Wii U: The Year Two Review

Still a monstrous disappointment commercially, yet now a must-have system for any devoted gamer.

[darthv72]

It's a great little companion system. Games like wonderful 101 are so entertaining and deserve a better response from the gamers. but the first thing they need to do is get over the stigma that the wii-u is not worth having.

they will find there is plenty of good things about the wii-u once they embrace it. I have been buying certain multiplat games for it because of the inclusion of specific gamepad support.

now if nintendo can only get to courting some of the bigger games.....

[wonderfulmonkeyman]

Nintendo's games are the bigger games, though.
By that, I mean they tried courting third parties for multiplats, and got inferior ports instead of games that live up to the standards that these multiplats have set on other consoles.

Nintendo needs more third party exclusives. Multiplats are a lost cause so long as they keep getting gimped...

[CertifiedGamer]

Wonderfulmonkeyman its one thing to say Wii U has an awesome first party line up but another to say that the third party games on other platforms are gimped. Next gen has finally started releasing blockbusters like GTA5, CODAW, Far Cry 4, Halo and next gen didn't have to spend 2 years waiting for hits like BF4, TLOU, Killer Instinct, Infamous Second son, Wolfenstein, Titanfall, Destiny which all came out in its first year. 2015 is only going to get better. When it comes down between picking PS4, X1, and Wii U. I picked PS4 and don't regret it but I am sure I would have regretted picking the Wii U out of the 3 available. 2015 is the year of Sony as their phones are getting resurrected thanks to bad ass android smartphone specs with an UI that is similar to iOS and the ability to play the PS4 on my phone means wherever I go, my console comes with me. Sony is set to take over it all. https://www.youtube.com/wat...

[MasterCornholio]

By gimped you mean technically or in terms of content like DLC?

Becuase if you mean graphically then you should know that the Wii U is much weaker than the Xbox One and the PS4. That's the main reason why the Wii U has the worst versions of the games.

In terms of content I agree with you. The Wii U version of any multiplat should contain the same content as all the other versions.

[Concertoine]

@MasterCornholio

There hasnt been any multiplatform 8th gen games on the Wii U. It just got the worst versions (90% of the time) of 7th gen titles with no dlc or patch support. Now it gets nothing.

If it was something like Arkham Knight running worse on Wii U than the other platforms there would be no debate. But these are games running better on a 360 than the wii u which is just poor optimization on the developer's part.

[mikeslemonade]

It's a glorified supercharged PS3. I only use the wiiU pro controller now to play the WiiU games.

People just like to defend the WiiU here because they want to justify their purchase. Well that doesn't work. You guys are biased here.

[Concertoine]

@mikeslemonade

Once again you use your only bubble to contribute absolutely nothing to the conversation.

Truth is, i dont have to justify squat. If i dont like something, i sell it. Which begs the question of why you have a wii u when you clearly dont like it.

[OtakuDJK1NG-Rory]

"People just like to defend the WiiU here because they want to justify their purchase. Well that doesn't work. You guys are biased here."

Doesn't the other fanbases do that to extreme level.
Like who wouldn't want to justify something the like.

If no one does then recommendation for others would be nonexistent

[gangsta_red]

I agree Darth, I am definitely getting a WiiU this coming holiday. It is a great system and it's a shame that it took a whole 2 years for the system to actually get some wheels and get going.

When I see Bayonetta 2, Mario Kart and that Smash Bros, not to mention their E3 which IMO blew the other two guys out the water, I feel that a system doesn't have to be "ALL" powerful to be fun and make games that interest players.

[RPGrinder]

What a stupid and slanderous article.

[OtakuDJK1NG-Rory]

Wii U is my primary system!
Quality Exclusives and Miiverse Community growing!
As of now I own:
Bayonetta 2, Hyrule Warriors, Game & Wario - Free
Wii Party U - Free, Mario Kart 8, Donkey Kong Country Tropical Freeze
Super Mario 3D World, The Legend of Zelda Wind Waker HD, Pikmin 3
The Wonderful 101, Monster Hunter Tri Ultimate, Lego City Undercover
Sonic Racing Transformed, ZombiU, New Super Mario Bros. U+Luigi U
and Nintendo Land.

Sonic Lost World getting for Xmas.
Then must have titles
Super Smash Bros.
Captain Toad Treasure Tracker
Yoshi's Wholly World
Splatoon
Xenoblade Chronicles X
Devil's Third
Star Fox
The Legend of Zelda
Shin Megami Tensei x Fire Emblem

Localization and Announcement of
Fatal Frame V
Pokken Fighters Tournament
Next Level Game's New Game
Retro Studios's New Game
Platinum Games's New Game
More Spinoff Games
Collaboration Games
Resurrection of games that needed funding or publisher

Wii U's Third Year looking to be the Best Ever for a Nintendo system!
The Wii U becoming the best system for old school gamers!

[MNGamer-N]

Xenoblade Chronicles X
The Legend of Zelda
Shin Megami Tensei x Fire Emblem
Bayonetta 2

Punch me in the mouth good. I'd pay $400 for a system to play these games on. WiiU is a great deal, people need to drop the hate and wake up and realize.

[SteamPowered]

I feel Nintendo didnt really hit their stride this year, but definitely got some momentum moving into next year. I have quite a few gems in my library so far, but Nintendo has an almost insurmountable obstacle with gamer perception of the company. Nintendo got this gen started on the wrong foot. Its gonna take a decent amount of quality exclusives to shake off the poor start of the Wii U.

[crusf]

"Its gonna take a decent amount of quality exclusives to shake off the poor start of the Wii U." Have you been living under a rock? DK Tropical Freeze, Super Mario 3D world,Mario Kart 8 , Bayonetta 2,Smash Wii U, Monster Hunter, Wind Waker HD. Sales of the Wii U have significantly improved this year.(Source: http://www.gamespot.com/art... Nintendo might not be on your radar but at least try to do some research before you make a comment.

[SteamPowered]

And how are Wii U sales with all these exclusives you are so proud of? Still so-so? Hmm that's what I thought. I HAVE all those games. But I am definitely the minority. Nobody that I know personally own a WiiU. Ps4 and X1 consoles aplenty though.
Nintendo can't upgrade the system specs, so exclusives are he only possible avenue for Nintendo to make up lost ground.

Edit: I actually dont have Bayonetta 2. That title did not appeal to me in the least. The rest are solid gold though.

[iplay1up2]

I play my Wii U all of the time. As far as this article complaining about the old hardware, it wasn't old when it came out, it was modified, and made much better, more efficient than older hardware. That is why the clock speed did not have to be as fast. The effeciantcy made up for if.

With everything going on, on screen, in bayonetta 2, and SSB doing 1080p 60fps, that should say something about the consoles capabilities. It may not be a PS4, but it can still pump out much better graphics than last gen. Nothing on my PS4 has made me think wow SM3D world, MK8, Wonderful 101, look like crap compared to this PS4 game.

[RosweeSon]

Exactly and as most of us you most likely bought it knowing full well it wasn't gonna be a ps4 beater power wise but Nintendo time and time again prove they will always get the best out of their systems at some point, they always get the best out of their features and capabilities and third parties wonder why there games don't sell on nintnedo, shoddy rushed/gimped ports wouldn't cut it on ps4/xbox one so they are never gonna cut it on a Wii U next to Nintendo's normally amazing games and im not just talking oh that was good next most of these games last years and can be replayed over and over again, I'll never give up on a little super mario world on the Snes on a rainy day and as you say Wii U might not be a powerhouse but hey it's better than most of last gen and even is pushing xbox one the "next gen?!" System which can't even manage 1080p pffft my Wii u can no problems sure the games might not be as all as they can be on ps4/xbone but wow they are good. Classics through and through, Nintendo for 2nd and xbox 3rd back like the good ol ps2/GameCube/xbox original days even if I think the original xbox took second place GameCube still did its own thing even if I think this is probably nintendo at its worst output wise on the games front but hey Luigis mansion is a classic, mario sunshine tho as much as enjoyed it it's never been one I've been mad to go back and play again, wind waker was pretty epic tho, other than that it wasn't until the Wii and Mario Galaxy and smash bros that Nintendo found their mojo again. Glad to see them back to their best, amazingly original and quirky consoles with some of the brightest most vibrant colourful and most importantly fun games EVER!. Just the way it is ;)

How many top 100 xbox/microsoft games articles do you see, you don't mainly because they don't make any games and the ones the do are not on par with Anything Nintendo release hence why they are the complete opposite you'll struggle to limit their games to a best 100, 200 would be a struggle if you go back to their start in this business games for over 30 years playing cards for over 125 years! You can't make this stuff up but Nintendo are going nowhere and I for one couldn't be happier, never like seeing any gaming companies go out of business im a gamer first and foremost but a great institution like Nintendo... never if they do... IM OUT! ;)

[MNGamer-N]

Love your post, and enthusiasm, but break the text up a bit into sections so I don't get a headache trying to read it. Keep up the good fight though, +1

[AJBACK2FRAG]

Steam Powered, Actually the man himself Shigeru Miyamoto did say the Wii U is upgradable!

[Moonman]

I love Wii U. If you can afford one (and love quality exclusives), get one. The End. :)

[MNGamer-N]

WiiU is a great system, and I enjoy Nintendo's games. If you hate Nintendo's games then don't buy it, and don't enjoy it. Your choice. But for those of use who like variety in our gaming lives, Nintendo WiiU is a must have in your gaming cabinet.

No reason to continue hating on the console. The arguments about power and 3rd party support are very stale at this point. The console and game library are getting much better as time goes on, and I could not imagine my gaming life being as much fun without it.

[N4g_null]

This is a nice example of why the wiiu isn't selling. Because it is not selling everything it does different is now the problem when the owners of this platform love all of those things.

This is terrible pr designed to sound informed. Yet pretty much take non negatives based on opinions and turning them into truths.

Guys like this have been wrong before. Unfortunately games are not really mentioned.

[RosweeSon]

If at all possible to not limit yourself to one system (limited funds like us all excluded) then don't it'll only make you biased and no one likes a biased fanboy. My 360 is in the box if I suddenly decide Microsoft have woken up, other than that it's ps3 (desperately trying to retire it) so I can enjoy my ps4 fully side dish of wii u and a 3DS and vita and I think xbox one is gonna have to do something very Very special to get me on board anytime soon, so what Wii U hasn't cleared 10 million, of those they have sold how many are happy quite a lot I'd imagine, sure can't please em all and we all know it's cool not to enjoy a kiddie nintendo game but seriously your loss. Never watched a Pixar film because there for kids pffft, what is wrong with some people, Fantastic console and some seriously great games for it already, Nintendo are unbeatable when it comes to all around quality, broken game boys? Not likely built to last a nuclear fall out those things, and we all know nintendos attach rate is a good 50% or so Microsoft barely get 10-15%, i wonder why?

[Picnic]

The controller - and what costs it adds to the system - is difficult to get over if you don't like it enough.

[iplay1up2]

You can use literally use any controller you want with Wii U. Pro controller, gamepad, Wii Remote, and with SSBros Gamecube controller, I plan on fireing up my Wavebird for SSB.

[Picnic]

But perhaps the cost of the WiiU could be 50 pounds less if they released a version that comes with the Pro controller instead of the big screen controller.

[WickedLester]

When I play my Wii-U, it makes me smile. That alone makes it worth the price.