The Wii may not have had the third-party support of the PS3 and Xbox 360, but it’s not without some fantastic gems – lots of which were exclusive to the Wii. Many fantastic RPGs were released during its lifespan. And there’s plenty that are so much fun that no RPG fan should ignore these memorable titles. Some are action-packed, others more traditional RPGs – and a few are completely unique experiences you won’t find anywhere other than the Wii.
20. Sakura Wars: So Long, My Love (2010)
One part Tactical RPG, one part dating sim, Sakura Wars is a unique offering on the Wii that’ll appeal to fans of steampunk universes and cute anime girls. The premise of the game is enough to make most people raise an eyebrow. It follows famed Broadway performers from the 1920s as they protect New York from an invasion of ancient Japanese warlords. As if that wasn’t weird enough, they’re doing it from mechanized steampunk battle suits. One of the most unusual aspects of gameplay that brings together the RPG and Dating Sim mechanics is how the girls’ performance in battle is determined by the main character’s relationship with them. It’s weird, but a fun time.
19. Okami (2008)
Few games can balance a gorgeous art style, a fantastic story, and engaging gameplay quite like Okami. You’ll play as Amaterasu, the Shinto Goddess of the Sun in wolf form, and travel through the lands of Japanese folklore collecting weapons and techniques to defeat the eight-headed demon, Orochi. Combat and puzzle-solving involve drawing specific patterns on screen with the Celestial Brush, controlled with the Wiimote. It plays into the game’s Sumi-e art style wonderfully. The only reason I’m not placing Okami near the top of the list is that it’s more Action/Adventure than RPG.
18. Super Paper Mario (2007)
Much like Okami, Super Paper Mario can’t be thought of as a traditional RPG. It’s a hybrid between Platformer and RPG – and that plays to its advantage. It retains the narrative and progress of an RPG, with quests and side-quests to complete, items to find to augment your skills, and leveling up. Still, the gameplay is 100% that of a platformer – with some challenging puzzles thrown in for good measure. The story is pretty good, and it features the same fantastic humor that has made the Paper Mario series so well-loved among fans.
17. Final Fantasy Fables: Chocobo’s Dungeon (2008)
Now if you’re looking for a challenge and don’t mind cutesy aesthetics in your RPGs, I’d recommend FFF: Chocobo’s Dungeon. This unique blend of Mystery Dungeon gameplay and the Final Fantasy universe lets players dive deep into treacherous randomly-generated dungeons as a Chocobo, a bird-like beast from FF lore. My favorite aspect of gameplay is the job system, which changes your Chocobo’s appearance, along with their skills and the layout of the dungeons.
16. Arc Rise Fantasia (2010)
If you’re looking for a more traditional RPG experience, Arc Rise Fantasia is a fantastic option on the Wii with a vivid color palette and appealing anime-like visuals. The gameplay follows a typical turn-based RPG framework with up to three characters in your party while in combat. It places a lot of emphasis on improving your weapons by applying enhancement items called Arm Forces and leveling them up.
15. Rune Factory Frontier (2009)
If you like the classic Harvest Moon franchise, you’d be a fool not to try Rune Factory Frontier. Rune Factory started as a Nintendo DS spin-off to Harvest Moon, introducing fantasy RPG mechanics and an anime aesthetic to the HM formula. But this spin-off series truly developed into its own light. The changes include a more robust combat system, the addition of dungeons to conquer, and a more dramatic storyline that’s a bit more engaging than the usual pastoral tale of HM games. Rune Factory Frontier took the franchise to home consoles for the first time, letting players farm, explore dungeons, and woo the attractive young maidens around town on the big screen. It’s like Harvest Moon, but with ARPG elements. Definitely give it a go.
14. Rune Factory: Tides of Destiny (2011)
After the relative success of RFF, it was followed by RF: Tides of Destiny, which takes the fantasy farming adventure to the high seas. The game follows Aden and Sonja, who’re cursed with sharing the same body (at least until you clear the main story). They traverse the seas riding on Ymir, a giant beast capable of raising islands from the bottom of the sea. While the game retains the same basic cycle of farming, fighting, and wooing as Frontier, the sea’s prominence provides a new refreshing focus.
13. Shiren the Wanderer (2010)
The original Demon’s Souls made me fall in love with the Roguelike genre back in 2009. And Shiren the Wanderer was one of the first ones to hook me in the following years. Shiren is a wandering ronin – a master-less samurai – in a monster-infested feudal Japan. After his former master grants him the key to the fabled Karakuri Mansion, he’s quick to answer the call for adventure. Exploring the mansion is dangerous and challenging, and you’re guaranteed to die a fair amount of times. Still, the game has a one-more-turn kind of charm that’ll keep you coming back time after time.
12. Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: The Crystal Bearers (2009)
Standing right in the middle between Action/Adventure and JRPG is FFCC: The Crystal Bearers, a fantastic take on the FF mythos exclusive to the Wii. Rather than the usual dark and brooding main characters the series was pumping out back in the day, The Crystal Bearers follows a refreshingly cocky protagonist that’s just as excited about his adventure as we are to play through it. Everything from combat to exploration employs the Wii’s motion controls in creative ways that feel essential to the experience rather than tacked-on, as is the case with so many other games on the system.
11. Fragile Dreams: Farewell Ruins of the Moon (2010)
If in-depth exploration is what you’re after, look no further than Fragile Dreams: A beautiful and haunting ARPG with a narrative that delves deep into human drama from an unusual perspective. Much like in 2015’s “Everybody’s Gone to the Rapture”, players here find themselves alone in a seemingly post-apocalyptic world where they’ll slowly uncover the truth about what happened as they explore the melancholic environments. You’ll get to know the world’s former inhabitants and slowly understand their struggles as you avoid ghosts and demons born out of their anger, sadness, and regret. While the game’s main appeal is the contextual storytelling and haunting atmosphere, it also features solid survival mechanics that go well together with its roleplaying gameplay.
10. Dokapon Kingdom (2008)
I frankly never get tired of recommending Dokapon Kingdom, a multifaceted game that brings together elements from Party Games and RPGs in one great-looking package. You get to choose between a Warrior, a Thief, or a Magician at the start of your adventure, which can branch out into a total of eleven more classes as you advance through the game’s board and gain experience. The player with the most money by the end of the game wins – and anything goes in the struggle for dominance. Beat your friends in battle, send a demon to curse them, or simply shave their heads to demoralize them! It’s no wonder people call Dokapon Kingdom “the friendship destroyer”.
9. Little King’s Story (2009)
Another whimsical title RPG lovers are sure to enjoy is Little King’s Story, a challenging and smart experience with a great sense of humor. The game follows Corobo, a shy kid who finds a mysterious magical crown and becomes the ruler of his own kingdom in the blink of an eye. As the King, it’s up to you to explore dungeons, slay dragons, and find treasure to enrich your realm and expand your rule far beyond your borders. The game places equal emphasis on leading your forces on expeditions and building up your kingdom, which gives you access to better equipment and more capable citizens to command.
8. Tales of Symphonia: Dawn of the New World (2008)
The original Tales of Symphonia on the GameCube is one of the most beloved games of its generation. And while the sequel on the Wii didn’t achieve quite the same acclaim, it remains a fantastic RPG in its own right. The main changes compared to the original are introducing a powerful monster catching and training system and a higher focus on aerial combat – mostly because of protagonist Emil’s incredible air combos. The story is engaging and arguably better structured than the original, and its characters will capture your heart if you give them a chance.
7. Pandora’s Tower (2012)
Pandora’s Tower follows the hero Aeron on his quest to find a cure for his beloved Elena, who’s suffered a horrible transformation into a grotesque beast. After learning that one such cure may be found deep within the Thirteen Towers, Aeron embarks on a dangerous adventure. This ARPG title takes notes from games like TLoZ, God of War, and Shadow of the Colossus to craft a fantastic experience – and the completionists among you will find a rewarding challenge to keep you busy. While many users consider Pandora’s Tower to be the best RPG on the system, the frequent use of recycled areas and bad pacing keep it from reaching its full potential.
6. Opoona (2008)
There’s nothing quite like Opoona in the Wii’s roster when it comes to unique and exotic RPGs. After crash-landing on Planet Landroll, the young Opoona must learn to earn a living and find his place in this new world. This translates to an exciting blend of RPG and Life Simulation where you’re free to pursue your way of life along with the usual monster-hunting/questing fare. Despite the horrible translation, the game’s excellent visuals, creative gameplay, and fantastic music make the game a must-play on the platform.
5. Muramasa: The Demon Blade (2009)
Inspired by Japanese Kabuki theater, Muramasa tells the story of Momohime and Kisuke as they travel through Genroku Era Japan, slaying countless monsters and facing mythical beasts straight out of Japanese folklore in epic battles. Depending on whether you choose Momohime or Kisuke as your starting character, you’ll experience a unique adventure set on breathtaking 2D environments and witness battles with fantastic visual effects that mimic traditional Japanese art-styles with a modern twist. If you want something fast-paced, fun, and addictive, this Action RPG is the way to go.
4. Fire Emblem: Radiant Dawn (2007)
Fire Emblem: Radiant Dawn is the much-improved sequel of the beloved FE: Path of Radiance that first took the long-standing series to the 3D realm on Nintendo’s Gamecube. Much like its predecessor, this Tactical RPG has you commanding multiple units on a grid-based map and completing objectives such as routing the enemy or capturing their forts. One of the things that make the game special is that if you lose a character in battle, they’re gone forever. This makes gameplay much more challenging, as losing units will cost you in future battles.
3. Monster Hunter Tri (2010)
The famed Monster Hunter franchise comes to the Wii in one of the best-looking, most fluid RPGs of the generation. Much like the more recent Monster Hunter: World, this title is all about the thrill of the hunt and the rewarding feeling that comes with crafting new armor and weapons from your downed foes. The game innovated over its predecessor with underwater hunting, one of the game’s most magnetic features for returning fans of the franchise. It may be a bit grind-y, but Monster Hunter Tri is easily the best ARPG in the Wii’s roster when it comes to combat and progression.
2. The Last Story (2012)
One of the most important aspects of any self-respecting JRPG is the narrative. And The Last Story has the most exquisitely written tale to be found on the Wii. You’ll take control of a band of mercenaries and set off on a sprawling adventure in a world plagued by decay and ruination. Despite the simple synopsis, this epic tale subverts several fantasy storytelling clichés with ease unlike anything else on the platform. The real-time combat with cover mechanics is also fantastic, and the graphics push the Wii to its limits.
1. Xenoblade Chronicles (2011)
Xenoblade Chronicles isn’t only one of the best JRPGs on the Wii, but one of the most memorable titles of its generation. The game was so well-received, it even earned protagonist Shulk a spot in Super Smash Bros. – an honor reserved for the cream of the crop. Well in Xenoblade Chronicles, you’ll face off against hordes of automatons with the Monado – a legendary sword with the power to show the user visions of the future. It features over 100 hours of content spread throughout its massive open world and realistic cities, all full of NPCs that feel alive and unique. One of the most memorable fantasy worlds on the Wii. You’ll never feel trapped within restrictive boundaries. Instead, the game asks you to immerse yourself and have fun in its expansive world.
