The best Wii U games are worth choosing for what you can play now, rather than what an old online menu once promised. Several later reached other systems, but the original console still offers distinctive second-screen play and enjoyable local sessions. These five picks balance solo adventures with games for a shared room. Keep a functioning GamePad and the necessary controllers in mind alongside any disc purchase.
Editorial illustration, not a game screenshot.
Which games should you start with?
- Super Mario 3D World — Readable stages, playful transformations and optional collectibles make this an inviting solo platformer or a lively group game. Choose it when you want clear goals and inventive courses rather than the navigation of an open world. Players can disrupt each other in co-op.
- Mario Kart 8 — A bright selection of tracks and an understandable racing structure make this a reliable local competitive choice. It is the Wii U original, not Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, so compare the actual package before expecting later features. Items can overturn a well-driven race.
- Nintendo Land — Different attractions put players in different roles, often using information on the GamePad screen that others cannot see. It is the most distinctive group recommendation if you want the console’s second-screen idea to matter. Controller needs vary between attractions.
- Pikmin 3 — Directing different types of small creatures turns exploration into a series of resource and time decisions. It is a strong solo choice when you like planning efficient routes and watching a once-confusing environment become organized. The daily timer can create pressure.
- Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze — Strong stage themes and precise platforming make progress feel earned. Choose it for the challenge of reading obstacles and maintaining control, with optional collectibles that keep stages interesting after you have reached their exits. Later stages are demanding.
Compare the shortlist
| Game | Best fit | Main compromise |
|---|---|---|
| Super Mario 3D World | Accessible platforming and local play | Players can disrupt each other in co-op. |
| Mario Kart 8 | Local competitive racing | Items can overturn a well-driven race. |
| Nintendo Land | Asymmetric local multiplayer | Controller needs vary between attractions. |
| Pikmin 3 | Exploration and small-team strategy | The daily timer can create pressure. |
| Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze | A demanding platforming campaign | Later stages are demanding. |
Choose your next game. Comparison by play preference, not a numerical score.
Treat local play as a specific setup
Check every required controller before inviting a group. Nintendo Land uses the GamePad differently from a conventional shared-screen game; some attractions need additional Wii Remotes or Wii Remote Plus controllers. Confirm the manual’s requirements for the mode you actually plan to use, rather than counting only the maximum players on a box.
Nintendo ended Wii U eShop purchases in March 2023 and most Wii U online services in April 2024. These picks are recommended for their offline content. The original Mario Kart 8 should not be purchased on the assumption that its former official online matchmaking still operates.
Wii games provide a related library with different controller expectations. Switch games include later versions of several Wii U favorites, but content and features are not identical. Local co-op games help distinguish shared goals from competition, while strategy games are the useful branch if Pikmin is the attraction. If a second-screen experience is your main reason to own a Wii U, Nintendo Land is the clearest place here to start.