Arguably the last year for the Wii ended with some of the strongest games for the console, including what some on our staff may feel is not just the best game to be released on the Wii, but one of the greatest video games of all time. The Wii certainly went out with a bang, and here are our ten favorite games from this last year of the Wii:
| #10 |
Mario Party 9 |
| After a few years of feeling stale and repetitive, and especially after the lackluster Mario Party 8, Mario Party 9 is a return to form for those looking for a fun party game. Being released in the final days of the Wii seems to have been a blessing for Mario Party 9, as it makes use of the Wii Remote better than nearly any party game on the console (and that’s saying a lot – considering the sheer volume of “party games” released over the Wii’s lifespan). If you managed to avoid party games on Wii for the past 6 years or so, but now you are looking for the standout best party game the Wii can offer, you seriously cannot go wrong with Mario Party 9. | |
| #9 |
PokéPark 2: Wonders Beyond |
| Some may think we’re stretching it by adding a party game and a Pokémon game to a Top Ten Greatest Games list, but in all seriousness, PokéPark 2 is a delicious taste of what an official 3D Pokémon game would be like. Although the game definitely caters to a younger demographic, what’s here is bright, colorful, fun, and alive. Essentially taking the starter Pokémon from Pokémon Black & White and “battling” by playing mini-games, the game is a lot of fun. A bit of a warning though: playing this game will make you wonder why Nintendo doesn’t just release an actual home console Pokémon game. | |
| #8 |
New Play Control! Pikmin 2 |
| And why is a re-release of a GameCube game on this list? First off, Pikmin 2 is a terrific game. It features charming little Pikmin collecting objects in a scary but beautiful living world. I could go on and on about the original release, but what stands out here is the use of buttery smooth pointer controls. Arguably the biggest complaint with the original release was that analog sticks simply don’t work well for strategy games. New Play Control! Pikmin 2 fixes this, essentially creating the perfect version of the game. And just in time, too, as Pikmin 3 is scheduled to be released in early 2013. Pikmin 2 with IR controls only makes us that much more excited for the upcoming Wii U sequel. | |
| #7 |
Kirby’s Dream Collection |
| Taking the best of Kirby’s adventures from the past 20 years and throwing it into a cotton-candy colored love package to fans is an instant ticket to our “best of” list. The timeline feature is a fantastic way for longtime fans to relive their nostalgia and newcomers to see what Kirby is all about, and why he deservedly is one of Nintendo’s most recognizable characters. Nintendo flopped when their main man Mario celebrated his 25th anniversary, but they made sure to not make that mistake again with Kirby, and the result deserves its spot here on this list. | |
| #6 |
Rhythm Heaven Fever |
| Despite the series starting off on handhelds, the Wii Remote makes an excellent case for bringing Rhythm Heaven to the Wii. The wacky characters and settings fill the game with charm, and you’ll be bouncing your head to the music long after you turn the game off. It’s weird enough that a rhythm game would end up on a Top 10 list of best video games, but the plain weirdness and fun, especially when played with family and friends, makes Rhythm Heaven Fever a game that shouldn’t be missed. | |
| #5 |
Epic Mickey 2: The Power of Two |
| The first Epic Mickey on Wii was definitely a treat, with a colorful world and packed with forgotten Disney characters. But for all the charm of the original, parts of the game still felt a bit empty and lifeless. The Power of Two manages to fix this by presenting making the game world feel even more alive, and imbuing a renewed energy reminiscent of classic Disney cartoons into the mix. Even though Power of Two made it to other consoles, including the Wii U, the developer has stated that the game was developed and optimized for the Wii, making it the definitive version of the game. If you enjoyed the original Epic Mickey, are a fan of all things Disney, or just want to play a brilliant platformer, don’t hesitate to pick this game up. | |
| #4 |
Pandora’s Tower (Not Available in America) |
| Curse Region Locking. If there was ever a game worth taking a few minutes to remove region-locking for, Pandora’s Tower is the one. Featuring twelve visually distinctive dungeons, motion controlled whip-slinging, a haunting orchestrated soundtrack, and superb voice acting, this action RPG/dating sim is one of the most unique experiences to be had on the Wii (or any game console, for that matter). It’s a shame Nintendo of America chose to not localize this one, as it deserves a solid spot as one of the best games released on the Wii console. Fortunately, major gaming publication Joystiq published this article on how to easily and painlessly modify your Wii to play legally imported games (Pandora’s Tower was released this year in Europe, is already localized into English, and can easily be imported for about the same price as purchasing a retail game locally in America). | |
| #3 |
The Last Story |
| Developed by the original creator of the acclaimed Final Fantasy series and his Mistwalker studio (Blue Dragon, Lost Odyssey), The Last Story is one of the finest RPGs to grace the Wii console. The heavy focus on action makes the game feel more like an action/adventure and less like an RPG. Featuring a vibrant musical score and a lush, detailed world, The Last Story really feels like a place RPG fans can call home. The real star here, though, is the stellar voice acting. The relationship between your party members as the story progresses and the playful banter that takes place before, during, and after battle makes you feel like you’re really a part of this ragtag team of mercenaries and truly lives up to the term “role-playing”. Considered by many to be the swan song for the Wii, The Last Story really does live up to its name and deserves its spot on this list. | |
| #2 |
La Mulana |
| If you can’t already tell by taking a look at our reviews, here at NintendoDude we are pretty passionate about our platformer games. Thankfully, Spain based publisher Enjoy Up! stepped in and saved this game from cancellation. The spritework in this retro-styled game is simply fantastic and will make you feel like you are playing an original 16-bit action game. The soundtrack is masterfully crafted, with each new area revealing a new piece of background music. The localization is superb and insanely hilarious. But what will really keep players hooked is the labyrinthine dungeons and spike filled corridors. This game will kill you. Many times. La Mulana quite literally lures you into exploration and tempts you with treasure, only to lead you to a painful death seconds later. If you own a Wii and like action, adventure, and mystery, you must own this game. | |
| #1 |
Xenoblade Chronicles |
| Here we are, at the top of the list of the best games of 2012 for the aging Wii console, and quite fittingly, the best game to be released this year on the Wii may quite possibly be the best RPG of this entire console generation, fit to sit alongside classics such as Chrono Trigger and Final Fantasy VI as one of the greatest RPGs ever made. Xenoblade Chronicles takes everything that made the classic RPGs of yesteryear so incredible, and blends it with amenities catering to the needs to today’s gamer. The story will take you for a wild rollercoaster ride, complemented by an excellent localization and a terrific British voice cast. The grand scale of the world takes place quite literally on the bodies of two enormous titans, and is filled with lush colors and wildlife of all shapes and sizes (and skill levels…). Xenoblade Chronicles truly gives off a vibe of freedom with a large, open world, with hundreds of optional sidequests, and a relationship chart to track your affinity with most of the games NPCs. If you see something interesting far off in the distance or at the tallest peak of a mountain, odds are that most likely there is a way to reach it. The soundtrack is phenomenal and only serves to enhance a game that was practically perfect to begin with. We could go on and on for hours about why this game is at the top of this list, but all you need to know is that Xenoblade Chronicles is deserving of a spot in your collection (and is our favorite Wii game of 2012). |
Okay, we’ll be honest, it took a bit of stretching to make a list of ten. However, we seriously feel like each of the games on this list is worthy of your attention, especially if you enjoy the genres mentioned. The top 5 here, however, should not be missed by anyone, and if you don’t own the top three games in this list, what’s wrong with you? Do you have your own personal favorites from 2012? Let us know in the comments below!
THE BEST OF 2012:
Top 10 3DS Games of 2012
Top 10 Wii Games of 2012
Top 10 Wii U Games of 2012
Genre Awards
Technical Achievements
Game of the Year
