When looking for the best Wii games, some people who have little experience with game systems may not know where to start. After the game system was first released, dozens of games for the Wii system seemed to appear on the market overnight. With such a wide range of choices, it can be a real challenge to find the right one- especially if you’re buying a Wii game as a gift for someone else. This quick guide is meant to help you sort through it all as you embark upon your game hunting adventure. Some people feel that the best Wii games are the ones that take full advantage of the motion sensing controllers and incorporate exercise into the game. Each controller is capable of sensing movement and making a corresponding action happen on the TV screen. There are several Wii games available that have a certain amount of physical activity involved, and these are often the games parents prefer to buy for their children.
Below is a list of the best Wii games for kids based on age, and category. If you have no idea on what Nintendo Wii games to get your kids, or are just looking for new ideas, then take a look at the top Wii games below…
Top 10 Wii Games of 2011
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Best Exercise & Fitness Games for Adults & Kids
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Best Music & Rhythm Games
Top 5
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Karaoke and Dance
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Best Sports Games
Best for All Ages
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NEW from EA Sports
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Racing
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Game Shows
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Just for Boys
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Just for Girls
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How to Find the Best Wii Games
When choosing a Wii game for your kids, it is important to remember to check the ESRB rating as a first step. The Entertainment Software Rating Board issues an official rating for every video game available for sale. These ratings are much like the “PG” and “R” ratings on movies, and are designed to give parents a way to monitor and control the game content their children have access to. Games rated “eC” are designed for the youngest video game players and are approved for early childhood. Games rated “E” are approved for everyone of all ages. Games rated “E10+” are okay for children age ten and up. “T” rated games are for teenagers and are appropriate for kids under seventeen years old. The other two ratings are “M” for mature and “A” for adult. These games are notorious for their bloody, graphic violence and adult language in addition to sexual content. These games are absolutely not for children under the age of seventeen. When you’re looking for the best Wii games for your children, it is important to check this rating first.
There are games available for the Wii system that are designed to coincide with popular movies, cartoons and other TV shows. There are usually a couple different variations of video games for each super hero movie that comes out. A good way to choose the best Wii games is to pay attention to the movies and toys that your child like to watch and play with. For just about every popular movie, TV show, and video game, there is a video game version available.
While video games for boys are available by the hundreds, there are decidedly fewer games on the market that are designed specifically for girls. There are a few that are based on popular girl- themed TV shows, and there are also a few fashion designer games available. Girls and boys both like the puzzle type games, and there are many of those. There are also musical games available that allow kids to sing, play instruments, and perform for points and rankings. These are some of the most popular games among teenagers, but preteens like them as well. The musical games are designed using some of the most popular songs from current music hit lists as well as retro and even some oldie hits. These are typically “covered” versions of the hits and any curse words in the original songs are bleeped out to make them more kid friendly. The best Wii games are designed to be both kid friendly and engaging, so kids often end up spending hours playing the games.
Top 10 Nintendo Wii Games for Kids
Unlike many gaming consoles, the Nintendo Wii is designed for almost any age of child, from toddler to teen and even adults. This gaming system is most unique simply because it has a host of Nintendo Wii games that are designed specifically for kid play, making it easy for parents to feel comfortable allowing their children to spend their free time playing games. While there are plenty of Nintendo Wii games to go around, there are some for kids which stand out from the pack as some of the best around. These games are rated the best not just because of their graphics, like most gaming consoles, but because of their message, their story, and their interaction with children.
Wii Fit
Parents who are worried that their children sitting down and staying stagnant for too long will love the Wii Fit. This game is more than just a game, it’s a whole system. The game starts with the Wii board. This board is a weight sensitive board. When you step on it, the board senses where your center of balance is. According to many health professionals, the center of balance has a lot to do with exactly what your health status is. If your balance is incorrect, you can have posture and back problems, causing a host of other issues to occur. The Wii Balance Board is designed to help you get better balance as well as to get back into shape.
The board itself looks very much like one of the step boards that were so popular in aerobics in the early 1990’s. The board is white and is actually quartered into four sections, allowing the board to sense the things that it needs to. It can support up to 300 pounds and is extremely sturdy, which means you never have to worry about someone falling off of it and getting hurt. It is extremely sensitive and is smart enough to recognize who is playing the game when they step on the board simply by what their weight is.
The first time you play the game, the system will ask to check your BMI and your Wii Fit Age. The BMI check determines how much body fat is on your body based on the height that you enter into the system and the weight that the system determines you are. It then uses the standard measurement to see if your BMI is under, ideal, or over the recommended BMI for your weight and height. The Wii Fit Age is a balance test that will determine, in the computers mind, how old you are. It will have you stand left and right and will test your balance in a number of different ways. The point of the Wii Fit Age is to get players to try harder to get fit, by lowering their Wii age the more they play the games.
The Wii Fit has four different categories of play, including aerobics, strength training, balance, and yoga. These games help you to become a stronger, fitter person. You get your own personal trainer, helping you to get into shape quickly and easily. The Wii Fit is the ideal game for any family who worries about sitting on the couch too much, and is not only easy to use, but enjoyable as well.
Mario Kart
Who doesn’t love Mario? The entire Nintendo universe has been built on many different Mario games. Look on store shelves now and you’ll find Mario playing soccer, tennis, and, of course racing, along with a number of other sports that he has mastered. The racing, however, holds a special place in the hearts of many gamers. The Wii console, however, is never one to do things the old fashioned way, and while the game itself is reminiscent of many of the other Mario Kart games, it is also a bit different in that gamers actually get to use a steering wheel to cavort Mario and his friends around the many different race tracks.
The Wii Wheel is very easy to use. Simply place your Wii remote into the empty slot and the piece of plastic transforms into a race car steering wheel. When you more the wheel to the right, the cars go right. When you move it left, the cars go left. It takes a bit of practice to get the wheel and the Karters corresponding well with each other, and many parents find, to their consternation, that their children do better with the Wii wheel than they do, as it is an extremely touchy wheel.
Thanks to the Wii Wheel and Mario Kart, you can drive Mario and his friends around a number of different tracks, and you can while away hours playing against your children or friends and family, in a safe and fun manner.
Rock Band
When Rock Band appeared in the gaming world, gamers were ecstatic. Finally there was a game that you could play that let you become a rock and roll band! Unlike other games for gaming systems, this one allows you to play the guitar, the drums, and to do the lyrics! Rock Band pits you against your friends, or against the computer, in a race to become the best Rock Band in the world. You play classic songs from the best rock bands ever, including Boston, The Police, David Bowie, the Rolling Stones, and Aerosmith.
Super Mario Galaxy
Once again Mario is out to save the Princess, only this time he’s doing it in 3D on the Wii! Mario gets catapulted into the galaxy and teams up with Rosalina to find all of the little star bits that have been lost and stolen. Favorites, such as Bowser and Toad, show up, and there are a host of new options, including allowing Mario to turn into a ghost and into a bee! Some gamers who experience motion sickness have had a hard time adjusting to the game, but most can spend hours playing Mario and trying to save the universe again in his family friendly way.
Wii Music
A unique spin in the whole music gaming genre, Wii Music is a way to create a musical masterpiece on your Wii console. This game allows you to add musicians to the band and to change the song and the beat of the song playing. Instead of playing the rock and roll guitars and instruments like that, players play the jazz drums, marching drums, banjo, marimba, and other unique instruments. Folk tuns turn into jazz songs and you can even take classic Nintendo songs and change them up! You can also use the Wii Balance Board with this game to create a truly unique experience.
Wall-E
One of the hottest movies of the summer of 2008, Wall-E tells the story of a little robot who gets left behind on earth in order to clean things up after humanity has made a mess of everything. Wall-E then meets Eve, who shows him that there are other machines in space and is whom he falls in love with. Thanks to Eve’s help, Wall-E discovers that he has the secret to cleaning up the earth, allowing the humans to move back again. This game allows children to become Wall-E, cleaning things up, interacting with tons of other creatures, and going through the adventure of a little robot’s lifetime.
Guitar Hero World Tour
Like most other guitar games, Guitar Hero World Tour is absolutely addicting. This time players get to strap on a guitar and play from the ground up, starting in small clubs and working their way up to playing huge stadiums. The challenges are harder, the music is better, and the game is ideal for families that have both younger and older children, allowing everyone to play together in order to see who is the true Guitar Hero in the family!
Wario Land: Shake It
Even though Wario is technically the bad guy, kids have had fun playing Wario for a number of years. Now Wario is back for the Wii in a brand new game: Wario Land: Shake It! This game brings back the classic Mario scenic, side-scrolling action. Turn the remote sideways and control Wario as he moves through the levels doing his famous butt-stomping and power-dashing moves that we all know and love. There are tons of levels on this one and it can take children plenty of time to beat it entirely, making it the perfect game to get the child who loves to play RPG type games!
We Ski
Some people mistakenly believe that the only game that can use the Wii Balance Board is Wii Fit. This, however, is not so. Wii Ski is all about jumping on the board and swooshing down the slopes the best you can! Go against friends if you have a second board, or try to beat your time as you slosh and sluice your way to greatness!
LEGO Batman
One of the most popular characters in the comic book universe, Batman, teams up with some of the funniest characters in the video game universe to create LEGO Batman, a game that will have your kids laughing and begging to play “just a little longer, please!” This game has all of the classic Batman gear, and is done in true, hilarious Lego style, making it one of the great games to get children who love comic book action heroes.
Top 10 Nintendo Wii Games for Teens
No one is more discriminating when it comes to gaming than teenagers. Some teenagers live on video games, and spend all of their hard earned money to purchase the next best thing that comes out in the store. Many teens first scoffed at the Nintendo Wii. After all, the graphics weren’t as great as the Xbox 360 graphics, which meant, in their mind, that the games were going to be insignificant to play. They quickly learned, however, that just because the Wii console doesn’t have the same high tech graphics that other consoles do doesn’t mean that it is, by any means, less superior. The gaming system is so unique that it pulls even hardcore gaming teens into its world, allowing them to interact with their video games in a way that was never possible before, and making it just that much easier to connect with your teen than ever before. The top ten Nintendo Wii games for teens include:
Wii Fit
As with children, the Wii Fit is a great game for teens, especially those who are so buy doing homework and playing games that they don’t get outside much. Teens can invite their friends over and can have challenges, trying to see who can get the best Wii Fit age. They can take a jog in the comfort of their own home, and can learn how to do yoga poses without having to take a class where everyone will stare at them. Many teens do excellently with the Wii Fit game, for the simple fact that they’re allowed to play it in the safety of their own home, without the danger of anyone watching them, making it not only fun, but a game where they can be secluded while they get healthy at the same time.
Mario Kart
You wouldn’t think that teens would love Mario Kart as much as they do, because, after all, you’re not driving a real car. This game, however, is challenging for everyone from children to adults and has a special place in its heart for teens. Playing the game on 50 or 100 CC’s is easy enough, but bump the game up to 150CC’s and suddenly even the most avid teen gamer is sweating and trying to get Mario and his cronies to win the race and to beat the level. Hook it up online and you can play people from around the world, making Mario Kart an excellent game to get teenagers.
Guitar Hero World Tour
What teenager doesn’t dream about becoming a guitar hero? Guitar Hero World Tour gives them that chance. Teens get to strap on a guitar and get to take on their favorite songs, trying to master them. Some teens have even managed to win National championships for Guitar Hero, making it not only fun, but a competitive game as well. Parents and teens unite especially well for this game, as there are plenty of songs that the gamer will play that the parents and the parents alone will know, allowing them to say, “I remember when…”
Call of Duty: World at War
This is one game that is highly anticipated by any teen who loves to game. The other Call of Duty games have been extremely popular, and this one promises to be as well. Grab your Wii remote and suddenly you’re being cast into actual combat, trying to survive and save the day in extremely tense situations. This is no game for the tepid gamer, and is extremely realistic in a number of ways. It can actually help to teach teens strategy and can give them an idea of what soldiers went through so many years ago when they were fighting to try to survive.
Rock Band 2
Much like Guitar Hero, Rock Band allows players to learn and demonstrate some serious musical skill, only Rock Band gives you the opportunity to play more than just a guitar! Teens can sit behind a drum set and can start banging away, or can grab a mic and start singing along with the song! And, of course, the prerequisite guitar is there, ready to rock and roll as you try to become the ultimate rock band in the universe. This is a great game for teens who have their friends over fairly often, and can become a downright party on a Friday or Saturday night. After chores are done, of course.
Super Mario Galaxy
A game that seems as if it would be so easy has tons of surprises behind it. Super Mario Galaxy is a game that once again has Mario trying to save the world, only this time there are tons of hidden levels that you can only open up if you’ve been playing the game long enough and have done well enough. Feed the stars some star bits and they’ll open up unseen levels, making this game almost endless!
Resident Evil: The Umbrella Chronicles
Teens who love horror movies have definitely hard of the Resident Evil series. This pits you against tons of zombies who are intent on eating your flesh to survive. Unlike when you play other game systems, however, the Wii allows you to actually use your Wii remote like a weapon, firing at the screen and keeping the zombies off of you. It pulls you right into things and brings a whole new level of fear to your gaming, as you never know what you’ll see when you turn around…
Star Wars: The Force Unleashed
The Star Wars series has never been hotter, and in the new Wii game, Star Wars: the Force Unleashed, George Lucas promises to reveal a number of secrets about the Star Wars Galaxy! The story takes place when Darth Vadar is newly formed and tries to defeat all of the Jedi’s in the galaxy. This is one game that will make all Star Wars fans, teens and adults alike, extremely happy.
Wii Music
Your teen likes music but not rock and roll? No problem. Wii Music will allow them to adjust a change the beat on a number of different songs, including some classic Nintendo songs that everyone will recognize.
The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess
Link comes alive once again, only in this incarnation he gets to become a wolf! Teens will enjoy playing this Legend of Zelda, not only for its beautiful graphics and amazing storyline, but also because you can truly control Link thanks to the Wii remote.
Top 5 Nintendo Wii Games for Adults
Unlike most gaming systems, the Wii is actually designed for all ages of gamers, including adults – even those who have never played a gaming console in their lives! There are plenty of Wii games for adults, including these top five:
Wii Fit
How many adults swear that they’re going to get off of their couch and start exercising? Wii Fit makes it easy. In the comfort of your own home you can learn how to do yoga, jog, and improve your fitness in a fast and fun way.
Rock Band
You’ve never seen anything as hilarious as a bunch of adults who wished that they could have become a rock star instead of having the job they currently hold playing Rock Band. This game allows you to step behind the music and to play classic rock songs that we all know and love. Add some friends and you’ve got a party in a box!
Wii Music
Some adults love rock and roll, while others merely tolerate it. Wii Music is for the gamers who want to be able to create music without having to create rock music. This game allows you to change the tempo on tons of songs and to play interesting selections that you create, without having to push many buttons at all.
Guitar Hero World Tour
Those who like rock music, however, will love playing Guitar Hero World Tour. This game has plenty of songs that everyone loves and classics that you could sing in your sleep! Strap on a guitar and earn your fame and fortune with the quickness of your fingers!
Mario Kart
It may seem like a child’s game, but more than one parent has grabbed the Wii Wheel after their kid has gone to bed to try to beat new and different levels. Mario Kart is a game for the entire family, including the adults!
The Wii is truly a gaming system with no peers. It allows those people who are intimidated by gaming systems with an easy way to learn how to play, and lets those who love gaming have a different type of gaming experience. If you’re searching for a gaming console that everyone in the family can use, the Wii is definitely it.