Why I Chose the Wii U Over PS4 and Xbox and Never Looked Back
It was only a generation ago that Nintendo faced what many considered abject failure, but one reader remains adamant that the Wii U boasted a stellar selection of quality exclusive games. As a massive Nintendo fan since the NES era, I've shared this story repeatedly, but it bears repeating for those who might have missed it.
Back in 2013, I came into a bit of money and could have easily afforded the PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and the Wii U all at once, with change to spare. Fortunately, I have no fear of missing out, so I opted for the Wii U, trusting in the quality of Nintendo's games to carry me through my gaming years. I was not disappointed in the slightest.
Judging a Console by Its Games
If truth be told, the quality of a console can only be judged by the quality of its games. The Wii U had a plethora of titles to choose from, making it a hidden gem in the gaming world. I recall a morning at work when a colleague mentioned that all the talk was about Nintendo giving up on the Wii U and launching a new console to compete. My experience contradicted this entirely.
The night before, I had been playing Splatoon online for free and was still buzzing from the excitement. His words meant nothing to me because I was immersed in a world of exceptional gameplay. It's hard to know where to start with the Wii U's library, but let me highlight a few standout exclusives.
- Mario Kart 8 – A racing masterpiece that set new standards.
- Pikmin 3 – A strategic adventure that captivated players.
- Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker – A charming puzzle game full of creativity.
Unique Experiences and Hidden Gems
Then there was Nintendo Land, with its ghost level that offered an experience impossible to replicate on any other console, even the Switch. For me personally, Splatoon was superior on the Wii U due to the map displayed on the handheld screen, allowing instant transportation across the battlefield. They perfected this feature from the start, making everything else feel slightly downhill by comparison.
Super Mario Maker was another perfect fit for the Wii U, utilizing the stylus to generate levels with ease. I even heard that someone from Nintendo's head office checked out one of my levels, which I took as a huge compliment, regardless of their criteria.
Other notable titles included Yoshi's Woolly World, ZombiU, and Bayonetta 2. We Wii U owners were never starving for games; we had plenty to chew on, despite outside noise suggesting we were missing out. Remakes like Zelda: The Wind Waker and Zelda: Twilight Princess kept us engaged, and let's not forget that Zelda: Breath of the Wild runs perfectly on the Wii U.
The Wii U's Legacy and Market Impact
Talking about value, half of the Nintendo Switch's sales can be seen as money for old rope, with many games being regurgitated Wii U titles. I have no issue with this, but it highlights the Wii U's underestimated worth. While I'm not clever enough to dissect the marketing strategies, Nintendo did a fantastic job in some respects.
The Wii U may not have sold a vast number of consoles, but if you judge it by its games catalogue, it definitely punches above its supposed weight. In an era dominated by PS4 and Xbox hype, the Wii U offered a unique and fulfilling gaming experience that I cherish to this day.
By reader freeway 77. The reader's features do not necessarily represent the views of GameCentral or Metro. You can submit your own 500 to 600-word reader feature at any time for publication in the next appropriate weekend slot.
