It's list time. Lets see how long I can make my recommendation.
Strategy:
Advance Wars: Days of Ruin (DS) - as Advance Wars games go, this is a significant improvement in the series. I'm not sure about the storyline, but the graphics and gameplay have been significantly improved (sadly, I do not have a DS anymore to play this)
Fire Emblem (GC and Wii) - Fire Emblem is based on the grid system of Advance Wars, but is a completely different type of gameplay. Instead of buying troops, you have a set party you go into battle with, and if one dies he/she is gone forever. Also, there is more variety in attacks. You have ranged units that can move and attack at the same time (and some archers with ridiculous defense. I never figured that out). The only thing to watch out for is that the supposedly high defense low speed characters are the most likely to die. This is because 1) They get targeted by AI a lot 2) They do not dodge attacks well and they usually get hit twice per round (speed). The Wii FE is a sequal to the GC FE. The Wii version is much harder but is basically a GC game as it does not use any of the Wii's motion sensing. It does look better IMO.
Nintendo games only severely limits my list.....
As pikmin goes, you don't really need motion controls, and it really isn't an RTS, but more of an adventure game. You don't really control the pikmin, but you kinda throw them like weapons. The analog stick does well enough to point your character in the right direction to start throwing pikmin.
You don't like Zelda games in general? I have some issues with the series too and I would like to know what you opinion is on it. Regardless, if you are going to get a Zelda game, I would get the Twighlight Princess first as it is the result of several generation of Zelda making skill put into one game. If you like challenge, however, you should go with Ocarina of Time, as I remember it as being the hardest. Wind Waker is a good game also. Many people got turned off by the whole ocean thing, but I enjoyed the exploration. You never know what you will find by just sailing around.
Batalion Wars 1 & 2: I beat Batalion Wars 1. It is a fun game if you like shooting things with a rock-paper-scissors type of strategy directing units. It is very comparible to Advance Wars, and many people refer to it as the console version of Advance Wars, just without the grid based strategy. It was fun taking control of a tank and wiping out a bunch of infantry. However, the controls can be a bit annoying at times, as it is hard to keep your bombers from going to far into enemy lines and getting hit by anti-air rockets. I have never played Batalion Wars 2, but I heard it was basically BW1 with more units and less challenge.
Tales of Symphonia: It is a good RPG. Solid in most of it's aspects, but doesn't really excel at anything. The combat is action based if you like that kind of thing. I own a copy of TOS, but never got around to getting more than 15% way thru.
Baten Kaitos 1 & 2: These games come highly reccommended on my list as it is a refreshing deviation from turn based and action based RPG styles. Other card based RPGs have tainted many people's opinion of the genre, but I assure you that BK did it right. I would recommend getting BK2 (called Baten Kaitos Origins) before playing BK1 as it has better combat, better storyline, better sidequests, better characters than the original. Besides the point it is a sequal to BK1.
I deviated form Nintendo games a little. If I had a better idea of what genre you like, I could recommend more games.
Okami: It's like Zelda, but more originality and less challenge. Still, I enjoyed the artwork and setting.
Need for Speed: Most Wanted: I am not a big racing player, but NFSMW is a gem in unrealistic street racing, mainly with the police chases. Need for Speed: Carbon is good too: It incorperates differences between tuners, muscles (my fav) and exotics. However, the police chases are not nearly as fun. For simulation racing, I would recommend Forza Motorsport, but you would have to get a XBOX to play that.
Madden '08 (Wii): I am not a big sports player either, but Madden impressed me with some of the best use of motion controls I've seen. They feel natural, and reduce the complexity of the buttons you have to press. To Juke, you just twitch the nunchuck where you want to go. Same thing with the stiff arm, but you use the Wiimote. Passing is made easier too.
Super Mario Galaxy: Like Legend Of Zelda TP, this game is the result of Nintendo's experience with thier other 3D Mario games and the surpass all of them with this game. It takes a lot for me to say that, because I have a very high opinion of Mario 64.
I have many more recommendations, but I should probably get to work. Take a look at my game list. It's too bad you did not finish Metroid Prive 3, the last boss was fun.
