gutterboy44
Member
It's not even in the top 3 of best Nintendo consoles made.
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The Wii U is criminally underrated - it's one of the best consoles ever made
- Thread starter QuantumZebra
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GregLombardi
Member
The problem with the truth about the Wii U is that it also shines a light on things that people would rather not discuss beyond core gaming philosophies. In a vacuum, it may have had some of the best games ever crafted. But when one steps outside the vacuum and looks at its marketing, it is also one of the greatest marketing disasters and falls from grace of any product cycle in the industry's history.
I absolutely love the Wii U, and it's one of my favourite consoles ever for sure. That said it was too flawed to be considered one of the true GOATs, imo.
Pros:
-One of the best slates of first party Nintendo games ever, and now in HD
-Off-TV play, which is amazing with Virtual Console games
-My favourite console OS ever
-Great backwards compatibility
Cons:
-Asymmetric gameplay and most gamepad 'revolutionary' ideas were total failures
-Considerably weaker than the competition
-Ridiculously poor 3rd party support
-Too expensive for the hardware power and target audience
For me, as I have a PS4, the last point doesn't bother me. But that doesn't mean it shouldn't be counted against it. Too many cons there for it to be a true GOAT.
Pros:
-One of the best slates of first party Nintendo games ever, and now in HD
-Off-TV play, which is amazing with Virtual Console games
-My favourite console OS ever
-Great backwards compatibility
Cons:
-Asymmetric gameplay and most gamepad 'revolutionary' ideas were total failures
-Considerably weaker than the competition
-Ridiculously poor 3rd party support
-Too expensive for the hardware power and target audience
For me, as I have a PS4, the last point doesn't bother me. But that doesn't mean it shouldn't be counted against it. Too many cons there for it to be a true GOAT.
ShadowSoldier89
Member
I found off-tv play to be a completely worthless feature, and the console being so woefully underpowered a constant annoyance. Add in that the only games I ended up caring about were Smash, bayonetta, and MK8 made the game collection not do much for me. BotW disappointed me a good bit but I at least still enjoyed that overall in spite of the constant 20 FPS.
Overall one of the worst consoles I've ever owned, but with a few really standout games.
Overall one of the worst consoles I've ever owned, but with a few really standout games.
The hardware itself was absolutely abysmal. By this, I mean that the quality of the GamePad was poor (Fisher-Price design, low resolution screen), and the actual GPU/CPU specs were way too low for a console released in 2013.
I agree that there are some great games for WiiU (I probably own 20 titles) but these are, without exception, all Nintendo games. It takes more than first party games to be a great console.
I agree that there are some great games for WiiU (I probably own 20 titles) but these are, without exception, all Nintendo games. It takes more than first party games to be a great console.
??? no it's not.
Glass Shark
Banned
This is a BIG stretch. The highs were REALLY high, but they were few and far between. Wind Waker and Twilight Princess HD are remakes. BotW is not an exclusive and arguably better on the Switch. Including Star Fox Zero and Hyrule Warriors on your list is reaching.
Don't get me wrong, Super Mario 3D World and Super Mario Maker are astounding games. But the Wii U overall just didn't have what it takes. I hope the Switch can break the cycle.
Don't get me wrong, Super Mario 3D World and Super Mario Maker are astounding games. But the Wii U overall just didn't have what it takes. I hope the Switch can break the cycle.
Is it really? It was the home of 5 great games but it doesn't hold a candle to its own generation let alone all others.
Pancakes R Us
Member
One of the best ever? Really? Pull the other one.
I agree, it's the best console ever made.... for internet browsing.
But seriously, it's medicore at best and while Nintendo's output was good, I never really cared to play anything repeatably outside of Smash, Hyrule Warriors, and Donkey Kong. I just spent most of my time using the browser, and that accounts for maybe 70% of my total time on the Wii U.
But seriously, it's medicore at best and while Nintendo's output was good, I never really cared to play anything repeatably outside of Smash, Hyrule Warriors, and Donkey Kong. I just spent most of my time using the browser, and that accounts for maybe 70% of my total time on the Wii U.
QuantumZebra
Member
This
Assumption junction here... I would hardly consider myself a Nintendo fan more than any other gamer. The Wii U was/is the first Nintendo console I've owned since N64.
1st Course
Member
Barring the virtual boy it's probably Nintendo's worst console.
Almost no worthy 3rd party games at all.
Almost no worthy 3rd party games at all.
Gotdatmoney
Member
Its the worst system I have ever owned. It has a lot of great first party games though.
As a Dreamcast kid, I feel like you have to wait about 5 years or so before you make this thread.
For real though, the $200 refurb WiiU deal that was available for a good stretch of its lifetime was pretty freaking killer for anyone with a passing interest in Nintendo software. Reminds me of when I got a GameCube for $99 and was shocked at all the awesomeness I was missing out on.
For real though, the $200 refurb WiiU deal that was available for a good stretch of its lifetime was pretty freaking killer for anyone with a passing interest in Nintendo software. Reminds me of when I got a GameCube for $99 and was shocked at all the awesomeness I was missing out on.
Henry Jones Jr
Member
Agreed it has a lot of great games. More than enough to justify the price unless you have pretty narrow interests in games (nothing wrong with people that do).
But the hardware itself is awful. Very under-powered for when it was released, and the game-pad is "baby's first tablet" quality.
But the hardware itself is awful. Very under-powered for when it was released, and the game-pad is "baby's first tablet" quality.
rochellepaws
Member
As someone who would argue this for the Gamecube, I absolutely would not for the Wii U. It had a handful of worthwhile first party games and that was about it, its period of support from Nintendo was very disappointing, the VC and general 3rd party support was a disaster and the gamepad hardware was cumbersome and annoying.
At least it had Splatoon.
At least it had Splatoon.
it has some of the strongest software of any console ever so from that angle I can see the argument and I definitely agree there
it's one of my favorite consoles of all time but I don't think I could expand and say it's one of the best ever made
Nintendo was really nailing it with their games though. I honestly think the Wii U era was the strongest era for their games as far as their 3D consoles go.
it's one of my favorite consoles of all time but I don't think I could expand and say it's one of the best ever made
Nintendo was really nailing it with their games though. I honestly think the Wii U era was the strongest era for their games as far as their 3D consoles go.
NOLA_Gaffer
Banned
It's definitely one of my favorites, that's for sure. I hooked mine back up last night after being in storage for a few months due to a move and it's gonna be nice to dip into my Wii U backlog while the Switch library is fleshed out.
clevbrowns94
Member
Well Wikipedia says 700 plus, but I think the number is around 250 actually. Basically way less than PS2 and other consoles of its generation.
QuantumZebra
Member
Agreed!
I agree with all points. I am a Sony Pony, but I find myself loving/appreciating the Wii U more every day.
I say to myself "Man, I never played "Nintendo Must-Play Title" and then I look and its on Wii or Virtual Console.
Next thing I know I'm playing it on the gamepad while also messing around on my gaming PC or PS4.
Tatsumaki Senpuukyaku!
Member
I think we can all agree that it is at least the best zelda console ever
All of the 80s-90s games on the VC
Remakes of Wind Waker and Twilight Princess
Skyward Sword via BC
Breath of the Wild
All of the 80s-90s games on the VC
Remakes of Wind Waker and Twilight Princess
Skyward Sword via BC
Breath of the Wild
Herb Alpert
Banned
Some great games, awful device, yes.
I have one, this thing is so stupidly designed in so many ways I can't believe the guy responsible for hardware division is still in place.
Thinking about it, the fact that games never really used the gamepad in all of the revolutionary ways that Nintendo envisaged in the reveal and the fact that asymmetric gameplay never took off at all will really be the final story of the Wii U.
It had great games, but the core idea of it - the reason it was overpriced and underpowered - that idea was ultimately a failure, and therefore so was the machine.
It had great games, but the core idea of it - the reason it was overpriced and underpowered - that idea was ultimately a failure, and therefore so was the machine.
lastrealgameralive
Member
It definitely is underrated.
I. Splatoon is one of the best games ever made.
II. The amount of multi-player titles available for Wii U to play with friends is overwhelming. It's easily the best party system for couch gaming this generation.
III. Wii U as a product reminds me of the bulky DS design. I would have loved to have seen a Wii U slim edition. Perhaps there is a scrapped prototype document floating around somewhere...
I. Splatoon is one of the best games ever made.
II. The amount of multi-player titles available for Wii U to play with friends is overwhelming. It's easily the best party system for couch gaming this generation.
III. Wii U as a product reminds me of the bulky DS design. I would have loved to have seen a Wii U slim edition. Perhaps there is a scrapped prototype document floating around somewhere...
perfectchaos007
Member
The motion control gimmick of the Wii was exciting in 2006, and I guess I was expecting something just as innovative and exciting from the Wii U, but after the Nintendoland presentation myself and seemingly millions of other potential Wii U owners weren't that impressed with the second screen gimmick like we were with motion control. I still bought the Wii U at launch but I had 10x more fun with Wii Sports in 2006 than Nintendoland in 2012. So the console just didn't have momentum out of the gate for me like the Wii did.
Foldedpencil
Banned
Obviously, any such assessment is going to be subjective, but my 5 year old would agree with you. As someone who also has a PC, and often can only play games that are appropriate for young kids to observe, I can agree with you as well. For a family friendly experience, with a focus on couch co-op, the Wii U was pretty much unopposed this generation. That said, there were some big holes in the game library (Metriod and 3d Mario), the price never became acceptable, and the controller situation (so many types), are pretty big detractors. If you can accept its limitations and it fits your lifestyle, then sure, it was pretty great. The problem is, there are not that many people that fall into this camp.
Wii U is great in terms of its available games, but its hardware and OS are among the worst when you consider when it launched. Also, it's still baffling to me that a company with a mascot who wears a lot of red couldn't manage to implement a video compression scheme that handled reds more adequately on the GamePad. Still, I love my Wii U for Super Mario Maker, but that's about the only reason that I have for keeping my Wii U. I hope Nintendo announces a Mario Maker game for Switch.
primasaurus
Member
It arguably had a better library than the PS4 and XB1 the first two years when launches are aligned, truly some great games, let alone full BC, also off-TV play has always been a welcome feature, that the Switch has now fully fleshed out
Moon_frogger
Member
Based purely on the games, sure valid opinion. If you factor in the archaic online and account systems as well as the myriad of other problems like overall lack of games and crappy storage solution then it defintely becomes less attractive
cyberheater
PS4 PS4 PS4 PS4 PS4 PS4 PS4 PS4 PS4 PS4 PS4 PS4 PS4 PS4 PS4 PS4 PS4 Xbone PS4 PS4
Not awful. Just underpowered.
NOLA_Gaffer
Banned
That actually reminds me that I need to start selling off my Dreamcast stuff soon. My HDTV only has Composite, Component, and HDMI so that cuts off two of the three decent Dreamcast connections meaning I'd have to operate it off of component...and no thank you.
clevbrowns94
Member
Really? A quick google search has PC Magazine placing it as the best console of all time. IGN had it at number 8 of all time. And the love for the system her on GAF is extreme.
Skittzo0413
Member
I remember that the gamepad was initially going to be a screen only, with no touch capabilities. They wanted to push off-tv play more than any other feature of the screen, but then decided at the last moment before E3 2011 to put in touch screen capabilities.
I think this shows their complete lack of focus and clarity about what made the console special. And not only that, it was a complete 180 in features from the Wii, and for no discernible reason. It really feels like they wanted to make the Switch from the get-go but the technology just wasn't there.
I loved my Wii U though, specifically for off-tv play and its great Nintendo library. But I like the Switch as a concept so much more, for a plethora of reasons.
By far the best console.... at collecting dust.
- Terrible bareboned UI that run likes it's in molasse, I think the only system I exeperienced that could potentially be slower was my original 3DS
- Large clunky controller that lost it's charge even while off way too quickly
- Superb but far in between games.
The vast majority of my memories of this system will be negatives.
- Terrible bareboned UI that run likes it's in molasse, I think the only system I exeperienced that could potentially be slower was my original 3DS
- Large clunky controller that lost it's charge even while off way too quickly
- Superb but far in between games.
The vast majority of my memories of this system will be negatives.
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