Back in late 2006, the Nintendo Wii was released. The system ended up breaking a lot of sales record at that time due to its ability to attract causal games with the Wii Remote motion capabilities. So what were the best gifts for Wii gamers for that particular year? Let’s take a retrospective look.
10. Red Steel by Ubisoft
Ubisoft’s Red Steel is a first person shooter only available on the Wii. Taking place in US and Japan, players have to shoot and hack their way to save the main character’s girlfriend from the Yakuza. Red Steel takes advantage of Wii’s motion sensing controller by using it to aim with a gun and swing with a sword. One of the best looking games for the Wii, Red Steel helped redefined how a first person shooter can play using motion controls.
9. Extra Wii Remote and Nunchuck by Nintendo
Having to play videogames by yourself can get lonely. Luckily, most Wii games have multiplayer modes, so having an extra controller or two is essential (especially if you have multiple gamers in the same household). Since Nintendo’s philosophy for the Wii was for it to cater to non-gamers, having an extra controller around could also entice some of your friends and family members to start playing.
8. Metal Slug Anthology by SNK
Metal Slug Anthology is a collection of the incredibly fun 2D action game series, Metal Slug. The anthology has seven games for the price of one: Metal Slug 1, 2, X, 3, 4, 5, and 6. The Wii version would also take advantage of the Wii motion sensing capabilities. By either playing by yourself or together with a friend, you will have an enjoyable time blasting your way through the stages.
7. Wii Controller Glove by BD & A
The Wii Remote only comes in the color white. As everyone knows, the color white can easily be dirtied. The Wii Controller Glove protects the Wii Remote from not only dirt, but also oil which can make the remote feels slippery. The gloves also come in different colors (blue, black, pink and silver).
6. Classic Controller by Nintendo
Nintendo’s Wii comes with the Virtual Console feature which allows you to download old school games from NES, Super Nintendo, Nintendo 64 and more. That means some of the greatest games of all time (The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars, etc.) are readily available for download on the Wii. Using the classic controller, you can control the game the way it was meant to be (as opposed to the awkward control you may experience using the Remote and Nunchuck to play classic games).
5. Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi 2 by Atari
The sequel to the original best seller is bigger and better. Featuring over 100 characters, Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi 2 was the most complete Dragon Ball game in 2006. In addition, the environment is bigger and more destructible. The Wii version allows you to perform moves with the remote and nunchuck. With nine different single and multiplayer modes, Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi 2 will take many hours for you and your fellow gamers to complete.
4. Elebits by Konami
Elebits are little electrical creatures who help power electricity for us to use. One day, all the Elebits suddenly disappeared; thus, it’s your job to capture them back. Elebits, like cockroaches, will hid anywhere in the household. Using the Wii controller to pick up and lift objects, you can solve puzzles in order to find the Elebits. With an interesting concept and innovative use of the Wii controller, Elebits became one the sleeper hit Wii games of the 2006 holiday season.
3. SD Card by SanDisk
The Wii has 512mb internal memory. By storing game saves and Virtual Console games, the memory can quickly fill up. Luckily, the DS allows you to store games saves and Virtual Console games on a SD card. SanDisk has been known to make high quality SD cards that are cheap and reliable; so you can expect the same quality and affordability with their latest offerings.
2. Trauma Center: Second Opinion by Atlus
Originally made for the Nintendo DS, Trauma Center was remade for the Wii. In Trauma Center, you have to perform surgery to save your dying patients. Along with the improved graphics and a new chapter is the enhanced gameplay taking advantage of the Wii’s Remote and Nunchuck. You use the nunchuck to choose the tools and the remote to operate on your patients with your tools.
Out of all the Wii games, Trauma Center: Second Opinion takes the most advantage in using the Wii’s motion sensing technology. This was a must buy for those who want to show off the Wii’s power in 2006.
1. The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess by Nintendo
The latest installment in one of the greatest game franchises in history, The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess is worth purchasing the Wii alone in 2006. After years of countless delays, Twilight Princess ended up being the most epic Zelda adventure yet (it takes at least fifty hours to do everything).
Thanks to the Wii powers, the graphics have been ramp-upped into a darker, more realistic look. Twilight Princess also uses the motion sensing controller in unique ways: the remote and nunchuck are needed to fish, aim your bow and swing your sword. Without a doubt, The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess was the most wanted gift for Wii owners in 2006.