Nintendo, a seasoned veteran of the video game world, is known for Mario, Zelda, and Kirby, not M-rated gore fests. The world might implode if the next Mario game included Princess Peach the prostitute and Toad the serial killer. Similarly, Zelda fans might have to change their pants if Skyward Sword is filled to the brim with blood, guts and horror. It's just not what gamers have come to expect from Nintendo. Video games are rated "M" if they contain intense violence, blood and gore, sexual content and/or strong language. Naturally, there aren't many "mature" games on the Nintendo Wii. Most people can't even think of five M-rated Wii games.

This is where Game Rant comes to the rescue. Each of the following games are not only M-rated, but are great in their own right. Without further ado, from good to great, the top five M-rated Wii games.

#5. No More Heroes 2: Desperate Struggle

No More Heroes 2

No More Heroes 2: Desperate Struggle comes from the mind of Goichi Suda, "auteur" video game designer and CEO of Grasshopper Manufacture. Suda, nicknamed Suda51, does not create run of the mill games. While NMH2 is far from average, I'd say it's one of his most accessible games thus far.

Desperate Struggle picks up a few years after the original No More Heroes and has the player once again guiding Travis Touchdown through the town of Santa Destroy. The game is much improved from the original and ditches the awkward overworld for a more streamlined experience. It's a little repetitive, and the voice-acting is pretty terrible, but this doesn't detract enough from the game to make it anything less than enjoyable. Overall, it is a wonderfully quirky collage of high octane action and bizarre humor.

#4. Silent Hill: Shattered Memories

Silent Hill Shattered Memories

For years the Silent Hill franchise hasn't released anything worth playing. Shattered Memories changes that. Instead of a quick port or rehash, Konami crafted an intriguing survival horror game with a story that keeps gamers hooked.

Silent Hill's first entry on the Wii is a complete re-imagining of the first Silent Hill game, my favorite in the series. The music and graphics create a believable atmosphere that you will want to explore. The game lacks a little in the combat department, but most gamers will be too captivated to notice. Fans of Silent Hill or the survival horror genre will absolutely love shining their flashlight around in this under-appreciated game.

#3. Dead Space: Extraction

Dead Space Extraction

Dead Space surprised many gamers when it came onto the scene in 2008. It was an inspired game with a great setting, backed up by engrossing gameplay. Dead Space: Extraction once again has the player battling Necromorphs, but this time it's a first person shooter on rails.

Many gamers turn their nose up at on rail shooters because they think it limits the player unnecessarily. This game will change your mind. It is a fully realized gameplay experience that trades in some of the horror elements of the original for a well developed story. Extraction is just as good as the original Dead Space, yet a totally different experience. If you haven't played this yet, it will more than hold you over until Dead Space 2 comes out in 2011.

#2. Madworld

madworld

Every time I see the word "Madworld" in print, I think of the soft piano-driven song from Donnie Darko. Madworld the game is anything but soft. It is a raucous beat-'em-up that gushes with style. The game is completely black and white besides the buckets of blood often used to paint the screen red.

The over the top violence is a great way to blow off steam and have a good laugh. Also, Madworld really pushes its M-rating with abundant cussing and more violence than you can shake a stick at. This is the kind of game that makes you want to call a couple buddies, pick up some alcoholic beverages, and take turns causing havoc. For adult Wii owners, this is a must play.

#1. Resident Evil 4: Wii Edition

Resident Evil 4 is one of my favorite GameCube games of all time. The Wii edition is better. If you haven't played Resident Evil 4, come out from under your rock and give it a spin. Now!

On the other hand, if you loved the GameCube or PS2 version, you will once again be sucked into the world and loving the updated controls. Resident Evil 4 is not as scary as the early Resident Evil games, but it is a well paced and near perfect. The story continually keeps you coming back for more. This is the pinnacle of M-rated games on the Wii.

Besides RE4, all of these games have gone under the radar and are severely under-appreciated. The Wii breaks sales records all the time, but can't seem to give away M-rated games. In fact, if you are interested in any of these games, I highly recommend buying them online. They are very inexpensive and offer a great bang for your buck. If someone ever tells you the Wii is just for kids, and that all it has to offer is Mario and shovelware, remember these excellent games.

Are there other games that deserve to be on the list? Why do these great games go unnoticed? What does the future hold for Nintendo and "mature" games?