Wii Buyers Guide for Holiday 2010 – Part 1

Our massive buyers guide for Wii owners both now and in the future is here - in this part, the best games of 2010 It’s almost that time of year again, and if you’re anything like the team here at Vooks, now is about the time when you&rsquo...

Our massive buyers guide for Wii owners both now and in the future is here – in this part, the best games of 2010

It’s almost that time of year again, and if you’re anything like the team here at Vooks, now is about the time when you’ll be writing your lists. Whether you’re looking to give parents a nudge in the right direction, or there’s a special someone in your life who you think would enjoy a certain game, then you’ve come to the right place.

Anyone who has stuck with the big N through thick and thin knows the key to getting the most out of the Wii is to keep track of the backlog. If you’re picking up a console just now, then there is a heck of a lot for you to catch up on. And if your Wii is ’collecting dust’, then it’s time to take out your wallet and see what you’ve been missing.

However, don’t fret if you’ve already played much of the Wii’s extensive backlog; this year has been home to one of the strongest line-ups for the little box. With old classics revived, new takes on key franchises and even sequels to obscure cult hits, the Nintendo Wii has had an excellent run this year, and we’re still yet to see certain powerhouse titles that are due next year. Read on for our picks for the best games of 2010, past years and in to the future!

Of course, no-one who is acquainted well with the Wii is interested in playing old games when there is new material to be had. It is without further ado that I advise you: the cream of the crop for the current year. It might seem like slim pickings at first, but let me be clear that you’ll get a lot of play time out of this bumper crop if you enjoyed them as much as me!

	Donkey Kong Country Returns If you liked Donkey Kong Country on the SNES (or any of the sequels), then it’s safe to say you will adore Donkey Kong Country Returns on the Wii. Developed by the acclaimed Retro Studios, they have done a wonderful job of bringing the classic gameplay and visuals to this generation. Although you might dismiss this as a ’ripoff’, I can guarantee there is enough fresh material and undiluted fun in this game to win over the most jaded critic. From the absolutely drop-dead gorgeous backdrops, the charming covers of SKC music and the challenging gameplay, everything except the somewhat fidgety waggle controls hits the right notes. Be sure to pick this up in stores now! Advertisement Read our review now!
	Disney Epic Mickey Mickey Mouse has always been a mainstay of Walt Disney animation, but as of late, the character has been appearing in less features and more merchandise. In fact, it’s safe to say the character is more of a mascot for the company. With this in mind, Warren Spector and company set out to reboot the titular mouse for a new generation. Epic Mickey is a dark fantasy platformer, set in a world known as the Wasteland. When Mickey fiddles with a magic paintbrush, he unknowingly unleashes a great evil onto a miniature world, and now it’s up to him to fix his mistake. With paint and thinner at his disposal, Mickey can phase objects in and out of the world to solve puzzles and defeat enemies. Also starring in the adventure is forgotten Disney character, Oswald the Lucky Rabbit – the original prototype for Mickey before Walt lost the rights to the character. It’s a very promising concept and can now be found at retail. Read our review now!
	GoldenEye 007 Advertisement The name’s 007; GoldenEye 007. That’s right, the landmark FPS which had its fame on the N64 is back for another round. Although it is subject to modern controls paralleling the popular Call of Duty series, much of what made the original game has returned, including the fantastic campaign (complete with amazing set pieces) and a fully functional multiplayer with offline and online support. That’s right, it’s screen-looking and insult-trading at its finest once more with your three best mates. If that’s not your thing, then head online for up to 16-player matches, with an XP system for a whole plethora of unlocks. If you’re still not satisfied, then head back to the campaign and try out 007 classic mode, where the enemies are tougher and health doesn’t regenerate. Any shooter fan owes it to themselves to pick this beauty up. Read our review now!
	NBA Jam BOOM SHAKALAKA! Yes, that was totally unwarranted, but you’ll be screaming silly catchphrases too when you get your hands on NBA Jam. I wouldn’t exactly call this a sequel or a remake; rather, a retro revival of the highest order. Jam comes with all the over-the-top commentary and absolute disregard for gravity you could expect from the series. With pretty much every major NBA team represented, as well as playable team mascots and politicians (slam-dunking Sarah Palin, anyone?), it’s a whole host of fun and trash talk with three mates around for some 2-on-2 just like the old days. If you don’t mind reliving the classics, as this is very much a straight shot to the nostalgia part of your brain, then you’re going to dig the bajeezus out of this little package. NOTHING BUT NET!! Read our review now!
	Rock Band 3 Although we didn’t end up getting Rock Band 2, which a lot of people still lament, we can thank Harmonix for getting its act together and releasing the sequel on time. Rock Band 3 is pretty much the closest you can get to learning an instrument and actually forming a band. With the introduction of the keytar, yet another ridiculously large peripheral to satisfy your thriving materialistic desires, the music genre takes the penultimate step towards complete realism. Comments about how the instruments are becoming too realistic aside, this really is the best of the music genre to date. If you have friends that are musically inclined or enjoy a good jam session, it’s worth putting in the money to have a full ensemble of drums, bass, guitar, keyboard and singer. Just be aware of the beating your wallet is going to take! Read our review now!

Let’s not forget what the year brought us prior to the holidays though. Nintendo was able to deliver some seriously great packages this year in some of its most well-known franchises, as well as the type of games we haven’t seen on the Wii yet. Read on for our picks.
	Super Mario Galaxy 2 Sure, we all enjoyed Super Mario Galaxy, much to the extent that is was impossible to think it could be improved upon. After all, the next logical step would be Super Mario Dimension, right? Wrong. Nintendo pulled one out of left field and threw the greatness of Super Mario Galaxy 2 at us, with new levels, puzzles, music and enemies. And what a joyride; every minute of the game is packed full of wonder and amusement, every level a complex fabric of creativity, with love and care poured into every aspect. If you aren’t won over by the ecstatic visuals, then the beautiful orchestral score will surely get the better of you. And not only are there 120 stars to acquire, but another 120 green stars after that. And they included Yoshi! Squee! This will keep you occupied for hours on end and then some. In conclusion: if you exist, buy this game. Now. Read our review now!
	Tatsunoko vs. Capcom: Ultimate All-Stars SHIN SHORYUKEN! Ryu and friends, as well as the rest of the Capcom’s stable of heroes and villains, return to fight in the name of honour (or otherwise) against the force of Japanese animation studio, Tatsunoko. Fighting game fans should already know, but below the simple surface lies an entire wealth of strategies and opportunities to play the game. A two-on-two tag team fighter, TvC engages from the beginning with an easy-to-learn control scheme and the promise of new characters and strategy development hooking dedicated players. If you enjoyed Street Fighter or any other entries in the Vs. series, then this is a must. Especially recommended if you have a sibling or friend that enjoys a competitive game, or even just likes to Brawl with you. Read our review now!
	Monster Hunter Tri The once Japan-only Monster Hunter hits the Wii with a bang. The first thing you notice about Monster Hunter Tri is the striking graphics. It really shouldn’t be possible on the Wii, but MH:Tri pushes what the Wii is thought to be capable of to a whole new level. And then there is the fact that you can sink hundreds of hours into this baby, online or off. Of course, you can start with the single player portion of the game, which would take a dedicated gamer weeks to burn through. However, the game really shines in the online mode, where teamwork is key, and the payouts rewarding. And if you ever (somehow) manage to complete the gargantuan offering of quests, then you can test yourself simply by changing up your weapon class, which requires you to re-learn your own playstyle. It’s a very different sort of game, but you’ll never know if you don’t try. Read our review now!
	No More Heroes 2: Desperate Struggle Capitalising on the relative success of the niche predecessor, No More Heroes 2 is an ultra-stylish action game which once again stars beam katana-wielding badass Travis Touchdown in a bid to become the greatest assassin. Where a lot of critics found the original to be lacking, the sequel has done a fine job keeping what worked and ditching/improving what didn’t to create a cohesive, stunning experience. Not for the kids, this is an ultra-violent bloodbath that revels in the ridiculous violence with glee – which should please anyone who digs that sort of thing. It’s also worth noting that the combat, especially the boss face-offs, are very satisfying and fun to watch. As well, it contains a fair share of homages to a video game age long gone, with simple 2D retro games featured as a way to earn cash. If you want a unique and very interesting take on the action genre, look no further than Desperate Struggle. Read our review now!
	Metroid: Other M An unexpected collaboration, Other M sees the partnership of Nintendo and Team Ninja create a very different take on the story of our favourite femme fatale, Samus Aran. Featuring a heavy focus on story, Other M takes the storied franchise for a very different spin, introducing new characters, wrapping up subplots and leaving a fair bit open for interpretation. Samus flips and kicks with style under Team Ninja’s direction, and Nintendo’s supervisory influence has made sure item collection and familiar enemies and themes make their way through to the final product. Although the game doesn’t quite reach the phenomenal quality of the Metroid Prime Trilogy (which by all means is a very high standard), it is a solid adventure which most fans of the series should enjoy. With the new aspects to the series though, it just might not be everyone’s cup of tea. Read our review now!

Look for part two coming soon, it’ll have all of the best upcoming games and the classic Wii games you might have missed.

Ben Robinson

Based in the South West of WA. I enjoy most genres and platforms of games, but my favourites are platformers and the Super NES, respectively. I also indulge in reading of DC/Marvel comics and fantasy literature, as well as PC building. I work as an accountant but manage to be an interesting person as well!