WiiU: Buyers Guide to Nintendo’s forgotten console

Despite its financial failure, the WiiU is an amazing system. Now that the Switch is out and selling like gangbusters, it’s worth looking back at Nintendo’s only massive flop. Sandwiched between the Wii and Switch, it’s quickly fading into obscurity. Only a few games are remembered, and mostly in the context of hope for a Switch port.

Now is the time to scoop up the WiiU and its amazing games for dirt cheap used. There’s a small but mighty library of titles worth the small investment. These are my recommendations for anybody looking for a “new” system to entertain themselves with.

Sadly underplayed, Super Mario 3D World is the second best WiiU exclusive. It’s a straight forward platformer. Mario, Luigi, Toad and Princess Peach run through levels packed with hidden areas and finish each by jumping on the classic Mario flagpole. It gets even better with 4-players crashing around the levels together.

Adding to the fun is the adorable new Cat-Suit power up. Giving Mario the ability to climb walls and swipe at enemies, it opens up a lot of vertical gameplay opportunities. The only criticism I have is it’s rather easy. If you’re looking for a challenge, this isn’t your game. If you want pure platforming definitely pick up Super Mario 3D World.

This is the only game in the “New” Super Mario Bros series worth playing. Previous entries underwhelmed with basic level design and loose controls. The Wii title added multiplayer, but it proved more frustrating than fun. Nintendo finally hit the right balance of level design and tight controls to make a fantastic 2D Mario experience.

Ported to the Nintendo Switch, I’m still recommending the WiiU version. Easily found for $10 used, it’s a great value. Either version is going to be a great game, but if you’re grabbing a WiiU you can’t go wrong with this one.

Holy hell, another Mario title…but who can argue with Mario Maker. It’s the most unique Mario game and also the most familiar Mario game ever made. The platforming is identical to the original titles it replicates, but the world building system has made for a Mario experience unlike any other.

I’ll be honest and admit the world building quickly grew stale. Building levels bores me. Thankfully, there are plenty of creative people online populating the Mario Maker community with incredible levels. Auto-scrollers that will blow your mind. Trick levels that will frustrate you beyond belief. Classic levels that manage to capture the Nintendo magic. It’s an infinite gameplay experience.

Twilight Princess is a solid Zelda title. Originally a lunch title for the Wii, Nintendo released this HD remake to bring it in line with modern titles. The dark art style of TP benefits from increased texture resolution. Images pop off the screen. This is the definitive version of Twilight Princess and for $25 it should be in any WiiU collection.

Twilight Princess HD improved the graphics. Wind Waker HD improved the gameplay experience. Gone is the frustrating sailing mechanics requiring constant wind direction changes. Gone is the lengthy tri-force quest at the game’s end. With these two elements exorcised, Wind Waker becomes much more player friendly. Check out this classic Zelda title.

Most people picked up Breath of the Wild on Switch, but the WiiU version is nearly identical. There’s slightly lower resolution, and the occasional frame rate issue, but nothing that hurts this masterpiece. Exploring the open-world Hyrule is a non-stop adventure filled with moment to moment distractions. There’s always something to see or do just off the main road.

Breath of the Wild breaks the Zelda mold by being more than the main quest. The classic formula started with Link to the Past, and focused on a world that built towards the final conflict with Gannon. Puzzles and hidden items all flowed toward the conclusion. Breath of the Wild is at its best when your goal isn’t finding Gannon. Finishing the game is the worst part of the experience, because there’s so much else out there.  Play Breath of the Wild!

Pikmin is a cute strategy game set in a stunningly rendered world. Gameplay is taught to new players through easy to learn levels with a perfect difficulty ramp up. You’ll never feel overwhelmed playing Pikmin 3. If you’re new to the series, this is the ideal entry point.

For fans of the series, you’ll find nothing radically new in Pikmin 3. This is more of the same, but in HD and with touchscreen controls to ease gameplay. Those little improvements are great, but don’t expect a Breath of the Wild level change to the experience.

Every system needs a high octane action game, and Nintendo’s exclusive deal for Platinum Games Bayonetta 2 definitely nails the requirement. Combat is intense, with a focus on timing and movement mechanics that work in a complex combo system. Action set pieces are over the top craziness. Fighting demonic dragons destroying the city is how this game opens. Bayonetta takes any notion of subtly and throws it out the window.

I bought a WiiU to play Xenoblade Chronicles X at launch. This was my system seller and remains my favorite game on the system. An open-world JRPG with a decent story and amazing gameplay. Real-time combat is complex but rewarding. Learn how the systems work and your party will bring down monsters the size of skyscrapers.

Picking up a copy of Xenoblade Chronicles X will set you back $50 brand new right now. Used you might expect $40. This one held its value as a system exclusive JRPG. If you have a WiiU don’t hesitate to pick this one up. You won’t regret it.

Honorable mentions

Mario Kart 8, Splatoon and Super Smash Bros WiiU

The Switch versions of Splatoon and Smash Bros are just better. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is the exact same game with added DLC, and it’s almost the same price since it goes on sale often.

Owning these games on the WiiU will not disappoint you. They’re great titles, but if you have a Switch those are the definitive versions.

Expand your Library with Wii titles

The WiiU has a great selection of titles from its short release period, and the system gives you access to the entire Wii library through backwards compatibility. The Wii was another fantastic system with a ton of games that can be found for dirt cheap used. I’m not going to build a full list with reasoning, but here’s some amazing games that deserve recognition.

Super Mario Galaxy 1 & 2

Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword

Xenoblade Chronicles

No More Heroes

Rayman Raving Rabbits

Wii Sports

Muramasa: The Demon Sword

Metroid Prime Trilogy

House of the Dead: Overkill

MadWorld

Boom Blox

Conclusion

WiiU is the little console that people forget existed. It’s a modern Dreamcast situation. A decade from now these titles are going to be in demand with retro gamers. Grab them now and enjoy some truly great gaming from Nintendo.