Wii U - Timeline
Tuesday24th Jan 2023
Random This Nintendo Direct Feels Incredibly Quaint Just 10 Years On
Wind Waker HD! Virtual Console! Mr Iwata!
It's an easy business to sit and discuss the failures of the Wii U — lacking purpose, chunky design, confusing name — but what about its successes? It's a much shorter list, we'll admit, but one of the things that many of us will agree on is its stellar games library (we mean, just look at how many have...
Friday20th Jan 2023
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...
Tuesday10th Jan 2023
Random Indie Dev Giving Away Free Game Codes Until Nintendo Closes Wii U & 3DS eShops
Both eShops will close this March
It's now officially 2023 and that means we're getting closer to the closure of the Wii U and 3DS eShops. The last part of the closure will take place on 27th March 2023 and after this you'll no longer be able to purchase in-game content, download demos, add funds or redeem download codes. In response to this, indie...
Monday2nd Jan 2023
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...
Wednesday28th Dec 2022
Most titles have now been fixed
A severe vulnerability affecting several Nintendo consoles was found recently, with the potential to allow unauthorised access to Switch, 3DS, and Wii U via a host of online games. It's reported that for some time Nintendo has been working to patch games to eliminate the exploit known as 'ENLBufferPwn', with several...
Saturday24th Dec 2022
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 —...
Thursday1st Dec 2022
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...
Thursday24th Nov 2022
Video Nintendo Land Will Likely Never Come To Switch, But That's Okay
Catching up on the Wii U launch title
The Wii U had a pretty dull launch line-up, all told. There, we said it. Between the likes of New Super Mario Bros. U, ZombiU, and Mass Effect 3, there was a general consensus that while all of these games are undoubtedly good, they didn't exactly set the world on fire and justify the Wii U as a "must-have"...
Monday21st Nov 2022
Video Remembering 10 Years Of Wii U
Looking back on the console's launch and legacy
The Wii U is now ten years old. Crazy, right? The successor to the WIi launched back in November 2012 to - shall we say - lukewarm reception. Nevertheless, for fans of Nintendo, it remains a quaint and beloved entry to the company's console line-up, introducing the likes of Splatoon, Xenoblade...
Sunday20th Nov 2022
Guide 23 Best Wii U eShop Games You Should Get Before They're Gone Forever
Yes, Wii U had games that didn't get Switch ports!
While many are rightly lamenting the upcoming death of the 3DS eShop, we feel like fewer gamers are pouring one out for the Wii U digital store. Maybe it's just us, but we can't let that stand, as the console actually had some darn good games — some of which are still exclusives to this day...
Friday18th Nov 2022
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...
Guide 50 Best Wii U Games Of All Time
As ranked by you
Remember, this ranking is based on each game's User Rating in our games database, and is therefore subject to real-time change even as you read this! If you rated the Wii U games you've played, feel free to do so now and potentially alter the ranking below. Enjoy! Despite our affection for the console, there's no denying that Wii...
Thursday17th Nov 2022
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...
Monday31st Oct 2022
Random Modders Create Halloween DLC For Zelda: Breath Of The Wild
Gourd-geous
Are Zelda: Breath of the Wild's Blood Moons and Stalhorses not spooky enough for you this Halloween? Well then, leave it to the well-known Zelda modder Waikuteru to give us what we want. Along with Sockpoppet, the two have created brand new DLC for the hugely popular open-world Switch game, and it's fabulously appropriate for 31st...
Wednesday26th Oct 2022
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...
News Nintendo's 3DS & Wii U Image Share Services Have Now Ended
"Thank you for using our service"
Last month, Nintendo revealed it would be discontinuing two more 3DS and Wii U features on 25th October 2022. It's now officially past this point in certain locations around the world, and this means the Image Share feature is no longer available on both of these devices. To remind everyone, Nintendo's Japanese...
Tuesday20th Sep 2022
News The 3DS And Wii U Are Losing Two More Features Next Month
Update: Changes to Switch log-ins too
Update: You will also be unable to link your Facebook or Twitter account to your Nintendo Account, even on Nintendo Switch. Here is the information on what's changing from Nintendo: As of October 25 , 2022, it will no longer be possible to link a Facebook or Twitter account to a Nintendo Account. - This...
Tuesday6th Sep 2022
Random Wii U Emulation On Valve's Steam Deck Supports Gyro Controls
Dual screen 3DS and Wii U gaming also possible
Valve's Steam Deck has already proven it's able to run all sorts of video game emulators. What's even more impressive though is just how capable it is when it comes to Wii U and 3DS emulation. As highlighted by the website Steam Deck HQ, Valve's handheld PC is not only able to split screens across...
Monday5th Sep 2022
Random Wii U Owner's Son Stuffs A Bunch Of Switch Carts Into The Disc Drive
We're not entirely sure that will work...
If you're even remotely present on the veritable hellscape that is Twitter, then you'll have no doubt seen a meme in which gamers take photos of their Switch console docked with a game disc from another platform resting on top; a metaphor of the user's desire to see a port of said game arrive on Switch...
Saturday3rd Sep 2022
News Ubisoft Will Now Close Online Services For Three Wii U Titles In October
Shut down was originally planned for this month
Back in July, Ubisoft announced it would be shutting down multiple online services for a selection of its older games on 1st September. This included the Wii U versions of Assassin's Creed 3, Rayman Legends and ZombiU. Well, we're now past that date - and Ubisoft
Tuesday30th Aug 2022
News Wii U Receives Its First System Update Of 2022, Here's What's Included
Possibly the first and last
Nintendo has released a new system update for the Wii U. The patch notes mention enhancements to the "overall system stability" and various other minor adjustments. Here's what's apparently included in the Version 5.5.6 U update. This applies to both the Wii U Deluxe and Basic models: Ver. 5.5.6 U (August 29th,...
Monday29th Aug 2022
Reminder Today Is Your Last Chance To Redeem eShop Cards On Wii U And 3DS
Funds can still be added via linked Nintendo Accounts, though
Nintendo is ending 3DS and Wii U eShop functionality with prepaid cards today, 29th August. After today, you won't be able to redeem the card directly on either the 3DS or Wii U consoles. Maintenance is scheduled for 30th August 4:30am UTC, and if we had to guess, that's when the...
Tuesday23rd Aug 2022
News Nintendo Prepares For 3DS & Wii U eShop Closure With Scheduled Maintenance
We're in the endgame now
This week is pretty significant in the world of Nintendo - with the Japanese company previously announcing it would "no longer be possible to use a Nintendo eShop Card to add funds to an account on Nintendo eShop for Wii U or Nintendo 3DS". This will take effect "as of" 29th August 2022, and it seems Nintendo has now taken...
Thursday18th Aug 2022
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,...
Saturday13th Aug 2022
Random Masahiro Sakurai Reminds Nintendo Fans About 3DS & Wii U eShop Closure Dates
"It's my last chance"
As you probably know by now, Nintendo is discontinuing the 3DS and Wii U eShop as of 28th March 2023. And later this month on 29th August, you'll no longer be able to add eShop card funds (aka points) to accounts. This is happening worldwide, and as a result - Nintendo fans around the globe are grabbing certain digital titles...
Tuesday2nd Aug 2022
News YouTube And Crunchyroll On Wii U Won't Be Available For Much Longer
Support will end later this year
It's another nail in the coffin for the Wii U. Nintendo Everything reports that two video apps for the console — YouTube and Crunchyroll — will be ending support later this year. Anime subscription platform Crunchyroll will be discontinued on the Wii U from 29th August — with emails being sent out about the...
Saturday9th Jul 2022
News Reggie Explains Why The Nintendo Wii U Didn't Utilise Dual GamePad Support
Games ideas, install base & system lifespan played a part
The Wii U generation had a lot of potential but its life was cut short in the end due to the lackluster sales of the system. One thing that was never expanded upon was the ability to play with not just one, but two GamePads at the same time - allowing players to come together for some...
Saturday2nd Jul 2022
News Ubisoft Closing Online Services For Three Wii U Titles This September
To focus resources on "newer" and "more popular titles"
The Wii U generation saw Nintendo embrace online gaming more than the previous generations, and naturally, third-party developers at the time took advantage of this new focus. Unfortunately, these kinds of services have to eventually wind down, and Ubisoft has decided September 1st is the time...
Wednesday29th Jun 2022
News Footage Of Cancelled 'Epic Mickey' Spin-Off Starring Donald Duck Discovered
Epic Donald would've been epic
Disney's Mickey Mouse has been no stranger to video games over the years, from classic The Magical Quest and Illusion series to kart racers, and even Kingdom Hearts. His best friend, Donald Duck, has also been in the limelight plenty of times too — including a bigger role in Square Enix's action RPG series. Perhaps...
