Top 10 2008 Nintendo Wii Sports Games

If you can remember, the first article I ever published on Triond was titled “Top 10 2008 Nintendo Wii Games” and it focused on the top ten must-have games on the Wii console as of 2008. Well, you can imagine my surprise when not even a month later, my topic has been viewed at least 500 times. Seeing the popularity of that topic, I thought to myself, “Why not break down your list evaluation even further?” So, for my 36^th Triond article, I’ve decided to revisit the past and create another Top 10 Wii Games topic, except this time for the Sports genre of Wii titles.

For all of you hardcore sports fans, it’s time to find out the Wii’s Top 10 Sports games as of 2008. As with my first Top 10 Wii Games topic, this list includes all sports games that will be available on store shelves by the end of 2008, so you’ll be able to see what’s actually worth buying. You may notice some games from my original list making a reappearance on this one, only because they’re sports-related.

#10 – Big League Sports

At the 10^th spot on the list is Big League Sports, a game which follows in the footsteps of Wii Sports. Big League Sports for Wii offers instant access to the most action-packed moments in sports. The result is a title with a singular focus on putting you in the most thrilling situations while competing in your favorite sports. Six sports are represented for a combined total of 22 events, each using instinctive controls that mimic real athletic movement with the Wii Remote. Each sport – tennis, basketball, football, soccer, lacrosse and hockey – has its own kind of “hit the shot at the buzzer” style of heart-pounding action, and this is exactly what Big League Sports captures.

#9 – Wii Fit

At #9 is the critically-acclaimed Wii Fit exercise game. Control on-screen action with your movements on the balance board as you work your way through a variety of challenges aimed at getting you off the couch and into the action. Check your Body Mass Index (BMI), see your Wii Fit Age and keep tabs on your daily progress towards a more fit you. Get fit with more than 40 activities and exercises, including strength training, aerobics, yoga and balance games. Whether you’re doing a yoga pose or snowboarding down a slalom course, there’s an activity for everyone. Challenge your family and friends to get in shape! Create your own personal profile and set goals, test your balance, track your progress with daily workouts and unlock new exercises and activities. Each Wii Fit game comes pre-packaged with a Wii Balance Board.

#8 – We Ski

Holding at #8 on the list is We Ski, a skiing simulator! We Ski takes you down the slopes in the most exciting skiing game to hit the Wii! Grab your Wii Remote and Nunchuk or step onto your Wii Balance Board to execute perfect wedge stops, shred the slaloms, and negotiate moguls with ease. With an in-depth Ski School and over a dozen lengthy runs packed with jumps, races, and more, you and your friends won’t want to leave the slopes again!

#7 – Mario Super Sluggers

Step up to the plate with Mario and friends in this superstar baseball game holding on to a #7 position on the list! Make the intuitive Wii Remote controller your bat as you dominate the diamond with Mario, Luigi, Peach and the rest of the gang! Each character is able to perform a special move used to gain an advantage on the field. Baseball-fans will love this spin-off of the traditional Mario series of games.

#6 – Mario Strikers Charged

Superb new Wii controls, over-the-top abilities and loads of features make Mario Strikers Charged the unparalleled champion of bash ’em, smash ‘em soccer action! Each character has a special ability you can exploit against your opponent. Soccer-fans will love this spin-off of the traditional Mario series of games.

#5 – Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games

Kicking off the top five games is the Olympics – specifically, Mario and Sonic at the Olympics! In Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games, players will compete in events that take place in environments based on the official venues of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games. Using a supporting cast of characters from the amazing worlds of both Mario and Sonic, gamers will be able to compete as, or against, a range of lovable personalities including Mario, Sonic, Luigi, Knuckles, Yoshi, Tails and more. Innovative usage of the Wii and DS control systems (yes, this game is also available on the Nintendo DS) to maneuver a favorite character will allow players to race the likes of Mario and Sonic down the 100-meter track, engage in exhilarating rallies in table tennis and churn water in a swimming heat, all while competing for the much sought after gold medal.

#4 – Wii Play

Wii Play comes pre-packaged with a free Wii Remote (actually, it’s not free – the price of the remote has already been incorporated into the price of the game itself) and lands itself at #4 on the list! Wii Play is made up of nine games that will test the physical and mental reflexes of players of all ages. Whether you pick up the Wii Remote to play the shooting gallery that harkens back to the days of Duck Hunt or use it to find matching Miis, a world of fun is in your hands!  In addition to the shooting gallery and Mii-matching game, Wii play offers billiards, air hockey, tank battles, table tennis rally, Mii poses and a cow-riding race.

#3 – Wii Sports and Wii Sports Resort

It’s time for the top three and at number three is a tie between Wii Sports, the 2006 game that comes pre-packaged with Wii gaming systems, and its 2009 sequel, Wii Sports Resort.

In Wii Sports, you can play Tennis, Baseball, Golf, Bowling and Boxing in the comfort of your living room. No ball boys scurrying about, no oil from the alleys to get players dirty and no rain to keep anyone from a day at the court, park or course. Use the Wii Remote controller to mimic the actions of swinging a racket, bat or club, roll a ball down an alley or bring the left jab. Granted, the putter in the golf game has some bugs, and I’m not a big fan of boxing, but I still enjoy a good game of Tennis, Bowling and Baseball every once in a while.

In Wii Sports Resort, which is slated for a Spring 2009 release, the player is once again immersed into a realistic gaming experience. This sequel to the popular Wii Sports makes use of the Wii MotionPlus accessory, which gives players the most responsive and realistic experience possible. The Wii MotionPlus accessory, which is included with Wii Sports Resort, plugs into the base of the Wii Remote controller and, combined with the accelerometer and sensor bar, provides an experience that gives players an even greater sense of immersion. Wii Sports Resort takes place on a tropical island. A wide range of activities will keep players coming back for one more round. Some sample activities include Sword Play, Power Cruising (racing a water scooter) and Disc Dog, which involves accurately tossing a disc to a cute, Mii-like dog.

#2 – Madden NFL ’09 All-Play

Barely holding on to the number two spot is Madden NFL ’09 All-Play! Celebrating 20 years of innovation, Madden NFL 09 delivers its most assessable football package ever for the Nintendo Wii, combining EA SPORTS All Play-featuring easy-to-use gameplay controls-with an all-new play-calling system tailored to fit the playing style of all skill levels. Elevate your game by creating plays with the Wii Remote, then rejoice in your success by throwing together a unique user-controlled celebration. With an all-new 5-on-5 mode, an improved tackling system, real-time coaching tips, you can turn friends and family into your biggest rivals with Madden NFL 09.

#1 – EA Sports NHL 2K9

And finally, the best sports game for the Wii as of 2008 is EA Sports’ NHL 2K9! 2K Sports is bringing the fun back to hockey video games with an intuitive control scheme and hard-hitting action. As the first and only officially licensed NHL and NHLPA video game for Wii, NHL 2K9 will offer fans the opportunity to play like the pros using the Wii Remote as a hockey stick and experience the sport in a new, entertaining and wholly unique manner.

Other Great Wii Sports Games

In particular, many Nintendo gamers might wonder why I’ve left out a couple of other good sports games on this Top 10 Wii Sports Games List. Many people might particularly wonder why I’ve left out Mario Kart Wii from the list. After rigorously debating the issue with myself, I decided it wasn’t technically a sports game, but if it was, it would be within the top three. As for the rest of the list, I’ve tried my best to incorporate what I believe are the best sports games of the system as of 2008, based upon gameplay, graphics, sound, storyline and replayability. If you believe there’s another good Wii sports game that’s worth being mentioned, feel free to post a comment to my article and let everyone else know.