The Wii U is the must-have console of 2014 - no ifs, no buts

Dealspwn: "The Wii U brings colour and vibrancy where other consoles bring grit and guns, delivering the fun and the quality as comprehensively as the newer machines deliver the hype."

[FuzzyPixels]

It does have the best game of the year on it (Bayonetta 2), but for me, I think that the Wii U is the must-have second console of the year. That is to say, it doesn't matter if you go Xbox or PlayStation for the blockbuster titles, but the Wii U is an essential accompanying console.

[Blues Cowboy]

Pedantic but I like it! Still, there's a case to be made that 'blockbuster titles' aren't really forthcoming on either the PS4 or Xbox One as yet, despite a stronger exclusive showing on Microsoft's machine as of Christmas 2014.

[InTheZoneAC]

did you really just say boynetta 2 is the best game of the year?

...omg...

[Nodoze]

Have you played it? It gets 10s almost across the board from review sites.

What is your choice? Let me guess...Titanfall?

[nowitzki2004]

The first one was INSANE!!! I have a ps4 and am waiting for that right WiiU deal.

[2pacalypsenow]

For real Dragon age is the best new game of the year

[DeusEx-Machina]

Bayonetta 2 has defiantly been my favourite this year.

[N4g_null]

I think everyone knows the wiiu is the place for games. They are just downloading the weather patch for drive club. One people are done with looking at rain on their windows they might get a wiiu before all of the good amiibos are gone!

February is going to be a great month! One more year of true classics and sells are not going to matter to any real gamer. Owning this console is going to be the separation of casual core from true gamers. The reply value is off the charts and with some darker themes coming and dynamic story driven games you can't loose.

[KrisButtar]

I don't own one yet and its likely because X and Zelda are not both out. The only reason I am even looking to a WiiU is because they have the only 2 exclusives released or announced that matter to me. I'm more into 3rd party games like FC4, DAI, Witcher, ACU and more which is why I don't own one. I would only have to buy one system if Nintendo's system was getting everything the others were. .

[Tornado]

X and Zelda? What is X?

[Chrischi1988]

Xenoblade Chronicles was named X at first.

[DarXyde]

This tells me that X isn't getting the attention it should.

The Wii U has been amazing this year. I'm glad I own one, and next year is going to be amazing for both my Wii U and PS4. So many games, so little time.

[Gemmol]

https://www.youtube.com/wat...

check that link out it will show you all the trailers of X, so you can catch up its only 8 mins long, if you do not like 1st min turn it off

[DeusEx-Machina]

X - aka Xenoblade Chronicles X is the next entry in Tetsuya Takahashi's Xeno-series.

[Tornado]

Okay thanks

[nowitzki2004]

Zelda is definitely the game that makes me keep loving Nintendo.

[wonderfulmonkeyman]

Dude.
You've seen how third parties have treated most of the ports of their last-gen games when they brought them to the Wii U.

Imagine that happening to other games that aren't last-gen ports.

Why would you want Wii U gamers to get shovelware versions of popular multiplats?

Let's not encourage third parties that don't know how to do multiplat games right on the Wii U to continue doing multiplats.

Let's encourage them to do exclusives that are built from the ground up for the Wii U instead; at least then there's a higher chance of a quality guarantee.

[KrisButtar]

Yes I've seen 3rd party ports on the system and to be honest I would prefer them on the console than not at all. So what if the WiiU versions are the worst out of the bunch, its better to have the choice than not at all. Why do you feel the WiiU has to always have the superior version?

Last gen if the 360 or the PS3 didn't have the superior version its not like people didn't buy them. Skyrim for example, played like crap on the PS3 but people bought it because they would rather play it without buying another console.

What you are encouraging is for people to buy another console or skip the WiiU altogether because it doesn't get the popular games. The WiiU should have gotten every multiplat that has come out on last gen since the WiiU release. Nintendo should be doing everything it can to get these games as they drive up the install base. Then those 3rd party quality exclusives would sell better.

Another example, look at some of the console bundles on the PS4/X1. How many consoles were sold because of GTA and Unity? Each game had an inferior version but it didn't stop people from buying it. Hell I bet even the inferior ones sold consoles.

[JacketsNest101]

@KrisButtar

We don't want the superior version, we just want a version with parity that isn't gimped to hell and back.

[wonderfulmonkeyman]

The fact you're missing is that the majority of those "inferior versions" still got most, if not all, of their extra content, abundant advertisement, and still came out at relatively the same time.

The Wii U's situation is far different; the games don't get most of the content, they almost ALWAYS arrive late, and the developers barely if ever do anything afterwards in regards to patching the game to at least be up to par to other versions.

They do all this, and still expect you to pay full price.

You're saying "What you are encouraging is for people to buy another console or skip the WiiU altogether because it doesn't get the popular games."

You're wrong.

What I'm trying to encourage, is third parties making unique exclusives that can, and should, become popular enough in their own right to draw attention to the system.
Games that are NOT gimped ports.

Those third party multiplats do not drive up the install base because people are TRAINED to get them on other systems now, because they KNOW that third parties cannot be trusted to provide a multiplat on the Wii U that at least EQUALS the other versions.

If GTAV had come out on the Wii U as well, do you honestly believe people would have bought it there instead of on PS3 or 360? Let alone on PS4 or XBone, now that they have it?
If you do, then I hate to be the wet blanket on your optimistic stance, but your thought is most likely just a dream within a dream.
In fact, I have sincere doubts that you would have changed your buying habits to get that game, or any other, on Wii U, if you knew that the other systems were getting all the content and the Wii U was not.

The gaming community needs to stop kidding itself;
Multiplats cannot, and will not, help the Wii U's sales.
PERIOD.
The Wii U's issue is not suffering from these multiplats being missing, because multiplats aren't being done well enough to garner sales for the system thus far, and any new ones would likely be treated just as poorly and sell just as badly as a consequence.
Its issue is not getting enough good, unique titles from third parties to drive people into getting the system, games that they can't just "wait till they're on Sony/Micro's system" for.

[KrisButtar]

The WiiU seems like the Pro-Bono work for game developers, of course they are going to run once the job is done. If the games were making them money of course they would stick around and patch things up. They don't stick around on it because they don't want to keep losing money. I think the PS3 was missing content and patches that the 360 had at the start of last gen. Had a 360 then and it was the normal for our versions to be better and have more content.

Also I don't expect the first round of WiiU games to look better than the same game on the PS3/360 because the developers have also had 8+ years with those consoles and the WiiU is still a baby.

"Those third party multiplats do not drive up the install base because people are TRAINED to get them on other systems now, because they KNOW that third parties cannot be trusted to provide a multiplat on the Wii U that at least EQUALS the other versions.

If GTAV had come out on the Wii U as well, do you honestly believe people would have bought it there instead of on PS3 or 360? Let alone on PS4 or XBone, now that they have it?"

Yes I do, people can always be trained to buy games on other systems, look back at all the games that were only on Nintendo back in the SNES days like Metal Gear and FF, the list goes on for days but a number of them jumped to the PS1 and people bought them there, what about those games that jumped to the 360 afterwards...people went and bought them there. Nintendo needs to step up and get them to come home.

If Nintendo went and did the Sony deal with R* instead I'm sure it would have sold systems and likely the WiiU would have been the lead console in development like the PS3 was. Hell the whole inferior port issue would be gone. They could have done an exclusive deals others and made there console the lead like the other 2 do.

"In fact, I have sincere doubts that you would have changed your buying habits to get that game, or any other, on Wii U, if you knew that the other systems were getting all the content and the Wii U was not."

If you can go back far enough in my comments you will see I was going to get a WiiU when Watch Dogs was announced because the WiiU was also getting lots of 3rd party support at that time. I was finally able to say I could get an all in one box because I like 3rd party games and Nintendo exclusives and would only have to buy a single console. The support dried up and so did my want for the system. X and Zelda ATM are the only things keeping it kindled but I don't buy consoles anymore for only 2 games. I need to see more before I make the leap and that's what 3rd party games have always done.

[wonderfulmonkeyman]

Dude, there are MULTIPLE examples of what you are saying being WRONG.
People do not switch to Wii U to buy multiplats.
Especially when the multiplats do not measure up to the standards of their cousins on other systems.
And I can promise you, heck I can GUARANTEE you, that R* would never have taken that deal with Nintendo even if Nintendo had offered to pay for the entire game's development; they wouldn't take their game and make its latest entry an exclusive to a system that people don't expect to see the game on because that would just piss off their already established user base, and if it remained a multiplat, people would just flock to it on the systems they already OWN.

The Wii U version would tank because gamers don't want to buy another version for multiplats they expect to have on the other systems they've already got by default.
It's EXPECTED of Sony and Microsoft at this point, and if a third party ignored that and tried to make a long-running multiplat with many past entries into an exclusive to the Wii U, their games would FAIL TO SELL TO THEIR OWN USERBASES, due to the feeling of betrayal.

They are losing money on the Wii U because they keep doing a horrible job on multiplats that people don't want to get a whole new system just to enjoy.

Look, it's great that you were willing to give third parties a chance on Wii U.
That's respectable.
But the harsh truth is, you're a minority here; the majority would not get a Wii U for GTAV.
They wouldn't get it for any other big-name multiplat, either, because they already have platforms to get those games on, and they KNOW by now that third parties are unwilling to invest the same kind of effort into content and patches that they do on other systems.

THIRD PARTY MULTIPLATS ARE NOT IMPORTANT TO THE WII U'S FUTURE.
THAT WON'T CHANGE UNTIL THIRD PARTIES CHANGE HOW THEY TREAT THEIR MULTIPLATS ON THE SYSTEM, AND THEY WON'T GET SALES OTHERWISE UNTIL THEY FOCUS ON EXCITING EXCLUSIVES INSTEAD.

That's a fact you need to accept. The evidence is all around you; the multiplats so far weren't done well enough to make PS360 gamers jump ship for them en-masse.
They didn't buy into last-gen ports with slight graphical upgrades because there wasn't enough equal treatment in content and optimization.
Neither did Nintendo's gamers, for the most part.
And they wouldn't do that for newer multiplats, either, unless they were done right, and even then, the odds are against them so long as they don't make them Wii U exclusive.
And that's the cross third parties have to bear for doing a bad job on their own games.

[KrisButtar]

I'm not talking about R* making there game exclusive. I'm talking about exclusive deals like bundles and marketing. The game would still come out on other systems but doing so would give a ripple effect and solve...

"THIRD PARTY MULTIPLATS ARE NOT IMPORTANT TO THE WII U'S FUTURE.
THAT WON'T CHANGE UNTIL THIRD PARTIES CHANGE HOW THEY TREAT THEIR MULTIPLATS ON THE SYSTEM, AND THEY WON'T GET SALES OTHERWISE UNTIL THEY FOCUS ON EXCITING EXCLUSIVES INSTEAD."

When 3rd party games are bundled with consoles, that console has been the lead console or that is what history has shows us. The lead platform version is always the best, its the version the 3rd party shows off. So if the WiiU had the exclusive deal with GTAV for bundles and being heavily marketed like the PS3 did instead. It would have been the lead platform and therefore changing how it would have been treated because R8 wants to show off there product.

Previous WiiU owners would have the better version(being the lead platform and all.) They couldn't complain about a crappy port because it was the lead platform. So the whole inferior/watered down port issue would be thrown out the window.

The GTAV PS3 bundle sold like hot cakes. Those could have been Nintendos sales because people bought the system together with GTAV. These were not previous 360 or PS3 owners or they would have just bought the game. These people could have bought a WiiU system if the game was bundled and marketed with the WiiU. They could have added exclusive features using the gamepad.

Nintendo should have been doing this with every big game until the PS4/X1 released and now even more so. They have all this money they should spend some to make some. Its like Nintendo is not even trying and why buy the system when I can rent a WiiU for a week, which my friends have brought up for when Zelda releases. Exclusives are not enough these days when everyone wants COD, FC, Elder Scrolls, FF, Kingdom Hearts, DA, Dark Souls, GTA, RDR, Fallout, etc.

Until Nintendo can rely on good ports they should be making deals to ensure that they are the lead platform(by making bundles, exclusive features and marketing deals) and by default getting the better version. Its going to be harder now that the PS4/X1 are out but who's fault is that when they have not even tried.

The last exclusives that made my friends and I go out and buy a system were FFVII, FFX, Fable and Zelda Ocarina of Time(N64) Exclusives are just not what they used to be. Having them is a bonus to what we want to play not Vice Versa.

[DragoonsScaleLegends]

If you don't like Mario you won't like the Wii U.

[Chrischi1988]

Acting like a game is bad, because Mario is in it, just shows the mentality of some people. It is not like Smash Bros and Mario Kart are the same game, they just feature Nintendos mascots and Mario being the biggest.

[Knushwood Butt]

They never said it was bad.

If you don't like the same old Nintendo IPs that they release for every console generation before moving on and doing the same thing again, then you won't like the Wii U.

[Big_Game_Hunters]

Now that's just ignorant.

[DragoonsScaleLegends]

Why? The only good games on Wii U are Nintendo IPs and Bayonetta. All of the rare few 3rd party games look like trash and run like trash. Also none of Nintendos rehashes are better than their previous games in the series except maybe Smash Bros. All the rest are just better in the graphics department.

[Toiletsteak]

Consoles come down to opinions, it all depends on what games you prefer.

[LOL_WUT]

People are choosing wisely with their money and the sale charts reflect this.

No ones going to go out and make an impulse buy on a Wii U simply because it's a Nintendo console they need to have some sort of interest and thats something that the company lacks in its marketing. ;)

[Toiletsteak]

What you just said is so stupid.

[Dramacydal]

Sales prove that everyone wants the Wii U. *open eyes* Doh!

[telekineticmantis]

I have the Wii U, and PS4, between my friends and I, we play all platforms. Honestly all platforms has been collecting dust at certain parts of the year. Dragon Age, Shadow of Mordor, Smash, Mario Kart, and a few others have helped, but for the most part it's been a bad year. Xbox One has had the best year. Forza H2 best Racer, Titanfall good exclusive new IP, Sunset possibly the best exclusive of the year.

Wii U has mainly brought games that play it safe and lack sophistication, and dimension. Zelda WW was ok, but completely lacked excitement, maybe for children, but not adults, Mario 3D had floaty controls, not just for jumping, but almost Everything you do, and the Wii U touchscreen controller, is a failed idea forced upon us, proof? GameCube controller adapters were soldout everywhere and in high demand. No journalist suffering from Nostalgia can deny that, regardless of what nonsense they want to make up, but I never see them mention the poor controls in their reviews...?

[Concertoine]

LOL how do the gamecube adaptors prove that? They're sold out because people have been playing smash on the GC controller for over a decade and dont want to move on. You can only use those with ONE game anyway.

Fighting games aren't ideal for the gamepad, but adventure games, horror games, among other genres have already proved their worth.

[telekineticmantis]

@Concertoine

Lol. My point exactly. NIntendo hasn't had a good stadard controller in over almost a decade. there are flong running fighting franchises on Xboxand PS then there are on Wiii systems, but you don't see their fans screaming for their old controllers, making a bunch of YouTube videos on what 3rd party controllers you should by in order to enjoy your experience. the touchscreen controller being the standard controller was a poor decision if you ever wanted to attract core gamers, not just NIntendo enthusiasts. Its big, clunky, the analogs are in the wrong place, and its intrusive. I had to get a Nyko 3rd party controller to enjoy Smash.

[truechainz]

lol Trying to use gamecube adapter sales as justification for disapproval is ridiculous. By your logic the Dualshock 4 automatically sucks because plenty of gamers who are good at Street Fighter will likely buy a fightstick for Street Fighter V. The gamecube controller is the preferred controller for smash players over ANY controller. That includes Xbox and Dualshock (which are both possible for Melee through Dolphin and I have tried them both). If you don't think fans of fighting franchises don't act the same go to any evo event and see how many controllers versus fightsticks you see. Honestly you would be better off just quoting wii u sales rather than the gamecube adapter BS you are trying to pull.

Also I have seen reviews criticize the gamepad plenty so if you don't see them complaining about all these control issues that you claim are taking place with the gamepad (and Mario 3D world) then they likely aren't there or are subjective to you and others who agree with you. They don't have a problem pointing out issues with battery life and working distance, so why would they withhold control issues?

There legitimate qualms to be had with the gamepad (battery life/working distance/off-screen play standard) and the wii u (cross buy/better VC/3rd Party). Some of which I have seen you make in previous comments. So it baffles me why you feel the need to pull stuff out of your imagination here. I know that you are better than that.

[telekineticmantis]

@True chainz
theres a difference between tournament players, who PLAY FOR MONEY and feel the fightsticks givem the competitive results they want, and REGULAR gamers who just feel, the gamepad is uncomfortable to use, even for fun..I have a friend who only plays Mario Kart and Smash in his uncles Wii U, neither one of us use the gamepad, its up on the shelf, next to the Wii U itself, he complained about the wiimote the whole time, since I was winning with the Nyko 3rd party controller, and now he has the GameCube controller, and we're much more competitive.

[eightiesbaby]

Wow since when did sales prove how good a console was.
*opens eyes* Ur not a gamer, just a sheep that follows hype. Doh!

[Dramacydal]

Re-read what you just typed dipshit - "when did sales prove how good a console was"...well, since sales have always been an indicator of popularity and/or number of users, I'm gonna go with ALWAYS. Hahahahahahahahahaha!

[eightiesbaby]

Lol read what you've just wrote you idiot, popular doesn't mean best! Justin Beiber is popular and has a lot of fans, does that mean he's the best singer?

Your an Idiot so hahahahahahahaha right back at ya.

[kwandar]

Sales prove that everyone wants McDonalds *open eyes" Doh!

[Godz Kastro]

Dude that is a horrible title. Your going to force your opinion on me. COme on man be real. X1 all the way...FOR ME not you :/

BTW - I have a WiiU at the house for my nephew. Its cool and all but not the experience i want.

[randomass171]

Opinions are baaaaaad! D:

[Spotie]

When you add "no ifs, no buts," you kinda take away the opinion part and push it as an established fact.

For me, I'm still waiting on more than two games- Bayonetta and Xenoblade- to be out before I get one. There aren't really many games from devs or franchises I like that I can expect to see on Wii U, so I can't buy it on faith like say a PS4. So there's almost no reason for me to pick up a Wii U.

[Agent_hitman]

I agree, Wii U is amazing system to get for this year as well.

[Kane22]

what is it with these articles saying the wii u is the only console of choice. im sorry but the wii u doesn't get games i like to play on it.

[Metallox]

Because the guy thinks that, supposedly.

Did you ever go to school, guys (not just you, Kane)? I thought you all learnt there that you can write an opinion article about anything you want.

If you don't agree with him, then just pass, but don't say these articles are wrong.

[Kane22]

are you serious? he makes it seem like his "opinion" is fact which it isn't. did everyone forget the wii u had a horrible 1st year. i have a wii u and i think its ok. if you only care for nintendo games. anything outside of that and well. your sol.

[wonderfulmonkeyman]

I get the feeling you wouldn't be saying that if this article were about your preferred system.

[LOL_WUT]

Actually they pop up from time to time having some dudes opinion about why he won't make the jump to next-gen (current-gen) or those ridiculous claims that there's nothing worth playing on the other two systems ;)

[CaspuR]

Does anyone have smash bros? Looking for someone to play with my network Id is CaspuR

[ORyanDeee]

i had a Wii U for about a month, but im just not into any of those mario games or smash brother etc so i sold it. But the new Zelda game definitely looks interesting

[Knushwood Butt]

Every time someone sells their Wii U, a Nintendo fanboy screams out in pain.

[randomass171]

Followed by some forced hyperbole joke about fanboys.

[uth11]

I considered one as a second console, but now that Amiibo came out, forget it, I'm not buying one. Already in the Infinity/Skylanders trap with the kids.

[saposaposapo]

Not in my opinion, no. The lack of 3rd party alone is a big thing for me and besides their 1st doesn't appeal me at all.

[shaw98]

Best games makes best console. People will be hating wii u but I dont care. I'll be having fun. They can miss out all they want and say what ever 3rd party game is not on there. I'll be sitting back with a controller in my hands playing awesome games. In a way, me being the minority playing this underrated system makes me feel unique. I can look back and say I did not follow the crowd. So far I am glad I did not.

2015:

Zelda U
Splatoon
Mario maker
Devils 3rd
Star Fox U
Kirby RC
Xenoblade X
Mario party 10
Yoshi's wooly world
(More Mario kart 8 dlc)
(Probably more to be announced for 2015)

2014:

Dk tropical freeze
Bayo 2
Mario kart 8 (That dlc is awesome and cheap btw)
Captain Toad
Hyrule warriors
Super smash bros wii u
Pushmo world

2013:

Super Mario 3d world
Pikmin 3
Zelda WW HD
Monster hunter 3 ultimate
Lego city undercover
Wonderful 101
NSLU U

2012:

NSMB U
Nintendo Land
Zombie U

[traumadisaster]

Why should I get my kids a wii2 when they play the wii just fine and I can get games cheap.

Why waste all that is good and available on the wii, they haven't experienced a 10th of it at ages 6 and 8.

[DryBoneKoopa85]

The Wii U is backwards compatible with Nintendo Wii games. So your kids and you could still play all your old Wii library and also be able to pick up any of the currently released tittles and any of the upcoming tittles you guys might be interested in. Some good recommendations for your kids and you could be...

Lego City Undercover
Rayman Orgins
Donkey Kong Country Tropical Freeze
Mario Kart 8
Super Smash Bros Wii U
Super Mario 3D World
Sonic All Stars Racing Transformed

If your more into challenging games some recommendations would be...

Bayonetta 1 and 2
Wonderful 101
Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate
Deus EX
ZombiU
Batman Arkham City
Batman Arkham Origins
Assassins Creed 3
Assassins Creed 4
Resident Evil Revelation
Need For Speed Most Wanted U

Upcoming tittles you and your family may be interested in would be...

Splatoon
Mario Maker
Xenoblade Chronicles X
Star Fox U
Zelda Wii U
Devils Third
Yoshi's Whooly World

[traumadisaster]

But you didn't address why I should stop using a perfectly good console in the wii. Cause it's backwards comp is not a reason.

Games are cheap on wii and kids are happy with it. In a couple years will the wii2 not be there waiting on us? And cheaper btw.

Also have a move and kinect with all those old cheap games too and bought games full price for 25 years.

It's nice being a generation or 2 behind for the kids. When I grew up it was a must to move to the next gen asap cause I was on pong and intellivision.

[DryBoneKoopa85]

@Traumadisaster: Alright, fair enough. Was just giving you some information to maybe help you to decide if the Wii U was a good investment. Your also right, the Wii U will always be their waiting for you.

[superchiller]

No, the Wii U is the farthest thing from the "must-have console of 2014". It is a poorly-designed, feature-lacking, underpowered console ruined by yet another gimmick (from a company well known for gimmicks). Unless you simply must have every Mario and Zelda game ever released, it really just isn't worth it at all. Both of the other (true) next gen consoles have far, far more to offer than the Wii U ever will.

Once again, "dealspwn" proves that they are in Nintendo's pocket, all their articles are ridiculously pro-Nintendo. I'm sure that they are well paid for their hype!

[marloc_x]

PS5s direct competition is gonna be the Roku stick and only one true console will remain..

[eyeofcore]

How stupid, ignorant and naive you expect people to believe the bullshit you have just wrote that is filled with ignorance, misinformation, bias and denial to the extreme.

No one should agree to your obvious fanboyish opinion...

Sou say its poorly designed yet you didn't explain how, why and where its poorly designed? Did you bother to point out or explain that to us and others? Nope and you also didn't bother to explain what is feature lacking on the Wii U.

While Wii U does not have some features that Xbox One and PlayStation 4 have, Wii U has features that Xbox One and PlayStation 4 don't have so they trade punches...

I doubt you ever complained that Xbox One and PlayStation 4 didn't had features that Wii U has without any accessories and that vast majority of features on Xbox One and PlayStation 4 are behind a subscription/paywall thus not out of the box and out of the box comparison is a fair comparison except you won't accept a fair comparison because of your bias.

Lie to yourself that Wii U is underpowered, be ignorant and uneducated as you want to believe a lie. If that was true then gap between Wii U and Xbox One/PlayStation 4 would be the same as between Wii and Xbox 360/PlayStation 3 yet it isn't.

Look at Bayonetta 2, Mario Kart 8, Super Smash Bros for Wii U, Pikmin 3, Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker, Donkey Kong Country; Tropical Freeze...

Also upcoming games such as Xenoblade Chronicles X, Splatoon, Yoshi's wolly World and The Legend Of Zelda Wii U...

By gimmick you mean Wii U's gamepad, right? So how is it ruined by the gamepad? Again, you didn't bother to explain...

Wii U's gamepad might be a gimmick to you and others if you can't comprehend it and/or have not experienced it at all.

Wii U's gamepad is filled with features, you have a microphone, camera, stereo speakers, gyroscope, accelerometer, magnetometer, motion sensing and a touch screen... Its a swiss knife of controllers/gamepads.

Wii U has modified Wifi and streams image/video-feed trough custom protocol via H264 codec. Basically Wii U constantly streams to the gamepad at 60FPS and its ahead of LCD TV by 7 frames. So technically Nintendo can implement a feature to stream footage of game you would play on Wii U to Youtube/Twitch/Ustream if Nintendo wanted it at costs of gamepad's video feed. Wii U is technically capable of HD streaming at 30FPS or stream to two gamepads at 30FPS.

Dualshock's 4 light bar and mono speaker are a gimmick since they are basically without any use, only game that used mono speakerof DS4 was Transistor and that's basically it and you need to buy accessory PlayStation Camera to have some usability of DS4's light bar. That's a gimmick.

"Unless you simply must have every Mario and Zelda game ever released, it really just isn't worth it at all."
Yes, yes, yes... Ignore other games and franchises that Nintendo has, only focus on two things and act crazy as if there isn't anything else that Nintendo can't offer.

[eyeofcore]

...Continuing...
Oh wait... On Wii U you have ZombiU, Lego City Undercover, Monster Hunter Tri Ultimate, Pikmin 3, Wonderful 101, Donkey Kong Country Tropical Freeze, Bayonetta 2, Hyrule Warrios, Super Smash Bros for Wii U, ect... Right now. Not including eShop, virtual console nor backward compatibility with Wii software in case you didn't experience some major Wii games or missed some though thankfully Wii U also plays Wii games...

So Madworld, Xenoblade Chronicles, The Last Story, Pandora's Tower, Red Steel 2, Sin and Punishment 2: Star Successor, Tatsunoko X Capcom, No More Heroes 1 and 2, Metroid Prime Trilogy, etc...

Then upcoming games such as Splatoon, Xenoblade Chronicles X, Devil's Third, Star Fox Wii U, Yoshi's Wooly World, Shin Megami Tensei X Fire Emblem etc...

Then Animal Crossing was hinted for Wii U at Animal Crossing Plaza community site on Miiverse, chances of Metroid on Wii U in near future is high, Fire Emblem game on Wii U could also happen.

"Both of the other (true) next gen consoles have far, far more to offer than the Wii U ever will."
Wii U is also a true next generation console, better now to say it current generation console since next generation would be the next Xbox, next PlayStation, next Nintendo console.

Anyway by your logic Dreamcast nor PlayStation 2 weren't next generation consoles in its time due to Xbox and Gamecube being considerably more powerful yet you will disagree which would mean you disagree with yourself and by doing so you would prove to yourself that you have double standards-

Looking at games, look at how many exclusives Wii U has, games that you can't get anywhere else and Wii U has highest rated games compared to Xbox One and PlayStation 4 that can't simply offer that kind of superb quality.

You want to believe that Wii U isn't a good console, you ignore the flaws of Xbox One and PlayStation 4, you ignore all the games on Wii U except Mario and Zelda to prove your point which is obviously biased then you shit on Dealspwn for stating an obvious truth/facts that fanboys in Xbox and PlayStation camp want to deny and accusing them of being bribed by Nintendo which is incredibly out of touch with reality...

You don't want good high rated polished games from Nintendo, you want to play broken games on your favorite plastic which you need to pay a subscription for basic features and that for to be able to play online against other people no less!

Okay... If you want to afford less games, that's not my fucking problem. At least I am sticking with facts.

[superchiller]

@eyeofcore - OK, you want the actual details of why the Wii U was poorly designed? No problem, here you go:

-- Weak CPU
-- Weak GPU
-- Measly 2GB RAM, of which only 1GB is available for games (the other two TRUE next gen consoles each have 8gb of RAM, WAY more)
-- Pathetic internal storage of only 8GB or 32GB (PS4 and XB1 both have 500gb internal HDDs standard!)
-- No Dolby/DTS sound support
-- No internal hard drive or even a bay for one (really? Release a console in 2012 with no HDD?)
-- Only ancient USB 2.0 ports, when USB 3.0 has been out for over SIX YEARS (and since the Wii U has no internal HDD, this is a huge blunder, since all your storage has to be external and must use the slow USB 2.0 ports) (both of the other TRUE next gen consoles have USB 3.0)
-- No Ethernet port (wireless only, how cheap can you get?) (both other TRUE next gen consoles have ethernet ports)
-- No blu ray OR DVD support (both of the other TRUE next gen consoles support both bluray and DVD formats)
-- Slow, broken OS with terrible response times
-- Distracting, unappealing gamepad gimmick (and that single gimmick is the reason that the console itself falls so short)

And finally, the worst thing of all: the gimmicky gamepad. An expensive gimmick that DISTRACTS from gameplay (as you look back and forth between gamepad and TV over and over), is bulky and awkward to hold, has a crappy low-res (854x480) RESISTIVE (not the better capacitive) touchscreen, and a ridiculous battery that offers very little play time.

The gimmickpad is the single most obvious reason that the Wii U console itself is so incredibly weak and behind. Nintendo cut every single feature they possibly could out of the console, to accommodate the expensive (but fairly useless) gamepad. They even cut the battery size for the gamepad way down to save even MORE money, Google it and you'll see the battery compartment for the gamepad has lots of room for a bigger battery that was probably originally planned!

If you bought a Wii U, you accepted the tradeoff of a crappy console combined with an expensive and useless gimmick. Sadly for Nintendo and its last tiny group of diehard fans, the gamepad gimmick failed, people saw the console for what it really was (a cash grab just like the Wii before it), and the poor sales have confirmed all this.

[wiiuandps4]

In what way does the gamepad ruin anything? I find the controller to be more comfortable with better analog stick placement than my ps4 controller. The other cool stuff it does is just a bonus. In no way is this console poorly designed.

[Knushwood Butt]

superchiller called it.

Bubs up.

[marloc_x]

I like the games..

[kwandar]

@superchiller

I just can't resist ..

Weak CPU
-- Weak GPU
-- Measly 2GB RAM, of which only 1GB is available for games

Yes, but do the games run? Yes. Do they run surprisingly well, with 60fps and 1080p? Raw power does not equal throughput and even Sony acknowledged that. Nintendo did a great job in designing a low power console.

The fact is that the Wii U is far more efficient, uses out of order processing, and uses less ram resulting in fewer lost cycles.

No DVD/BlueRay? You still use those? Really, I don't.
No HDD? Well I did go out and purchase 2 terrabytes for a shade over $50. I don't see the issue.

OS response times are actually pretty good. Hey ... you mean you HAVEN'T EVEN TRIED IT, AND ARE KNOCKING IT? That also explains your inane gamepad comment - the gamepad is great!

Now THAT is the sign of a fan boy.

[randomass171]

I own a Wii U and I have owned a PS4 since Destiny came out as well and I can personally affirm that a number of your criticisms of the Wii U just are not at all true. At first I tried typing a list of counterpoints, but your comments are just so toxic and mean spirited that the entire basis of it is just pure hatred of Nintendo and its fans. It really is sad that there is so much negativity out there. People are just not allowed to like things without being called fanboys. Sigh.

[mochachino]

Obviously the author represents the minority opinion.

[ZainreFang]

I think Wii U deserves to be considered by merit of its high quality content, especially in this age where games tend to be particularly "incomplete". A lot of people like to disregard Wii U when discussing games because of stuff like sales figures and "Nintendo's kiddy and I don't wanna be a kid cause i'm a big man and I'm super mature which is why I play Battlefield yessiree". Usually just gaming politics.

Nintendo still boasts high quality games and experiences you can't get anywhere else. This will continue into 2015.

But if you're just a person that's more into the cinematic games and shooters, and you wanna play where your friends are, most of the time you'll opt for a PS4/XBO. It's subjective.

[InTheZoneAC]

good system, not great

-weak online eshop deals
-forcing gamepad on majority of games and menu is also weak
-virtual console is lacking
-lack of games

[kwandar]

Lack of games? No, just no. Lack of 3rd party games, but no lack of games.

Virtual console lacking? How?

Forcing gamepad? What? Frankly the gamepad improves most of the 3rd party games including Deus Ex and AC IV.

Weak Eshop deals I'll give you, as more subjective.

[StarLord_Who]

It appears that way to me, just bought one

NOW I BELLY DANCE WITH JOY!!!

[SilentNegotiator]

There's no "ifs", "ands", or "buts" to my opinion!

/s

[SteamPowered]

Fact is, if you want to get your Gf into gaming, you need a Nintendo console. Gaming with the Gf has huge benefits. Not the least is an understanding of why I play around the clock. That being said, when I am gaming on the big screen, its nice that she can sit beside me and play mario 3d on a little screen while I slaughter Nazis by the truckload.
A) We spend time together
B) I get to play as much as I want.
C) No more complaints about why I game. She gets it.

Wii U is a great console, but for all the right reasons.

[Knightofelemia]

It does have its own exclusives which I like. Hyrule warriors I like

[DryBoneKoopa85]

Hyrule Warriors is amazing! How far in are you?

I've completed (with gold mind you) adventure mode map 1. Working on the Master Quest map now. Some of those stages to get gold on are real tough. Like the stage before Cia's staff level 2. I'm dumping a ton of rupees to level Wizzro up for that one stage lol.

[Knightofelemia]

I just play it when I get time spend too much time on my truck lol

[DeusEx-Machina]

Bayonetta has me completely sucked up in her universe.

Finished the first last weekend and having now a blast playing through the second. The soundtrack still plays in my head!

This bundle alone has given me my moneys worth for buying the console.

Thank you Nintendo and Platinum for bestowing me with such an awesome experience.

[TheGamingArt]

Here's a but, but no

[nesiguess]

Cry,moan,complain,my console is better than your console..are you all 12 years old? PLAY YOUR GAMES AND LOVE IT. Homeboy thinks the Wii U is the must have console..cool its the authors opinion. If you dont like his opinion read another article. Go play "insert console here" and have FUN!

[randomass171]

*Gives you high-five*
*Goes back to Shadow of Mordor and Smash*