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WHAT A DIFFERENCE a year makes. When the PS4 and Xbox One was released, many were unsure how the Wii U would cope despite the headstart it received. Its collection of games on the system that time were decent but not enough to tip the balance in its favour
Now fast forward twelve months and things are looking more optimistic for Nintendo thanks to a number of great first- and third-party titles being released (and more to come).
For those who missed them, we covered the best games for the Playstation 4 and Xbox One earlier this week.
Mario Kart 8
Where else can you get it: N/A
One of the most accessible racers out there (and responsible for one of the best videogame memes out there), the joy of Mario Kart 8 is that new players can enjoy it as much as experienced racers.
Being in the lead is a tense affair, especially when you know the difference between victory and defeat is a blue shell. Definitely one of the best party games you can get on the system.
Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze
Where else can you get it:
Anyone who remembers Donkey Kong Country on the SNES will know just how hard the series can be. Yet it rarely feels unfair, and there’s a great deal of satisfaction whenever you complete a tricky section or defeat a tough boss.
The 2.5D visuals gives it a charm of its own and the different characters allow you to approach each level in somewhat different ways, but the core of the game is just as solid as ever.
Bayonetta 2
Where else can you get it: N/A
A Wii U exclusive, the world of Bayonetta 2 is as over the top as its predecessor. Fast moving action, a new collection of weapons and abilities and extravagant set-pieces makes it a blast from start to finish, although the over-sexualised presentation of its main character will bother some.
Super Mario 3D World
Where else can you get it: N/A
Another great Mario game with fantastic levels and buckets of charm. While it may look familiar, the real joy comes from multiplayer as each player tries to get as many points as possible while working with each other to complete each level. It’s fantastically balanced and is incredibly enjoyable.
Super Smash Bros
Where else can you get it:
Getting into a brawl with iconic characters like Link and Kirby rarely gets old and the Wii U edition refines the formula that made previous entries so successful. Similar to Mario Kart, anyone can get involved and the inclusion of eight-player mode – which are local-only unfortunately – adds an extra layer of insanity to proceedings.
The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker HD
Where else can you get it: N/A
When it was released on the Gamecube, Wind Waker was unfairly disregarded as a kids game thanks to its cell-shaded graphics, but those who played it found one of the best games on the system.
Now updated for the Wii U, the few problems the Gamecube version had, like sailing speeds, has been fixed, and the HD graphics makes the bright and bold graphics better than ever. It helps that it’s a brilliant game that both new players and veterans can appreciate.
Pikmin 3
Where else can you get it: N/A
If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it and while the core of Pikmin is still a delight thanks to its approach to exploration and strategy, there are still new elements that keep things fresh. Sending your army of Pikmin to gather food or fight enemies is always enjoyable and you do end up feeling guilty whenever you send some of them to your doom.
The only issue is that you reach the end all too soon, but the inclusion of multiplayer will keep things going.
Shovel Knight
Where else can you get it: PC, Mac, Linux, 3DS
While Shovel Knight harks back to the era of NES games like Mega Man, it introduces its own features which keeps things fresh.
For one, your weapon is a shovel and while that doesn’t sound great in theory, the varied levels, fantastic soundtrack, silly characters and powerups and boss fights makes it a fantastic game.
The Wonderful 101
Where else can you get it: N/A
Being a superhero isn’t an original premise for a game, but The Wonderful 101 is surprisingly inventive and colourful take on it. You are thrown into the deep end when you begin, but for those who persevere will find a clever and charming game that you can’t help but like.
Grab the classic Nintendo games from their online store. The screen on the controller is a brilliant idea, you dont even need a tv most of the time to play the WiiU.
Its worth it for the old Zelda and Castlevania games.
Pretty comprehensive list alright. Pity Captain Toad isn’t making Christmas in Europe. Smash and Bayonetta are the most fun I’ve had with any games for a long time.
Get them Operation or Buckaroo and they will have way more fun! Feck computers
The irony…
Lol, it’s a fair cop!
Get them a playstation 4 not that piece of crap!
PS4 couldn’t be less appealing, unless you’re the sort that’s happy to buy every CoD, CoD clone and FIFA as they’re released I suppose.
There’s 2 reasons to get a PS4: Bloodborne or being too poor/stupid to afford/assemble a decent PC.
My 1 reason was to play Planetside2 with a controller on the big screen. It got delayed, ps4 gathering dust for months. I’l get to dust it off soon as the Beta sign up has begun.
thw funny thing is i’m using a wii u to type this, just shows how good the console is.
Might as well use it to type, no games for it. You got no faans, dyou want some
Quinton
On Bayonetta 2 you wrote:
“the over-sexualised presentation of its main character will bother some”
That’s a weird thing to put in there. At 1:45 in the video some guy gets a sword rammed down his throat repeatedly and you’re worried people will find her outfits too revealing? I didn’t see any such disclaimers on GTA5 when you looked at PS4 games and none mentioning how some people will be bothered by the violence in games.
Of course there will always be people bothered by these things but you should write your reviews for your main audience and not go down the road trying to list every little irrelevant thing that might upset some people.
You guys forgot Child of Light , game of 2014 for me , on pretty much everything but still brill .
it baffles me as to why Minecraft hasnt made its way to Wii U yet. the controller would be a perfect fit for it
Best thing you can do is play a little game of trade in the wii for an PS4. At least this is what the guy at the video shop told me when fleecing me blind 4 years ago. They are still making the things!! lol.
Someone told you to get a PS4 four years ago?
You got offered a Wii for PS4, straight trade, 4 years ago? Where is this amazing games shop? I must know!
Wii U is the best console right now for games! Unless your idea of games is this years reskinned CoD or FIFA or any thing EA… well except Dragon Age: Inquisition we’ll give that a pass due to BioWare
Best game I’ve played in ages is Monument. Have it in my phone.
Now that you have done articles on the PS4, Xbone and WiiU, I really do hope you are doing an article on “Which games should you get for your PC this Christmas?” next. ;-)
A PC. Or a ball. Maybe a PS3
The Wii, best dust catcher since 2009!
This is a different console.
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