The Best Nintendo Wii Games Under $20

As some of you know, my wife recently got me a Wii for my birthday, so being the cheapskate I am, I did my research of the best games for the system that won’t set me back a bunch of money. Now, I haven’t played all of these, but I’m going mostly on critic’s reviews and word-of-mouth from gamers with similar tastes. I figured the $20 price point word be a place to start, so I’ll list the top picks under that mark (Prices listed are an average eBay price and lowest Amazon.com prices for US games, including shipping.)

Since retail Wii games aren’t the only thing you can play on your Wii, I’m also including some of the most critically acclaimed WiiWare titles so far and my picks for the best cheap Gamecube games that would complement a solid Wii library. I’m not including any Virtual Console games just yet. I’ll probably have another feature targeted towards retro games later on.

Check out the other Cheapest Games Worth Your Time articles

Best Retail Games Under $20

Cheap Gamecube Must-Haves For Your Wii

If you’re a Wii owner, you really shouldn’t overlook the quality titles that are in the Gamecube’s library. There are so many solid games that still outshine many Wii titles. However, many of them have been out for a while, so you can scoop them up for next to nothing. I’ve limited this section quite a bit, but if you want a more detailed guide, check out the Cheapest Gamecube Games Worth Your Time.

The Best WiiWare So Far

Wiiware is still in its infancy, but there are a number of quality games for it that are at the $10 price point. Most of them cater to specialized tastes, so make sure to read up a bit on them before plunking down your Nintendo Points.

Dr. Mario Online Rx: $10

Some gamers I know swear by this classic puzzle game. It’s not my personal favorite, but it’s a worthy download for fans of the genre. (However, I’d still recommend getting Puyo Pop Fever for the Gamecube instead — see down below) Toki Tori: $10

If you enjoy a mix of platforming and puzzle-solving, Toki Tori should be right up your alley. It’s a remake of a little known gem on the Gameboy Color that is filled with 70 mind-bending levels and a colorful and cheery presentation. Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: My Life as a King: $10

This isn’t your typical Final Fantasy game by any means. Instead of a pur action RPG like it’s prequel, My Life as a King is actually a city-building simulation at it’s core. It isn’t for everyone, but the general consensus has been good so far. If you enjoy the FF games, but want something a little different, give this a try. LostWinds: $10

This drop-dead gorgeous platforning adventure game uses 3D graphics with a 2D perspective, but also throws in an innovative control scheme (with the Wii-mote, of course) that makes you re-learn what you know about platformers. From what I’ve played so far, it’s kinda slow-paced and will require you to do some puzzle-solving, but nearly every review of the game has been positive.

Near The $20 Mark

Here’s a few more Wii games that you may be able to snag for less than $20 if you’re lucky, but average out to be a bit more most of the time.

House of the Dead 2 & 3 Return: $22 – eBay / Amazon

No More Heroes: $23 – eBay / Amazon

Trauma Center: Second Opinion: $22 – eBay / Amazon

Other Cheap Wii Favorites

Mercury Meltdown Revolution: $12 – eBay / Amazon

SSX Blur: $12 – eBay / Amazon

Ghost Squad: $17 – eBay / Amazon

MLB Power Pros: $16 – eBay / Amazon

Madden NFL 07: $9 – eBay / Amazon

Madden NFL 08: $16 – eBay / Amazon

Sonic & The Secret Rings: $15 – eBay / Amazon

Tony Hawk’s Downhill Jam: $11 – eBay / Amazon

Other Cheap Gamecube Favorites