We already published the list of best Wii games of all time, now it’s time to discover the best Wii action games of all time.
With amazing titles available, the Wii definitely has a great library of action games.
So, if you’re a fan of both the Wii and action games, there’s a chance you’ll like this list.
And some of you may already know some of the games mentioned in this list.
#25. Dead Space: Extraction
- Release Data: Visceral Games/Electronic Arts, 2009
- Genre: Action » Shooter » Light Gun
This excellent on-rails shooter combines the intense atmosphere of the Dead Space franchise with the epic action of the arcade!
As you automatically stroll through the creepy colony, you’ll have to blast away countless aliens to ensure your survival.
Despite being super scary, blasting necromorphs has never felt so fun, as Extraction gives players tons of cool weapons to kill aliens.
#24. Mega Man 9
- Release Data: Inti Creates/Capcom, 2008
- Genre: Action » Platformer » 2D
If there’s one thing that the Mega Man franchise is known for, it’s the difficulty level.
This ninth entry in the numbered series doesn’t tone down the challenge, instead providing a new generation of players with ultra-tough levels and enemies.
The simple controls give way to deceptively tough platforming and action sequences, guaranteed to get your blood pumping.
#23. No More Heroes 2: Desperate Struggle
- Release Data: Grasshopper Manufacture/Ubisoft, 2010
- Genre: Action » Beat-‘Em-Up » 3D
Like the first game, No More Heroes 2 revolves around Travis Touchdown’s attempts to take down various assassins and claim his spot as the best.
This sequel contains more action, better mini-games, and a faster pace than the original.
The highly stylized graphics play well with the anime-inspired storytelling, making this a funny and violent adventure.
#22. Guitar Hero: Metallica
- Release Data: Neversoft Entertainment/Activision, 2009
- Genre: Action » Rhythm » Music
This Guitar Hero title lets players pick from guitar, bass, drums, and vocals.
And the star of the show is the extensive list of Metallica tracks, ranging from their early works to more recent.
There are nearly 50 unique songs to choose from, ensuring that you and your friends will continue rocking long throughout the night.
#21. LostWinds: Winter of the Melodias
- Release Data: Frontier Developments, 2009
- Genre: Action » Platformer » 3D
Players once again take on the role of Toku, a young boy with a thirst for adventure.
After discovering a village trapped in eternal winter, Toku must find a way to alter the seasons and save the town.
This leads him on a vibrant adventure that has you navigating excellent levels, learning new abilities, and solving puzzles.
#20. Super Paper Mario
- Release Data: Intelligent Systems/Nintendo, 2007
- Genre: Action » Platformer » 3D
This sequel displays the same great thin-paper visual style that the Paper Mario franchise is known for, but drastically changes the gameplay and progression.
Mario must progress through various worlds, interacting with friendly characters and solving puzzles.
In order to do so, Mario can switch between the flat second dimension, or roam freely within the third dimension.
#19. And Yet It Moves
- Release Data: Broken Rules, 2010
- Genre: Action » Platformer » 2D
This interesting puzzle platformer blends a unique visual style with some interesting gameplay mechanics.
Players control a simple character, simply composed of white chalk lines.
You must move your character through a series of maze-like levels, with each new stage presenting unique challenges.
In the end, this quirky indie title will have you scratching your head and thinking from new directions.
#18. Fluidity
- Release Data: Curve Studios/Nintendo, 2010
- Genre: Action » Platformer » 2D
Whereas most puzzle platfomer games have you manipulating blocks and levers, Fluidity puts you in control of one of the elements itself; water.
Players move the water by tilting their Wiimote, avoiding obstacles and transforming into ice and vapor.
Your goal is to collect the various “rainbow drops”, which will clear the magical book of the dark magic infecting it.
#17. Sin & Punishment: Star Successor
- Release Data: Treasure/Nintendo, 2010
- Genre: Action » Shooter » Rail
This interesting action shooter blends together intense rail-shooting gameplay with a complex and interesting sci-fi story.
The levels are fun and easy to play, as you are automatically guided through them, defeating enemies with your guns or sword.
Overall, Star Successor gives players a great feeling of power, and it delivers an arcade-shooting experience that is addictive and enjoyable to play.
#16. DJ Hero
- Release Data: Exient Entertainment/Activision, 2009
- Genre: Action » Rhythm » Music
With the popularity of electronic music rising and the success of the Guitar Hero and Rock Band games, it didn’t take long for a DJ-based rhythm game to hit the shelves.
You can scratch and shift to the beat of over 100 different songs and enjoy a single player career to rise to the top of DJ stardom.
#15. Tatsunoko vs. Capcom: Ultimate All-Stars
- Release Data: Eighting/Capcom, 2010
- Genre: Action » Fighting » 2D
For fans of games like Marvel vs Capcom, this crossover title contains the same colorful and chaotic fighting action.
You can take on Arcade mode, Survival mode, Time Attack mode, or battle online against other players!
Either way, you’ll love picking a pair of your favorite characters and fighting your way to the top.
#14. Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock
- Release Data: Vicarious Visions/RedOctane, 2007
- Genre: Action » Rhythm » Music
Although the Guitar Hero craze got going with the first two games, this third entry is where the franchise really hit its stride.
Using your trusty guitar controller, you’ll jam your way through over 70 different popular rock songs.
Multiple difficulty levels offer a challenge for players of all skill, and the various multiplayer modes are awesome for intense competition.
#13. Guitar Hero World Tour
- Release Data: Vicarious Visions/Activision, 2008
- Genre: Action » Rhythm » Music
Everything that was awesome about the past Guitar Hero games is still here but raised to the next level.
With the inclusion of new instrument peripherals, you can now team up with your friends and enjoy a full band Career mode!
Take your band online and battle against other groups, all battling it out for the best score.
#12. Donkey Kong Country Returns
- Release Data: Retro Studios/Nintendo, 2010
- Genre: Action » Platformer » 2D
If you played the original Donkey Kong Country games, you’ll feel right at home with this fresh new adventure.
Although the graphics are updated and modern, the classic platforming gameplay is just as challenging and fluid as ever before.
This is a must-own for any Super Nintendo fan, as it easily lives up to the legacy of the original.
#11. New Super Mario Bros. Wii
- Release Data: Nintendo, 2009
- Genre: Action » Platformer » 2D
This sequel to the Nintendo DS platformer hit brings co-op Mario Bros. action directly to your Wii console!
With up to four friends, you’ll dash through colorful levels and attempt to reach the goal.
New power-ups like the Propellor Suit and Ice Flower bring fresh gameplay variety, making this an excellent sidescroller for players of all skill levels.
#10. Kirby’s Epic Yarn
- Release Data: Good-Feel/Nintendo, 2010
- Genre: Action » Platformer » 2D
This cute and cuddly Kirby game brings the iconic pink fluff ball to a brand new world, completely crafted out of yarn.
Using your yarn whip ability, Kirby can pick up enemies and toss them, creating an impromptu slingshot.
The game is fully playable with a co-op partner as well, making this a great platformer for young children and adults alike.
#9. DJ Hero 2
- Release Data: FreeStyleGames/Activision, 2010
- Genre: Action » Rhythm » Music
Like the original game, this rhythm game uses a cool DJ-deck peripheral that simulates spinning discs like a true superstar.
With 83 unique remixes, there are more than enough dance tracks to get your heart rate pumping!
This sequel also puts a bigger emphasis on freestyle track-mixing, letting the player groove to the beat in their own style.
#8. Guitar Hero 5
- Release Data: Vicarious Visions/Activision, 2009
- Genre: Action » Rhythm » Music
While the gameplay of Guitar Hero 5 is very similar to Guitar Hero World Tour, it manages to stand out due to some cool new features.
And the new Rockfest competitive mode adds tons of new scoring metrics, encouraging you to play in new and exciting ways.
#7. The Beatles: Rock Band
- Release Data: Harmonix Music Systems/MTV Games, 2009
- Genre: Action » Rhythm » Music
Often considered the most focused Rock Band game, this title really makes you feel like part of the legendary band.
The main story mode guides you through the band’s history, as you perform new songs at a variety of locations and real-world venues.
This is highly recommended for any fan of the series, or anyone who enjoys The Beatles discography.
#6. Metroid Prime 3: Corruption
- Release Data: Retro Studios/Nintendo, 2007
- Genre: Action » Shooter » First-Person » Arcade
This conclusion in the Metroid Prime franchise brings tons of awesome first-person-shooter action while introducing some new mechanics as well.
Players will enjoy traversing the various planets in the game, finding new power-ups and fighting against Space Pirates.
This cosmic journey is intense and lengthy, providing plenty of chaos and entertainment.
#5. Cave Story
- Release Data: Nicalis, 2010
- Genre: Action » Platformer » 2D
This updated version of the hit indie adventure game makes its way to the Wii, bringing a new visual look, brand new modes, and awesome music remixes.
You’ll make various choices as you play, which can change the outcome of the story.
Overall, this is a challenging game with a neat art style and one that has plenty of replayability.
#4. Rayman Origins
- Release Data: UBIart Montpellier/Ubisoft, 2011
- Genre: Action » Platformer » 2D
This exciting side-scrolling platformer was well received due to its colorful visuals, excellent gameplay, and challenging difficulty.
Your journey through the Glade of Dreams can be executed either by yourself or with friends, thanks to the drop-in cooperative play.
There are plenty of hidden levels and unlockable content, ensuring you’ll always have some Rayman action available.
#3. Super Smash Bros. Brawl
- Release Data: Game Arts/Nintendo, 2008
- Genre: Action » Fighting » 2D
If you’re a fan of Nintendo and party games, this fighting game is perfect for you and your friends to play!
Enjoy a slew of multiplayer modes where you and your friends battle it out, using various upgrades and weapons.
Also, this is considered one of the best fighting games of all time, so you should definitely play it!
#2. Super Mario Galaxy 2
- Release Data: Nintendo EAD Tokyo/Nintendo, 2010
- Genre: Action » Platformer » 3D
This sequel takes all the original joy and wonder of the first Super Mario Galaxy title and introduces new mechanics, more levels, and tons of platforming entertainment.
As players explore various planets collecting Power Stars, they’ll unlock some awesome abilities.
You can ride on fan-favorite character Yoshi, play as Mario’s brother Luigi, and transform with a wide selection of new powerups.
#1. Super Mario Galaxy
- Release Data: Nintendo, 2007
- Genre: Action » Platformer » 3D
In many ways, this 3D platformer feels like a direct sequel to Super Mario 64, flooding players with nostalgia and positive feelings.
This cosmic adventure will have players exploring over 40 unique planets, collecting valuable Power Stars to fuel Mario’s trip back home.
If you loved Super Mario 64, you absolutely have to play this game.
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See also: Best DS Games & Best 3DS Games
Are your favorite games on the list?
Deciding which Wii action game is the best is no doubt a never ending topic, but it’s fun to do!
