While immensely popular in the U.S. market, the international presence of the Nintendo Wii cannot be overstated. Many worthwhile games were never even released in the West. Interestingly, the Wii console was the top-selling console in France until recently beaten out by the Nintendo Switch.
That said, between its nunchuks, balance board, and more, the Wii brought gamers around the world unique and memorable gadgets and accessories. The Wii may be a unique and at times niche console, but gamers will attest to its worthwhile playability and appeal.
5 Wii Wheel
First on this list and last in ranking is the Nintendo Wii Wheel. This attachment is intended for use with the Wii Remote, allowing gamers a more immersive and arcade-like experience with games like Mario Kart Wii. (Mario Kart was the first game released that had compatibility with the Wii Wheel).
Shaped like the steering wheel of a motor vehicle, game designer Hideki Konno created the Wii Wheel, with development starting in 2006. Nintendo Wii games intended for use with the wheel include Need for Speed: Nitro, SpongeBob’s Boating Bash, and games in the Cars franchise. Meanwhile, other Wii games like Super Mario Galaxy are even known for their high graphics quality, in addition to playability with game attachments.
4 Wii Balance Board
An unprecedented piece of gaming equipment, the Wii Balance Board is second to last on this list. The accessory became a staple for gamers interested in the Nintendo Wii and staying physically active—a distinctive addition to the video game console world not unlike what happened with Dance Dance Revolution and its hard and soft dance boards. In fact, the Balance Board was used for several Wii DDR games, including Dance Dance Revolution Music Fit.
The Wii Balance Board, a popular peripheral gadget for the Wii console, was most commonly used with the game Wii Fit for cardio, yoga, balance, and other exercise games. The accessory consists of a platform that gamers stand on, similar to a scale, that uses weight, balance, and other features to allow gamers to interact with their "fit" games.
While there are many fitness-related video games out there, Wii Fit was by far the most successful for the Wii console, and it comes as no surprise. The balance board undoubtedly made that possible.
3 Nunchuks
Next up are nunchuks. Intended to imitate nunchaku, a traditional martial arts weapon, the first Wiimote controller attachment as a concept was first introduced early in 2005—and has been captivating gamers ever since. Where other game controllers mimic the standard two-hand approach, which the Wiimote accommodates as well, the Wii nunchuks was made solely for single-handed use.
Described as an extension controller, the nunchuks accessory was made to plug into a port located at the bottom of the Wiimote. That way, both can be played simultaneously, one in each hand. Gaming fans will find it worth noting that Metroid Prime 3: Corruption was the first Wii game to use the nunchuks, but not the last as many more games have been released over the years with nunchuk compatibility.
2 Wii Remote
Colloquially known as the Wiimote, the Nintendo Wii Remote is the most common Wii accessory used in conjunction with the sensor bar. Whether used to play Super Paper Mario, Smooth Moves, or Animal Crossing, the simple D-pad, A, and B buttons make the Wii Remote a ubiquitous gadget for the console. In fact, it's expected that the Wii console would be sold with a Wiimote attachment.
The motion sensor feature of the Wii Remote made it revolutionary for its time and irresistibly popular as the main controller and accessory for the Nintendo Wii. Gamers using a Wiimote are so common that it would be unlikely to find a household with a Wii without one or more Wii Remotes, also sometimes referred to as wands.
1 GameCube Controller
The last Wii gadget on this list and the first in ranking is the GameCube controller. This accessory deserves the spot of number one because of how it transformed the already culture-transforming Wii console, allowing the play of Super Smash Bros. and similar games to mimic the experience of playing Nintendo 64. Many games allow players to use the GameCube controller instead of the Wiimote, and it's a popular option.
Since the Nintendo 64 presented many memorable cut scenes, and many Nintendo 64 games were remade for the Wii, it pleases gamers far and wide to have the opportunity to play so many beloved games on the Wii console using the GameCube controller. After all, it's common for gamers to use GameCube controllers with the N64 too, adding to overall unique gameplay with such a combination of consoles and accessories.
Whether using the GameCube controller, nunchuks, or the Wii Remote, avid Wii gamers will boast about the games they play, whether new or classic remakes. But the N64 controller made it to the top of this list because it adds just the right amount of retro crossover to a new and modern console gaming experience.