The Nintendo Wii may be thirteen years old, but it’s still one of the most fun consoles to play. Its distinctive motion controls create an exceptional player experience. With the Nintendo Switch out of stock and everyone stuck at home, it’s time to rescue the Wii from the back of the cupboard, dig out your remotes, and relive those fond memories.
From multiplayer to single player, here are the best Wii games to play during lockdown.
1. Wii Sports Resort
Wii Sports Resort transports you to an idyllic island where you can wakeboard, sword fight, partake in air sports, and more. The game’s adventurous activities distinguish it from Wii Sports and make it far more enjoyable during lockdown whilst they aren’t available.
Up to four players can participate, providing you have a MotionPlus for each remote. Some sports, such as archery, require a nunchuck. It is an ideal game for group competitions, but be warned that it can get lively!
2. Wii Party
Wii Party is the ultimate game to play in a group, hence the name. It contains 80 different mini-games that can be played alone, but also feed into longer games, such as Board Game Island, Bingo, and Globe Trot. If you win the starting mini-game of each round, you have the advantage.
The variety of games rolled into one optimises the enjoyment of participating, especially when united with Miis clad in comical outfits and dinosaurs chasing you down a mountain. After a few rounds of Board Game Island, players will be cheering when somebody is cast into the depths of the volcano.
3. Just Dance (Any version)
The premise is simple: copy the dances shown on screen and receive a score based on your performance. Dance like nobody’s watching or involve your lockdown buddies.
The game is a great form of exercise and burns a surprising amount of calories, so it’s perfect for rainy quarantine days. Just make sure you strap your controller to your wrist or you may have one unintentionally hurled at your TV.
4. LEGO Harry Potter (Years 1-4 and Year 5-7)
Both of these games are perfect if you want to immerse yourself in the Harry Potter universe again, either alone or with a friend. It closely follows the plot of the books but relies on the player to cast spells and complete challenges to progress. The blend of Harry Potter, Wii motion controls, and LEGO animation produces a magical experience.
Other notable LEGO series include: LEGO Star Wars, LEGO Lord of the Rings, and LEGO Indiana Jones.
5. Super Mario Galaxy
Play as Mario on his mission to rescue Princess Peach from Bowser, travelling to new galaxies that contain the stars necessary to power Princess Rosalina’s spaceship, and transport him to his final battle with his greatest enemy.
Super Mario Galaxy feels like a world of its own, separate from other Super Mario games, but still a bit similar to Super Mario Odyssey. The universe is huge and each galaxy is unique. Each power star feels like an achievement, one that’s only surpassed by the unique space details, like star bits and magical star-like creatures called Lumas.
Whilst the game is primarily single player, a second person can play as Mario’s Luma companion and collect star bits or restrain enemies.
6. Wii Play
Grab a friend and compete in cow racing, tanking, billiards, and more. Whilst it doesn’t contain as many games as Wii Party, it holds nostalgia for most Wii players. The game was designed to teach people the controls and therefore was the first Wii game most people played.
Alone, you can spend hours trying to defeat all of the tanks or get the highest rally on table tennis. Together, you can vie for bragging rights.
7. Mario Kart Wii
Mario Kart Wii is a classic. Pick your Mario character and vehicle, then race. It can turn anyone competitive with merciless power-ups being thrown in desperation for victory. The game is also perfect for individuals. Hours upon hours can be spent beating time trials and cups to unlock new features.
With 32 tracks to race on and an additional battle mode, Mario Kart Wii is the cure for lockdown boredom.
8. The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword
Play alone as teenage Link on another quest to find and save Zelda, accompanied by a spirit called Fi. It starts on a sky island called Skyloft with delightful characters, before venturing into a whole new colourful fantasy world. The game is the ultimate combination of game and story.
The Wii’s motion controls seem made for The Legend of Zelda. Who wouldn’t want to slay enemies with the flick of a remote or fly a massive bird by tilting?
9. Rayman Origins
Rayman Origins is a two-dimensional wonderland. Venture through the beautifully crafted Glade of Dreams as Rayman to rescue your friends and vanquish enemies. Learn new skills, like hovering, and restore peace to the land.
The music is catchy, the visuals awe-inspiring, and the controls are very receptive. It is an exquisite game that can be enjoyed by up to four players at once.
10. Wii Music
Wii Music allows your Miis to play instruments and create music, all controlled by you. There are mini-games and group jamming sessions. It is undeniably hilarious, especially when your Mii dresses up as a cat and meows a song. There is no way to score or win, it’s purely about having fun.
Words by Isla Glen