Between the IR pointer aiming used in games like Metroid Prime 3/Trilogy, RE4 Wii Edition, Sin & Punishment Star Successor, and many others on Wii, and the gyro based aiming used in games like Splatoon 1-3, BOTW, TOTK, and a lot of other Switch titles, which do you think is better, and what's your best example/argument for your choice?

The pointer for sure. It just works better. Love railshooters like Dead Space Extraction, House Of The Dead Overkill and the Resident Evil Chronicle games. The Pikmin games are also great on the Wii.

Is death an option?

lol

I like both.

Gyro. Don’t like the thought of having to point my controller at some black bar on top of my TV.

You actually don't have to, it's easier to set the sensor bar under your TV and lie the controller in your lap facing it, that's how I used it. Much more comfortable.

Pointer controls are better. Almost like easy mode in RE4. Was able to five star all levels on Mercenaries, which I'm pretty sure I could not have done with dual sticks or gyro controls.

Pointer controls are legit the greatest. I think gyro controls are a solid substitute, but pointer controls are peak.

I worked surpriseingly well on the Wii for stuff like Resident Evil 4.

Agreed. Gyro controls are really solid — it’s hard to imagine Breath of the Wild without them — but the IR pointer created some amazingly tactile, immersive experiences on Wii.