Topic: Should I get a Wii U in 2024?

I really want to play Wii and Wii U games on one console in 2024, and I don't want to wait for them to come to the Switch or Switch 2. I kind of want to mod it. If this is a bad decision, please tell me, I really want to play Mario Bros U and NSMB Wii! Thanks in advance.

If you can find it for a good price, absolutely. If you mod it, I can vouch for it being a great way to have N64, GC, Wii and Wii U games all in one place if you don't like playing on PC.

@Laurenzio Thanks!

I'd argue there's not much value getting a Wii U now. There are a few games that are still Wii U only but that list is incredibly small. Especially now the Wii U eShop has closed down. And I think you'll quickly become frustrated with the UI performance of the Wii U, especially if you are used to Switch

And as a Wii? Assuming you have the correct inputs on your TV a Wii makes for a better Wii. The video output is just straight up better than what the Wii U did for Wii games. And, to be blunt, my preferred way of playing Wii games these days is via Dolphin with games I ripped using a modded Wii but with original controllers

If you can get a good deal? Sure, go for it. But I wouldn't go out of my way to pick one up

New Super Mario Bros. U is already on Switch (though I'm annoyed that they didn't throw in the Wii game as well). The only thing missing from the Switch version, really, is Miiverse functionality, which was already long-discontinued, and being able to place platforms on the screen using the Gamepad. On the plus side, you can noow play as Nabbit in Mario U as well (in the Wii U versions, it was limited to Luigi U), which is good for kids who are still getting the hang of this sort of game.

Unless you already have a library of Wii/Wii U games, I don't think it's worth it. I would recommend "other means" instead of the original hardware, if you can, as you can get better performance/resolution from the games, and like @skywake has mentioned, the relatively sluggish UI of the Wii U is a bit tough to stomach nowadays.

I'm still using my Wii U.

So far as games getting ported to the Switch goes, I'd think that it's happened a lot less than people think. Of the around eighty Wii U games that I've got, less than half have Switch ports. If you want to play Xenoblade X, Paper Mario: Color Splash, Nintendo Land, the HD Zelda remakes, Kirby and the Rainbow Paintbrush, Starfox Zero/Guard, and at least another forty-odd games, it's still your only option.

NSMBU has been ported, however, so just buy the Switch version if you want to play it. You get the Luigi levels as a bonus, too.

As a means of playing Wii games it does the job, and rather better if you're prepared to mod it, but I prefer emulating with Dolphin these days. The same goes for the older systems that it can emulate; it doesn't do any of them particularly well, although you can set it up as a one-stop shop for all the older Nintendo devices.

No.

@SullyG Oh, I already have to deal with sluggish UI. I have a half-assed Phillips TV, and I have to use a PS4 to actually get into Netflix and use it without it crashing. It's basically a sh**ty PC monitor now.

@Matt_Barber Honestly, I use my modded DSi more than my unmoddded Switch, so I like old consoles more than new ones. (PHYSICAL FOREVER!!!)

The Wii U is the easiest way to play Wii games over HDMI. I've tried the HDMI dongle thing on my Wii and had abysmal results (use component cables if you can). You can also do the same Wii mods on the Wii U's Wii mode (so you could rip Wii games from disk, for example). So if you want to play Wii games over HDMI and maybe some Wii U games, that might make sense.

I think my Wii U continues to be a great platform for many older games. But I am an existing owner. If you buy a new Wii U, the problem is that the eShop is dead. Virtual Console games are gone. Downloads are gone. If you want to play an exclusive like Xenoblade Chronicles X, you'll find that the multi-GB downloads for speeding up the game are no longer available.

Wii U strengths include pen-specific experiences (because capacitive screens like the Switch's aren't precise enough) like Art Academy: Atelier and DS games (Phantom Hourglass, Spirit Tracks). And even if Twilight Princess/Wind Waker HD appears for the Switch (unlikely), you still won't get the dual screen experience. Overall, a great retro system for me, including DS and Wii games. There are some nice Wii games that were available digitally from the eShop like the Metroid Prime trilogy. But much of the good points may not apply to you, because as I said the eShop is gone.

For Wii, modding, content differences (like Captain Toad stages on Wii U are different to 3DS/Switch being based around Odyssey and different levels all together as 3D World wasn't out at the time of the Switch version,

not counting DLC as deluxe version are superior of course but some aspects aren't the same, like some co-op on Switch such as Pikmin 3's campaign not just the bingo modes but if want the Gamepad benefits and that control scheme I assume it's not there,

or others are different and some having differences only the Wii U offers that Switch doesn't either), or any of the Wii U older entries (the not ported games) or the niche ones on it that aren't sequels/originals.

To me the Wii U is fair for Wii U and Wii games.

I would have said VC or eshop as to me the PSP Minis/mobile games were good or the Wii U unique Indies like Rush was a fair Wii U only puzzle game by the Edge (PSP Minis but expanded to more levels for Wii U/mobile) or Toki Tori devs or Captain U (an end of eshop life period game, basically Mario Bros but Gamepad supported areas) or others but well that's down these days of course so PS Vita/PS3 for those but most people didn't care for them anyway.

Others like 3 Souls or Affordable Space Adventures used the Gamepad well.

Then again something like Regina and Mac Gamepad only (no TV support) was a surprise. So oddities for that being a kind of Banjo game but more unfinished/budget looking game. Yeah the others console versions are likely better (not just because it's obviously on a not dead eshop).

Back to physical and more relevant then eshop ones I got into.

Getting the older Yoshi, Paper Mario, Splatoon and more make the most sense, of course ones like Mario Maker of course it adds more or changes things. I've never played it but I know at least that about it.

But otherwise if no interest in Tank Tank Tank, Devils Third or others exclusive like I assume Funky Barn or Game Party or others which I mean fair as not sure if great party games or Tank x3 and Devils Third I like but aren't for everyone (or DT's US prices too due to low copies but better cheaper prices for EU/AU or otherwise),

or the COD split screen/Zombi U (had a few more weapons and other changes for PS4/Xbox One, but no MP mode the Wii U had), if those kinds of things interest you or the dual screen other features of Wii U then say single screen of Switch, or the dual screen/other content of 3DS ports of Wii U games then I'd say those are some other reasons but probably not that strong for most people to care.

Or being remasters like yes the Zelda games and prices compared to the GameCube ones.

To me having the map/stylus/off tv play option was good.

I don't own many if really any of the Wii U major third party launch titles, I get at launch sure the extent content and 8 months wasn't much while games years later that people enjoyed/sold since to have on Switch on the go compared to the handful on Vita many skipped or were happy with the their console or the dock with Switch of course. Changes things not just the perception of the Wii U/Vita.

Stylus for Terraria was fair. Minecraft felt like Vita level touch screen and not 3DS dual screen use cases better or even if Bedrock edition ok for what it was made for to fill in a gap.

Modding your Wii U to play Wii games can be a great way to access your favorites like Mario Bros U and NSMB Wii. Just be aware that modding can void warranties and carry risks...

@Levi2k20 Umm you don't have to mod a Wii U to play Wii games. Wii U can play Wii games natively.