The new year is quickly approaching, and I’m feeling more festive than I ever have in the past. I’ve been working on my eBay game shop and selling various Nintendo items as well as other goodies for Santa. And while working through my inventory, I thought of a great idea for an article about why the Nintendo Wii is still a great option for families on a budget. In this post, I’ll be going over the benefits of owning a Nintendo Wii in 2025/2026 and why I recommend it to families who either don’t have the budget for a Nintendo Switch or are looking for something that has stood the test of time for almost 20 years now. So, let’s dive in.
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The Nintendo Wii is a Bargain
Alright, so let’s start with the most obvious reason why you should consider getting a Nintendo Wii if you are a family or even just somebody who wants to get into gaming: it’s extremely affordable! The Nintendo Wii has been around since November of 2006–yeah, that’s 20 years, folks–and you know what, they’re everywhere.
Two years ago, I got a Nintendo Wii at a garage sale for $10. You might have trouble finding a deal like that, but they are around, in game shops, garage sales, Facebook Marketplace, estate sales, and one of my favorite places to shop: eBay. And they are usually cheaper than the Nintendo Switch.
You might expect to pay around $20–$75 for a console with controllers. Do some searching around. Fun fact: in Japan, there are so many Nintendo Wiis that you can buy them for peanuts, as the expression goes.
The Games Are Cheap Too
Alright, are you ready? Here’s another great reason to get a Nintendo Wii: the games are so cheap too! On eBay, you can buy a stack of games for under $40. Plus, there is a great selection of titles for the Nintendo Wii like New Super Mario Bros., Mario Kart, Smash Bros., Zelda, Wii Sports, and all sorts of fun Nintendo games.
If you’re wanting to keep yourself, your family, or your guests entertained and active, there are a lot of titles that are quite fun. Most games use the wireless Wiimote (controller) functionality as well, which uses motion sensors to interact with games in a way that most Nintendo Switch games don’t even have! This is probably one of its strongest features and makes it a timeless console for families and gamers.
The Wii is Still as Relevant as Ever
The Nintendo Wii features so many great aspects–from its encouragement of physical movement while gaming to its easy-to-set-up, easy-to-fix, and easy-to-use technology–that it’s no wonder people are still snatching up this console. You don’t have to be a gaming wizard to understand the Nintendo Wii, and neither do your kids.
Additionally, the Nintendo Wii holds quite a bit of nostalgia for gamers. It was one of the most popular consoles ever released, even by Nintendo, so many people still find the games interesting and relevant, even if the graphics aren’t as crisp as the Nintendo Switch’s 4K style. But that retro aesthetic is actually quite popular among gamers, making it still relevant.
Also, with all the local and online retro gaming shops, it’s quite easy to find new accessories at a bargain for your older console, and the games are quite easy to find as well on Facebook Marketplace or elsewhere.
Go and Get One!
So, with that information, you should have a basic idea of why the Nintendo Wii is still a good option for you or your family. As a gamer, the Nintendo Wii was one of my all-time favorite consoles. Now that I run a game shop, I often find myself testing Wii games on my CRT TV. Oh, but don’t worry–there are plenty of HDMI converters online that you can use to hook it up to a modern TV!
There are some nuances to the Nintendo Wii for non-gamer parents, but it’s a relatively easy-to-get-into gaming system, and I think you’ll find it packs a strong punch compared to systems like the Nintendo Switch, Xbox, and PlayStation.
If you have any questions about this article, feel free to hit me up at my email: dave@mrdavepizza.com. I think you will find that this is an approachable console option for you though and is something to consider as the holidays approach, or any time really.
Also, be sure to watch LL Cool Game’s video on YouTube, which partially inspired this article: Watch Now: “Here me out… Get a Wii!”
So, all that being said, I’m Mr. Dave Pizza. I hope you found this article useful or interesting. Be sure to check out some of the other articles on my blog and, as always, enjoy your games!
