Best RPG Games for the Wii
Review of the Top Wii Role Playing Games
Role Playing Games have been a popular genre on consoles for many years, but they're dying out with the new age of shooter freaks and casual gaming. Role playing games for the Nintendo Wii tend to be more of the action-adventure variety than the type of game found on the early consoles.
It would be easy to dismiss the Wii as having nothing in the RPG department, but there are a few pretty good games available for this console. So, if you're in the need for some role playing action, and aren't sure where to begin, look no further. Here are the best Wii RPG games available to buy now, with reviews and ratings.
What Are Role Playing Games?
Role playing games usually have a highly developed story and setting, which is divided into a number of quests. Generally, the player controls one or more game characters, and achieves victory by completing a series of quests. Players explore a game world, while solving puzzles and engaging in tactical combat. A key feature of the genre is that characters grow in power and abilities, and characters are often designed by the player.
RPGs are typically set in fictional worlds, in which the hero explores and ultimately saves throughout the course of the game. Plots tend to resemble anime or manga adventures, often colorful and bright with light-hearted, self-identifiable characters. The storyline in these games usually involves an epic battle between the forces of good and evil, with the player's characters fighting on the good side to avert an apocalypse.
Text and image from Wikipedia
Aggregate scores from Metacritic
The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess
"The latest and arguably greatest Zelda is one of the best reasons to have a Nintendo Wii"
One of the most popular RPG games for the Wii is The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess, the latest game in the long running series of Zelda games. This game thrusts players into a troubled world ravaged by a dangerous magic. Sporting a new, more realistic visual style than the previous Zelda title, Link looks much more like an adult than in previous installments and fits well into an environment that provides Zelda fans with a much more gritty and grim environment to explore.
In general, Twilight Princess is more challenging than the average Zelda game, with a number of boss battles having protracted hit sequences with little support potions about, and even less warning. Still, there's never been an adventure experience such as this, wherein players can literally charge at a dungeon boss with their fists and punch the air to defeat an enormous foe. As the finest Zelda experience in almost ten years and the game fans have been waiting for, Twilight Princess will delight young and old gamers alike.
Score: 95
Little King's Story
"Expand Your Kingdom"
Little King's Story is an original single player simulation Role-Playing Game (RPG) that combines life-simulation, real-time strategy, and adventure elements along with an enchanting storyline to offer a new and unique gaming experience on the Wii platform.
The action in Little King's Story is all about improving your skill level and those of your followers as a means of gaining wealth and territory, which will in turn benefit the overall health of your subjects and your status as king. As players enter their humble town after finding their crown, they are assisted by their advisors in taking on missions in the immediate area of town. With the success of each, as well as activities like farming and natural resources development, they will gain wealth.
Score: 95
Super Paper Mario
"Good for younger players"
Slightly different from the usual fantasy style RPG, Super Paper Mario combines 2D platform gaming with 3D role-playing.
The game is set in the Mushroom Kingdom as Mario tries to rescue Princess Peach from Bowser. The player controls Mario and a number of partners to solve puzzles in the game's overworld and defeat enemies. The battles are unique in that the player can influence the effectiveness of attacks by performing required controller inputs known as action commands.
Score: 85
Rune Factory: Frontier
"Ever wondered what would happen if you combined Harvest Moon series with Final Fantasy?"
Developed exclusively for the Nintendo Wii, Rune Factory: Frontier is a singleplayer adventure that features all the popular life Sim gameplay and hack and slash role-playing fans know and cherish, but now with the stunning graphics and flexibility of the Wii's unique control system to fully immerse players in the Rune Factory universe.
The gameplay of the Rune Factory series is similar to that of Harvest Moon. For every 10 seconds, ten in-game minutes pass. The player can grow crops, using upgradeable farm equipment. However, the Harvest Moon game mechanic of purchasing animals has been replaced by defeating and befriending monsters in dungeons. If a monster is tamed, they help the player in battle or provide sellable goods. The game's combat is in the action role-playing game style.
Score: 80
Muramasa: The Demon Blade
"If you love sword slashing fast action mayhem...
Muramasa: The Demon Blade is a relatively new action role playing game for the Wii. The game follows the story of Kisuke, a fugitive who has lost his memory, including that of a crime that he committed and Momohime, a lithe female ronin possessed by a dark spirit.
Graphically the game is similar to Odin Sphere, retaining the same hand-drawn 2D art style, with the inspiration drawn from Japanese mythology. The game has three different control methods, one that involves the Wii Remote, one that involves the Nintendo GameCube controller and another that uses the Classic Controller.
Score: 80
Fire Emblem: Radiant Dawn
"Everything you loved about 'Path of Radiance' is back!"
Fire Emblem: Radiant Dawn: Three years have passed since the great war that ended in the death of Mad King Ashnard. His country of Daein suffers under the rule of the war's victors. Now, a small band of freedom fighters struggle to end the long, dark night of Daein's oppression. Micaiah, Sothe and a host of others, the infamous "Dawn Brigade", rally under the banner of Daein's long-lost prince to bring a new day to this ravaged land.
Command the Dawn Brigade and learn the story of their struggle. Then, gain a new perspective by joining Ike and the Greil Mercenaries as they watch Daein's battles spread throughout all of Tellius. Players can shape their armies to suit their strategy by choosing from dozens of unique characters. Should they use close-range attacks, like the brash Edward's sword, or attack from afar using Leonardo's bow or Ilyana's lightning magic? Players can build support relationships between their characters; as their relationships grow, so do their strengths as they fight together on the battlefield. Players should guide their armies wisely, because if a character falls on the battlefield, he or she is lost forever.
Score: 78
Phantom Brave: We Meet Again
"If you like tactical strategy games this is a must have for your collection."
Phantom Brave: We Meet Again: A world of vast seas and small island continents, Ivoire existed in peace and harmony. Ancient mystic forces with forgotten powers now threaten the existence of mankind. Islands, once flourishing with life, now lie as empty waste lands. Remaining decadent cities are corrupted by unnatural events and violence. The shadow of darkness is slowly, but surely, engulfing the world of Ivoir. In the year of 921, in a world called Ivoire, lives Marona, a 13 year old orphaned girl with a special ability to communicate with phantoms. Her ability brings resentment from others, but cheerful and optimistic Marona is not bothered. Marona believes in her parents' teachings that people will one day come to like her as long as she stays compassionate and kind. Now Marona travels throughout Ivoire with her guardian, Ash the Phantom, to resolve disputes around the world.
Released in 2004, Phantom Brave revolutionized the strategy RPG genre with its unique free roaming battle fields and a unit summoning system. Now Phantom Brave returns to a new console with added features and extra chapter stories. Everything from the original game will be carried over, so gamers who haven't played Phantom Brave can fully enjoy this title.
Score: 78
Marvel Ultimate Alliance
"Over 140 Marvel characters are waiting!"
Marvel: Ultimate Alliance is an action/RPG where players create their Marvel dream team from the largest roster of Super Heroes ever in an epic quest that will determine the fate of Earth and the Marvel universe.
For decades, Earth's Super Heroes have opposed evil in their own cities, and on their own terms. But now, Dr. Doom and a newly reformed Masters of Evil - the greatest collection of Super Villains ever assembled - have plans for world domination, and the heroes must band together to defeat them. Playing as some of the most revered Marvel characters, gamers will embark on a dangerous journey across exotic terrain and well-known comic book locations like Atlantis, the Shield Heli-Carrier and the Skrull home world in an attempt to defy the world's most notorious Super Villains.
Score: 73
Spectrobes: Origins
"One of the Best Games I've Ever Played"
An action/adventure game mixing real-time battles, science fiction and monster collection, Spectrobes: Origins brings the successful series known from its previous DS releases to the Wii for the first time. Packed with an exciting new story that reveals secrets from the franchises past, three-dimensional graphics, unique Wii controls and all new gameplay features--including co-op gameplay--Spectrobes: Origins challenges players to prevent a galactic threat by utilizing speed, strategy and of course, Spectrobes.
As with earlier games in the Spectrobes series, Origins follows the adventures of Rallen and Jeena. Officers in the futuristic Nanairo Planetary Patrol, Rallen and Jeena are the vanguard of the solar system's defenses against enemies, including the alien scourge known as the Krawl. To combat these menaces they have, and must continue to harness the power of the mysterious creatures known as Spectrobes.
Score: 71
Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles
"A great adventure game with a fighting twist!"
Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles is a spin-off of the Final Fantasy RPG series, and has become it's own metaseries. Originally released on the Nintendo GameCube, there are now two sequels for the Nintendo Wii.
Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles takes place in an unnamed world that is covered in a noxious gas known as "miasma", to which direct exposure can prove fatal. Towns, villages and other settlements throughout are protected from the ill effects of miasma by crystals, which generate a barrier which miasma cannot penetrate. But this effect is not permanent: it only lasts for around one year. Therefore, each year, brave people from each settlement venture out into the world to collect "myrrh", a liquid substance that powers the crystals' protective effect.
The player is put in control of one such caravan, from the small village of Tipa, setting out for the first time. As the caravanners' journey continues and they travel further in the search for myrrh, they meet many interesting characters and learn much about the history of their world.
Score: 64
Avatar: The Last Airbender
Avatar: The Last Airbender is a role-playing game based on the animated television series of the same name. The game allows the player to control one of four characters in a single-player adventure. Each character uses his or her own trademark weapon and fighting style, and is able to earn new special abilities through experience gained from defeating enemies. A variety of items can help the player with quests, or during battle (armor, chi, enchanted accessories, and healing potions). The game also enables the player to collect certain resources and bring them to artisans to make special items.
Score: 56
Vote For The Best Wii RPG
Which is the best role playing game or series?
Other Great Wii RPG Games - Runners Up
RPGs are classic, but they're dying out with the new age of shooter freaks and casual Wii gaming. It would be easy to dismiss Wii as having nothing in the RPG department, but there are a few pretty good Wii RPGs out there, and a lot of them are inexpensive too.
Here are a few more role-playing Wii games to add to your list:
RPG Gaming Links
- Role-Playing Games on Wii - Yahoo! Video Games
Find all the latest Role-Playing game cheats, demos, videos, reviews, previews and news on Yahoo! Video Games, the ultimate source for Role-Playing gamers. - Wii RPG games - current and upcoming
The Wii does not currently have many RPG's or at least traditional JRPGs, so hopefully this list will hope you RPG fans find some titles on the platform. Upcoming games not yet listed on Amazon... - Top Role Playing Games for Nintendo Wii
RPGs have been a popular genre on consoles for many years, and the Nintendo Wii is no exception. With epic storylines and detailed characters, these games are enticing and immersive. Here are the Top Wii Role-Playing Games available to buy now...
Have you got a role playing game for the Wii that you like to play?
Tell us which game you think is the best, and why you like it:
Which Wii RPG Games Do You Play?
A few of these, like Zelda, Avatar and Marvel aren't really RPGs...
I think I need to try That Final Fantasy Chrystal Chronicles! It looks interesting enough and I seem to like everything Square Enix Is a part of! Haha Nice List!!
None but my son does and the list is endless!
Super Paper Mario may have shed some of its RPG-elements, but it's still a fun, humorous, challenging and character-rich addition to the Paper Mario series. I have wanted to try Xenoblade Chronicles, but unfortunately didn't become interested until after prices sky-rocketed on it, so I will patiently wait for a decent deal to show up.
Got some good games on there!The Last Story was pretty fun for me and you can't go wrong with any of the Tales games!
Zelda is not a roleplaying game....wish people would stop calling it that.
i have to agree with someone on Xenoblade Chronicles. It is really good. At first it's a bit slow, but once you get the hang of it is when the story really picks up and thrusts you into the game and story. There are so many thigns to do. I never expected this out of a wii rpg. Basically anywhere you can point is where you can actually go in this game.
final fantasy is the greatest series ever Zelda is awesome too
Great lens, all time greatest RPG has to be Zelda though!
@anonymous: Zelda is not an RPGNoob.
Fantastic collection! I liked Zelda Twilight Princess.
Zelda is fantastic, same for Final Fantasy but the top of list now is THE LAST STORY.
So happy they put Twilight Princess on that list, it truly is one of the best games ever!! And yes it is a role playing game, you play as Link, and you become him. They need to update this though, because of Skyward Sword. That one is every bit as fun as Twilight Princess! And it rocks that they put Link's picture up there!!! Zelda rocks!!!
I love Zelda EVERYTHING, but the best Zelda game is still Ocarina of Time for N64! Great lens!
@anonymous: Zelda is a cross-genre game. It has elements of action, adventure, puzzle, and rpg.
Marvel Ultimate Alliance 2 was sucha waste. In case anyone didn't know it is not the same game the PS3 and Xbox 360 got.
I've loved the Zelda series ever since I was a kid and the new game was truly one of the best in the series. Also I'd have to agree with the earlier comment about Xenoblade Chronicles; it's mindblowingly good and the story evolves into a very addictive game. I'm sad it did not make the list.
I like to play Wii RPG Games, Zelda is most favorite. Nice lens.
Zelda is the best by far!
Zelda is awesome anyway but yea wasn't monster hunter really good?
Xenoblade Chronicles is also very good.
@anonymous: neither is fire emblem- turn based strategy
wtf, Legend of zelda is not even a rpg its an adventure game
Yes some great games mentioned.
I am a big fire emblem fan, having played all of them... even the non english ones for SNES and NES... It is so awesome. Very well written lens you are ranked so high for a reason.
Zelda's technically not an RPG...
I haven't played RPG's for years. It still sounds like fun though!
awesome collection of games, i like all of them
Zelda is my favorite Wii game. Not on Wii but Elder scrolls, Final Fantasy and waiting for another Baldur's Gate.
Final Fantasy is my preferred RPG, but for the Wii all I have is Skyward Sword (I have the Gamecube Twilight Princess). Both are very good games, though I have yet to beat SS. Many of these games I've never heard of before; I might have to try them out!
Zelda is one of the best rpgs out there, definitely worth a try
I've just completed Skyward Sword, now for the repeat in Hero Mode
I have yet to play my Zelda game but we moved it into the kids room.. rpg is the best!
I'm crazy about Final Fantasy. Always has been.
I never knew Zelda was considered an RPG. I am a huge collector of Wii games, but never started on the RPG's yet. Great lens!
This is one of the biggest reasons I bought my Wii two years ago. For a few exclusives but mainly for the RPG's. I love them, I'm mainly an JRPG guy myself.
the Wii needs some old RPG's like age of the empires the old ones.
We purchased the Wii almost a year ago and the only rpg we have is Zelda. It has provided many hours of entertainment. I was very disapppointed with the choice for rpg games for this platform. Gonna have to try out Rune Factory! Thanks for the overview of these games!
Nintendo used to be the king of RPGs and its great to see that they are starting to get some good solid third party support again.
I love RPG games as well... and the post is awesome for me... thanks dear!!
I love a good rpg, and the kids and I have fun with the wii. Thanks for the suggestions!
My son loves monster hunter tri and I am looking for a similar game he can play online. Thanks for these recommendations, I will have to explore some of them. I am more of a mario/simscity type gamer and he loves rpgs, so it's really difficult for me to choose games. I really don't want to go for another gift card.
@anonymous: Agreed! An oft overlooked and underappreciated title, Okami gave me more laughs and more hours played than the Zelda series. The drawing, while clumsy at times, seemed designed for the wii, and the overall storyline seemed to be as long as two or three similar style titles. It's a mystery to me why Okami is still one of the best games no one played...
Zelda is still my fav.
Excellent lens! I love RPGs, and I love the Wii, but so rarely do the two intertwine. I've already played a lot of these, but you've opened my eyes to a few titles I hadn't heard of. Great job!
Great list, I've played Zelda, great game.
Definitely loved The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess. I'm a big fan of the Zelda series. Great lens by the way!
Zelda and Fire Emblem all the way. Good content on this lens, I enjoyed it.
I am a HUGE fan of Tales of Symphonia - Dawn of A New World! Can someone tell the gaming companies they should make another RPG like that?! Please!?
How is it that okami is even mentioned. Best rpg I've played. On the level of zelda.
Yeah I loved Zelda Twilight Princess. I'm going to get Skyward Sword when it comes out.
I loved Rune Factory. The blend of farming simulation plus rpg was so fun to play. There's a new one out for Wii which I haven't picked up yet, but it looks promising.
Zelda is hands down my favorite
There really are some great RPG' s on the Wii but I still wish monster hunter tri was on more platforms because with a more decent online service I think it would have really taken off in the west.
i really wish Nintendo put more emphasis on RPG's and less on children games...but to Nintendo's credit what RPG's they have are awesome.
Hey nice lens! I can't believe Zelda is beating Final Fantasy in your pole, that's just insane FF is the sickest RPGs released esp. FF VII for PS...Nonetheless, nice job!
Nice lens :) My favorite RPGs ever were released on the SNES, so it hurts my heart a little that I haven't played an RPG I really loved on a Nintendo system since the SNES days. I ended up giving my Wii to my mom because it just didn't have enough games I wanted to play to justify he shelf space, but I regret not playing Zelda first.
@stevenstones: I am working on Knights of the Old Republic right now on the PC, it's an amazing game.
You should also mention Dragon Quest Swords. It is a pretty simple RPG but a lot of fun.
Ah, Fire Emblem! So many good memories with it. :)
I really enjoyed Fire Emblem: Radiant Dawn and wish for more tactical turnbased RPGs. I also really liked Marvel Ultimate Alliance... for no other reason than the fact that it is a good button-mashing dungeon crawl that doesn't take a lot of explaining and can be played together with a bunch of friends (way too many games are online coop only these days :( ) In any case, i'm a fan of rpgs and enjoyed your list!
i thought that zelda was better on the N64 personally, its ok on the wii but not as good as the original on the n64
Great list! I'm not a fan of the Wii myself, but these games sure make me want to try playing the console.
Not sure if this article is serious. I really hope these game companies take their heads out of their butts and produce a game worth playing. I don't know if I'll ever play an RPG as good as Tales of Symphonia on a Nintendo console.
Well i found weird Tales of Symphonia 2 wasn't at the list of the top RPG games, coz i really think that game is awesome
@anonymous: Zelda is an adventure game. ROLE PLAYING means YOU are the character. That's why in western RPGs you typically create a character, and you determine the characters choices. JRPGs typically don't have this, but have some RPG conventions like a leveling system etc. The Zelda series really doesn't have any of the conventions that are identified with the RPG genre. According to your definition, most RPGs aren't RPGs. Look at the Final Fantasy series. You play as multiple characters.
love them all
I'm surprised you liked the Avatar games. I thought they were a bit too easy. The only enjoyable part, really, was that one mini-game (that I forgot the name of) where you collected domino-esque objects and used them in a game.
I know this isn't for the wii but my favourite RPG i've played is Star Wars Knights Of The Old Republic for xbox was awesome at the time. Still gotta luv mario Kart for snes even though its got nothin to do with RPG but it is Nintendo Related. Nice Lense!
my kids are in love with the Kingdom Hearts game, its like final fantasy + disney = awesome
@anonymous: zelda is an rpg because of he fact that you play as one person hence the name role playing game
awesome list, I love my Wii and I love RPGs
Nice List of RPG Games. I'm a fanatics of Final Fantasy since I start playing computer games. Can't wait to try it on Wii :D
Zelda isn't really an rpg, but good list overall
Zelda is pretty good - and mario paper - that's fun!
can't beat Zelda.. Mario and Zelda N64 made Nintendo!!
No one has mentioned Metroid Other M. This is an unbelievable game. 2nd best to Zelda in terms of the depth of levels, and collecting items to build up your power. The animation and graphics is just wow. The skills and variation of play requires thinking and it's got great weapons. I don't understand why Little King Story is placed in 2nd position, because its incredibly boring.
I was looking for a site like this. Helps me make a choice of what kind of game I'll buy next for the Wii. Thanks.
Zelda hands down is my favorite RGP game for the entire Nintendo franchise.
I love just about any Zelda game there is, and really enjoyed playing twilight princess. I Can't wait to get my hands on a copy of paper mario
A Christmas blessing for you -- Merry Christmas!
I love this lens - it has all of our favourite Wii RPG games. Thank you 'thefluffanutta'
Not many wii RPGs out yet, but I'm sure there will be more. I'm a Zelda fan since I was a kid so I bought it. Goona vote for that on your poll. Congrats on your lens .... thumb up
Paper Mario and Little Kings Story are my favourite. Little Kings Story slightly more so as I really wasn't expecting such a challenging and deep game from it.
The Legend of Zelda at any console!!!
I like Paper Mario the best out of all these games. I have never been much for RPG games but I play them every once in a while.
I wish I hadn't looked! I love RPGs but struggle to find the time for them at the moment. We do have a Wii though. And Christmas is coming up ...
You know, the reason I didn't buy a WII was the lack of RPG and potential RPGs. With the motion controllers I thought RPGs would get overlooked. It seems that the system has been out for a while now they are more abundant. I have always wanted to play the Fire Emblem game though. I love that series.
very nice lense and good list of rpg games
nice lens I have been looking for good jrpg for wii and now I know what to choose Tales Of Symphonia: Dawn of the New World
Love your lens! I played Twilight Princess on the Gamecube and loved it. We just got a Wii and I CAN'T WAIT to play Zelda on here - and I am totally pumped about Skyward Sword coming out in November.
Of all the Wii games we have none of them are RPG (surprisingly). I never knew these types of games were available. Sounds like fun!
I received a wii from my husband over the holidays and will certainly check out your rpg game recommendations! (Currently eyeing Super Paper Mario - it looks like a load of fun!) Great lens. *Blessed by an Angel*
So far about the Avatar the movie game, it sux, the movie is good but the game completely sux, however I will check out the games listed here, that Baroque seems rather slow but very interesting my only hope it isn't a short game like most wii games.An RPG not listed would be Phantom Brave and I find it very interesting on so many things you can do in that game so I will try it out.Tales of Grace is a really awesome game though I couldn't understand Jap when I played it so there is more to it I am sure than what I played, due to that I will try Tales of Symphonia :3
Another RPG I liked was the Simpsons game, as it felt like I was actually in the Simpsons universe, with episodes, cut scenes, interactivity and all.
I recently played through Marvel Ultimate Alliance 2 and though that was a fun game. The only downside is that I thought that the game was a bit short.
When I eventually get a Wii (it's a long time coming), I'll be sure to check out some of the RPG's you mention here :) Love RPG's ! 5*
@RickyRobi LM: I'm not sure what games we will be playing, but it would be nice to get a Wii. Nice lens Fluffanutta, 5***** Great game reviews.
- AUTHOR
@triathlontraini1: "Avatar: The Last Airbender" is a game based on an animated TV series. There is also a game called "Avatar", based on James Cameron's movie, and is a very different game.
I am really curious about this Avatar. Related to the movie?
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