It all started with a few words:“Wii would like to play.”That sentence launched a million shipments of what would become one ofNintendo’s biggest-selling consoles. With a small-but-sleek design and a wireless controller, theWiiwas a hit that brought Nintendo into the age of motion-controlled games.
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Sure, the graphics might’ve been inferior compared to other systems at the time, but that didn’t matter so long as the games were entertaining. The Nintendo Wii has a strong library of unbeatable games – from shooting through the stars as Mario to battling the shadows as Link. Along with its selection of incredible adventures was a fun lineup ofracersthat made use of the Wii’s motion controls.
8Driver: San Francisco
The Mixed Bag
Driver: San Francisco
If you’re familiar withUbisoft’sDriver: San Francisco, you might be interested to learn that the Wii version is a completely different game compared to the Xbox and PlayStation versions. The story is a prequel to the first game in the franchise as you follow John Tanner, a rookie cop who’s gone undercover to hunt down notorious gangster Solomon Caine in the speedy streets of San Francisco.
Unlike its HD counterpart, the Wii version does not have the iconicShiftmechanic. Instead, the game lets you play between three characters, each with their own missions and side content. If you can forgive the graphics, the game has interesting ideas, but the flaw that hinders it is the controls. Using the Wii remote and Nunchuk, you’re not only controlling the vehicle, but controlling how it attacks while juggling other mechanics like tilting and shooting. Trying to remember it all in the heat of gameplay can get frustrating.
This One’s for the Fans
July 09, 2025
Sumo Digital
Codemasters
Sim Racing
Nintendo, PSP
Where some racing games go for a more fictitious setting, F1 2009 has the honor of being based on real-life racers and tracks used in the 2009 season ofFormula One. With over seventeen racetracks to race through and up to twenty drivers to pick from, this game is more for diehard F1 fans. Go for a race across the track or head into career mode and take on the Formula One World Championship.
Though the graphics have aged something fierce, the core gameplay is still interesting once you adjust to the controls. You hold the Wii remote like a steering wheel and use the button prompts for the speed, brakes and other controls. Funny enough, one of the things that made this game so eye-catching was that the game bundle came with its own Formula One-style steering wheel attachment for your Wii remote.
6Sonic Riders: Zero Gravity
Where We’re Going, We Don’t Need Roads
Sonic Riders: Zero Gravity
you may’t talk about speed and racing without mentioningSonic the Hedgehog. Except in this game, you’re not racing in cars, but on hoverboards. Sonic Riders: Zero Gravity serves as a sequel to the first Sonic Riders. Jet the Hawk and the Babylon Rogues are back, and with strange relics capable of manipulating gravity at stake, it’s a race to see who can get them all first.
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As the subtitle suggests, one of the new gameplay mechanics is the Gravity Dive, which works as a boost to propel players across the track. Not the most groundbreaking mechanic on paper, but it works for the futuristic setting. With over eighteen playable characters and an interesting story, this is a solid game for Sonic fans. As a Wii game, however, this is one that plays better when you swap the Wii remote with aGameCubecontroller.
5Speed Racer: The Videogame
“Go Speed Racer Go!”
June 17, 2025
Developer(s)
Sidhe Interactive, Virtuos, Glu Mobile
Publisher(s)
Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment, Glu Mobile
Nintendo, PlayStation, Mobile
Remember the Speed Racer film? Yeah, no one remembers. Funny enough, Speed Racer: The Videogame is not only a tie-in to the movie, but it was pretty great. Instead of making it some generic racer, it looks and plays similar to theF-Zerogames, along with some fun mechanics. Because it’s not just about coming in first – it’s also about scoring the most points.
Using the Wii remote, you not only steer your vehicle, but you can tilt and swipe to perform stunts and special moves known ascar-fu, where you can attack and destroy other cars. Stop laughing – that’s just what it’s called. The more points you get, the more it builds up your boost. On top of that, each racer comes with a designated ally and rival character. Players can score extra points for attacking and/or destroying their rival’s car, while the ally assists the player against the rival.
4Need for Speed: Carbon
City & Canyon Racing
Need For Speed: Carbon
It wouldn’t be right to talk about iconic racers without mentioning theNeed for Speedgames. Of course, one of them had to make it, and Need for Speed: Carbon deserves a place for its role in the Wii’s library. After all, it was among the first launch titles to be released for the console back in 2006.
The road is calling as you participate in illegal street races in real-world licensed vehicles. In Carbon, however, you’re not only cruising through the city – you’re also participating in a new form of racing known as Canyon events, which has you and other drivers competing outside the city on canyon roads. It was a great addition that the series needed. Plus, though the Wii controls could take some getting used to, the game made use of a feature calledOversteerto assist when making sharp turns.
3Excitebots: Trick Racing
Robo Racers
ExciteBots: Trick Racing
Some race with cars or bikes, but in Excitebots, you’re racing with animal-themed robots. If the title sounds familiar, that’s because Excitebots is part of what is known as the Excite franchise, a series of racing games that first began on the classicNESwith Excitebike.
Instead of karts, you race through several colorful courses using robotic vehicles shaped like animals. With over twenty to choose from, each racer’s unique size and shape impacts their stats in racing – width, weight, speed, acceleration, turbo and so on. The game is loaded with all kinds of neat tricks your bot can perform during the race and the controls flawlessly use the Wii remote. Though the game underperformed after release, it became a sleeper hit for its vibrant art style, well-designed courses and a banger of a soundtrack.
2Sonic & Sega All-Stars Racing
Everybody’s Super Sonic Racing
August 12, 2025
Nintendo, PlayStation, Xbox, PC, Mac OS X, Arcade, Mobile
The Sonic series is loaded with all kinds ofspin-off gamesand Sonic & Sega All-Stars Racing is the best. This isn’t just a racing game with only Sonic characters, it also features characters from otherSegagames like Shenmue, Super Monkey Ball, and more. And with the Wii version, even your Mii avatar can join in the fun.
Like inMario Kart, players race across tracks that reference locations from Sega games, collecting power-ups to help them combat or defend against other opponents. All characters come with their own exclusive Ultimate Move to give themselves an extra boost, however, and they all look great. For Sonic and Sega fans, All-Stars Racing is an utter joy, and it’s no surprise it’s gone on to spawn several sequels. Sure, Sonic could probably win if he just ran, but maybe the blue hedgehog’s giving himself a handicap to make it fair.
1Mario Kart Wii
You Knew This Was Coming
Mario Kart Wii
It’sMario. That should be all there is to say. Praised by many fans as one of thebest Mario Kart games of all time, the Wii exclusive was the number one racer for the console. The game introduced bikes to the vehicle list, adding a new level of variety to shake up the mix.
Players had the option to play using either the buttons on the controller or tilt controls, a feature that was made even better with the inclusion of the Wii Wheel. With over 26 characters to choose from and 32 tracks to race on, the game provided endless hours of fun, made even better by its online multiplayer feature. Overall, Mario Kart Wii remains the definitive best racing game on Wii.
8 Nintendo Wii Games That Have Aged the Best, Ranked
These Nintendo Wii classics have stood the test of time, proving that great gameplay, timeless art direction and innovative design never age.
