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You’d be hard-pressed trying to find a console that sold as successfully as Nintendo’s motion-controlled behemoth. After all, the Wii is considered one of the best-selling systems of all-time, with a staggering 101 million sales under its belt, which puts it in seventh place overall, just behind the original PlayStation. No small feat, eh? Indeed, over the course of its 11-ish years on the market, not only did the Wii help us shed a few pounds thanks to its innovative motion controls, but it was also home to a veritable goldmine of excellent and creative titles. But, what are the rarest Nintendo Wii games out there?
Worry not, as we’ve compiled an up-to-date list of all the rarest and most valuable video games you can buy or sell right now for Ninty’s seventh-generation console. To clarify, we’ve used the current Complete In Box prices and New prices from PriceCharting for accuracy. With our methodology out of the way, let’s do this!
Dokapon Kingdom (2008)
Used $120.33 | New $123.70
At first glance, Dokapon Kingdom appears to be a cutesy anime experience that wouldn’t look too out of place in the shadowy recesses of a bargain bin. The twist? This is actually a surprisingly fun blend of boardgame, party mini-games, and RPG, with a charming lick of manga paint.
What makes it such a desirable item to collectors is the fact that Atlus only pressed a very limited run in North America, which is something the Japanese publisher is commonly renowned for. Combine this with the title’s appealing party game genre — which is a perfect fit for the Wii’s local multiplayer-centric target audience — and you have one of the most expensive and collectible games on the platform.
Metroid Prime Trilogy [Collector’s Edition] (2009)
Used $74.99 | New $151.25
Nintendo is a company synonymous with manufacturing artificial demand, and its handling of the Metroid Prime Trilogy is a great example of this. For no tangible reason, the Japanese mega-company pressed very few copies of the game, severely underestimating demand. Adding salt to the wound, the Big N quickly decided to halt production of the trilogy for reasons unknown, hence why it’s such an attractive compilation to collectors these days.
With updated motion controls for both 2002’s Metroid Prime and 2005’s Metroid Prime 2: Echoes, which bring the games more in-line with the 2007 threequel, along with faster load times, improved textures, and enhanced lighting, this is quite possibly the definitive way to play the iconic sci-fi classics. Well, outside of playing the 2023 Switch remaster of the original game that is.
Silent Hill: Shattered Memories (2009)
Used $79.99 | New $157.39
Even though Konami’s venerable horror series had never appeared on a Nintendo console before, Climax Studios — the UK-based outfit behind 2007’s then-PSP exclusive Silent Hill: Origins — was incredibly enamoured with the Japanese conglomerate’s motion tech. The studio’s unique pitch would work two-fold: not only would the Wii’s intuitive motion tech give the developer a way to leverage new mechanics into the game, but the popularity of the console could also potentially help propel the series to a wider audience. It felt like a surefire win!
Fast-forward to today, and looking back, the approach was a decent idea, as Silent Hill: Shattered Memories was not only met with critical acclaim, but it’s widely considered to be one of the scariest games in the franchise, which says a lot considering the pedigree of the iconic horror IP. As it released around the same time as the PS3, most folks were likely too busy playing on Sony’s shinier and snazzier hardware, which probably contributed to its rarity and lower sales numbers. Interestingly enough, however, the PS2 version of Shattered Memories is the most desirable amongst collectors, as it goes for around twice as much as a Wii copy. Wowsers!
American Mensa Academy (2012)
Used $109.99 | New $170.33
The brain teaser sub-genre was a massive hit on the Nintendo DS thanks to the massively popular Dr Kawashima’s Brain Training. This trend inevitably went on to kickstart a spate of copycats trying to capitalize on the formula. Enter: American Mensa Academy, which sounds around six times more boring and uninteresting than the aforementioned portable phenomenon, if you ask us.
While this puzzler will indeed help improve your ol’ grey matter, hardly anyone actually went out and bought the game, which led to a dearth of copies. These days, collectors who’re in the market for American Mensa Academy will have to shell out at least $85 for just a loose disc. Yikes!
Rhythm Heaven Fever (2011)
Used $174.64 | New $177.83
Another mini-game filled romp, Rhythm Heaven Fever focuses primarily on a two-button gameplay system, with a rhythm-based twist thrown in for good measure. Boasting over 50 mini-games, this is actually a really fun party title, especially if you’re into thumping beats and harmonic grooves.
Unfortunately, due to thin sales numbers, not many copies were sold in the West, which led to a scarcity in the wild. On top of that, a few popular influencers began streaming the game, which helped solidify Rhythm Heaven Fever’s desirability amongst modern collectors. As a result, even Used copies are almost as in demand and expensive as New copies. Still, if you live in the EU and want a cheeky life-hack, pick up the French version — dubbed Beat the Beat: Rhythm Paradise — for a fraction of the price. You’re welcome!
Fire Emblem Radiant Dawn (2007)
Used $110 | New 199.95
The Fire Emblem series is a beloved IP among the Nintendo hardcore, though 2007’s sequel to 2005’s Path of Radiance released just before the franchise really took off in popularity. In fact, it’s safe to say that 2013’s Fire Emblem Awakening is the turning point that launched the series into the mainstream zeitgeist as it was the first title to sell over a million copies.
In essence, Radiant Dawn dropped when demand for the fantasy series was at a low point, which went on to impact its fairly limited production run. The lack of demand led to low sales and a limited supply, but as the franchise became more and more popular, the price tag ballooned exponentially. This explains where we are right now, as procuring a loose disc version of the title will set you back a whopping $97. Bonkers, right?
Ju-On: The Grudge (2009)
Used $88.06 | New $272.69
Based on the famous Japanese multi-media horror franchise, Ju-On: The Grudge was an ill-conceived video game adaptation that was green-lit to celebrate the IP’s 10th anniversary. In some ways, the gameplay was pretty ahead of its time, as it released around three years before Parsec Productions’ free-to-play Slender: The Eight Pages, which went on to kickstart a resurgence in first-person scare ’em ups where you run around waving a flashlight about while things jump out and shout BOO.
Due to its terrible critical reception — it “boasts” a measly 39 on Metacritic — Ju-On: The Grudge went on to sell incredibly poorly. Of course, its combination of low sales and awful critical consensus has made it rarity out in the wild. Fun fact: the game was helmed by the same director as the first film: Takashi Shimizu.
Cyberbike Cycling Sports (2011)
Used $221.62 | New $443
Peripherals have always been a marketable mainstay, particularly on Nintendo consoles, and Cyberbike Cycling Sports sounds like a smart idea — well, on paper, at least. Essentially, the title is an exercise simulator that tasks players with riding a “real” bike as they venture through a variety of hilly vistas. That sounds kind of cool, huh? Well, the rub was players who purchased it had to go through the rigamarole of building the bike, much akin to arriving home from a shopping trip to IKEA.
Unfortunately, Cyberbike Cycling Sports sold about as well as a packet of death-flavoured crisps, which quickly exiled it to the bargain bin. Needless to say, getting your mitts on both the game and the cycling peripheral isn’t too difficult per se, as long as you’re happy to fit the increasingly exorbitant bill.
Club Penguin: Day One Limited Edition (2010)
Used $495.66 | New $688.62
Even though you can purchase the Standard Edition of this party mini-game collection for the low price of around $10, those who’re looking for one of the Holy Grails in the Wii’s library will want to get their hands flippers on this Limited Edition. But what does this edition offer, specifically? Funnily enough, the main unique selling point is a little underwhelming to say the least. Basically, the Limited Edition has a black Wii logo on the front of the box, as opposed to a white one. Yep, bit of an anti climax, right?
Thing is, to collectors, this is a really desirable piece as it was largely pressed for staff who developed the game to celebrate its 5th anniversary. Therefore, there are very few copies in circulation, so if you do find this version somewhere, count your blessings!
Sukeban Shachou Rena (2009)
Used $664.53 | New $1329.05
While the Nintendo Wii boasted some undisputed classics within its vast library, it was also a hotbed for hilariously awful shovelware. Case in point: Dearfield’s Sukeban Shachou Rena, which allegedly sold around 100 copies in two weeks on the market, making it the worst-selling title on the entire platform. Holy moly.
Though we’d love to come to the defense of such a commercial failure — for context, its publisher, Jorudan, went out of business shortly after its release — Sukeban Shachou Rena is simply in a world of its own. Indeed, this shallow collection of kookie mini-games sees you trying to appease your boss overlord: a cat called Rena. Sadly, Sukeban Shachou Rena is far from being a so-bad-it’s-good sort of experience, though if you’re collector, finding this out in the wild is akin to finding a dodo’s egg. Made of gold. With a little cat-shaped diamond inside. Like, it’s really rare, okay?!
