Quick wins for a faster PC:
Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →The best Wii games capture two sides of the console: easy-to-share motion play that brought groups into the living room, and a broad catalogue of platformers, adventures, racers, fighters, and role-playing games. This is an editorial shortlist, not an official Nintendo ranking; start with the games that fit the kind of session you want.
Quick picks: where to start
| What you want to play | Start with | Why it fits |
|---|---|---|
| Motion-controlled group play | Wii Sports or Wii Sports Resort | Familiar activities make them natural games to pass around; Resort offers a wider range of motion-led activities. |
| Inventive 3D platforming | Super Mario Galaxy | Gravity-bending planets and movement make it the standout pick for a solo platforming session. |
| Cooperative 2D platforming | New Super Mario Bros. Wii | Up to four players can join, making it a good choice for a group that wants to play together on the same screen. |
| Exploration and fantasy adventure | The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess | A more dramatic, exploration-focused alternative to the Wii’s party and platform games. |
| Racing or fighting with friends | Mario Kart Wii or Super Smash Bros. Brawl | Choose kart-and-bike racing or character-filled local battles. |
| A long-form role-playing game | Xenoblade Chronicles | A large-scale RPG for players who want broad environments and a longer commitment. |
Why these games define the Wii
Nintendo’s history of the console describes its “innovative control system” as reaching both Nintendo fans and people who did not traditionally play video games. Wii Sports is the clearest expression of that approach: familiar sports and Mii-based play turn the Wii Remote into something a newcomer can understand by watching someone else. WarioWare: Smooth Moves takes the same easy-to-demonstrate idea in a more playful direction, with short motion-control experiments.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
|
Wii Sports by Nintendo (Renewed) | $51.91 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
|
Mario Kart Wii - Game Only by Nintendo (Renewed) | $49.77 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
|
Nintendo New Super Mario Bros. Wii (Renewed) | $44.97 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
|
Super Mario Galaxy (Renewed) | $29.31 | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 |
|
Wii Sports Resort by Nintendo (Renewed) | $58.78 | Buy on Amazon |
That social identity is only part of the library. The Wii also hosted ambitious solo adventures, inventive 3D platforming, cooperative side-scrollers, racing, fighting, and role-playing games. The selections below are grouped by what they offer rather than by an unsupported numerical ranking. Nintendo’s history of the Wii and its Wii game catalogue provide the platform and game context.
Best Wii games for motion-controlled group play
Wii Sports
Best for: introducing a group to motion controls with recognizable activities. Nintendo describes five sports and Mii-based play; the game is a compact showcase for the Wii Remote and Nunchuk. Its familiar premise makes it especially suited to casual sessions where people can take turns rather than learn a complex ruleset.
#1 Best Overall
- -Disc only. Original case and manual not included. Will come packaged in a generic case.
- -This renewed game has been cleaned, tested, and shows minimal wear.
Nintendo states that Wii Sports was included with some—but not all—Wii console bundles and was also sold separately. If you are buying a used console or disc, check what is actually included rather than assuming every Wii came with the game. Nintendo’s Wii Sports product page describes the game and its bundle context.
Wii Sports Resort
Best for: a broader motion-play session once the group wants more variety. Nintendo’s catalogue lists 12 activities, making it a natural follow-up to Wii Sports for players who enjoy physical, pick-up-and-play challenges.
Check the controller requirements before choosing a copy: Nintendo’s Nintendo Selects listing says Wii Remote Plus or MotionPlus is not included. That is a package-content warning, not a claim that every copy has identical contents. See Nintendo’s Wii Sports Resort Selects listing.
Rank #2
- -Disc only. Original case and manual not included. Will come packaged in a generic case.
- -This renewed game has been cleaned, tested, and shows minimal wear.
WarioWare: Smooth Moves
Best for: quick rounds and comic motion-control surprises. Rather than recreate a sport, it turns brief physical gestures into rapid-fire challenges. Nintendo’s history places it among the 2007 releases intended to invite people regardless of prior gaming experience.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Best Wii games for platforming
Super Mario Galaxy
Best for: inventive solo 3D platforming. Its defining idea is movement between small planets and gravity-bending environments, so the usual jump-and-run rhythm keeps changing as the terrain curves around the character. Nintendo also describes a shake-triggered spin and pointer-based Star Bit collection. Nintendo lists the Wii release date as November 16, 2007. The official Super Mario Galaxy page outlines the mechanics.
It is a strong starting point for someone who wants a more focused platform game rather than a party showcase. Nintendo’s 2012 financial report recorded 10.40 million units sold through December 2011; that historical figure is not a current lifetime total, and the report says software units include copies bundled with hardware.
Rank #3
- Disc only. Original case and manual not included. Will come packaged in a generic case.
- This renewed game has been cleaned, tested, and shows minimal wear.
- Perspective: Side-Scroller
- Number of players: 1-4
New Super Mario Bros. Wii
Best for: side-scrolling Mario with friends. Nintendo says up to four players can join, giving the game a cooperative option that suits a living-room group while retaining the familiar left-to-right platforming format. It is a practical pick when players want a shared run through levels rather than taking turns at separate activities.
Donkey Kong Country Returns
Best for: players looking for a more demanding-feeling 2D platformer. Nintendo describes it as a Wii adventure in the style of the Donkey Kong Country series, making it a useful alternative for someone who wants side-scrolling action but not another Mario game.
Best Wii game for adventure
The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess
Best for: exploration, action-adventure, and a more dramatic fantasy tone. Nintendo identified Twilight Princess as a Wii launch title in 2006. It is the shortlist’s clearest choice for players who want an extended adventure rather than short party rounds or a platforming challenge. Nintendo’s announcement for Twilight Princess and Super Mario Galaxy gives the historical release context.
Rank #4
- -Disc only. Original case and manual not included. Will come packaged in a generic case.
- -This renewed game has been cleaned, tested, and shows minimal wear.
Best Wii games for multiplayer competition
Mario Kart Wii
Best for: accessible racing with karts and bikes. Its straightforward multiplayer appeal makes it an easy recommendation for mixed-experience groups who want a competitive game that is quick to understand.
A Wii Wheel is an accessory, not a universal requirement: Nintendo’s Nintendo Selects listing says the wheel is not included. Check the package contents if you specifically want one. Nintendo’s Mario Kart Wii Selects listing describes the game and package caveat.
Super Smash Bros. Brawl
Best for: local fighting-game sessions built around Nintendo characters. It is the pick for players who want battles rather than races, and its local multiplayer remains distinct from the online features once offered for Wii games.
Best Value
- -Disc only. Original case and manual not included. Will come packaged in a generic case.
- -This renewed game has been cleaned, tested, and shows minimal wear.
Nintendo says the Wii online service—including online play, matchmaking, competitions, and leaderboards—was discontinued in 2014. Do not expect those original online features to work today. Consult Nintendo’s Super Smash Bros. Brawl page for the service-status notice.
Best Wii game for a long RPG
Xenoblade Chronicles
Best for: players who want a large-scale role-playing game with broad environments rather than a short session built around party activities. Nintendo’s Wii catalogue identifies it as an RPG developed by Monolith Soft. Its place on this list is a reminder that the console’s library extends well beyond motion-control showcases.
How to choose—and what to check before buying
- For a new or mixed-experience group: start with Wii Sports; choose Wii Sports Resort if you want more activity variety and have the required motion-control hardware.
- For a solo session: choose Super Mario Galaxy for platforming, Twilight Princess for adventure, or Xenoblade Chronicles for a long-form RPG.
- For shared play: New Super Mario Bros. Wii supports up to four players; Mario Kart Wii and Brawl offer racing and local fighting, respectively.
- Before paying for a physical copy: verify the disc’s region and condition, and confirm package contents with the seller. Nintendo’s product pages do not establish current used-game availability or the condition of a particular listing.
Nintendo’s 2012 investor report offers a dated measure of several games’ reach, but it should not be mistaken for current lifetime sales. Through December 2011, the report recorded 79.16 million units for Wii Sports, 31.91 million for Mario Kart Wii, 29.87 million for Wii Sports Resort, and 25.47 million for New Super Mario Bros. Wii. Nintendo notes that its software-unit totals include games bundled with hardware, so Wii Sports’ figure is not equivalent to that many individually purchased discs. These figures are historical context, not a popularity ranking or present-day sales tally. Nintendo’s 2012 financial report contains the figures and accounting note.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
Recommended Free Tools
