WiiWare offered a platform for developers to create fun and innovative games that took advantage of the Wii‘s unique capabilities. Though WiiWare is no longer available, it left behind some true gaming gems. Here are 10 of the best WiiWare games that are still fondly remembered today.
1. World of Goo
World of Goo is a physics-based puzzle game centered around building structures using balls of goo. The goal is to build towers and bridges using the goo balls to guide more goo balls into a pipe. With clever level design and imaginative goo types like inflatable balloons, unstoppable steel, and explosive bombs, World of Goo offers hours of challenging fun. The charming art style and atmosphere earned it many accolades, including Wii Game of the Year from IGN in 2008.
Key Features
- Innovative physics-based gameplay
- Creative level design
- Endearing art style
- 90+ levels
2. LostWinds
LostWinds is an elegant platformer where you play as the wind. By controlling Enril the wind spirit, you can guide and protect Toku the boy using gusts of wind. Each level introduces new wind-based abilities to help Toku platform across chasms, move objects, defend against enemies, and solve puzzles. With intuitive touch controls and tranquil music, LostWinds delivers an emotive journey through a beautifully-realized world.
Key Features
- Unique wind manipulation mechanics
- Gorgeous environments
- Relaxing soundtrack
- Environmental puzzles
3. Bit.Trip Beat
Bit.Trip Beat combines rhythm game mechanics with Pong-style gameplay. Set to an energetic chiptune soundtrack, the player must intercept beats as they fly towards them, bouncing them back with perfect timing to target areas for points. With multiple modes offering different gameplay twists, Bit.Trip Beat provides a uniquely retro and stylish rhythm experience.
Key Features
- Rhythm/music-based gameplay
- Pong-inspired design
- Pumping soundtrack
- Challenge, co-op and vs. modes
4. Cave Story
Cave Story is an acclaimed side-scrolling shooter platformer first released as freeware in 2004. You play as the amnesiac Quote exploring a remote island and trying to save the Mimiga, a race of rabbit people threatened by a mad scientist. With many secrets to uncover, multiple endings based on player choices, fun weapons to discover, and precise platforming action, Cave Story offers a meaty, engrossing Metroidvania adventure.
Key Features
- Large interconnected world to explore
- Many secret areas and endings
- Wide variety of upgradable weapons
- Memorable characters and story
5. FAST Racing League
FAST Racing League is a futuristic anti-gravity racer exclusive to WiiWare. Offering a slick sense of speed and tight drift-based controls, you can boost around tracks gaining airborne bonuses and jostling for first place. With a League mode, time trials, and local 4-player multiplayer, FAST Racing League scratched that high-speed racing itch in style before F-Zero finally brought the franchise to Wii U.
Key Features
- Sleek visuals and sense of speed
- Drift-focused racing mechanics
- Local multiplayer for up to 4 players
- Challenge modes and global leaderboards
6. Art Style: Orbient
Art Style: Orbient offers a mesmerizing physics-based experience centered around stellar gravitational attraction. You indirectly control a series of planetoid orbs by manipulating celestial bodies like stars and black holes. By intelligently tuning the gravitational forces, you guide the orbs into wormholes to complete over 100 relaxing, almost Zen-like levels. With impressive visuals and great use of the Wii remote for interaction, Orbient is a uniquely cosmic puzzle challenge.
Key Features
- Unique gravity-based puzzles
- Gorgeous cosmic presentation
- Soothing ambient soundtrack
- Over 100 levels
7. Lit
Lit is a survival horror game viewed from a bird‘s eye perspective. Trapped in a haunted boarding school, you scavenge for supplies and light sources to ward off encroaching shadows. With limited visibility, you cautiously explore the creepy halls, avoiding deadly ghosts by cleverly utilizing safe pools of light. With permadeath and randomly generated level layouts, Lit provides panic-inducing scares and tense cat-and-mouse gameplay.
Key Features
- Top-down survival horror
- Light/darkness-based stealth
- Randomly generated levels
- Permadeath mode
8. Mr. Driller W
Mr. Driller W brings the classic dig-dug arcade gameplay to WiiWare with the inclusion of motion controls. As blocks fall from above, you drill down by rapidly pointing the remote downwards while maneuvering left and right to collect air capsules and avoid enemies. With multiple game modes offering timed races, item collecting challenges, and battles, Mr. Driller W adds variety and replayability to the addictive balancing act of drilling vs dodging.
Key Features
- Classic digging action gameplay
- Motion controls for drilling
- Variety of game modes
- Local multiplayer
9. LostWinds: Winter of Melodias
A direct sequel to the sublime LostWinds on WiiWare, Winter of Melodias expands the scope of the original in every regard. With a variety of new wind abilities, challenging environmental puzzles, expanded combat against wolves and eagles, impressive setpieces like escaping an avalanche, and a beautiful winter-themed score, LostWinds: Winter of Melodias improves upon its predecessor as one of the most unique and magical experiences available on WiiWare.
Key Features
- Gorgeous winter setting
- New powers to control ice and snow
- Clever environmental puzzles
- Expanded world with side quests
10. You, Me, and the Cubes
You, Me, and the Cubes offers utterly charming co-operative gameplay for up to four players locally. Each player controls their own cube avatar and must tilt around abstract game worlds to collect baby cubes. By working together, players rescue the cute baby cubes while overcoming obstacles and challenges specific to the various imaginative environments. Accessible to all ages yet tactically deep thanks to physics-based elements like momentum and balancing, You, Me, and the Cubes is a must-own party experience on WiiWare.
Key Features
- Local 4 player co-op action
- Bright, family-friendly presentation
- Intuitive physics-based control
- 30+ levels across 5 worlds
