The Best Wii U Games Ever Made, Ranked

Highlights

• The Wii U may not have been a hit, but it still has a fantastic game library that is diverse and adored by many fans.
• Games like Hyrule Warriors, Nintendo Land, and Splatoon contributed to the unique charm of the Wii U and are still highly enjoyable to play.
• Other standout titles for the Wii U include Xenoblade Chronicles X, Pikmin 3, Mario Kart 8, Super Mario Maker, and Axiom Verge, offering players rewarding and fun gaming experiences.

The Wii U has a troubled reputation – it wasn’t the proud successor of the Wii that Nintendo was hoping for, and many fans were left disappointed by the console. However, the Wii U still has a fantastic game library, many of which are still adored to this day. The game library is surprisingly diverse, ranging from reimagined classics to debut franchises – the Wii U’s impact on gaming history is undeniable.

A few games stood out and massively contributed to the Wii U’s unique charm. Players who want to discover some of the best games for the Wii U, and how they played a part in the console’s legacy, can find out here.

Updated January 2, 2024 by Alexandra O’Leary: The Wii U isn’t quite hailed as the best of Nintendo’s innovative console creations. Despite its unique build, the existence of the Switch firmly positions the Wii U as a stepping stone in the console evolutionary chain. For many, that’s how the Wii U will stay, but for others, it’s a perfectly valid and beloved moment in gaming history.

There’s a great selection of genuinely entertaining games that make the most of the Wii U’s unique controls. Some of these games are highly rated on Metacritic, and there are many outside of the top ten that provide a truly enjoyable gaming experience. Gamers who still have their GamePad ready to go will not want to miss the best Wii U games ever.

16 Hyrule Warriors

Metascore: 76

An unexpected, but warmly welcomed entry to the Wii U, Hyrule Warriors stole many players’ hearts. Hyrule Warriors merged the worlds of The Legend of Zelda and Dynasty Warriors, creating a bizarre hack-and-slash Zelda experience. A stand-out feature of this game was its diverse cast, with many characters making their first playable debuts.

Players would often have to face various challenges at each stage and have to prioritize certain areas or characters over others. Naturally, destroying hundreds of enemies resulted in some pretty satisfying moments, and players could even have their friends join the fun using the game’s multiplayer mode. Unfortunately, the game did suffer from some relatively simple gameplay and could become quite repetitive due to its lack of depth. However, despite this, Hyrule Warriors remains an incredibly fun play and is still a standout title for the Wii U.

15 Nintendo Land

Metascore: 77

Nintendo Land was one of the most charming installments on the Wii U and is sadly very underrated. Nintendo Land featured a collection of mini-games that focused on using Miis and the Wii U GamePad. These games would often revolve around asymmetric gameplay, where one player would use the GamePad while the others use Wii remotes.

Many of the mini-games available were inspired by some of Nintendo’s most well-known franchises, including Animal Crossing and The Legend of Zelda. Thanks to the game’s unique blend of gameplay, Nintendo Land remains one of the best demonstrations of the Wii U GamePad’s capabilities.

14 Splatoon

Metascore: 81

Splatoon was Nintendo’s first entry into this unique team-based shooter franchise. Players had to claim their territory using colorful ink in the game, which offered a fun, fresh take on territory control gameplay.

Surprisingly, the game offered players plenty of game modes and maps to try out, as well as a mechanically rich shooter experience. Splatoon’s core mechanic, which allowed players to switch between humanoid and squid forms and gave movement and combat much more strategic depth, was what really made it shine. Splatoon was so successful that it would go on to receive numerous subsequent entries.

13 Xenoblade Chronicles X

Metascore: 84

Owners of the Wii U could experience a massively immersive action RPG experience with Xenoblade Chronicles X. The sheer size of the game meant players could sink dozens of hours exploring different areas and completing side quests. Players had lots of flexibility when it came to developing their characters, with various classes and subclasses available to choose from, and each impacting combat style.

The combat itself was very engaging, and players could switch between the characters on their team on the go, depending on which skills best suited each battle. Characters who weren’t in the control of the player would coordinate their attacks in a very engaging way, which encouraged players to experiment more with their abilities. While the game did have a few issues with its presentation and varying quest quality, it remains a very rewarding play.

12 Pikmin 3

Metascore: 87

Pikmin 3 provided an excellent blend of strategy, exploration, and cute characters. Players would constantly have to assess level layouts and any threats posed to their Pikmin. Each Pikmin had their unique abilities (and adorable personalities) which offered players even more exploration and gameplay options.

Unfortunately, the game’s story was a little short, and the difficulty left a bit to be desired. However, the imaginative world the game crafted, the clever creature design, and the demand for strategy made it an overall great experience for Wii U owners.

11 Mario Kart 8

Metascore: 88

Mario Kart 8 served as a ground-breaking new entry into Nintendo’s iconic racing franchise. The game still maintained many beloved core features of Mario Kart, but brought about its own new twist – antigravity.

Mario Kart 8 featured a huge roster of characters, each with their unique playstyles and larger-than-life personalities. Naturally, the game’s colorful graphics were a massive highlight, with no map feeling the same. Players could race on iconic maps such as Moo Moo Meadows, or sparkling new ones like Electrodome, each feeling expertly designed with twisting tracks and stunning attention to detail. Mario Kart 8 still boasts plenty of charm today and is a must-play for any Wii U owner.

10 Super Mario Maker

Metascore: 88

Super Mario Maker allowed players to create, share, and play their very own Mario levels. This game proved to be one of the more experimental Mario games but captured the hearts of many players quickly.

Super Mario Maker was the source of hilarious rage for many players, as plenty of player levels were created to be as evil as possible. Players could switch between different visual styles in the game, from traditional 2D pixel Mario to a more modern, 3D-2D hybrid approach, thanks to its incredibly detailed level editor.

9 Axiom Verge

Metascore: 89

Axiom Verge is a sidescrolling metroidvania game that was released on multiple platforms but gained its highest overall Metascore on the Wii U. Players take on the role of Trace who, after sustaining a serious injury, wakes up in a strange and technological world.

Axiom Verge was created by indie developer Thomas Happ and was praised for its originality and beautiful art. It’s a brilliant crossover between new mechanics and classic Metroid games that culminates in an eloquent nostalgia and highly engaging story. There are plenty of items to keep the game interesting, and it emphasizes exploration as well as returning to previously visited areas to progress. Critics found little to complain about and thought it utilized the Wii U’s abilities well.

8 Skylanders Swap Force

Metascore: 89

Skylanders Swap Force is the third main video game installment in the Skylanders franchise. It’s a platformer that crosses over with real-life figures to create a cast of familiar characters for any Skylanders fans.

The game was thought to be very forward-thinking in terms of its use of physical figures as active in-game content. It added new mechanics to the gameplay, like being able to swap the characters around physically, and built well upon their previous games to create a fun new experience.

7 Guacamelee! Super Turbo Championship Edition

Metascore: 90

Gucamelee! is a metroidvania platformer and brawler with luchador-inspired characters and art. Like most metroidvanias, players explore a non-linear, platforming world to complete missions, fight their way through the world, and unlock new abilities. Players assume the role of Juan, who is on a quest to save his beloved Lupita from the evil Carlos Calaca.

Guacamelee! was celebrated for its creative identity and ability to adapt mechanics from classic games and combine them with its own style. It’s often thought to be one of the best titles that was released for the Wii U. Guacamelee! is also praised for its humor and good-natured fun.

6 The Legend Of Zelda: The Wind Waker HD

Metascore: 90

The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker HD is a re-release of the 2003 game that served as a delightful reimagining of the original while maintaining its charm with its captivating story and unique cel-shaded art style. The game was a stand-out thanks to plenty of its features. It sported many charming characters and memorable dungeons that provided players with an ever-increasing challenge.

The HD re-release also came along with some features unique to the Wii U, such as the second-screen inventory management system, Hero Mode for those looking for an increased challenge, and improved camera controls. A fantastic quality-of-life feature that was added was the Swift Sail, which also gave players a much faster option for moving around. The developers took what was great about the original and worked on any complaints fans had to make the game a highly recommendable adventure that still stands the test of time today.

5 Bayonetta 2

Metascore: 91

Bayonetta 2 is the second hack-and-slash action-adventure game by Platinum Games. It’s one of Metacritic’s few Wii U “Must-play” games, and since it was published by Nintendo, it was a Wii U exclusive until it was re-released four years later on the Switch.

The game sees the eponymous Bayonetta take on angels and demons as she slashes her way through levels to save her friend Jeanne. Bayonetta 2 is the best of hack and slash action games, and provides uninhibited fun from start to finish. Critics hailed the game as consistently exciting, with a highly praised multiplayer mode that perfectly allows players to share the fun with their friends. It stays true to itself, with great fights, design, and style sure to make gamers come back for more.

4 Rayman Legends

Metascore: 92

Rayman Legends is a 2D platformer game and the fifth installment in the Rayman franchise. Rayman, Globox, and the Teensies band together once more to take down the magician and save the day. Four players can join the game and participate in over one hundred levels, including some remastered ones from Rayman Origins.

The game was hailed as an utter success by critics, with many claiming it was one of the best 2D platformers ever made – easily topping the likes of Mario and Sonic. The world of Rayman Legends was applauded for its vivid and colorful design that is effortlessly playable and smoothly integrated with the Wii U controls. It’s an unarguably charming game brimming with content and heart, making it difficult for anybody to criticize.

Metacritic calls it one of the Wii U’s “Must plays,” and almost all critic reviews on the site name it as the best of the best in Wii U’s gaming catalog.

3 Super Smash Bros. For Wii U

Metascore: 92

Super Smash Bros. for Wii U was the latest installment of Nintendo’s crossover fighting series. A huge roster of characters, including some well-known figures from gaming history, was available for players to take their pick from. Each character had a distinctive fighting style, special moves, and even unique animations! Just to name a few, players could fight as Mario, Link, Pikachu, and even the Wii Fit Trainer.

Super Smash Bros. for Wii U didn’t stop highlighting its attention to detail there however – the game also featured a myriad of diverse arenas to battle on, and a new antigravity mechanic, adding further layers of strategy to learn. Numerous match types were available in the online play mode, and amiibo integration added AI opponents that players could train to fight alongside them. Super Smash Bros. for Wii U stands as a nostalgic gaming experience, presenting accessible yet deep gameplay.

2 Super Mario 3D World

Metascore: 93

By providing a delightful blend of innovation and familiarity, Super Mario 3D World defied many expectations. Each of the levels was diverse and inventive and evolved in ways so that the game never became stale. New ideas would be brought into levels for just the right amount of time, and removed before they became stale. The game’s spirit of exploration is comparable to that of the Super Mario Galaxy games, while still bringing its own distinct identity.

The single-player experience was initially a little tame, but eventually ramps up the challenge, offering tough levels reminiscent of the franchise’s roots. However, the game truly shines in multiplayer mode. Super Mario 3D World offered competitive yet cooperative gameplay and often resulted in many hilarious and memorable moments. The game was made more interesting and strategic by each character’s special abilities, as well as by the brand-new, iconic cat power-up. Overall, Super Mario 3D World offered Wii U players a ton of replayability, whether they were playing alone or with friends.

1 Breath Of The Wild

Metascore: 96

Many gamers will be unaware that Breath of the Wild was ever released on the Wii U, especially since it became such a monumental hit on the Switch. The game was released in bundles with the launch of the Nintendo Switch, leading many to mistakenly assume that it is the only platform it’s available on. However, Breath of the Wild has a Metascore of 96, which is only one less than the Switch version.

This open-world action adventure is thought to be the culmination of all Nintendo’s Zelda titles and is now cited as an absolute masterclass in open-world gaming. Unlike almost any Zelda game prior, Breath of the Wild is a meticulously crafted and deeply detailed game with beautiful, vast areas to explore with zany, charming NPCs around every corner. The game is packed full of side quests and collection missions, coupled with an emotional and endearing narrative. Never have Zelda and Link been afforded such characterization and definitive stories, easily making the title an absolute must for Zelda fans.

Critics called Breath of the Wild an utter success, with magnificent achievements and brilliant innovation. Breath of the Wild made the leap to the Switch effortlessly, and its TV dock abilities allowed players to see the full majesty of the game. It was the last big title to be released on the Wii U, but there truly is no better Nintendo game to see it off.

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