Best games
Best Sports games on Wii U
The 10 best Sports games on Wii U, ranked from 654 critic and player ratings.
The best Sports game on Wii U right now is Mario Golf (1999), with a critic score of 93/100 — 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.
- Each game is ranked in one genre only, the one that defines it best, so the same title never tops two different genre charts.
- 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: 1970 to 2026.
- 10 games are listed on this page, carrying 654 ratings between them.
- Rankings are recomputed hourly; this one was last rebuilt on 29 September 2026.
Top 10
01
Mario Golf (1999)
Forget buying expensive golf gear--Mario brings the game to you. Mario Golf features four complete 18-hole courses, 11 golfers, and precise play control. Create your own golfer and build up his or her experience and skill levels by competing in various tournaments and head-to-head matches. The more you play, the stronger and more accurate your golfer becomes. There are many different modes of play in Mario Golf, including a wide variety of minigames designed to challenge even the most level-headed swingers.
93
/100
02
NBA 2K13
With more than 5 million copies sold worldwide and more than 25 Sports Game of the Year awards won, NBA 2K12 was another monster release for the biggest NBA video game simulation franchise in the world. This year, 2K Sports has joined forces with the legendary JAY Z as Executive Producer to transcend sports video games and take virtual hardwood to the next level. Featuring an enhanced MyCAREER mode and all-new gameplay features, NBA 2K13 will let gamers pit the best players in NBA history against the new dynasty of talent, including the much-debated matchup between the 2012 U.S. Men's National Team and the 1992 "Dream Team."
83
/100
03
Punch-Out!!
You are Little Mac, a 17 year-old rookie fighter straight out of the Bronx. What you lack in size you more than make up for in determination. Spurred on by your trainer, Doc Louis, it's time to take on the world's boxing best! Mike Tyson's Punch-Out!! was re-branded simply as Punch-Out!!, and re-released in the US and Europe in 1990. When Nintendo's license had expired with Mike Tyson, his likeness was replaced by a fictional character named Mr. Dream, whose visual likeness and undefeated record are based on Rocky Marciano. This version of the game is used in all Virtual Console releases, Animal Crossing, the NES Classic Edition, and on Nintendo Switch Online (which Mike Tyson contested).
80
/100
Mario Golf (1999)
Forget buying expensive golf gear--Mario brings the game to you. Mario Golf features four complete 18-hole courses, 11 golfers, and precise play control. Create your own golfer and build up his or her experience and skill levels by competing in various tournaments and head-to-head matches. The more you play, the stronger and more accurate your golfer becomes. There are many different modes of play in Mario Golf, including a wide variety of minigames designed to challenge even the most level-headed swingers.
93
/100
02
NBA 2K13
With more than 5 million copies sold worldwide and more than 25 Sports Game of the Year awards won, NBA 2K12 was another monster release for the biggest NBA video game simulation franchise in the world. This year, 2K Sports has joined forces with the legendary JAY Z as Executive Producer to transcend sports video games and take virtual hardwood to the next level. Featuring an enhanced MyCAREER mode and all-new gameplay features, NBA 2K13 will let gamers pit the best players in NBA history against the new dynasty of talent, including the much-debated matchup between the 2012 U.S. Men's National Team and the 1992 "Dream Team."
83
/100
03
Punch-Out!!
You are Little Mac, a 17 year-old rookie fighter straight out of the Bronx. What you lack in size you more than make up for in determination. Spurred on by your trainer, Doc Louis, it's time to take on the world's boxing best! Mike Tyson's Punch-Out!! was re-branded simply as Punch-Out!!, and re-released in the US and Europe in 1990. When Nintendo's license had expired with Mike Tyson, his likeness was replaced by a fictional character named Mr. Dream, whose visual likeness and undefeated record are based on Rocky Marciano. This version of the game is used in all Virtual Console releases, Animal Crossing, the NES Classic Edition, and on Nintendo Switch Online (which Mike Tyson contested).
80
/100
04
FIFA 13
78
/100
05
Mario Tennis
All of your favorite characters hit the court in a wild and wacky multiplayer tennis game from the makers of Mario Golf. Mario, Luigi, Bowser, Peach, Toad, and Donkey Kong lead off the all-star, 14-player line-up. The fast-paced action will have you unleashing vicious volleys, life-saving lobs, ballistic backhands and electrifying super-charged smashes!
77
/100
06
Mario Strikers Charged
Mario Strikers Charged is a Mario soccer Wii game and the sequel to the Nintendo GameCube game Super Mario Strikers. Up to four players can participate in this game as play soccer, attempting to kick the ball into another opponent's goal. The soccer in this game, however, has several differences than the real soccer, such as the ability to tackle other players with a minimal penalty, using Mario-themed items to give players an advantage over their opponents, and playing with stage hazards effectively. This game places a higher emphasis on individual character attributes compared to its precedent, by not only assigning stats, but by also giving team captains a unique Super Ability and the Mega Strike, an opportunity to score up to six goals. Another introduced mechanic is the power level of the ball: indicated by the color of the glow, the shots of the ball become more quick and powerful the more active it is, thus making it easier to score goals with.
75
/100
07
Tennis
Tennis is a sports game developed and released by Nintendo for the NES. In North America and Europe, Tennis was one of 18 launch games for the NES. A Game Boy version was also released. The game features single-player and two-player modes for singles and doubles matches, with either competitive or cooperative gameplay. A computerized opponent's artificial intelligence can be set to one of five difficulty levels. Mario referees the matches.
74
/100
08
Ice Hockey
Ice Hockey is a sports game for the Nintendo Entertainment System. It presents simplified team-based ice hockey, with players controlling skaters, passing the puck, checking opponents, and attempting to score against the opposing goalkeeper. The game allows players to build a team using three skater types, each with different speed, strength, and shooting ability. Matches can be played against the computer or another player, with selectable national teams and adjustable game speed.
71
/100
09
Nintendo World Cup
The eyes of the world are upon you. National pride is at stake. Only seconds left and the crowd rises in anticipation of the greatest upset in soccer history. The horn sounds and you've won it all! The coveted world cup trophy is yours! Pick your team and plan your game strategy. Use advanced super moves like the Bicycle Kick or the Super Header. Choose from 13 teams, representing countries from around the world. Defeat your opponents and you're on your way to the prestigious world cup final. Bring the excitement of international soccer home with Nintendo World Cup!
71
/100
10
Soccer
Experience the first ever football game for the NES. Enjoy 'real football' as you direct your team up and down the field. Pick from seven international teams—USA, Great Britain, France, Germany, Brazil, Japan, and Spain—and perform all the kickoffs, throw-ins, goal kicks, and corner kicks seen in a real friendly match. You can choose the skill level of the opposing team on a scale from one to five, so as your team improves, so do your opponents. Select a computer team or play against a friend. You even choose the length of the match, and as time ticks down, do your best to score the winning goal!
57
/100
FIFA 13
78
/100
05
Mario Tennis
All of your favorite characters hit the court in a wild and wacky multiplayer tennis game from the makers of Mario Golf. Mario, Luigi, Bowser, Peach, Toad, and Donkey Kong lead off the all-star, 14-player line-up. The fast-paced action will have you unleashing vicious volleys, life-saving lobs, ballistic backhands and electrifying super-charged smashes!
77
/100
06
Mario Strikers Charged
Mario Strikers Charged is a Mario soccer Wii game and the sequel to the Nintendo GameCube game Super Mario Strikers. Up to four players can participate in this game as play soccer, attempting to kick the ball into another opponent's goal. The soccer in this game, however, has several differences than the real soccer, such as the ability to tackle other players with a minimal penalty, using Mario-themed items to give players an advantage over their opponents, and playing with stage hazards effectively. This game places a higher emphasis on individual character attributes compared to its precedent, by not only assigning stats, but by also giving team captains a unique Super Ability and the Mega Strike, an opportunity to score up to six goals. Another introduced mechanic is the power level of the ball: indicated by the color of the glow, the shots of the ball become more quick and powerful the more active it is, thus making it easier to score goals with.
75
/100
07
Tennis
Tennis is a sports game developed and released by Nintendo for the NES. In North America and Europe, Tennis was one of 18 launch games for the NES. A Game Boy version was also released. The game features single-player and two-player modes for singles and doubles matches, with either competitive or cooperative gameplay. A computerized opponent's artificial intelligence can be set to one of five difficulty levels. Mario referees the matches.
74
/100
08
Ice Hockey
Ice Hockey is a sports game for the Nintendo Entertainment System. It presents simplified team-based ice hockey, with players controlling skaters, passing the puck, checking opponents, and attempting to score against the opposing goalkeeper. The game allows players to build a team using three skater types, each with different speed, strength, and shooting ability. Matches can be played against the computer or another player, with selectable national teams and adjustable game speed.
71
/100
09
Nintendo World Cup
The eyes of the world are upon you. National pride is at stake. Only seconds left and the crowd rises in anticipation of the greatest upset in soccer history. The horn sounds and you've won it all! The coveted world cup trophy is yours! Pick your team and plan your game strategy. Use advanced super moves like the Bicycle Kick or the Super Header. Choose from 13 teams, representing countries from around the world. Defeat your opponents and you're on your way to the prestigious world cup final. Bring the excitement of international soccer home with Nintendo World Cup!
71
/100
10
Soccer
Experience the first ever football game for the NES. Enjoy 'real football' as you direct your team up and down the field. Pick from seven international teams—USA, Great Britain, France, Germany, Brazil, Japan, and Spain—and perform all the kickoffs, throw-ins, goal kicks, and corner kicks seen in a real friendly match. You can choose the skill level of the opposing team on a scale from one to five, so as your team improves, so do your opponents. Select a computer team or play against a friend. You even choose the length of the match, and as time ticks down, do your best to score the winning goal!
57
/100
Frequently asked questions
What is the best Sports game on Wii U?
Mario Golf (1999) currently tops the ranking with a score of 93/100 across 36 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.