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This speedrunner has decided to do what no one has ever done: speedrun the entire catalog of a console

In an ambitious challenge that tests perseverance and skill, Storster, a dedicated player, has set the goal of completing all 1,242 games released for the Nintendo Wii in North America, along with 400 digital titles from the Virtual Console. This mission is not only monumental due to the number of games but also because of the diversity of genres and qualities that span over seven years of the console’s history. Completing the Wii as quickly as possible Storster’s journey is being documented on his YouTube channel, where to date he has published […]

In an ambitious challenge that tests perseverance and skill, Storster, a dedicated player, has set the goal of completing all 1,242 games released for the Nintendo Wii in North America, along with 400 digital titles from the Virtual Console. This mission is not only monumental due to the sheer number of games but also because of the diversity of genres and qualities that span over seven years of the console’s history.

Get through the Wii as quickly as possible

The journey of Storster is being documented on his YouTube channel, where to date he has published 21 videos, starting his feat with the acclaimed Mario Kart Wii, which he considers “the best Mario Kart.” From there, his journey includes a variety of titles, from classics like Silent Hill: Shattered Memories to lesser-known gems like Rubik’s World and DeFenDin’ De Penguin. His effort stands out not only for its ambition but also for the tribute it pays to the rich and varied library of the Wii, beyond the big names known to all.

The speedrunning community is known for its exceptional dedication and superhuman skills to overcome challenges that sometimes seem impossible. However, Storster’s mission diverges from record times, focusing on the completion of each game, demonstrating that patience and love for video games are just as important as speed. As he progresses in this monumental achievement, his story resonates in a community that values perseverance over competition.

As his odyssey through the Wii catalog continues, Storster is not only writing his own story within the world of speedrunning, but also creating a testament for an entire generation of players, a legacy that transcends time and the limits of the initial challenge.

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This is the most useless device in the history of Nintendo: it only works to play one game and it might possibly hurt you

The Bio Sensor, a device launched by Nintendo in Japan in late 1998, marked a milestone at the intersection of technology and video games by allowing the player’s heart rate to modify the difficulty of the famous Tetris 64. This innovative peripheral, designed to connect to the Nintendo 64 controller, included a clip that was placed on the player’s ear, analyzing their heart rate in real time and adjusting the gaming experience in a mode called Bio Tetris. Although it was a bold attempt to integrate the player’s physiology into gameplay, the device never made it out of […]

The Bio Sensor, a device launched by Nintendo in Japan in late 1998, marked a milestone at the intersection of technology and video games, allowing the player’s heart rate to modify the difficulty of the renowned Tetris 64. This innovative peripheral, designed to connect to the Nintendo 64 controller, included a clip that was placed on the player’s ear, analyzing their heart rate in real time and adjusting the gaming experience in a mode called Bio Tetris. Although it was a bold attempt to integrate the player’s physiology into gameplay, the device never left Japan and was only applied to this particular title.

A useless device that only serves to play Tetris

The Bio Sensor was offered both independently and in a package alongside Tetris 64. Its unique functionality allowed for two game modes, contributing to a more immersive experience, especially in its multiplayer version. However, despite its originality, the Bio Sensor is part of an extensive culture of unusual peripherals that spans the history of video games, where innovative ideas have been both acclaimed and considered complete failures.

Almost a decade later, Nintendo introduced the Wii Vitality Sensor, a similar device intended to capture heartbeats during the gaming experience in various Wii titles. However, the company eventually abandoned the product, although it did not give up on the idea of using players’ emotions and reactions as an integral part of the game dynamics.

Meanwhile, Tetris has continued to evolve over time, presenting new variants that have expanded the boundaries of the classic game. Titles like Tetris Effect, which offers stunning sensory experiences, especially in virtual reality, demonstrate that the franchise continues to explore new ways to connect with its players, highlighting the lasting relevance of the series within digital entertainment culture.

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Nintendo has announced Switch 2, but has it shown enough to replicate the success of the first one?

Nintendo goes at its own pace. That’s why it shouldn’t surprise anyone that it took until January 16th to present its next console. Even if we had known about its existence for months. Or if practically everything about it had been leaked weeks ago. For Nintendo to change its plans once they have been considered, something potentially catastrophic must occur, and that is a problem, both for the company and its fans. Why? Because we are in a situation where the announcement of Switch 2 doesn’t feel sufficient. And […]

Nintendo goes at its own pace. That’s why it shouldn’t surprise anyone that it took until last January 16 to present its next console. Even if it had been months since we knew of its existence. Or weeks since practically everything about it had been leaked. For Nintendo to change its plans once they have been considered, something potentially catastrophic must occur, and that is a problem, both for the company and its fans.

Why? Because we are in a situation where the announcement of Switch 2 doesn’t feel sufficient. And not precisely because of the leaks. But to delve into that topic, let’s break down everything we know for sure and what we can infer. Because although the announcement was brief, there is quite a bit to discuss.

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Everything We Know for Sure About Switch 2

About the things we know for sure about the successor to the current Nintendo console, we have its name, size, and appearance. Named Nintendo Switch 2, it is notably larger than the current console, but still has the same layout: a portable console that connects to a dock, with controllers that can be detached from the screen. Now with what seem to be improved systems of everything we already have in the Nintendo Switch, it appears to be an enhanced version of the current console.

All of this is not a bad thing. Many people have rushed to say that the lack of innovation is a problem, that it is a demonstration of a Nintendo in decline, but it is not true. Nintendo and innovation are not two words that always go hand in hand. Throughout its history, Nintendo has had more iterative consoles than groundbreaking ones, and this is just another example of the former. Is it the first time they release a console with a 2 in the name? That is true. But they also have the resounding failure of the Wii U and the lesser failure of the Nintendo 3DS fresh in their memory: it’s normal that they want to play it safe after the success of the Switch.

That doesn’t take away from the fact that the announcement was excessively conservative. By presenting the console as they have, they leave us with more questions than answers. Saying that we will know more on April 2, in two and a half months, is not an answer. And meanwhile, many doubts remain.

A large part of the audience has been left dissatisfied. As have the shareholders. And we are not surprised. We have neither seen the console in operation nor do we know how much more powerful or different it is compared to the Switch and, officially, we don’t even know about new games. So, really, this announcement has been just to present us with the image of the console, not even the existence of the console. A move that is not what Nintendo needed right now.

Some things we suspect, but are not confirmed, about the console

On the positive side, it is true that there are a few elements inferred from this presentation that give us hope. The joycons moving vertically suggest that they can function as mice, a functionality that fits with their new hardware. Similarly, the images of Mario Kart shown in the trailer do not correspond to Mario Kart 8, which suggests the existence of a new Mario Kart on the horizon. A great idea considering the sales of the previous game in the franchise.

The problem is that none of this is confirmed. They are mere speculations. Worse yet, is Mario Kart the game you want to showcase a console with?

Mario Kart is a game that doesn’t stand out for its graphics or gameplay. It sells a lot, is enjoyed in many homes, but it is not a game that will demonstrate the console’s capabilities, unlike a Mario or a Zelda, to stick to games that sell in absolutely staggering numbers. And that’s the problem. It’s not clear who this announcement is aimed at. Because it’s constructed as if it were directed at a casual audience, but those who are truly interested are the fans: those who need details, not just vague hints.

Can Switch 2 Fail?

This creates a problem in the hands of Nintendo. They have two and a half months ahead with a trailer that excites as it is a new console, but nothing more. They have not given us reasons to eagerly await the presentation of their games or the release of the console beyond the hype they were already feeding us with. And that is a problem that can backfire on them: people may end up disappointed by receiving much less than they expected after so much anticipation.

To reverse this situation, Nintendo has little room for maneuver. Not when it is a company known for not having any flexibility when it comes to making changes. With their Direct scheduled for April 2nd, their only possibility is, ironically, to be flexible.

They need to give us more information. Communicate better. We need to know about games, console features, release date, and price. It’s not necessary to know everything, but we do need to know some of these aspects. The longer they withhold this information, the more amazing it must be so that we don’t feel tremendously disappointed when they present it. A console much more expensive than the original, a distant release date, mediocre features, or a launch with few or uninteresting games, given the current climate, could lead to the console’s death before its birth. And that will be self-inflicted by Nintendo itself.

Nintendo’s Crossroads: Only They Know Their Plans

Of course, there is a possibility that the console will have excellent features, numerous and prodigious launch games, a nearby release date, and a very affordable price. In that case, Nintendo has nothing to worry about. But if not, and in the business world, you never have the perfect product under ideal circumstances, they need to do one thing: ensure they don’t burn out their audience.

Knowing whether Switch 2 will be a success or not is impossible today. What is possible is to gauge people’s reactions. And what is seen is that the enthusiasm is also tinged with some disappointment and bitterness. Nintendo cannot afford that. If they are going to continue with their plans and if those plans involve keeping us in the dark for months as they have suggested, they run a very real risk of their audience turning their backs on them. Something that not even a great success like Switch can save you from. As Wii already demonstrated.

That is why everything is now in the hands of Nintendo. And whether the console ultimately fails or succeeds will largely depend on their marketing plans in the coming months. In addition to the flexibility they demonstrate.

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When Star Wars insisted on releasing a cruel and bloody game depicting the origin of Darth Maul… on Wii

We wanted people to see him as a child kidnapped by Emperor Palpatine and physically, mentally, and emotionally tortured until he became this powerful Sith

Year 1999. ‘Star Wars, Episode I – The Phantom Menace’ broke the 16-year drought without a film in the saga, and it did so with a prequel that introduced us to a handful of new characters like Qui-Gon Jinn, the hated Jar-Jar Binks or Darth Maul. This Sith, capable of using a double-bladed lightsaber, soon became an iconic figure. So much so that, years later, it was considered important enough to tell his origins… in a Wii video game.

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Neither good nor bad

Red Fly Studio, developers of game versions for Wii and DS (meaning, with graphics lowered to a minimum and a rather questionable quality) such as ‘Ghostbusters’, ‘Star Wars: The Force Unleashed II’ or ‘Thor’ wanted to prove their worth and for that, after a call from LucasArts, they considered a game about the origins of Darth Maul for Nintendo consoles. And it’s not what you expect: “We wanted people to see him as a child kidnapped by Emperor Palpatine and physically, mentally and emotionally tortured until becoming this powerful Sith.”

The idea was for the player to become Darth Maul and thus justify his actions: “You get angry, frustrated, and make the same mistakes as him. No one has seen the Sith training up close. No one has seen how a Sith is built from childhood to adulthood. We have only seen the change in five seconds: Anakin Skywalker cries a little and suddenly he is bad.” He is not wrong and the game, frankly, would be very interesting… but Red Fly couldn’t go any further.

On December 9, 2010, the development of ‘Maul’ officially began. The problem was that, at the same time, the saga was going to tell its story in Clone Wars and they didn’t share much of it with Red Fly. Little by little, as the days went by, the studio realized that they were never going to make their video game about the origin of Darth Maul. It was going to be, rather, a spin-off of ‘Clone Wars’. Lucasarts didn’t give them information about the series or the direction of the project, but they did give them a title: ‘Battle of the Sith Lords’.

In the absence of lore information, the studio simply started making a game. “The initial plan was to make an action-focused infiltration game,” in the style of ‘Arkham Asylum‘. The prototype kept growing, the character could already move, and the art direction was working hard on the first game to come out of their Wii and DS stronghold and go to PS3, Xbox 360, and PC.

And then entered George Lucas. Yes, the very George Lucas, in a meeting for which they were given three pieces of advice: never say “no” or “yes, it will be easy”, never mention Starkiller, the protagonist of ‘The force unleashed’ (and refer to him as “that guy”) and not try to explain how the Force works. The meeting did not go as expected: Lucas adored a new Sith called Darth Talon, and intended for her and Maul to be friends. In fact, it is said that he imitated her like a 40s actress saying “Don’t you know how to whistle? Put your lips together and blow”.

So, he wanted them to erase everything and make a Maul and Talon buddy movie. The problem? Both, in the saga’s canon, were separated by 170 years! But Lucas also had a solution: that the protagonist wouldn’t be Darth Maul but a descendant or a clone. Three hours later, the producers from Red Fly left the meeting feeling like they had been run over by a bus.

Finally, after two and a half weeks without communication, Lucasarts decided to cancel the game just as it was coming out of its prototype stage. It was June 24, 2011, and his dream was over. Red Fly had to lay off 70% of its workers but managed to survive. Meanwhile, ‘Star Wars‘ was sold to Disney for an absolutely insane amount of money. And Maul’s infiltration game could never be carried out. Rest in the Force.

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Top 5 best Mario games

Which one of Mario’s countless adventures was his best?

Mario is the king of video games. He is to video games what Mickey Mouse is to kids’ cartoons, or what Batman is to comics. He has set the standard for what video games should strive to accomplish, and every time he graces our consoles, he sets that bar higher and higher.

We decided to pay homage to our favorite mustached plumber by counting down our five Mario favorite games.

Look, Mario has been in a stupid amount of video games. Also, he has been in an even stupider amount of side games. For this list, we are sticking with main series Mario games. We will not be considering any of his sports games, the Mario Kart games, or the Mario Party games.

Top 5 best Mario games

Super Mario Galaxy

The Nintendo Wii was both famous and infamous for its motion controls. You probably remember playing Wii Sports with the entire family and having a blast. However, you probably also playing games like Red Steel with broken motion controls that made you want to chuck the Wii Remote through the wall.

When we found out we were getting a main series Mario game for the Wii, we were both excited and worried. Sure, Mario rarely disappointed us, but we were worried that developers were going to force the shoddy controllers in the game. Fortunately, Mario soared through his time on the Wii with an incredible game. Mario Galaxy was a lot of fun with all of the things we love about the franchise. It also introduced us to Roselina, who has become a beloved character in the series.

It’s not the best Mario game by a longshot, but we are always willing to dust off our old Wii to play this sucker time and time again.

You need to see this AR Mario game

Check it out ►

Super Mario Bros. 3

Super Mario Bros. 3 took all of the things from the NES Mario games and added about 1,000 other things that made this game legendary. Mario has a bunch of new power-ups that fans love. From the Frog Suit, to the Hammer Bros. Suit, to the Tanooki Suit, everyone has a favorite.

This was the first time that a Mario game really got a fully fleshed-out story. You don’t have to read the back of the box to get an idea of what the story entails, you can find out simply by playing through the game. It’s a simple story, but it’s one we will gladly play through over and over again.

Watch: Fastest Super Mario Bros. speedrun in history

Go, go, mario! ►

Super Mario Odyssey

In a way, Super Mario Odyssey feels more like another sequel to Super Mario Galaxy. However, the new controls and mechanics in the game make this such an unforgettable experience. There is never a point in the game where you don’t feel like you’re in control. If you can imagine Mario doing something, there’s probably a way to make him do it.

We have to talk about the hat-throwing mechanics. The mechanics allow the player to not only control enemies while taking their abilities, but it also adds another way to navigate through each level. The worlds in Super Mario Odyssey are basically like jungle gyms for Mario, and his hat can make him leap and bound through these jungle gyms like a pro!

The game is a celebration of every Mario game that has come before it. It is uplifting, and will even make the more nostalgic gamer a bit misty-eyed from time to time.

Rare Super Mario Bros. game sells for $100,150

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Super Mario World

Super Mario World is insane.

There really isn’t another game where you can choose your own path as flawlessly as you can in Super Mario World. Sure, if you want, you can play through each normal level until you face Bowser in the finale. Or, you can find one of the million warp zones hidden throughout the world so you can skip huge chunks of the game.

If you want, you can beat this game in just a few hours. However, if you want to play everything the game has to offer, it’s going to take you a few days to finish this beast off.

Animated Super Mario movie is on the way

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Super Mario 64

Super Mario 64 is the mac-daddy of 3D platformers. Players have taken this game and have stretched the possibilities to their fullest extent. Don’t believe us? There’s a guy who collected all 120 Stars in the game in less than two hours.

Your average gamer would probably need a few weeks to accomplish that feat, but that’s just how crazy this game has made some of us. We want to see how far we can push it. We want to see if there’s anything else left to be found. We want to see just how much we can challenge Mario. Why? Because time and time again we have seen that the game still has more to offer.

10 best Wii games

Wii would like to play! Check out the best games that ever graced the Nintendo Wii.

When the Nintendo Wii was first announced, it was quite possibly the most excited the world had ever been for a new console.

The Wii Remote was unlike any controller we had ever seen. Players were no longer going to be maneuvering around with an analog stick, but with motion controls. It truly felt like the wave of the future.

Too bad it really fell flat.

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Motion controls have been downplayed a lot since the days of the Wii. The motion controls worked well on maybe a handful of Wii games and were complete garbage on others.

For example: when Donkey Kong Country Returns was released for the Wii, somebody thought it would be a good idea to have players shake the controller in order to get DK to roll. Later on, the game was ported to the Nintendo 3DS and players could use a joystick and buttons. Once we were able to play it that way, it turned out the game was actually a lot of fun. However, it was virtually unplayable on the Wii.

To make matters worse, they were obscenely hard to buy when they first came out. For some reason, Nintendo didn’t supply many consoles to stores making so buyers had to camp out in front of the store before it opened to get one.

Look, the title of this article is “Top 10 Wii games,” so clearly we liked a few of them. When the motion controls worked, games could actually be a lot of fun. However, we’re glad that Nintendo eventually decided to put actual controllers back in our hands.

Top 10 Wii games

10. Kirby’s Epic Yarn

Before Yoshi made his way to the world of wool, Kirby’s Epic Yarn spun a pretty great adventure.

Kirby’s Epic Yarn wasn’t supposed to be a Kirby game at first. However, once developers saw how fun the game was and how beautiful it looked, Kirby was added to help boost sales.

Kirby is known for inhaling his enemies and then gaining their powers. However, Kirby has a new array of tools in this classic. Instead, Kirby spins yarn and morphs himself into whatever he needs to be to overcome challenges.

The platformer isn’t very difficult, and the more adept player can probably knock this out in a day or so. However, for those that have played it, they can assure you that you’re in a for a fun Warp Star ride.

9. Super Smash Bros. Brawl

Most fans of Smash agree that Super Smash Bros. Brawl was a huge step down from Super Smash Bros. Melee. The game just isn’t as fast-paced as Melee, and the new mechanics that were added were atrocious. It was the first Smash game to have online matchmaking, but the online side lagged so incredibly bad that almost nobody played it.

You can slip and fall over. Who even thought of that?

However, Brawl did give us an epic story mode with Subspace Emissary. Subspace was absolutely incredible. It felt like an Avengers storyline, but with our favorite Nintendo characters. It was an incredible adventure that we, unfortunately, have not seen since in other Smash games.

Brawl also gave us a bunch of cool characters that are staples in the series now including Ike, Snake, Sonic, Meta Knight, Pokémon Trainer, and Zero Suit Samus.

Thankfully, the Wii allowed us to use our old GameCube controllers to play the game, so we weren’t forced to use the Wii Remote. Brawl might just be the worst Smash game, but it’s still a Smash game.

10 best GameCube games

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8. New Super Mario Bros. Wii

Much like Kirby’s Epic Yarn, New Super Mario Bros. Wii isn’t going to take you very long to beat. Even if you are casually playing through the game, you can get through the entire main story in just a few hours.

However, those are gonna be some of the most fun hours you’ve had in a while. The game takes Mario back to basics in a classic side-scrolling adventure. No 3D exploration. No maps where you hunt for stars. No bull.

You know what? It really works.

Get up to three other friends with you, and you can turn it this into a party game the likes of which you’ve never seen.

7. The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword

All things considered, The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess is a far better game. However, the GameCube version is better than the Wii version. On Wii, The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword is much more fun.

Much like Brawl, this is a weak entry in its franchise as a whole, but it’s still a fun game nonetheless. Skyward Sword revolves around Link on his journey to save Princess Zelda from an evil force blah blah blah, it’s the basic story yet again. The game included a crafting portion to make new gear and upgrade existing weapons. In most other games it would work, but it just seems out of place here in Zelda.

Also, you have a new guide named Fi. If you thought Navi was annoying, wait until you get a load of her. Navi at least had personality; Fi feels like a lifeless zombie who takes away from the adventure.

That said, the game still is a lot of fun and has a lot of great Zelda moments. As far as boss battles in Zelda go, this game has some of the best.

If you’re looking for something on par with Ocarina of Time, this ain’t it, chief. However, if you’re looking for a decent entry in the series to eat up a few hours.

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6. Okami

Okami is one of the most beautiful games ever made.

You play as a wolf as you adventure through a painted tapestry. Your means of travel and attacks all coordinate with brush strokes, which make the game sometimes feel more like you’re painting a picture.

The art style mixes with Japanese culture to make a truly unique experience that you’ll never forget.

With all the characters that people want to see get added to Smash, Amaterasu from Okami is almost never brought up.

Come on, Sakurai. Make it happen!

5. Mario Kart Wii

While we got a below average Smash game and a below average Zelda game, we honestly got one of the best Mario Kart games with Mario Kart Wii.

Just listen to that music:

The Wii’s motion controls actually worked pretty well for this game. Even if you didn’t like them, the game allowed you to use a slew of other controllers to tickle your fancy.

Like Brawl, this game had online matchmaking, but the lag wasn’t nearly as bad. Sure, it paled in comparison to the online capabilities of the PlayStation 3 and the Xbox 360, but we still got to show some elementary school kids who’s the boss.

4. Xenoblade Chronicles

Xenoblade Chronicles flew passed a lot of peoples’ radar. It was also a pretty rare find in the United States. After the game was discovered to be the absolute gem that it is, you’d have to dish out around $100 IF you could somehow find a copy.

Xenoblade Chronicles is considered to be one of the best RPGs of our time. It simply nails every aspect. The combat is fun. The crafting is addictive. The story is epic. The characters are intoxicating.

From start to finish, Xenoblade Chronicles will have you hooked.

3. Super Mario Galaxy 2

To be honest, Super Mario Galaxy 2 does not feel like its own game. It feels like DLC for the first Super Mario Galaxy.

Guess what? We are totally fine with that!

Super Mario Galaxy 2 brings all the elements that made the first Mario Galaxy great and adds a bunch more awesome mechanics. For instance, you can ride Yoshi in this game!

Sure, blasting through the cosmos is fun, but it’s even more fun on the back of your dino bestie!

With all that being said, it still couldn’t beat its predecessor…

2. Super Mario Galaxy

Super Mario Galaxy was the first Mario game that felt like a true successor to Super Mario 64. Mario didn’t just jump into the next generation of gaming; he launched himself from a star cannon and flew past planets along the way.

The music accompanying the game was extraordinary. Mario moved through the galaxy accompanied by an orchestra every step of the way.

Yeah, Super Mario Galaxy 2 added some more features. However, the developers clearly put their best ideas for bosses and levels into this gem.

As much as we loved this game on the Wii, we have to admit that the title begs for a remake. If Nintendo was able to make Mario work as well as they did on the Switch with Super Mario Odyssey, then they should be able to to do the same with Mario Galaxy.

1. Wii Sports

Hold on, before you go typing an angry comment down below, hear us out.

Wii Sports was the game played most by players and is probably the only Wii game that hasn’t had a suitable replacement made since.

Think about it. All the games on this list are fun, but would you really go through the trouble of hooking up your Wii, Wii Remote, and sensor bar just to play Mario Galaxy? We’re guessing you wouldn’t.

However, if you’re having a group of friends over, wouldn’t it be fun to break out bowling or tennis?

Wii Sports got the motion controls better than any other game on the Switch. It has aged quite well, and, just to cap it all off, it came free with every Nintendo Wii.

Wrapping up

Do you agree with our picks? What ones slipped past our radar, and deserve recognition? Let us know in the comments below!