Though the Wii U wasn't as successful as Nintendo would have liked, the system did still amass a considerable catalog of fun and creative titles over its fairly long lifespan. There were definitely a few standout hits that could be considered system sellers, such as Splatoon and Super Mario 3D World for example, but because of how obscure the console became, it also resulted in a lot of games flying completely under the radar for many people.
Some of these games are actually very high quality and clearly filled with a lot of passion from the developers, despite them not being talked about too often or praised by many fans. It's time to dust off the Wii U and take a look at the games which maybe didn't gain quite as much attention as they should have, and whether they are worth returning to nowadays.
7 Devil's Third
An Exhilarating Hack And Slash/FPS Hybrid
- Release Date: August 2015
- Developer: Valhalla Game Studios
- Publisher: Nintendo
Devil's Third is an ambitious title that attempts to merge fast-paced hack n' slash gameplay with FPS elements, and despite this weighty task, developers Valhalla Game Studio managed to pull it off pretty well. For most of the game, players will be tasked with slicing their enemies to ribbons and racking up their score meter. The big and bombastic takedowns that can be performed at the end of a combo help to make each and every encounter feel that extra bit more cinematic and a joy to be a part of.
There's also the option to switch to an FPS view and pick enemies off at range, providing a lot of variety to the gameplay which helps to keep things fresh. Devil's Third's story also manages to balance political intrigue with over-the-top antics to make for a fun and exciting tale that keeps the player guessing until the very end. The game had an awkward release schedule due to Nintendo going back and forth on whether to publish it in North America and while this did harm sales, the creativity on display here still makes for a fun experience overall.
6 Runbow
One Of The Most Intense And Fast-Paced Multiplayer Games On The Wii U
- Release Date: August 2015
- Developer: 13AM Games
- Publisher: 13AM Games
Runbow is a multiplayer game that sees up to nine players racing against one another through a level to reach the trophy at the end of the course. However, as the level goes on, the colors in the back of the stage will begin to change, with any platforms or hazards of the same color also disappearing alongside it. This adds a level of unpredictability to the gameplay which means anyone, no matter their skill level, has a chance of grabbing the number one spot if they get lucky.
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Outside of the regular races, Runbow also features King of the Hill and an Arena mode, alongside a fairly in-depth character customization screen. Runbow was released in the dwindling years of the Wii U's life cycle, so while it was sadly ignored by a lot of people, it's without a doubt one of the most exhilarating multiplayer games to have ever been released for the system.
5 Kirby And The Rainbow Curse
A Colorful And Creative Spin On The Traditional Kirby Platformer
- Release Date: January 2015
- Developer: HAL Laboratory
- Publisher: Nintendo
One of the biggest problems people had with the Wii U was how much reliance it placed on the GamePad screen. The truth is, after a while, the gimmick of having to look between the GamePad and the TV screen got old, so much so that it caused Kirby and the Rainbow Curse to be largely swept under the rug when it was released. Though the game does encourage players to use the GamePad to help Kirby by creating pathways and interacting with the environment, the game itself is still just as fun as previous entries thanks to how varied its levels are.
Whether it's the gorgeous Green Valley, the beautiful Indigo Ocean, or the otherworldy Purple Fortress, Rainbow Curse was pushing the Wii U to its limit when it came to visual fidelity, but it's not just the graphics that make this game such a blast to play. The gameplay itself mixes traditional classic Kirby platforming with a new sense of creative freedom that comes from the GamePad, resulting in undoubtedly one of the most unique Kirby games to date.
4 Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker
Captain Toad Takes A More Methodical Approach To Its Platforming Gameplay
- Release Date: November 2014
- Developer: Nintendo
- Publisher: Nintendo
The idea of a Toad-centered game first began with Super Mario 3D World which featured a handful of mini-levels that allowed players to take control of Mario's plucky young companion. When the final product, Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker, was eventually released though, a lot of people saw it as little more than a simplified version of the much longer mainline Mario games to which it was constantly being compared.
Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker does still do enough to stand on its own though through its mechanics, such as how it allows players to rotate its levels with the press of a button to access certain areas. The fact Toad also cannot jump due to his heavy backpack makes the game feel a little more strategic and methodical than the everyday Mario title, and it's definitely one worth going back to, especially if there's a friend available to jump into the co-op mode.
3 Game & Wario
Game & Wario's Unique Minigames Grant It Tons Of Replay Value
- Release Date: March 2013
- Developer: Intelligent Systems
- Publisher: Nintendo
G ame & Wario is often considered the black sheep of the much beloved Wario series of party games. One of the biggest criticisms the game received upon its release was it didn't contain the bundles of content that previous entries did, but this honesty isn't too much of an issue considering how replayable each of the sixteen minigames is. Whether it's the intense high-speed Taxi or the more experimental gameplay of Gamer, there's a ton of fun to be had here.
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The story is once again a little light for this entry, but it's clear the inventive gameplay is what Intelligent Systems focused most of its efforts on this time around. It might not have received the plaudits of Smooth Moves or WarioWare Gold, but this shouldn't stop anyone from jumping into Game & Wario as it still provides plenty of enjoyable minigames to toy around with.
2 Stick It To The Man!
Stick It To The Man's Gorgeous Art Style Is Complimented By An Addictive Gameplay Loop
- Release Date: December 2013
- Developer: Zoink Games
- Publisher: Ripstone Ltd.
One of the most striking aspects of Stick It to the Man! Is the stilted cardboard-esque art style. It manages to look creepy yet charming at the same time, and it does an excellent job of bringing each of the characters to life, while also allowing the dimly lit environment to pop out of the screen. Though the game starts off as a pretty familiar 2.5D platformer, it's not long before it starts incorporating more puzzles and open-ended levels for players to explore.
Stick It to the Man! Clearly takes a lot of inspiration from Tim Schafer, including its off-the-wall humor which adds a lot of charm and personality to the many characters who are introduced into the story. Witty, creative, and packed full of laughs, Stick it to the Man! Is a riveting thrill ride that plays great and looks amazing to boot.
1 The Fall
The Fall Successfully Manages To Merge Sci-Fi And Horror Into One Big Spooky Package
- Release Date: May 2014
- Developer: Over The Moon
- Publisher: Over The Moon
Outside of the Metroid series, there aren't many sci-fi games that ended up landing on the Wii U, especially ones that also lean into the horror genre. One exception to this though is The Fall, a 2.5D platformer where players assume control of Arid, an AI suit who must try and navigate the unconscious suit-wearer to safety while keeping him in one piece. The dark and gloomy aesthetic of The Fall adds so much tension to the gameplay, leaving it up to the player to imagine what monstrosities might be lurking in the shadows.
Though the game largely plays as a platformer, it does also throw some survival horror elements into the mix, such as how the player will need to use a flashlight to seek out items and resources in the environment to move forward. It's a fascinating blend of genres that is quite reminiscent of another game many call a hidden gem, that being Limbo for the Xbox 360. Sci-fi fans definitely shouldn't skip out on this one as it's certainly very different from anything else the Wii U has to offer.