Thanks to the slightly underwhelming sales of the console, some of the best Wii U games get lost to the sands of time when discussing Nintendo's greatest hits. Well, this list is here to save them, as we take a look at the experimental console's home runs. With entries from the Mario and Zelda series, as well as a sparkly new IP, there's tons to explore.
Good Wii U games make great use of the console's expanded hardware - the GamePad controller with its microphone, touchscreen, and camera, and the ability for Off-TV Play (which was definitely an early test of the Nintendo Switch's hybrid nature). So, let's dive into the stellar selection of shooters, platformers, and RPGs that called this console their home.
The best Wii U games are:
1. Splatoon
I know I'm not the only person who bought a Wii U solely to play Splatoon. This manic, ink-slinging turf war game was technically my first ever foray into shooters, and it delivers all the high-octane action and strategy of the genre, while maintaining Nintendo's squeaky-clean, family-friendly image. It also makes some of the best use of the tablet controller of any game I've seen, with the touchscreen acting as a map that lets you choose your quick-spawn point.
You can say what you want about the Wii U as a console, but without it, we wouldn't have the Splatoon IP. What started as an experimental multiplayer game has grown bigger than I ever could have predicted, spawning two full sequels for the Nintendo Switch, several DLC packs with additional single-player content, and an upcoming spin-off game in Splatoon Raiders.
If you've never given Splatoon a try, it's well worth it - either on the Wii U in its original form, or on the Nintendo Switch with its sequels. We're patiently waiting for any information on Splatoon Raiders, too, so we can continue our squid kid journeys in a new way.
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2. Mario Kart 8
Sure, Mario Kart World might be all the rage right now, but Mario Kart 8 is an absolutely stellar entry in the kart-racing series. It elevates existing Mario Kart mechanics to a new level, and adds new features that feel so at home in the landscape of the game that I'd forgive you for thinking they'd been there the whole time. Filled to the brim with brand-new tracks and nostalgic favorites, plus DLC that adds characters and courses from Animal Crossing and The Legend of Zelda, it's no wonder that Mario Kart 8 got the Switch port treatment.
In my Mario Kart 8 Deluxe + Booster Course review, I said that with "a huge roster of lovable and unique characters, and easy-to-learn controls with child-friendly options, this game should be a staple at any game night or family event." The same goes for the original iteration on the Wii U, as the base game's 48 courses are more than enough to chew on, and I spent many an evening playing four-person multiplayer with my cousins for hours on end.
Without Mario Kart 8, we would never have gotten its Deluxe edition on the Nintendo Switch, which many competitive racing game fans consider to be the series' best entry. For a more in-depth comparison of the Switch's two Mario Kart titles, check out Adam's Mario Kart World vs Mario Kart 8 Deluxe feature.
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3. The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
What can I say about Breath of the Wild that hasn't already been said? As a certified Metacritic Must-Play and one of the only games to release simultaneously on the Wii U and Nintendo Switch (the only other title was Cars 3: Driven to Win), it's a key moment in both the Zelda series and Nintendo as a whole's history. Breath of the Wild lets us follow Link on an open-world adventure around Hyrule in a way that we'd never seen before its release, facing not only perilous foes, but nature and the elements themselves.
In Adam's Breath of the Wild review, written in the wake of Tears of the Kingdom's triumphant release, he says that "Breath of the Wild mustn't be forgotten, as it remains a tremendous open-world adventure that will forever be a turning point for the Zelda series." He also points out that "You didn't need to know anything about what happened in the earlier games, but there were still plenty of little references and Easter Eggs for longtime fans to look out for."
So, if you're considering diving into Hyrule's sprawling fields and fending for yourself, you should check out our Breath of the Wild recipes guide to make sure you're getting the correct nutrients to defeat Ganon once and for all. Eating your five-a-day is important, even in videogames!
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4. The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker HD
Ten years after its initial release on the GameCube, Nintendo brought Toon Link to the Wii U with Wind Waker HD. Both the original game and its HD remaster are critically acclaimed, and the modern console's improved graphics quality allowed players to see the previously divisive cartoonish art style in a new light - literally, with lighting improvement in the engine.
Wind Waker's story follows Link as he tries to save his sister from Ganon with help from a talking sailboat, pirate captain Tetra (who's actually a version of Princess Zelda), and a magic conductor's baton. In classic Zelda series fashion, you beat up enemies in dungeons and find useful upgrades along the way, but this game's USP is its use of water and sailing to traverse the map. The HD Wii U port upgraded the graphics and overall quality, while also adding new features like Off-TV Play, which lets you play the entire game in handheld mode on the tablet controller. This controller also acts as a second screen map and inventory when playing on the TV.
While we don't have a 1:1 Wind Waker Switch port of the Wii U version, you can play the classic GameCube title as part of the Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pass service. It's lacking the Wii U's improved graphics, but there are still plenty of wonderful quality-of-life features present.
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5. Pikmin 3
In 2013, Pikmin 3 brought the adorable plant-like creatures back to our screens in their first new game since 2004, expanding the real-time strategy experience past Olimar's life and passing it on to three new captains. Much like many made-for-Wii U games, it makes excellent use of the console's tablet controller for Off-TV Play, and introduces two new Pikmin types that I can't imagine living without now - the Rock Pikmin and Flying Pikmin.
We're glad that Pikmin 3 kept the underrated series alive, but you should read our Pikmin 3 Deluxe review to see how the port holds up on the Nintendo Switch. Our favorite new feature is the addition of local co-op to the main campaign, saving it from the obscurity of optional game modes.
Pikmin 3 carries over many of the first two games' beloved elements, tweaking them for the modern era ever so slightly, like letting you throw Pikmin at specific enemy body parts rather than just in their general direction. It also features two multiplayer modes in Mission Mode and Bingo Battle, letting you put your Pikmin-herding skills to the test against a friend or loved one. We love the third game, but if you want to see the pinnacle of Pikmin history, check out our Pikmin 4 review.
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6. Super Mario 3D World
Super Mario 3D World is a stand-out Mario game in my eyes. It brings together the gorgeous 3D graphics and advanced platforming of the 3DS prequel with the joy of playing a Mario Bros. game alongside your friends and family. Yes, this is the first 3D Mario game to feature local co-op, letting you team up as Mario, Luigi, Peach, and Toad to save the Sprixie Princess.
This entry in the Mario series also makes wonderful use of the Wii U's unique features. You can tap blocks on the touchscreen GamePad to block your friends, or blow into the microphone to clear obstacles. In his Super Mario 3D World + Bowser's Fury review, Cameron says, "Often acclaimed as one of the Wii U's finest hours, 3D World is a solid marriage of 2D and 3D Mario's distinct styles."
Super Mario 3D World is also the reason that we have Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker, one of the most relaxing games you can play right now. It would have never existed if the Captain Toad minigames in Mario's 3D adventure weren't so popular.
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7. Shovel Knight
Although the majority of the Wii U's standout releases are first-party games, an indie delight called Shovel Knight managed to break through the noise and make a name for itself on the Nintendo console. This 2D pixel-art side-scrolling platformer takes inspiration from the early days of the NES, and that retro nostalgia is clearly powerful, as the game went on to release on practically every platform and win nine awards, including The Game Awards 2014's Best Independent Game award.
The eponymous Shovel Knight goes on a quest to save his partner, Shield Knight, while fighting the Enchantress and her Order of No Quarter. Using his trusty, multipurpose shovel, the knight can dig through dirt blocks, attack enemies with a swift swing of the shovel, unearth treasure, and hop on enemies like Mario on a Goomba. While the original campaign, Shovel of Hope, is a complete game in itself, Shovel Knight received three additional campaigns and a multiplayer fighting mode in the Nintendo Switch release of Shovel Knight: Treasure Trove.
If you're also a fan of Shovel Knight's adventures, check out our Shovel Knight Dig review to see how his spin-off roguelike game holds up to his original escapades.
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8. Xenoblade Chronicles X
Xenoblade Chronicles games deserve a spot on any genre or platform list that they can fit on, and Xenoblade Chronicles X is no exception. Due to its release on the Wii U, it's often forgotten about in the RPG community, but even over ten years since its release, it's worth picking up to experience the vast world of Mira for the first time.
According to Ruby's Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition review, the game is "an open-world masterpiece with an intriguing story, hundreds of missions, and badass mechs to help you traverse the massive map. It's a must-play for RPG lovers who are yet to experience the series and existing fans alike."
Xenoblade Chronicles X is a great way to get into one of the best RPG series of all time, whether you play it in its original form on the Wii U or via the Nintendo Switch port. It was nominated for Best RPG at The Game Awards 2016, after all.
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Unfortunately, Nintendo won't release any new games for us Wii U truthers out there, but there's still plenty of upcoming Switch games to look forward to. Splatoon Raiders is a highlight for any Inkling fans, and Fire Emblem: Fortune's Weave looks like one for the Xenoblade crowd.
So, that's the end of our list of the best Wii U games. If you fancy taking a trip further down memory lane, visit our best DS games and best GBA games guides next. As I'm sure you've noticed during this guide, too, many of the best Switch games are ports and expansions of these iconic but forgotten Wii U gems, so they're worth grabbing if you, like me, lost your Wii U in a tragic break-in. Did we miss your favorite game? Let us know in the Pocket Tactics Discord server, and we'll be sure to add it soon.