Topic: Buying new Wii U and a few questions

My son is turning 5 and obsessed with Mario. We are buying him a Wii U for his birthday next week. I have an old N64 set up and he loves Mario Kart and Mario 64. I'm planning on getting the version that has 32gb and comes with Mario Kart 8 Pre-installed. I had a few questions that I was hoping people could answer:

1) How big are games when you download them? How many games will 32gb hold? Can I just hook up a basic usb hard drive if we run out of space? I have an extra 1.5tb WD Elements that is USB 2.0 lying around. Would this be sufficient?

2) Are most of the older games available on the digital store? I wanted to get Wii Sports Club but it is only available for $70 on Amazon when it looks like it was originally $35. Can I simply download this rather than buy the actual disc?

3) Should I buy any extra controllers or accessories? My son will definitely want to play it when friends come over but I'm having a hard time understanding what people need for multi player games.

4) Is Mario 3D World basically the same as Mario Bros U? It looks like Mario Bros U + Luigi U is available from Amazon for about $51. If we get this should I still get Mario 3D World? My son's favorite is Luigi so I definitely want Luigi U

5) Here is a list of games I thought would be good for him which we'll tell friends and grandparents to get. Should I skip any of these or add something to the list (Mario Kart 8 will come with the system)?

Mario/Luigi U, DK Country Tropical Freeze, Zelda Wind Waker, Mario 3D World, Wii Sports Club, Just Dance 2016, Mario/Sonic Rio Games, ESPN Sports Connection (if we don't do Wii Sports)

Thanks for the help!

1) Nintendo games tend to be smaller, for example Super Mario 3D World is just 2 GB. Mario Kart 8 is about 5 GB, I think. 3rd party games are usually larger, for instance a 2D sidescroller like Rayman Legends is about 7 GB. Many games are in between 10 and 15 GB.This is due to Nintendo's programmers who are much more accustomed to optimize their code and to employ various compression techniques.
I can't advise on a particular hard drive, but you have to bear in mind that the hard drive has to be used exclusively for Wii U, everything on it will be wiped out.
2) Yes, Wii Sports Club and about every game on Wii U store shelves is also available to purchase digitally. Besides, there are many good games only available on the eShop and games from classic consoles.
3) You should. As you expressed interest in Wii Sports, you should have some Wii Remotes. For more traditional gameplay, the Wii U Pro controller is also very suitable.
4) Not at all. 3D World is a 3D platformer (so more similar to Super Mario 64), Bros. U is a 2D sidescroller platformer like the classics from the 80's. Two very different types of Mario game. He can also play as Luigi in 3D World.
5) Seems like a solid list. I would add Splatoon and Rayman Legends as well.

I would really consider Super Mario Maker instead of Mario/Luigi U. Specially if you have an internet connection.

Also, don't miss Yoshi's Woolly World as well. And Lego City Undercover.

Thanks for all the very helpful answers. Just a couple of quick follow up questions.

1) Other than taking up hard drive size, are there any other downsides to buying them digitally vs. the physical disc? I'll be able to dedicate the full 1.5tb hard drive to the Wii U so at 2-15gb/game storage size won't be an issue.

2) It looks like Wii Sports Club is a free download on the Nintendo Store. Is that just for a trial or is that the full game? Looks like I can't get it until I have a Nintendo Network ID which I don't think I can create until we purchase the Wii U.

3) Regarding accessories, it looks like I should get two wii remote plus controllers and two mario wheels and then perhaps a standard controller like the wii u pro. Would that be sufficient? Is there any need to get one of those nunchuks or are those more for the original wii?

Thanks again for all the help. I'll take a look at those other games but at 5 he might be a little young for them.

Thanks for the comment. Would Mario Maker be a little hard for a 5 year old or do you think he would be fine with it? I'll take a look at the other two games also.

@ks-man Mario wheels are completely optional, not needed - they're literally just a piece of plastic.

Wii Remotes are useful as I think they offer the most compatibility. Wii U Pro Controller doesn't work with all games, I think.

Sports Club is not free, just a 24hr trial.

Buying digital downloads on the eshop is usually more expensive than buying the disc version. Varies a lot between games, but for instance, FIFA 13 is still full price on the eshop, but can be had 80% cheaper on disc (even less of your happy to buy used).

If really into Mario then ultimately Mario Maker, Mario 3D World, and NSMBU should ask go on your list.

Have fun.

Thanks. It looks like the Mario Wheels are $10 for two so even though they are pointless I would think he would enjoy it more than just using the remote. For a little kid it would seem more realistic to be a wheel.

Any idea how much Wii Sports Club costs to download after the trial? Guessing it will still be cheaper than the $70 for the disc. Thanks again.

@ks-man You should be able to look it up on your local Nintendo website (though I find it difficult to get to the actual product pages). In the UK it's currently £34.99 from the eshop.

@ks-man you have the option of only paying for the sports you want. So if you want baseball and tennis but not boxing or golf you can pay less.

I'd advise skipping ESPN Sports Connection. It's pretty much universally panned as a horrible game. To the uninitiated it's easy to not know the good from the bad but to those of us who live and breathe gaming we can tell you which games to avoid, and when it comes to Nintendo systems you have to be very careful with the games you buy that don't have the Nintendo logo on them (and more recently, you even have to be careful with those too).

Wii Sports Golf is the best sport imo, and bowling. Those two are definitely worth picking up if you're going to buy them individually from the eShop, but as you said you get to try them with the trial so you guys can get a taste of them all, see which ones you like and go with those.

Your list is incredibly solid otherwise though. I would also vouch for Super Mario Maker- if your son loves Mario he's going to have the time of his life making his own stages. And you probably would too.

Another game that comes highly recommended for your son, would be Splatoon. If it were an adult I were recommended games to I would probably go with something a little more complex like Xenoblade X or Bayonetta 2, but being that your son is only five years old, Splatoon is one of the best games on the system and he will love it.

Also, Sonic Racing Transformed is a cart racer every bit as good as Mario Kart, but cheaper. And if he loves Sonic (and most kids do) he'll enjoy it even that much more. Also, if you grab a Wiimote and Nunchuk (the controller from the Wii era) absolutely don't miss Pikmin 3. That is one of the greatest games ever made and perfect for a younger child.

Concerning the HDD, youll need to

A) buy a drive which is externally powered through an outlet
B) purchase a $5 Y-cable from Amazon

The Wii U is low-power USB output, and one USB port is not sufficient to power an HDD. Buy the Y-cable and it splits into two USB male ends, which plug into both USB ports on the back. This is the easiest and cheapest method to not have to deal with extertally powered hard drives and outlets

@ks-man If you do want to get NSMBU & Luigi U,you're better off waiting a while as it'll likely appear as a Nintendo Select for $20.It's already available as a Select in Europe so it's just a matter of time till it becomes one in NA.3D World is a Select already along with Lego City and Wind Waker HD,all huge games I'm sure any 5 year old would love.These are all available digitally for $20 too so you're better off just buying them from the Eshop,much more convenient.Captain Toad is another game he'll likely love as it's set in the world of Mario.Again though,this is only available as a Select in Europe but I think it can be had for around $25 at retail.Splatoon is a must have.

@JaxonH Bayonetta 2 is a great game, personally I think it's not really suited for a 5 year old to play considering some of the content. @ks-man, if you're looking for a few games for yourself, then yes, I will suggest getting both Beyonetta games. Also, Darksiders 2 is pretty good, and Darksiders 1 is getting a WiiU release soon. And you can't go wrong with Need for Speed most wanted.
As for the 5 year old, Lego City Undercover Captain Toad treasure tracker, and Wonderfull 101 are definitly worth picking up, along with Freedom Planet and Duck Tales on the eShop. Plus the extra DLC for Mario Kart 8 if you get it.
@ks-man that 1.5T hard drive is a bit much just for a few games. If you planniing to buy loads of games then it's fine, but I would suggest getting a 500GB portable hard drive with a y cable. I've got a WD passport ultra hard drive that's worked with no trouble for almost 3 years now. I've got 18 retail games downloaded aswell as 20+ eShop games and I'm barely half way through.

No, Mario Maker would not be difficult for an average 5 year old. IMO, anyone who manage to use an iPad or a smart phone can create a course in Mario Maker.

Thanks everybody for all the fantastic advice. I think a few of his friends are chipping in for a Toys R Us giftcard so he can get games. I'll have to wait and see how much it is but based on reading I think here is my list of what we're going to get to start. Great idea about waiting for NSMBU if it will hopefully come out as Selects as he'll have a bunch of other Mario games.

Console with Mario Kart, Mario 3D World, Mario Maker, Zelda Wind Waker HD, DK Tropical Freeze, Yoshi's Wooly World, Just Dance: Disney 2 ($7 on Amazon), Splatoon, Wii Sports Club, two motion plus controllers, GH Wii U Wheel ($9 for two)

Looks like this should be a good start and most of the games are heavily discounted. Then we should still have some good options in the next few months to get some new ones. I might have to add a second Wii U controller but I'll see how much multiplayer he does with friends that don't use the remotes. Thanks again for all the help and if anybody has any suggested changes to this above list please let me know but I'm going to want to keep the price where it is.

One last question. I don't want to buy used or deal with Ebay. Currently I'm looking at full price for the console $299 from a place like Target or Toys R Us. Just want to make sure I'm not missing something obvious before I spend the money on it.

@dizzy_boy
Of course it's not. And I believe that's what I said, unless I'm going crazy...

"If it were an adult I were recommended games to I would probably go with something a little more complex like Xenoblade X or Bayonetta 2, but being that your son is only five years old, Splatoon... "

Super Mario Maker is a great title, but it is no replacement for any Mario game that Nintendo has built themselves.

One of the issues with Mario Maker is that automatic levels, insane gimmick levels, and levels that toss everything in but the Kitchen Sink tend to dominate the playlists. If you're in the market for normal-style Mario levels it may be hard to find them.

Super Mario Maker does not replace Super Mario Bros, Super Mario Bros 3, Super Mario World, or Super Mario Bros U.

And nobody should miss Super Mario Bros U. I consider it one of the best 2D Mario games, only beaten by Super Mario Bros 3. Yes, I do consider it equal to Super Mario World. The level designs are awesome, some cool gameplay features help the game stand out, and the selection of power-ups is cool.

One other thing to note is that Mario Maker is missing tons of features from Super Mario Bros U,including the baby Yoshis, the Ice Flower, The Flying Squirrel Suit, and various other things.

So no, Super Mario Maker is not a replacement for Super Mario Bros U. I would suggest both games, but if you can only afford one now, pick up Mario Bros U first and then dive into Super Mario Maker after you finish that game.

I just bought the Wii U for my 5 year old son which we will be giving for his birthday next week. I'm starting to set things up and have a question about how I should handle accounts.

I set it up currently using my own information and created a Nintendo Network ID for me. I have parental controls set up with a pin but everything is allowed (no restricted access). I'm assuming I should set up a new user account for my son where most stuff is blocked so he can't make purchases. I doubt he will play anything online if I'm not playing with him.

1) If I purchase all games with my user account will my son still be able to play them?

2) Does my son need a Nintendo Network ID or is it best to not create one for him? I do want him to have his own Mii character as I think he'll like having a picture just for him.

3) I also have an 8 year old daughter, should I create an account for her as well or should the kids just
share one?

Any other advice on how I should get things set up? Thanks.

@Tsurii

Thanks for the answers. If I give them their own NNID can I still restrict their playing games online to needing a required pin? I'm assuming Nintendo online usage is pretty safe but with two young kids you can't be too careful with online predators. I don't want them to be able to start chatting with people online or things like that.

I like New Super Mario Bros U better than Mario Maker. I don't even play Mario Maker anymore but would play NSMBU with friends.

@ks-man the main apps you might want to block would be Miiverse, WiiU chat, the web browser, and the eShop. If you put the D.O.B's in your kids profiles, the WiiU should restrict everything else.
I can't think of any games that are suited for the under 10's where you would have the ability to talk to other people online. With the exception of Mario Kart 8 which has pre written text to communicate with.
Also, if your son or daughter have friends that own a WiiU with Mario Kart, you can set up a lobby where they can play together online, they just need to share the lobby code though.