Though its often seen as a toy more than a video game console, there are many games intended for older gamers, including some truly frightening titles. Most involve zombies who have found their own sub genre in gaming. Click at your own risk.
Readers Beware
Though the Nintendo Wii is known mostly for its kid-friendly titles, don’t be fooled. There are several games that boast eerie, suspenseful plots or delightfully terrifying gore.
Given Halloween’s only a few short weeks away, here are some Wii titles you should check out if you’re looking for a good scare or at least an opportunity to dismember the undead.
Point and Shoot
House of the Dead 2 & 3 The Return
These shoot em’ ups are nothing new to gamers. Apart from years of being a mainstay in arcades, both House of the Dead games have made home console appearances on the Sega Dreamcast and the original XBOX. The graphics are nothing spectacular, the voice acting is the worst I’ve ever heard (yes even worse than the original Resident Evil), but despite these shortcommings its a fantastic port of one the most memorable arcade games in recent memory.
The game’s first person view puts you right into the zombie action and the first time the saw wielding zombie runs out you, you can’t help but get spooked. In the part 3, the prison guard with the blunt instrument composed of human skulls is both creepy and spectacularly awesome at the same time.
The Beginning of Survival Horror
Resident Evil Archives: Resident Evil
Though the title is a blatant reissue of the Gamecube version, this Capcom classic is as scary as ever. While it does not boast great controls like Resident Evil 4, it is still a decent game and totally worth it if you don’t already own it on earlier consoles. With great graphics, eerie sounds and some truly freaky cut scenes, this is still one of the most horrifying gaming experiences ever.
The game plays basically identical to the Playstation title that began the sub genre known as “Survival Horror” and even though I’ve played the game multiple times throughout the years on three different consoles, there are plenty of times when I jump and it gives a genuine scare. Unlike Resident Evil Umbrella, it's more about the survival and terror that pumping zombies with bullets with your zapper – though both are great ways to game.