The Nintendo Wii was introduced in the North American market in November 2006 and sold 101 million consoles during its lifecycle. Hailed as a revolution in video game console history, it would compete against the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 as part of the seventh generation of console gaming.
The Wii‘s success was largely due to its motion-sensing technology and Wii Remote which appealed to both hardcore and casual gamers alike. It would be these same controls that added a new level of engagement to first-person shooter games by attempting different control systems over a more standard controller.
What is a First-Person Shooter?
A first-person shooter is a popular video game genre that is shown from the perspective of the protagonist or your character in the game. Sometimes, you might play as multiple characters depending on a level or the storyline, but no matter who you are playing, your point of view is always the same.
You should anticipate only being able to see what the character sees. In other words, when your character looks in a certain direction, you’ll see exactly what they would see.
Was the Nintendo Wii Known for First-Person Shooters?
The Nintendo Wii was released as a catch-all system for both the hardcore and casual gamer. Nintendo wanted the system to have something for everyone, first-person shooters included.
Unfortunately, the Nintendo Wii lacked the same graphical prowess as its seventh-generation home console competition, so it often lagged behind in categories like first-person shooters. That’s not to say there were not some great titles to play, but anyone looking for the best FPS experience during this era would be best served looking at the Xbox 360 or PlayStation 3.
However, while the Wii could not match those consoles‘ processing power and graphical capabilities, its innovative motion controls using the Wii Remote and Nunchuk added a new level of immersion that offset its technical limitations. Major franchises like Call of Duty and Metroid Prime adapted their control schemes for the Wii to take advantage of its unique attributes. The result was a selection of standout first-person shooters that played to the console‘s strengths.
So while the Wii did not have sheer quantity of top-tier FPS options compared to the Xbox 360 and PS3, the motion control innovations of titles that were tailored to the platform make them extremely noteworthy. Let‘s dive into the 7 FPS games that made the best use of the Nintendo Wii‘s capabilities.
#7: Call of Duty: Modern Warfare – Reflex Edition
Best known as the Wii port of Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare – Reflex Edition is a great FPS game for any Wii owner. The plot remains the same as the non-Wii version, as a group of special forces soldiers must save the world from terrorists. Where the Wii version stands out is its use of gesture controls.
If you want to assign different controls to different gestures, this is one of the best ways to enjoy the game. It’s amazing to be able to flick your knife just by flicking the Wii remote. When the Wii’s graphical power or lack thereof shows through, you’re immediately reminded that that sacrifice is made up for with a far more unique style of gameplay.
Earning a 76 Metascore, the single-player campaign remains a ton of fun, which is why this title receives so much praise across every console release. The local co-op is a blast to play as a second player can hop into the game at any time, find their own reticule, and help their friend take down enemies.
While Call of Duty: Modern Warfare Reflex Edition could not match the visual splendor or all of the content from the Xbox 360 and PS3 versions, its gesture-based controls provided a one-of-a-kind way for Wii owners to experience this acclaimed FPS franchise.
#6: Call of Duty: Black Ops
The seventh entry in the Call of Duty series, Call of Duty: Black Ops brought the usual FPS charm over to the Wii. Set during the Cold War, the game involves a back-and-forth between Russia and America told through the eyes of a special forces CIA operative, Alex Mason. The campaign is actually made up of a bunch of flashbacks with Mason recalling various battles and engagements over the course of his career. The single-player campaign stretches over 15 different levels and an equal number of locations worldwide.
Call of Duty: Black Ops offered a standout multiplayer game for the Wii once you completed the single-player campaign. It also marked the first Call of Duty title for the console to include in-game voice chat. Whether you prefer single-player or multiplayer, the Wii’s gestures are the best part of the game and helped it earn an 80 Metascore. Aiming with the Wii Remote and Nunchuck make shooting so much fun, you just have to get used to the control layout. Playing with this setup gets even more fun once you jump into Zombies mode, the first time this mode has made its way into a Wii Call of Duty title.
Call of Duty: Black Ops represented a major step forward for the series on Nintendo Wii. The strong critical reception and implementation of motion controls that enhanced the experience make it one of the top FPS offerings on the platform.
#5: Red Steel 2
Part first-person shooter, part hack-and-slash title, Red Steel 2 is a fantastic game that is a sequel to its predecessor in name only. Whether you wield a sword or a gun, the game takes place in a world where both samurais and cowboys are part of the Nevada landscape. As is often the case with Nintendo titles, the game leaves graphic violence on the cutting room floor, but that doesn’t make it any less engaging.
What really makes Red Steel 2 a must-play on the Nintendo Wii is its control scheme. As the player, you move and strafe with your Nunchuck in one hand and the Wii Remote for aiming your sword or gun and slashing/shooting. No, this won’t echo real-life sword fights, but it’s the next best thing.
Whether you want to stab right at the screen or block an incoming attack, you can do exactly that just by moving the Wii Remote. It’s a heightened level of combat that the video game industry was unable to deliver until the Wii and, to this day, Red Steel 2 remains very deserving of its 80 Metascore.
Red Steel 2 represented an innovative way to blend first-person shooting and melee combat by utilizing the Wii‘s motion controls. Though not a well-known franchise, its sword and gunplay were a perfect match for the capabilities of the Wii Remote and Nunchuk.
#4: GoldenEye 007
Trying to capture the magic of GoldenEye from the Nintendo 64 would be a tall order for any console. Something of a remake of the beloved 1997 game with the same name, the Nintendo Wii version, GoldenEye 007, was well-received, though it didn’t quite live up to the impossible expectations of its predecessor.
Still, you can play with the Wii Remote and Nunchuck, Wii Zapper, Classic Controller, or the Classic Controller Pro which makes it adaptable for nearly any type of Nintendo Wii owner. No matter which controller you choose, you’ll have 25 different weapons available with which to take down your enemies and save the world from impending disaster.
Along with the fantastic single-player campaign, multiplayer is a true highlight with offline split-screen for up to four players or online gameplay through Nintendo’s Wi-Fi connection for up to eight players. Combat is every bit as James Bond as it can get on the Nintendo Wii, and that’s a good thing.
While you don’t quite feel the same sense of urgency as James Bond in the movie, the 81 Metascore proves that this game is well worth picking up. It offers an array of control schemes tailored to the Wii‘s capabilities, providing both accessibility and innovative gameplay for the legendary Goldeneye name.
#3: Call of Duty: World at War
Selling more than one million copies on the Nintendo Wii, Call of Duty: World at War is the second best-selling first-person shooter on the Nintendo Wii console.
Released in 2008, the game dropped the traditional controls it favored on other consoles for the Wii Zapper and or Wii Remote and Nunchuck. Aiming targets using either method is just downright fun and it feels far more immersive to play, even if you aren’t getting the same level of graphics as you would on the PlayStation 3. That’s okay, because the single-player campaign is every bit Call of Duty as one could expect on the Wii and that’s even before you get to the much-hyped Zombies mode.
Multiplayer remains a mainstay of Call of Duty titles and that’s true for the Wii version as well. Between offline co-op gameplay with another player or up to four players online, it’s so much fun to jump into Zombies mode and see how long you can stay alive. Earning an 83 Metascore, Call of Duty: World at War remains a highlight of how far the Nintendo Wii console could be pushed.
While not as visually impressive as its counterparts on other consoles, Call of Duty: World at War was a breakthrough title for the possibilities of first-person shooters on Nintendo Wii. The tailored motion controls, squadmate features and acclaimed Zombies mode made it one of the most exciting FPS experiences ever seen on a Nintendo platform.
#2: Metroid Prime 3: Corruption
The seventh installment of the Metroid series and the third such game in the Metroid Prime series, Metroid Prime 3: Corruption was one of the best-selling games in Wii history, moving more than 1.4 million copies.
Set six months after its predecessor, Samus is controlled using the Wii Remote which helps you fire, aim, and jump your way to defeat your enemies. Add the Nunchuck into the mix and you will help Samus lock onto enemy attacks so she can pull out “Hypermode,” adding extra powerful attacks to her arsenal of tricks.
There is no question that the Wii controllers shine with Metroid Prime 3 and it reminds you of why Nintendo believed this was the future of gaming consoles. Even though it’s primarily a first-person shooter, you will find plenty of puzzles along the way that you need to solve to continue with the overall storyline, which adds to the overall value. Unsurprisingly, Metroid Prime 3: Corruption earned a massive 90 Metascore, and many critics considered it to be one of the most perfect games ever to release for the Nintendo Wii.
The pinnacle of both first-person shooters and the Metroid Prime trilogy on Wii, Metroid Prime 3: Corruption represented the absolute best realization of motion controls applied to an FPS. Its blend of shooting, exploration and puzzle-solving created an experience specifically built around the unique attributes of the Wii Remote and Nunchuk.
#1: Metroid Prime: Trilogy
A three-title combination released in 2009 for the Nintendo Wii, Metroid Prime: Trilogy takes the top prize as the absolute best first-person shooter for the console.
Composed of three games from the Metroid series: Metroid Prime, Metroid Prime 2: Echoes, and Metroid Prime 3: Corruption, there’s just so much to love about this game. The two former titles are the remasters of GameCube releases and arrive with control schemes that are well thought-out for the Wii Remote and Nunchuck.
All of the titles have fantastic storylines on their own, never mind outstanding graphics for the Wii console, making Metroid Prime: Trilogy all the easier to pick as the best FPS. It will come as little surprise that the game earned a 91 Metascore and a 9.0 user score.
Even for fans new to the Metroid series, each game stays true to its original storyline and settings. The only real downside was the lack of online multiplayer. While Metroid didn’t quite do for the Nintendo Wii as Halo did for the Microsoft Xbox, it’s pretty close to the perfect first-person experience you could ever hope for.
Bundling the entirety of the acclaimed Metroid Prime series with intuitive motion controls for each title, Metroid Prime Trilogy stands out as the most essential first-person shooter in the Wii library. Its epic science fiction stories and tailor-made control scheme for the console make it the definitive FPS experience on Wii.
Final Thoughts
Let’s be honest, the Nintendo Wii was never designed to be a centerpiece of first-person shooter titles. Its motion-sensing design had far greater promise than its graphical powers. In the end, some fantastic FPS games arrived on the Wii all the same. Metroid Prime: Trilogy and Call of Duty: World at War are all the proof you need that having the best graphics isn’t the only thing that matters in the console world.
So while its technical muscle didn‘t measure up to the Xbox 360 or PS3, the Nintendo Wii fostered revolutionary motion controls that brought a new level of immersion to first-person shooters. Major series like Call of Duty and Metroid Prime completely tailored their gameplay to the Wii Remote, creating unique entries that played to the console‘s strengths. For the shooters that embraced its capabilities, the Wii provided an utterly distinct and engaging FPS experience that has never quite been duplicated since.
