Topic: Returning Nintendo player, what's the best way to start playing?

So I am a Nintendo fan, but I have neglected Nintendo since the GameCube. I really don't want to buy a Wii U as the NX will be out hopefully this time next year. My question is, what are my options?

I am guessing that my only real options are the 3DS or the Wii U? Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated.

One thing to keep in mind. We have no idea what the NX is or when it will release. People are guessing it will replace the Wii U next year, but we don't know. The NX could be a 3DS replacement or something completely different. (like a micro-console)

Look for the software you want to play, then look for the hardware you can play it on. Do not look for hardware to buy then try to find software for it.

Not sure if this is the best place for this topic, but regardless...

If you buy a Wii U keep in mind that it is backwards compatible with Wii games. You'll need some Wiimotes but otherwise you can play the Mario Galaxy games and such. There currently is no such guarantee for the NX.

The 3DS has a pretty extensive library, but the games have a different feel than the Wii, Wii U counterparts (naturally, being on a handheld).

I guess my first questions are what kind of games are you looking for, and do you have any interest in (local) multiplayer games?

Yeah sorry guys, I wasn't sure where to post this.

Well basically I want to mainly play the Mario games and other classics like Zelda. Would love to be able to play the older Mario games along with the new ones.

I have a feeling that the Wii U might be my best bet? And if so, can you get older games? Thanks for letting me know the backward use with the Wii, that is pretty cool... Not looking forward to paying for all those remotes though

@DarthNocturnal

So do you suggest getting a Wii U then? Also will the VC thing transfer over to the new My Nintendo? Sorry for the noob questions, been a long time since I've dabbled in Nintendo.

@DarthNocturnal

Thanks so much for your help, one last thing... Can you buy the Wii U and Wii games through the digital shop thing? And do they take up lots of storage?

@MaddMatt: I think you'd be fine with either console as far as having titles to play is concerned, so it depends on how you prefer to play. The New 3DS, 3DS and 2DS are backwards compatible with all the DS games. The Wii U is compatible with Wii games and has a virtual console that, a little unaccountably, has some GBA and DS games. The Wii U lacks third party support, but that shouldn't be a problem if you're looking to play Nintendo games as the library of Nintendo's own games is quite extensive. Overall, I would say the Wii U has the most epic game experiences and quite a few older Mario and Zelda games (GBA classics) are available on the Virtual Console, as well as natively playing all the Wii games too. Disappointingly, not a sniff of GameCube on VC yet. The 3DS is handheld gaming only, though still great. There aren't any confirmed details on the NX yet, though it is touted as "a completely new way to play" with impressive specs. This is Nintendo, so it could be anything. Most likely it will be announced in July at the E3 gaming convention and launched at some point after that, probably not until at least Autumn 2016, though again no details.

My Nintendo is the replacement for the recently closed Club Nintendo. It is understood that purchases and playtime will count towards rewards, both physical and digital. There really aren't any more details on that yet. It would be great to think that all prior purchases would count towards rewards when the new system is up and running, but that's in no way guaranteed. However, all of your purchases will be linked to the new system in some way via the Nintendo Account. That will be an extension of the current Nintendo Network ID and we are hoping for things like cloud-based (instead of console-based) accounts and cross-buy for the Wii U and 3DS.

If you do go for a Wii U (and that would be great!), you should also check out the eshop for digital only Indie gems and some of Nintendo's other IPs - thinking Splatoon in particular.

@Sakura and @ DarthNocturnal

I really appreciate your guys help, I feel like a noob again, and really I kind of am when it comes to returning to Nintendo.

What are your guys thoughts on this, I was thinking about getting a Wii U and getting what games I can digitally (I can get an external HDD like you mentioned)

Also, I'm going to need a few controllers correct? Could you guys point me in the right direction with this, I do prefer an actual controller but to my understanding you have to use other stuff for some games.

Lastly, third part doesn't matter to me, I have a gaming PC, and I want a Nintendo console for Nintendo only games.

Again guys, thank you so much for helping me.

Oh and what account do I need to sign up for with Nintendo?

@MaddMatt: Nintendo Network ID. You automatically make one with your Wii U or 3DS.

@Nintendo_Ninja

Thanks bud.

@DarthNocturnal

Thanks man, so can you play Wii games with the Wii U Pro Controller? And do the classic games support the Wii U Pro Controller? Basically I am hoping to use the Wii U Pro for my primary controller, except for where other games need the other controllers.

Again, thanks again.

I guess I'm a little late to the party here, but as far as current-generation software, I think the 3DS is superior to Wii U by a large margin. In my opinion, the Wii U has focused too heavily on spin-off and/or budget titles, whereas the 3DS has much more diversity. But between Wii backwards compatibility and the Wii U's Virtual Console, the Wii U might be your best bet if you're wanting to catch up with the games you missed since you last played Nintendo. Honestly, you can't go wrong with either system. If you opt for 3DS, keep in mind that there are multiple models out on the market: 3DS, 2DS (which I personally wouldn't recommend), 3DS XL, New 3DS, and New 3DS XL. I'm not sure how familiar you are with the specifications of each. If you prefer having a larger screen, you might want to go with one of the XL's. If you prefer something more carry-convenient, you might just want the standard size. If the 3D feature and amiibo (Nintendo's line of NFC figurines) compel you, then you might want to go with one of the New 3DS models, which have improved 3D features and built-in NFC technology that prevents you from having to buy a seperate NFC reader if you're into amiibo. (I can explain what amiibo are if you're confused.) It's worth noting that, for some stupid reason, the New 3DS and New 3DS XL does NOT come with an AC adapter (charger), so you'll have to buy that seperately, for some stupid reason. If you opt for Wii U instead, the GamePad is included, but several games will require you to have a Wii Remote. This mostly applies to multiplayer or party games on Wii U, like Wii Party U or Nintendo Land, but it does apply to ALL Wii games. I would recommend you buy at least one Wii Remote and Nunchuck, maybe more if you have several friends you'd want to play with. If by "actual controller," you mean something more traditional without touch screen or motion-sensing gimmicks, you can buy a Wii U Pro Controller. Note that some games will require you to use the GamePad and others will require the Wii Remote. For these games the Wii U Pro Controller won't cut it. But there are plenty of games like Super Mario 3D World, Smash Bros. Wii U, Mario Kart 8, Wind Waker HD, and Hyrule Warriors, just to name a few you're probably interested in, that will give you the option of using a Wii Remote. 3D World has a few levels where the GamePad is required, but the GamePad comes with the console, so no worries there. Sorry if this all sounds confusing. If there's anything you need further explaination on, just let me know! Happy gaming!

@Not_Soos

Wow thanks for the in depth response! Yeah I think the Wii U is for me over the 3DS.

So really all I need to purchase is the Wii U Pro Controller and a Wii Remote (Wiimote?) and Nunchuck and I should be set?

To answer your question, no, Wii games cannot be played with a Wii U Pro Controller. Some (but not all) will work with a Wii Classic Controller, which is somewhat similar but has been discontinued and is nowhere near as comfortable of a controller, so I wouldn't recommend that. I'm pretty sure all games available on the Wii U Virtual Console (accept for the DS ones and possibly GBA) will allow you to use the Pro Controller. I know it will work for NES, SNES, and N64 games, at the very least. Keep in mind that while you can download quite a few classic games from the Wii U eShop's Virtual Console, there are additional ones available by accessing the Wii Menu from the Wii U Menu. From there you can go to the Wii Shop Channel, which has its own library of Virtual Console games that could be downloaded on Wii. This includes some games that aren't yet available on the Wii U eShop, like Smash Bros. 64, for example. However, because this is through the Wii Menu (which looks the same as the menu you'd see if you actually had a Wii console), you won't be able to use the GamePad or Pro Controller. Some games require the Wii Remote, while others only work with the aforementioned Classic Controller that is discontinued or a special GameCube controller that plugs into your Wii Remote you can buy at a game retailer like GameStop. I apologize if I'm confusing the heck outta you. The functions of Nintendo's varying controllers gets very complicated.

@MaddMatt:
On controller support, it varies greatly depending on the game. But as a quick guide this basically how it goes:

WiiMote: Most Wii games support this, some also require the Nunchuck. The NES virtual console titles and a few Wii U games here and there also support it, the NES Zapper games actually require it. There are also some Wii U games which require a WiiMote for multiplayer.

Pro Controller: Most Wii U games that support the GamePad also support the Pro Controller. It's the default multiplayer controller for the Wii U and also a good controller to use when you don't need the GamePad. It's a good controller to have being a fully featured controller... but it's more of a "nice to have" than a requirement.

GamePad: The default Wii U controller. Pretty much every Wii U title supports this controller and quite a few of them require it. This includes all of the VC titles other than the NES Zapper games and a few of the downloadable Wii games. It's also used for reading and writing to Amiibos.

Exceptions: Wii Sports Club requires the use of the WiiMote and Wii Fit U requires you have a balance board. There's also a Gamecube controller adapter which allows the use of Gamecube controllers, they're only supported in Smash Bros. Lastly there are other games both on the Wii and on the Wii U which require their own unique accessories. Specifically Guitar Hero and Skylanders.

@DarthNocturnal: I don't think you can put a space in your Nintendo Life username, can you? Otherwise, I'm sure I would have. What I do need to do, though, is figure out how to re-adjust the positioning of the picture so Soos' head isn't cut off. Anyways... "Time is an illusion, the universe is a hologram, buy gold, BUYYYYY!" Um... Just ignore this, @MadMatt.

No that's cool man, I can't thank you guys enough. So basically for Wii games get the Wiimote, and if I really want a controller get the GameCube controller to plug into it? Otherwise the rest should be OK with the other remotes.

Is that correct? LOL

If you really want a controller, I'd say go for the Wii U Pro Controller. It's personally my favorite controller, well, ever. The GC controller that plugs into the Wii Remote is only necessary for certain Virtual Console games that you can only get through the Wii Menu and not the Wii U eShop, so you're probably not going to need it.

@DarthNocturnal: Ah, okay, my bad! I have a bad tendancy to do that sort of thing. Where you said "As a fellow Gravity Falls fan," I thought you were referring to my screen name. And technically, I'd need to hit the Enter key, not the Spacebar. But I'll try to remember to start doing that when I post in these forums. My apologies.