Though it may seem dated today, the Nintendo Wii was an integral part of gaming evolution. The Wii's motion controls paved the way for the Switch's Joycons and the controllers for most VR headsets. It was also what helped Nintendo compete with the likes of the Xbox 360, with its amazing titles, and the PlayStation 3.
In the Nintendo Wii's lifespan, an abundance of games was released for the system that ranged from highly anticipated exclusives to ports of old games to a plethora of bargain bin fodder. One might be surprised as to which Nintendo Wii games sold more units than any others, according to reports from Statista.
10 Wii Party (2010) - 9.35 Million Units Sold
At the time of Wii Party's release, the long-running Mario Party games were not in the best place, so many companies were trying to make their own clones. Nintendo themselves decided to debut Wii Party after the success of other Mii-centric games, earning the attention of many gamers and resulting in over 9 million units sold.
Of all the attempts at a Mario Party clone, Wii Party is far from the worst. With an average rating of 68 on Metacritic, gamers enjoyed the minigames themselves and most of the content. However, it was still not quite on the same level as some of the best Mario Party games.
9 Super Mario Galaxy (2007) - 12.8 Million Units Sold
In the Wii's big 3D Mario title, the Italian plumber was sent on a cosmic adventure. Selling 12.8 million units, Super Mario Galaxy was another smash hit for famed franchise. Many enjoyed the visuals of the many planets and galaxies combined with the new mechanics that made every novel setting feel fresh.
Super Mario Galaxy also introduced many now-iconic characters such as Rosalina and her Lumas. With a Metacritic rating of 97, it's easy to see why Super Mario Galaxy was given a sequel in the form of Super Mario Galaxy 2 and a remaster for the Nintendo Switch.
8 Super Smash Bros. Brawl (2008) - 13.32 Million Units Sold
When it comes to the Smash Bros. series, Super Smash Bros. Brawl is often ranked as one of the worst. Still, with a 93 rating on Metacritic, that shows that it is considered a solid entry in the series nonetheless. The biggest issue fans had was the poor internet connection for online matches and the fact that the Wii's controls were not the greatest.
Regardless, it offered the same chaotic fighting experience that always had fans returning. This is why it sold 13.32 million units, even if it has since been forgotten after the release of superior entries including Super Smash Bros. Ultimate for the Switch.
7 Wii Fit Plus (2009) - 21.13 Million Units Sold
One of the best things to come from the Nintendo Wii was its push to make kids more active while playing. After Wii Fit did so well, Nintendo made a "sequel" with Wii Fit Plus which utilized the superior Wii Motion Plus controller.
With 21.13 million units sold, Wii Fit Plus did its job and provided a fun experience. Unfortunately, despite controlling even better, many critiqued that it felt more like a remaster than a sequel. Still, it earned an 80 rating on Metacritic, the exact same rating as its predecessor.
6 Wii Fit (2007) - 22.67 Million Units Sold
Speaking of which, the original Wii Fit is still considered a surprise gem for the system. Even the on-screen trainer became a playable character in Super Smash Bros. games, including Smash Bros. Ultimate. Again, it gained an 80 rating due to its surprisingly effective fitness minigames.
It was fun for kids and adults alike, allowing for them to stay and shape while keeping these activities interesting. Such a gem would go on to sell 22.67 million units.
5 Wii Play (2006) - 28.07 Million Units Sold
One of the few launch titles for the Nintendo Wii, Wii Play was essentially a precursor to Wii Party. It featured a small collection of minigames which, while fun, could be beaten in less than half an hour. If Wii Play had come with the system much like Wii Sports did, it likely would have faired better in terms of reviews.
Instead, Wii Play received a mediocre rating of 58 and is often looked at as one of the least fondly remembered Mii-centric games. Which is a bit of a shame considering how many underrated Wii games ended up flopping while this made money. However, since it was a launch title, many still bought it and thus it sold just over 28 million units.
4 New Super Mario Bros. Wii (2009) - 30.32 Million Units Sold
After Super Mario Galaxy and its sequel, the Mario brothers returned to their roots in the classic side-scrolling adventure New Super Mario Bros. Wii. The title harkens back to classic games such as Super Mario Bros. 3 and Super Mario World, featuring a large map with many levels and secrets to explore.
It was a welcomed return to form, selling 30.32 million units and earning an 87 rating on Metacritic. Many fans praised being able to have up to four players at once, the colorful worlds, and the challenging yet addicting gameplay. It earned a sequel on the Wii U which lived its own legacy.
3 Wii Sports Resort (2009) - 33.14 Million Units Sold
Unlike the difference between the two Wii Fit games, Wii Sports Resort does what a sequel should do. It brings back many sports minigames from the first then gives new twists to them. Plus, it adds several new minigames to play and with the Wii Motion Plus controller, it played better than ever.
With an 80 rating and sold 33.14 million units, Wii Sports Resort is often considered to be a superior game in every way by gamers. So much so that it was surprising that Nintendo never ended up making a third game for either the Nintendo Wii U or the Nintendo Switch.
2 Mario Kart Wii (2008) - 37.38 Million Units Sold
Surprisingly, the most successful Mario game on the Wii was a spin-off, as the sixth entry of the Mario Kart series, known as Mario Kart Wii, sold 37.38 million units and earned an 82 rating on Metacritic. There were motion controls, but fans didn't seem to mind them, as there was still an option for regular button commands, allowing for classic Mario Kart action.
Like most Mario Kart games, it did its job and did it well; the combat was fluid, the character roster was solid, and the tracks were great, with this version of Rainbow Road being one of the most difficult Mario Kart tracks of all time. However, after the massive evolution of Mario Kart 8, there's hardly a reason to revisit Mario Kart Wii.
1 Wii Sports (2006) - 82.9 Million Units Sold
Yes, the most successful Wii title is actually the first Wii title. The majority of people who bought the Wii either had a copy in their bundle or bought it on launch. Over the years, Wii Sports became famous for its surprisingly fun and addictive gameplay, managing to do what Wii Play could not.
Wii Sports has also had a legacy on the internet, generating a plethora of memes across YouTube, TikTok, and other various platforms. Wii Sports would sell over double the amount of Mario Kart Wii with 82.9 million units sold, additionally earning a 76 rating on Metacritic.
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July 15, 2021 at 12:00AM
