With the official closure of the Wii Shop Channel in 2019, acquiring these games legally is no longer possible unless you purchased them before the shutdown. However, for preservationists and enthusiasts, the collection lives on in other forms.
As of May 2026, the official Wii Shop is long closed, and digital redownloads are no longer supported. Preservation of this "collection" now relies on console modding (Homebrew), archival efforts, or seeking out hard copies of the original games. Top Essential Games for a Complete Collection wii ntscu complete virtual console collection top
: SEGA's blue blur thrived on the Virtual Console, with this entry standing out for its epic scale, save system, and introduction of Knuckles. With the official closure of the Wii Shop
| Rank | Game Title | Original Platform | Why It’s Essential | | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | | 1 | | NES | The peak of 2D platforming, with inventive power-ups and world designs that still inspire games today. | | 2 | The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time | N64 | A groundbreaking 3D adventure that set the standard for action-RPGs and remains a masterpiece of storytelling and exploration. | | 3 | Super Mario 64 | N64 | The game that redefined 3D movement and level design. Its open-ended sandbox levels are still a joy to explore. | | 4 | Super Metroid | SNES | A masterclass in atmospheric exploration and non-linear level design, often cited as one of the greatest games ever made. | | 5 | The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past | SNES | The definitive top-down Zelda experience, with a vast world, clever puzzles, and a timeless art style. | | 6 | Super Mario World | SNES | Mario’s 16-bit debut introduced Yoshi, cape power-ups, and a sprawling overworld, perfecting the 2D platformer formula. | | 7 | Super Mario Kart | SNES | The game that launched a genre. Its tight controls and chaotic item-based racing are as addictive today as they were in 1992. | | 8 | Castlevania III: Dracula's Curse | NES | Arguably the best NES Castlevania, offering branching paths, multiple characters, and incredible music. | | 9 | Gunstar Heroes | Genesis | A blistering run-and-gun shooter from Treasure, with incredible sprite work and a weapon-fusing system that’s pure genius. | | 10 | Street Fighter II Turbo: Hyper Fighting | SNES | The definitive version of the classic fighter on the SNES, featuring all the iconic characters and fast-paced combat. | | 11 | Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards | N64 | A charming 3D platformer that lets Kirby combine powers for unique and often hilarious effects. | | 12 | Punch-Out!! Featuring Mr. Dream | NES | A pattern-based boxing game that’s brutally challenging yet endlessly rewarding, with memorable characters and tight gameplay. | | 13 | Star Fox 64 | N64 | A rail shooter with tight controls, multiple paths, and campy voice acting that’s pure fun from start to finish. | | 14 | Donkey Kong Country | SNES | Rare’s pre-rendered platformer that pushed the SNES hardware to its limits and featured incredible music and level design. | | 15 | Pokémon Snap | N64 | A unique on-rails photography game that captures the joy of exploring a living Pokémon world. | | 16 | Kirby’s Adventure | NES | A late-era NES title that showcases the system’s capabilities with smooth animation and the debut of Kirby’s copy ability. | | 17 | Mega Man 2 | NES | The gold standard for NES action-platformers, with tight controls, memorable robot masters, and an iconic soundtrack. | | 18 | Paper Mario | N64 | A charming RPG that combines turn-based combat with action commands and a unique papercraft art style. | | 19 | ActRaiser | SNES | A unique blend of side-scrolling action and god simulation, where you battle demons and then help your followers rebuild civilization. | | 20 | Super Castlevania IV | SNES | A lavishly produced remake of the original Castlevania, with 8-directional whipping and incredible atmospheric music. | Preservation of this "collection" now relies on console