The most popular Wii game makes it clear: Nintendo has never achieved this success again

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(Image source: GIGA / Martin Hartmann)

The Nintendo Wii was a massive success for the Japanese gaming giant. With the then brand new and innovative motion control, the console not only impressed real gamers, but also their parents. The large target group is also reflected in the most successful Wii games.

Many of the games are still considered true masterpieces to this day and have also found their way onto modern consoles such as Switch and Switch 2. We show you the top 15 best-selling Wii games. How many of these were or are still on your shelf?

15. Mario & Sonic at the Olympics

Mario and Sonic, once bitter rivals, compete together at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Over 20 disciplines from athletics to table tennis ensure sporting competition in the living room.

  • Release: November 6, 2007
  • Sold: 7.09 million units

14. Super Mario Galaxy 2

The sequel to the celebrated original went even further: new galaxies, Yoshi as a rideable companion and even more creative level designs. Nintendo had never released a direct sequel to a 3D Mario game before and since.

  • Release: May 23, 2010
  • Sold: 7.41 million copies

13. The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess

Twilight Princess is probably one of the darkest Zelda games. The game here used motion controls for sword strikes and archery. Link fights his way through dungeons and can also transform into a wolf.

  • Release: November 19, 2006
  • Sold: 7.50 million copies

12. Mario Party 8

The eighth installment in the legendary party game series brought Wii Remote controls to the Mario Party formula for the first time. Players collect stars on the colorful game boards and engage in heated mini-game duels.

  • Release: May 29, 2007
  • Sold: 8.85 million copies

11. Wii Party

The colorful party game collection with over 80 mini-games uses your Miis as game characters. Wii Party was the perfect companion for social evenings and even surpassed Mario Party.

  • Release: July 8, 2010
  • Sold: 9.35 million copies

10. Just Dance 3

With the popular dance game, Ubisoft also secured a place in the top 10. Numerous songs and the multiplayer mode thrilled numerous players.

  • Release: October 7, 2011
  • Sold: 9.92 million copies

9. Super Mario Galaxy

Mario jumps into space. In the award-winning 3D platformer, the plumber jumps across entire planets and, thanks to the power-up, transforms into a bee. The game is still considered one of the best platformers of all time.

  • Release: November 1, 2007
  • Sold: 12.80 million copies

8. Super Smash Bros. Brawl

The ultimate brawlfest for Nintendo fans: Over 35 characters from games like Mario, Zelda, Pokémon. Even Sonic and Snake brawl in chaotic arenas. The extensive story mode “The Subspace Emissary” is still unbeaten to this day.

  • Release: January 31, 2008
  • Sold: 13.32 million copies

7. Wii Fit Plus

The upgrade to Wii Fit delivered new exercises and mini-games, including obstacle courses and skateboarding arenas. The all-round package for hobby athletes was once again a great success.

  • Release: October 1, 2009
  • Sold: 21.13 million copies

6. WiiFit

Nintendo transformed the living room into a gym: With the Wii Balance Board, players could do yoga, strength, endurance and balance exercises. Wii Fit caught the spirit of the times and became a cultural phenomenon and also inspired people outside the gaming scene.

  • Release: December 1, 2007
  • Sold: 22.67 million copies

5. WiiPlay

Wii Play is a collection of mini-games such as table tennis or billiards, which was primarily intended as an introduction for new Wii owners. The game was sold together with an additional Wii Remote, which probably boosted sales numbers quite a bit.

  • Release: December 2, 2006
  • Sold: 28.02 million copies

4. New Super Mario Bros. Wii

In the classic 2D sidescroller, up to four players can jump at the same time. At the same time, the platformer was able to inspire with creative power-ups such as the propeller mushroom and the penguin suit.

  • Release: November 12, 2009
  • Sold: 30.32 million copies

3. Wii Sports Resort

The sequel to Wii Sports moved the setting to a sunny tropical island and used the Wii MotionPlus for even more precise motion controls. New sports such as sword fighting, archery and jet ski racing provided even more sporting fun on the couch and earned the game the bronze medal.

  • Release: June 25, 2009
  • Sold: 33.14 million copies

2. Mario Kart Wii

Mario, Luigi and Co. engage in fast-paced races on wild tracks. On the Wii this was also possible with the Wii Wheel and its motion controls. The gaming classic is always a success and the Wii version is no exception.

  • Release: April 10, 2008
  • Sold: 37.38 million copies

1. Wii Sports

The absolute high-flyer of the Wii era: Wii Sports brought tennis, bowling, golf, baseball and boxing into the living room. The motion controls were so intuitive that even non-gamers could take part. The game was sold as a bundle with the console in several regions (including Europe), making it the best-selling game sold on the Nintendo Wii. It is even the most successful Nintendo game ever.

  • Release: November 19, 2009
  • Sold: 82.90 million copies

Which games are still missing?

Nintendo Wii and its games. (Image source: GIGA / Martin Hartmann)

There are many other hits on the Nintendo Wii. Maybe your favorite game is hiding in places 16 to 25?

  • 16th place: Donkey Kong Country Returns (6.53 million)
  • 17th place: Mario & Sonic at the Winter Olympics (6.53 million)
  • 18th place: Link’s Crossbow Training (5.79 million)
  • 19th place: Lego Star Wars: The Complete Saga (5.64 million)
  • 20th place: Just Dance 2 (5 million)
  • 21st place: Animal Crossing: Let’s Go to the City (4.32 million)
  • 22nd place: Just Dance (4.3 million)
  • 23rd place: Super Paper Mario (4.23 million)
  • 24th place: The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword (3.67 million)
  • 25th place: Big Brain Academy for Wii (3.34 million)