When I list the following titles as my top seven (why not?) Wii games of the year, I assume you will interpret it as one man's feelings, not a proclamation of the facts.

As much as I may like to believe a statement like “These are the top five games of 2007” is offered as one man's opinion, some take offense. They believe that you are instead brazenly asserting said list as the truth with which all must agree or appear wrong. But, obviously, there is no such thing when it comes to video games. You either like it, or you don't. Here's what I liked most this year:

1. “Super Mario Galaxy” - Gravity-defying platform adventures on planetoids widen this series' game play well beyond that of “Super Mario” predecessors. Wiimote play - like pulling back Mario to slingshot him from gobs of web or waving a cursor across the screen to collect star bits - further deepens the new dynamics. In colorful worlds that range from overgrown toy closets to half-eaten apple cores, Mario has never been this much of a blast.

2. “Resident Evil 4: Wii Edition” - While technically not a 2007 game, the introduction of a new Wiimote-based targeting system invigorates this 2004 classic of survival horror to the point of near-reinvention. As secret U.S. agent Leon Kennedy, you must subdue wave after wave of staggering subhumans hiding under robes and skull masks. The game's creepy atmosphere will still spike your pulse and come as close as possible to placing you in a horror film without actually sending the mace-wielding maniacs after you.

3. “Metroid Prime 3: Corruption” - The exquisite first-person action of the “Metroid” series continues on the Wii with well-integrated Wii controls, namely a point-and-click shooting system. As bounty huntress Samus Aran, you traverse gorgeous galactic environments in search of weapons and other treasures that will take you to a final showdown with your doppelganger, Dark Samus. The challenging boss battles reward quick thinking and even quicker play.

4. “Super Paper Mario” - While the Wiimote itself doesn't factor into the play mechanics of “Super Paper Mario” as much as other games on this list, an inventive and tongue-in-cheek plot and well-designed 2-D - and sometimes 3-D - platform adventures result in another exceptionally strong showing in the “Paper Mario” series.

5. “Zack and Wiki: Quest for Barbaros' Treasure” - As the only game on this list not to come from a pre-existing franchise, “Zack and Wiki” was a pearl of a surprise. Point-and-click maneuvering meshes with the game's well thought-out puzzles to produce a pirate adventure that asks for clever thinking and an eye for detail. The fluid cel-shaded graphics are another treat.

6. “Guitar Hero 3” - While the collaborative “Rock Band” overshadowed this sequel to the original air guitarist's dream of a video game, the Wii enjoyed it as the sole source of rock salvation in 2007. Although mono-sound issues and the absence of downloadable content (for now) dampen the series' Wii debut, a superb collection of songs and the Wiimote's speaker and rumble features ensured “Guitar Hero 3” a spot on the system's stage.

7. “WarioWare: Smooth Moves” - Blitzes of light and sound accompany the play of several short motion-based competitions, such as balancing a pole in your palm or shooting darts at a board. With wonderfully manic collections of games such as this, Wii fans shouldn't shy away from detractors' dismissal of the console as a “mini-game system.”

Staff writer David Wilcox reviews video games for The Citizen. He can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 245 or david.wilcox@lee.net