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I am watching the 12-year-old play Okami, a game I gave him last Christmas, on the Nintendo Wii. It is stunningly beautiful, perhaps the most beautiful video game ever, and he is still enthralled by it, playing it again. Best of all, because it's a classic now (it's a port of a PS2 game), it's inexpensive for a Wii game -- $16.99 at Amazon now.

Mystical and Oriental, rendered in a blend of woodcut, watercolor and cels, there's an ancient tale behind it -- you assume the shape of a white wolf and save the world, one section at a time, causing bare trees to blossom. Even the soundtrack is special.

The Okami review at Gamespot -- where there are dozens of game images -- begins,

There's a blissful moment in the first hour of Okami, one that is repeated several times throughout the game's epic tale: Tasked with restoring an afflicted sapling to its former beauty, you bring it to life with a swirl of your virtual paintbrush. The sapling bursts with light, a melody of soft pink flowers blooms on its young branches, and lush green meadows breathlessly sweep away the cursed countryside, returning vitality to the diseased landscape. It's a moment that stays with you, and it represents the sheer joy of playing Okami. Few games exude such grace and visual prowess, though you shouldn't assume that its beauty is superficial. Here is a case where stunning graphics, charming characters, and a dreamy, mythical adventure are united into a cohesive, powerful title that simply must be played.

Okami has the coolest of weapons -- a paintbrush. Gamespot again:

...the Wii controls shine brightly in regards to the celestial brush. You can pull out the brush at any time and use it to slash through demons, create gusts of wind, draw bombs, create impromptu waterspouts, and perform all sorts of sundry tasks. This is Okami's main gameplay conceit, and it's woven impeccably throughout the game, where it's utilized in battles, puzzle sequences, and even some cute minigames. On the PS2, you used an analog stick to draw the necessary rune; on the Wii, of course, you use the remote. For the most part, this works wonderfully. Interacting with the celestial brush in this manner is incredibly pleasing, since you literally draw the motions onto the screen. It also improves the pace of the game, because you can scrawl at a faster rate.

Another, extensive Okami Review at IGN notes that "is sure to resonate with system owners already delighted by The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess."

Related:

What game has the coolest (overall) art style? A nice array of screenshots of the nominees.

Truly beautiful Wii games. Others.