The Wii U hit store shelves with an incredible selection of 23 retail games and several download-only games on the eShop. While a few of the launch games were simply ports of previously released Xbox 360 or PS3 games, the solid number of original titles and excellent quality of indie games on the eShop made the Wii U one of the strongest launches in Nintendo history. Here are our ten favorite Wii U games of 2012:
| #10 |
Darksiders II |
| If you’ve ever wondered what would happen if you took the standard formula for The Legend of Zelda, stuffed it with mature themes and gave it a bit of edge, and touched it up for a current HD console, you need look no further than Darksiders II. We went into this game with no previous experience in the Darksiders franchise and entry was pretty smooth. While Darksiders II may not have the same level of polish and finesse as Nintendo’s own first-party offerings, it definitely holds its own, especially considering where it stands as a launch title for the Wii U. | |
| #9 |
Ninja Gaiden 3: Razor’s Edge |
| Part of the appeal of Ninja Gaiden since the early days of the NES has been the insane difficulty and frantic pacing. This continued with the modern iterations up until the Xbox 360 and PS3 versions of Ninja Gaiden 3. Somewhere along the line, someone thought it would be a good idea to streamline the game and make it easier for newcomers to jump in and hack and slash their way to a blood-free good time. Only, that wasn’t a good idea. Ninja Gaiden stands in a niche of its own and the fans buy it because they already know what to expect. For Razor’s Edge on the Wii U, Team Ninja makes a bloody, glorious return to form for Ninja Gaiden, adding back everything that should have been in Ninja Gaiden 3 to begin with. With fast, furious combat, and those wonderful decapitations and strategic limb removal, as well as some delicious jiggle physics, everything fans crave is here in a complete package. Team Ninja has even thrown in a few DLC characters to sweeten the deal. Ignore the other versions of Ninja Gaiden 3. Razor’s Edge is the definitive version of the game. | |
| #8 |
Mighty Switch Force: Hyper Drive Edition |
| If NintendoDude had been in existence in 2011 or early 2012, we would have easily handed out several awards to the original Mighty Switch Force on the Nintendo 3DS. Thankfully, WayForward released the HD (or Hyper Drive) Edition on Wii U, giving us that chance anyways. Mighty Switch Force is a blast to play, and WayForward are masters of retro-style platformers. The artwork in Mighty Switch Force is very easy on the eyes, and the soundtrack by Jake Kaufmann is incredible. Hyper Drive is the definitive version of the game, including the full original game, the expanded levels released a bit later on, and newly remixed challenge for every level in the game – all with polished up HD graphics. If you can only get one version, prefer home consoles, or only own a Wii U – this is the version to get. Otherwise, you should own this on both the 3DS AND Wii U. | |
| #7 |
Scribblenauts Unlimited |
| When Scribblenauts and its sequel first showed up on the DS, they wowed gamers by the sheer amount of stuff that could be drawn. Sure, there were limitations, as it is practically impossible to create EVERYTHING and stuff it into a tiny cartridge. A few years later, enter Scribblenauts Unlimited for the Wii U. Any limitations posed by previous entries are gone for the most part, thanks mostly to the in-game object editor, which basically presents a user-friendly version of the same tools used by the developers to create your own massive library of objects to call upon. While this might make solving the single player missions feel slightly stale, the possibilities for fun while playing with friends and family are where the craziness really shines through. | |
| #6 |
Little Inferno |
| Playing with fire is fun. That’s about all we should say about this little eShop game. Little Inferno is by a small team of guys that formerly worked on World of Goo and Henry Hatsworth, and that’s about all you should need to know that this game is worth your hard earned money and a spot on this list. Especially if you like your games about burning stuff to be laced with a moral agenda. | |
| #5 |
Tekken Tag Tournament 2 |
| Marking the first time that the Tekken franchise has hit a Nintendo home console, you couldn’t ask for much more than Tekken Tag Tournament 2. Featuring all of the pre-order content and DLC from the other home console counterparts (including bikinis and the Snoop Dogg stage), as well as an entertaining Mushroom Battle mode and the wacky Tekken Ball from Tekken 3, Tekken Tag Tournament 2 Wii U Edition is by far the definitive version of the game. The developers listened to fans and even made a few tweaks to each stage to provide an even more fluid experience, such as removing clutter from a few of the stages and improving the framerate slightly. The Tag mechanic is what it’s all about, and it’s what makes TTT2 so much fun. With over 58 playable characters, tons of customization options, no online passes, and a robust online community (and great local multiplayer), the game definitely earned a spot as one of the best Wii U games of 2012. | |
| #4 |
New Super Mario Bros. U |
| “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it”. New Super Mario Bros. U does everything you would expect, and nothing more, nothing less. Featuring an enhanced world map, stellar level design, and brilliant high definition graphics, New Super Mario Bros. U pretty much hits every nail on the head and checks off every box for the perfect family-friendly platformer. While it isn’t the most challenging platformer in existence, the actual design and controls are about as smooth as you can get. | |
| #3 |
Zombi U |
| Before going into Zombi U, it’s important to note that this is not Left 4 Dead. This is not Call of Duty Zombies. This is not Resident Evil 4-6. Zombi U is your classic survival horror game, but with a fresh coat of paint. Your resources and health are extremely limited, and death is much more meaningful than your typical action game. Zombi U is the game where you want to pace yourself and make every bullet count. It may not be technically perfect, but the sheer fun of the game combined with a thrilling sense of dread around each corner and the excellent pacing make Zombi U one of the best games of the Wii U launch. | |
| #2 |
Trine 2: Director’s Cut |
| Trine 2 is a hard game to classify, but easy to recommend. At its heart, Trine 2 is a platformer with puzzle elements. But, the game also acts like an action game at some points and also features an RPG-like system for gaining experience and leveling up. The game is a ton of fun to play alone, but also features both local and online co-op for up to three players. While the music is soothing and the game has great narration, what really makes Trine 2 stand out is the beautiful artwork. It really feels like a living story book, and the game will take you to a wide variety of exotic locales chasing after the Trine. The Wii U version of the game features over 20 levels, including the DLC missions and a special Wii U exclusive mission, as well as enhanced graphics, making it the definitive version of the game. | |
| #1 |
NintendoLand |
| Nintendo has a rich history, and Nintendo has extremely dedicated fans. It’s because of this legacy that sites like NintendoDude even exist. And what better way to showcase all of the features of a new home console than to put all of your biggest stars right in front. Taken individually, only a handful of the minigames featured in NintendoLand are actually worth their weight. But as a complete package, NintendoLand is what we consider a huge fanservice package from Nintendo. Every single corner of NintendoLand is oozing with Nintendo charm and polish. If this is nothing but a glorified tech demo, Nintendo did a fantastic job. By the time you unlock all of the items and songs to fill your park; you’ll see just how much Nintendo nostalgia there is. Sure, it would have been nice if Nintendo had included a few other staples like Kirby, Star Fox, and Ice Climbers, but hey, they are probably saving those for the inevitable NintendoLand Resort or something. Anyways, for the hardcore Nintendo fans here at NintendoDude, we voted NintendoLand as the best game of 2012 on the Wii U. We may still be covered in that “Nintendo charm” that keeps oozing. |
Now that this list is done, we’re going to get back to The Legend of Zelda: Battle Quest, Metroid Blast, Donkey Kong’s Crash Course, and Pikmin Adventure. Most likely, you have a totally different opinion than us. What were your favorite Wii U games of 2012? Let us know in the comments below!
THE BEST OF 2012:
Top 10 3DS Games of 2012
Top 10 Wii Games of 2012
Top 10 Wii U Games of 2012
Genre Awards
Technical Achievements
Game of the Year
