Wii U Features
Feature Why I Still Love My Wii U
Sticking up for Nintendo's much-maligned console
This feature is taken from The Console Chronicles, an upcoming book that we're working on in conjunction with Lost in Cult. If you like what you see, you can pre-order a copy using the link below. <products id="24929"> I began eighth grade in September 2014. After my first day of classes, I...
Poll Do You Prefer Zelda: Wind Waker HD's Bloom Lighting Or The "Flat" OG?
Cel-sword
We know the game didn't look like this, but the box art for both versions cannot be ignored. And just like that, ten years have sailed by — The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker HD was released on the Wii U ten years ago today, and while we spend most of our days now pining for this incredible seafaring adventure to swim onto Switch, we...
Soapbox Rayman Legends Blew My Mind Then Broke My Heart
Prince of Persia fans beware - he may suffer Rayman’s fate yet!
Soapbox features enable our individual writers and contributors to voice their opinions on hot topics and random stuff they've been chewing over. Today, Francisco shares his love of Rayman Legends as it celebrates its 10th anniversary — but also laments that it may have been a...
Talking Point In 2023, Do You Still Care About amiibo?
Or are you amiibored?
Nintendo's amiibo line has been going for over eight years now. Originally launched back on November 21st, 2014 in North America alongside Super Smash Bros. for Wii U, the toys-to-life figurine series has maintained relatively steady interest while competitors like Disney Infinity and Skylanders have completely fallen by the...
Soapbox After 10 Years I Finally Got A Wii U, Here’s What I Thought
The good, the bad, and the ugly
Soapbox features enable our individual writers and contributors to voice their opinions on hot topics and random stuff they've been chewing over. Today, following up on his piece from a few weeks back, Jim delivers his verdict on the ten-year-old console and how it holds up in 2022 ... Picture the scene. The year...
Full server shutdowns could be coming sooner than you think, too
Over the holidays we're republishing some choice features from the last 12 months. A mix of talking points, interviews, opinion pieces and more from NL staff and contributors, you'll find our usual blend of thoughtfulness, expertise, frivolity, retro nostalgia, and — of course —...
Soapbox Xenoblade Chronicles X's Influence Is Bigger Than You Think
So why is it *still* stuck on the Wii U?
Soapbox features enable our individual writers and contributors to voice their opinions on hot topics and random stuff they've been chewing over. Today, on the 5th anniversary of Xenoblade Chronicles 2's release, Alana wants to celebrate the influence of its predecessor and series spin-off... Xenoblade...
Feature Wii U Memories - Our Pre-Launch Thoughts On Nintendo's Charming Misstep
You Wii-n some, U lose some
It's the 10th anniversary of the Wii U's North American launch and to mark the occasion we invited erstwhile Nintendo Life editor and all-around thoroughly nice chap Thomas Whitehead to reminisce about the machine, the time he first got his hands on it, and the hot takes he had pre-launch... The Wii U is now 10 years...
Feature Wii U Vs. Switch - How Did Those Nintendo Hardware Reveal Trailers Compare?
A lesson in the importance of first impressions
With the Wii U turning ten years old (crikey, we're really starting to feel old now), it's only natural that we're finding ourselves looking back at the console that's graciously gifted so much of its previously-exclusive software to its successor. Where did things really go wrong? What did we like...
Poll What Was The Best Wii U Launch Game?
What do U reckon?
We have arrived at the eve of the 10th anniversary of Wii U's launch. Yes, it was a decade ago when the hardcore Nintendo fans began queuing outside stores across North America at midnight (12 days later in Europe, and 8th December in Japan) to pick up and take home a shiny new piece of Nintendo hardware. It's always a special...
Soapbox After 10 Years I'm Finally Getting A Wii U, But Where Should I Start?
What would U suggest for Mii?
Soapbox features enable our individual writers and contributors to voice their opinions on hot topics and random stuff they've been chewing over. Today, as the Wii U approaches its tenth anniversary next month, Jim is trying to make amends for missing out on a misunderstood Nintendo console, with your help and ours...
Guide Best 3DS And Wii U DLC You Should Get Before The eShops Close Forever
Paid and free DLC to download ASAP
So. The 3DS and Wii U eShops are closing. You probably got that from the title. The full closure will be on the 27th March, 2023, with some games becoming unavailable even before that. We've got the full rundown on the closure here: When Does The 3DS And Wii U eShop Close? Nintendo eShop Closure Guide Of course,...
Feature Our Nintendo 3DS And Wii U Memories, In Infographic Form
Wow, we sure liked Netflix on Wii U
Alongside the rather dispiriting — perhaps even controversial, depending on your take — news of the Wii U and 3DS eShop being shutdown in the next year, Nintendo also shared a rather neat trip down memory lane. Similar to the year-end Switch website many of us used, you can visit My Nintendo 3DS & Wii U...
Talking Point Is It Worth Buying A Nintendo Wii U In 2021?
The answer might not be as obvious as you think...
Nintendo's doing pretty well at the moment, with its Switch console selling like hotcakes and games like Animal Crossing: New Horizons creating a whole new generation of fans. You might assume, then, that the sheer notion of investing your hard-earned money in the company's last-gen system – and...
Feature Game Of The Decade Staff Picks: Zelda: Breath Of The Wild
Former editor Thomas Whitehead returns to tell us his selection!
Following on from our reader-voted Top 50 Games of the Decade, Nintendo Life staff members will be picking their personal favourite Nintendo games between the years 2010-2019. To round off our run of features, former Nintendo Life editor Thomas Whitehead returns to let us know his pick...
Feature Game Of The Decade Staff Picks - Splatoon
Woomy
Following on from our reader-voted Top 50 Games of the Decade, Nintendo Life staff members will be picking their personal favourite Nintendo games between the years 2010-2019. Today, Alex recalls the growing pains of his first major step into his career, and how one squid and/or kid-based shooter made all the difference... “These controls...
Poll What Other Wii U Games Do You Want To See On Switch?
The pickings are getting slimmer, but some still remain...
Given the amazing success of the Switch – and the relative failure of its forerunner, the Wii U – it was almost inevitable that Nintendo would use its current console as a means of giving some of its better Wii U games a second chance at fame. So far, we've seen the likes of Mario Kart...
Feature 2010-2019 - Nintendo's Decade In Review
The highs and lows of the past 10 years
So, that's it then – another decade is over. The past ten years are perhaps a little unusual in that they've been a reverse of the ten that preceded them; in the year 2000, Nintendo was struggling to keep pace with Sony in the home console arena and was facing competition for the handheld market thanks to...
Feature The Final Wii U Games We'd Like To See On Switch In 2019
What’s left to loot from the wreckage of Wii U?
Ah, poor Wii U – you’ve got to feel for it. Through bungled messaging and almost total non-support of its unique asymmetric gameplay, Nintendo launched the ship without a compass into an ocean littered with pointy icebergs ready to pierce her glossy white hull. Despite releasing some excellent...
Guide How To Get All The New Armour And Gear In Zelda: Breath Of The Wild's Champions' Ballad DLC
Armour up
The Legend Of Zelda: Breath Of The Wild's latest and final DLC the Champions' Ballad (here's how to beat it) didn't only contain a new dungeon, side quests, and the Master Cycle Zero. It also contains a bunch of exciting new armour and gear. We want to help you get all of it. So without further ado, here's a list of each new piece of...
Guide How To Beat The Divine Trial Dungeon In Zelda: Breath Of The Wild's Champions' Ballad DLC
On your bike
The Legend of Zelda: Breath Of The Wild's final DLC, the Champions' Ballad, is out now, and it offers a challenging dungeon known as the Divine Trial. But it's challenging to even get that far. First you have to defeat five separate trials – four of which relate to the fallen champions. Do so though, and you unlock the crown...
Guide How To Beat The Champions' Ballad DLC In Zelda: Breath Of The Wild
A complete walkthrough
The Legend Of Zelda: Breath Of The Wild was brought to a touching conclusion in the latest, and final, DLC The Champions' Ballad. Not only did this tie up all of the loose ends in the plot, but it also provided a challenging new dungeon, oodles of side quests and stuff to unlock, and your very own divine beast, the Master...
Guide How To Beat Urbosa's Song In Zelda: Breath Of The Wild's Champions' Ballad DLC
Desert Song
The Champions' Ballad is the final DLC for The Legend Of Zelda: Breath Of The Wild, and it launched last month. Not only do you get a new dungeon, a bunch of sidequests, and lots of new stuff to equip, Link also gets to ride around Hyrule in style on the back of the Master Cycle Zero. But to unlock it, you first have to unlock the main...
Guide How To Beat Revali's Song In Zelda: Breath Of The Wild's Champions' Ballad DLC
Revali Of The Dead
The Legend Of Zelda: Breath Of The Wild's final DLC, Champions' Ballad, went live back in December, and boy was it a good 'un. Not only did we get a bunch more shrines, a new dungeon, and some flashy new clothes to wear, we also got a new vehicle – the Master Cycle Zero. This lets Link ride around Hyrule in a similar...
Guide How To Beat Daruk's Song In Zelda: Breath Of The Wild's Champions' Ballad DLC
What Daruk?!
Nintendo lived up to its word and released the latest and final DLC for The Legend Of Zelda: Breath Of The Wild in December, called The Champions' Ballad. It provides a new dungeon, new gear, and, most importantly, the Master Cycle Zero. This lets Link roam Hyrule in style, on the back of a nippy motorcycle. To get it you have to...
Guide How To Beat Mipha's Song In Zelda: Breath Of The Wild's Champions' Ballad DLC
Sidon Song
The final The Legend of Zelda: Breath Of The Wild DLC, The Champions' Ballad, is out right now, and rewards those who complete it with the Master Cycle Zero, a nippy motorcycle that Link can ride around Hyrule. To help you unlock that faster, we're running this guide series to walk you through each step of the DLC. Read on to learn how...
Feature Killer Apps We Really Want To See On Nintendo Switch
Appy days
Less than a year into its life cycle and it's safe to say Nintendo's hybrid console is going from strength to strength. Its library of games is expanding and with a new online infrastructure set to arrive sometime in 2018, the handheld/tabletop wonder is set to mega evolve yet again. There is, however, one glaring omission in Nintendo's...
Guide How To Beat The Tamer's Trial In Zelda: Breath Of The Wild’s Champions’ Ballad DLC
Taming of the shrine
The latest and final DLC for The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, The Champions' Ballad, is out now, and with it comes a bunch of new challenges including a brand new dungeon, The Divine Trial. Beat that, and you'll unlock the crown jewel of this DLC: the Master Cycle Zero. This lets you ride around what remains of Hyrule...
Soapbox Switch's Rampant Success Is Proof Positive That You Should Never Write Off Nintendo
Wii U was a necessary step towards a superior console
Soapbox features enable our individual writers to voice their own opinions on hot topics, opinions that may not necessarily be the voice of the site. In today's edition, editor Dom recalls Nintendo's darker days, how it was written off during Wii U's era and how Switch typifies its independent...
Feature Memorable Games of 2017 - The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
A mammoth adventure I will never forget
In this series of features Nintendo Life writers will share thoughts on their most memorable games of 2017. This first article by Dave Letcavage focuses on The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild on both Switch and Wii U. Later entries will also focus on lesser known games that have entertained and enthralled...
Feature We Almost Got Golf Story On The Wii U
"It kind of got out of hand, with too many ideas"
Golf Story has proven to be one of the Switch's big indie hits of 2017, but incredibly we could have experienced the game a lot sooner, had fate not intervened. Sidebar Games' Andrew Newey - who constitutes 50 percent of the game's development team - has been speaking to Red Bull Games about the...
Soapbox Breath Of The Wild Is Amazing, But Is It The 3D Zelda That Enthusiasts Expected?
Now hold your Eponas…
In this Soapbox article, Nintendo Life contributor Arjun talks about Breath of the Wild and its nature as a '3D Zelda game'. Before I begin, let me clarify one thing - Breath of the Wild is one of the best games I have ever played. Pun intended, it truly is a breath of fresh air when it comes to video games in general, and...
Guide How To Beat Zelda: Breath Of The Wild's Trial Of The Sword: Final Trials
Realise your potential
The first DLC pack for The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild has been released and with it comes the Trial of the Sword, a series of 50 challenges split across three sections Link must complete in order to fully power up the Master Sword. Completing all three sections will raise the Master Sword's power from 30 all...
Guide How To Beat Zelda: Breath of the Wild's Trial Of The Sword: Middle Trials
Stuck in the middle
The first DLC pack for The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild has been released and with it comes the Trial of the Sword, a series of 50 challenges split across three sections which Link must complete in order to fully power up the Master Sword. Completing all three sections will raise the Master Sword's power from 30...
Guide How To Beat Zelda: Breath Of The Wild's Trial Of The Sword: Beginner Trials
A trying time, indeed
The first DLC pack for The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild has been released and with it comes the Trial of the Sword, a series of 50 challenges split across three sections which Link must complete in order to fully power up the Master Sword. Completing all three sections will raise the Master Sword's power from 30 all...
Feature The (Sadly Fictional) Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo Switch Fighter Ballot - Results!
Y’all pulled through
Back in May we launched our very own “fighter ballot” to hopefully gain some excitement for the possible E3 announcement of Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo Switch. Unless you completely missed all-things E3 2017, you'll know that this sadly never happened. Nevertheless, you all voted by the thousands – 13,824 to be exact...
Feature Ten Wii U Games That Would Find a Loving Home on Nintendo Switch
Though all of them would maybe be overkill...
The Nintendo Switch has a number of strengths, and one of them is delivering some quality Wii U games on a hybrid format. We can now play Mario Kart 8 on the go thanks to its Deluxe iteration, and you can also highlight the fact that The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild was a Wii U game first,...
Feature Taking A Deep Breath: Introducing The Voice Of Zelda, Patricia Summersett
"It was a pretty incredible surprise to discover what the game was."
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild has been a smash hit for the Switch launch, and critics and fans alike just can't get enough of the open world adventure in Hyrule. In addition to boasting a massive world with incredible freedom, brittle weapons and countless recipes to...
Poll What Wii U Ports Would You Like to Play on Nintendo Switch?
Filling out the release schedule
The Nintendo Switch has had a retail release this week, albeit one that may not set too many pulses racing - LEGO City: Undercover. We're still rattling through it for review, but it's interesting in that it's a port of a former Wii U exclusive; we should probably expect that to be a trend over the next year or two...
"It's mostly my daughter Maddi's fault!"
Capcom's Ghouls 'n Ghosts series is held in high esteem by many a retro gamer, yet the franchise is currently dormant and we're unlikely to see a sequel any time soon. However, we may be getting the next best thing in the form of Battle Princess Madelyn, a spiritual successor created by Causal Bit Games and...
Editorial Zelda: Breath of the Wild is the Most Accessible of Nintendo Switch Games
Fun for anyone, defying series convention in the process
When the Nintendo Switch Teaser Trailer was unveiled in October, my family were among many - seemingly - that loved the idea and the concept. My brother, who hadn't been in on the Wii U generation, was very much attracted to it and wanted one, while my mum is a Nintendo enthusiast in any case...
Feature What Happens When you Play Breath of the Wild as a Multiplayer Game?
Adventuring together
In this article Nintendo Life regular Alan Lopez gives an account of his attempt to play The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild with his partner, as real life didn't suit his desire for diving into the lengthy adventure on his own. I've always gotten a chill before I started something I knew was going to be really great. I...
Feature First Impressions of The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild on Wii U
A solid start
We've been absolutely blown away by The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild on Nintendo Switch, awarding it the maximum of 10/10 in our review. As a game to introduce players both to a revolution in the IP and new hardware it delivers in spectacular fashion. Yet, of course, just like The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess it is st
Feature A Chat About Zelda: Breath of the Wild and The Evolution of the Franchise
What we're allowed to talk about, anyway
A common (and fair) request often made of us is to share multiple perspectives on major releases beyond the main reviewer. While not always possible, in the case of The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild it's been on the cards, with a couple of members of our team tackling the adventure in order to produce...
Soapbox Why I Still Love the Wii U
Forgotten by some, but not gone
On what Steve (a reviewer on these pages) is calling 'Switchmas Eve', he shares his love for the system that's soon to be replaced by the Nintendo Switch. He raises a glass to the Wii U. It's Switchmas Eve, and like a child waiting for Father Christmas I couldn't be more excited for what the Nintendo Switch...
Talking Point Splatoon May Be Winding Down, But Its Legacy Could Be Significant
Modern trends with a Nintendo touch
In the remainder of 2016 we'll re-share some of our favourite feature articles from the year. This article from 4th August reflects on the end of an era after the final Splatoon Splatfest, and how the colourful shooter established a DLC model for Nintendo that's sure to return in the future. Recently we had the...
A Link to the Present
In the remainder of 2016 we'll re-share some of our favourite feature articles from the year. This article considers the bigger picture behind the design decisions in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, based on some extended playtime with the E3 build at Nintendo UK's HQ. This was originally published on 29th June, back...
Editorial Rediscovering the Simple Pleasures of 2D Platformers on Wii U
What mascots do best
Heading towards the festive period I often revisit older games, favourites that have perhaps been untouched for a year or two. That's certainly the case this year, where relatively few recent blockbusters (on any platform) have been tempting enough to make me part from my cash. There's also a bit of premature nostalgia at play,...
Feature The Wii U's Journey - Four Years of Excellence, Failure and Indifference
It wasn't to be
The Wii U is now just over four years old, passing the milestone most recently on 8th December (for the Japanese release). This is the point when it should be contemplating a steady step back, still accumulating quality games while the 'next generation' starts to loom. That would be the norm, but the gaming industry - like the...
Editorial As Games Jump to Nintendo Switch, We See How Quickly the Industry Moves On
The Wii U is only just over four years old, but is almost last-gen
The Wii U doesn't have too many big-name games still confirmed to be on the way, especially from third-parties. As a result the cancellation of Yooka-Laylee on the platform has led to quite a reaction, which I suspect is partly reflective of some wider frustrations. First of all,...