10 Games that Defined the Nintendi Wii U Era

The Nintendo Wii U may not’ve been the company's biggest commercial success, but it was a console brimming with creativity, boldness, and incredible titles. With its dual-screen design and integration between TV and GamePad, the Wii U offered unique experiences that paved the way for the success of the Nintendo Switch. Many of the games released for it became true modern classics, and are still remembered today for their originality and impeccable quality.

In this article, we’ll revisit 10 essential Nintendo Wii U games, that defined the console and showcased the best that Nintendo and its partner studios had to offer. From epic adventures to innovative experiences, each title on this list represents an important piece of the Wii U's history — and of Nintendo's entire trajectory.

Super Mario 3D World is a pure celebration of the fun and creativity that has always defined the Mario series. Originally released for the Wii U, the game combined the three-dimensional gameplay style of "Super Mario 64" with the cooperative format of "New Super Mario Bros.", creating an experience that is both classic and modern. The title shines for its variety: each level presents a new idea, a new mechanic, or a creative twist that surprises the player from beginning to end.

The cooperative mode for up to four players is one of the game's great strengths, allowing friends or family to explore the colorful and challenging worlds together. The introduction of the Cat Power-Up, which allows you to climb walls and attack enemies with claws, added a new layer of mobility and fun. Visually, it’s one of the most beautiful games on the Wii U, with vibrant colors, careful lighting, and an enchanting soundtrack.

"Super Mario 3D World" is the kind of game that defines the spirit of Nintendo: accessible, creative, and full of joy. Even years later, it remains one of Mario's most complete and enchanting adventures.

Super Smash Bros. for Wii U definitively established the series as the great crossover of video games. Bringing together characters from dozens of franchises, the game delivered frenetic, accessible, and deep combat, capable of pleasing both casual and competitive players. The title brought unprecedented refinement to the gameplay, making the controls precise and balanced, and offering dozens of modes for all styles.

Visually, the game is a spectacle, with detailed animations and arenas full of references to Nintendo universes. The possibility of battles with up to eight players simultaneously transformed the matches into truly fun chaos, ideal for parties and gatherings. Furthermore, character customization and compatibility with amiibo added a touch of innovation to the classic formula.

Pikmin 3 is a gem of design and strategy that showcases Nintendo's most experimental and creative side. The franchise, created by Shigeru Miyamoto, blends elements of management, action, and exploration in a charming and meticulously detailed universe. On the Wii U, the series reached its technical and artistic peak.

The player controls three explorers who must collect resources and command small creatures called Pikmin to overcome obstacles and face enemies. The use of the GamePad brought an unprecedented strategic layer, allowing real-time map control and quick character switching.

The visuals are stunning with natural scenery, realistic textures, and smooth animations, and the soundtrack creates a serene and immersive atmosphere. Pikmin 3 perfectly balances challenge and contemplation. Each mission is a small adventure full of discoveries, and the game encourages planning and experimentation. It's a unique experience in the Wii U catalog and a reminder of how Nintendo masters the art of creating living, diverse worlds full of personality.

Mario Kart 8 elevated Nintendo's legendary racing franchise to a new level. With spectacular tracks, high-definition graphics, and a vibrant soundtrack, the game transformed each race into a visual and auditory spectacle. The big innovation was antigravity, which allows racing upside down and on walls, adding a completely new dimension to the tracks.

The online mode brought stability and competitiveness, while the additional content (DLCs) added tracks and characters from other franchises, such as Zelda and Animal Crossing. The gameplay remains refined and balanced, with iconic items and mechanics that ensure any player, experienced or novice, can have fun.

Mario Kart 8 is the pinnacle of the series, so complete and polished that it ended up being re-released on the Switch as "Mario Kart 8 Deluxe". On the Wii U, it was one of the main reasons to own the console, bringing together the best of the franchise in an explosion of speed, fun, and nostalgia.

With “Super Mario Maker,” Nintendo did something unprecedented: it gave players the tools to create their own Mario levels. Using the GamePad's touchscreen, it was possible to design levels, position enemies, and immediately test creations. The result was a true creative revolution, transforming each player into a game designer.

The title offered visual styles inspired by “Super Mario Bros.”, “Super Mario World,” “Super Mario Bros. 3,” and “New Super Mario Bros. U,” allowing players to mix elements from different eras of the franchise. Furthermore, the ability to share levels online generated a vibrant and creative community, where brilliant ideas and insane challenges flourished daily.

“Super Mario Maker” represented the collaborative and inventive spirit of the Wii U: a console that encouraged experimentation. It was both a game and a tool for learning and creation.

New Super Mario Bros. U kept the tradition of the plumber's classic 2D games alive, bringing the franchise's acclaimed style to HD for the first time. With well-constructed levels, refined physics, and impeccable design, the game is a masterclass in level design.

The cooperative mode for up to four players made the adventure even more fun, and the GamePad allowed for gameplay without a TV, a glimpse of what the Switch would later do. Although it followed the familiar formula, "New Super Mario Bros. U" shone for the excellence of its execution, with challenging levels, hidden secrets, and a memorable soundtrack.

It's the kind of game that shows how Nintendo masters the art of simplicity: it doesn't need to reinvent everything, it just does what it already does best even better. For fans of the 2D classics, it's a triumphant return to the origins, with the modern touch that the Wii U provided.

Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker originated as a small mode in “Super Mario 3D World,” but has evolved into a complete and enchanting adventure. The game places the friendly Captain Toad in levels that are true interactive dioramas, full of puzzles and secrets to discover.

The key is that the player cannot jump, being forced to think carefully about each movement and use the GamePad camera to explore the 360-degree environments. Each level is a small masterpiece of design, challenging the player's reasoning and observation.

With colorful visuals, a light atmosphere, and a lovely soundtrack, “Treasure Tracker” is a relaxing and intelligent experience. It proves that not every game needs frantic action to captivate. On the Wii U, it highlighted the console's creative potential and Nintendo's talent for transforming a simple idea into something memorable.

Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze is one of the best 2D platform games ever made. Developed by Retro Studios, the title combines precision, challenge, and stunning visuals. Each level is unique, with new and creative mechanics that are constantly renewed.

The game demands skill and attention, but rewards the player with an incredible sense of progression and rhythm. The soundtrack, composed by David Wise, is one of the best in video game history, with melodies that blend energy and melancholy. The return of classic characters, such as Dixie Kong and Cranky Kong, added variety and charisma to the gameplay.

Tropical Freeze is the pinnacle of the modern Donkey Kong series, a title that masterfully combines nostalgia and innovation. On the Wii U, it showed how good design and art direction can transform a simple platform game into a masterpiece.

With Splatoon, Nintendo proved it could create a completely new franchise and still win millions. Breaking away from traditional shooters, the title offered a colorful and creative proposition: instead of bullets, players shoot ink to dominate territory.

The vibrant visual style, charismatic character design, and addictive gameplay transformed Splatoon into an instant success. Online matches were intense and unpredictable, encouraging teamwork and strategy. Furthermore, the game made good use of the GamePad, displaying the map in real time and allowing quick jumps between teammates.

More than just a shooter, "Splatoon" is a symbol of Nintendo's inventiveness—a fresh and fun approach to a saturated genre. The game became one of the company's most important new franchises, proving that the Wii U, even with all its difficulties, was still capable of innovating and surprising.

Although it became one of the biggest hits on the Nintendo Switch, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild was born on the Wii U, and that's where the revolution began. The game completely broke with the conventions of the series, offering a gigantic open world, total freedom of exploration, and an unprecedented physics and survival system.

Every hill, forest, and mountain hid secrets and stories, rewarding curiosity and a sense of adventure. The use of the GamePad initially promised an interactive map, and even without this function in the final version, the Wii U delivered a rich and dazzling experience.

Breath of the Wild redefined the adventure genre, influencing an entire generation of games. It's the kind of title that transcends its console of origin, a true turning point for the industry. On the Wii U, it was the perfect swan song: the last great epic of a machine that dared and marked an era.

The Nintendo Wii U may not have achieved the expected commercial success, but its legacy is undeniable. It was the birthplace of bold ideas, new franchises, and some of the most creative experiences in Nintendo's history. Each game on this list represents an important chapter in a phase where the company experimented fearlessly and, in many cases, hit the mark.

From the colorful brilliance of "Super Mario 3D World" to the revolutionary freedom of "Breath of the Wild," the Wii U left a legacy that lives on in the Switch and in the hearts of gamers. A misunderstood but essential console—and these ten games are living proof of that.