call of Duty: World at War
WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2009


I also added four new games to the list of WiiWare games:

Brain Challenge (very good)
Strong Bad's Cool Game for Attractive People Episode 4: Dangeresque 3 (very good)
Target Toss Pro: Bags (average)
Yummy Yummy Cooking Jam (very bad)


I also added a new game to the list of the worst Wii games:

Go, Diego, Go! Great Dinosaur Rescue

[Rob2600]

I just added two new games to the list of WiiWare games:

Boingz (average)
Sudoku Challenge! (average)


I also added three new games to the list of the worst Wii games:

Big League Sports
MLB Superstars
Ten Pin Alley 2

[Rob2600]

I just added a new game to the list of the top Wii games in the original post:

Rock Band 2


I'll update the list of the worst Wii games and the list of WiiWare games when I get back from vacation.

[Rob2600]

I finally added four new games to the list of the top Wii games in the original post:

Guitar Hero: Metallica
The House of the Dead: Overkill
MadWorld
Pro Evolution Soccer 2009

I also expanded the list to the top 35 games (up until now, it was 30).


I'll update the other two lists soon.

[Rob2600]

I updated the lists in the original post. I also split WiiWare games into two lists: top 25 and worst 25.


I added seven games to the list of the top WiiWare games:

Bit.Trip Beat
Bonsai Barber
Jungle Speed
Lit
Maboshi's Arcade
Strong Bad's Cool Game for Attractive People Episode 5: 8-bit Is Enough
Tiki Towers



I also added a few games to the list of the worst WiiWare games, including:

Family Glide Hockey
Hockey Allstar Shootout
Sandy Beach

[Iron Draggon]

OMG, I would totally differ with most of both of those lists! The only games I have from the top 35 are Okami, Blast Works, Geometry Wars, and Wii Fit, and the only game I have from the bottom 35 is Classic British Motor Racing. But I'd say it belongs in the top 35, and most of the top 35 belong in the bottom 35. Who wants a Wii just for all the Mario & Zelda crap? I can see wanting Metroid, but that's it. The rest is still just tired old Mario & Zelda. I have 24 Wii games now, and I'd say most of them belong in the top 35. Plus most of the games remaining on my wisshlist as well. When I get those, I'll have 40 Wii games, and I think they make a much better top 40, than most of any of the games on either one of those lists! Who's buying all the true CRAP and calling it the best, while calling all the truly great Wii games crap? That's what I wanna know. It can't be just me. Someone else has to agree.

Here's my top 40, in alphabetical order. I'm not gonna try to rank them all by greatness, but I will say they're all far greater than the crap on those 2 lists!

Alien Syndrome
Battle Rage
Blast Works
Castlevania Judgement
Chrysler Classic Racing
Classic British Motor Racing
Counter Force
Deadly Creatures
Endless Ocean
Ferrari Challenge
Geometry Wars Galaxies
Godzilla Unleashed
GT Pro Series
Indianapolis 500 Legends
Kororinpa Marble Mania
Kororinpa Marble Saga
Link's Crossbow Training
Mercury Meltdown Revolution
Mortal Kombat Armageddon
Monkey King
Mushroom Men
NASCAR Kart Racing
Nights Journey of Dreams
Ocean Commander
Okami
Shaun White Snowboarding
Sonic and the Black Knight
Sonic and the Secret Rings
Sonic Riders Zero Gravity
Sonic Unleashed
Soul Calibur Legends
Speed Racer
Star Trek Conquest
Super Monkey Ball Banana Blitz
Twin Strike
WWII Aces
Wii Fit
Wii Music
Wii Play
Wii Sports

Perhaps my top 40 is all crap to some, but surely most people here have more games on my list than they do on those other 2 lists! If not, you're missing out on all the REAL gems, and getting blinded by all the real CRAP!

my $.02, YMMV

[Bojay1997]

OMG, I would totally differ with most of both of those lists! The only games I have from the top 35 are Okami, Blast Works, Geometry Wars, and Wii Fit, and the only game I have from the bottom 35 is Classic British Motor Racing. But I'd say it belongs in the top 35, and most of the top 35 belong in the bottom 35. Who wants a Wii just for all the Mario & Zelda crap? I can see wanting Metroid, but that's it. The rest is still just tired old Mario & Zelda. I have 24 Wii games now, and I'd say most of them belong in the top 35. Plus most of the games remaining on my wisshlist as well. When I get those, I'll have 40 Wii games, and I think they make a much better top 40, than most of any of the games on either one of those lists! Who's buying all the true CRAP and calling it the best, while calling all the truly great Wii games crap? That's what I wanna know. It can't be just me. Someone else has to agree.

Here's my top 40, in alphabetical order. I'm not gonna try to rank them all by greatness, but I will say they're all far greater than the crap on those 2 lists!

Alien Syndrome
Battle Rage
Blast Works
Castlevania Judgement
Chrysler Classic Racing
Classic British Motor Racing
Counter Force
Deadly Creatures
Endless Ocean
Ferrari Challenge
Geometry Wars Galaxies
Godzilla Unleashed
GT Pro Series
Indianapolis 500 Legends
Kororinpa Marble Mania
Kororinpa Marble Saga
Link's Crossbow Training
Mercury Meltdown Revolution
Mortal Kombat Armageddon
Monkey King
Mushroom Men
NASCAR Kart Racing
Nights Journey of Dreams
Ocean Commander
Okami
Shaun White Snowboarding
Sonic and the Black Knight
Sonic and the Secret Rings
Sonic Riders Zero Gravity
Sonic Unleashed
Soul Calibur Legends
Speed Racer
Star Trek Conquest
Super Monkey Ball Banana Blitz
Twin Strike
WWII Aces
Wii Fit
Wii Music
Wii Play
Wii Sports

Perhaps my top 40 is all crap to some, but surely most people here have more games on my list than they do on those other 2 lists! If not, you're missing out on all the REAL gems, and getting blinded by all the real CRAP!

my $.02, YMMV

I truly hope this is some attempt at irony or humor because well over 2/3 of your list is full of some of the worst games ever released on any system. Counter Force and Battle Rage are literally two of the worst crap mech games ever made. Alien Syndrome was just horrible. Twin Strike and Star Trek Conquest were somehow worse than the PS2 versions of the same games and those were bad to begin with. You buy a Nintendo system to play first party games and occasionally some innovative third party games. If you don't like Nintendo games, you completely wasted your parents' money on this system.

[Rob2600]

OMG, I would totally differ with most of both of those lists!

That's cool, but keep in mind, these lists aren't my opinion. They reflect professional review scores.


most of the top 35 belong in the bottom 35. Who wants a Wii just for all the Mario & Zelda crap?

I understand that people have different tastes, but Super Mario Galaxy and Twilight Princess are polished, well-produced, and pretty darn fun. You're allowed to like and buy whatever games you want though. Thanks for sharing your list of favorites.

[Iron Draggon]

I truly hope this is some attempt at irony or humor because well over 2/3 of your list is full of some of the worst games ever released on any system. Counter Force and Battle Rage are literally two of the worst crap mech games ever made. Alien Syndrome was just horrible. Twin Strike and Star Trek Conquest were somehow worse than the PS2 versions of the same games and those were bad to begin with. You buy a Nintendo system to play first party games and occasionally some innovative third party games. If you don't like Nintendo games, you completely wasted your parents' money on this system.

Well one man's trash is another man's treasure, and I've never bought any of my Nintendo systems for Mario or Zelda. I could care less about all the kiddie crap like that on their systems, no matter how great it's all supposed to be. I wanted a Wii for all the other stuff it has that none of the other systems do, not just so I can be the bazillionth person to buy Mario this or Zelda that. And I still say everything that I own for it crushes the rest of the crap for it.

What I really don't understand about this system is why so many supposed gamers around here think the only games worth getting for it are Mario this or Zelda that, and everything else is utter crap that should be avoided. Why even bother with the Wii if all you wanna play on it is Mario & Zelda? There's enough Mario & Zelda games for every other Nintendo system ever made that are far better than any of the new ones for the Wii, or at least just as good. So why waste all your money on yet another Nintendo system just for more Mario & Zelda? Why not just keep playing all your old Mario & Zelda games?

I hear so many groans about all the crap games on the Wii, and it's always blamed on the supposed casual gamers, but honestly it seems to me like most of the supposed gamers around here think the crappiest of the crappy for it is the best, and the best of the best for it is the worst. Very few people here seem to get what this system is really all about, and it's not just a new way to play Mario & Zelda, or any of the other games that are far better on other systems. If that's what you want, then by all means get another system and completely ignore the Wii, so the rest of us can enjoy it in peace without having to listen to a bunch of crap about how every game available for it is utter crap that's so much better on some other system.

If you own an XBOX, 360, PS2, PS3, or a Gamecube, you really don't need a Wii to go with them, because they all play the same games exactly the same or even better. So what's the point of it? The Wii is for those who don't own any of the other systems, and have no intentions of buying them, but who'd still like to play all the games available for those systems, or most of them. And that would be me, so that's what I have it for. I can play all the best games the other systems offer on my PC, and play them all better. The only thing I can't play on my PC is Wii games, and so I have a Wii for that stuff. Otherwise, I wouldn't be bothering with a Wii either. I'd stick with my PC. I do love my Wii, but it's definitely not a necessity. It's more of a fun novelty.

Yeah, that's right, it's FUN! A concept that the majority here seems to have forgotten how to have. OMG, this or that is so much better than the Wii, and this or that is so much better on another system. Well great, so what are you doing in all the Wii threads? Trying to convince us all to make a switch?

Honestly, I really don't understand why some people here don't just give up on gaming altogether. Nothing is ever good enough, and something else is always better. Like more of the same. Put a new name on an old game, and suddenly it's transformed into the greatest game ever. SHEESH, get a life!

[j_factor]

That's all well and good, and I disagree with a lot of the list myself, but your list is a bit ridiculous. GT Pro Series? Wii Music? You seriously like those games?

[Rob2600]

I just added a new game to the list of the top Wii games in the original post:

Little King's Story

[kupomogli]

Castlevania Judgement
Mortal Kombat Armageddon
Nights Journey of Dreams
Sonic Unleashed
Soul Calibur Legends
Wii Fit
Wii Music
Wii Play


These games are terrible. MK:Armageddon and Sonic Unleashed are terrible on the other systems they were released on as well.

I don't know about your other games because I haven't played alot of them(either that or I liked them, which is probably one or two,) but I did see alot of racing games.

Since it seems you like racing games and you own a PC which I'd assume you also like. Pick up Test Drive Unlimited. Best racing game available though the best versions are the 360 and PC versions. PS2 and PSP versions are good except that the only races you can race online are point A to point B races(which I wish they'd have atleast let you choose one of the 300+ pre set races like they did on the 360.) You can also create your own races on the 360 and PC by setting up points on the island.

[Nebagram]

Fwiw I've got 24 of the top 37 (albeit not all of them on the Wii... should've really counted more carefully perhaps) and none of the bottom 40. The only 2 wiiware games I own both appear in the top 20, so I'm happy there. :)

Just call me 'Mr. Sheep'.

[kupomogli]

Just call me 'Mr. Sheep'.

Sup, Mr. Sheep?

[Neil Koch]

These games are terrible. MK:Armageddon and Sonic Unleashed are terrible on the other systems they were released on as well.


It's easy to like crappy games when mommy and daddy are paying for them.

[Icarus Moonsight]

You're more forgiving than I am, even though I do agree with some of your picks.

I liked these from ID's list;

Alien Syndrome
Blast Works
Counter Force
Endless Ocean
Geometry Wars Galaxies
Kororinpa Marble Mania
Kororinpa Marble Saga
Link's Crossbow Training
Mercury Meltdown Revolution
Monkey King
Nights Journey of Dreams (disappointing in ways, but not a total loss)
Okami
Speed Racer
Super Monkey Ball Banana Blitz
Wii Fit
Wii Play
Wii Sports

I'm interested in these but haven't played them yet;

Battle Rage
Deadly Creatures
Ocean Commander
Sonic and the Black Knight
Sonic and the Secret Rings

The rest? A big, fat, PASS. Either I've played it and determined it was crap or it was meh to OK and just did not resonate enough with me to spend money on it. Nights for Wii should serve as an example for why you shouldn't give classic characters voice overs...

So, yeah, most of your list I agree with you. It's stuff that gets blasted but, I like it anyway. Then again, I also like the Mario and Zelda 'crap' too... LOL

[BydoEmpire]

I enjoyed both MK:Armageddon and Soul Calibur Legends on Wii. Neither is an A title, but they were far from crap. MK: Armageddon's Konquest mode was well done and worth a play through, and the wii controls for fighting didn't get in the way. In fact, because all characters used the same set of motions, it was a little easier to get into and figure out what to do. Soul Calibur Legends is a solid beat 'em up with good graphics and decent controls. I never quite finished it, and it definitely got repetetive, but it's not a bad game. Either of these games is worth a rental if you think you might like them.

On the other hand, Blast Works is a piece of garbage. I have no ideas how that game got the reviews it got.

[Rob2600]

I just added three new games to the list of the top Wii games in the original post:

Donkey Kong Jungle Beat (New Play Control)
Excitebots: Trick Racing
Punch-Out!!

[Rob2600]

I just added two new games to the list of the top Wii games in the original post:

Boom Blox Bash Party
Pikmin 2 (New Play Control)


That's five great new Wii games released within this past month.



EDIT: I also just added one new game to the list of the top WiiWare games in the original post:

Swords & Soldiers


And one new game to the list of the worst Wii games:

Ocean Commander


And one new game to the list of the worst WiiWare games:

Family Pirate Party

[Icarus Moonsight]

Thankfully, I swapped my Ocean Commander pre-order for something else before it shipped. After I tried the DS version, I simply had to... Needless to say, it won't be making it into my game library.

[Rob2600]

I just added a new game to the list of the top Wii games in the original post:

EA Sports Active


I also just added one new game to the list of the top WiiWare games:

Bubble Bobble Plus


And one new game to the list of the worst WiiWare games:

Pirates vs. Ninjas Dodgeball



So far, any WiiWare game with "Pirate" in the title supposedly stinks.

[j_factor]

I can't believe EA Sports Active is actually a highly-rated game. It looks stupid.

[Rob2600]

I just added five new games to the list of the top Wii games in the original post:

The Beatles: Rock Band
Guitar Hero 5
Metroid Prime Trilogy
Tiger Woods PGA Tour 10
Wii Sports Resort


I also added seven new games to the list of the top WiiWare games:

Bit.Trip Core
Contra ReBirth
Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: My Life as a Dark Lord
NEVES Plus
NyxQuest: Kindred Spirits
Tales of Monkey Island Chapter 1: Launch of the Screaming Narwhal
Tales of Monkey Island Chapter 2: The Siege of Spinner Cay

[StetsonGraves]

I think Madworld and No More Heroes should be further up. No More Heroes is one of my favorite games this generation so far.

[Icarus Moonsight]

While I agree, these lists are generated by an aggregate review process from multiple sources. It works fairly well at weeding out the turds. The stuff in the middle, you still have to do your homework on. I found a few games I really enjoyed that didn't do so well critically. Counter Force and Alien Syndrome are two notable ones that fit.

[j_factor]

I think Madworld and No More Heroes should be further up. No More Heroes is one of my favorite games this generation so far.

Agreed, but it's always a bit out of whack when you try to compare composite review scores. For example, God Hand has a lower score on Metacritic than SingStar: Boy Bands vs. Girl Bands. A karaoke series sequel that does nothing but have a different song list, and is devoted entirely to boy bands and girl bands, is a better game than God Hand, a completely original, high-quality action game. Hell, the #1 rated GBA game is Tony Hawk 2. Does anyone really think the GBA version of Tony Hawk 2 is the best game that system has to offer? It's okay, but I wouldn't even put it in the top 50 GBA games myself.

[Rob2600]

It's been a while! I just added ten new games to the list of the top Wii games in the original post:

Dead Space Extraction
DJ Hero
Monster Hunter Tri
New Super Mario Bros. Wii
No More Heroes 2: Desperate Struggle
Pro Evolution Soccer 2010
Sin and Punishment: Star Successor
Super Mario Galaxy 2
Tatsunoko vs. Capcom: Ultimate All-Stars
Trauma Team


A Boy and His Blob, Dawn of Discovery, and Muramasa: The Demon Blade almost made the cut. So close!

[BetaWolf47]

When are you going to update the other lists? I don't see how Orbient isn't on the WiiWare top 30, but Cubello is. Orbient came out sooner and is rated higher.

[Rob2600]

When are you going to update the other lists? I don't see how Orbient isn't on the WiiWare top 30, but Cubello is. Orbient came out sooner and is rated higher.

Doing this takes up a ton of time, but I'll try to update the other lists soon.

By the way, Art Style: Orbient is currently number eight on the top WiiWare list. Read the list again. :) We'll see how high it ranks after my updates.

[Rob2600]

When are you going to update the other lists?

I just added 14 games to the list of top WiiWare games in the original post:

Art of Balance
Bit.Trip Runner
Bit.Trip Void
Castlevania The Adventure ReBirth
Cave Story
LostWinds: Winter of the Melodias
Mega Man 10
Rage of the Gladiator
Rubik's Puzzle Galaxy: RUSH
Tales of Monkey Island Chapter 3: Lair of the Leviathan
Tales of Monkey Island Chapter 4: The Trial and Execution of Guybrush
Threepwood
Tales of Monkey Island Chapter 5: Rise of the Pirate God
Tomena Sanner
You, Me, and the Cubes


(Art Style: Orbient is now number 12 on the list.)

[Rob2600]

I just added a game to the list of top Wii games in the original post:

Tiger Woods PGA Tour 11

[Rickstilwell1]

What a great way to start out...Wii Sports and Super Mario Galaxy!

Those are still the only two retail games I have for my Wii. Wish I had the money to get all I wanted to.

[bcks007]

I truly hope this is some attempt at irony or humor because well over 2/3 of your list is full of some of the worst games ever released on any system. Counter Force and Battle Rage are literally two of the worst crap mech games ever made. Alien Syndrome was just horrible. Twin Strike and Star Trek Conquest were somehow worse than the PS2 versions of the same games and those were bad to begin with. You buy a Nintendo system to play first party games and occasionally some innovative third party games. If you don't like Nintendo games, you completely wasted your parents' money on this system.

Twin Strike: Operation Thunder is what game on the ps2?

[sienasimmons]

I disagree with this top 40 and worst 40 game list. Because you have excluded some mind blowing wii games and included some terribly worst games in the list. I think it could be better if you had read the user reviews of wii games then it can be valid list..

[YoshiM]

I disagree with this top 40 and worst 40 game list. Because you have excluded some mind blowing wii games and included some terribly worst games in the list. I think it could be better if you had read the user reviews of wii games then it can be valid list..

Sometimes, though, user reviews are no better or worse than the published ones. One reason is that some gamers rate it before even playing it. I've seen that crop up over the years. Others will sometimes be more critical of the massively popular games (like a Mario or Zelda title) and will grade it because it's too mainstream. Some will only play a game part way, don't like something and then report how much the game sucks when it's really good (as games these days you don't get to the "good" part until a few hours in at times). And still others are completely batcrap insane and post utter garbage to back up their scores (it teh roxxxorssss!!!111!!!!) kinda layers doubt on the overall validity of user reviews.

Just kinda curious, though: what mind blowing Wii games were excluded?

[j_factor]

Just kinda curious, though: what mind blowing Wii games were excluded?

Battle Rage, Twin Strike, GT Pro Series... ;)

[danny_galaga]

Where's House of the Dead: Overkill? Awesome adult party game (",)

[Rob2600]

I just added one new game to the list of the top Wii games in the original post:

Kirby's Epic Yarn


I also added two new games to the list of the top WiiWare games:

And Yet It Moves
Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode 1


Where's House of the Dead: Overkill? Awesome adult party game

The House of the Dead: Overkill received an overall rating of 8.0 out of 10, which is high, but not high enough to crack the top 45 list.

[Rob2600]

I just added four new games to the list of the top Wii games in the original post:

DJ Hero 2
Donkey Kong Country Returns
Goldeneye 007
Rock Band 3

[Rob2600]

I just added one new game to the list of the top Wii games in the original post:

The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword

[kevifray]

was happy to see monster hunter listed, fucking awesome game.

and this also made me realize i suck for not carrying on with zelda quests.

[Ryudo]

No Earth Seeker,Xenoblade,The Last Story or Pandoras Tower? Hell why no Fragile Dreams?
List fails

[Leo_A]

Worst 40 Wii disc games according to Gamerankings.com, Gamestats.com, and Metacritic.com:

23. Kawasaki Quad Bikes - 2.6
24. Cruis'n - 2.6
25. Looney Tunes: Acme Arsenal - 2.6
37. Classic British Motor Racing - 3.1
39. The History Channel: Battle for the Pacific - 3.3


Some of these games aren't so bad, including several racers I didn't bother to mention (Although Mini Desktop Racing deserves all the low scores it can get). I won't argue that any of these are hidden gems or actually worth anyone's time, but it's hard to imagine some of these things actually being among the 50 worst games for the console. I suspect much of the worst shovelware for this thing just hasn't been covered by outlets like Metacritic.

Games like Classic British Motor Racing are a far cry from things like Anubis II and aren't completely devoid of entertainment value (Unless you consider getting a laugh at how terrible a game is as entertainment value, in which case even releases like Anubis II have some entertainment to offer).

[Rob2600]

No Earth Seeker,Xenoblade,The Last Story or Pandoras Tower? Hell why no Fragile Dreams?

Thanks for pointing those games out. I'll look up their ratings and add them to the list in the original post if necessary. I haven't had time to obsessively keep up with the lists like I used to, so I appreciate your (and everyone else's) help with the suggestions!


EDIT:
Earth Seeker only has one review, a 7.4.
I just added Xenoblade to the list of top Wii games in the original post.
The Last Story isn't out yet, but received one review, an 8.0.
Pandora's Tower isn't out yet, but received one review, a 7.1.
Fragile Dreams: Farewell Ruins of the Moon received a 6.7 overall.

So out of the games you listed, two aren't out yet and only one received high enough scores to make it onto the list of top Wii games in the original post (Xenoblade). Thanks again for helping out.



Some of these games aren't so bad, including several racers I didn't bother to mention (Although Mini Desktop Racing deserves all the low scores it can get). I won't argue that any of these are hidden gems or actually worth anyone's time, but it's hard to imagine some of these things actually being among the 50 worst games for the console. I suspect much of the worst shovelware for this thing just hasn't been covered by outlets like Metacritic.

Games like Classic British Motor Racing are a far cry from things like Anubis II and aren't completely devoid of entertainment value (Unless you consider getting a laugh at how terrible a game is as entertainment value, in which case even releases like Anubis II have some entertainment to offer).

I haven't updated the Worst Wii Games list in two and a half years. When I finally get around to it, I'm sure there will be a lot of additions that bump games off the list.

[Ryudo]

Who ever reviewed them are idiots esp Fragile Dreams. Yes the combat is kinda iffy but the story is one of the most touching games I EVER played and Earth Seeker was great. Xenoblade is the best game I played this gen and the best RPG I played this gen.

[duffmanth]

I'm surprised there are enough Wii games to make up a top 50 list.

[Hep038]

I'm surprised there are enough Wii games to make up a top 50 list.


Oh you are going to be in trouble for that comment. @_@

[GameNinja]

Thanks for the list. With Skyward Sword releasing and the Wii at an all time low price I am pretty sure I am going to have to finally give in this holiday season and buy the console. There just seems to be so many good games for the system!