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Over three years ago, Nintendo launched the Wii U. Since then, the console has received hit games from Nintendo, indie developers, and ocassionally a third party at retail. Today, based on this thread, re count down VGChartz's Top 12 Wii U games. Why Top 12? Just the way the numbers worked out.
Also, for nostalgia's sake, click here for the May 2014 version.
12. Rayman Legends (14 Points)
Nothing like a bit of controversy to start things off! Rayman Legends was announced during E3 2012 as an exclusive Wii U game from Ubisoft for the console's launch window. It couldn't quite make it by November 2012, but was announced to still be coming in February 2013. Then, just a few weeks before the supposed release, it was delayed to Autumn so it could launch alongside PS3 and Xbox 360 versions. This story hinted at how third party support for the Wii U would end up.
It's a shame too, since Rayman Legends was a great game. It was bright, energetic, pretty, fluid, and made good use of the GamePad. It is a different beast from Nintendo's 2D platformers, and all the more memorable for it. And with over 120 levels total, it was hardly an anemic experience.
11. Hyrule Warriors (15 Points)
One of the biggest surprises on the Wii U, Hyrule Warriors is likely the most beloved of the few spinoffs in the Zelda series. Made by the team behind Dynasty Warriors, Hyrule Warriors mixed their signature hack and slash action against hundreds of opponents with the characters, locations, and various other elements of the Zelda series. The game ended up being better received by Western critics and players than Dynasty Warriors is, thanks to its combination of a strong foundation in action gameplay, lovely fan service, and surprisingly extensive content. The game also benefitted from both free and paid DLC, which multiplied the lifespan of the game, adding new missions, modes, and characters. And with a spinoff being released for the 3DS, it looks like a new series has been created.
10. The Wonderful 101 (16 Points)
The first of a couple of titles released by Platinum Games for the Wii U, The Wonderful 101 is a top-down action game where you control a legion of super heroes fighting off the Geathjerk alien menace. It is ridiculous. And crazy. And that is awesome. And it has the best Quick-Time Event ever. True, it's pretty hard, but would you have it any other way?
9. Pikmin 3 (28 Points)
The Pikmin duo on the GameCube was beloved by many as probably the best real-time strategy games ever made for consoles. So naturally, Nintendo took almost a decade to release a sequel. To be fair, it's obvious when playing Pikmin 3 that the time was well-spent. For one thing, HD graphics are perfect for showing off scores of tiny creatures running around the screen. Both the Wiimote/Nunchuck and GamePad control schemes are a step beyond the GameCube controller as a way of commanding units. And the game's design, where players must command their three captains to forage for food and progress through the campaign, isa great way to expand upon the atmosphere of the original game.
8. The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker HD (32 Points)
"Wow, of all the Zelda games, Wind Waker's art style has aged the best! This game doesn't ever need to be remade!" Oh how naive we were in 2012. Wind Waker HD wasn't necessarily a remake that needed to be made, but it is one we can all appreciate. The core of Wind Waker is still left largely untouched, but the changes aren't limited to graphics. The GamePad is useful for inventory management and navigation, certain quests have been made less repetitive, animations are sped up, items like the Swift Sail added, and so on. Not to mention, the changes in presentation are still appreciated. That 1080p with superior lighting is gorgeous.
7. Bayonetta 2 (44 Points)
One of a few games nobody expected on the Wii U, especially as an exclusive, Bayonetta 2 is arguably the best game for the console not to come from a Nintendo studio. Largely building upon the foundations of the acclaimed first game, it added and trimmed elements here and there in a new, better paced, campaign. Also, a remastered version of the original was bundled with Bayonetta 2. That's good value.
6. Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze (51 Points)
You wouldn't think a 2D platformer named for its ice levels would be so good. Many fans were disappointed when they heard Retro was making another Donkey Kong Country game, but few were disappointed with the game itself. It starts with similar foundations as in Donkey Kong Country Returns, but a few changes helped Tropical Freeze stand out. The playable roster grew, with Dixie Kong and Cranky Kong providing a mid-air jump and cane-based abilities stolen from Scrooge McDuck. Levels are less numerous than you'd expect, but are also longer and more developed, while rarely recycling ideas or concepts. The usual treasure hunt for puzzle pieces amd letters is still here, and still worth losing hundreds of lives to collect.
But the best part is that there is a boss fight against a polar bear with a hammer named Bashmaster the Unbreakable. And his theme is metal as ****.
5. Super Smash Bros for Wii U (75 Points)
Yeah, I expected this to be #1 too. The fact that it isn't speaks well of the top few games.
Back to Smash though, SSB4 got a lot of things right. Everyone already loves Super Smash Bros (even if they don't admit it), but there were some elements in Brawl that needed to be fixed. This game is brighter and more cartoony than Brawl, which allows for characters to be more like their original incarnations. The game's speed is somewhere between Melee and Brawl, a fair compromise between the former's competitive scene and the latter's casual-friendly nature. The new characters, including a mixture of recent stars and retro favorites, is generally notable for their distinct movesets. Some older characters were made into more viable fighters, making this a more balanced fighter than Brawl ever was. Really, the only disappointment is the lack of a mode like Subspace Emissary, but there are a number of other modes taking its place.
4. Super Mario 3D World (99 Points)
This was VGChartz's Top Wii U game in May 2014, and still holds a place of high regard over two years since release.
When Super Mario 3D World was announced, the general reaction was "ehh..." Its E3 showing made it look like a simple console counterpart of Super Mario 3D Land, not unlike New Super Mario Bros Wii was for the DS original. In retrospect though, a better comparison would be the original Super Mario Bros with Super Mario Bros 3. There may be a common concept of combining 2D and 3D styles, but the difference in scale is exponential. 3D World includes five playable characters with distinct capabilities, nine worlds of unique stages, another two worlds of remixed stages, possibly the biggest array of items in series history, the best multiplayer in the Super Mario series, and more. It somehow feels balanced and deliberate, no matter how you're playing in any given level.
It may lack the novelty that Super Mario Galaxy did, but 3D World is at least its equal in terms of fulfilling a seemingly impossible ambition.
3. Xenoblade Chronicles X (104 Points)
This is an open world action-RPG where you explore a world, flying mechs around, and fighting kaiju. And it uses a variant of Xenoblade's battle system.
What else can I possibly say to make this game sound better?
2. Mario Kart 8 (109 Points)
Mario Kart 8 is considered by many, including me, to be the best game in the series. It's not just because of one feature either. MK8 is sort of a culmination of previous trends in the series. It borrows 12-player races and multiple vehicle types from MK Wii and kart customization and air/aquatic racing from MK7. It then expands on these, adding more vehicle types, anti-gravity racing with distinct mechanics, and the best online functionality thatt had ever appeared in a Nintendo game. The usual plethora of racers was there, even the ones we all hate, as well as possibly the best combination of items yet. Items like the Super Horn and Boomerange Flower are both fun to use and help balance the game.
1. Splatoon (122 Points)
Imagine you find a time machine, and go back five years. You meet your past self, and tell them that the best game Nintendo's going to make next generation is going to be a new series, an online-based shooter. Your past self would decide you're insane, and not listen to all the more useful stuff you tell them.
It's hard to summarize why exactly Splatoon is as good as it is. It's partially how the basic concept, an ink-based shooter, is both familiar to anyone whose played games and distinct from everything else they've played. It's partially how the Wii U hardware, often criticized, meets the needs of this game very well, thanks to its colorful art style and GamePad's ability to provide constant information. It's partially that the game's modes, both Turf Wars and Ranked Battles, encourage playing as part of a team. It's partially because the game has a distinct flair, combining aquatic and fashion themes in a style suitable for all audiences. It's partially how the game was so constantly updated for months, including over 40 weapons, 11 stages, and a few modes.
Most of all though, it's because Splatoon is proof that Nintendo, after making games for decades, is still capable of going new places, breaking new ground, and establishing new standards where they go.
Stay Fresh!
