10 Best Wii Games of 2026

Super Mario Galaxy 2 ranks first because it scores highest on what the game itself offers and needs nothing beyond a Wii Remote and Nunchuk to enjoy today. Nintendo's page describes Mario and Yoshi heading into space across scores of galaxies, with new power-ups such as Cloud Mario and Rock Mario and Yoshi's Flutter Jump. A second player can join through Co-Star Mode with another Wii Remote, which Nintendo says is more accessible than in the first Galaxy. The game is rated PEGI 3, and because it has no online features, the 2014 shutdown of Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection does not affect it. Wii U owners could also download it from the Wii U eShop, but Nintendo ended eShop purchases on Wii U on March 27, 2023, so a disc is now the practical route. DKOldies lists a used disc at $45.99, which is mid-range for this list. If you mostly play with groups, Brawl or a Mario Kart is a better first buy.

Super Smash Bros. Brawl takes second place as the best Wii game for groups. Nintendo's page lists a roster that runs from Mario, Link, Donkey Kong and Pikachu to new arrivals Meta Knight, Pit, Zero Suit Samus and Wario, plus guests Snake and Sonic. A Stage Builder lets players design their own arenas. Control options are broad: the Wii Remote held sideways, the Wii Remote with Nunchuk, the Classic Controller or a GameCube Controller, which matters on early Wii models that have GameCube ports. Up to four people can play in the same room. Online play, which Nintendo promoted at launch, ended with Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection on May 20, 2014, and stage sending through WiiConnect24 ended in June 2013, so this is now a couch game. DKOldies lists a used disc at $36.99, cheaper than Galaxy 2 and Mario Kart Wii.

Super Mario 3D World is the best Wii U game on this list and the cheapest pick overall. Nintendo describes it as the first multiplayer 3D Mario adventure: up to four players work together or compete for the top score in each stage. Each character plays differently, with Luigi jumping highest, Peach hovering and Toad running fastest. New power-ups include the Super Bell, which turns a character into a wall-climbing cat, the Cannon Box and the Double Cherry, alongside returning Tanooki and Boomerang suits. The Wii U GamePad and other controllers work, though extra controllers are sold separately. Its Miiverse stamp feature depends on a service Nintendo has shut down, and Wii U online services ended on April 8, 2024, but the main game is offline. DKOldies lists a used disc at $19.99, which makes it the easiest high-scoring game to add.

Mario Kart 8 is the racing pick for Wii U owners. Nintendo's page lists 32 new and classic courses that add antigravity panels, gliding and underwater sections, and vehicles that include karts, bikes and a four-wheeled quad, each built from a chosen set of tyres, chassis and glider. Four players can race locally in Grand Prix, VS Race or Battle modes, using the Wii U GamePad, Wii U Pro Controller, Wii Wheel, Wii Remote with Nunchuk or Classic Controller Pro. Online races for up to 12 drivers depended on Nintendo Network, and Nintendo ended Wii U online services on April 8, 2024. Nintendo also points buyers to Mario Kart 8 Deluxe on Switch, which matters if you own both systems. For a Wii U collector, though, $26.99 used at DKOldies is less than half the price of Mario Kart Wii.

Mario Kart Wii scores high on features and ease of setup but drops to fifth because of price. Nintendo's page describes the additions it made to the series: bikes that can pop wheelies, tricks off ramps for speed boosts, Mii racers and new courses such as Mushroom Canyon and Wario Mines next to 16 retro tracks including Peach Beach and Waluigi Stadium. The game shipped with the Wii Wheel, and it also supports the Wii Remote with Nunchuk and the GameCube Controller. Up to four players can race at home. Nintendo states that online multiplayer, Competitions and the Mario Kart Channel stopped working on May 20, 2014, which removed 12-player races. DKOldies lists a used disc at $59.99, the highest price here, and loose copies may not include the wheel. Wii U owners get more courses for less with Mario Kart 8.

Metroid Prime 3: Corruption is the pick for solo players who want to see what the Wii Remote did for first-person games. Nintendo's page says players move Samus with the Nunchuk and aim with the pointer, and that the controller is also used for other actions beyond standard shooting. The story has Dark Samus and the Space Pirates corrupting planets with Phazon seeds, and Samus brings back the Grapple Beam and Morph Ball alongside new power-ups. It concludes the Metroid Prime trilogy, so newcomers may want context from the earlier games. The game is single player, rated PEGI 12, and lost only minor WiiConnect24 data exchange features in 2013. At $29.99 used at DKOldies, it is the second cheapest game on this list and the cheapest Wii disc.

Donkey Kong Country Returns is the 2D platformer to own on Wii. Nintendo's page describes a side-scrolling game with 3D environments, where Donkey Kong and Diddy Kong chase the Tiki Tak Tribe across Donkey Kong Island to recover their bananas. Two players can play the whole game together in the same room, with Diddy using his Peanut Popgun and Barrel Jet and Donkey Kong using the Ground Pound and Barrel Roll. Collecting K-O-N-G letters and puzzle pieces opens extras, including harder Trophy levels. It is rated PEGI 3, and nothing in it relies on online services. Nintendo's page does not list supported controllers, so check the case before buying. DKOldies lists a used disc at $36.99, the same as Brawl. Solo players who want a gentler start may prefer Galaxy 2.

Xenoblade Chronicles scores highest on capabilities after Galaxy 2 and Brawl, but its learning curve and price push it down the ranking. Nintendo's page describes a Monolith Soft RPG set in a vast world that players roam freely while seeking the secrets of the Monado sword. Battles are against mechanical enemies, using strategy and special powers across a party of characters. It plays with either the Classic Controller or the Wii Remote and Nunchuk. The game is single player and rated PEGI 12. Wii U owners could once download it from the eShop, which stopped selling games on March 27, 2023, and Nintendo also released Xenoblade Chronicles 3D for New Nintendo 3DS. DKOldies lists a used Wii disc at $54.99, second only to Mario Kart Wii on this list.

The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword is the most hardware-specific game on this list. Nintendo's page explains that Wii MotionPlus, through the Wii Remote Plus or the Wii MotionPlus accessory, reads the angle of every sword slice and puts Link's blade in your hand, so fights depend on reading enemy guards and swinging in the right direction. Link flies over a sea of clouds on a bird and drops to a ground world of forests, volcanoes and deserts, and the story sits before Ocarina of Time. An upgrade system turns collected items into better weapons and gear. It is single player and rated PEGI 12. Collectors with only original Wii Remotes need the MotionPlus accessory, which raises the real cost above the $39.99 DKOldies price for a used disc. Players who dislike motion controls should start elsewhere.

Wii Sports is the easiest game here to start, which is why it makes the list despite scoring lowest on content and value. Nintendo's page lists five sports: Tennis, Baseball, Golf, Bowling and Boxing. Each uses the Wii Remote as the racket, bat, club or ball, and the game reads the speed and angle of a swing for shots such as lobs, slices and spin. Boxing adds the Nunchuk as a second glove. Players use their own Mii, whose skill level rises as they improve, and up to four can play. Nintendo notes it came with some, but not all, Wii console bundles and was also sold separately as a Nintendo Selects title. That matters for value: DKOldies lists a used disc at $49.99, so check whether your console bundle already included it before paying that price.