The Wii may not have been most well-known for its horror games, but there were still a handful of titles within the genre that were released for Nintendo’s popular system over its lifespan. Since the Wii was initially seen as more of a “Casual” system, it meant a lot of developers were more concerned with creatingfun and accessible platformer gamesduring the early years of the console.
However, this gradually started to change once third-party developers decided to start developing other types of games for the system,which included RPGs, fighting games, and plenty of games rooted in the horror genre too. Horror titles may not have been coming out very frequently for the Wii, but there would always be at least one stand-out released each year for fans to look forward to, and it’s these games that this list is going to cover today to see what makes them so fun and memorable to horror buffs.Note that 2013 has been omitted for lack of suitable games.
72006 - Escape From Bug Island
Metacritic User Score: 5.3
ThoughEscape From Bug Islanddoes have a few drawbacks, such as the dated visuals and clunky motion controls, it’s still an engaging survival horror experience that features some horrifying enemies in the form of gigantic bugs. Players take control of Ray, a naive but courageous young man who must scavenge resources and make new friends to try and find a way off the mysterious Bug Island which, just as the name implies, has become overrun with mutated bugs who will stalk the player throughout the story.
The game oozes atmosphere, with the dark alleyways and dimly lit forests all adding an extra layer of tension to the experience, especially when knowing a bug could jump out at any moment to attack. While players do have a handy flashlight that can help light up certain areas, this will also come at the cost of attracting the attention of bugs, adding a nice risk-and-reward element to the core gameplay. It may be a little rough around the edges, butEscape From Bug Islandis still aunique survival-horror experiencepacked full of horrifying enemies who come in all kinds of shapes and sizes.
62007 - Resident Evil 4: Wii Edition
Metacritic User score: 9.1
Resident Evil 4was released for a few different systems before it was ported to the Wii, but this version features a few new mechanics which many people argue make it the best way to experience this survival-horror classic. The biggest difference isgiving the player control of their reticle by using the Wii’s motion controls, allowing them to carefully aim each one of their shots to slow down the hordes of Ganado that Leon will face during his mission to save Ashley.
This simple mechanic also ramps up the tension, since while it may be easy to take down a single enemy with the motion controls, things can get a bit more hectic when Dr. Salvador with his gigantic chainsaw is racing towards the screen. Alongside the rock-solid gameplay,Resident Evil 4also contains a lovable cast of characters, a compelling story, and some truly creepy areas and enemies that linger in the brain long after the game has been put down.
52008 - Fatal Frame: Mask Of The Lunar Eclipse
No Score Available
Despite theFatal Frameseries having been around since 2001, the series had never made an appearance on a Nintendo console, that is untilMask of the Lunar Eclipsewas released in 2008 for the Wii. The core gameplay mechanic of theFatal Framegames has always been the camera, which can be used to detect and fight off the spirits and ghosts who can roam around the environment, looking for their opportunity to attack the player.
Players are able to take control of the Camera Obscura in this game by using the Wii’s motion controls, but it’s not enough to just aim and shoot, as the angle and lighting of the snap will also determine how many points are awarded to the player. The game switches between four different protagonists who explore their own areas, all of which are dripping with atmosphere thanks to the game’s stellar graphics and excellent sound design. Any horror buffs out there who are looking for something that will scare them to the core should definitely check outMask of the Lunar Eclipse,as it’s without a doubt one ofthe most frightening games ever releasedfor the Wii.
42009 - Silent Hill: Shattered Memories
Metacritic User Score: 7.5
TheSilent Hillgames that were developed outside of Japan often get a bad rap for their lack of innovation and weak stories, butShattered Memorieswas the one that received a lot more praise from both fans and critics. While the game isn’t technically a remake of the firstSilent Hill, it does still follow the same basic plotline of Harry traveling through a dark and dreary town in an attempt to find his missing daughter. In classicSilent Hillfashion, the town is also overrun by unnerving creatures which Harry is able to attack if he has a weapon, but the game places a much bigger emphasis on its heart-pounding chase sequences, to say the least.
Additionally, there are a few extra unique game mechanics thrown into the mix that help keep the gameplay fresh and fun, such as the therapy sessions which will change part of the game depending on what answers the player gives.Shattered Memoriesalso does an excellent job of nailing down the gloomy and oppressive atmosphere that had become synonymous with the series, resulting in a chilling horror game that can be enjoyed by both longtimeSilent Hillfans, and newcomers alike.
32010 - Calling
A lot of Wii horror games take a third-person perspective so players can have a greater awareness of their surroundings and can comfortably use the motion controls, butCallingworks a little differently. Because the game is played in an FPS view from start to finish, it ensures players are as immersed in the experience as possible, which helps bring a lot of the game’s areas to life. Whether it’s an abandoned high school, a creepy hospital, or even a coffee shop, all of these levels have been crafted with careful attention to detail, making them very realistic and, in turn, a lot of fun to explore.
While looking out for key items and supplies, players will occasionally get a call on their Wii remote, which will be from one of the ghosts. During these sequences, they’ll often warn the player about when they’re getting close, which is just as terrifying as it sounds. If a ghost does manage to approach the player, it will result in an intense “fight event” where certain buttons and motion commands must be performed to fend them away for good. Many people considerCallingto be somewhat of a hidden gem, and it’s not hard to see why, consideringhow effortlessly it manages to immerse the player into its nightmarish world.
22011 - Ikenie No Yoru
By the time 2011 rolled around, development on Wii games slowed down a lot, especiallywith the release of the 3DS that same year, meaning the system was starved for horror games during its last few years. One game that did manage to make a big impression on those who played it though wasIkenie No Yoru, a claustrophobic horror title by Square Enix which takes place in a spooky mansion full of haunted imagery and creepy ghosts. The gameplay is quite simple, with the player only being able to run forwards and backward while also using the Wii remote as a flashlight and a cell phone to call the other characters.
What makes the game so intense though, is the fact that ghosts will be able to kill the protagonist just by touching them, meaning if one shows up, fighting back isn’t an option. Instead, players will need to run for their lives while trying to avoid meeting a dead end or bumping into another enemy along the way. It results in an addictive gameplay loop of going as far into the mansion as possible to find supplies, while at the same time, memorizing the layout of the map to know where to run and hide when the enemies start getting close.
12012 - Project Zero 2: Wii Edition
Metacritic User score: 8.4
Project Zero 2is a remake ofFatal Frame 2which improves upon many of the main issues people had with the original title, resulting in what some consider to be the best game in the entire series. The game takes place in Minakami Village, a desolate area filled with plenty of mysteries and secrets to uncover, along with a few puzzles players will need to solve to progress. The Camera Obscura mechanic is back, but since multiple ghosts will be able to appear on-screen at once, it can make these segments a lot more unnerving since it’s all so easy to take too long capturing the perfect shot, only to then be killed by a ghost.
The story revolves around twin sisters Mio and Mayu, who have both become targets of evil ghosts who are trying to use them as part of a sick and twisted ritual. The originalFatal Frame 2already included a few different endings players could get depending on their actions, butProject Zero 2throws in two more to bring the total up to six,lending the game a lot of replay value.The Wii may have had a steady stream of horror games throughout its life, butProject Zero 2made sure it went out with a bang by being one of, if not the greatest horror titles ever made exclusively for the system.
