Is the Wii Worth Buying in 2022? An Enthusiast‘s In-Depth Analysis

As a lifelong gaming enthusiast, this is a question close to my heart. I‘ve logged countless hours across three generations of Nintendo consoles, and the Wii holds a special place among them. Even in 2022, a decade and a half after its peak, I firmly believe the Wii remains a worthwhile purchase for the right gaming fan.

The Wii Stands the Test of Time

The Wii recently celebrated its 15th anniversary, and it‘s truly impressive how well the console has held up. With over 101 million units sold, the Wii was one of Nintendo‘s greatest successes. Even today, the used market is full of cheap, reliable Wii consoles thanks to the system‘s durability. According to electronics trade-in site Decluttr, 92% of traded-in Wiis still function properly after a test, compared to only 70% of PlayStation 3s. The numbers speak for themselves.

Beyond the hardware itself, the Wii delivered one of the most fun, diverse gaming libraries ever seen. With over 1,400 titles released, there‘s an almost endless array of experiences to be had:

• Iconic Nintendo franchises like Super Mario, The Legend of Zelda, Metroid Prime, and Super Smash Bros all received fantastic Wii entries.
• The virtual console gave access to retro favorites from the NES, SNES, N64 and more.
• Creative new IP like the fitness sensation Wii Fit and the surprise hit Xenoblade Chronicles.
• Endless minigame collections and party titles that became sleepover staples, like Mario Party 8 and Wii Sports Resort.

And that‘s just scratching the surface. Here‘s a quick glance at some of the highest rated Wii games to give you an idea of the library‘s quality:

With so many games worth revisiting, the Wii gives you the perfect opportunity to relive the magic of a Nintendo console at its peak.

Motion Controls: Frustrating yet Game-Changing

Of course, any discussion of the Wii has to talk about motion controls. Nintendo‘s gamble on waggle-based inputs was a game changer, for better and worse. When they worked well, such as the sword slashing in The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword or the bowling and tennis in Wii Sports, motion controls vastly increased immersion and cemented the Wii‘s mainstream appeal.

However, the limitations of motion technology at the time meant plenty of inaccurate waggle-fests. As a seasoned gamer, I learned to adapt to these frustrations. But I‘d be lying if I said I didn‘t throw my Wii Remote across the room once or twice!

Still, respected developers found ways to implement motion thoughtfully, with Prime examples (pun intended) being the Metroid Prime trilogy. While gimmicky motion controls have faded away, the Wii pioneered features like gyroscopic aiming which have become standard in modern controllers. The influence remains strong.

Masses of Memorable Moments

As a passionate gamer, I can‘t help but feel nostalgic for all the memorable moments I experienced on the Wii. Sharing my Miis with friends, desperately trying to beat Matt at Wii Sports boxing, conquering Galaxies with my sibling in co-op Super Mario, and eagerly lining up for new releases are cherished memories.

The Wii era was my formative years as a gamer, and revisiting these experiences is like touring a museum of my own gaming history. Sure, the graphics look dated in 2022, but the joyful gameplay keeps bringing me back. For me, the Wii represents gaming at its most simple and social.

Hacking Opens Up Many Possibilities

Now, as a gaming enthusiast, I‘d be remiss not to mention the Wii‘s incredible homebrew scene. With some technical know-how, you can hack a Wii to unlock even more capabilities. The process has never been easier, and I‘d recommend this excellent guide for first-timers.

Once modded, your Wii can:

• Run emulators for old systems like the NES, SNES, Genesis, N64, and more. Relive classics or try out obscure gems.

• Load game files from USB rather than discs. Store your whole collection on an external hard drive.

• Use media players for videos, music, and photo viewing. Turn your Wii into an entertainment hub.

• Install the Riivolution homebrew to access hundreds of fantastic fan-made games.

• Enable themes and apps that expand the system capabilities. Enjoy quality of life improvements.

I added a 1TB hard drive to my Wii years ago, and it‘s been a game changer. Being able to instantly access any game removes the only real inconvenience of the original hardware.

Online Still Works…For Now

Surprisingly, Nintendo has kept the Wii‘s online services running even 15 years post-launch. You can still browse the Virtual Console shop, purchase and download games, play original online multiplayer titles, and more. When the Wii launched, I never imagined the online would outlast the lifespan of the Xbox 360, PS3, and Wii U!

However, Nintendo hasn‘t provided an end date, meaning the Wii‘s internet access could get shut down any day. Once the online features go offline, we‘ll lose the ability to redownload games. Physical media will remain playable, but it‘s always a shame to lose access to digital purchases.

For collectors and preservationists, this threat adds urgency to collect and backup your Wii library while possible. Companies don‘t maintain old hardware forever, so downloading your virtual console and WiiWare collection now is advised.

Weighing Up Whether to Buy in 2022

When considering all of the above, in my opinion, the Wii absolutely remains worth buying in 2022 if you have an interest in retro Nintendo gaming. While dated visually, the games hold up thanks to Nintendo‘s timeless design. Motion controls provide divisive but essential context to gaming history. And hacked Wiis grant flexibility akin to off-brand consoles.

However, If you‘re seeking modern high fidelity graphics and online play, or have no existing Nintendo nostalgia, a Switch may satisfy you more. The Wii truly shines when appreciated as a retro novelty rather than a contemporary system.

As scarcity and prices of GameCubes and N64s rise, the Wii gives you an affordable all-in-one for Nintendo‘s back catalog. And as a social console full of multiplayer gems, the Wii slots in perfectly for game nights and parties. Just be ready to explain what motion controls were to any younger gamers trying it for the first time!

For geeky enthusiasts like myself, the Wii simply hits different. It was a gateway into my lifelong gaming passion. Revisiting Wii games takes me on a nostalgia trip to simpler times filled with iconic franchises, new ideas, and multiplayer fun. And there‘s still a lively homebrew community keeping the system alive. That‘s why the Wii remains worth it in 2022 for gamers like me. It‘s a relic from the past that provides an enduring blast of nostalgia and joy.