10 Forgotten Nintendo Wii Games That Deserve A Remake

The Nintendo Wii is one of the most successful video game consoles that Nintendo has ever created.

During the 2006 holiday release, the product was incredibly popular, selling rapidly as consumers eagerly fought for it, marking a significant contrast compared to the somewhat subdued response towards the GameCube.

Nevertheless, the Wii faced an issue that was extensively recorded: By opening its gates excessively, Nintendo allowed a large amount of low-quality games, often referred to as “shovelware,” and repetitive, quickly produced titles known as “asset flips,” to inundate their library.

With its somewhat divisive motion controls, it was challenging for most games, except those consistently released in large quantities, to make a significant impact.

Due to the controversial motion controls, only popular games could effectively distinguish themselves from others.

It’s unfortunate that many enjoyable and distinctive games for the Wii got lost among the heap of poor quality ones. If anyone is up to the task of sifting through the clutter and resurrecting games for a remake, here are some titles we would love to see again.

10. Excitebots: Trick Racing

You Can Never Have Enough Stunt Racing

While the Wii was popular, Nintendo aimed to expand their beloved Excitebike franchise into different vehicle-based realms. This ambition led to two games produced by Monster Games: Excite Truck and Excitebots: High-Speed Rally Racing.

In the final game, you’ll be managing one of multiple robot racers shaped like animals, focusing more on tricks and mischief.

Or:

In the last game, it’s all about piloting various robot racers modeled after animals, with an increased focus on performing stunts and getting up to some fun and games.

At a glance, it appears to be an ordinary racing party game, complete with power-ups for offense, drift boosts, and the like. But what truly decides the winner isn’t merely crossing the finish line first.

The victor is the racer who amasses the highest total points, achieved through placing first, outmaneuvering competitors, and, above all, executing impressive stunts.

Each course offers numerous chances for leaps, as specific bonuses can distort the terrain and spontaneously generate ramps.

Each trail presents multiple spots for jumps, with certain boosts transforming the landscape to unexpectedly produce ramps.

By adding a bit more pizzazz to the presentation and removing motion controls, this game could thrive in the multiplayer environment.

9. MadWorld

Couldn’t Quite Become A Franchise

In contrast to other seventh-generation consoles, the Wii was often perceived as more suitable for children.

Nintendo has traditionally been quite selective when it comes to M-rated games, yet they’ve still made room for titles such as MadWorld to introduce their gory gameplay on the Wii platform.

Initially developed by PlatinumGames, MadWorld is a character-action game that showcases excessive violent displays as its main feature.

It’s insufficient to merely eliminate individuals; it’s essential to do so in a spectacular fashion, such as impaling them on spike-covered surfaces or propelling them skyward using explosive champagne bottles.

Progressing through larger and improved stages ultimately leads to a climactic confrontation with an exceptionally strong adversary similar to you.

Initially, Platinum aimed to expand MadWorld into a full-fledged series. A game that could be considered its quasi-sequel, Anarchy Reigns, followed suit after a couple of years. However, neither title was able to generate significant revenue.

Maybe a new version or re-release of the game, outside of the Wii platform, could benefit MadWorld. At the very least, it’d be great to see that gritty Sin City-inspired black and white again.

8. Red Steel 2

More Katanas, More Guns

As a gaming enthusiast, I can’t help but reminisce about the unique experiences offered by the Red Steel series on the Wii. These games truly pushed the boundaries of what was possible with the Wii Remote and Nunchuk, offering an unmatched gaming experience that felt immersive and engaging.

The two games combined elements of first-person shooting and hack-and-slash gameplay, but among them, it’s Red Steel 2 that we’d prefer to see redeveloped.

In simpler terms, Red Steel 2 is an action game that focuses on interaction, where you’ll be equipped with both a katana and assorted firearms. You can quickly switch between these weapons depending on whether your adversary is near or at a distance.

If you’re feeling bold, you might choose to stand up close to them and brandish your sword, but remember to adjust its position to deflect and counter their return attacks as well.

To be honest, the primary intention behind the Red Steel series was to demonstrate the capabilities of the Wii Remote in an action-oriented game. However, reimagining it might seem a tad unusual. Nonetheless, it’s conceivable that the sword combat could function smoothly with a mouse.

7. Zack & Wiki: Quest for Barbaros’ Treasure

Put Your Thinking Cap On

It’s important to note that games designed for younger audiences aren’t problematic by nature. In fact, one of the Wii’s standout titles, Zack & Wiki, is known for its intricate mechanics and was created with young gamers in mind.

In simpler terms, this vibrant, kid-friendly tale centers around two spirited young pirates who embark on a quest for hidden loot across the ocean. The main emphasis lies in solving puzzles and using logical reasoning, complemented by motion controls for managing equipment.

No matter if it required twisting a handle or moving in rhythm with a pulse, each Wii Remote had its unique action to execute.

Remaking this game could prove challenging, especially when not working within the Nintendo environment.

Given that motion is an integral part of the game, it’s quite plausible that it would perform well on the Nintendo Switch, as its motion controls are more accurate compared to those of the Wii.

6. Tatsunoko vs. Capcom: Ultimate All-Stars

Worth The Licensing Nightmare

Because of its constant movement, the Wii wasn’t known for precision-oriented genres, such as fighting games. In fact, there were few, if any, competitive fighting games on it that people would enjoy playing. However, one notable exception to this was Tatsunoko vs. Capcom, which might be one of the most specialized crossover fighters Capcom has ever produced.

As a gamer, let me tell you about an amazing gaming experience I had. Not only did it feature my go-to Capcom characters like Ryu and Morrigan, but it also introduced a whole new roster from the legendary anime studio Tatsunoko Productions. This lineup included Ken the Eagle from Gatchaman, both Yatterman heroes, and the colossal Gold Lightan. It was an incredible blend of old favorites and fresh faces!

As a gamer, I dived headfirst into an exhilarating experience filled with intricate maneuvers, where characters like Saki from Quiz Nanairo Dreams and PTX-40A from Lost Planet were no strangers to the art of strategic depth.

Regardless of whether you’re familiar with its characters or not, this is an exceptional fighting game. What makes it even more appealing is that you can play it using a standard control device.

Attempting to recreate it might involve negotiations on an epic scale, similar to those in religious texts, but it would undeniably be a rewarding effort.

5. Disaster: Day Of Crisis

More Exaggerated Than A Disaster Movie

Many games often use catastrophic events as their settings, yet these disasters usually play second fiddle to the main character’s storyline. If you’re seeking a game that truly emphasizes disaster survival, then Disaster: Day of Crisis is the one for you.

The majority of this game involves exploring urban landscapes ravaged by catastrophic events such as earthquakes, tsunamis, and volcanic eruptions. It occasionally includes rail-shooter combat segments.

Maintaining both your wellbeing and energy level is crucial, which involves consuming nutritious meals consistently and inhaling fresh, smoke-free air regularly. Furthermore, it’s essential to save lives by administering first aid and CPR promptly, followed by transporting survivors to secure locations.

The game titled “Disaster: Day of Crisis” is exceptionally thrilling, featuring an absurdly entertaining plot and backdrop that’s played with a deadpan seriousness. Apart from the rail-shooter segments and a few mini-games, the motion controls are not indispensable, and could be removed effortlessly for a remake.

4. Cursed Mountain

Hidden Horror Gem

Horror is a genre that’s not given enough attention on the Wii, with only a few exceptions such as Ju-On: The Grudge and Silent Hill: Shattered Memories. If a unique game outside the major franchises were to make a comeback, it would be Cursed Mountain.

As I ventured into the hauntingly beautiful Cursed Mountain, I found myself immersed in an experience reminiscent of the classic Resident Evil series. Instead of focusing solely on combat, the gameplay revolves around solving intricate puzzles and exploring mysterious environments, interspersed with tense encounters against malevolent spirits lurking in the shadows.

In battle, you need to employ your spectral sight to render the opponent visible, followed by expelling them using your magical pickaxe.

In combat situations, use your spectral vision to spot the enemy and, subsequently, get rid of them with your enchanted pickaxe.

This game’s narrative and atmosphere are deeply rooted in Tibetan Buddhist mythology, which sets it apart from many other horror games with similar themes. It was primarily this unique connection that drew favorable reviews. However, the use of motion controls in the game may have been a limiting factor for some players.

If we were to eliminate the waggle feature, it would undoubtedly improve the experience. Interestingly enough, this approach has been attempted previously; for instance, “Cursed Mountain” had a Windows port in 2010, but strangely enough, it was only available in Europe.

3. Opoona

It’s Spherical!

Almost every video game console tends to have a unique title that resembles an intense, surreal experience – a game that’s hard to put into words even if you’ve completed it from start to finish. For the Nintendo Wii, Opoona fits this description perfectly.

In Opoona, you’ll find a blend of Role-Playing Game (RPG) and Social Simulation elements. Your primary goals involve acquiring job licenses, which allow you to engage in various professions.

In our context, “jobs” doesn’t refer to the roles in Final Fantasy games; instead, we’re talking about real-world professions such as a janitor or dancer. As you progress and acquire more of these occupations, your social network expands, and this growth can also enhance your stats for the actual turn-based RPG battle sequences.

As a fervent admirer, I’d say Opoona feels akin to a Persona game, but with the focus on socializing and interactions dominating over combat encounters. This unique twist in social RPGs, when paired with its quirky charm, has a proven knack for captivating audiences. Consequently, I have no doubt that this game would garner impressive sales figures, regardless of where it’s remade.

2. Elebits

Rail Shooter Meets Hide And Seek

Among various sectors, the Wii excelled particularly in games that centered around shooting objects. Since you’re already aligned with the sensor bar, it essentially feels like you’re aiming at something. One such game from the Wii’s initial release lineup, which offered a unique concept, was Elebits.

The central conceit of Elebits were the tiny titular creatures hiding all throughout your house.

In this scenario, the Elebits produce electricity. Your goal is to locate all their secret spots and use your capturing device to jolt them, which will help illuminate lamps and activate appliances. Don’t forget to check areas like underneath furniture or in narrow spaces. You can also open cupboards or pull out drawers to uncover more Elebits.

In essence, the functionality of this gun is similar to the Gravity Gun from Half-Life 2 or the Physics Gun from Garry’s Mod. This implies that the game could potentially be designed to run on a console without motion controls. If motion controls are essential for you, it might also perform well as a Virtual Reality (VR) game.

1. Captain Rainbow

The Game That Never Came West

Similar to most Nintendo consoles, the Wii also had a collection of games exclusively released in Japan, leaving many western players unaware of their existence until much later. Among these hidden gems was the quirky and unusual game titled Captain Rainbow.

Captain Rainbow can be a bit challenging to categorize, as it blends elements from both the genre of puzzle-adventure games and action games.

More often than not, you find yourself as Nick, a regular guy, striving to help the inhabitants of an island inhabited primarily by less frequently seen Nintendo characters, tackle their challenges.

Whenever duty calls, I’ll morph into my valiant alternate self, Captain Rainbow, ready to shatter barriers and crush hindrances.

Or, in a more conversational tone:
When things get tough, I become none other than Captain Rainbow, breaking through obstacles and smashing anything that stands in the way!

Instead of reimagining this particular game on any platform other than a Nintendo console, the iconic characters from Nintendo might pose a challenge. However, Nintendo has shown a slight inclination towards collaborative projects within their own domain. Intriguingly, Nick was even included as a recruitable Spirit in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate.

2025-03-27 16:11