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OPINION: Wii U, best console to own in 2014, easily

It just comes down to what type of games appeal to you. For me it's no question, Wii U is by far the best current gen console on the market. But if it was my ONLY console, I might not be as pleased with it, considering all the games I would miss out on. Then again, Nintendo games are better than everything else :)
 
I can't remember a video game year being this bad. Way to many 3rd party delays for Sony and MS, Destiny did not live up to the $500 million dollar hype machine, DriveClub is broken.
 
I agree, but I'm a big fan of Nintendo games. I can understand how someone would look at that list and see little to nothing of interest.
 
The Technomancer said:
I absolutely agree. It worries me. If Nintendo is doing this much fantastic work and being met with awful financial performance, what lesson are they going to take from that? Hell, what lesson is the industry going to take from that? Hell, what lesson do we maybe have to take from that? Quality doesn't matter?
Click to expand...

The lesson is that marketing and cohesion matters.

The games are good, but they're promoted like shit.

The system is great, but they've completely dropped the ball with online.

Nintendo is an artist who can't file his taxes on time. It's always two steps forward and one step back and it's frustrating as a fan to watch.


Edit: whoa, didn't realize how deep into this thread we were. Opinions still stand.
 
I've never been one to bash or belittle Nintendo, because I personally appreciate the effort and quality they put into the games they create. Arty the same time, their games almost never appeal to me, or I've lost interest in them as time has gone by.

I bought a 3ds at launch, ended up trading it in, split the cost of one later to play fire emblem awakening and kingdom hearts 3ds. But since then, I haven't seen anything I'd play (I loved mh in the past, but I loathed the 3ds controls, and after playing the newer versions of the game, it makes me miss unite and portable 3rd)

So while I'm really happy for Nintendo fans for the great stuff they've gotten this year, but really, the only system that has had an overwhelming use for my favorite genres this year is the vita, though there's plenty announced for the ps4 I'm excited about. That being said, I hold no bitterness towards Nintendo for the current fate of the vita, haha.

Different strokes, right? I do hope Nintendo sees some uptick, if only because so many of my friends adore their games and it'd be a shame for them to fail.
 
FlashbladeGAF said:
if you can get out of your comfort zone and try any of these games on this list, you'll find out that the gameplay scratches that itch you conditioned yourself to ignore.


Nintendo's style of gaming makes you feel like your pre console wars video gaming loving self
Click to expand...

As someone who has purchased every Nintendo console, I think he is mostly correct, because most of those games do not appeal to me either.

Lets look at the list in the OP:

Super Mario 3D World - GOTY, 5*, I love it

Wind Waker HD - I didn't enjoy it the first time

Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate - I don't get the love for these games, but I live in the states.

Wonderful 101 - Not bad, not great. I can find better games on PSN.

Pikmin 3 - Fun game, but not a must buy.

DK Tropical Freeze - I just got it, and I love it. Might be up there with Super Mario.

Mario Kart 8 - I have fun playing with friends, but it is pretty much the same game it has always been.

Hyrule Warriors - This is not a good game, but I think Dynasty Warriors is crap.

ZombiU - I hate how the movement feels in this game, and I became bored with it pretty fast.

Lego City Undercover - Not played, but I've been bored of Lego games since Star Wars.

New Super Mario Bros U - Not played, but will be my next purchase.

So I have tried these games, and I might actually only like 4 of them (I'm giving Super Mario Bros the benefit of the doubt). Is it my conditioning? Well considering I just purchased an Wii U to play Super Mario 3D World and Mario Kart 8 I think not.
 
karmaforgotme said:
Lego City Undercover - Not played, but I've been bored of Lego games since Star Wars.
Click to expand...

I'm not a big fan of the Lego video game series. Star Wars was mildly amusing and that's it. Lego City Undercover is not a typical Lego game. It is a great open world game with a ton of hand crafted content. It outshines most open world games, imo.

Don't overlook it because it's Lego.
 
I highly agree with this opinion. But that could just be because I got the console this september and have had nonstop games to play. Having it at launch must have sucked.
 
I've got a top tier PC, Ps4,WiiU, (also Vita and 3DS)........and i have to agree,for 2014 it is the best console to own

My WiiU has such a catalog of awesome games going on, and some real hidden gems. My Ps4 is unfortunately a destiny machine now since i barely touch anything else or want anything else for some time, My Pc get the most multiplat AAA love these days to fill that WiiU void

Sony and Ms just don't have the same catalog of awesome exclusive games yet, the WiiU has the advantage, and obviously so since its been out longer.....although with the way it was supported at first it feels more like its been out half the time it has
 
Without a doubt its the best, but then consokes in their second year are normally far better than consoles in their first year.

That said in terms if exclusive games wii u has some great looking titles coming next year too.

The console will never be a mainstream success but its not that from May onwards really so many people seem to be turning around on this thing. Once it was the butt of all jokes, now a lot of gaffers seem to really be getting interested in the system and loving it (myself included).
 
jres80 said:
I'm not a big fan of the Lego video game series. Star Wars was mildly amusing and that's it. Lego City Undercover is not a typical Lego game. It is a great open world game with a ton of hand crafted content. It outshines most open world games, imo.

Don't overlook it because it's Lego.
Click to expand...

That does sound interesting. I will check out some reviews and videos of it.
 
I agree since it is the only console I am interested in. Seems to be a great compliment for a PC gamer; especially one who is a fan of nintendo content and other more unique games
 
I actually bought a Wii U at launch and returned it because I was so underwhelmed with my experience with it. I was still open to picking one up again later, but the OP made me realize that there's still nothing compelling me to do so and it's looking less likely it will get any better. Ironic seeing SMBU listed as a selling point, when that's one of the games that made me return the system. I played it to completion but didn't enjoy it at all. Why the hell couldn't I keep Yoshi between levels? And the music was so lame compared to the masterpiece that was SMW. I'm not saying I wouldn't play any of those games, but that none of them alone or together makes me feel like buying a Wii U just to play them.

Also ironic is that the list of exclusives in the OP makes it clear just how dire the Wii U library is. That's a horribly small selection of games for a single console owner. Even with full BC, Wii U-only owners still can't play games like GTAV or Minecraft, which trump everything in the Wii U's lineup for a lot of gamers. The thread title would make more sense to me if it said "secondary" console. If you already own a PS4, Xbone, or PC, then Wii U would make more sense as a second console than either of the other ones, but if you only own a Wii U, you're missing out on a ton of games from AAA blockbusters to the endless variety of indie games.

It's a testament to Nintendo's greatness when almost their first party output alone can somewhat prop up an entire console, but they really can't compete against the collection publishers that are only bringing games to PS, Xbox, and PC.

All that said, an Itoi Mother 4 game is something I already know would single-handedly get me to acquire a Wii U again.

Javier said:
I'll say this: I'd hate to have the gaming taste of someone who can't find anything worth playing on the Wii U.
Click to expand...
Why? If you didn't care for the Wii U or its games, then you would have saved hundreds of dollars not buying them. And you wouldn't even feel like you're missing out on anything. Why would you hate that?
 
It's not even up for debate unless you have niche taste, hate "Nintendo games" or are a super-fan of another corporation.
 
Nerfgun said:
Tempted to make a Vita list.

I'd put the Vita library against the Wii U any day of the week.

But I don't bother, know why? I am happy with the system. Actually content. I don't care that it's not popular and I certainly don't recommend it to any but the most hardcore of my friends. It's clearly a niche system. That's ok. perfectly ok.

There seems to be some sort of unconscious (or not) effort to prop up the Wii U on GAF lately. Look at the Bayonetta nonsense - there's acres of text meta-complaining about port beggars, far outpacing the actual complaints. Why the insecurity? If it's so awesome then what else do you need?

List wars do not a good case make. And there's scores of "I got a Wii U! What's good?" Threads with the same handful of answers.

I don't know, I just wonder sometimes if the Nintendo hardcore people are having a collective nervous breakdown. They hate it when people pull out the "kiddy" card but are all too willing to play the "brown boobs rawr" card the other way. Wii U is not doing well. It's a shame but it doesn't mean much other than the Wii u is only good for Nintendo exclusives. It's a lesson learned, it says nothing about taste either way, it's simply limited. If you love Nintendo more than any other developer then you are good. But they can't fight the whole world.

Opinions, man. I've been playing video games for over 30 years. Wii U doesn't interest me much. What does that say? Nothing. Other than what I just typed. It's not a condemnation or a failing of appreciation. It's me not liking a certain band or director or style of mouse or symmetrical sticks...
Click to expand...

Yeah, tell me about it.

I'm also an old-fogey veteran gamer. I cut my teeth on Pong, Atari 2660, and hell...pinball machines even before that.

In a way I'm really glad I was knee-deep into gaming before the Big Crash. If anything, it taught me that planting your flag in cement is a foolish endeavor. I owned and thoroughly enjoyed consoles by Atari, Mattel, and Coleco. And you know what happened in the end? They all crashed & burned. I learned to move on.

I see people today clinging to companies as though they were drowning and their console of choice were a lifesaver. The justifying and the venom of their language. It's quite a sight to behold. I sometimes wonder if it's simply a side effect of never having lost and let go of something cherished in a post-crash, Nintendo ever-present industry.

I've seen people denounce entire swaths of gaming genres and culture for the mere fact that their hardware of choice doesn't support it. It's pure insanity watching some people Stand By Their Man come hell or high water, adopting every position (HD is for graphics whores, online gaming is only 12-year-old homophobic racists, this that and the other genre is for casual, bro-dullards, etc. etc.) in order to maintain that bond with their favorite company.

Over the years I've bounced from Atari to Coleco to Mattel to Nintendo to Sega to Microsoft to Sony and more. I just go to where the games are. And while I may be hella-enjoying one guy now, I've no idea where my flag will fly in the future. (I was die-hard Xbox for the first two console cycles...couldn't be bothered to pick up an Xbox One today.)

I honestly think people would enjoy the hobby a lot more if they weren't married to individual hardware makers. They'd have the freedom to enjoy all types of experiences without having to throw anything under the bus that isn't supported on their platform of choice.
 
I bought a Wii U to play Bayonetta 2. Which I'll be doing this time next Friday. MK8, W101, and Hyrule Warriors have been the sweet sweet icing on the cake.
 
The Technomancer said:
I absolutely agree. It worries me. If Nintendo is doing this much fantastic work and being met with awful financial performance, what lesson are they going to take from that? Hell, what lesson is the industry going to take from that? Hell, what lesson do we maybe have to take from that? Quality doesn't matter?
Click to expand...

Maybe that Nintendo fans have a very specific set of very niche tastes?

I mean, don't get me wrong, N is still capable of making solid games, but their appeal is very narrow. I personally could never live on their games alone. I don't find them nearly as compelling as what a lot of third parties are doing. My disappointment with Infinite aside, I'd rather play a game like Bioshock over NSMB any day of the week and twice on Sundays.

Nintendo would do well to accept that they're no longer all that relevant and double down on appealing to their hardcore fans. I think they'd actually be doing okay if that albatross of a gamepad wasn't around their neck.
 
jorgejjvr said:
Simply looking at the games out right now:

Wii U is definitely, in my opinion, the must have console right now. And if you don't own one, you are definitely missing out.

(Of course, if somehow these are not your types of games, and if Nintendo exclusives are not your thing, then that is understandable)
Click to expand...
PS3 and Xbox 360 have better catalogue and are comparable to the Wii U. Plus you can get them for cheaper prices. To put it simply, those provide better value overall.
 
pastrami said:
Uh, that's not how opinions work. You can't make inflammatory remarks about a group of people and hide behind your "opinion."

It's valid for you to say that you think Nintendo makes games that are focused on gameplay and other companies are focused on aesthetics. It is not valid to say that people who like Nintendo games like gameplay, and people who don't like Nintendo obviously prefer aethetics.
Click to expand...

It is exactly how opinions work. I give mine, and you give yours. If you don't agree with my opinion, you can provide a counterexample.

You can say, "I disagree, I don't enjoy the gameplay in Super Mario 3D World, because the difficulty curve ramps up too slowly for experienced gamers, causing many to lose interest before the game provides any real challenge." And I'd be forced to concede to your point (although I'd still encourage you to play beyond world 6, and especially beyond the credits).

Or you can stomp your feet and declare that my post should not be allowed.

I'm sorry if my post struck a nerve. Obviously it contained some hyperbole, and obviously not all people who don't enjoy Nintendo games play CoD. Not that there is anything wrong with CoD, or any other annualized game series that recycles its formula year after year. The formula works; that's why they keep making them and people keep buying them. I enjoy cinematic games also, but I cannot think of any where concessions aren't made to the gameplay in service of telling a story.

If you disagree with my opinion and think that people who don't like Nintendo games dislike them for a reason other than aesthetics, please feel free to say so.
 
While relatively few of the games on that OP list really crank my tractor, I'm still happy they, y'know, exist. And I certainly don't think Nintendo fans have bad taste in video games by virtue of liking things that I don't care for; I think we merely have different interests and goals when it comes to gaming.
 
Seriously. So underappreciated.

I made a thread not too long ago gushing about it.

Splatoon looks like so much fun. My gf is super psyched about it.
 
The WiiU is dangerously close to having enough titles I'm interested in to warrant a purchase, which is more than I can say for the PS4/XBO.

PC/vita/3DS/WiiU for me this gen, I think.
 
AvoidDaNoid said:
It doesn't make sense.

Franchises like COD and AC have yearly releases while a 3d Zelda, 3D Mario, Metriod, Pikmin (and so forth) game gets release every 4 or 5 years....and they usually try some different things out with each release. Yet Nintendo games are called rehashes? Hardly.
Click to expand...

Difference is, these games come to all platforms and have their following. The Nintendo characters have been there forever, and some people are just plain fed up with them.
 
schaft0620 said:
I can't remember a video game year being this bad. Way to many 3rd party delays for Sony and MS, Destiny did not live up to the $500 million dollar hype machine, DriveClub is broken.
Click to expand...

I recommended moving on from AAA releases. If you are a long time fan of the hobby than I doubt you are even in the target demographic for your modern, high-budget game.
 
the wii u has a nice selection of games it's just not enough. I honestly keep depressing myself with the what if they bought capcom and atlus scenario i keep thinking that would have solved a lot of their lack of games problems with a resident evil one year, a zelda next, and a metroid the year after for their big winter games with all the jrpg and fighting games exclusive to the nintendo console that would have been something else. Oh yeah of course devil may cry and megaman would also make an appearance.
 
Grief.exe said:
I recommended moving on from AAA releases. If you are a long time fan of the hobby than I doubt you are even in the target demographic for your modern, high-budget game.
Click to expand...

I agree. As I love me some AC and whatnot, games like Demons's Souls, Trine, Journey are what really keep me gaming. There are some gems out there, you just have to find them.

OT: as for the WiiU, I am in the second console camp. I do enjoy Nintendo games but sometimes I want something, er, darker? Aside from Zombie U, I don't see the system getting anything like Bloodborne.
 
adj_noun said:
While relatively few of the games on that OP list really crank my tractor, I'm still happy they, y'know, exist. And I certainly don't think Nintendo fans have bad taste in video games by virtue of liking things that I don't care for; I think we merely have different interests and goals when it comes to gaming.
Click to expand...
Amen. I might not like any of the online shooters, driving games and Ubisoft's current trend for parkour-based collect 'em ups, but it's good that different machines offer different things. I'm sure the games I liked as a younger gamer are of little interest to players twenty-five years younger than me and vice versa.
I look at all the upcoming games regarding first and third-person stabbing and shooting and online deathmatches and think they all look very similar, but then I can totally understand that some people look at the strategy and 2d games that I like and think exactly the same. If we all wanted the same thing the world would be a very boring place.
 
I very recently sold my PS4 and XBone. Couldn't bring myself to part with my Wii U though. I sold the other two simply because I have a very nice PC that I tend to play all cross platform games on anyway, and there simply aren't ANY exclusive games on either device that make me want to use them.

The money I made from the consoles I invested in a new GPU (GTX 970 for those interested) and a G-Sync monitor - couldn't be happier, and I still get to keep the Zelda U dream alive.
 
The Technomancer said:
I absolutely agree. It worries me. If Nintendo is doing this much fantastic work and being met with awful financial performance, what lesson are they going to take from that? Hell, what lesson is the industry going to take from that? Hell, what lesson do we maybe have to take from that? Quality doesn't matter?
Click to expand...

That first party games alone does not make a successful console?

The WiiU has great support from first party games and the games are very good. But what if you don't like Nintendo type games?
 
Sayter said:
If you're going to bring in those two you may as well suggest the 3DS.
Click to expand...
The 3DS hasn't amassed the braod catalogue of either the 360 or PS3. So even if we forget the fact that we are comparing a handheld to home consoles, it can't compete so far. Will have to tackle this one at the end of the 3DS's life XD

The point is, the Wii U doesn't offer the amount of quality releases of the PS3 and 360 yet, it doesn't offer a price/value advanatge and it doesn't provide the "next generation" experiences the X1 or PS4 do and will later. So it's in that weird middle ground and this is clearly reflected in it's poor market performance.

So the OP would have a stronger point if he specified that is " he best console for a Nintendo follower" to have, which then would render the topic completely redundant.
 
I bought mine past week :D There are like 8 games I want to play on the system, plus a few ones to be released (Splatoon, Captain Toad, etc).

(I still think SMT x FE isn't coming out, tho)
 
Aaron D. said:
Yeah, tell me about it.

I'm also an old-fogey veteran gamer. I cut my teeth on Pong, Atari 2660, and hell...pinball machines even before that.

In a way I'm really glad I was knee-deep into gaming before the Big Crash. If anything, it taught me that planting your flag in cement is a foolish endeavor. I owned and thoroughly enjoyed consoles by Atari, Mattel, and Coleco. And you know what happened in the end? They all crashed & burned. I learned to move on.

I see people today clinging to companies as though they were drowning and their console of choice were a lifesaver. The justifying and the venom of their language. It's quite a sight to behold. I sometimes wonder if it's simply a side effect of never having lost and let go of something cherished in a post-crash, Nintendo ever-present industry.

I've seen people denounce entire swaths of gaming genres and culture for the mere fact that their hardware of choice doesn't support it. It's pure insanity watching some people Stand By Their Man come hell or high water, adopting every position (HD is for graphics whores, online gaming is only 12-year-old homophobic racists, this that and the other genre is for casual, bro-dullards, etc. etc.) in order to maintain that bond with their favorite company.

Over the years I've bounced from Atari to Coleco to Mattel to Nintendo to Sega to Microsoft to Sony and more. I just go to where the games are. And while I may be hella-enjoying one guy now, I've no idea where my flag will fly in the future. (I was die-hard Xbox for the first two console cycles...couldn't be bothered to pick up an Xbox One today.)

I honestly think people would enjoy the hobby a lot more if they weren't married to individual hardware makers. They'd have the freedom to enjoy all types of experiences without having to throw anything under the bus that isn't supported on their platform of choice.
Click to expand...

It's all about the games. I bought a PS3 specifically for MGS 4, and while I own one might as well check out some other titles that look interesting (Valkyria Chronicles, Uncharted, Heavenly Sword). Now, Platinum's games are PS3/360 multipats, and to put it simply I essentially got myself the low end 360 SKU just because one of their games runs better on Xbox (Bayonetta). And that was before I had even tried the game for myself, so it could have been crap for all I know.

Nintendo is the last bastion of the design philosophy I'm into, in the big budget form. It's only a matter of time before the odd Mirror's Edge, Rayman Legends from western publishers disappears completely. Even Japan has fewer and fewer titles for me. Castlevania died as of LoS. Sonic is one step above licensed kids games in terms of quality. Sure it's natural that some things die, but there's absolutely nothing replacing them. If Nintendo bows out completely I'll turn into a PC indie gamer. Well and there's enough retro games, even gems I have yet to discover, to last me more than a lifetime, but I can't help but wonder, if Link Between Worlds, Mario 3D World and Bayonetta 2 are this good, imagine how they'll be in 5, 10, 20 years from now. Imagine playing Metroid on the NES in the 80s, then seeing Metroid Prime in the 00s. The difference is unfathomable. Likewise I'd like to be blown away again in the future with games that follow Nintendo's trajectory of evolution. Modern AAA design does nothing for me.
 
What if you don't like Classic Nintendo games? That list would be like:

Simply looking at the games out right now:



Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate

Wonderful 101

ZombiU

Lego City Undercover


Etc


Plus games still coming out this year:

Bayonetta 2 (plus bayo 1 included)



And knowing the games still on its way:

Splatoon

Xenoblade Chronicles X

Shin Megami Tensei X Fire Emblem

Devil's Third



The only Nintendo Games I like are Zeldas and Metroid. WiiU still don't have any of them (no, I don't consider a 10 years old HD edition of a game I actually own as an option). I don't like Monster Hunter...but I would buy for sure Xenoblade. I also would buy Bayo2 but not as a "I NEED IT" but as a "I have nothing else to play, let's check it" for 10$ Like I did with bayo1. So for me that's a list with 1 game I really want and another I would end buying after some time.
 
I don't think it's unreasonable for the OP to limit his point to the consoles released to compete with each other in the last two years, as I imagine that's where the bulk of console purchases from forumites are going to lie in the upcoming months due to the new games being released.
 
Its a nice second or third console but it'd be a tough pill to swallow if it was my only console. I'd be missing out on too many great games.
 
After my time with the Wii U there was nothing that clicked with me. Something about Nintendo's games just doesn't do it anymore.

Good thing the Wii U held good resale value.
 
FlashbladeGAF said:
if you can get out of your comfort zone and try any of these games on this list, you'll find out that the gameplay scratches that itch you conditioned yourself to ignore.


Nintendo's style of gaming makes you feel like your pre console wars video gaming loving self
Click to expand...

Don't worry, I've played some of them, they're not for me.
 
royox said:
What if you don't like Classic Nintendo games? That list would be like:

Simply looking at the games out right now:



Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate

Wonderful 101

ZombiU

Lego City Undercover


Etc


Plus games still coming out this year:

Bayonetta 2 (plus bayo 1 included)



And knowing the games still on its way:

Splatoon

Xenoblade Chronicles X

Shin Megami Tensei X Fire Emblem

Devil's Third



The only Nintendo Games I like are Zeldas and Metroid. WiiU still don't have any of them (no, I don't consider a 10 years old HD edition of a game I actually own as an option). I don't like Monster Hunter...but I would buy for sure Xenoblade. I also would buy Bayo2 but not as a "I NEED IT" but as a "I have nothing else to play, let's check it" for 10$ Like I did with bayo1. So for me that's a list with 1 game I really want and another I would end buying after some time.
Click to expand...
Well, yeah, that seems like a simple enough answer of a WiiU not being for you! It's alright not to enjoy virtually all of Nintendo's stuff, very little of MS's stuff has appealed to me over the years either, no matter how much people list Forza, zombies and space marines. The only one really being Fable, and even then the last one was a bit poor IMO.

Doesn't mean that lots of those games weren't really good though, just not my cup of tea.
 
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