Last time, we explored a few of the Wii U exclusive games released in 2014 that made the console worth its weight in Marth amiibos. Critics can call out “fanboy” all they want, because all I know is that I’ve never had to download weekly updates to patch game-breaking glitches in Mario Kart 8 or any other first party Nintendo release. Are these games colorful? Yes. Kiddy? Not necessarily. Once you get over that stigma, you’ll realize that the Wii U might offer the most gaming bang for your buck out of all the little black boxes sitting in your living room.
Reinforcing those remarks is a 2015 lineup that will keep players pasted to their screen for hours on end. Let’s take a look!
Star Fox (Wii U)
The game doesn’t even have an official title yet, but I’ve been anticipating the Star Fox series to build upon its former glory after title after 2002’s Star Fox Adventures left me scratching my head. Teased in previous Nintendo Direct events, as well as during The Game Awards last December, this title is being developed with the help of Shigeru Miyamoto himself to ensure a final product with exceptionally high polish. Those who have had the opportunity to play early versions of the game have confirmed free-roaming and on-rails levels, multiple vehicles (the Landmaster isn’t just a Final Smash, you know?), and intuitive controls allowing for easier fly-by blasting. Toss in an online multiplayer mode where I can command my own interstellar squadron of space pilots, and watch the money just fall from people’s wallets.
The Legend of Zelda (Wii U)
Anyone who has ever owned a Nintendo console should be quite familiar with The Legend of Zelda adventure series and all of its familiar conventions. The eighteenth installment in the series drops our hero Link in an HD open-world version of Hyrule that is reported to grant freedom in how one can approach dungeons. Link’s pretty pony Epona is back as well, and has enough wits about it to avoid slamming into trees as you ride through dense forests. This opens up players to focus on cooler-looking features of the game revealed thus far, like slow motion trick shots in mid-air with your bow and arrow after vaulting off Epona. I’m sure there will be more details release in upcoming Nintendo Direct online media events this year, including a limited edition that will sell out in minutes due to greedy scalpers. It still burns that I can’t find a Majora’s Mask Limited Edition version online for under $100.
Yoshi’s Wooly World
My adoration for Mario’s dinosaur sidekick goes back to his debut in 1990’s Super Mario World, where he was a breath of fresh air in an already ironclad gameplay experience. This time around, T. Yoshisaur Munchakoopas (or Yoshi, as he’s more commonly known) is making his way through levels comprised of yarn and cloth where he must collect coins and find flowers cleverly hidden throughout. As in previous games, Yoshi can eat enemies with his sticky tongue and turn them into eggs, which can then be thrown to collect coins and pelt other baddies. Yoshi’s magical vehicle transformations are back, and local co-op has been included, but Baby Mario is nowhere to be seen. That may be a gift in disguise, as that tiny plumber’s cries still haunt me in my sleep.
Chances are there will be a few more surprises announced by Nintendo in the spring and fall, and their collectible amiibo toys have stirred up a lot of hype as of late, but all this translates into undeniable evidence that the Wii U has a solid slate of high quality titles in its portfolio. Racing games, fighting games, platformers, puzzlers, space shooters. Heck, with the re-release of the Metroid Prime Trilogy on the Wii U via the Virtual Console, you’ve even got a solid fps to blast your way through!
Don’t let the smiling characters and bright colors fool you; if you’re looking for a solid video game experience, whatever genre you’re into, chances are you can now find it on the Wii U.