The Nintendo Wii U is an awesome console. Mainly due to the Nintendo produced software, the Wii U is often set apart from the competition in a category of it’s own. Games on the Wii U often feel more light-hearted and colorful, and remind us of a time when games were simpler. In fact, the majority of this list is Nintendo Wii U exclusive, because first party Nintendo software is often fantastic. In no particular order, here’s the top ten games for the Nintendo Wii U.
- Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze
A sequel to the Wii game “Donkey Kong Country Returns”, Tropical Freeze is a staggering example of what sets Wii U apart from the rest. Bright and colorful, this game looks childish and almost casual from the outside, but has some insane challenge deep inside. Improving on the original DKC Returns in almost every way, Tropical Freeze provides us with multiple playable characters, new upgrades, and even more challenging platforming action. Besides that, it’s one of the best looking games on the system. If you’re a fan of 2D side scrolling platformers, Tropical Freeze is probably your game.
- Pokken Tournament
Amounting to pretty much every 90’s kids wet dream, Pokken Tournament pits Pokemon against each other in battle. However, unlike the standard Pokemon formula, Pokken Tournament plays entirely like Tekken or Dead or Alive. With a roster of varied and unique Pokemon, and some pretty cool game mechanics, Pokken Tournament succeeds at also being a super fun game. Besides the cool factor, Pokken Tournament turns out to have a bit of depth, and quite a bit of content. With an almost flawless online multiplayer network, Pokken Tournament is tons of fun for single and multiplayer sessions.
- Pikmin 3
The third game in Nintendo’s “Pikmin” series, Pikmin 3 shows us why the Wii U Gamepad can be useful as well. While often not implemented correctly, Pikmin 3 uses the Wii U’s touch screen Gamepad to provide an intuitive control scheme. If you’re unfamiliar with Pikmin, it might be difficult to understand, but Pikmin is kind of strategic. It’s similar to an RTS, but Pikmin is mainly about ordering around different colored aliens to do your work for you. Your objective is to explore an alien planet while recruiting these tiny pikmin, and using their abilities to explore further. You’ll encounter huge enemies, varied environments, and have a whole lot of fun while doing it. If nothing else, Pikmin 3 is an excellent time that forces you to use the Gamepad in a fun and interesting way.
- Super Mario 3D Worlds
There’s not much here to be said that hasn’t been said already. If Nintendo does one thing right, it’s Super Mario games. Super Mario 3D Worlds is the first 3D Mario title for the Wii U, and it’s one of the best 3D Mario titles in years. This is platforming at it’s finest, plain and simple. With insanely good level design, and imaginative game worlds, 3D Worlds almost perfects the franchise. Second only to Super Mario Galaxy 2, Super Mario 3D Worlds is the best of its kind. Combined with four player drop-in cooperative play, it’s simply a good time no matter the occasion. It’s also very lengthy, and has a ton of levels to play through with sometimes incredible challenge. Simply a must own game.
- Super Mario Maker
Although this game is in the same franchise as our previous entry, it’s almost exactly the opposite. Super Mario Maker puts players in control, encouraging them to create and share their own Super Mario levels. By providing the player with an easy to use, but incredibly deep level creator, Super Mario Maker makes it fun to create the levels, as well as play them. You can create levels using individual Mario games engines, such as Super Mario Brothers, SMB3, Super Mario World, and New Super Mario Brothers. Besides being a rock solid product, the community around Super Mario Maker ensures that there is always an amazing level to be tried. Although some of the level sharing could be better, Super Mario Maker is still one of the best user-generated-content games on any system.