Best Wii U Games

“What’s with that Wii U, huh?”

Wii U is a weird little console. Stuck between the immensely popular predecessor (Wii) and the even more popular Switch, it failed to grab the attention of many people. Facing strong competition in the form of Playstation 4 and Xbox One, it seemed that Nintendo has lost his way with the low-powered Wii U, that many people thought was only an updated Wii (due to the name).

This, of course, does not mean that Nintendo did not manage to create a lot of awesome games for the system, like in every generation. Unfortunately, due to the system being less popular, many people have missed out on these gems, as they were focusing on the large multi-platform titles of the day.

Luckily, we are here to show you what you have been missing – so that you might decide to go back to these games and enjoy them. Here is a top 20, but without any real order, because who cares for the arbitrariness of numbers!

#1 The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker HD

Let’s start it off big – the Wind Waker is a gorgeous Gamecube game with a beautiful cell-shading style, which looks even better in this remastered version on the Wii U. The game was the next in the series after such groundbreaking titles as Ocarina of Time and Majora’s Mask and it really had to distinguish itself from them. And what better way to do it than the graphical style!

The players take the boat and go exploring the Great Sea, island-hopping, controlling the wind direction by way of Link’s magical conductor’s baton dubbed the Wind Waker. It is the continuation of the music theme ideas from Ocarina of Time, as players who played both games would certainly notice. Oh, and who could forget the Deku pipes from Majora’s Mask, those things still give me a chuckle!

The game received raving reviews, but some of the players were put off by the cell-shaded graphics. If you’ve missed it originally – since GameCube, although quite a powerhouse in its day, couldn’t really fight the overwhelming popularity of PS2 – this is a great chance to set the record straight. This especially goes for every Zelda fan out there.

#2 NES Remix

While not a game per se, and more a conglomerate of various NES-era games mixed up in ways you did not expect. We are talking 16 well-known Nintendo Entertainment games where you get different levels from different games in a different order, sometimes with the characters having a guest star role in one another’s games.

If you ever wondered what it would be like to deconstruct old games and take a walk through gaming history while at it – look no further. Anyone who started gaming in the 80s will find NES Remix an interesting ride, while those who are a bit shorter in the tooth will be able to see how games worked back then – with a twist.

#3 Yoshi’s Wooly World 

Yoshi’s been around for a while, ever since Super Mario World in 1990, however, there was quite a break before Yoshi’s Wooly World of about 18 years since the previous entry in the Yoshi series of games. Yoshi came back in 2015’s Wooly World, a sort of a spiritual successor to Kirby’s Epic Yarn from 2010. There was a Yoshi’s New Island on 3DS the year before, however, it was not really considered very good, criticised for its overall sluggishness.

One of the things the game inherited from Epic Yarn is definitely the aesthetic – the game world looks and feels as wooly as anything, distinguishing the game from other 2D platformers. And we all know that if anyone knows how to make good platformers, it’s Nintendo. And Media Molecule, ok, ok, no need to shout, you guys!

Yoshi’s Wooly World has charmed a lot of reviewers at the time of its release, and it was definitely among the most charming games on the platform. It was praised for its looks, of course, but also for the gameplay and co-op options and was generally considered the best Yoshi game in almost two decades. Nothing like a little bit of wool to get you feeling warm and fuzzy!

#4 The Wonderful 101

Under the steady hand of Hideki Kamiya and Atsushi Inaba, old partners from the times of Viewtiful Joe and Okami, The Wonderful 101 were a critical success, however, not a financial one. Which is a shame for this colorful, playful rendering of what it feels like when 101 heroes unite to save the planet – all at once.

Supposedly, the original idea was to take Nintendo’s most beloved characters from across their repertoire of games as the heroes. However, this plan didn’t click with Nintendo higher-ups and Platinum Games decided to keep some of the powers, but change the look and names. For example, Wonder-Red throws fireballs and breaks bricks, while Wonder Blue has an awesome sword, and so on.

The Wonderful 101 has been a Wii U exclusive, however, just this month, Platinum Games has finished their kickstarter for the remaster of the game. They managed to gather over 2 million dollars in support of the remaster, and the stretch goals included Nintendo Switch, PS4, and PC via Steam. This means that those that didn’t have the chance to check it out thus far will soon have the opportunity on more than one modern platform.

#5 Splatoon

One of the most successful new franchises that Nintendo developed, Splatoon, is a third-person shooter with cartoony character (dubbed squids, since they can change forms), shooting each other with colored ink that is also used as a surface for them to hide in or travel through. There is a single-player component, as well as a 4 v 4 multiplayer.

The multiplayer itself is quite simple to use, with no voice chat or many other options that fans of more “serious” shooters might consider essential. However, it has only one thing on its mind – for the players to have as much fun as possible and this is what it does best. Some might argue that it is this very lack of features that makes Splatoon stand out, apart from its cool visual style.

The colorful shooter managed to carve its own popular niche among Nintendo fans, becoming a franchise in its own right when its sequel came out on Nintendo Switch. This does not mean that you shouldn’t give the original a try as well. As the game ads say: “You’re a kid now, you’re a squid now,” which is something everyone can get behind, right?

#6 New Super Mario Bros. U

The New Super Mario Bros. series is a 2.5D platformer that came to be because Shigeru Miyamoto actually wanted a co-op experience for the Super Mario franchise. It started out on Nintendo DS, through Wii and 3DS, finally arriving to Wii U in the form of New Super Mario Bros. U.

The game received accolades from the reviewers that placed her among the best games available on the system, due to its great level design and the fact that they managed to marry a lot of classic elements into this game very successfully. Progression difficulty was greatly measured and there was plenty to do in and around the game, with loads of additional content.

The game did come out on the Switch as well as a remaster, but there it faced a lot more excellent competition than it did at the time of its arrival to Wii U. And compared to the latest and greatest that Nintendo had to offer, such as Super Mario Odyssey, it might be found a little old-fashioned. Still, it is an awesome platforming experience to share with a friend or a loved one.

#7 Xenoblade Chronicles 

When it comes to classic JRPGs, Xenogears is definitely a household name. If we look past the golden age that ended with the days of PS1, there was a continuation in the form of Xenosaga on PS2. It was developed by Monolith Soft, a team put together from ex-Square employees who had worked on Xenogears before. This company is also the one that is bringing the current Xenoblade franchise to life.

The game was well-received, especially at a time that was hungry for JRPGs. Although it follows many time-honored traditions, it also fears not to tread new ground (at least as far the JRPGs of the time are concerned). There are no random battles, the game is non-linear to a crazy degree and it also features fast travel. Monolith really managed to outdo themselves this time around.

Xenoblade Chronicles first came out on Wii, but eventually found its way to both the 3DS and the Wii U, due to its popularity. There is even a Switch remaster on the way, as seems to be the norm days for any Nintendo game. Still, an awesome half-classic-half-modern JRPG is never an unwelcome addition to any game library.

#8 Super Smash Bros. for Wii U

What would a Nintendo console be without a Super Smash Bros. of its own, you might ask? And a very good question that would be, because ever since N64, Super Smash Bros. has been growing in popularity. Wii U got its own version, of course, alongside the 3DS, selling well over five million copies worldwide.

Apart from its obvious popularity, it was also very well received critically, praised for the way that classic Super Smash Bros gameplay was given a once-over and tuned to perfection. It included, of course, a plethora of well-known characters from Nintendo’s back catalogue of first- and third-party characters.

Unfortunately, there have been issues with online play at launch, which is something you really don’t want to happen to a game that people really like to play with their friends. Online.

Of course, the series still continues on the high note with Super Smash Bros. Ultimate for Switch, having already passed the 12 million sold mark.

Still, it must need be remarked that, although the general public might always prefer the newest and flashiest version, some Smash purists might actually prefer some of the past versions, and this especially includes the Wii U one.

#9 New Super Luigi U

The second part of the world-famous Mario Bros. duo, Luigi, might be less popular than his red-hatted brother, but that does not mean his games don’t pack a punch. He’s had several games under his name, including the popular Luigi’s Mansion series, as well as many others.

The New Super Luigi U is pretty much the successor to New Super Mario Bros. U, just without Mario, who probably had some more important things to do at the time, one should presume. The game retains everything that made the New Super Mario Bros. U a quality product, this time with Luigi as the star. His moves and techniques bring a breath of fresh air to the classic formula of platforming.

The game also plays around with adding a new character, Nabbit, an interesting twist on the classic formula. Nabbit can only be killed by environmental obstacles, not by enemies. No Baby Yoshis or power-ups for him though, although he can pack the power-ups in a sack. Not so great in multiplayer (having an invincible player in such a situation usually gets boring soon), but a cool departure nevertheless.

Oh, and the important thing to notice is that, even though we are rescuing Princess Peach once again, she doesn’t yell “Mario”, but “Luigi”. It’s a little thing, but makes Luigi proud!

#10 Nintendo Land 

This game was a launch title for the Wii U and it ended up being the fifth best-seller on the console. Not too shabby, considering that it is not exactly a single game – it is more like 12 games mashed-up with a lot of things Nintendo. The characters are from well known, ageless classics, which sure need not another mention.

Nintendo Land is more reminiscent of an arcade experience than anything else. It is loud and proud, and tough, with a large number of new mechanics and controls, covering a very broad range of game types, including dungeon crawling, an endless runner, a shooting gallery, etc. etc.

Actually, the greatest drawback of the game might be its actual complexity – each of the sub-games has new things to cover and learn, so the couch multiplayer on a split-screen might quickly turn into explanations on how to actually play this part as your friends look at their controllers in confusion. However, once the action starts, it’s good, clean, ol’ fashion fun!

#11 Super Mario Maker

In all those years of playing Super Mario Bros. and its spin-offs, have you ever thought: “I could make a better level than this?” Well, Super Mario Maker brought you exactly this – creating your own levels based on the gameplay and visual style of Super Mario Bros., Super Mario World, and New Super Mario Bros. U.

Of course, you don’t just start making the most complex levels straight out of the bag – you have to earn it bit by bit. You have to play and wait and unlock stuff. That is the game part, otherwise, you could just call this a game maker and be done with it.

The best part of it all is to share all your creations with others, as they do with you and play through some of the most creative things out there. If you have ever been a fan of classic 2D Mario Bros. stuff, you know you will enjoy this.

With more than 4 million sold (and more than 7 million unique levels created by the players), it is little wonder that Super Mario Maker 2 found its way to Switch, to continue the magic of creation.

#12 The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess HD

Zelda games, one of the pillars of Nintendo’s success, do have a habit of crossing generations if they end up near each other – which was the case for Twilight Princess as well. Coming out late in the GameCube lifecycle, it eventually came out on Wii a month earlier, as a launch title. It was the most successful Zelda until the Breath of the Wild (which was pretty much the same story, just for Wii U and Switch), selling a whopping 8 million. No wonder it was ported on the Wii U as well.

In today’s day of handholding galore, especially when it comes to quality RPGs, Twilight Princess is refreshingly “old school”. You can get lost here, without a journal to help you, or a constant question pointer flashing above your head, very much like in the Zelda’s of yore. Of course, some people will find this obtuse, yet it does allow for a more relaxed journey. You’ll get there when you get there.

This is also probably the “darkest” Zelda out there and this might draw you in, if it sounds like something that you have always wanted, but couldn’t get out of a Zelda game. I mean, it’s not that there aren’t many Zelda-inspired games out there with dark enough themes. God knows that Dark Souls is pure Zelda in heart!

#13 Mario Kart 8

What is there to say about Mario Kart that hasn’t already been said a gazillion times. The game that launched a thousand copies, yet none of them survived longer than one or two iterations. The game that still today takes your breath away, and has the looks to back that up.

Mario Kart 8 manages to combine the new and the old through clever use of remastered old tracks and completely fresh ones. The connoisseurs of the game will enjoy the new sheen on the old tracks, bringing a completely new dimension to them. The new tracks also have their own gimmicks.

Of course, Nintendo wouldn’t miss out on the opportunity to share the goodies on the new platform as well. The Switch also has the Deluxe version of the game that looks even better and packs a few goodies but plays pretty much the same, which is all that matters in the end.

#14 Bayonetta 2 

When no-one believed, Nintendo did. After the original Bayonetta did not do that well and no one was interested in a sequel – Nintendo helped Platinum Games and announced it for the Wii U. Although Bayonetta is not everyone’s cup of tea, it certainly helped boost Nintendo’s image as a console that is not only about “games for kids”.

The frenetic action style of the predecessor is back in the sequel, with its clean and elegant system, creating probably one of the best action games of all time. The style oozes all over the place, permeating every bit of gameplay, with the eponymous main character leading the charge. Colorful and gloriously quirky side-characters are there as well, all in this weird “angels and demons” setting of the Bayonetta series.

The original did come to PCs a couple of years ago, alongside Vanquish, but there is no news about Bayonetta two doing the same. The game is, of course, available on Switch, because it would be madness for it not to.

#15 Zombi U

Speaking of moving towards the more “hardcore” audiences, ZombiU came to the Wii U practically for that purpose. A first-person survival horror title, it sets up the player against a city full of, well, zombies, if you didn’t gather that from the title. And it is not an easy fight, keeping players on the edge at all times since the odds are stacked against them.

This game takes their zombies very seriously. Even a single one is a big problem for our protagonist, armed usually with nothing more than a cricket bat. The little ammo that you can find for the few weapons that you can use will be sparse and you’ll have to make every bullet count.

Let’s just say that, at the time when it came out, ZombiU had radically different ideas than its contemporaries when it came to what a real zombie horror game should be like.

When it comes to contemporaries, as the Dark Souls series rose in prominence in the days before ZombiU’s release, so the developers decided to utilize its respawn system. This means that if you die, all your equipment stays with the dead body, and a new character has to find it and dispose of it – before “inheriting” the equipment.

The game proved to be popular enough to find itself carrying the name of ZombiU on PC, PS4 and Xbox One as well.

#16 Mario Party 10

What is a Nintendo console without a Mario Party game? Well, it is Super Nintendo, for example. But, let us not digress – Mario Party 10 is the Wii U’s version of the series and it is – certainly the best version of this game on Wii U.

A bunch of mini-games featuring a plethora of Nintendo characters from various Mario games – pretty much all there is to it. The fun part is using the Wiimote as the means of control – makes it easier when in groups. The game even offers a mode with “asymmetric gameplay” where one of the players controls Bowser on the GamePad, while the others are trying to run away and defeat him with their WiiMotes. Fun hijinks ensue.

Still, if you’re a real fan of Mario Party games, the one that got much better review scores is the Super Mario Party on Nintendo Switch. If you just want to give it a go and have some fun with your friends – Mario Party 10 is more than available to help you with that.

#17 Hyrule Warriors

Ever heard of Dynasty Warriors, the over-the-top hack-and-slash action series by Omega Force? Well known for taking on entire battle companies of enemies at the same time, playing some larger than life characters loosely based on Chinese historical texts. Now, imagine something similar, but based on The Legend of Zelda lore.

Hosting the variety of The Legend of Zelda cast through the ages, the game will make you unlock them first, as you star with Impa after the first level and continuing forward. There is a co-op mode as well, and you can enjoy the game with a friend as well, but only in the couch mode, there is no online co-op.

However, one of the players has to use the GamePad screen and the other one uses the TV, which is a little… unfortunate, to say the least, as the game tends to lag and slowdown on the GamePad screen.

In the end, this is a game for Zelda fans who are also Dynasty Warriors fans, and this is no bad thing. It’s refreshing to see all those characters in a new setting, doing crazy things to the rabbles of enemies.

#18 Pikmin 3

The cute Pikmin series has seen its third outing on Wii U as well. Finally, in HD, the true colors and absolute cuteness of the characters and the world surrounding them can come to light. Almost a decade had passed between Pikmin 2 and 3, and many fans of the series were worried about the future of Pikmin. However, the team lead by Shigeru Miyamoto did not disappoint.

Of course, some things are different, such as the use of the GamePad’s touchscreen as a map, as well as take pictures or use some tools, however, the rest of the control options, things are pretty much straightforward – it’s better to use a MotionPlus and Nunchuk.

The game has a lot to offer to both newcomers and seasoned hands and is quite original even today, as a strategy in a world where this genre is rarely divorced from war. All that remains is to wait for the inevitable Pikmin 4 on Nintendo Switch. The spin-off dubbed Hey! Pikmin that came out on 3DS in 2017 was a side-scroller, focused on action, so not much there for hardcore fans.

#19 Fatal Frame: Maiden of Black Water

The Fatal Frame series has seen its heyday back in the times of PS2. It was a different breed of horror, that really appealed to the fans of Japanese-style atmosphere, that was finding a large audience in the West, mostly under the influence of the success of movies such as The Ring or The Grudge. The series was popular enough to warrant two sequels and a spin-off, before coming to Wii U.

Unfortunately, the Wii U game is not very good. Apart from the characters being rather shallow and the pacing being all over the place. It does use the GamePad as the game’s only weapon, basically, the camera, which is used to snap away at ghosts, triggering a Fatal Frame attack against ghosts. Unfortunately, the precision that is necessary for getting rid of the ghosts is not there – you have to be very careful when lining up with the screen, or else it will not succeed. Which is a shame, as this mechanic promised a lot.

Why mention it in this list, you ask? Because not everyone has played the original (and better) Fatal Frame games. And if you’re looking for a bit of Japanese cinema-inspired gameplay, you don’t really have a lot of options out there. Fatal Frame 5 will do in a pinch.

#20 Super Mario 3D World

Super Mario 3D World is a widely acclaimed game, considered by many one of the best Mario games of all time. It offers the option of up to four people joining in the fun, leading one of the available characters: Mario, Luigi, Princess Peach, Toad and Rosalina, who each have their own advantages and disadvantages, based on the powers from Super Mario World 2.

The game often provides a variety of surprises and keeps the new mechanics coming, without letting them grow stale. There is a lot of personality in Super Mario 3D World, as well as nods to many previous Mario games, even Mario Kart.

Being close to perfection might seem dangerous, as the question poses itself – where to go from here? And yet, as the Galaxy series of games show, there is always something new to try and if you dedicate some time and creativity to it, you will have a great game in your hands. Oh, and expect Super Mario 3D World on Switch at some point – it would be a shame not to include it in the growing list of games over there.

#21 Xenoblade Chronicles X

High on expectations raised by its predecessor, Xenoblade Chronicles X manages to bring the magic once again. Just to clarify, the story is not connected to Xenoblade – but what is is the ability to create sprawling maps and bring awesome exploration on what many considered a sub-standard console when it came out at the end of PS3 and Xbox 360’s lifecycle.

Xenoblade Chronicles X can also be a tough and unforgiving game that requires concentration – you don’t just go for a short rump around the world for fun. You either fully devote yourself to it – or you don’t play it at all. The battles are equal parts tactics and skill in timing your dodge and block. Players who have heard that there are mechs in the game need not apply if they are not ready to dedicate some 20-30 hours to the game before getting the first glimpse of them.

In the end, X is a great game, with a living world, dark theme, serviceable story, but a lot of ways to make the adventure yours and pursue side quests that might have nothing to do with the main story at all. And don’t hold your breath for this game getting to Nintendo Switch any time soon – the predecessor is getting a remaster first, and that’s expected sometime this year.

#22 The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild

And finally, reaching the end of the list, it felt proper to leave the one that is probably the greatest reason people got their hands on Nintendo Switch – a new, different, taboo- and ground-breaking Zelda game. But wait, this is a Wii U list, you say? Indeed, Breath of the Wild came out on Wii U at the same time as Switch, even causing people to go out and buy a Wii U when Switches sold out in the first couple of months.

First off, the game is looking incredible. It is no wonder that art direction is in many cases more important than pure polygon counts. BotW is generally based around one theme: freedom. The freedom to choose where you want to go and what you want to do. Once you’re out of the initial area, you have pretty much all the skills you need to go anywhere in the world, climb any mountain or dive into any lake. No strings attached.

And once you are out there, free in the world, you won’t find any busywork – everything is there purely for your enjoyment and to test your skills and allow you to experiment and find new ways to do things. Except the damn weapons that keep breaking after two hits – I’m sorry, Nintendo, but that was a horrible idea!

A Few Closing Words

Although Wii U was neither a powerhouse nor the most popular of consoles, it proved one thing – Nintendo rarely does boring or badly produced games. Unfortunately, third-party games are not that common on the platform and it might have been one of the causes of its reduced popularity, however, this was made up of some great first-party efforts.

In the end, even if you missed out on the Nintendo Wii U at the time it came out, it can be found for cheap in the wild and you can do yourself a favor and enjoy the games from this list since most of them are either not available on any other platform or will be on Nintendo Switch at some point in the future. If you have the Switch, you probably have your hands full anyway, but if you have been missing out on Nintendo lately, the above list should have you covered with the good stuff for a long while.