Best Wii Games for a 12-Year-Old Boy (2024 Guide by Interest)

The Wii has a massive library. The "best" game depends entirely on what he likes. Here are top picks categorized by genre/interest:

If He Likes Action-Adventure & Exploration

• The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess – Epic, darker tone, motion aiming. Wii version is canonical (mirrored).
• The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword – MotionPlus required. 1:1 swordplay. Divisive but unique.
• Okami – Gorgeous painterly style, celestial brush mechanics. Wii version has pointer controls.
• Metroid Prime Trilogy – 3 FPS adventures on one disc. Prime 1/2/3. Best FPS controls on Wii.

If He Likes Platformers

• Super Mario Galaxy 1 & 2 – Masterpieces. Creative gravity mechanics. 2 is harder.
• New Super Mario Bros. Wii – 4-player co-op chaos. Great for siblings/friends.
• Donkey Kong Country Returns – Tough, precise, beautiful. Retro Studios at peak.
• Kirby's Return to Dream Land / Epic Yarn – Accessible, co-op, creative.

If He Likes Racing

• Mario Kart Wii – 12-player online (dead), but 4-player local is legendary. Bikes + tricks.
• Excitebots: Trick Racing – Underrated, transformable robots, poker mechanics. Cult classic.
• Sonic & Sega All-Stars Racing – Better than Mario Kart? Many say yes. SEGA fan service.

If He Likes Shooters / Action

• Metroid Prime 3: Corruption – Best pointer aiming on console. Atmospheric.
• Resident Evil 4 (Wii Edition) – Pointer aiming transforms it. Best version of RE4.
• The Conduit / Conduit 2 – Sci-fi FPS built for Wii. Online dead, campaign solid.
• Call of Duty: World at War / Modern Warfare Reflex – Pointer aiming + Wii Zapper support.

If He Likes RPG / Strategy

• Xenoblade Chronicles – Massive JRPG, real-time combat, British voice acting. Essential.
• Fire Emblem: Radiant Dawn – Hardcore SRPG. Permadeath. Deep story.
• Monster Hunter Tri – Co-op hunting. Online dead, but local/lan via Wii LAN adapter or Dolphin netplay.

If He Likes Creative / Sandbox

• Minecraft (Wii U / Switch preferred, but Wii has no native version) – Skip Wii.
• LittleBigPlanet (PS3 only) – Not on Wii.
• Boom Blox / Bash Party – Physics puzzles, level creator. Spielberg-backed. Fun co-op.

Multiplayer Party Staples

• Wii Sports / Wii Sports Resort (MotionPlus)
• Super Smash Bros. Brawl – Subspace Emissary (story), 4-player brawler.
• Mario Party 8 / 9
• Just Dance (any year)

How to Choose

1. Ask: "What were your last 3 favorite games on any system?"
2. Check ESRB: Most above are E10+ or T. Resident Evil 4, Call of Duty, MadWorld are M.
3. Budget: Used Wii games are $5–$20. Grab a bundle.

Safe bets: Mario Galaxy 2, Mario Kart Wii, Smash Bros. Brawl, DKC Returns, Xenoblade.