Although it's not spoken about frequently, the Wii is truly a console filled with a number of masterpieces. At the top of this list of masterpieces, and a release that's cemented the importance of the Wii, is Super Mario Galaxy 2, a near-flawless game and literal magnum opus of the platforming genre.

While the first Super Mario Galaxy was regarded as a fantastic game for its innovative platforming, beautiful graphics, and exciting gameplay, Super Mario Galaxy 2 has built upon all of these positive elements and, resultantly, is an exceedingly breathtaking and engrossing experience.

You play as Mario, traveling across the galaxies to save Peach from Bowser's clutches. Within each galaxy, there are a variety of different types of worlds to explore and ire as you try to catch up with Bowser.

All of the best gameplay elements from Super Mario Galaxy have been incorporated; fluid movement, platforming, and combat with Mario, quirky and unique level design, and star-based missions for each plant. However, all of these elements have been expanded upon. The gameplay now allows you to ride Yoshi to fight enemies, reach different goals, and find hidden items. The level design is even more unique and gorgeous. Finally, the number of missions has been significantly increased (with the inclusion of secret missions/stars).

If you're a fan of Mario, and you've had a chance to play any of the previous 3D Mario titles (e.g., Super Mario 64, Super Mario Sunshine, Super Mario Odyssey), then you'll have a good idea of the kind of gameplay you'll be getting into. But the uniqueness of the worlds, the fluidity of the gameplay, and the beauty of Super Mario Galaxy's universe all comprise an experience that is nothing short of a masterpiece. So here's hoping that you give Super Mario Galaxy 2 a chance — it's my favorite Mario game of all time, and hopefully, it'll become yours too!

Wii Sports is a game that is now regarded by many as a classic title for the console. From the launch and release of the Wii, Wii Sports was a game that was given to players for free in addition to their Wii and Wii-mote.

Wii Sports is a game that finds its value in how enjoyable it is to play with friends and family. Between a variety of different sports, and a variety of ways to play with the Wii's new motion control (at the time), this game was an immediate favorite of many who purchased the Wii — and in some cases, this game was the sole reason that people decided to purchase a Wii.

At the time of the Wii's release, consoles for the family were truly a novel concept. But Wii Sports helped to make the Wii feel accessible to anyone, regardless of if you had or hadn't played any games prior. Between being able to engage in boxing with friends, exciting bouts of tennis, soothing and relaxing golfing sessions, and endless amounts of bowling, you'll never have trouble finding fun ways to play this game with your family and friends.

If you're looking for a game that's great to play with anyone, and you happen to enjoy party games like Mario Party, then Wii Sports will be a great purchase for you. Regardless of if you're looking to enjoy playing Wii Sports as a retrospective experience, or if you simply want to find the game as a collector, here's hoping that you get hours of fun out of the game just like millions of others have!

Okami is a unique action-adventure game that incorporates elements of Japanese folklore and mythology into its story, gameplay, and art style.

You play as Amaterasu, a Shinto goddess who's transformed into a wolf to save her world from darkness. As you fight your way through various enemies, you'll come to learn more about a number of Japanese mythological figures and locations.

Although the game is an action-adventure game, it also incorporates puzzle and platforming elements. Combat is fluid, exciting, and rewarding, allowing you to unlock combat upgrades and new abilities as you progress through the game. One of the most interesting elements of Okami's gameplay, however, is the Celestial Brush.

The Celestial Brush is a tool/ability that, when used, brings a canvas onto the screen for you to 'draw' on in a variety of different in-game situations. To use the Brush, you'll swing the WiiMote back and forth across the screen to draw different patterns. When you're fighting enemies, you'll be able to draw a slicing line on the canvas; when a bridge is missing, and you need to cross, you'll be able to draw the missing portion.

The story of Okami is a heart-warming tale that truly can't be compared to any other game. As you grow to better know and understand Amaterasu and her various companions, you'll feel compelled to know more about the world Okami has to offer.

With gorgeous cel-shaded visuals, and entrancing soundtrack, a nuanced and intuitive combat system, and a compelling narrative, this game is a clear masterpiece. So whether you're looking to try Okami for the first time, or you're hoping to add it to your collection, here's hoping that you give Okami a chance to be one of your new favorite games for the Wii.

Mario Kart is a series that's defined the Kart Racing genre in the past and is arguably the best kart racing series of all time. Similarly to previous Mario Kart titles, Mario Kart Wii incorporates all of the most familiar gameplay elements of the series, but with unique twists, improvements, and additions. 

The most noticeable difference in gameplay, compared to previous titles, is the incorporation of motion-sensing controls. Using the WiiMote and Mario Kart wheel, you'll be able to enjoy racing with family and friends like never before! As you twist and turn through the game's various racetracks, you'll grow to love the chaos of motion control racing. The game also includes the option to play without motion controls, allowing gameplay with a regular and single controller!

This game offers a total of 32 tracks for you to experience and enjoy. With a variety of characters and customizable vehicles (karts and bikes), you'll definitely be able to find the perfect unique character/vehicle set for you! Between four different modes — Versus, Grand Prix, Battle, and Time Trials — you'll have a variety of ways to play with friends, family, or even on your own. In Grand Prix, play through four-track cups with a variety of familiar landscapes and environments (if you're a fan of Mario). 

Battle mode offers two different modes — Coin Runners and Balloon. In these Battle modes, players use items to fight each other on two teams in special stages. Versus mode is the mode you'll play most, and allows you to choose from all 32 tracks to decide how long you'll race for, and the number of players (up to four). Finally, Time Trials allows you to track your time as you try to set records for tracks and laps. 

Overall, Mario Kart Wii is a fantastic racing game and an endlessly enjoyable group game that is definitely worth getting if you have a Wii. Even though this game is on a console from a previous generation, it's uniqueness, and fun gameplay makes it feel exciting and relevant.

The Super Smash Bros. series is currently best known for its new title, Super Smash Bros Ultimate (released for the Nintendo Switch). Prior to the release of Ultimate, however, there were a number of great releases in the series on various consoles. Super Smash Bros. Brawl is one of these games, and it offers the unique, engaging, and exciting gameplay that fans of the series have come to expect. 

Super Smash Bros. Brawl is an inventive game for a number of reasons. It's the first game in the Smash Bros. series to have a roster with more than 30 characters. With more than 40 stages, a massive single-player/co-op story mode (referred to as the Subspace Emissary), and a variety of multiplayer and co-op modes, Brawl feels shockingly detailed and in-depth for a fighting game of the 2000s.

Brawl's strength as a game comes from its variety of modes and ways to play. In Subspace Emissary, choose between single-player or co-operative play as you make your way through an engaging story and a multitude of stages and bosses. Brawl mode allows you to hop straight into battle against friends or computer players. 

All-Star mode and Classic mode are single-player modes (All-Star offers co-op) that provide additional challenges for those who've gotten through Subspace Emissary. Events mode, Stadium mode, and Boss Battles are all multiplayer or single-player modes that offer unique challenges (e.g., Events mode offers battles with specific goals/missions). 

Whether you're looking to play with friends and family or by yourself, Brawl is an enjoyable fighting game. It's a game that offers meaningful content and gameplay via single-player/co-op modes, while also offering endless replayability via its exciting and varied multiplayer modes. 

The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess is a fantastic game that incorporates the elements that made previous games so great, and builds upon them while establishing its own unique tone and experience.

Twilight Princess is a noticeably darker game than previous Zelda titles — both thematically and visually — and this contributes to an astounding amount of world-building, plot elements, even gameplay. You play as Link, accompanied by an unfamiliar companion named Midna, and venture on a journey between two dimensions in an effort to save Hyrule. In the 'normal' dimension, you play as Link, but in the 'Twilight Realm' dimension, you play as a wolf.

Like many Zelda titles, Twilight Princess finds its strength as a game in its most challenging and engaging elements: the gorgeous visuals and general aesthetic, the challenging puzzles and detailed temples, the inventive and rewarding combat system, and the phenomenal soundtrack. All of these thoroughly developed and laboriously created gameplay elements comprise a breathtaking and unforgettable gaming experience.

As you roam through Hyrule and the Twilight Realm and become increasingly acquainted with the world and its characters, you'll start to feel invested in your quest to save Hyrule and become aware of just how much detail the world has to offer.

Between the numerous bosses, the open exploration of Hyrule, the extremely large number of temples, and the 40 to 50-hour playtime, Twilight Princess is a unique and compelling experience that serves as one of the Zelda series' masterpieces. If you decide to give it a try, here's hoping that Twilight Princess becomes one of your favorite Zelda games or one of your favorite games in general.

The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword is a unique title in the Zelda series that tells the tale of the origin of the well-known and frequently-wielded Master Sword (Link's infamous blade from previous titles).

You play as Link, who lives in a town named Skyloft, a city that resides in the sky. When your friend Zelda is captured and taken to a land beneath the clouds, it becomes your mission to leave Skyloft and rescue her. Between gorgeous painting-like visuals and an orchestra-backed soundtrack, Skyward Sword is nothing short of an immersive and enjoyable experience.

Similarly to previous Zelda titles, gameplay involves Link fighting enemies with his sword and shield. By swinging and shaking your WiiMote and Nunchuk, you'll be able to swing your sword and parry with your shield. Unlike previous Zelda titles, however, you'll be able to ride animals aside from horses! Fly gallantly on your Loftwing bird as you descend to the realm below. With the expansive world and a wide variety of puzzles, temples, and quests to discover and explore, Skyward Sword will keep you engaged from start to finish!

As the title released between Twilight Princess and Breath of the Wild, arguably two of the best titles in the series and two of the best role-playing games ever made, Skyward Sword had quite the reputation to live up to. Although in nearly every regard it does, one of the only issues in the game is the incorporation of motion controls.

With the use of the new Wii Motion Plus, the game's developers pushed the Wii's motion capabilities to their limit by making the sword, and most tools, usable solely via motion controls. As a result, you may encounter a few bugs and issues with gameplay when playing.

Ultimately, these issues have a minor impact on the many other positives and enjoyable elements of the game. Skyward Sword is a breathtaking experience that will leave you humming melodies before you fall alseep, and planning out temples as soon as you wake. Whether this is your first Zelda title or not, Skyward Sword is a fantastic game worth trying on the Wii.

When the Wii was originally unveiled along with its motion-sensing controls, a number of enticed players wanted to see just how far the capabilities of the Wii's controls could be pushed. Through seeing and playing a variety of types of games, fans would get a better perspective of what can and can't be done in Wii games. Games like MadWorld, Super Mario Galaxy, and Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess all demonstrate these capabilities, but one game, in particular, stood out in this regard — Red Steel.

Red Steel is a game that incorporates hack and slash and first-person shooter elements, allowing players to use the Wii's updated motion-sensing controls (Wii Motion Plus) to their full potential. While the first game was definitely a fantastic introduction to the series, Red Steel 2 perfected the elements that initially drew in fans, and introduced a variety of new gameplay and plot elements.

You play as a nameless character who, after losing his Katana and fleeing captors, sets off on a journey to seek out his revenge. Using the Wii's motion-sensing controls, you'll fight enemies with a sword and revolver as you sprint through various missions.

Red Steel 2's unique cell-shaded visual art style makes gameplay feel fluid and engaging. The main issue with Red Steel is the game's length and lack of general replayability. Although it's a fantastic experience on the first playthrough, with a playtime of 10 hours, the game doesn't have much to offer in of additional modes or content.

Red Steel's a must-buy for anyone who's a fan of the hack-and-slash and first-person shooter genres. As a cult classic release on the Wii, this game is definitely worth giving a shot, and will make a great addition to your collection!

Xenoblade Chronicles is an amazing game that's earned a cult following in the years following its release, partially due to its limited availability. 

The story occurs atop two titans (Bionis and Mechonis) who are perpetually at war and involves the two different races that live on these titans — the Homs, and the Mechon. The main character, Shulk, is a member of the Homs (living on Bionis), who is able to wield the fabled Monado, a sword foretold to be an exceptionally important tool in the war against the Mechon. Playing as Shulk, you set off on a journey with Reyn, your companion, meeting new companions and characters as you venture towards your vengeance for the Homs.

The combat system for Xenoblade is particularly unique; via a real-time action battle system, you'll move freely during combat as Shulk, shuffling through selectable abilities and attacks while your companions auto-attack. Outside of battle, the game is open world and allows for free exploration of many different vast locations. 

Through several quests, missions, and encounters, you'll grow to love the world and characters that Xenoblade has to offer. With a New Game+ mode enable, you'll be able to find even more secrets and story elements on your second playthrough! 

Between the beautiful story, the unique and engaging gameplay, the gorgeous visuals and inspiring soundtrack, and the challenging missions and bosses, this game is a now-appreciated magnum opus. Here's hoping that if you haven't played Xenoblade Chronicles before, you'll give it a try on the Wii. But if not, the definitive edition is being released on the Switch on May 29th, 2020!

MadWorld served as one of the Wii's releases that targeted more mature audiences, incorporating excess gore, inventive gameplay, and unique visuals to comprise an original and enjoyable gaming experience. 

The game takes place in a fictional city where a virus is released on the general populace after all communication and transport in and out of the city are outlawed. Those who release this virus (known as the Organizers) inform the city's inhabitants that anyone who's willing to fight someone else (for the cure) will receive a vaccine. Through this chaos, the Organizers create a television show where people fight with each other to compete for a cash prize. 

You play as Jack Cayman, a cryptic and battle-ready individual with a chainsaw-equipped prosthetic arm. As you fight your way through various stages of the game show, the story begins to reveal that Cayman's true motives lie somewhere bigger and bolder than simply winning the show. With a unique black and white art style (with the only other in-game color being red, from blood), thrilling battles, and a compelling story, you'll get hours of enjoyment out of this fast-paced action game. 

MadWorld offers extremely engaging gameplay, with motion-sensing controls being incorporated for various forms of combat. This game is definitely not for the faint of heart; with combat being relatively vicious and gory, you should have a good idea of what you're getting into before you decide to give this game a chance. However, if you're a fan of hack and slash/beat-em-up style games' and enjoy playing games that have brutal combat and extremely enjoyable gameplay, then you'll have a great time with MadWorld.