Blow out the candles with WiiWare’s top five
Thursday, May 14th, 2009 at 8:05pm by Derek
1. World of Goo
The Internet agrees. World of Goo is kind of a big deal.
Developer 2D Boy’s wickedly stylish puzzler was a hit in the Infendo offices when it released, beating out even Nintendo’s own Wario Land and Super Smash Bros. Brawl on our list of 2008’s best Wii games.
The concept was simple—using sticky globs of physics-faithful goo, build a bridge providing remaining globs access to the stage’s exit.
But of course, World of Goo is so much more. Blake raved in October about its “Portal-style writing, Fisher Price meets Tim Burton graphics and Danny Elfman-like music,” an unparalleled artistic flair matched by the game’s silky smooth pointer controls and addictive puzzles.
Most importantly, though, World of Goo is the most rewarding and enjoyable game on WiiWare, an original and innovative title the likes of which one can only wish WiiWare would inspire more often.
When people ask us what WiiWare’s “killer app” is, we point to the Goo without even flinching. It’s still the best game on the service.
Agree? Disagree? Did we leave out your favorite WiiWare games, or did we include a few duds? Share your own list in the comments.
May 14th, 2009 at 8:13 pm
I’ve never play Bit Trip beat, so i don’t have much to say about it but otherwise a good list.
Some favorites of mine also included Artstyle: Orbient and Dr. Mario Rx.
May 14th, 2009 at 9:25 pm
Great list! I haven’t played all of these, but I plan to eventually.
I’m really enjoying Bit.Trip Beat right now. I’m glad it’s getting the attention it deserves.
May 14th, 2009 at 9:55 pm
I don’t know what exactly should take it’s place. But I’ve always found world of goo to be wildly overrated. The only real improvement over tower of goo is the art and music, except tower of goo was free.
May 14th, 2009 at 10:17 pm
You said it beat Mario Kart Wii on your list but it didn’t. Anyway good list I’m eager to try the games I haven’t played or own yet.
May 14th, 2009 at 10:44 pm
Not a single game with Mario or Zelda in it. I’m kind of shocked there aren’t quality Nintendo products on there. Imagine how awesome a WiiWare Four Swords could be? Or maybe a Mario Party title. I don’t know, I just kind of feel like most of WiiWare is third-party, flash game crap. And I would be more willing to take a chance on something like World of Goo if they had demos.
Mega Man 9 is awesome, though.
May 14th, 2009 at 10:44 pm
Lost winds doesn’t deserve to be on this list, it was terrible.
May 14th, 2009 at 10:51 pm
Thanks, schmuck. Oversight on my part. Fixed!
May 14th, 2009 at 11:54 pm
Are you from Pittsburgh? I couldn’t tell! Anyway, great list. I agree on all of the above!
May 15th, 2009 at 12:01 am
Where’s Strong Bad in all of this!? Everyone’s favorite cool and attractive Flash cartoon deserves some loooooove!!
But he ain’t gettin’ any…
May 15th, 2009 at 12:03 am
school is finished for the year!! wooo!
May 15th, 2009 at 12:04 am
now i can play tons of games!!!
May 15th, 2009 at 1:25 am
Of all the Wiiware games released, the only ones I really care about at all are Bomberman Blast and the soon-to-be-released Contra ReBirth. Most of them feel too much like cheap flash games. I still stick with the VC.
May 15th, 2009 at 1:48 am
Derek is obviously a very rich, talented, and scholarly man for placing World of Goo at number one.
May 15th, 2009 at 11:32 am
I agree with Lite – Strong Bad should be on this list.
Maybe it’s just me being a classic 8-bit fan, but I believe Mega Man 9 should be at the top of the list.
May 16th, 2009 at 10:30 am
I’d have to say that of this list, World of Goo, Lost Winds, and Mega Man 9 are not only the only ones from this list I’d put on a Top 5 list but they are pretty much the only WiiWare games even worth getting period. Overall I’ve been pretty unimpressed with WiiWare.
May 19th, 2009 at 7:26 am
I really enjoyed Final Fantasy Crystal Cronicles: My Life as a King.
Played it; downloaded all of the additional caves and then beat it again. I would play through it a third time but I am waiting for the My Life as a Dark Lord to come out.