Though sales of the Nintendo Wii U were low in comparison to both its predecessor, the Nintendo Wii, and its successor, the Nintendo Switch, it still had a good reputation for having a good catalog of quality games, even if support for the system was lacking.
Nintendo recently announced the closure of the Wii U and 3DS e-Shops, which devastated console owners.
What will we see here?
Nintendo’s TimeTable
On May 23, 2022, it will no longer be possible to add funds to a 3DS/Wii U e-Shop account using a credit card. On August 29, 2022, it will no longer be possible to add funds with an e-Shop card. However, download codes will still be able to be redeemed. It will no longer be possible to make purchases, download demos or themes, redeem a download code, or add funds after late March 2023.
1. The Xenoblade Chronicles X
Xenoblade Chronicles X, released in 2015, is a spiritual successor to Xenoblade Chronicles and borrows heavily from that cult classic JRPG. Players in the action role-playing game explore the world of Mira after Earth is destroyed. The Ganglion, a coalition of alien races, is opposed to them.
The only title in Monolith’s Xenoblade series that is not available on Switch is Xenoblade Chronicles X. While a physical version is available, the E-Shop offers free, downloadable Data Packs that make the game load faster and look better. The physical version of the game will still be available, but players who want the best experience should grab the Data Packs before they disappear.
| Sr. | Pointers | The Xenoblade Chronicles X |
| 1 | Features | Investigate and complete quests Choose your character’s sci-fi elements |
| 2 | Developers | – |
| 3 | Publishers | Nintendo Xenoblade |
| 4 | Game Type | Online Multiplayer Co-Op |
| 5 | Release Date | December 04, 2015 |
| 6 | Platforms | Nintendo Wii U |
| 7 | Franchises | – |
| 8 | Genres | RPG |
2. The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker HD of Nintendo
The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker HD is a remaster of the GameCube game of the same name, with players taking on the role of Link as he attempts to stop the evil Ganon. The Wind Waker, like the other games in the series, pits Link against a slew of monsters’ temples riddled with puzzles.
This HD remake of the original GameCube title is the definitive way to play Wind Waker, as it includes numerous quality-of-life improvements that vastly improve the player experience in the end game. Link embarks on a journey to save his sister after she is kidnapped, and he ends up traversing the seas in ways he never imagined. However, the series distinguishes itself with a focus on sailing and absolutely stunning cell-shaded art.
| Sr. | Pointers | The Xenoblade Chronicles X |
| 1 | Features | There are numerous side quests Graphics and gameplay are fantastic |
| 2 | Developers | Ingram Entertainment |
| 3 | Publishers | Nintendo |
| 4 | Game Type | – |
| 5 | Release Date | September 20, 2013 |
| 6 | Platforms | Nintendo Wii U |
| 7 | Franchises | – |
| 8 | Genres | Action, Adventure |
3. Wii U Super Smash Bros
Super Smash Bros. for Wii U, released in 2014, is the console generation’s take on the beloved fighting game franchise. Players select their favorite characters from franchises such as The Legend of Zelda, Mario, and Fire Emblem and battle with their friends in the game. Every generation of Super Smash Bros. introduces something new to the franchise, and the Wii U version is no exception.
Super Smash Bros. for Wii U received a fantastic 92 on Metacritic, making it one of the best-reviewed games on the system, thanks to its innovations and improvements.
| Sr. | Pointers | The Xenoblade Chronicles X |
| 1 | Features | The game is fast-paced Excellent visuals |
| 2 | Developers | Bandai Namco Entertainment |
| 3 | Publishers | Nintendo |
| 4 | Game Type | Amiibo, Offline Versus Multiplayer, Online Versus Multiplayer |
| 5 | Release Date | November 21, 2014 |
| 6 | Platforms | Nintendo Wii U |
| 7 | Franchises | The game Super Smash Bros. |
| 8 | Genres | Fighting |
4. Splatoon
Splatoon was one of Nintendo’s first new IPs in quite some time, spearheaded by younger developers looking to breathe new life into an old game. Despite the fact that not many people were able to play it on the Wii U, its sequel, Splatoon 2, took the world by storm. So much so, in fact, that Splatoon 3 is on many people’s summer Wish lists.
Splatoon’s main concept is that it’s a third-person shooter, but instead of bullets, it uses colorful inkling ink. Turf wars are encouraged, with the team with the most turf winning.
| Sr. | Pointers | The Xenoblade Chronicles X |
| 1 | Features | Spill ink all over the place A colorful and fun game Take part in an ink-spilling competition |
| 2 | Developers | – |
| 3 | Publishers | Nintendo |
| 4 | Game Type | Amiibo, Online Versus Multiplayer |
| 5 | Release Date | May 29, 2015 |
| 6 | Platforms | Nintendo Wii U |
| 7 | Franchises | – |
| 8 | Genres | Shooter |
5. Yoshi’s Woolly World
Yoshi’s Woolly World[a] is a side-scrolling platform game for the Wii U developed by Good-Feel and published by Nintendo. The game is the seventh main installment in the Yoshi series. The game received mostly positive reviews, with critics praising the art style and innovation while criticizing the lack of difficulty.
The evil Magikoopa Kamek turns nearly all of the Yoshis into bundles of yarn for his master Baby Bowser on a knitted island filled with many Yarns Yoshis of varying patterns, scattering them across different worlds. However, two Yoshis manage to avoid being transformed and set out to find Kamek and save their woolly friends. Yoshi storms Baby Bowser’s castle after traveling through six different worlds.
| Sr. | Pointers | The Xenoblade Chronicles X |
| 1 | Features | A plethora of skins to unlock Own set of woolly Yarn that will allow you to dress your main character More than 40 Nintendo character skins |
| 2 | Developers | Good-Feel |
| 3 | Publishers | Nintendo |
| 4 | Game Type | Amiibo, Offline Multiplayer Co-Op |
| 5 | Release Date | October 16, 2015 |
| 6 | Platforms | Nintendo Wii U |
| 7 | Franchises | Mario, Yoshi |
| 8 | Genres | Platformers |
6. Bayonetta 2
Bayonetta 2 was announced on September 13, 2012, during a Nintendo Direct presentation. In contrast to the Sega-published Bayonetta, which was a multiplatform release for Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3, a publishing deal with Nintendo meant that Bayonetta 2 was a Wii U platform-exclusive. Bayonetta’s costume and hairstyle have been updated, and the game now includes a new two-player mode. Bayonetta 2 was released in Japan in September 2014, and in the rest of the world in October 2014.
| Sr. | Pointers | The Xenoblade Chronicles X |
| 1 | Features | Stunning Graphics Defeat the evil minions in this action-packed Wii U game |
| 2 | Developers | Platinum Games |
| 3 | Publishers | Nintendo |
| 4 | Game Type | Amiibo, Offline Multiplayer Co-Op |
| 5 | Release Date | October 24, 2014 |
| 6 | Platforms | Nintendo Wii U & Nintendo Switch |
| 7 | Franchises | Mario, Yoshi |
| 8 | Genres | Action |
Conclusion
The Wii U E-Shop isn’t going to be around much longer, so get these games while you can. The Wii U may be a laughingstock among gamers today because it was never intended to compete with Sony or Microsoft’s systems at the time, but there are some great hidden treasures on there that need more attention. Many Wii U titles were converted to the Switch since they were of such great quality. Don’t forget to look through our list of the greatest 3DS games to get before the shop shuts down in March 2023, since many games on that device will be lost to time.
