Need help choosing a Wii U for your friends and family this holiday season? This is your guide to picking out the games that really stand out on Wii U. Most of these games can’t be found anywhere else and some have definitive versions on Wii U. These are the top 10 games to check out on the Wii. U for the Christmas season.
1. Super Mario 3D World
By far the best reason to own a Wii U is to play Super Mario 3D World. Nintendo’s EAD team is one of the most experienced and polished development studios in the entire industry. I would go so far as to say that they are the epitome of game developers. His last two games released were Super Mario Galaxy 2 for Wii and Super Mario 3D Land for 3DS. So what genre did they target in this first 3D Mario game for Wii U? Super Mario 3D Land’s semi-fixed level direction? Or the free motion camera from Super Mario Galaxy 2? Honestly, it’s a cross between the two. It has the platforming design of Super Mario 3D Land, but the levels are much larger and the graphics are absolutely amazing, just like the art style of the Galaxy series.
2. Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker HD
Wind Waker was already a cult hit on the Gamecube and now it’s only gotten better. There were some hiccups in the GCN version that prevented some people from fully enjoying the experience. Those, like slow navigation and fetch quests, have now been improved so as not to slow down the flow and pace of the game. Additionally, the graphics have received a completely new lighting engine and HD resolution, bringing the cartoonish art style to life.
3. Pikmin 3
Pikmin 3 is the ideal version of what Shigeru Miyamoto had in mind when he created the Pikmin series. Much more powerful hardware allows you to see tremendous detail in your environments and zoom out so you can micromanage multiple teams within one map. If you like strategy games and Nintendo charm, Pikmin 3 is not a game you want to miss.
4. The wonderful 101
Fans are divided on The Wonderful 101. So will you enjoy it? Basically, it all boils down to one question: are you a conventional gamer or a hardcore gamer? If you are a hardcore, you will have a lot of fun with TW101. It can become your favorite Wii U game. The Wonderful 101 doesn’t like to hold your hand. He expects you to learn the ropes through experimentation and practice. It will challenge you. It will cast all chaos spells on your screen. And if you can handle extreme action, then you’re in for a great ride.
5. ZombieU
How about another misunderstood game? If you are looking for another Call of Duty shooter game that results in stellar zombies, you have come to the wrong place. ZombiU is not a shooting game. It is a survival horror game with incredible innovation. You’ll be terrified as you ration your supplies, hold off zombies with a cricket bat, and run for your life. And if you want a game that is a true showcase for your gaming friends of the kind of innovation that the Wii U GamePad can bring to mature games, this will be your ace up the sleeve.
6. Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate
Ready to spend thousands of hours in a game together with your friends? Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate will give you the most bang for your buck as you push through hour after hour, trying to cut off the monster’s tail so you can finally get to the next level of armor. If you don’t see the light of day for a few months, don’t blame me. I warned you.
7. Lego City Undercover
Lego City Undercover is a brilliantly fun and silly romp that will tickle your funny bone and have you laughing the whole time. Not to mention, the game is pure, unadulterated fun from start to finish. Enjoy a GTA-like game that never takes itself too seriously, but never slows down when it comes to gameplay.
8. New Super Mario Bros U / New Super Luigi U
This 2D Mario Bros experience is one of my favorite 2D Mario games in a long time. I’ve played every recent New Super Mario Bros game from Nintendo and this one tops the rest. It is purely due to the incredible variety contained within its levels/boosts and the challenge of getting all three star coins in each level.
9. Wii U Party
Do you remember Wii Sports? That was the game you showed your friends and family when you wanted to impress them with what motion controls could do for gaming. Every person holding the Wiimote instantly understood it intuitively and soon had them laughing and playing. Although Nintendo hoped this would happen once again with NintendoLand, the game that finally catches on is Wii Party U. There are tons of mini-games that will quickly get your friends and family acquainted with just how much fun Wii U can be.
10. Need for Speed Most Wanted U
Criteria used to make the Burnout series. They then started working on Need for Speed. And here you have a game that almost feels like a combination of the two. With Need for Speed Most Wanted U, Criterion took the Xbox 360/PS3 version of the game and vastly improved it in terms of visuals, additional modes, and controls. This is a great racing game for any Wii U owner, whether you like to play alone or with friends.
