Not really a game but if you can spare the cash I'd recommend getting a Wii U Pro Controller. The battery life is amazing and it can help if you want to play local multiplayer. I felt that it was a good investment and it's compatible with a ton of games.

I hope to buy a Wii U this year, but unlike you I'm waiting for the price cut. It has to finally come this year.

When I think about my purchases when I get one, it looks like this:

-a better battery for the GamePad. I've heard it works only 3 - 3.5 h? Dayum.
-protection for the screen (a protective sticker on the screen and rubber case for the GamePad).

Games:

-Mario Kart 8
-SM3DW
-Zelda: Wind Waker
-Bayonetta 2
-Hyrule Warriors
-Captain Toad
-DK:TF
-NSMBU+NSLU
-Nintendo Land

-Metroid Prime Trilogy

Apart from that I will pick up Xenoblade Chronicles: X and Zelda U.

That's everything that I'm interested in when it comes to Wii U. There will probably be a game or two in 2016 that catches my eye as well, but I'm aware that this is almost all that I'll get from the console.

Nintendo, just cut the price already!


PS. I believe Deus Ex is on sale for a crazy price on PSN right now, so if you have a PS3, it's better to get it there. You even get the Wii U GamePad functionality with Vita, I believe.

Don't go digital on the Wii U until Nintendo starts locking games to accounts and not hardware. As for retail, there are a ton of fantastic games. I would start with:

Bayonetta 2
Smash Bros U
Mario Kart 8
Super Mario 3D World
Zelda Wind Waker HD

And then get these when they come out later this year:
Xenoblade X
Zelda U
Splatoon
Star Fox U

Also get a pro controller

Mario Kart 8, The Wonderful 101, Pikmin 3, MONSTER HUNTER 3 ULTIMATE,  (definitely this one, especially because it is really cheap right now) Hyrule Warriors. A couple other suggestions would be Donkey Kong Country: TF and Super Mario 3D World (Which I normally don't play Mario games but I loved this one)

For digital definitely the Metroid Prime Trilogy

Apart from the games on your List, I would also recommend:

Retail:
Mario Kart 8
Sonic & Alltar Racing Transformed
The Wonderful 101
Hyrule Warriors
Pikmin 3

Digital:
Child of Light
Lone Survivor: Director's Cut
UnEpic
Duck Tales remastered
NES Remix 1+2

Metroid prime trilogy and Mario Galaxy 2 if you missed them on Wii

Mario 3d world.mario kart 8. zombiu..ac4 bf

The must haves for every genre (retail):

Action:

• Bayonetta 1/2 (Two amazing games for the price of one. Both games are at the top of their genre)
• Hyrule Warriors (If you enjoy the Musou games, HW is a no brainer. Also provides an incredible amount of content)
• The Wonderful 101 (A unique take on the Action genre by Kamiya. If you're a fan of his games you can't miss out)

Action-Adventure:

• The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker HD (A beautiful recreation of the original game. Gameplay changes have also been made to improve the experience)

Fighting

• Super Smash Bros. For Wii U (The continuation of the superb fighting franchise. The game's quality, polish, and pelthora of content speak for themselves)

Miscellaneous

• Nintendo Land (Not many games use the full advantages given by the GamePad, but Nitnendo Land makes fantastic use of the hardware capabilities. Asymmetric multiplayer gameplay is awesome)

Platform

• Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze (Continues the proud DK lineage of games with tight controls, amazing level design, awesome music, and a hearty challenge)
• New Super Mario Bros. U/New Super Luigi U (I would argue that these two games can stand along Mario's greatest 2D adventures. 4 player co-op continues the chaotic fun)
• Rayman Legends (Improves on the already stellar Rayman Origins, and the music levels are amazing)
• Super Mario 3D World (Another masterpiece from EAD Tokyo. So far it's my game of the generation, and for good reason too)

Puzzle

• Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker (A take on the Captain Toad segments from 3D World. The game is charming and very fun)

Racing

• Mario Kart 8 (Brilliant in everything it wants to achieve. It's fast, fun, smooth, and gorgeous. Local and online multiplayer are top tier)

Shooter

• ZombiU (A true "survival horror" in the sense of the player having to truly survive in a zombie infested London setting. The perma-death design leads to some incredibly tense situations)

Strategy

• Pikmin 3 (The continuation of the unique real time strategy game. If you're a fan of multi-tasking to victory, then this game is for you)

More highly regarded games, whether retail or eShop, can be found here. Good luck!

For digital I think Metroid prime triology is a good pick up :P Unless if you have it on the wii then theres no need for it. Its really fun. And Hyrule warriors is a great game, probably my favorite game as of right now.

You have a pretty good list, OP. I would add Super Mario 3D world to that.

It starts off slow but really ramps up late game and the post game levels are insane.