If you loved these Wii games, try these Switch games (PART 1)

When the Nintendo Wii released in 2006, it was a truly revolutionary video game system, not because it was a graphical and processing powerhouse that pushed the limits of video game realism, but because it opened a door into gaming for the masses With simple, fun-to-play games and easy to use motion controls, it was an oddly transcendent experience that even your grandma could have fun with. The Wii was a sensation, selling over 100 million units, and pretty much everyone had one. ...And then in 2012, the Wii U released. The skies turned grey, the birds stopped singing, and for many people, video games just kind of, went away. Although there were some fantastic games on the Wii U (many of which have made their way to the Switch), I'll forgive you for not owning one. The system was poorly marketed and it was confusing to many people, leading to poor sales and minimal game support from third-party publishers. But Nintendo learned a lot from the failure of the Wii U, and they more than made up for it with the release of the Nintendo Switch in 2017. The Switch takes the best aspects of the Wii and the Wii U, and mixes them with the handheld element of popular Nintendo systems like the Gameboy and DS. The Switch allows you to play at home on your TV, often using motion controls (like the Wii); or on the go in handheld mode, playing on the built in screen. So, if you owned a Wii, but you skipped the Wii U (like most people), and you've recently picked up a Switch, or you're thinking about getting one; or even if you're just feeling a bit nostalgic for the good old days of the Wii, we can help. We looked at the best selling Wii games of all time, and we complied this list of Switch games that any Wii fan is sure to love.

Wii Sports

Wii Sports was far and away the biggest breakout success for the Wii, maybe because it came bundled with every Wii system, but also because the game showcased the system's motion capabilities so successfully, that I'd be willing to bet some people never even bothered to buy additional games for their system. Nonetheless, there were multiple successful follow up games in the series, including Wii Sports Resort and Wii Play; and when you add them all together, the series "sold" over 144 million copies. I won't deny that I spent a fair amount of time with Wii Sports, vigorously lunging around my living room, swinging my Wii Remote as hard as I could (until I realized I could also lay on my couch and gently sway my Wii Remote to get a similar result). Now, unfortunately, there is no game called "Switch Sports," but there is a pretty reasonable facsimile in the Nintendo produced collection of mini-games, 1-2 Switch. Similarly to the way Wii Sports was essentially a tech demo for the Wii's motion controls, 1-2 Switch shows off the Joy-Con controllers' motion and "HD rumble" features in a number of clever and entertaining ways. However, if you're looking for a more literal motion-sports experience, try Mario Tennis Aces, Sports Party, or Go Vacation.

1-2 Swsitch | Mario Tennis Aces | Sports Party | Go Vacation

Wii Fit

For as fun as the Wii could be, there was also some serious fitness potential to the system's motion controls. To capitalize on this benefit, Nintendo released Wii Fit (and its follow up, Wii Fit Plus). These games featured a new character, the Wii Fit trainer, who guided players through a selection of aerobic activities and balance games, the latter using the Wii Balance Board accessory. And although the Wii Fit games were the most successful fitness games on the Wii, selling nearly 44 million copies, there were quite a few other excercise and fitness-focused games on the Wii as well. If you're looking for a similar motion-based fitness experience on the Switch, try out Ring Fit Adventure, which comes bundled with the "Ring-Con" and leg strap accessories, providing an intense and fun interval workout that combines cardio and strength training. Another game you might want to try out is Fitness Boxing, which will have you throwing punches, ducking, and weaving through workouts set to hit pop songs. Having spent quite a bit of time with both of these games, I was surprised by how much they reminded of my time doing bootcamp fitness workouts (especially the interval training in Ring Fit Adventure). I also thought about the fact that these games only cost a fraction of what we paid to have a real life trainer try to whip us into shape, which made me equally sad and happy.

Ring Fit Adventure | Fitness Boxing

Mario Kart Wii

Ok, this one's easy. If you loved playing Mario Kart Wii, racing around tracks and throwing turtle shells and banana peels at your opponents, you need look no further than Mario Kart 8 Deluxe for the Switch. The Mario Kart formula you know and love stays in-tact, and this time around there are more tracks, more racers, more items, and more vehicles. You can even use motion controls to steer, just like you did on the Wii. There's a reason Mario Kart Wii sold over 37 million copies; like all Mario Kart games, it's simple, straight-forward, and accessible; and at the same, it's time deep enough that you'll want to play again and again to perfect your craft and unlock more tracks and classes. Similarly, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe can truly be as simple or complex as you'd like it to be. You can leave all the assists on, just select whichever character and vehicle combinations look cool, and go have some fun racing on Rainbow Road. You could also do what I do, look at the stats for every driver/vehicle combination, scrutinize over whether to prioritize acceleration or weight, and try to pefect your power slides and boosts around every curve. ...Not that any of that helps me win against my niece and nephew. Ah, there's nothing quite like Mario Kart. Well, except for maybe Team Sonic Racing or Crash Team Racing, both of which are also available for the Switch.

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe | Team Sonic Racing | Crash Team Racing Nitro-Fueled

New Super Mario Bros. Wii

For nearly 35 years, the Super Mario Bros. formula has been a winning combination. Run through courses from left to right, jump over (or on) enemies, break bricks, collect power-ups, and jump on the flagpole at the end. Fans of the classic side-scrolling Super Mario games on the original NES, GameBoy, and SNES, got a nostalgia-packed surprise when the series returned to its 2D roots in the modernized New Super Mario Bros. Wii, which sold over 30 million copies. If you invested some serious hours into New Super Mario Bros. Wii (or any of the classic Super Mario Bros. games, for that matter), you need to check out New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe for Switch. It's all the classic-style Mario platforming you love, packed with new levels, new power ups, and it even includes an entire second game, New Super Luigi U, which steps up the speed and challenge. For even more Super Mario love on the Switch, check out Super Mario Maker 2; which, as you might have deduced, allows you to create your own levels (or play through levels ceated by other players), but more importantly, it features a full Super Mario story campaign, packed with over 120 new levels, featuring visual and play styles that span the history of the Super Mario franchise. As a platforming fan, New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe and Super Mario Maker 2 were easily two of my favorite and most played games of 2019. I'm also going to toss in a quick honorable mention here. If you're a fan of 2D platformers, and you liked Donkey Kong Country Returns on the Wii, make sure you check out Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze on the Switch.

New Super Mario Bros U Deluxe | Super Mario Maker 2 | Donkey Kong Country Tropical Freeze

Mario Party 8

Although the Mario Party franchise didn't begin its life on the Wii, the system's motion controls and focus on local multiplayer (in your living room) drove Mario Party 8 and Mario Pary 9, as well as the similar Wii Party, to massive success, selling nearly 21 million copies combined. Playing these digital board games with your friends and family and battling it out through mini-games, vying for stars, was fun back then, and it's still fun now (maybe even more fun) with Super Mario Party on the Switch. Up to 4 players can grab a Joy-Con controller and compete in 80 new mini-games, making their way across 4 new Mario-themed boards to see who the true super star is. As always, the mini-games are bizarre, unexpected, and quite fun. I'm kind of partial to "Can Take Pancake," myself. One of the best things about Super Mario Party is the replayability factor. Just like a traditional board game, the outcome changes every time, so you can play over and over, plus there are a plethora of other cooperative and competitive modes to choose from.

Super Mario Party