Valentine’s Day is around the corner, and not all of us will have plans for that cold Saturday night (I know I won’t). But this year instead of slouching around the tv I challenge all of you to play something fun of your old Nintendo Wii (if you even bought that failure of a system). So check your shelves and trunks for some Wii games and see if you posses any of these gems of the pre-WiiU era.
5. Super Mario Sluggers (E);
Part of the charm of this game is its straightforwardness. You swing your arm, you hit a ball, you flick your wrist, you catch a ball. At first it can seem plain and repetitive, but the magic is in the visuals of the game. The colorful characters seem to grow on you as you slide, catch, hit, and fall from a small sandlot to bowsers castle/stadium. The only downside I can think of to this game is the small amounts of free-roaming between matches, but those parts are short and otherwise it’s a riot.
4. Elebits (E)
Elebits is one of the most underrated Wii games I’ve played, and yet one of the most creative. You start the game as an young girl who lives on the outskirts of a suburban area, suddenly the power goes out. The story then reveals that the disturbances are being caused by the scurryings of little energy creatures called Elebits, so you set out to catch them and bring the power back. Your character is gifted with a tractor beam and you play by thrashing random rooms in search of the tiny creatures. This game has an ecstatic air to it, it’s just pure fun to mercilessly destroy a room and suck in the little creatures. The best way I could even approach explaining the feeling of playing this marvel is, ” imagine being a ghostbuster with a search warrant”.
3. Wii Sports Resort (E)
This games position on the list is a tad bit unstable, mostly because it comes with the Wii (depending on when you bought it). But this game is truly a fun experience. Though it is usually heralded for its multiplayer qualities, this game has a beautiful atmosphere and overworld that can only be experienced alone. In this imaginary resort you can enjoy sports such as: swordfighting, wakeboarding, archery, basketball, golf, plane flying, Frisbee, bowling, cycling, canoeing, and power cruising. Personally my favorites are the flying, swordplay, and cycling because you get to see the pretty sights of Wuhu island from the hidden ocean caves to right in the city plaza.
2. Guitar Hero III (T)
Guitar Hero 3 is one of the best solo games ever to touch down on our earthly realm the story mode is so superb you don’t even want to use the “quick play mode”! The game starts running (and in the lead) with an cutscenes of your character climbing a mountain or intimidating rockers an defeating each one with a guitar solo, only to be greeted at the top by a Deathmetal Thor with a giant Mjölnir/guitar and have an epic clash of rock with him. Once the game actually starts you are introduced to your band, who you will work with to become the most famous band ever. The game has diverse music, great story (with a crazy twist), funny designs, and colorful celebrity appearances (by Tom Morello of Rage Against the Machine and Slash of Guns n’ Roses). Even if you can’t play a real guitar, this game will ensure that you can get a slice of the rocker pie.
1. Mario Kart (E)
The Mario Kart series has been around since 1992 and has made a very strong cross-console name for itself. Each game has basically the same easy to understand controls, A is go, B is reverse, and your movement controls the wheel (like a real car!!). This game is different from its predecessors because it introduces the use of motorcycles, the faster but harder to control alternative to the usual car format. It also introduces online multiplayer mode (now you can hang out with people all you want), and the ability to use your Mii as a character. I’d go through the gameplay of this game, but at this point who doesn’t know how Mario Kart works. You drive around the Mushroom Kingdom trying desperately to place in first, but also keeping track of who has what items (which can be used to stop you). Overall this game is fun, colorful, and a true embodiment of competing spirit.
Photo Credit: http://www.gamefaqs.com and http://issuesprogram.com/2013/11/end-of-the-wii-wake-up-nintendo-usa/