Summary
Thanks to fan initiatives like Operation Rainfall, fewer Wii era titlesremained locked in Japanthan ever before, but that doesn’t mean we got to play everything; quite the contrary. Japan still got more than their fair share of exclusive titles on the Wii, and we say it’s about time somebody celebrated the best Japan’s library has to offer that we never got to experience in the West.
From chillingsurvival horror gameswith unique mechanics to enhanced classics with exclusive pack-in controllers, these are our picks for the best Wii games you can only play in the land of the rising sun.
The Best Way To Play Monster Hunter
Monster Hunter
These days,the Monster Hunter seriesis big enough to consistently get localizations, or at the very least, fan patches, but back in the Wii era that wasn’t exactly the case. This Wii and PS2 Japan exclusive title acts as an expansion of sorts to the original Monster Hunter, adding a good deal of new content to what was already a pretty fantastic game.
Adding insult to injury,the Wiiversion also came bundled with an exclusive Monster Hunter branded classic controller, the likes of which Capcom never saw fit to make available in the West.
You can actually play this version of Monster Hunter in English, as it was released for the PlayStation Portable as Monster Hunter Freedom, but unfortunately, the Wii version will forever remain Japan-exclusive.
10Earth Seeker
For Xenoblade Fans
It is a genuine shame we never got a Western release of Enterbrain’saction RPGEarth Seeker. With a massive world to explore and gorgeous artwork and character designs, it’s entirely likely this game could have done great numbers outside of Japan had it seen a localization.
As it stands, one of the Wii’s best RPGs is locked behind a language barrier, but if we can get a remake and western release ofAnother Codeand Famicom Detective Club, we can get an Earth Seeker remake that isn’t exclusive to Japan.
9Soul Eater: Monotone Princess
Square Enix’s Incredible Anime Game
Any way you slice it, Soul Eater is awesome, which is why the fact that its tie-in Wii title: Soul Eater: Monotone Princess, was never released outside Japan stings. Developed by Square Enix and featuring all-new animation from Studio Bones, Soul Eater on Wii is an incredible experience even if you’ve never seen the show.
With satisfying combat and a fully fleshed-out story mode, it is completely baffling that Western fans never got to experience Soul Eater’s impressivevideo game adaptation, especially given the anime’s popularity.
8Eyeshield 21: Field Saikyou No Senshi-Tachi
Anime Style American Football
Eyeshield 21 isa Japanese manga seriesabout American football. That alone is interesting, but the Wii game, whose title roughly translates to “Eyeshield 21: The Greatest Warriors Of The Field” takes the unique concept of anime-football to a whole new level.
No, this isn’t just a Japanese takeon the Madden series; it’s actually a motion-based action game, altering the rules of the sport where it sees fit, and generally being more concerned with its anime style and over-the-top characters than anything else. Even if you don’t like American football, we say give Eyeshield 21 a shot if you get the chance.
7Zangeki No Reginleiv
Nintendo’s Darkest Wii Title
A violent action epic based on Norse mythology, Nintendo published Zangeki No Reginleiv in 2010, and it quickly turned heads as one of the darkest and most mature games the family-friendly company had ever published. As enemies surround you in wide open spaces, you’ll need to master a variety of tactics and weapons to crush your opponents.
The game offered a wide variety of control options, from the classic controller to a similar swinging style to that ofThe Legend Of Zelda Skyward Sword.On a console infamous for waggling, it’s a real shame that one of the Wii’s most accessible titles never made it to the West.
6Fatal Frame: Mask Of The Lunar Eclipse
The Classic Series At Its Best
Fatal Frame: Mask Of The Lunar Eclipseis the series at its best. Called “Zero” in Japan, Fatal Frame has always been closely tied to Japanese urban legends and folklore, and its unique gameplay has never been more engaging than when it’s taking advantage of unique hardware like that of the Nintendo Wii.
Despite fan outcry,this incredible Wii gamenever received a Western release, but finally, in 2023, the game was completely remastered and re-released, and fans can now experience the best the series has to offer on all major platforms and in glorious HD.
5Zenkoku Dekotora Matsuri
The Best Worst Wildest Truck Game Ever Made
Objectively, Zenkoku Dekotora Matsuri probably isn’t very good. However, if you enjoy games likeGoat Simulator, Big Rigs Off The Road Racing, and other ones that baffle the mind and endlessly amuse, this is a must-play for you, and that’s all there is to it.
The game sees you take control of a dekotora, a decorated advertising truck that blares obnoxious (if catchy) Japanese soft rock, and your only goal is to be as much of a nuisance to other drivers and the city around you as you possibly can. Yes, it’s a little broken sometimes, but we adore this quirky mess, and we demand justice for Zenkoku Dekotora Matsuri.
4Daikaiju Battle: Ultra Colosseum
Giant Monsters And Engaging Action
Fans of giant monstersand Ultraman alike will adore this classic Wii title, a tag-team monster battle that sees some of our favorite kaiju duke it out with fantastic sound design and rather impressive visuals.
Known to Western fans as Mega Monster Battle: Ultra Colosseum, it is a travesty that we never got a proper English release of this delightful piece of Ultraman history, especially considering that because of how strict the licensing for these characters tends to be, it’s not likely we’ll ever get a remaster of the Wii’s most charming monster fighter.
3Jawa: Mammoth To Himitsu No Isshi
A Hidden Gem From The Stone Age
If you enjoyed Tail Of The Sun and want more of that type of experience, the Japan-exclusive hidden gem Jawa: Mammoth To Himitsu No Isshi is just what you need in your life.
Set in the Stone Age, in Jawa you’ll explorea vast open-ended worldfull of creatures of all kinds, from mammoths to dinos and everything in between. The game’sengaging rhythmic combatis a real treat to experience on genuine hardware, and though a lack of localization isn’t surprising given how little-known Jawa is, it’s still a crying shame the game remains an obscure Japan exclusive.
2Ikenie No Yoru
Horror That Could Only Work On Wii
Ikenie No Yoru, roughly translating to “Night of Sacrifice” took full advantage of what was possible on the Wii to deliver some truly impressive gameplay for its time, even if revisiting the game today leaves it feeling a bit dated and gimmicky.
Using the Wii remote as a cell phone, a flashlight, and even incorporating the balance board into its gameplay at certain moments works better than you might think.This Japanese horror gamereally shows what the Wii can do with a little creative thinking, so it really stings that the game never got the chance to scare horror fans overseas.
