Wii U

"How U will play next."

• Positive Metacritic Reviews
• Neutral Metacritic Reviews
• Negative Metacritic Reviews
• No Review Listed
• Wii U Exclusive

Note: specifies games that have Off TV Play. When necessary, sub-notes should be written beside it (in parenthesis if you wish).

Don't forget to check the Upcoming games page

System Specs & Details

Don't mind how small it looks- it's actually 50% more powerful than the PS3.

• 2GB of GDDR4 RAM
• Tri-Core 3 GHz Power7 45nm CPU
• Wii U operating system runs on a separate, ARM-based processor.
• 8 GB (Basic model, soon discontinued) or 32 GB (deluxe model) internal flash memory. Supports external usb hard drives and sd cards.
• Custom Blu-Ray-esc disks (25gb)
• WiFi native, supports USB LAN adapters (including wii/(3)ds ones).
• HDMI, Optical, S-video and Composite output.
• USB 2.0, four ports: two front and two back.
• Region Locked
• Internet not required except for Nintendo Network and game updates (system updates available in all nintendo games).
• Free Nintendo Network account needed for online play. No fees!
• Backwards compatible with all Wii games and controllers. Can download NES, SNES, N64, GBA, Wii and DS games from Nintendo E-shop.
• Game installation optional (mostly in ports)

Spec Sources and More info: Source 1, Source 2, Source 3.

The List

Disc-Based

Boxart	Title	Genre	Description	Controller Support
	Bayonetta 2	Action-Adventure	You play as a strong sexy independent witch who uses guns on her hands and feet as well as creatures bound from her hair to fight angels and demons. As it's a Platinum game, everything is absolutely CUHRAYZEE - imagine Devil May Cry with tons of over-the-top action. Garnered much a fanboy's rage when it was announced as a Nintendo exclusive, but they were the only company willing to actually fund it - as such, there are many little treats and cameos from Nintendo classics. Comes with the first Bayonetta packaged in, so it's a two for one deal. If you're still not amazed yet, try the demo.	Gamepad, Pro Controller
	Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker	Action Puzzle	Really charming spin-off of the Captain Toad segments in Super Mario 3D World. Toadette is playable as well. It also has Shy Guys and even though it is only a few hours long it is cozy as hell.	Gamepad
	Darksiders II	Action-Adventure/Hack-N-Slash	This game is amazing, and the Wii U version is great. Off-TV play is good, and if you're playing on TV your inventory shows up on the gamepad. Gameplay is Zelda and God of War in a blender. Comes with DLC on disc, although some DLC released after this version isn't available to purchase.	Gamepad, Pro Controller
	Deus Ex: Human Revolution Director's Cut	FPS/WRPG	Prequel to the first Deus Ex. Everything you could ask for is in it. FPS/RPG action, multiple ways to complete and objective, hacking, stealthing, conspiracy theories, take downs, incredible detail, etc. Slightly more linear then the original, but definitely worthy of the Deus Ex title. The Director's Cut contains the extra story DLC, improved textures, reworked bosses, and other features.	Gamepad
	Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze	2D Platformer	DK and Diddy return for more Retro Studio-developed antics. Now you can also play as Dixie and based Cranky (though DK must be in the player's team, i.e. no duos of just Dixie/Diddy/Cranky). There's a few new items and moves as a result, and some collectables can only be obtained by certain characters. Swimming levels also make a comeback, but work differently than before. Of particular note are the upgraded visuals, with some very nice textures and effects. Some might call this a rehash, but it's a solid game worth a shot before you form any final opinions. Available for download and physically.	Gamepad, Pro Controller, Wiimote, Wiimote + Nunchuk
	DuckTales: Remastered	2D Platformer	An HD remake of DuckTales on the NES done in 2.5D with hand-drawn character sprites, developed by WayForward (Shantae, Mighty Switch Force!). The characters have full voice acting and even includes members of the show's original cast. Looks fantastic with identical gameplay to the original, and features expanded levels with a full story. Available for download and physically.	Gamepad, Pro Controller
	Hyrule Warriors	Hack 'n' Slash	A collaboration between Tecmo Koei and Nintendo where you get to play as Link and fuck up hordes of enemies as well as large bosses with a fabulous scarf, Dynasty Warriors-style. Also yes, it's a spin-off. Just be prepared for tons of waifus - you know, the whole Dynasty Warriors experience. Available for download and physically.	Gamepad, Pro Controller, Wiimote + Nunchuk
	The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker HD	Action/Adventure	It's Wind Waker but even prettier and with a better inventory system and you can take selfies and send them in messages in bottles to other people. The pacing is improved greatly by the swift sail and the shortening of the Triforce quest. If this is your first Wind Waking then it is a Zelda game that has a fantastically charming game with an aesthetic that will win you over quickly as the emotion it allows Link is great and adds much more lighthearted humor to the game than any other Zelda. Off TV play is as convenient as ever but it means giving up the touchscreen inventory. The game supports GamePad play, allowing for play without a television, as well as control with the Wii U Pro Controller, for those who prefer a traditional control scheme. During use of the Pro Controller, the GamePad can still be used as a map.	Gamepad, Pro Controller
	Lego City Undercover	Action/Collect-a-thon	A semi-open world family-friendly GTA. Since it's a Lego game, expect lots of funny moments, most of the humor drawing from pop culture and '70s cop flicks. Lots of stuff to find and collect. Suffers from ridiculous load times and floaty driving controls.	Gamepad
	Mario Kart 8	Racing	The latest in the long-running Marry-oh Kart series. Amazing graphics and silky smooth 60fps, unless you're playing multiplayer with 3 or 4 then it's 30fps. A lot of great tracks and a (mostly) okay roster of characters. New additions include anti-gravity sections, ATVs, Boomerangs, Piranha Plants, Super Horns, all the Koopalings, and more. Has a detailed replay system called Mario Kart TV that lets you view any moment in a race and even edit your reel. Multiplayer is classic fun, and online is decent but limited. You can actually race online with another local player at the same time, which is pretty fucking rad.	Gamepad, Pro Controller, Classic Controller, Wiimote, Wiimote + Nunchuk
	Monster Hunter 3: Ultimate	RPG/Hack n Slash	Monster Hunter Tri remake, but with so much more fucking content and improved visuals. Can play with 3DS locally, and other Wii U players online. New update just added Off-TV Play and cross-region play. Beware, though: if games like Dark Souls and Mega Man frustrated you, you might want to try the demo first to make sure you really want it.	Gamepad, Pro Controller, Classic Controller
	Need for Speed: Most Wanted U	Racing	A port of the PC version of the game. Minor graphical and gameplay updates, but the main draw of this version is that it comes pre-packed with the Ultimate Speed Pack DLC. Co-Driver mode is also introduced, allowing the player to make minor adjustments to the environment and their car on the fly using the Gamepad.	Gamepad, Pro Controller, Classic Controller, Wiimote, Wiimote + Nunchuk
	New Super Mario Bros. U	2D Platformer	More side-scrolling Mario, now in wonderful HD with flying squirrel suits. Supports up to five players, as the person using the gamepad can create platforms to help the other four players. Some new modes, Challenge Mode and Boost Rush are available, the first providing new challenges in exchange for 1-Ups, while the later is a scrolling level challenge that speeds up as coins are obtained. Also includes a new little antagonist called Nabbit who likes to steal items from Toad, but can be caught to obtain the stolen power-ups. Many Deluxe Sets come packed-in with NSMBU+LuigiU DLC all on one disc.	Gamepad, Pro Controller, Wiimote
	New Super Luigi U	2D Platformer	Released as an expansion to the original game, this version is available as both DLC and physically in celebration of the Year of Luigi. The game features 82 new courses that are built around Luigi's floaty playstyle, and replaces Mario with the Nabbit as the fourth playable character. Levels tend to be shorter, but more difficult with a reduced time limit. Give it a try if you enjoy the series, though Challenge Mode and Boost Rush are absent.	Gamepad, Pro Controller, Wiimote
	Nintendo Land	Minigames	Nintendo's first theme park, right in your living room. The park is divided into sections that represent different Nintendo franchises. Lots of fun with friends and alone, although some minigames are multiplayer-only. Is included with the main Wii U Deluxe Bundle.	Gamepad, Wiimote, Wiimote + Nunchuk
	Pikmin 3	RTS/Adventure	Third in the series of Miyamoto's amazingly fun and charming strategy games. This one has you in a different setting and you control 3 captains from the planet Koppai whose food has run out and you are sent out to retrieve more. It has a variable limit which can last as long as you keep finding food (unlike the fixed limit in Pikmin 1), but has no caves. It also looks fantastic, the fruit looks real enough to eat! It now has DLC as well. If you're still on the rocks, you can try the demo on the eShop that contains the entire Garden of Hope level. Be careful, though - there still isn't a left-handed mode.	Gamepad, Pro controller, Wii remote + nunchuk, classic controller pro.
	Resident Evil: Revelations	Third Person Survival Horror	Resident Evil returns to its survival horror roots in a HD port of the 3DS version. Includes improved graphics and good Gamepad features. Better than its PS3/360 counterparts, but still lacking a little in the graphics which is to be expected.	Gamepad, Pro Controller
	Rayman Legends	2D Platformer	Originally announced as a Wii U exclusive, but then delayed to be released multiplatform due to Microsoft's shitty Third-Party policies (Which caused massive amounts of rage in the process) Rayman Legends features OVER 100 FUCKING LEVELS! This game is packed full of content, and it's hard as shit too. The game plays similar to Origins, but has a new feature: Murphy and his Murphy segments. During these short segments, you actually control Murphy to help solve puzzles, manage hazards and obstacles in levels, etc. In most versions, Murphy is assigned to a button while you move the character. In Wii U (and Vita), you ONLY control Murphy, while characters are automatically controlled. Opinions are split on this. With multiple levels, characters, and costumes, Rayman will keep you coming back for more.	Gamepad, Wiimote, Wiimote + Nunchuck, Pro Controller
	Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed	Racing	Sequel to Sega's fantastic racer, this time with added Planes and Hovercraft, so kinda like Diddy Kong Racing if you could switch vehicles midrace. Wii U version has Banana Heist and Ninja Tag minigames exclusively. (To switch to Gamepad mode just swipe down on the touchscreen, completely undocumented in the manuals or anything.)	Gamepad, Pro Controller, Classic Controller, Wiimote, Wiimote + Nunchuk
	Sonic Lost World	Platformer	A mix of Sonic and Mario Galaxy, this game has been called "Sonic Xtreme Reborn", but doesn't look like shit. Most of the game takes place on little planets like Galaxy, but on speed. Controls are wonky and take time to get used to, and also has the Wisps from Colors (But nobody cares). Has you fighting enemies and bosses, with tricky but satisfying platforming. Parkour is also in for some wacky ass running up walls and steps while maintaining up your speed. Hated on by reviewers because it was "Too hard" and "not fast enough". Also has the Sinister Six Edition, With NiGHTS thrown in, and also free Nintendo DLC to put Sonic in Yoshi's island and Zelda.	Gamepad
	Splatoon	Third Person Shooter	Nintendo's first real foray into the third person shooter genre. Players create their own Inkling, a species of fashion-obsessed humanoid squids who can assume a cutesy squid form to swim in their own ink, and fight using an arsenal of cartoony, ink-based weapons. While the game features a short single player campaign full of boss fights and unlockables, the real meat of the game is its unique online play. Rather than just killing each other, teams compete in Turf Wars to see who can cover the most of a map in their team's brightly colored ink within three minutes. There's also a more traditional King of the Hill style mode called Splat Zones where offense is much more important. While kind of barebones content-wise with only five online maps and one game mode at launch, Nintendo has promised weekly content updates through August 2015, each featuring new weapons, maps, and modes. Spalatoon can be played without an internet connection, but it is primarily an online shooter that has several online-only features. The on-disc content is very limited and the solo campaign lasts under 10 hours making it unsuitable for people who do not have an internet connection or don't enjoy online multiplayer. The Gamepad is the ONLY controller option for the first player, be it Single Player or Multi Player. Second player has to use alternative controllers. No announcements on changing this have been made.	Gamepad (player one), Pro Controller or Classic Contoller (player two)
	Super Mario 3D World	Platformer	The newest installment in the main Mario series takes a break from space exploration for a game very similar to 3D Land but on a larger scale. Playable are Mario, Luigi, Peach, and Toad, each with their abilities from Super Mario Bros. 2 as an excellent throwback. Rosalina is also unlockable with a Galaxy inspired playstyle. Since Peach is playable this time around, the game takes place in the new Sprixie Kingdom, with Bowser having kidnapped its fairy princesses. This world also contains a lot of nostalgic enemies from Super Mario World, such as the unique Goombas and Chargin' Chuck. Features most of the power-ups from 3D Land, as well as the new Cat Suit which allows the player to climb walls or lunge at enemies. As of typing this entry, it is currently the highest rated Wii U game on Metacritic, and deservingly so.	Gamepad, Pro Controller, Classic Controller, Wiimote, Wiimote + Nunchuk
	Super Smash Bros. for Wii U	Fighter/Party Game	Do we really need to explain this? Take all your favorite Nintendo characters, put them in a single room together, and let them beat the crap out of each other. Includes new characters like Mega Man, Pac-Man, Wii Fit Trainer, Little Mac, and even your own Miis. Now has eight-player Smash, a Mario Party-esque mode called Smash Tour, an online mode that blows Brawl's out of the water, a mode specifically for competitive players, an extensive single-player mode for those who don't like online play, and even some demos for Virtual Console games. The game offers also DLCs of several kind. One of them is SF's Ryu.	Gamepad, Pro Controller, Classic Controller, Wiimote, Wiimote + Nunchuk, Gamecube controller, Nintendo 3DS
	Tekken Tag Tournament 2: Wii U Edition	3D Fighter	The usual exciting roster of Tekken with just a touch of Nintendo. Gameplay is still a blast as usual, adding in features lost since the original Tekken Tag Tournament. Has all previously-released PS3/360 DLC on disc plus two Wii U-exclusive modes including Tekken Ball.	Gamepad, Pro Controller, Classic Controller, Wiimote + Nunchuk
	The Wonderful 101	Action-Adventure/Hack n' Slash	Latest action game from Hideki Kamiya. You control a group of superheroes on a mission to stop alien invaders. Your characters can form any weapon or tool they need using themselves as material. Gameplay has been described as Okami+Bayonetta. As expected of Platinum Games, boss battles are absolutely CUHRAAAAAZY. Try the demo if you're not impressed yet.	Gamepad, Pro Controller, Classic Controller
	ZombiU	First Person Survival Horror	A sort of reboot of Ubisoft's very first game, Zombi for the Amstrad CPC (1986). Fight zombies. Trying to revive the Survival Horror genre with classic gameplay. Perhaps not an instant classic, but better than Ubisoft's similar Wii launch title, Red Steel. Expect a lot of loading screens, have fun. Reserve your judgement until you try the demo.	Gamepad, Pro Controller for Multiplayer

Nintendo eShop releases

Boxart	Title	Genre	Description	Controller Support
	Bit. Trip Presents...Runner 2: Future Legends of Rhythm Alien	Rhythm / Platformer	The sequel to the famous WiiWare game. This game features purtier graphics, new songs, and a whole bunch of other shit. It's on fucking everything, but the Wii U version has Off-TV Play.	Gamepad
	The Cave	Adventure Platformer / Puzzle	New Double Fine game which plays similar to a point and click game, with great writing. The Wii U port is marred with a sub-par framerate, often dropping below 30 fps. Try the eShop demo and see if you don't mind it.	Gamepad, Pro Controller, Wiimote + Nunchuk
	Cloudberry Kingdom	Platformer / Torture Device	This is a platformer so fucking difficult the developers couldn't beat it. If you like getting raped hard, this game is for you.	Gamepad
	Giana Sisters: Twisted Dreams	2.5D Platformer	Jeez, for a game that was an obvious Mario clone back in the 80's, the Giana Sisters have been appearing a lot lately. This game is a 2.5D platformer where you play as two slutty girls switching through 2 worlds. It's actually a very deep and enjoyable game. But a bit too pricey.	Gamepad
	Kung Fu Rabbit	2D Platformer	A 2D platformer similar to Super Meat Boy, but slow as shit. If you like Super Meat Boy, then get this game.	Gamepad
	Little Inferno	Sandbox/Fireplace Sim	Burn things, collect money, buy more things to burn and make combos with, and repeat. Has a very dark story going on throughout. Same guys who developed World of Goo. Wii U version is not much different to the PC version and with a somewhat high price for a 2-3 hour 'game'.	Gamepad, Wiimote
	Mighty Switch Force! Hyper Drive Edition	Puzzle Platformer	Port of the 3DS game, a great puzzle platformer with timed levels which will have you trying to beat your best time by miliseconds. Wii U version has Hyper Mode levels which are just bounus levels more difficult than the first 16 levels, a new gun after you finish the game, and has enhanced visuals so you can see more of the Hooligan Sisters' lewd curves.	Gamepad, Pro Controller, Classic Controller/Classic Controller Pro
	Mutant Mudds Deluxe	2D Platformer	A deluxe edition of the 3DS game...without the 3D. It features 20 brand new GHOST levels. The game kind of loses its touch without the 3D. But hey, playing as grandma at the end makes up for it, right? WHOOPS DID I SAY THAT OUT LOUD SPOILER	Gamepad
	Nano Assault Neo	Twin Stick Shmup	Beautiful twin-stick shooter. Has 4 levels which each have 4 sub-levels. Game gets extremely difficult when you go for the high scores. Has multiplayer co-op.	Gamepad, Pro Controller or Classic Controller/Classic Controller Pro for Co-op
	NES Remix	Compilation/Mini Game Collection	Sort of like WarioWare if it was nothing but the 9-Volt retro microgames. Play goal-based snippets from 16 of the ancient "black box" era Nintendo titles as fast as possible. The real meat comes in the "remix" challenges like completing the first stage of Donkey Kong as Link. There are over 200 challenges and many are a pain to earn rainbow stars on, or beat the cocky bastard flaunting his new pixel stamp and best time. Probably the only time you'll want to play Clu Clu Land or Urban Champion.	Gamepad, Pro Controller, Wiimote, Classic Controller/Classic Controller Pro
	NES Remix 2	Compilation / Mini Game Collection	More of the same as the first, this time with later NES Nintendo titles. There's now only 12 games with 160 challenges, but it also includes a full-fledged officially modified NES game: Super Luigi Bros.. It's the first complete SMB game mirrored starring only Luigi with his Lost Levels' high jump and slippery skidding. You can also view other players' videos or post your own to show how rad you are at Wario's Woods' challenges. If you have the first NES Remix, it unlocks "Nintendo World Championships Remix", a variation of the old 1990 NWC cart with Super Mario Bros., SMB 3, and Dr. Mario, complete with leaderboards. Both games are included together on a physical disc, if that's more your thing.	Gamepad, Pro Controller, Wiimote, Classic Controller/Classic Controller Pro
	Puddle	Physics / Puzzle	Tilt the Gamepad left and right to get the liquid to the end, kinda like a mix between Mercury and LocoRoco except there's a bunch of different liquids with different properties.	Gamepad
COVER GOES HERE	Shantae and the Pirate's Curse	Platformer / Metroidvania	One of WayForward's favorite franchises. Play as a half-genie belly dancer who can whip enemies with her hair, and become a super-sexy pirate so you can get your magic back. The basic gameplay hasn't changed much since its beginnings on the Game Boy. And the story is so heartwarming, you'll be running out of tissues in no time.	Gamepad
COVER GOES HERE	Shovel Knight	Platformer	You're a knight wielding a shovel, who must fight eight other knights with similar gimmicks before confronting an enchantress who has been plaguing the countryside. Sound familiar? Takes all the good parts of games like Mega Man from yesteryear, adds in its own unique style, and packages it all up in a cute little bow with NES-style graphics and music.	Gamepad, Pro Controller, Wiimote, Classic Controller/Classic Controller Pro
	Toki Tori 2	Metroidvania Puzzle platformer	Main character is a chick who can only do two things: whistle and ground pound. That's it. Every single puzzle in a game is solved with these two moves interacting the the environment in various ways. Whistling various tunes give a a few more abilities (like teleporting between checkpoints). There are no levels, only one big interconnected world that you traverse by solving puzzles you encounter on the way. Puzzles can get very hard. Aside from the main menu logo and credits, the game has no text.	Gamepad
	Trine 2: Director's Cut	Adventure / Puzzle / 2D Platformer	Amazing puzzle platformer with a nice traditional medieval fantasy story ported from PC, with Goblin Menace expansion pack included and an extra level called "Dwarven Caverns". Switch between 3 characters who each have different abilities to continue forward.	Gamepad, Pro Controller

Virtual Console

Currently, there are six systems that have VC games on the Wii U as of typing: the NES, the SNES, the N64, the Game Boy Advance, the Nintendo DS, and select Wii games. While some may be turned off by NES games still costing $5 a pop and ask why not just emulate, at the very least the GBA games are well-ported. In addition, the Wii games are very fairly-priced ($10 for the Metroid Prime Trilogy for its first week!), and allow Gamepad play if the Wii Classic Controller could be used to play them. You can find specific game recommendations on their respective pages.

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