Best games
Best Wii U games of 2006
The 10 best Wii U games released in 2006, ranked from 1,407 critic and player ratings.
The best Wii U game of 2006 is The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess, with a critic score of 98/100 — updated September 2026.
How this ranking is built
- Games are ranked on the aggregated critic score out of 100 imported from IGDB and Metacritic, never on Tier's own grades.
- A game only enters the ranking with at least 30 external ratings, so a single enthusiastic review never outranks a proven classic.
- Community grades from F to S are shown next to every game, and only stated as a fact above 5 Tier ratings.
- Release window covered: 2006.
- 10 games are listed on this page, carrying 1,407 ratings between them.
- Rankings are recomputed hourly; this one was last rebuilt on 29 September 2026.
Top 10
01
The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess
The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess was initially developed with the Nintendo GameCube in mind, but ended up receiving a Wii port when it was released to promote the new console. This version has motion control compatibility for the sword and pointer controls for the menus, the bow and the boomerang. This version of the game has a completely inverted map and locations when comparing with the GameCube release. The change in layout was meant to adapt Link's usually left-handed design to right-handed people, given the motion controls.
98
/100
02
New Super Mario Bros.
New Super Mario Bros. is a side-scrolling 2.5D action-adventure platformer game for the Nintendo DS, starring Mario and Luigi. The game features a solo story mode with Mario or Luigi, a two-player wireless game Mario Vs. Luigi, as well as a minigame mode for up to four players. The gameplay of New Super Mario Bros. is very much like that of the classic 2D platformers, mostly Super Mario Bros. and Super Mario Bros. 3, and substantially builds upon them to create gameplay both classic and contemporary. As the game is on DS, the touch screen allows players to store an additional power-up and view the distance still to go in a level.
95
/100
03
Mother 3
A turn-based JRPG and sequel to EarthBound (1994) in which a tragedy surrounding a family in the primitive yet joyful village of Tazmily incites the coming-of-age story of Lucas, the family's younger son, who goes on perilous adventures along with his friends in order to find his missing brother and stop a group of masked men from bringing about the end of the world.
90
/100
The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess
The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess was initially developed with the Nintendo GameCube in mind, but ended up receiving a Wii port when it was released to promote the new console. This version has motion control compatibility for the sword and pointer controls for the menus, the bow and the boomerang. This version of the game has a completely inverted map and locations when comparing with the GameCube release. The change in layout was meant to adapt Link's usually left-handed design to right-handed people, given the motion controls.
98
/100
02
New Super Mario Bros.
New Super Mario Bros. is a side-scrolling 2.5D action-adventure platformer game for the Nintendo DS, starring Mario and Luigi. The game features a solo story mode with Mario or Luigi, a two-player wireless game Mario Vs. Luigi, as well as a minigame mode for up to four players. The gameplay of New Super Mario Bros. is very much like that of the classic 2D platformers, mostly Super Mario Bros. and Super Mario Bros. 3, and substantially builds upon them to create gameplay both classic and contemporary. As the game is on DS, the touch screen allows players to store an additional power-up and view the distance still to go in a level.
95
/100
03
Mother 3
A turn-based JRPG and sequel to EarthBound (1994) in which a tragedy surrounding a family in the primitive yet joyful village of Tazmily incites the coming-of-age story of Lucas, the family's younger son, who goes on perilous adventures along with his friends in order to find his missing brother and stop a group of masked men from bringing about the end of the world.
90
/100
04
Metroid Prime Hunters
Metroid Prime Hunters is a first-person action-adventure game that combines exploration, shooting, and competitive multiplayer gameplay. Set across interconnected locations, it features objective-based progression alongside encounters with rival bounty hunters, each with distinct abilities and weapons. The game emphasizes fast-paced combat, environmental navigation, and upgrade-driven progression, with both single-player and multiplayer modes supporting a variety of playstyles.
85
/100
05
Yoshi's Island DS
Yoshi's Island DS is a 2D platformer for the Nintendo DS in the Yoshi's Island series. It is the sequel to Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island, where Kamek and the Toadies have kidnapped all the babies in the world in search for the star children, a group of seven babies who possess powerful stars in their hearts. While the game is heavily derivative from Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island, including general gameplay, themes, and graphics, the game primarily differentiates itself from its predecessor by taking advantage of the Nintendo DS's dual screen to display levels while introducing multiple babies to carry on Yoshi's back, who all have special abilities that are required to complete levels.
80
/100
06
Yakuza 2
Yakuza 2 plunges you once more into the violent Japanese underworld. In intense brutal clashes with rival gangs, the police, and the Korean mafia, you will have opportunities to dole out more brutal punishment. As the heroic Kazuma Kiryu from the original Yakuza, explore Tokyo and now Osaka. Wander through the back alleys of Japan's underworld while trying to prevent an all-out gang war in over 16 complex, cinematic chapters written by Hase Seishu, the famous Japanese author who also wrote the first Yakuza. Endless conflicts and surprise plot twists will immerse you in a dark shadowy world where only the strongest will survive.
77
/100
07
Rayman Raving Rabbids
Rayman Raving Rabbids marks the return of the iconic video-game hero, Rayman, in his funniest and zaniest adventure ever. When the world of Rayman is threatened by a devastating invasion of crazed, out-of-control bunnies Rayman must rise up against his furry foes to foil their wicked plans. Utilizing an array of amazing new abilities, and with the help of magical creatures, Rayman must break out all the moves to save his world from these delirious bunnies and their hare-raising antics.
70
/100
08
Secret Files: Tunguska
Unravel one of the greatest mysteries of our time! On the 30th June 1908 an explosion with the combined energy of 2000 Hiroshima bombs rocked the region of Tunguska in Central Siberia and felled over 6,000 square km of trees. The explosion could be heard from as far as 1,000km away.
68
/100
09
Kirby: Squeak Squad
"Kirby: Squeak Squad", known in Europe as "Kirby: Mouse Attack" and in Japan as "Kirby of the Stars: Calling on the Dorotche Gang", is a 2006-07 platforming video game developed by HAL Laboratory, Flagship and Natsume, and published by Nintendo for the Nintendo DS handheld video game console. Unlike the previous Nintendo DS title, Kirby: Canvas Curse, Squeak Squad is a traditional platformer which uses the face buttons instead of the touch screen to control Kirby.
65
/100
10
Pokémon Ranger
Pokémon Ranger is an action role-playing video game developed by HAL Laboratory and Creatures Inc. and published by Nintendo for the Nintendo DS video game console. The game was released at various dates, varying between continents. The game was first released in Japan on March 22, 2006 and was later released in North America and Australia during the remainder of 2006. The game's final release date was in Europe in April 2007. Pokémon Ranger is compatible with Pokémon Diamond, Pearl, Platinum, HeartGold and SoulSilver allowing players to transfer the egg of the legendary Pokémon Manaphy to those games. This game is set in the Fiore region.
55
/100
Metroid Prime Hunters
Metroid Prime Hunters is a first-person action-adventure game that combines exploration, shooting, and competitive multiplayer gameplay. Set across interconnected locations, it features objective-based progression alongside encounters with rival bounty hunters, each with distinct abilities and weapons. The game emphasizes fast-paced combat, environmental navigation, and upgrade-driven progression, with both single-player and multiplayer modes supporting a variety of playstyles.
85
/100
05
Yoshi's Island DS
Yoshi's Island DS is a 2D platformer for the Nintendo DS in the Yoshi's Island series. It is the sequel to Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island, where Kamek and the Toadies have kidnapped all the babies in the world in search for the star children, a group of seven babies who possess powerful stars in their hearts. While the game is heavily derivative from Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island, including general gameplay, themes, and graphics, the game primarily differentiates itself from its predecessor by taking advantage of the Nintendo DS's dual screen to display levels while introducing multiple babies to carry on Yoshi's back, who all have special abilities that are required to complete levels.
80
/100
06
Yakuza 2
Yakuza 2 plunges you once more into the violent Japanese underworld. In intense brutal clashes with rival gangs, the police, and the Korean mafia, you will have opportunities to dole out more brutal punishment. As the heroic Kazuma Kiryu from the original Yakuza, explore Tokyo and now Osaka. Wander through the back alleys of Japan's underworld while trying to prevent an all-out gang war in over 16 complex, cinematic chapters written by Hase Seishu, the famous Japanese author who also wrote the first Yakuza. Endless conflicts and surprise plot twists will immerse you in a dark shadowy world where only the strongest will survive.
77
/100
07
Rayman Raving Rabbids
Rayman Raving Rabbids marks the return of the iconic video-game hero, Rayman, in his funniest and zaniest adventure ever. When the world of Rayman is threatened by a devastating invasion of crazed, out-of-control bunnies Rayman must rise up against his furry foes to foil their wicked plans. Utilizing an array of amazing new abilities, and with the help of magical creatures, Rayman must break out all the moves to save his world from these delirious bunnies and their hare-raising antics.
70
/100
08
Secret Files: Tunguska
Unravel one of the greatest mysteries of our time! On the 30th June 1908 an explosion with the combined energy of 2000 Hiroshima bombs rocked the region of Tunguska in Central Siberia and felled over 6,000 square km of trees. The explosion could be heard from as far as 1,000km away.
68
/100
09
Kirby: Squeak Squad
"Kirby: Squeak Squad", known in Europe as "Kirby: Mouse Attack" and in Japan as "Kirby of the Stars: Calling on the Dorotche Gang", is a 2006-07 platforming video game developed by HAL Laboratory, Flagship and Natsume, and published by Nintendo for the Nintendo DS handheld video game console. Unlike the previous Nintendo DS title, Kirby: Canvas Curse, Squeak Squad is a traditional platformer which uses the face buttons instead of the touch screen to control Kirby.
65
/100
10
Pokémon Ranger
Pokémon Ranger is an action role-playing video game developed by HAL Laboratory and Creatures Inc. and published by Nintendo for the Nintendo DS video game console. The game was released at various dates, varying between continents. The game was first released in Japan on March 22, 2006 and was later released in North America and Australia during the remainder of 2006. The game's final release date was in Europe in April 2007. Pokémon Ranger is compatible with Pokémon Diamond, Pearl, Platinum, HeartGold and SoulSilver allowing players to transfer the egg of the legendary Pokémon Manaphy to those games. This game is set in the Fiore region.
55
/100
Frequently asked questions
What is the best Wii U game of 2006?
The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess currently tops the ranking with a score of 98/100 across 493 ratings. Ranking updated September 2026.
How is this ranking built?
Games are ranked on their aggregated critic score out of 100, with a minimum vote threshold so a single glowing review never outranks a proven classic; the Tier community's own F-to-S grades are shown alongside each game.