Best Wii U Games: 25 Nintendo Favorites Ranked by Fun

The Wii U’s unusual controller helped make room for adventures, racers, and multiplayer favorites that still feel distinctive. If you are choosing a first game, the right pick depends on whether you want a long adventure, a quick challenge, or a lively night with friends. These 25 titles are ranked by how enjoyable they are to play and how well each suits its audience.

Some games later came to Nintendo Switch, but those ports do not erase the appeal of their Wii U versions. The original console can still offer a distinct way to play, especially when a game uses its GamePad well. Emulation means running a game through software that recreates the original console’s hardware environment.

Key Takeaways

• Choose a game by play style, not rank alone.
• Breath of the Wild suits open-ended exploration.
• Mario Kart 8 makes racing easy to enjoy with friends.
• Super Mario Maker lets you build and play custom stages.
• Some Wii U favorites also have Nintendo Switch ports.
• Check a game’s control needs before choosing a version.

Start with the kind of play you enjoy most, then use the ranking to find a title that fits.

Best Wii U Games for Different Kinds of Fun

The best first pick for a sweeping adventure is The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, while Super Mario Maker is the stronger fit if you want to create your own stages. Both offer a clear starting point, but they suit different moods and players.

IGN’s Top 25 Wii U Games list ranks Breath of the Wild first and Super Mario Maker second. IGN also gave Breath of the Wild a score of 10 in its March 2, 2017 review. These remain standout choices among the best Wii U games of all time, though one asks you to explore and the other invites you to build.

1. The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild is the best pick for an expansive adventure. You can travel across a broad world, find your own route, and decide what to tackle next.
2. Super Mario Maker is the better choice when you want creative play. Build Mario-style stages, then share them for other players to try.

Pick by the kind of fun you want, not by rank alone. Exploration and stage-making ask for very different kinds of attention.

Breath of the Wild gives you room to wander without forcing every session into a single path. That freedom works well when you want a game you can return to and approach in new ways. Super Mario Maker offers a different reward: the chance to turn an idea into a playable challenge.

These games also answer two common searches about the best games on the console. IGN ranked the same pair first and second, with Breath of the Wild at No. 1 and Super Mario Maker at No. 2. Their appeal, though, comes from the different things you can do with them.

Choose Breath of the Wild for exploration or Super Mario Maker when making the challenge is part of the fun.

Which Wii U Games Make Multiplayer Easy to Love?

For a quick multiplayer choice, Mario Kart 8 makes racing the easiest entry point, while the other picks reward different kinds of group play. Mario Kart 8 is the simple call for a race, while Super Mario 3D World and Super Smash Bros. suit teamwork and direct battles.

IGN ranked Mario Kart 8 No. 3, Super Mario 3D World No. 4, and Super Smash Bros. for Wii U No. 5 on its Top 25 Wii U Games list. All three bring a different kind of action to a group, so think about whether your friends prefer speed, cooperation, or competition.

Mario Kart 8 is the easiest recommendation for a racing match, since its basic goal is clear from the first race. Its anti-gravity sections add a twist without making the core idea hard to grasp. The game fits quick rounds when everyone wants to take a turn and chase a win.

Super Mario 3D World works best when the group enjoys helping each other through a level. Cat-suit play adds a playful edge, while shared progress gives friends a reason to coordinate. It is a more cooperative choice than a direct contest.

For head-to-head play, Super Smash Bros. for Wii U puts a broad cast into fast, chaotic fights. Its action suits players who want to battle each other instead of race or share a goal. For other group options, see these family-friendly Switch games or this guide to multiplayer games for Switch.

Pick the game around the kind of interaction your group actually wants, racing, teamwork, or head-to-head combat.

Which Zelda Adventure Is the Right Fit?

Choose The Wind Waker HD if sailing between islands and a brighter visual style sound more appealing than a darker Zelda adventure. Its ocean trips set the tone, while Twilight Princess HD puts more focus on a somber action-adventure journey.

Wind Waker HD suits players who want a lively sea adventure; Twilight Princess HD fits those who prefer a more grounded mood. Both are strong Zelda choices, but their art and atmosphere give each version a distinct feel.

The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker HD

The Wind Waker HD uses bright, cel-shaded art that gives its world a storybook look. It was released on September 20, 2013, and is rated E10+. The game presents its cel-shaded art in 1080p, making its bold colors and clean shapes a big part of its appeal.

Sailing between islands gives the adventure a strong sense of place. The Swift Sail helps you cross familiar stretches of ocean faster, while the GamePad can show your inventory and map. You can play on the TV or on the GamePad, which makes it easier to keep track of items without pausing your journey as often.

The art style is not the only reason to choose this version. Its island-hopping pace gives you time to take in the setting and spot new places along the way. If you enjoy the contrast between this adventure and the darker Zelda games, compare it with other classic Nintendo adventures.

The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess HD

Twilight Princess HD is the better fit if you want a more somber atmosphere and an action-adventure focus. Its mood feels more grounded than Wind Waker HD’s bright, playful presentation. That makes it a good choice when you want a Zelda journey with a heavier tone.

The choice is less about which game is more complete and more about which world you want to spend time in. Wind Waker HD brings open seas, bold art, and a clear sense of travel. Twilight Princess HD gives you a darker fantasy mood and a more serious feel.

For Wind Waker HD, use the Swift Sail when crossing familiar stretches of ocean to spend less time traveling.

What Should You Play for Building, Platforming, or Strategy?

Minecraft is the most flexible of these three, while Shovel Knight and Pikmin 3 reward more focused kinds of play. Your preferred rhythm matters: building gives you open goals, platforming tests movement, and squad play asks you to plan ahead.

IGN ranked Minecraft No. 8, Shovel Knight No. 9, and Pikmin 3 No. 10 on its Top 25 Wii U Games list. No one game is the best fit for all three preferences, so choose the core activity you want to repeat.

Minecraft gives you the widest space to set your own goals. You can focus on building, gathering, or shaping a project over time. It works best when you enjoy deciding what counts as progress instead of following one fixed path.

Shovel Knight offers a more directed challenge. Its 2D action-platforming asks you to time jumps and attacks carefully, making it a better fit if you like close control. Pikmin 3 uses a different kind of focus: direct small squads, explore, and balance quick action with decisions about what to do next.

If you enjoy planning with a small team, this guide to strategy games across different styles may help you find another fit. Pikmin 3 is the choice here when you want planning and exploration together, rather than open-ended crafting or tight platforming.

Pick the style you want to repeat, because building, platforming, and squad strategy offer very different rhythms.

Why Is Splatoon a Standout Wii U Shooter?

Splatoon is the pick for players who want team competition wrapped in a playful ink-spraying style. Its paint-based goal changes the focus: cover the arena with ink and help your team control useful ground.

The game centers on competitive team play and ink-based battles. Instead of making every moment about aiming at opponents, Splatoon gives your team a reason to spread ink across the arena. Splatoon is the clearest choice in this ranking for an ink-based team battle.

• Covering the arena with ink.
• Helping teammates control space.
• Playing matches where team contribution matters.

The colorful look makes the action feel inviting, but the competition is real. You still need to pay attention to the other team and make choices that help your side. A bright style does not mean every match is casual or without pressure.

The Wii U GamePad supports play by giving you another view of the match. That extra screen is part of the console’s appeal, though the main idea remains easy to grasp: work with your team and make more of the arena useful to you.

Splatoon stands apart from a traditional military-style shooter because paint and space shape the action. A player can help the team by covering ground, even without chasing individual knockouts. That makes it a good choice if you prefer team play where different contributions can matter.

Focus on covering useful ground with ink, not just chasing individual knockouts.

Which Games Make Quick Action Sessions Satisfying?

Bayonetta 2 is the most intense pick here, while NES Remix Pack and New Super Mario Bros. U offer more compact or familiar play. Choose Bayonetta 2 for action; the other two are better for quick challenges or classic side-scrolling.

IGN ranked Bayonetta 2 No. 12, NES Remix Pack No. 13, and New Super Mario Bros. U No. 14 on its Top 25 Wii U Games list. Their pace and structure differ, so a short session can feel very different from a long stretch of combat.

Bayonetta 2 is the strongest action pick if you want fast combat and long combo sequences. Its high-energy style makes it the most intense option here. You can turn to it when you want action to fill the whole session, rather than a quick test.

NES Remix Pack suits short attempts. It builds bite-size challenges around moments from classic Nintendo games, making it easy to play a little at a time. The short format is a good match if you enjoy trying again after a near miss.

New Super Mario Bros. U offers a familiar platforming rhythm with polished side-scrolling levels. It is the safest choice if you want a traditional Mario experience without learning a new style of play. Its stages give you a clear goal and a steady pace.

Choose NES Remix Pack when you want a quick challenge rather than a longer run through a campaign.

What Makes Captain Toad a Strong Puzzle Pick?

Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker is a great fit if you would rather study a compact puzzle stage than rush through it. Careful observation drives the challenge, since limited movement makes each route matter.

Its isometric puzzle dioramas are small worlds you can inspect from different angles. Edges, enemies, and narrow paths can block an easy route, so you need to study the stage before moving. Limited movement makes observation central to the puzzle.

Rather than relying on fast movement, the game asks you to read the space around you. A path that looks clear from one angle may hide an obstacle from another. Rotate the view and check how platforms connect before you commit to a route.

That focused design makes Captain Toad a good change of pace after action-heavy games. Each level is a compact problem, with its own layout and hazards. The fun comes from seeing how the pieces fit, then finding a safe way through.

The Wii U version is not the only way to play. Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker was rereleased on Nintendo 3DS and Nintendo Switch in 2018. Those versions give more players a way to try the game, while the original remains part of the Wii U library.

The game’s small scale also makes it easier to return for a single level. You can focus on one diorama instead of setting aside a long stretch for a campaign. The design rewards patience, not quick reflexes or a perfect run.

Rotate the camera and inspect the whole diorama before committing to a route.

Which Games Reward Exploration and Experimentation?

Xenoblade Chronicles X is the most demanding long-haul choice, while the other three offer more focused 2D adventures. Pick by the time you can give: a vast role-playing world asks for more commitment than a set of platform stages.

IGN ranked Rayman Legends No. 16, Xenoblade Chronicles X No. 17, and Axiom Verge No. 18 on its Top 25 Wii U Games list. IGN gave Shantae: Half-Genie Hero a score of 8 in its December 20, 2016 review. Each game has a different pace and kind of discovery.

Xenoblade Chronicles X asks for the longest commitment because its science-fiction RPG setting is built around a vast world. Choose it when you want to settle into a large role-playing experience. Rayman Legends is a sharper pick for people who want lively movement and stages.

Axiom Verge uses a Metroidvania structure, which ties exploration to a 2D action style. It suits players who like finding routes through an unfamiliar world. Shantae: Half-Genie Hero is also a 2D action-platformer, but its playful visual style gives it a lighter feel.

That makes Shantae a separate fit from the other three. New players can enjoy its colorful action without needing to know the series, while returning fans get another outing with its characters. Rayman Legends centers on movement, Axiom Verge on exploration, and Xenoblade Chronicles X on a larger RPG commitment.

Choose a sprawling RPG only if you are ready to give its world room to unfold.

Is LEGO Star Wars: The Force Awakens Worth a Spot?

LEGO Star Wars: The Force Awakens earns its place if you want a familiar licensed adventure rather than a more experimental Wii U game. Its appeal is recognition: familiar characters and settings meet LEGO-style action-adventure play.

The game adapts the Star Wars setting into a straightforward campaign. Its mix of characters, humor, and action suits players who enjoy the franchise and want a relaxed way to spend time in that world. Choose it for its familiar cast and play style, not for a new Wii U control idea.

• You are interested in Star Wars characters and settings.
• You enjoy LEGO-style action-adventure play.
• You prefer a familiar campaign structure.

That checklist is a better way to judge the game than its place in a ranking. A licensed title can be an easy recommendation when you already care about its characters. The LEGO humor also gives the adventure a lighter tone than a straight retelling might have.

The game is a less certain fit if you want an experience built around the Wii U’s screen or controller. Its main draw is the Star Wars setting paired with recognizable LEGO play, not a control design unique to this console. That is a fair trade if the characters are the reason you picked it up.

If you want a direct, familiar action-adventure, it belongs on your shortlist. If you want a fresh idea made for the GamePad, other Wii U titles offer a better reason to choose the console version.

Skip it if your main priority is a feature built specifically around the Wii U GamePad.

Which Picks Suit a Challenge or a Story-Driven RPG?

Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze is the sharper fit for a demanding platforming session, while Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE is the story-led RPG choice. The choice is platform challenge or RPG systems, not one shared style of action.

Tropical Freeze features carefully designed platform levels, a strong sense of speed, and three playable Kongs. Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE offers turn-based battles and a story-led role-playing experience. Choose based on whether you want precise jumps or a longer RPG investment.

1. Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze is for players who want precise platforming, challenging levels, and speed. You can play as three Kongs, each offering another way to approach the action.
2. Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE fits players who want a story-driven RPG. Its turn-based battles give combat a different pace from a platform game.

Tropical Freeze rewards attention to timing and movement. A missed jump can end a run, so it suits players who enjoy learning a stage through careful play. Its challenge comes from the platforming itself, rather than from a long list of role-playing systems.

Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE is a better match when you want a story and battles that unfold in turns. IGN gave the game a score of 7.6 in its June 29, 2016 review. That score offers a useful point of reference, but the main choice remains its RPG structure versus Tropical Freeze’s platform action.

The games ask for different kinds of patience. One asks you to make clean jumps and learn the level. The other asks you to spend more time with character stories and turn-based combat.

Choose Tropical Freeze for precise jumps and Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE for a longer investment in RPG combat.

Does Star Fox Zero Still Offer a Distinct Wii U Experience?

Star Fox Zero is most appealing to players willing to learn its unusual two-screen piloting approach. The GamePad changes the view: you pilot an Arwing in space combat while using a separate cockpit perspective to aim.

The split-screen design ties the game closely to the Wii U. It gives you two views to manage, which can take time to feel natural. IGN gave Star Fox Zero a score of 7.5 in its April 20, 2016 review. The distinctive controls are also the main adjustment.

That approach suits players who enjoy learning a control system instead of expecting instant comfort. The Arwing action gives the game a clear space-combat focus, while the second view adds another task during play. When the setup clicks, it feels tied to the console in a way a standard one-screen game would not.

Still, the controls may not suit everyone. Players who prefer a simple single-screen setup can find the split view distracting. The game asks you to divide your attention between the main action and the cockpit perspective, so its design needs patience.

IGN’s review score reflects a game with a distinctive idea and a learning curve. If you enjoy piloting games and do not mind adjusting to a new approach, Star Fox Zero offers a different kind of action. If you want familiar controls right away, it may be a frustrating first choice.

Give the controls time to click before deciding whether the split-screen view works for you.

What Does Star Fox Guard Add to the Wii U Library?

Star Fox Guard is the more unusual Star Fox pick, built around watching and defending a base through camera feeds. Monitoring is the main action, and switching views makes the GamePad central to play.

The camera-monitoring setup asks you to watch a base through different feeds and respond to threats. The GamePad helps you shift between views, so the screen becomes part of the defense task rather than a second cockpit. IGN gave Star Fox Guard a score of 7.8 in its April 20, 2016 review.

Star Fox Guard, Star Fox Zero, and Paper Mario: Color Splash are Wii U choices without a Nintendo Switch version. Those titles offer a console-specific reason to keep the original hardware in mind. Other games in this ranking later received ports, which can change features or how a title plays.

Guard is not a traditional space-combat game. Its tension comes from tracking the base through camera views and deciding which threat to handle. That makes it a more unusual choice for anyone curious about a game shaped around the Wii U’s screen design.

If you are looking for Wii U exclusive games, Guard stands beside Star Fox Zero and Paper Mario: Color Splash as a console-specific option. It is best for players interested in a new control idea, not those who want a familiar Star Fox flight mission.

Choose Star Fox Guard if a Wii U-specific control idea matters more to you than traditional space combat.

Is Paper Mario: Color Splash a Good Final Pick?

Paper Mario: Color Splash is a worthwhile final pick for players who enjoy Mario’s characters and a story-led adventure. Its slower pace is part of the appeal, with paint-based mechanics and a colorful presentation shaping the experience.

The game uses paint as a key part of its play and builds a story around familiar Mario characters. Its bright look gives the adventure a distinct paper-like style. Color Splash suits story-focused players better than anyone seeking the fastest action.

Paper Mario: Color Splash is one of the Wii U-only options in this ranking. That makes it a good choice if you want a title tied to the console and enjoy its characters. Its story moves at a gentler pace than a fast platform game, so it works best when you want time to take in the scenes.

The paint mechanics give the game a clear identity within the Mario series. They add a playful angle to the adventure without changing its main appeal: a colorful story with familiar faces. It is a solid final recommendation, but not a universal must-play for every Wii U owner.

If the main thing you want is quick action, another game will likely fit better. Color Splash rewards players who like a slower story and a more relaxed mood. Its charm comes from its presentation and cast, rather than speed or a hard platform challenge.

For more Nintendo recommendations across newer hardware, browse these top Switch 2 games for different players.

Try it when you want a slower-paced Mario game rather than another platforming challenge.

Which Wii U Games Are Worth Emulating or Modding?

Cemu’s compatibility list shows why it is worth checking a specific title before choosing an emulation project. Ratings vary widely, so a game that starts may still have problems that stop you from finishing it.

Cemu rates 15% of listed games Perfect and 43% Playable, while the other categories show substantial limits. The ratings describe how well each game runs, not whether you have the files or hardware needed to play it.

What Cemu’s compatibility ratings mean

Cemu uses five ratings to describe how games run. Perfect means a game plays with no issues, and Playable means you can finish it despite minor audio or graphical glitches. Runs means a game starts, but major issues prevent completion.

Loads means a game opens but crashes at the title screen, menu, or during play. Unplayable means it crashes on boot or shows an infinite black screen. The list rates 32% as Runs, 6% as Loads, and 4% as Unplayable.

Those figures make it clear that a launch is not the same as a smooth playthrough. Perfect and Playable together cover 58% of the list, while the rest fall into categories with limits. Check the rating for the exact game you want before committing time to setup.

How to choose a game to emulate

The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild is the open-world emulation pick, while Mario Kart 8 is the racing choice. Each gives you a clear reason to try that genre, but their demands and control needs differ. Check the title’s current Cemu rating and your own hardware before choosing.

Start with the kind of game you want to play, then see how its rating matches your tolerance for glitches. A long adventure can be frustrating if major issues interrupt progress, while a short racing session may be easier to test. Your computer also affects how well the game runs.

For a wider look at how emulation differs from official game collections, see this guide to classic Nintendo 64 games. A good emulation choice starts with the specific title, not a broad claim that every game works.

What to consider before modding

Breath of the Wild, Mario Kart 8, and Super Smash Bros. for Wii U are recognizable modding interests. Mod support can differ by game and by the specific change you want to make. Check whether the mod works with your game version and Cemu setup before adding it.

Use legally obtained game files, preserve unmodified copies, and keep a clean backup. A mod can change files or stop working after another change, so keep your original set apart from experiments. Local law and the way you obtain game files matter when you mod or emulate.

• Check the title’s Cemu rating.
• Confirm the required game files are legally obtained.
• Verify compatibility with the specific mod.
• Keep a clean backup of unmodified files.

Test one change at a time and keep your original files untouched. That gives you a clean way back if a mod breaks the game.

Keep an untouched copy of your game files so an experimental mod does not overwrite your original.

Conclusion

If you want one easy starting point, choose Breath of the Wild for adventure, Mario Kart 8 for racing, or Splatoon for team play. The best pick depends on your kind of fun, not its position in a ranking.

Each game offers a different way to spend time with the console. A broad adventure, a quick race, and a team battle make very different first impressions. Pick the style that sounds best before weighing any other feature.

Before you play, decide whether you want the original Wii U experience or a later port. A port can add or change features, so the version matters as much as the title. For more options on newer Nintendo hardware, see these Switch 2 game picks.

Pick the one that matches your preferred way to play and check whether you want its Wii U release or a later port.