ackward compatibility adds to a solid Wii U library

While it's easy to point out the range of multi-platform games not available on Wii U, it's equally simple to point to a reasonably-sized range of exclusives and download games that make the system a unique and fun option. That's only going to improve once September kicks off with Hyrule Warriors, with the rest of the year from that point bringing a consistent flow of retail games; the eShop is also sure to deliver some quality downloads.

Of course, we're in the middle of a dry summer of releases. In fact, if you're dealing in substantial retail titles, the last release that caused mainstream excitement for the Wii U was Mario Kart 8 on 30th May, though One Piece fans may point to One Piece Unlimited World Red as a late June / early July arrival; as for Wii Sports Club, it doesn't appear to have made much of a sales impact. This isn't a scenario that means there's nothing to play, however. That's where backlogs, the eShop and the Wii U's backward compatibility — unique in this generation of systems — come into play.

Keen to make the point, well-known Destructoid contributor Jonathan Holmes has kicked off a#wiiudroughtaid hashtag on Twitter; it's riffing on the constant references to games droughts over the summer months, with the initial pitch being to suggest Wii games to play on Wii U while we await the upcoming batch of new games. While plenty are doing just that — the Wii does have a fantastic library — others are pointing out a range of current-gen gems just waiting to be played and are, based on sales numbers, yet to be enjoyed by a lot of Wii U owners. That's a perspective we certainly support, and we're produced enough recommendation lists for retail and eShop games to suggest that there are excellent titles waiting to be played.

Do you feel this summer has been a tough game drought for Wii U, or do more gamers need to explore the library — retail and download / Virtual Console — more thoroughly to realise how many excellent options are available? Let us know what you think in the poll and comments below.

http://www.nintendolife.com/news/2014/08/the_trending_wiiudroughtaid_shows_that_actually_theres_plenty_to_play_on_wii_u

Yeah and it's pretty shamefull really since Iwata said that they learned from their mistake from last summer. Apperantly not.

hilarious damage control

hardly noticed thanks to mario kart

True, however couldn't you just as easy edit this article and put in Xbox One or PS4 and the different games from those systems and say oh just play those games over the summer until Destiny and others come in the fall. I mean the whole reason why the TLOU was ported to PS4 was because there was nothing coming out now, its to fill out the time between mid year releases and the fall ones.

Its funny how Wii U was slammed for its drought last year, then we look at all the consoles this year.... Im shocked that none of the big three had any games lined up for this period to be honest.

I could always buy a PS4/XB1 and still have nothing to play :P. Seriously though, there are enough Wii U games out there now, that people should never experience any drought whatsoever. I have played over 30 Wii U games and never been at a stage since its launch where i have had nothing to play.

There's been a retail drought but some good eshop games. Still I would have spent a lot of cash if they gave me stuff to buy.

All 3 console makers had droughts this Summer, and earlier this year. Nothing new, but yeah rather shameful on Nintendo's part.

I didn't have any drought this year. MK8 + WWHD was more than enough, but I also got Rayman Legends and Shovel Knight and started making more competitive Pokemon in X.

To put into perspective, I've only finished MK8 and Shovel Knight. Haven't had time to finish the others.

But besides that, there is a drought. The only game between MK8 and Hyrule Warriors was Wii Sports Club (retail), which is nowhere in the radar. There is a drought of releases, but not of games. Still shameful tho.