9 Best Nintendo Wii Shoot 'em up Games

The Nintendo Wii was known for its diverse library covering multiple genres. The Shoot ’em up genre was not an exception despite the somewhat small quantity of shooters. From classic 2D shooters to modern bullet hell shooters the Wii library offers a decent array of Shmups.

Today we are here to offer you a small list of the best Shmups on the mighty Nintendo Wii. Whether you’re a fan of the classic 8-bit games or the more modern 3D shooters, the Wii has a great selection of titles to choose from. So, get ready to blast your way through waves of enemies with some of the best shoot ’em-ups on the Wii.

Ultimate Shooting Collection 2009

About
	Release Date February 02, 2009
	Developer MileStone Inc.
	Publisher UFO Interactive
	Genre Shoot 'Em Up
	Players Single Player
	Monetization Buy to Play
	Country of Origin Japan

Wii Releases
2009-02-02
2009-02-20

Ultimate Shooting Collection offers three full-blown Japanese shooters in one package. The first game is Chaos Field a Gamecube title ported to the Wii, the game offers a classic top-down shooter similar to tiles like the Gradius series and Ikaruga. The visuals are fine and the gameplay is decent enough to keep you busy.

The second title is Karous an average vertical scrolling shooter, the goal on each stage is to clear the screen for enemies while avoiding incoming attacks. The game also replaces the typical power-up system with an upgrade system similar to classic RPGs. Finally, Radirgy a bullet hell shooter previously released on the Sega Dreamcast, the game offers a challenging shooter with cartoony art style and cell-shaded graphics.  On the whole, the collection is well worth it for what it offers with three full games in one package.

BlastWorks Build, Trade, Destroy 2008

About
	Release Date June 10, 2008
	Developer Budcat Creations
	Publisher Majesco Entertainment
	Genre Shoot 'Em Up
	Graphics 3D
	Perspective Side Scroller
	Interaction Real-Time
	Players Single Player
	Monetization Buy to Play
	Country of Origin United States

Wii Releases
2008-06-10
2009-04-03

BlastWorks Build, Trade, Destroy is a fun and creative game that allows players to create levels, ships, and enemies of their own. The player controls a spacecraft venturing through multiple levels. The main objective is to destroy the enemy’s ship and use them to build and upgrade your own spacecraft. In addition, there is also a level editor where you can create your own scenarios and even craft your own foes to battle.

Geometry Wars Galaxies 2007

About
	Release Date November 23, 2007
	Developer Bizarre Creations
	Publisher Vivendi Games
	Genre Twin-Stick Shooter
	Graphics 2D
	Perspective Top-Down
	Interaction Real-Time
	Players Single Player
	Monetization Buy to Play
	Country of Origin United Kingdom

Wii Releases
2007-11-23

Geometry Wars Galaxies is a throwback to classic shooters offering the same formula with updated visuals and audio. The player controls a spaceship that can be moved in all directions. In each level, the player must shoot down the incoming enemy’s spaceship while avoiding obstacles and bullets. The game features a variety of weapons, power-ups, and enemy types. It also has a variety of game modes, such as a survival mode, a time attack mode, and a puzzle mode. Overall, the game is very addicting and fun offering colorful graphics, smooth animation, and a decent soundtrack selection.

Illvelo 2008

About
	Release Date June 11, 2008
	Developer MileStone Inc.
	Publisher MileStone Inc.
	Genre Shoot 'Em Up
	Graphics 2D
	Perspective Top-Down
	Interaction Real-Time
	Players Single Player
	Monetization Buy to Play
	Country of Origin Japan

Wii Releases
2008-11-13

Illvelo for Wii is a port of an obscure Japanese shooter. While the Wii port didn’t make it to the west, minimal language skill is required to play this gem. The player controls a mysterious protagonist venturing inside a computer operating system. The game is known for its wacky and bizarre level design mixing colorful cell-shaded graphics with a trippy environment.

In addition to the typical shooter element the game adds a support ship system where the player can deploy a drone around the level and use it as a fixed shooting base in addition to the basic weapon on his ship. The game also offers four different special attacks at your disposal which can be chosen by holding the right stick, each one of these special attacks is unique on its own and offer a good workaround if the enemies are too overwhelming. If you like some grinding mixed with a bit of challenge this game is definitely for you.

Ocean Commander 2008

About
	Release Date July 15, 2008
	Developer CyberPlanet Interactive
	Publisher Valcon Games
	Genre Shoot 'Em Up
	Graphics 2D
	Perspective Side Scroller
	Interaction Real-Time
	Players Single Player
	Monetization Buy to Play
	Country of Origin Thailand

Wii Releases
2009-03-31

Ocean Commander is a classic single-player side-scrolling shooter. The game takes place in a post-apocalyptic world where the earth has been submerged in water. However, wars are still occurring even underwater. You take control of a war submarine fighting multiple underwater ships.

The submarine can move all around the screen in all directions, and you can also shoot at enemies from all directions back and forth. Graphic wise the game offers a simple 2D art style with decent animation and somewhat mediocre sound. On the whole, the game is decent enough to go through it at least once, if you can overlook the bad sound it wouldn’t hurt to try it.

Radirgy Noa 2010

About
	Release Date February 25, 2010
	Developer MileStone Inc.
	Publisher MileStone Inc.
	Genre Shoot 'Em Up
	Graphics 2D
	Perspective Top-Down
	Interaction Real-Time
	Players Single Player
	Monetization Buy to Play
	Country of Origin Japan

Wii Releases
2010-02-25

Radirgy Noa is another Japanese-only game on this list, the game act as a sequel to Radirgy previously presented in the Ultimate Shooting Collection. The game is fairly similar to the previous title offering a decent Shmup with colorful graphics and a wacky art style.

The player controls a battleship taking down different enemies, you have two main weapons at your service, a typical shooting gun, and a close-range blast that acts like a sword slash when enemies are too close. Dropping down enemy ships reward the player with different powerups that can change the bullet’s layout and direction. Overall, the Wii port is decent enough, despite the title being a Japanese import, no language skills are required to go through the whole game.

Saint 2009

About
	Release Date July 21, 2009
	Developer Opera House
	Publisher UFO Interactive
	Genre Shoot 'Em Up
	Graphics 2D
	Perspective Side Scroller
	Interaction Real-Time
	Players Single Player
	Monetization Buy to Play
	Country of Origin Japan

Wii Releases
2009-07-21

Saint brings back a classic story in the form of a decent Shoot ’em up game. The game follows the tale of the Monkey King previously mentioned in the classic Chinese novel Journey to the West. Saint offers a side-scrolling shooter where you take control of the Monkey King as he flies on his cloud taking down multiple enemies using his bat to shoot down some magical bullets. Up to 20 levels are available with multiple weapons and upgrade to choose from. While the art direction is fairly mediocre the gameplay has a lot more to offer if you are willing to take the risk.

Castle of Shikigami III 2007

About
	Release Date December 13, 2007
	Developer Alfa System
	Publisher Arc System Works
	Genre Shoot 'Em Up
	Graphics 3D
	Perspective Top-Down
	Interaction Real-Time
	Players Single Player
	Monetization Buy to Play
	Country of Origin Japan

Wii Releases
2007-12-13

Castle Shikigami III continues the legacy of its previous titles, while the game is known for its hilariously bad voice acting, it also offers a fairly decent Shoot ’em up with solid elements and a fair challenge. The game follows a group of teenagers with supernatural abilities known as the Shikigami.

In the game, the player can take control of one of eight different Shikigami users venturing into multiple levels full of enemies and challenges. The game also offers over fifty possible story elements depending on your performance on the game. Overall, Castle Shikigami III offers a rewarding experience with a great challenge and a wide cast to choose from each with its own unique abilities and attack patterns.

The Monkey King The Legend Begins 2007

About
	Release Date September 06, 2007
	Developer Opera House
	Publisher UFO Interactive
	Genre Shoot 'Em Up
	Graphics 2D
	Perspective Side Scroller
	Interaction Real-Time
	Players Single Player
	Monetization Buy to Play
	Country of Origin Japan

Wii Releases
2007-09-06
2008-05-27

The Monkey King The Legend Begins takes inspiration from the 16-bit era with the chibi art style and fully rendered 2D animation. the player venture into a world full of fantasy and mythologies taking place in ancient china. Once again you take control of the legendary Monkey King venturing on your beloved yellow cloud.

The game offers a 2d side-scrolling environment where you move back and forth shooting different enemies, and collecting various power-ups. Graphics wise the game looks stunning with beautiful and crisp 2d spirits, the soundtrack is also a marvel to listen to taking inspiration from classic Chinese music.