Not so long ago Nintendo UK put a call out to its social media followers to vote for their favourite Wii U games, with any title on the platform being eligible.
The top 10 has now been announced, and consists of retail games that are developed or at least published by Nintendo - releases such as ZombiU and Rayman Legends made it into the top 20 from over 2000 votes, but couldn't break into the elite list, while Affordable Space Adventures seems to have attracted the most votes in the third-party download game stakes.
In any case, the top 10 doesn't possess many surprises, though the nature of these lists often makes the final order interesting. So, those results are as follows.
10. Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker
9. The Wonderful 101
8. Splatoon
7. Pikmin 3
6. Bayonetta 2
5. Super Mario 3D World
4. The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker HD
3. Hyrule Warriors
2. Super Smash Bros. for Wii U
1. Mario Kart 8
That's based on a couple of thousand followers of Nintendo UK, but what do you reckon? Which game is your favourite on Wii U?
[source nintendo.co.uk]
Comments 78
My favorite game on the WiiU is MK8, by a mile. There are many great titles out there but Mario Kart 8, for what it is, is perfection.
Since others are doing their list, my top 5
MK8
DKCTF
Bayonetta 2
WWHD
MH3U
I don't personally agree with this list. For starters, Splatoon should be higher up along with Bayonetta 2. I also think Donkey Kong Country Tropical Freeze needs to be on there. But that's just my opinion.
No Tropical Freeze & Smash Bros way too high (I'd replace it with Rayman Legends altogether) for my liking. Also WWHD above 3D World & Splatoon?! Get that crap outta here!
@FragRed yeah, no DKTF feels wrong!
Given Splatoon has only just launched it's impressive it's up in the top 10! Surprised Rayman Legends isn't there, it's certainly one of my favourite games on the system but then I'm not sure any of those games deserve to be knocked off to make space for it. Same goes for Tropical Freeze.
Very, very happy to see The Wonderful 101 in the top ten. Maybe people Wil actually buy it now?
Tropical Freeze should absolutely be on the list. It is perfect game in nearly every aspect.
That said, Pikmin 3 is my number one game on WiiU.
Cool list, plenty of good games on it
There's a serious lack of Monster Hunter 3U here. Maybe 4U overshadowed it
I'd bump Captain Toad off the list and add DK Tropical Freeze. Bayonetta 2 should be higher.
10. The Wonderful 101
9. The Legend of Zelda The Wind Waker HD
8. Pikmin 3
7. Super Mario 3D World
6. Splatoon
5. Hyrule Warriors
4. Donkey Kong Country Tropical Freeze
3. Bayonetta 2
2. Super Smash Bros for Wii U
1. Mario Kart 8
I voted Mario Kart 8, I had to for the sheer number of hours I've put in to it, I'm still flippen playing it and I got it the day before release! But I adore Pikmin 3, so I voted for it on my sons behalf, he loves it too. Top list but DKC:TF is right up there for me, fantastic, beautiful game
Here is my personal list...
1) DKC Tropical Freeze
2) Splatoon
3) Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate
4) Bayonetta 2
5) Pikmin 3
6) Super Mario 3D World
7) Mario Kart 8
8) Smash Bros
9) The Wonderful 101
10) Zelda Windwaker HD
HONORABLE MENTIONS
-New Super Mario Bros U
-Rayman Legends
-Captain Toad
-Hyrule Warriors
-Kirby Rainbow Curse
Splatoon will be higher next time they do a poll. Good to see Hyrule Warriors at #3 considering its nothing like a Zelda game. I still need to play B2. Maybe when Im done w/ Xenoblade. Think Im confused b/c it looks like a PS3 game, and if it was it would be $20 by now, but its still $50. Seems a bit too long for a rental though. Rented TLoU b/c it was supposed to be 8 hours and it took me 30 hours. Was kind of rushing thru it at the end. Maybe Ill find a BF sale and get it for Christmas since Im not sure what else will be out there this year.
DK would be number 3 in my list... I would take out toad
My personal top 10 would be:
1. Super Mario 3D World
2. Bayonetta 2
3. Splatoon
4. Donkey Kong Country Returns: Tropical Freeze
5. The Wonderful 101
6. Pikmin 3
7. Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker
8. Mario Kart 8
9. Hyrule Warriors
10. Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate
Didn't really consider Wind Waker HD as I never tend to put remakes or ports on lists when ranking my favourite games for a console. I do love the game, and that's why it sits proudly near the top of my favourite Cube games list. I'm expecting Xenoblade to smash into my top 4 this year, although we'll have to see just how high.
@JaxonH - I'm not going to comment on your #1, but I admire your choices of MK8 and SSB at 7 and 8. As good as they are they arent exactly groundbreaking. Id have to put Splatoon and HW 1a and 1b, I like new. New, easy and fun. I cant make a list though, that would be too maddening.
Captain Toad was my favorite game of last year. Yes, I know Smash and MK8 are "better" games - but I loved how surprised I was by the new IP of Captain Toad - it felt so fresh and fun.
Splatoon is giving me a similar feeling in 2015.
smash wii u and mario kart 8
My top 10 would be
1. The Wonderful 101
2. Mario Kart 8
3. DK Tropical Freeze
4. Splatoon
5. Super Mario 3D World
6. Smash Bros.
7. Bayonetta 2
8. Pikmin 3
9. Assassins Creed: Black Flag
10. Windwaker HD
Since Splatoon was released, there are no other games as far as I am concerned. There is only Splatoon.
I have a feeling Xenoblade X will knock Wonderful 101 off my list.
NSMBU + NSLU is still for me the best game on the system followed very closely by MK8
I would replace Wonderful 101 with Hyrule Warriors.
@Nintendo_Ninja Hyrule Warriors is number 3.
I'd swap Bayonetta 2 with DK: Tropical Freeze and have Splatoon number 2.
9. Earthbound (Virtual Console)
8. Mario Kart 8
7. Super Mario 3D World
6. AVGN Adventures
5. Nintendo Land
4. Wonderful 101
3. Donkey Kong Country Tropical Freeze
2. Lego City Undercover
1. Super Smash Bros U
I'm surprised Splatoon and Bayonetta 2 weren't higher up he list
A good list. I haven't gotten Hyrule Warriors yet so change that to DKTF. Bump SM3DW to second place, Splatoon on 3rd and put Smash Bros on the 10th place and you have my list.
Right now i would say Splatoon and Mario Kart 8 are my favorite games. However, Splatoon is inching closer and closer ahead with each dlc released. I wish I liked smash more, but I just... Don't really. Granted, it's still absolutely fantastic and we'll worth the money, but it just feels kind of hollow when I play it.
I mostly agree with this list, the things I'd change are:
Needs some donkey kong love, but the list is good.
Just based on what I've had the most fun with, I'd probably have to go:
Mario Kart 8
Hyrule Warriors
Bayonetta 1 & 2
Splatoon (this could be #1 in a few weeks)
Runner 2
Rayman Legends
Teklen Tag Tournament
Dot Arcade
The Wonderful 101
Warriors Orochi 3
Edit: Forgot about The Wonderful 101. Duh.
10. Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker
9. Kirby and the Rainbow Curse
8. Hyrule Warriors
7. The Wonderful 101
6. Super Smash Bros for Wii U
5. Splatoon
4. Mario Kart 8
3. Super Mario 3D World
2. Bayonetta 2
1. Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze
Not too many games to choose from, a shame really. Nintendo should hold off on the 3DS for a while and focus their first and potentially third party efforts on Wii U, it's a good system. Crossing my fingers for a new Metroid by Retro, that would top my list.
The real importance of this list is not where they all placed, but the variety of the games. You could argue DK, Kirby, Nintendoland, NSMBU/NSLU, and Lego City are all essential exclusive titles that really does make the Wii U the freshest and densely populated console this gen.
10. Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker
9. Bayonetta 2
8. Splatoon
7. Pikmin 3
6. Hyrule Warriors
5. Super Mario 3D World
4. The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker HD
3. Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze
2. Super Smash Bros. for Wii U
1. Mario Kart 8
There was something wrong with the list, I think I fixed it.
No Donkey Kong?? Here is my list
Honorable mentions: Zombi U, Super Smash Bros. U, New Super Mario Bros. U
I haven't played Splatoon and Pikmin 3.
surprised hyrule warriors is so high, didn't care for it one bit. otherwise seems pretty good
Not saying that they don't deserve to be on there at all, but I would replace Windwaker and Captain Toad with Tropical Freeze and Lego City Undercover.
Deus ex is literally one of the best games ever, why has it been forgotten? Should of easily been #1 but didnt make top ten......?
@rjejr If you see B2 in action, it looks nothing like a PS3/Xbox game. Its gorgeous!
I'm surprised they could come up with ten good Wii U games, I can only come up with 6.
WoW I love and own all but WW HD .... My Top 10 Wii U Games So Far .... 1. Super Mario 3D World 2. Bayonetta 2 3. Darksiders 2 3. Splatoon 4. Donkey Kong Tropical Freeze 5. Sonic Lost World 6. The Wonderful 101 7. Smash Bros Wii U 8.Mario Kart 8 9. Pikmin 3 10.Hyrule Warriors + Transformers Prime & Transformers Rise of the Dark Spark ( Big Transformers Fan)
Good list , but no love for Tropical Freeze ? In my opinion that game is one of the finest platformers ever made ! Would also liked to have seen Zombie U in the top ten. Although a little rough graphically and glitchy in places , I thought the game had some great ides and created a genuine sense of fear and urgency. Deus X and Lego City would also have appeared in my top ten - two of the best third party games on the system IMO.
I will never understand why DK: Tropical Freeze rarely gets the attention it deserves. It is one of the best platformers on the system! I'm shocked Hyrule Warriors was ranked so high. Other than the fan service to the LoZ franchise I had a hard time enjoying the monotony of that one.
10. Wonderful 101
9. Pikmin 3
8. Rayman Legends
7. Splatoon
6. Super Smash Bros. Wii U
5. Shovel Knight
4. Super Mario 3D World
3. DK: Tropical Freeze
2. The Legend of Zelda: Windwaker HD
1. Mario Kart 8
I have yet to play Captain Toad, New Super Mario Bros U, Zombie U, Lego Undercover, and Kirby's Canvas Curse, but I am sure they are all great games too. The only reason Bayonetta 2 isn't on the list is because, despite it being a wonderfully designed game, I felt it was too over the top and a little too offensive at times. I'm not easily offended at all, but It is hard to play a game like that around room mates or family etc. without being slightly
ashamed.
pikmin 3
bayonetta 2
splatoon
mario kart 8
3d world
top 5 content on wii u
Huh. I actually own every game on this list except for Bayonetta 2. I need to get that at some point. Also, DKC: TF would've been a good choice. So would Rayman Legends and Shovel Knight. Glad to see Wonderful 101 on there, though.
@djepic209 - "it looks nothing like a PS3/Xbox game"
Gorgeous or not, I bet B2 looks more like any number of PS3 games compared to Mario or Pikmin. those other consoles have plenty of 3rd person action titles, Nintendo has fewer, it's not what their known for. If they turn B2 into a 2D sidescrolling platformer then it will look like a Nintnedo game to me.
lol hyrule warriors lol
@rjejr pikmin 2 is more a xbox 360 game than b2
Sonic all star racing
@TheWeird lol here here
I've only put any solid time into two of these (MK8 and WW:HD) although I own five. I just stuggle to put enough time into my Wii U, much as I love it. That and my 145hrs+ spent playing FIFA 13, which would have to go in my list.
I really like Lego city undercover its one of my favorite games.
But I guess most op the people dont even know the game....
1 Lego city undercover
2 Mario Kart 8
3 Super Mario 3D world
4 New Super Mario Bros WiiU
5 Hyrule Warriors
6 Super Smash bros
Games I stil want to try are Donkey kong Tropical freez but I think the game wil be too hard for me, and Captain Toad Treasure Tracker.
Splatoon and sonic all stars racing.
When you look at the list of games in say a top 20 wii u, that's a better library then either the other 2 consoles. Especially since these are exclusives.
@rjejr ever played mad world, no more heroes, manhunt 2, cursed mountain, red steel 2, etc, cause these are all wii games that are awesome. I enjoyed no more heroes 1 and 2 more then playing God of war 1-3 on my PS3. Bayonetta 2 might fits in better on Nintendo then PS3. There has been a bunch of great m rated games on Nintendo that people don't bother playing. Can't wait for Devils 3rd. I'll be playing that and splatoon for years I'm sure. I'm 33 btw.
The only game from those I have is Captain Toad. It was very enjoyable.
@belmont
Oh dear... We might need to pursue an intervention here
WhatEVER you do, you absolutely positively MUST play DKC Tropical Freeze, Splatoon, Pikmin 3 and Bayonetta 2.
And even though it's not on the list, Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate
@JaxonH Yes it is strange. I am more of a PlayStation gamer after the demise of sega but I always enjoyed Nintendo, especially portables. For some reason the only Kong game I have is Land wayyy back in the Game boy era so I am not so sure about Tropical Freeze. I will surely buy the Bayonetta combo if I find it on a good price and will check Splatoon. Of course I am open to Wii U suggestions. The only other game I have is a good Avengers fighting game from Ubisoft. Also I have a TON of VC games. Any other good Wii U exclusive suggestion (digital or retail) except Mario?
@belmont
Ask anyone here, I have impeccable taste
I also own a PS4 and X1 so you can trust I know good games, not just good Nintendo games. And all those I listed are not good Nintendo games, they're good games period. Moreover, they should be mandatory for all Wii U owners. Seriously they're that good. These games may not look anything special on the outside but trust me, they've got it where it counts.
Other recommendations? The Wonderful 101 for sure. And there are 2 eShop exclusives that are fantastic- Pushmo World and Mario vs DK Tipping Stars. If you like using your brain a little. Both have that puzzly-gameplay. Also, Zelda Windwaker HD, just be aware that the controls are a little dated and stiff. Still, it's such a good game you should get it anyways. Rayman Legends, another must own. And not on any system, you want the Wii U version for the Murphy Levels.
Other than that, there's the obvious with Mario Kart 8. That is a FANTASTIC game. And to a lesser extent, Smash Bros. New Super Mario Bros U is an excellent platformer- don't let anyone tell you otherwise. And if you want something different, I must recommend Kirby and the Rainbow Curse.
As for indies, definitely Armillio (that game oozes classic N64 fun), Shovel Knight, Shantae and the Pirate's Curse, Art of Balance HD, Stealth Inc 2, and if you want something different- Blek. If you want super fun but difficult (in a fair way)- Scram Kitty. And member @rjejr will tell you Swords and Soldiers (only $3) and it's newly released Wii U exclusive sequel, Swords and Soldiers 2.
As far as VC, anything Metroid, Mario or Fire Emblem you can find (and Advanced Wars which is just like Fire Emblem)
@JaxonH Thank you for taking the time and writing this! I will definitely check Kirby. I have played a lot of the games of the series and most were very fun. I have Rayman, Stealth 2 and Shovel Knight on my Vita. I will check Shantae and the other eshop games. I wanted to try New Super Mario Bros U but for some reason it is still somewhat expensive. As for the Wind Waker I have the original on Game Cube and it is easily the worst Nintendo game I have ever played (excluding the super bad Superstar Saga games) so the remake is not really for me.
As for VC I have build a huge digital library and enjoy a lot of games there. Really Nintendo did a good job there. If it could have cross-buy or some way to play the Wii only games with the gamepad it would be great since Mega Drive and Master System are absent from Wii U for some stupid reason. The most recent games I bought were the GBA Castlevania games that are some of my personal favourite games, especially Aria of Sorrow. Next on my list are the two Golden Sun games. I still remember the battle theme and the epicenes of those games. Man I hope Ninty continues to publish VC games.
The only real problem I have with the list. Is that Hyrule Warriors is in the top 10 at all. It is a fun game, but really, #3?
Why is it the majority of people have Wonderful 101 on their lists (I would too if I was going to make one) yet the game didn't sale hardly any copies? If nobody bought it then how is it so high up there? or maybe the better question is if so many people that played it enjoyed it, why hasn't it sold more copies especially now that it's only thirty dollars?
Splatoon has got to be top of the list for me...however I really can't disagree with many of the others. I found it interesting that this much maligned system is a powerhouse when it comes to the penultimate and primary purpose of a gaming console: FUN GAMES. Nintendoland needs to be mentioned as well. I don't think there is a more fun local multiplayer game than Mario Chase and the Luigi Ghost Game.
Can't argue too much with the list other than the omission of zombieu, first game I bought and don't think I spent a better tenner. You be hard pushed to find even a Nintendo have that makes better use of the gamepad. No love for Nintendo land either?
Hyrule Warriors has no place on any top list. Worst money I ever spent.
Mario Kart 8 is crap. There I said it.
@RainbowGazelle
There's always one stupid comment in every list of replies!
Hyrule Warriors Number 3—WTF?!
Also; as Splatoon is on this list, I think it should be much higher.
I'm really surprised that Splatoon is on that list. Not because it's bad (far from it), but because it's only been out for a week.
Mmm all wrong, all wrong. Here's the fixed list:
1. Splatoon
The top 4 is things that have Link in them.
Seems they really can't afford dragging their feet with Zelda if they want a system to succeed in the UK.
Maybe the rumors that Zelda U will be delayed to be a launch title for the next console are true. Cetainly helped bringing the hardcores in as well as the casuals when the Wii launched.
Wonderful 101 was my vote, glad to see it at 9!
@JaxonH - "Zelda Windwaker HD, just be aware that the controls are a little dated and stiff."
And that part when you have to jump up all those tree leaves, but there isn't a jump button. That game has way too many jumping platform sections for there not to have been a jump button.
And I still don't have S&S2. Just spent $10 on the Humble Nindie Bundle, haven't redeemed any yet just gave the Guacamelee code to my nephew, and Xenoblade never ends, and I have to figure out a way to counter PolarBears Kraken in Splatoon (don't disturb the sleeping Kraken.) And best of all, the SUN FINALLY CAME OUT!! WO HOO!!!!!!
Weird. I own the top 5, but none of the lower 5.
I am going to have to go with Smash Wii U as my favorite game since I can easily see myself putting 500+ hours before the next game comes out! Pikmin 3 is an amazing game too and is a can't miss as far as I am concerned.
@leo13 because Platinum make amazing games that people love but don't sell very well. I guess they're just niche, I know many put off by just how crazily fast paced and frantic they can get. I recommend pretty much all their library though, except Anarchy Reigns which I've not played and got bad reviews. Their other titles definitely earn those higher age rating though.
I think 101 suffered as well from being released around the same time as Pikmin 3, a lot of people who didn't know what it was saw it as being Pikmin with superheroes. Though anyone who's played both will know they're absolutely nothing alike and both worth a spot in any games library. It also released the same time as GTAV which, regardless of individual opinions of it, is never a good idea, nobody can compete with that it's silly to try. Sony had an excellent platformer called Puppeteer released the same day too that got completely overlooked.
Hopefully it'll be a slow burner for Nintendo. It pops up from time to time so who knows? Maybe one day they'll return to it, give it another shot
Unlike Puppeteer, which has never been heard of since
I was horrified by how bad the graphics were in Killer Freaks...I mean Zombie U.
@Ogbert I hope you're right about it being a slow burner. It's just so tragic that so few people have played a game that's so fun
All these games are going to make a run for the Nintendo World Championships and new versions will more than likely make headlines at E3. http://5starblog.com/tag/nintendo/
@JohnG Well soooooorrrrrrrry if I'm not a Mario fan-boy who just laps anything he's in and calls it great.
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