For anyone who used to own a Nintendo Wii, it might be discomforting to think of it as a genuine retro console nowadays, as it probably only feels like yesterday that you were joyfully swinging around its Wiimote, but it’s actually been almost sixteen years since it launched. When it was released in November 2006, it received overwhelmingly positive praise for its seemingly revolutionary control aspects.
Instead of just having a standard controller, the console made use of a wireless one with motion sensing capabilities. Whilst many thought that Nintendo had invented the use of motion capture in video games, it was actually first used on both the Atari 2600, and the Commodore 64, way back in 1981.
However, many critics eventually felt that the console was a bit gimmicky, and beyond a rare few great games, didn’t offer much. In contrast to that, we believe that the Wii had some fantastic games, and even some that might’ve passed some gamers by. So, we’re here to show you these magnificent underrated Wii gems.
Scarface: The World Is Yours
Say hello to my little friend! This game might seem a bit of a weird team up. You have the family friendly Nintendo console on one hand, and the potty-mouthed, violent criminal, who went out in a blaze of glory at the end of one of the best gangster movies ever made, on the other. Yet somehow, the pairing worked perfectly, and Scarface: The World Is Yours proved to be a thrill-tastic action-adventure game.
Versions of the game were originally released on the PlayStation 2 and Xbox in 2006. However, a year later, the game was given a makeover for the Wii, and incorporated the console’s unique control abilities. This raised the game from good to great, and reviewers noted how enjoyable it was to cause carnage on the Wii. Unfortunately, the game didn’t receive much attention, as Nintendo were perhaps unwilling to heavily promote a violent game on their console.
Wario Land: Shake It!
Whilst his arch-rival, Mario, might be the star of Nintendo, Wario has actually had his fair share of great games. The 2008 platformer, Wario Land: Shake It!, is one such game. The title is the sixth instalment of the Wario Land series, which first graced the magical handheld that was the original Game Boy back in 1994. The series builds upon the Super Mario Land games that were basically the port of the Super Mario Bros platformers for the NES, though redesigned for the smaller screen.
Wario Land: Shake It! managed to elevate the already popular series. It brought the graphics to a level previously unseen, with the artwork being highly commended. It also utilized the Wiimote to the full capabilities, allowing the player to shake the controller to deliver a crushing stomping move that wiped out enemies, without making it seem tedious. Unfortunately, even though it was universally well reviewed, the game didn’t sell that well, only shifting 150,000 copies in the US.
The best level on the game is Glittertown, which basically stuffs Wario into a giant slot machine. If you want to find slot machines that haven’t been infected by an angry anti-Mario though, then head to Casinos.co.za. It’s a place where you can play all the most popular online casino games. There’s all the classic casino games available, including slot machines, roulette, and online poker. Plus, more bonus offers than you can shake a Wiimote at, so, get stuck in today.
A Boy and His Blob
This game isn’t just fun to play, but it also has a title that just reading it will put a smile on your face. A Boy and His Blob originally came out on the Wii in 2009, and is a re-imagining of the 1989 game, A Boy and His Blob: Trouble on Blobolonia. That version was released on the NES, and whilst it wouldn’t be in most people’s five NES games that deserve a modern remaster, the original gained enough of a cult following to receive a follow up on the Wii.
The NES game was infamous for being incredibly tricky, with unforgiven puzzles that had most people launching their controller across the room in frustration. The Wii version though, was made lovingly by a group of developers who cherished the original (despite its flaws) but wanted to smooth out the experience so that it could be adored by a whole new crowd. They made the puzzles more accessible, the art-style look like it had come straight from the pages of a comic-book, and they made it a beautiful experience to play, from start to finish.
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