I thought I'd share some photos of my Wii boxed software collection. This isn't a complete library by any stretch, and there are still many key titles that I need to pick up (such as Zelda and Mario Galaxy 2 and all the RPGs), but I have focused most of my attention on cheaper titles. If I see something at Gamestop for $5, I nearly always grab it immediately.
As always, Nintendo had the best videogames on the system, but that's because they put in the most effort. I do wish that the mini-games from Wii Sports and Wii Play were expanded into full titles, such as Wii Tanks and Wii Baseball. I also wish there were more "red box" titles that revived NES classics. I'd kill for a 4-player "New Legend of Zelda" that combined the gameplay designs from the first three Zeldas, and so would you.
Here are 15 third-party Wii titles from my collection that everyone should play:
Batman: The Brave and the Bold - WayForward (Contra 4, Shantae) gives us an excellent 2D beat-em-up with tons of moves, furious action and a great sense of humor. Great job!
De Blob - Plays like a mashup of Tony Hawk Pro Skater and Jet Grind Radio with a heavy dose of jazz and funk. Visually wonderful, high frame rates and responsive controls. This should be a Dreamcast game.
Epic Mickey - Very inventive 3D platformer that reminds me of Nintendo 64. The paint/thinner idea is very clever and the game is quite challenging. It has a very creepy vibe with all these forgotten Disney characters who have it in for poor Mickey.
Guilty Party - Disney game that combines mini-game puzzles with the classic board game Clue. I really loved this one thanks to its clever stage designs, mini-games and especially the witty characters. Where's the cartoon show spinoff?
Just Dance - You dance and bounce around and have a great time. Never takes itself too seriously. The first game in the series has all my favorite songs, but the sequels are much more forgiving on the controls. Nintendo should have paid to keep this series exclusive.
Michael Jackson: The Experience - Look, you get to dance to the Thriller video. I'll hand over a "Game of the Year" trophy just for that. Kudos to the devs for finding clever dance moves and moments that MJ fans will love.
NHL Slapshot - Fantastic EA hockey game that was criminally ignored. Plays like the classic Genesis NHL Hockeys, controls are excellent even w/o the stick. Motion controls for shooting and checking is highly satisfying. Pee-Wee League is a hoot. Love it!
Okami - One of the best Legend of Zelda Action-RPGs ever made, set in ancient Japan with a wonderful painterly visual style. It's also available on Switch, so pick that up ASAP.
Order Up - A cooking game ala Cooking Mama where you work a restaurant and have to take orders from customers. It gets pretty intense and you really have to stay on your toes. Definitely a hidden gem worth checking out.
Muramasa: The Demon Blade - 2D action-adventure from the makers of Odin Sphere and Princess Crown. Spectacular sprite artwork that helped usher in the great 2D revival we enjoy today. Intense, challenging, very engaging.
NBA Jam - Fantastic revival of classic arcade series with input from the original creators. Excellent graphics and animation. Motion controls are used for slam dunks and are highly satisfying. The boss battle mode reminds me of EA's classic One on One.
Rabbids Go Home - 3D platformer that reminds me of Katamari Damaci and Pac-Man, with a great sense of humor.
Rayman Origins - Extremely solid 2D platformer for 4 players. Graphics are too tiny for my liking, especially when playing on a CRT, but everything looks and plays great.
Shaun White Snowboarding - Road Trip was a surprise hit, and plays just like the classic Tony Hawk Pro Skater games. The Wiimote controls are surprisingly fluid and diverse. Best snowboarding videogame to drop since Steep Slope Sliders. Its sequel, World Stage, offers a higher frame rate and smoother graphics but more repetitive gameplay.
Tatsunoko Vs Capcom - Outstanding 2D fighter with polygon graphics and excellent gameplay. Half the characters are unique to this game, and for that reason alone, I consider this a classic. There's a Wiimote control option that works perfectly for rookie players, while experts should get a good arcade joystick.