enigmatic_alex44
Whenever a game uses "middleware," I expect mediocrity. Just see how poor TLOU looks.
I know the Wii U is a commercial flop, but it's my favorite current gen console tbh and I think it's their best machine since the SNES. The amount of quality and effort they put into their first party titles for the system was amazing, it didn't deserve to go the way of the Virtual Boy. Was not a huge fan of the N64 (besides the two Zelda games and Mario 64), and the Gamecube was okay, but didn't really offer anything new (plus series staples like Mario Sunshine were a letdown). Going from the Wii to the Wii U feels like a very similar step in going from NES to SNES. Improved gaming experiences with substantially improved graphics.
Pros:
- Several of their series received their best installments yet on the Wii U; 3D World, Mario Kart 8, Pikmin 3, Smash 4, Yoshi's Woolly World, Tropical Freeze, New Super Mario Bros U/New Super Luigi U. I'm betting Paper Mario: Color Splash will follow this trend, can't wait.
- Amazing new IPs like Mario Maker and Splatoon, the best new ideas they've had since SNES. Both really justified the gamepad as well
- Off-TV play. Amazing feature available in most games, plus it made the Virtual Console worth it for me. Great way to play VC games instead of having old ass games blown up on an HDTV where they look beyond tragic
- Games like Tokyo Mirage Sessions (checking texts) and Deus Ex: Director's Cut used the gamepad in really cool ways. Shame more devs couldn't (or didn't want to) offer these experiences. I know it reads like the majority online hates the gamepad, but I think it's great honestly.
- There were some misfires (Star Fox Zero), but the gyroscopic aiming was amazing in games like Splatoon and Zelda TP and Wind Waker. Huge improvement over the "waggle" gimmick the Wii Remote introduced ugh.
- Seeing Nintendo games in HD for the first time. Nothing on next gen has impressed me as much as going through some of the levels in Mario Kart 8 for the first time, or the finale of 3D World or the open seas of Wind Waker HD for example.
- Full backwards compatibility with the previous gen. Great feature that's kind of taken for granted imo.
- Unlike the Wii which felt like them trying to capture the casuals and their grandmothers with TONS of shovelware available on the system, the Wii U just felt like they were trying to deliver solid gaming experiences, like so many of the ones found on the SNES.
Cons:
- Gamepad's poor battery life. Better be near a power outlet if you want some serious time with a game!
- Poor 3rd party support. I mean, it's been a thing with Nintendo for years, but never as bad as on the Wii U. The devs left in droves. This is one area where the Wii U really comes up short vs. the SNES.
- Can't play Blu-ray movies. I mean, it has a Blu-ray drive, what gives? I'm guessing something to do with Nintendo not wanting to pay licensing fees or something.
It's a shame the public voted and said "NO!" to Nintendo's somewhat awkward looking tablet based system, because it feels like the SNES in spirit and offers some of the best gaming experiences since Chrono Trigger, Yoshi's Island and Final Fantasy 6. Having a great time with Tokyo Mirage Sessions, it'll likely be my GOTY, unless Zero Time Dilemma steals that spot.
What is your take? Setting aside Wii U's status as a gigantic flop, is it their best console since the SNES when it comes to the actual games, hardware and fun had with the system?
Pros:
- Several of their series received their best installments yet on the Wii U; 3D World, Mario Kart 8, Pikmin 3, Smash 4, Yoshi's Woolly World, Tropical Freeze, New Super Mario Bros U/New Super Luigi U. I'm betting Paper Mario: Color Splash will follow this trend, can't wait.
- Amazing new IPs like Mario Maker and Splatoon, the best new ideas they've had since SNES. Both really justified the gamepad as well
- Off-TV play. Amazing feature available in most games, plus it made the Virtual Console worth it for me. Great way to play VC games instead of having old ass games blown up on an HDTV where they look beyond tragic
- Games like Tokyo Mirage Sessions (checking texts) and Deus Ex: Director's Cut used the gamepad in really cool ways. Shame more devs couldn't (or didn't want to) offer these experiences. I know it reads like the majority online hates the gamepad, but I think it's great honestly.
- There were some misfires (Star Fox Zero), but the gyroscopic aiming was amazing in games like Splatoon and Zelda TP and Wind Waker. Huge improvement over the "waggle" gimmick the Wii Remote introduced ugh.
- Seeing Nintendo games in HD for the first time. Nothing on next gen has impressed me as much as going through some of the levels in Mario Kart 8 for the first time, or the finale of 3D World or the open seas of Wind Waker HD for example.
- Full backwards compatibility with the previous gen. Great feature that's kind of taken for granted imo.
- Unlike the Wii which felt like them trying to capture the casuals and their grandmothers with TONS of shovelware available on the system, the Wii U just felt like they were trying to deliver solid gaming experiences, like so many of the ones found on the SNES.
Cons:
- Gamepad's poor battery life. Better be near a power outlet if you want some serious time with a game!
- Poor 3rd party support. I mean, it's been a thing with Nintendo for years, but never as bad as on the Wii U. The devs left in droves. This is one area where the Wii U really comes up short vs. the SNES.
- Can't play Blu-ray movies. I mean, it has a Blu-ray drive, what gives? I'm guessing something to do with Nintendo not wanting to pay licensing fees or something.
It's a shame the public voted and said "NO!" to Nintendo's somewhat awkward looking tablet based system, because it feels like the SNES in spirit and offers some of the best gaming experiences since Chrono Trigger, Yoshi's Island and Final Fantasy 6. Having a great time with Tokyo Mirage Sessions, it'll likely be my GOTY, unless Zero Time Dilemma steals that spot.
What is your take? Setting aside Wii U's status as a gigantic flop, is it their best console since the SNES when it comes to the actual games, hardware and fun had with the system?