Mutant Mudds Super Challenge

Mutant Mudds Super Challenge

Following the success of the original and the 'Deluxe' versions, this follow-up in the break-out Renegade Kid series ramps up the challenge with tough level designs and bosses to tackle. We gave this a big recommendation in our review, and the Wii U version is worth considering in order to gaze upon those deliciously chunky pixels in HD.

NES Remix

NES Remix (or NES Remix 2)

While the NES Mini recreates some classics with a tasty HDMI output, the NES Remix games on the Wii U take some iconic 8-bit games and give them new life. Both have their merits (or you could get both, just saying) as they allow you to tackle challenges both conventional and peculiar (in 'remixed' form) from familiar and iconic games.

Year Walk

Year Walk

Grim tales, horrifying creatures and cryptic enigmas await in the dark woods of 19th century Sweden. Our very own Swedish meatball Jon Wahlgren went on a Årsgång of his own and said the game was an immensely satisfying master class in atmosphere and subtlety in our Year Walk review.

Noitu Love: Devolution

Noitu Love: Devolution

This colourful action title (which may remind players of classics like Gunstar Heroes, Metal Slug or Contra) arrived on the eShop after making a positive impact on Steam. The twist is that you move your character with the left stick and aim a crosshair to attack; this Wii U version supports the GamePad + stylus or Wii Remote + Nunchuk, and we certainly enjoyed it in our Noitu Love: Devolution review.

Freedom Planet

Freedom Planet

Though this started out as a Sonic fan game it expands on its source of inspiration, introduces its own world and makes adjustments to give itself an identity of its own. It's an impressive achievement, and we gave it a strong recommendation in our Freedom Planet review.

Fatal Frame: Maiden of Black Water

Fatal Frame / Project Zero: Maiden of Black Water

This was download-only in North America and had a relatively hard-to-find physical edition in PAL territories; we left it off our retail list to appear here. It's a typically chilling entry in the series, which also utilises the GamePad's controls for the Camera Obscura. We were fans of the setting and much about this game, though it does have a few flaws - you can get the full lowdown in our Project Zero: Maiden of Black Water review.

Woah Dave!

Woah Dave!

Gun for digital glory by slaughtering aliens, stealing their loose change, and racking up the highest score possible. Easier said than done, however, as everything on the map - including your own ammo - is trying to kill you. No one ever said being a Dave was easy. We enjoyed the chaos of this in our Woah Dave! review.

The Bridge

The Bridge

An intriguing puzzle title that found an appreciative audience on PC, initially, this has been critically acclaimed. In addition to an eye-catching visual design its puzzles play around with perception and gravity; we gave this a strong recommendation in our The Bridge review.

The Binding of Isaac: Rebirth

The Binding of Isaac: Rebirth

Originally developed and released by Edmund McMillan (one half of Team Meat), it took a little while to make it to Wii U (also available on New 3DS). This Rebirth edition has improved visuals, new characters, over 100 new items and more in comparison to the original, all with the procedurally generated dungeon crawling approach that earned it so many fans. We enjoyed this a lot in our The Binding of Isaac Wii U review.

Swords & Soldiers II

Swords & Soldiers II

A Wii U exclusive and sequel to one of the finest Wiiware games, this is a real time strategy game with a side-on 2D perspective. You can play as Vikings, Persians or Demons in local multiplayer, while the meat of the experience is found in the hugely entertaining campaign. We gave this plenty of praise in our Swords & Soldiers II review.

Star Fox Guard

Star Fox Guard

Originally 'Project Guard' and showcased at E3 as a demonstration of unique GamePad-based gameplay, this eventually emerged as an accompaniment to Star Fox Zero (it's included in some physical retail options). Your challenge is to place and then monitor 12 camera feeds, spotting incoming robots and destroying them before they take out your base. A relatively simple concept on paper, we nevertheless had a lot of fun with it in our Star Fox Guard review.

Don't Starve: Giant Edition

Don't Starve: Giant Edition

An intriguing and stylish survival experience that's critically acclaimed. The Wii U version also comes with the Reign of Giants expansion pack as part of the main game, while utilising the GamePad for inventory management and off-TV play. It's a bit 'Tim Burton meets Minecraft'; check out our review to see what that means.

Typoman

Typoman

A Wii U exclusive, this is an intriguing puzzle platformer in which you create words in order to get past hazards and make progress. It has a pleasing art style and forces you to use your head as well as your reflexes; we gave it a recommendation in our Typoman review.

6180 the moon

6180 the moon

A platformer that has you take control of the moon on a journey to find the sun. It uses two screens at once (the TV and GamePad) for the playing field, requiring players to look between the two as the moon bounces high and low. We loved the mechanics in this one and rated it highly in our 6180 the moon review.

BIT.TRIP Presents: Runner 2: Future Legend of Rhythm Alien

The much anticipated spiritual successor to BIT.TRIP RUNNER, with all of the rhythmic jumping, punching and ducking that you could wish for; it also has Charles Martinet pitching in with some humorous lines. A colourful delight of a game, as we explain in our Runner 2 review.


That's a lot of awesome games, and some missed out too - at the top of this writer's head honourable mentions go to the likes of DuckTales: Remastered, Child of Light, Toki Tori 2+, Scram Kitty and his Buddy on Rails, Stick it to the Man, Extreme Exorcism, Tallowmere and Teslagrad. The Wii U eShop has a lot to offer.

Let us know what you think of the line-up, and by all means share your own suggestions (and point out any gems we've missed) in the comments section below.