It's no secret that Nintendo's tablet-centric console has had a rough time finding its footing. Whether the lack of third-party support or technical limitations are to blame, Wii U is home to but a handful of truly noteworthy games. That said, we were still able to scrounge up a list of 25 titles worth your time, despite the fact that several are Xbox 360/PS3 ports. Here's to hoping next year's list is far more impressive.
25. Darksiders II
Zelda meets God of War is the best way to sum up the Darksiders games, and the second entry in the series makes excellent use of this hybrid of experiences. It's got fast, fluid combat and loads of interesting puzzles that will test both your thumbs and your brain. Plus, you get to play as Death, one of the four horsemen of the apocalypse. How cool is that?
24. Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell: Blacklist
Sam Fisher's latest outing is easily one of his greatest. Blacklist offers three different play styles, allowing gamers to either go in guns blazing, sneak their way through unnoticed, or employ a healthy dose of both methods. Sure, Sam may have a slightly different look and a new voice, but he's the same great stealth-action hero you've come to love over the many, many years sneaking with him.
23. NBA 2K13
The NBA 2K games are not just some of the best basketball games of all time, they're some of the best in the genre regardless of sport. 2K13 is easily one of the finest in the series, with a slew of different modes, jaw-dropping graphics, and superb controls. A lot of sports franchises tend to stagnate, but the NBA 2K franchise continues to buck that trend year after year.
22. Wii Party U
Looking for a game that will actually take advantage of your Wii U GamePad? Look no further than Wii Party U, a simple yet entertaining party game that makes use of the console's many gimmicks. Sure, it may be a little shallow, but there are loads and loads of mini-games to get lost in. Trust me, you'll be able to forgive the dated visuals and overly simplistic design. If you're in need of something that the whole family can enjoy and are sick of playing Nintendo Land, this game will fill that void nicely.
21. Batman: Arkham City – Armored Edition
I can count on one hand the number of superhero games that are worth your time, and Batman: Arkham City is number one on that list. Rocksteady took the excellent combat established in Arkham Asylum and built and incredible open world around it. If you're a fan of Batman, the sheer number of iconic characters and villains is reason enough to give this game a look. Plus, the added features on the Wii U version actually make interesting use of the GamePad.
20. Call of Duty: Black Ops II
Treyarch's best Call of Duty title made its way to Wii U in excellent fashion. While it is hardly the most popular version of the game, it offers some interesting features that set it apart from Black Ops II on other platforms. With the GamePad allowing a second player to have a screen of their own, local play doesn't require players to share a screen. That in and of itself is reason alone to give the Wii U version a chance.
19. Game & Wario
While Wii Party U offers an entertaining way to kill some time with your friends and family, it lacks the charm and personality that Game & Wario brings to the table. As such, this wacky and downright silly title edged out the aforementioned party game. The Wario-centric title have always offered loads of humor, and that's here in spades. Plus, it makes use of the GamePad in some really interesting ways, a quality that is ironically hard to come by.
18. Need for Speed: Most Wanted U
Believe it or not, Wii U is home to a handful of really great racing games, despite the noticeable absence of a Mario Kart title for the platform. Electronic Arts brought one of Criterion's greatest racing games to Nintendo's console, and it's an absolute blast to play. Whether racing against your friends or taking on the various challenges scattered around the world, there is so much to do in Most Wanted that you won't likely get bored anytime soon.
17. Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed
The other truly impressive racing title on Wii U is from the folks at Sega. Sure, the fact that it stars a whole host of iconic Sega characters is one of the reasons Racing Transformed is so amazing, but the unique track design and vehicle transformations make this a truly engaging and immersive racing experience in their own right. Switching from land to water to air is fast, fluid, and seamless, and adds a lot of variety to each race. It's also gorgeous, which certainly doesn't count against it.
16. bit.Trip Runner2
This unique rhythm-based running game is one of Wii U's finest downloadable gems. It's got genius level design and pitch-perfect controls. It's hard to put to words exactly why the bit.Trip games are so amazing; they simply need to be experienced firsthand. Runner2 sports improved visuals and some interesting little additions that add up to a wholly superior experience. It also offers that tough-as-nails difficulty for those looking for a real challenge.
The LEGO games have a reputation for delivering really charming experiences that treat licensed IPs with the care and attention to detail that they deserve. The latest entry, which brings together a whole host of characters from the Marvel universe, is easily one of Traveller's Tales' finest efforts yet. It makes excellent use of the Marvel license, treating even the most hardest of hardcore comic book fans with respect, serving up plenty of fan-filled goodies.
Platinum Games is no stranger to wacky game experiences, and The Wonderful 101 is evidence to this fact. Seriously, what other studio would dream up a game where you control 100 characters to create weapons by drawing images on the GamePad? This game deserves recognition based on its creative merits alone. If you're looking for something a bit off the beaten path, search no more.
13. ZombiU
Ubisoft's zombie-centric launch title for Wii U is one of the console's most interesting games to date. Not only does the game ramp up the tension with high stakes thanks to a punishing death system, it also doesn't allow you to pause the game when shuffling through your backpack. Should you want to grab an item from your bag, you need to then direct your attention to the GamePad, pulling your eyes away from the main screen where an unsuspecting zombie could pounce out of nowhere. It serves up a truly tense experience rarely found in horror games today.
12. Deus Ex: Human Revolution – Director's Cut
Ever wished you could play a modernized version of Metal Gear Solid in first-person perspective? Look no further, as Deus Ex: Human Revolution is the game you so desperately crave. Stealth action has never felt so immersive and fun; however, the real draw comes from role-playing elements that have been embedded within the experience. Set in a future riddled with biomechanical augmentations, the game's protagonist Adam Jensen is able to enhance his abilities through an RPG-like progression system. It's incredibly rewarding and—more importantly—an absolute blast to play. Plus, the Director's Cut brings improved boss battles and Wii U GamePad support to the table, making it the best way to experience Human Revolution.
11. Little Inferno
Perhaps one of Wii U's most underrated games is Little Inferno, a charming puzzle title set in front of a fireplace. In the game, the player is tasked with tossing things into the roaring flames, as doing so with different combinations of items will yield different results. Sure, it's simplistic in its premise, but that elegant simplicity is what makes it so amazing. Seriously, you owe it to yourself to download this little gem off the eShop.
Yes, there are two LEGO games on this list; however, LEGO City Undercover is far different than any game in the series before it. This open-world title isn't based on any specific IP and thus afforded Traveller's Tales the liberty to create an entire universe of their own. The result? A fun, family-friendly sandbox full of charming characters set within a surprisingly detailed LEGO world.
While 5th Cell's fourth proper installment in the Scribblenauts franchise features many of the same mechanics from the prior entries, Unlimited takes the word-building experience to new heights with a fully fleshed out story and world to explore. Instead of just hopping from level to level, players are free to roam and gain a better understanding of the protagonist, Maxwell. Sure, it isn't profoundly deep, but its charm more than makes up for it.
Who thought an expansion starring a second-rate plumber could be so amazing? New Super Luigi U takes the framework of New Super Mario Bros. U and retools it around Luigi and his wacky jumping style. Racing through various levels, trying to beat the clock, is an absolute blast and puts a nice spin on the classic 2D platforming experience. There's also plenty of challenge here for those who too often find the Mario games to be a breeze.
You may initially scoff at this party-centric Wii U launch title, but until you've played through each of the "attractions" with a bunch of friends, you really can't judge. You see, Nintendo Land manages to tie together the capabilities of the GamePad and Wiimote in a local multiplayer experience that is unparalleled. The asynchronous multiplayer is truly genius. It's just a shame Nintendo (and other studios for that matter) haven't been able to take more advantage of this feature.
Capcom's addictive monster-hunting treasure-collecting action-adventure series made its way to Wii U in excellent fashion in the form of Monster Hunter 3: Ultimate. It may have a steep learning curve, but those that have managed to scale that wall of initial difficulty swear by the franchise. Killing massive monsters and collecting awesome loot sure sounds like it's worth the insane time investment, right? Well… it is for many, many people.
5. Pikmin 3
Gamers clamored for it all throughout the life of the Wii and finally got it when Nintendo stepped into the HD era: a follow-up to Pikmin 2. Instead of simply taking the same tried-and-true formula of the first two games, Nintendo decided to shake things up a bit with Pikmin 3, putting players in control of three different space-traveling explorers. By having several different characters capable of ordering the Pikmin around, swapping between the three is essential for those looking to be as efficient as possible. On top of that, two new Pikmin types were added to the party, rock and flying, bringing some much welcomed variety to the game's cast of cute plant-like creatures.
4. The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker HD
What do you get when you take one of the GameCube's greatest titles and remake it in high definition? A visual marvel that is still an absolute blast to play. The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker is just as much fun to play now as it was back in the day, and the HD coat of paint makes the vibrant cel-shaded art design pop. Seriously, this is one of the most gorgeous games you'll find across any platform. A few changes were made on the gameplay side of things as well. Faster sailing sure does make that Triforce hunt at the end slightly more tolerable.
Sure, some may argue that Nintendo may be pumping the New Super Mario Bros. games out a bit too quickly, but that doesn't negate the fact that NSMBU is brimming with creativity and charm. And you simply can't understate the value of finally getting to control the Italian plumber in high definition. With some of the most beautiful levels of any Mario game, this latest entry in the "new" series is undoubtedly the most visually stunning. Just play through the "Starry Night"-inspired level and tell me I'm wrong.
Following hot off the heels of Rayman Origins, Ubisoft managed to deliver a sequel that blows away its predecessor in virtually every way imaginable, giving even Mario a run for his money. Right off the bat you'll notice that the art direction is insanely unique; there's really nothing else out there quite like it. The game also makes excellent use of the GamePad during local co-op sessions. Oh yeah, and those music-themed levels? Amazing.
Honestly, are you at all surprised by our top choice? Super Mario 3D World is the best game on Wii U. Period. End of story. The EAD Tokyo team managed to blow gamers away yet again with a game that on the surface may just look like a sequel to Super Mario 3D Land, but in the end is truly so much more. With ingenious new power-ups like the cat suit and double cherry, 3D World outclasses the competition on the basis of sheer creativity. It's also a blast to play solo or with a group of three other friends. And there aren't many games out there nowadays with strong local co-op in the first place.
What do you think of our picks? Agree? Disagree? Let us know in the comments below.
