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The most successful console this generation. Go on, you know you want to…
The Key Exclusives
No More Heroes
A protagonist named Travis Touchdown. Wiimote-assisted quadruple decapitations. Poop jokes. Clearly, this isn’t your average Wii game. Why it’s worth straying for: Because it’s rare that a game manages to combine absurdity, ultra violence, bold design and innovative gameplay together and it works.
Super Mario Galaxy
It’s like the portly plumber’s 28-year lifespan has been leading up to this: a perfect, mind-melting adventure that pushes the Wii to the edge of its capabilities. Why it’s worth straying for: Because it’s simply one of the greatest games of all time.
Super Smash Bros Brawl
Whether you employ Wiimote or a dusty old GameCube controller, Brawl and its cast of Nintendo’s brightest makes frantic four-player fun like no other. Why it’s worth straying for: Because you can mash Kirby’s annoying pink face into the ground over and over again. Oh, and it’s this generation’s best party game.
Metroid Prime Trilogy
Three outstanding games (two of which are vastly enhanced with dead-on motion controls) available for the price of one. We can’t imagine a better deal on Wii this year. It’s a must for longtime fans and those who never gave the series a try.
Future Exclusives
The Legend of Zelda (working title) (TBA)
What do we know about the mysterious upcoming Zelda? Very little, apart from Nintendo’s tacit 2010 release date and the almost certain addition of Wii MotionPlus functionality.
Super Mario Galaxy 2 (TBA 2010)
In a rare move, Nintendo is giving a Mario title a proper sequel, promising that Galaxy 2 will be harder, more colourful, and now with 100% more Yoshi.
Metroid: Other M (TBA 2010)
In the wake of the FPS success of the Metroid series, none expected a dramatic return to third-person action, let alone it being developed by the third party Team Ninja at Tecmo. But that’s just what stunned fans got at E3 this year.
Red Steel 2 (Feb 16, 2010)
The early signs are that Red Steel 2 might redeem the sins of its predecessor. Just imagine proper Wii MotionPlus katana combat.
The Forgotten Greats
Third-party thrills for the thrifty!The House of the Dead: Overkill
Like the grindhouse films it takes inspiration from, Overkill is the Wii’s dirty little secret: a sweary (with a record number of f-bombs), sexy rails shooter that never takes itself seriously.
Boom Blox
Cast aside your kiddie game-fears, this very accessible puzzler is a blast, as is the sequel. It uses the Wii Remote very capably, plus it has honest-to-goodness DLC and online level-sharing.
Dead Space: Extraction
The action may always be on a pre-set path, but like any good rollercoaster, Dead Space Extraction gets your heart racing and adrenaline pounding even though you have no control. A far more interesting and emotional take on the light gun scene.
MadWorld
A bit like Frank Miller’s Sin City meets The Running Man, MadWorld is a stylish beat-’em-up and the standard bearer for mature Wii content. Didn’t sell that well, mind.
Zack & Wiki: Quest for Barbaros’ Treasure
A point-and-click adventure with clever-clever Wii waggle bits thrown into the mix, Zack & Wiki is one of the must-have games on the Wii. Had anybody actually bought it, Capcom might have considered making a series.
The Online Experience: Wii Online
Unlike the other two consoles, the Wii’s online service is fragmented across several different components (all accessible via the Wii Menu). For example, under the umbrella of the Wii Shop Channel, the WiiWare and Virtual Console sections offer downloadable games developed for Wii and emulated retro games respectively. All multiplayer across the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection is free and handled via (the somewhat laborious) exchange of 12 digit friend codes uniquely generated by each game owned. Additionally, the Wii’s Internet Channel allows free web browsing via a version of the Opera browser.
The Top 5 WiiWare Downloadables
Bite-sized brilliance…1. World of Goo
2. LostWinds
3. Swords & Soldiers
4. Contra Rebirth
5. Strong Bad’s Cool Game for Attractive People
The verdict’s in: it’s time to cheat!
Tempted? You should be. Gone are the days when you could live a cheery monogamous life with your one console. Now the exclusives have stacked up for each console, and their respective online services have matured, it’s simply too tough to resist the lure of a new console. Nary a 360 owner exists who can’t say they’ve been tempted by the PS3 Slim and the likes of LittleBigPlanet, and PS3 owners have been gritting their teeth for years as Microsoft racked up the high profile exclusives. And the Wii? C’mon, no matter how hardcore and niche your gaming tastes, everybody wants one. So what better time to clear some cable space by the TV than this holiday season?
Dec 1, 2009
Fanboys: 8 reasons why they deserve some respect
Believe it or not, fanboys really do have their uses
10 reasons to hate every console
No system is safe as we rip into each game machine on today's market
Games that were hated before they were released
Who needs to play games to judge them? These all suck!
TrollMan - February 12, 2010 1:59 a.m.