Best of 2008: 10 best Wii games

by David Hinkle { Dec 29th 2008 at 2:00PM }

Well folks, the year is coming to a close and we're all about nostalgia here, even if it's only short-term reminiscing. So, we've compiled our list for the 10 best gaming experiences that released on Wii this year. We're talking about the best commercial releases, as well as WiiWare (sorry, no Virtual Console picks). Care to join the discussion?

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Tags: best-of-2008, joystiqfeatures

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Roto13 @ Dec 29th 2008 2:22PM

I can't really argue anything about this list. Those are all solid games. Some people will probably complain about the lack of Zack & Wiki, though. (I didn't think it was that good. Fell into to many point-and-click traps that we all should have moved past ages ago.)

David Hinkle @ Dec 29th 2008 2:29PM

Actually, we would've included it if it hadn't released in late 2007. :)

Roto13 @ Dec 29th 2008 2:32PM

I'm going to pretend I'm European.

samfish @ Dec 29th 2008 2:35PM

Replace Lost Winds with Tatsunoko vs Capcom (import games count, damnit!) and you've got a list I can agree with.
...even though I still haven't played World of Goo.

Moose @ Dec 29th 2008 2:49PM

Wow, I actually own (or owned) 8 of the 11 listed there. Not sure why Wario Shake It made the list though. Top 10? I might throw Tales of Symphonia: Dawn of the New World in there and possibly Chocobo's Dungeon but that may have been a 2007 title.

No More Heroes is amazingly overrated by this site, but overall this is a good list.

SoshiKitai @ Dec 29th 2008 5:48PM

Tales of Symphonia is a fan-game. Many people have said that it's too much of a fan-game and not too much of a new game.

Wario's up there for the beautiful 2D, something that hasn't been encouraged by a big franchise in a long time.

And No More Heroes may be hated, disliked, or "just liked" by many people - but the people here at Nintendo Wii Fanboy recognize that not only is it a solid game (you just have to remember that Suda51 made it, and you won't be disappointed), but it's the only one of its kind! On any other system, they've never seen a game like it.

I think that's pretty deserving to be on a top 10.

grp110nyr @ Dec 29th 2008 2:56PM

What about Call of Duty World at War - Acti and Treyarch got it right with the online and I hope (sales grow) as well as the player community for this game. Or is World at War to late to be included?

Garu @ Dec 29th 2008 3:01PM

Hmmm... I have 3 of those. And I didn't buy MM9, but I did but the GameCube MM collection because of it. I'd like to get Wario Shake It when it gets cheaper.

I can't believe "Petz: Crazy Monkeyz" didn't make the list!! =)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nDfsG7VyEbo

Mr Khan @ Dec 29th 2008 3:08PM

A solid list, and proof that the year was not nearly as bad as people claim it was, it was just front-heavy.

And most of those games (except little deBlob) went on to make good sales for their expectations, so its a good year indeed

Aaron @ Dec 29th 2008 3:13PM

Two GLARING omissions: Wii Fit and Wii Music.

Come on, guys. Wii Fit isn't a hardcore gaming experience, but it is one of the flagship titles for the Wii system! It sold a bazillion copies, included an incredibly innovative peripheral and, at least in my household, still gets played regularly 7 months after launch.

As for the underappreciated Wii Music, how about commending Nintendo for taking the 'music genre' concept and creating something completely unique. Any fan of music who has spent a couple hours with the game will realize the incredible depth and fun in the deceptively simple package. It's no party game, sure, but it's a landmark title that I think is one of Nintendo's finest.

And before I get flamed, know that I am a huge Smash Bros fan, I bought World of Goo and No More Heroes, finished Okami, and I'm looking forward to House of the Dead Overkill and MadWorld. So I'm a normal gamer, too. I just think you should give CREDIT where CREDIT is due!

Mr Khan @ Dec 29th 2008 4:28PM

I really think what killed Wii Music was the song selection. It could've been immortalized as the game of gamer culture if it had been heavy on the Nintendo themes, and it could've topped RB/GH if they had paid up for some of the greatest rock themes of the past 45 years

As it is, it does do something unique

RangerBravo @ Dec 30th 2008 4:29PM

Goes to show you how crappy the game titles available on Wii are when 4 out of the top 10 are the WiiWare mini-games. I guess you could say I am a little disappointed with the game selection available for the Wii. If you don't really like Mario or the Japan style graphics based games there isn't a whole lot to offer but I should have known better before I bought it. I thought the Wii might result in a branching out from the normal Nintendo-ish type games with the innovative controls.

DVD Player @ Dec 29th 2008 3:26PM

Clover? CLOVER? CLOVERRR! Will we ever see Viewtiful Joe 3?

Orion @ Dec 29th 2008 3:40PM

There's not been anything worth buying in my humble opinion since Mario Kart. Seriously, I bought a freakin 360 because I had nothing new to play. Nintendo needs to get those games that are "coming soon, we promise" in our hands a little faster. For the worlds most popular system, why is it STILL that nintendo systems always feel like they are on a perminant draught in software.

And don't even get me started with "this list proves there are games to play". I'm sorry, but these are pretty much all the games that were even remotely good. The fact Wario games and Wii Ware titles are in there are proof of that.

SoshiKitai @ Dec 29th 2008 5:43PM

....what's wrong with Wario games?

Only reason Wario's on there is the beautiful 2D, really. It's a masterpiece on that account.

And WiiWare being listed only proves that at least people are looking for fantastic games on all accounts, unlike the 360 where many independent Xbox Live Arcade games get drowned in retro-remakes and over-advertised games. I've got a giant list that already goes past 120+ games of games to get and look forward to on the Wii. And sure, a good sum of the games on that list "isn't just for gamers", but they're good and fun games anyways.

...we gamers try to specify everything for just what WE WANT and WHAT WE LIKE that we never try anything "below that". And so many great things that used to bring families together or feeds the interests for others, are easily ignored by gamers, as they wish to just lock themselves up in the room until the family reunion's gone.

So you get creations like the 360, something that meets every need and want of a gamer.
I own a 360 (an Elite, even), and I do love it. But I gotta' say, if the gaming line-up and the community of the 360's gotta' say anything about gamers, it's one thing - we've put too much rules on what FUN should be nowadays.

I remember when fun was just about fun, not franchises and over-the-top action. That's why the Wii's still my favorite.

Wii-Lover @ Dec 30th 2008 12:39PM

Wow...

I like the way this guy thinks. =D

Wii-Lover @ Dec 29th 2008 3:47PM

Aaron... no. NO!

Jesus Christ Son of God... NO!

Wii Music is NOT a deep game at ALL.

And Orion this DOES prove there are good games to play. >.<

SoshiKitai @ Dec 29th 2008 5:28PM

Maybe you haven't played it long enough (4-6 hours)... either that, or you're just in complete denial just because it looks silly.

WiiMusic is actually one of the deepest kind of music games out there. A lot more complex than most.

Wii-Lover @ Dec 30th 2008 12:39PM

Touche...

SoshiKitai, I must say I'm not into casual games. Like I have fun with a lot of them (The Mii Fifa is way funner than the actual Fifa game on '09) just I dunno... I'd rather not have my idol say that he had more fun making Wii Music than Super Mario Bros.

I guess I'm just sour. XD

MrFellows711 @ Dec 29th 2008 4:11PM

wow, it's pathetic when you haven't even heard of half of the games, and one of them is "warioland: shake it"

goodbye nintendo, you had a great 20 year run, but your death is finally here.

SoshiKitai @ Dec 29th 2008 5:31PM

If you haven't heard of half of the games, then you honestly haven't been paying much attention to Wii games. O_o

All those games listed were given high mentions in many review sites and magazines. To say you haven't heard of them means you either live in the boonies or you don't watch TV/use the internet much.

...Wario Land Shake It wasn't one of the greatest games of all time, but it was a solid game, and what probably made it get on that list was the immensely beautiful 2D. It was perfect on many standards of 2D.

Muffonious @ Dec 29th 2008 4:39PM

I mostly agree with the list. I've never heard of that Art thing, but I'm not all that surprised. Besides that I own all of those games except for LostWinds and Boom Blox (which I tried out when I rented it from Blockbuster and didn't like it). I haven't gotten a chance to play Okami yet, though (even though I own it), but I'm glad to hear it was good.

My top 5 would have to be:
5. de Blob
4. MarioKart Wii
3. No More Heroes
2. World of Goo
1. Super Smash Bros. Brawl

Adolph @ Dec 29th 2008 5:43PM

Mario Kart Wii sucks.

My top 5 is much better:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HgXdLua9yZE

I have no clue why you guys are so lazy and didn't do a video.

Muffonious @ Dec 29th 2008 8:44PM

Well Mario Kart Wii is a great game with lots of fun and replay value assuming that you actually have real friends to play it with.

My best friend is a major MarioKart nut who's been with the franchise since the SNES days and he never whined about it being super crappy. I take comfort in knowing that just about the entire gaming world disagrees with you. ^_^

SoshiKitai @ Dec 30th 2008 3:13PM

...err... NWF never does videos for a top 5. Why? Because 1. it's not necessary to explain how a game is good or bad. 2. it's not necessary to explain how a game is good or bad. 3. people who have slow connections always have problems with videos, so videos should be kept to a minimal. 4. it's not necessary to explain how a game is good or bad. 5. way to make yourself feel mighty and cool. :P

Matias @ Dec 30th 2008 11:31AM

I agree with most of them, except for art style, de blob and boom box, because I haven't palyed them yet.

And in order it would be like this for me:

1. Okami
2. Megaman 9
3. No More Heroes
4. World of Goo
5. Tales of Symphonia 2: about this one, I was expecting less of it, because I was folloiwing the news since it was announced, and when it got out I was pleasently surprised, everything that I was doubtfull about was better (The monster system, the lack of overworld). Plus I'm a tales fanboy.

Adolph @ Dec 30th 2008 12:40PM

Mario Kart Wii is a terrible game.

Problems:

1. Balancing is TOTALLY RUINED.

12 players in a race means you will be hit by an item, than again, and again. You might be in first place than a blue shell throws you back, than 2 red hit you and what was a 1st place win, will now be 7th place. I don't mind items, i don't mind blue shell, but when you are constantly raped and racing takes a back seat, thats a huge problem.

2. Lack of options kills Local Multiplayer

Why can't I play with original Block Fort, the new one is terrible and to complex.

Why such a limited list for battle maps, mario kart ds and 64, dd have plenty of tracks, and they get most of them, but why not have ALL of them on the disk.

Why can't I play balloon battle with 3 balloons and your done? This really changes the game to be something TOTALLY DIFFERENT. I don't have option to change to play the way I want, I am FORCED to play the way they want which is radically different and worse than it was originally.

Why can't I play free for all, and now I am FORCED to play on TEAMS.

I just want to battle my friends, If I want teams I want option. Mario kart Wii hates to give the player options.
Does an option exist to take off CPU during battle, I didn't see it.

3. Online is worthless

The set up is very nice and well, but hackers have come on board and totally ruined the experience. Infinite Blue shells are now possible and where snaking was terrible before now all these hackers have totally ruined the game.

If Mario kart Wii had the same level of customization of Brawl, it would be a great game. However the lack of options for local multiplayer and unbalanced single player game make it horrible tease.

kraz @ Dec 30th 2008 1:32PM

i have to agree with the dissapointment around mariokart wii. But my dissapointment comes with one of the most basic changes they made... No grand prix multiplayer. Lately i feel like all of gaming is saying "play with your friends online, or don't play with them at all!".
As for the list itself, i don't think it's that strong, wiiware (for the most part) is alot of fun little games you play when you don't have time for hard disk games (once again, for the most part) which makes me feel like a list filled with have of them comprising a "best of" makes for fairly sparse hardware. There wasn't much in the way of impressive games this year. (didn't say none, just not many). As for the comment earlier about fun just being fun... You can find fun games on any system at any moment in time. There really not hard to come by. And by all means everyone should have their share of fun titles at their disposal. But, what really get's me into games is what doubles this entertainment industry as an art. Much in the same way film making is an art. Story, visual art, sound design, scoring. it's all there and controlling what happens sucks you into it that much more. It's what's driving me to try to break into this industry. And on that front, yes, the wii has come up wanting this year. The good news? Lot's to look forward to next year. It looks to be a year full of surprises, sastisfaction, and yes, probably dissappointment too. As long as there are at least many efforts, with some successes i can't complain.

SoshiKitai @ Dec 30th 2008 3:10PM

To a very technical person, MKWii is awful.

To a casual player (of which you should play MKWii casually), they just see winning, losing and having fun.
The only thing a casual player has to complain about is the hackers... of which there's not as many as there used to be.

And don't think casual players are complaining about "balancing", the way they see it: It's fun, and EVERYONE has a chance at winning.

If you got MKWii as a serious racer, you're a little nuts.

Adolph @ Dec 30th 2008 3:28PM

I'm not a serious racer at all. I love Mario Kart DS, and I still play 4 player battle mode in MK64 with friends on Virtual Console.

I don't see why I should give Nintendo a pass when it comes to lack of basic options. Having options shouldn't scare away casual gamers.

Gundam_Warrior @ Dec 31st 2008 8:51PM

My top 10:

1. Super Smash Bros Brawl
2. No More Heroes
3. Okami
4. Rock Band 2
5. Mega Man 9
6. Boom Blox
7. De Blob
8. Bully: Scholarship Edition
9. Guitar Hero: World Tour
10. Mario Kart Wii

HM -
Blast Works
Tetris Party