The Nintendo Switch is full of waifus like Pearl and Marina in Splatoon 2, and Twintelle from ARMS – but even as far back as the Wii, unforgettable female characters were making our hearts swoon. The following waifu catalog is a mixture of all-time favorites and Wii newcomers that received lots of love during the console’s lifespan.
5. Rosetta
Appears in: Rune Factory Frontier (2009) If we’re talking waifus, we can’t overlook the best dating sim/farming sim/RPG on the Wii: Rune Factory Frontier. This fantastic game is packed full of appealing maidens for you to court and eventually marry. They all have unique personalities and excellent character design, so players are spoiled for choice. I went into RFF having played the original Rune Factory (2007) on the Nintendo DS and decided to stay faithful to my merchant waifu: Rosetta. This blonde beauty is the most down-to-earth waifu in the game. Her entrepreneurial spirit leads her to open her own General Store in town, and it’ll lead you both to greener pastures.
4. Samus Aran
Appears in: Metroid Prime 3: Corruption (2007) Samus – the woman in the bad-ass orange armor – has been a template for women in gaming since her first appearance in Metroid (1986). Strong, courageous, and resourceful, Samus is ready for anything you throw at her, be it parasitic aliens, pterodactyl space pirates, or corrupting outer-space substances. Romantic attraction bloomed in the hearts of gamers as Samus was given more screentime without her power suit in Wii games like Super Smash Bros. Brawl (2008), revealing a killer figure and humanizing the character. The release of Metroid: Other M (2010) gave us a lot more insight into Samus’ personality and personal relationships, which only deepened our love for the heroic bounty hunter.
3. Rosalina
Appears in: Super Mario Galaxy (2007) Super Mario Galaxy has one of the most dramatic and moving stories in the franchise’s history – and Rosalina stands right in the middle. This tragic heroine created the Comet Observatory as a home for the Luma – adorable star-people who’ve come to regard her as something of a mother. Along with this caring and nurturing side, Rosalina has an air of mystery that some find irresistible. She’s as enigmatic as she’s powerful. After her appearance in SMG, Rosalina joined the pantheon of Marioverse characters featured on spin-off series like Mario Kart, Mario Golf, and Mario Party.
2. Princess Zelda
Appears in: The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess (2006) Princess Zelda is one of Nintendo’s longest-lived original characters, returning alongside Link for almost thirty games since the series’ inception back in 1986. Her appearance in Twilight Princess is by far one of her best moments. She’s portrayed as a capable and regal monarch trying to keep her kingdom afloat during its darkest time. Everything about her is breathtaking in this dark and gritty entry in the franchise. And we’re treated to a much different version of Zelda in TLoZ: Skyward Sword (2011), where she’s a kind and caring villager in Skyloft.
1. Princess Peach
Appears in: Super Mario Galaxy (2007) Nintendo’s favorite monarch has been in countless games as both a hero and a damsel in distress. She’s also a force to be reckoned with in sporting events, and does it all while looking fantastic. Elegant and adorable in equal measure, it’s hard to resist Princess Peach’s charm. She’s always in another castle, but the journey is more important than the destination when it comes to waifus. Along with Super Mario Galaxy, Peach appears on almost every other Marioverse title on the Wii. It just wouldn’t be the same without her!
