Topic: Planning to buy Wii U - need some advice

Hello guys!
I'm actually a PC gamer but recently, I've decided that I want a console. I don't know much about it, so I will be needing some help with which one should I choose. I am considering Wii U, PS4 and an Xbox. I need this console to be able to play 1-2 people while sitting on a couch. So there must be a significant number of games that at least two players can play simultaneously. I'm not interested in online multiplayer, just the "couch multiplayer" I used to play some Nintendo games on my Gameboy Color, but I'm a little bit worried if Wii U won't be too weird for me? I mean pads and other stuff. Is it comfortable to play using them? I heard Nintendo consoles are almost unbreakable and really reliable things, is that true? Summing up, you guys own Wii U and know it's pros and cons, can you recommend it to me? I must admit I'm slightly inclined to Wii U as it offers different games than other consoles. And again, want to play with my friends, for single gaming I have a PC. Thanks in advance!

@gressart: Most Wii U games support co-op multiplayer. The GamePad is pretty comfortable, but since you'll be playing a lot of co-op games, you need a second controller, so you can always alter between controllers if the game doesn't require the GamePad. Don't know what you mean by ''other stuff'', but it's a pretty straightforward system. I'm not sure if Nintendo's systems are more durable than other systems, but if you take good care of it, they won't break easily. Anyway, if you want a console mainly for co-op, I'd definitely recommend the Wii U.

I recommend the Wii U. It has tons of first party games and the eshop is full of indie and classic games. The gamepad isn't really awkward at all. It's more like a small screen on there to play games instead on the TV.

If you're a PC gamer, I think the Wii U is your best bet both for couch multiplayer and games you won't find on Steam. The vast majority of games released on the platform have a multiplayer component, which makes it a major selling point for the system. It's true you don't have much in the way of sports games, or recent shooters (there are still people playing Call of Duty: Ghosts, though), but there's a lot of variety and a ton of top-tier titles with a strong multiplayer bent. For example:

• Super Smash Bros. for Wii U
• Mario Kart 8
• Hyrule Warriors
• Super Mario 3D World
• New Super Mario Bros. (+Luigi) U
• Mario Party 10
• Nintendo Land
• Runbow
• Starwhal
• Affordable Space Adventures
• Stealth Inc. 2
• Swords and Soldiers II
• 1001 Spikes
• Chasing Aurora
• Extreme Exorcism
• Whoa! Dave
• Shovel Knight (via impending update and amiibo release)

That's just a few of the ones currently available and I didn't even mention any of the multiplayer Virtual Console games available or multiplayer Wii games playable with the system's full backwards compatibility.

As for comfort of the controllers, that's a pretty personal preference, but in my opinion, they're the best on the market, the Gamepad, in particular. I've played games since childhood and won't stop just because of controllers, but I've always found holding my hands four inches apart from one another for extended periods of time to be unnatural and not relaxing or comfortable. The Gamepad (and Wii Remote + Nunchuck even moreso) let me rest my hands at a more natural position so that I remain comfortable over long periods. People make fun of how it looks, but ergonomically, the width of the thing is a huge improvement.

Many will take pleasure in pointing out that there are few reasons to own a PC and a PS4/XB1, due to the lack of exclusives on those consoles.

Wii U does offer great variety in games, and pick up two Wii Remote (with motion plus) and you can go to town on a load of great local multiplayer Wii games too, as well as Wii classics.

Wii U is the obvious choice for something different, and is a great console, despite its shortcomings and reputation.

Thanks for all the quick answers!
1. So do you recommend 8gb or 32gb version? I heard that you must have some additional hdd anyway but that's not a big deal.
2. So I would just download games on my external hdd and I could play them without problems?
3. Wii U comes with a game pad and I understand that one person can use it to play, correct? But for the second person what would I need? I heard you can't play using two Pro Controllers which would be the best option the way I see it? Would a combination like this Pro Controller and Wii Remote + Nunchuck be good for 2 people? Or two Wii Remotes + Nunchucks? I want both players to look at the tv screen, not one looking on the game pad screen, possible?
4. Do I need loudspeakers for my TV to hear sounds from games?

I find the problem with PC Xbore and wayout there station is the games are mostly so similar to each other dark and 18 plus.
I would pick the 32gb because the Wii U gets updates and it uses a lot of space, your only left with 3GB if you pick a Wii U basic.
I've played a lot of different games on the Wii U

@bro2dragons provides an excellent list of couch multiplayer games (don't miss Runbow and Affordable Space Adventures, these 2 indies are absolutely brilliant couch multi-player games). In addition to this list, I'd like to add these titles:

• Pikmin 3 (excellent 2-player modes for both co-op and vs. battle - but it requires nunchuck+wiimote)
• Yoshi's Woolly World, which is very fun to play in 2-player mode (currently available in Europe, out very soon in the U.S.)
• Rayman Legends
• Donkey Kong: Tropical Freeze

Get the 32GB version even if you get an external HDD.

You need to register a NNID to access the eShop, that's about it. The eShop purchases are connected to your NNID.

The requirement of each game is different. For example, a game like Affordable Space Adventure uses the Gamepad output for something very different to what's on the TV screen (the Gamepad player looks at the TV screen as well), and that's part of the gaming experience. Mario Kart 8 is more traditional multiplayer, where the TV screen is split between the players. Some games like Smash and Runbow supports just about every controller available.

The eShop lists the controllers that the game supports.

IMO, try to get as good sound output as possible for games like Mario Kart 8 which has amazing music:

Thank you all so much for the exhaustive answers. If I happen to have some new questions, I will consult you again!

One thing I would advise you to do is get a refurbished one directly from Nintendo at the link below. You can get them for a lot less, and the quality is just like new, other than packaging. I got mine this way, and it works perfectly. Also, the Gamepad has a headphone jack, which in most games outputs the same sound as the TV would, but at headphone quality.
https://store.nintendo.com/ng3/index.jsp

Would love to, but they don't ship to Poland

In fear of just repeating what everyone else has said I'm going to respond to this anyways!

• As an owner of a PC and a Wii U I'd argue that the Wii U is the most complimentary console
• Local multiplayer is the Wii U's strength, something that all of the others (including PC) tend to lack
• I'd recommend Smash Bros, Mario Kart, Super Mario 3D World and Nintendoland for local-multi
• All of those games support a WiiMote + Nunchuck combo for the second player so get that
• I'd suggest getting a Pro Controller also because it's (IMO) a better controller for most games
• Splatoon, Super Mario Maker, Bayonetta 2 and Wind Waker HD are single player. Consider these also
• As a PC/Wii U gamer? The big struggle is whether to get it on the Wii U for off-TV play or get it for cheap on PC

I'm not sure if anyone's mentioned it, but the Wii U is basically a Wii as well meaning you can play its catalogue and even access its better Virtual Console. I've spent a lot of time in Wii mode having never previously owned the Wii. And its games can usually be found cheap if you look around.

The gamepad is completely comfortable to use, anyone who tells you it is too heavy has absolutely no upper body strength

Speaking of couch sessions, the WiiU is getting a lethal dose of indie games built for local multiplaying as of late - Affordable Space Adventure, Runbow, Sportsball, Extreme Exorcism, Starwhal, Toto Temple Deluxe etc. Some of these are also available on PC but it's hard to beat a console when it comes to multiplaying in front of the telly.

Coming from the PC world, you should be aware that prices are very different here in NintendoLand. You won't see sales the caliber of those you see on Steam. When it comes to first party Nintendo games, you won't see sales at all.
So keep that in mind - the WiiU is a very good console with a good selection of games, but compared with PC or Playstation is certainly the least buyer-friendly of the lot.

Personally speaking I would say the PS4. More games with lots and lots of cheap indie titles (wii u also has them but not as many I don't think). Plus has more variety of games from both 1st 2nd and 3rd party games. The Wii U lacks 3ds party titles sadly.

That is just my opinion anyhow.

@ocelot20: A PS4 for playing co-op games? He already has a gaming PC, so he won't be missing out on the third party multiplats. Most of Sony's first party games don't have offline co-op anyway.

@Octane: True however a lot of 3rd party offer local co op. Yes he said he was a PC gamer. But it depends where his PC is. If it's on a desk with a small monitor I would not imagine local co-op being much fun. However if he has it in a living room with a couple of xbox or playstation controllers then I completely understand.

Diablo 3
Borderlands
Guacamelee
HELLDIVERS
Towerfall
Lara Croft and the Temple of Osiris
Rocket League
Plants vs Zombies: Garden Warfare
Minecraft
Dynasty Warriors
Spelunky
Surgeon Simulator
Never Alone
Trine 1 & 2
All of the Lego Games
Just Dance 2014
Tiny Brains
Little Big Planet 3 (Amazing)
Mercenary Kings
Super Motherload
Octodad: Dadliest Catch
Any of the sports games (FIFA/Madden/PES/Baseball)
Rayman Legends
Magicka 2
Rock Band 4
Awesomenauts Assemble
Knack
The Binding of Isaac: Rebirth
Call Of Duty
Dead Nation: Apocalypse Edition
Resident Evil: Revelations 2
Star Wars: Battlefront
Killzone Shadow Fall

That a few I could find but there is a lot more.

@Octane: What on earth does this has to do with the thread or the OP's question?

@jariw: I don't get your question. ocelot20 suggested the OP should get a PS4, because the PS4 has more games, more cheap indie titles and the Wii U lacks 3rd party games. I don't disagree, but the OP was looking for a console that supported local co-op, and in my opinion, the Wii U supports local co-op more than the PS4 does.