Favorite Games for Nintendo Wii

With its revolutionary motion-sensitive controller system, the Nintendo Wii gaming system is like no other. It features Wi-Fi internet connection ability which allows you to access free online services and games. What it lacks in graphical output, only 480p, it makes up for in other ways.

While the Wii lacks the advanced HD graphics and surround sound of the Xbox 360 and PS3 systems, it makes up for it in an incredible unique motion controller system that no other console on the market has. Unlike other consoles, the Wii actually gets you up off the couch and demands some physical exercise. Something we can all use a little more of. The Nintendo Wii is also backwards compatible with all GameCube games and controllers.

Its online capabilities allow you to surf the internet, upload and download photos to and from friends and even to manipulate those photos, creating a soundtrack slide show using the dedicated photo channel all through the Wii console itself.. In addition to that you have several channels such as a weather channel, to keep up with current weather conditions, and a news channel to keep you informed of breaking news. Then there is the Wii shopping channel where you can download games directly to your console, including some classics.

Another bonus is that the Nintendo is much more affordable than the Xbox 360 or the PS 3 at just under $200.00 it comes bundled with Wii Sports. Wii Sports features games such as tennis, bowling, boxing, golf, and baseball. The Wii isn't just for kids either. It is actually being used as a fitness tool by consumers and fitness centers alike. The addition of the Wii balance board, sold separately, increases the fun and is a must have for playing some of the games to their full potential.

And now I would like to share my personal favorite top 10 games for the Nintendo Wii as of today.

1. Super Mario Galaxy $45.00 - $50.00

This is my favorite of the Mario Games ever. Unlike it's 2D predecessor with it's horizontal scroll game play, Super Mario Galaxy is a wonderful 3D experience which is visually colorful and beautiful. You visit worlds all over the galaxy, swinging, flying and jumping your way from one place to another working your way towards saving the princess.

This is one of my favorite games for the wee that is suitable for all ages. My husband and my brother-in-law, neither of which are video gamers, both got sucked into and addicted to this game. And to me, that says more than words.

I'm very excited to say that Super Mario Galaxy 2 is due to be released on May 23, 2010. You can bet I've got mine pre-ordered from Amazon.com

2. Tiger Woods PGA Tour 08 $30.00- $40.00

We had so much fun playing the golf game on Wii Sports, which comes bundled wit the Wii console, that one of the first games we bought was Tiger Woods PGA Tour 08. There has been two newer versions released since that I can't comment on since I don't own them, yet. However, I will say, that my husband and I put many hours on this game and had a blast doing it. With the Nintendo Wii's unique motion controller, you don't just push buttons, you actually swing the controller in the same way that you would swing a real golf club. You can also purchase a golf club addon that you insert the controller into to give you an even more realistic experience.

In this game, you have to factor in all of the same things you would have to in a real golf game. Wind factor, ground slope, turf thickness, sand traps, trees and water. You choose which club is best for each individual shot. You can hit hooks and curves, and flops and puts. This is another game that is great for all ages.

3. Shaun White Snowboarding: Road Trip $19.00- $30.00

This game can be played without the balance board but is so much better with it. Using the balance board makes you feel like you are actually on the slopes yourself. You use your body and balance to maneuver your way through the courses just like you would if you were on a snowboard. You can perform jumps, flips, and a host of other tricks. You can play alone or against other people to see who can get the best score. Be prepared for a great workout with this game coupled with the balance board.

There are newer versions of this game that I have not tried yet. But this version is excellent and is selling on Amazon.com right now and that's a great price for a great game.

4.Metroid Prime 3 Corruption $30.00 to $64.00

Unfortunately the price of this game on Amazon has gone quite high at $63.72, but you can probably shop around and find it elsewhere for as little as $30.00.

Metriod Prime 3 Corruption is probably my favorite of the action/shooter type games for the Wii. You have first person control of Samus, using the motion sensor controller that is unique to Wii, along with the nanchuck. This version of the Metriod Prime series is also the first one to actively use Samus' ship during game play.

And this time around, in addition to the cool guns, grapple, morph balls etc. we get Phazon. That's right, you can now charge Samus with Phazon for a hyper-mode burst of energy just when you need it most. Don't exceed the Phazon level though, or you'll die. The best part about this game is that Samus is a woman. It's about time we get to strut our stuff.

The newest version in the Metriod Prime series for the Wii, Metriod: Other M, is due to be released on June 27, 2010. I have mine pre-ordered and am really looking forward to it.

5.We Ski $17.00

Not quite as good as Shaun White Snowboarding, but still a fun game that makes excellent use of the Wii balance board. The controls take a little more getting used to than SWS but once you have it down, you're free to ski your way to fun and a knowledge of muscles you never knew you had. An all around great game for the entire family and at a price of just under $17.00 on Amazon, it's well worth the money.

6. Just Dance $29.00

I don't actually own this game but my sister does. We had a family get together and this game was the hit for the night. With the motion controller in your hand, you follow along with the dance moves. The better you dance, the higher your score. Dance along with over 30 tracks of music from the 80's to the 90's. You can learn steps to dances such as country line dances, the mashed potato and more. The game also features scrolling lyrics so you can sing along.

This is another game that gives you a great workout. You can have fun and burn calories and stay fit while doing it, all in the comfort of your own home. Great for the whole family, it features a 4 player party mode. This is a great game for parties. It's easy to play. You don't have to think much. There is nothing to kill, other than your killer dance moves, and no puzzles to solve. It's just a fun, fun family game. Get this one for the couch potato kids and get them working out under the guise of a fun video game.

The only drawback to this game is the fact that it doesn't have more songs. Addon song packages would be phenomenal.

7.Dance Dance Revolution: Hottest Party Bundle $69.99

I purchased this game strictly for the workout value. Unfortunately, due to a chronic pain condition, I am unable to enjoy this game to the fullest. Even so, there still plenty of areas of the game that I can enjoy, and enjoy it I do. You do need to get the bundle so you have the dance step pad to fully enjoy it. In addition to the dance pad, you can use the Wii remote and nanchuck.

Dance, Dance Revolution features soundtracks from the last 4 decades, and multi-player modes for up to 4 players. This is a highly physically active game giving the player a great workout, and is another one that is a lot of fun at a party.

To play, you have to match your moves to the correct places on the dance mat. You can also use an option called the hand marker which has you using the Wii remote and nanchuck as well as your feetfor double the action. And double the challenge. Sounds easy right, well it's not. It's quite challenging even if you don't have any disabilities. Another great and fun game that will get you and your kids off the couch and moving, and have fun doing it.

8. Lara Croft Tomb Raider: Underworld $20.00 - $25.00

I've always been a huge fan of the Tomb Raider video games and I will continue to be a die-hard fan of the series. Tomb Raider Underworld is just as excellent, if not more excellent than ever. The only major flaw is that it is very short games. It seems like just when you start getting into it, it's over. That is my only complaint.

In Underworld, Lara explores places such as the Arctic, Mexico, and even underneath the Mediterranean Sea. In true Lara Croft fashion, she scales mountains, swims waters infested with deadly creatures, swings and grapples her way through enormous mazes and solves puzzles, not to mention blasting her way through her enemies.

Specially designed areas in the game were created with the Wii Motion controller in mind which brings a whole new level of experience to the Tomb Raider series. The game is much more graphically acceptable than previous editions and much more interactive. I only wish it could have been longer.

9. Lego Indiana Jones: The Original Adventures $18.00

This is a great game for the younger kids. I'm 47 though, and I thoroughly enjoyed this game.

This game allows you to unlock over 60 playable characters, all with specific abilities to help Indiana on his adventure. Using Legos and parts of other characters, you can also build your own unique characters.

This game combines Lego and the Adventures of Indiana Jones in a comical way that is fun and engaging. The goal of the game is to collect artifacts scattered throughout the jungles of South America to the mountaintops of India, and take them back to the Barnett College School of professorship for display.

Indy uses his famous whip for a multitude of things such as fighting and swinging, among other things.

You will also have access to other weapons, and unique characters with their own special abilities. You'll be shimmying, swinging, whipping, and fighting your way through an adventurous quest using all manner of tricks and maneuvers.

This one isn't going to get your kids up off the couch, but it is engaging and a great game for even the youngest ones. And best of all, there is already a new release, Indiana Jones: The Adventure Continues.

10. Deadly Creatures $20.00 - $25.00

Deadly Creatures is based in the Sonoran Desert, where you experience the terrain and all it's danger as a tarantula or a scorpion. Using the Wii's unique motion sensor, you will stalk prey, pounce and attack enemies such as rattlesnakes, black widow spiders, tarantula wasps and other dangerous creepy crawly critters. The best part of this game, actual game playing aside, is it's beautiful 360 degree, 3D environment. I can honestly say that I was extremely impressed with the graphics in this game.

This game features a story line of greed and betrayal in the human world that will be revealed to you from two different perspectives as the game play evolves. And as you survive the predators who are trying to kill you and advance in the game, you will be battling even larger predators, including man.

The creatures and the scenery is so life-like you be riveted to the game. It's another great game for all ages.

And one to grow on.

11. Endless Ocean: Blue World $30.00

The long awaited sequel to Endless Ocean is finally here. This is my first time playing Endless Ocean of any version. I read all of the reviews, watched the video previews, and I was intrigued so I purchased it. You will either love or hate this game.

Basically, you're diving in the ocean and swimming around learning what all the fish and other sea creatures are called. That in itself is worth purchasing the game for. It's a great way to teach yourself and your kids about life under the sea and the importance of preservation of coral reefs. You also hunt for treasure which you can take back to base camp and have it appraised and sell it. This way you earn money that you can use to purchase new gear, or coral and others things you can take back to the ocean floor and plant a new coral reef.

There isn't much action to speak of in this game. There are a sharks that you have to shoot with a tranquilizer before it attacks you. Using the same tranquilizing gun you heal any sick fish or sea creatures you may come across. A little into the game you get sonar which allows you to find buried treasure. The underwater adventure features beautiful graphics with lifelike ocean fish, seahorses, whales, coral reefs and other gorgeous scenery.

Another feature that comes with this version of Endless Ocean that the previous version didn't have is the ability to connect to the internet via a Wi Fi connection which allows you to swim and explore the depths of the ocean with your friends.

However, my favorite part of the game so far is the underwater camera that you receive not long into the game. I'm an avid photographer and I found myself mostly trying to get some awesome photographs. Just like real photography, you have to get that certain angle with the fish turned a certain way for that perfect shot. Not as easy as it sounds, but I loved it. Once back to shore at base, you get to develop your film and print your pictures. Keep your favorites and put them in your photo album. You can also share your photographs with your online friends. I do have to say that I wish I had more room in my photo album. I'm hoping I get to add pages as the game progresses.

I have to admit that when I first put this game in and started playing I felt bored. I'm into action games like Modern Warfare 2 and God of War 3, which I play on the Playstation 3 system. But I was determined to give it a fair shot and before I knew it I was 8 hours into the game in one sitting. So, while it is a relaxing game and might be considered a bit boring to some, I was definitely into it and rate this game as one of my top 10 on its own merit.

I love my Wii and look forward to playing as many games as I can afford to get my hands on.