Over the last 40 years, a lot of video game consoles have underperformed or failed commercially. Some, like CD-i and Virtual Boy, earned their fate. Others, like Saturn, Dreamcast, and most recently, WiiU, deserve better. Starting off strong in the fourth quarter of 2012, WiiU was unable to capitalize on early sales, falling fast on the sales charts compared to its competitors PS4 and Xbox One. Thanks to Mario Kart 8, which released at the end of May, WiiU has staged something of a comeback, but to call the system a success would be incorrect, especially when compared to the extraordinary sales of its predecessor, Nintendo Wii.
Despite its low sales and in defiance of the doom and gloom articles that have shadowed the WiiU since it first launched almost two years ago, I adore Nintendo's newest home console. Its controller, much maligned, is a game-changer when it comes to asymmetrical gameplay and local mutiplayer; its online social network is unlike anything on PS4 and Xbox One; and its exclusive software ranks among the best in the business.
Below is a top ten list of the reasons I love my WiiU. Please enjoy.
#10
Having used the web browser on WiiU, I can't imagine using the inferior browsers on other systems. Compared to the clunky, inconvenient web browsers on Xbox 360, PS3, and PS4, WiiU is a dream come true. Being able to type with a touchscreen and stylus makes navigating pages and filling in text fields fast and easy. After a good old-fashioned mouse and keyboard, it's the next best thing.
#9
What was more or less standard during the seventh generation has become, depressingly, a Nintendo exclusive in the eighth. Only on Nintendo 3DS and WiiU can consumers boot up their seventh gen games. Moreover, with WiiU it's not only games that are backward compatible. It's controllers too. All those Wii Remotes and nunchuks you collected over the last eight years? Those work again with WiiU.
#8
If you want to upgrade those controller, however, you can do so with the Pro Controller, arguably the best "traditional" controller on the market today. Comfortable, light, ergonomically-superior, with battery life that would outlast a Doctor Who marathon, it's simply a joy to use.
#7
With the help of Dan Adelman, Nintendo's former indie boss, the Japanese gaming giant pushed into the "indie" space, tentatively with Wii and now much more forcefully with WiiU. "Indie" darlings like Guacamelee! and Shovel Knight are yours for the playing on Nintendo's unfortunately-named console.
#6
Microsoft and, more recently, Sony are in the business of charging their consumers for online multiplayer. Not Nintendo. The online infrastructure of the WiiU might not be as sophisticated or as robust as its counterparts on Xbox One and PS4, but it works and it's free.
#5
This is probably the most revolutionary thing about the WiiU, a fully-realized community-oriented social network where like-minded people can share achievements, artwork, tips, and experiences.
#4
The GamePad has its share of detractors, sure, but to me it's a brilliant, if underused, controller. The avenues it opens up for asymmetrical gameplay, demonstrated by Nintendo Land and others, and for local multiplayer, demonstrated most recently by Hyrule Warriors, makes the Pad worth the extra price of admission.
#3
#2
Although the WiiU has only been on the market for 23 months, it wouldn't be premature to call it the best local multiplayer console of all time. Several of its games feature local multiplayer options for two, four, even five people. Super Smash Bros., arriving in November, will support as many as eight players locally. In an industry dominated by online multiplayer, it's refreshing to see Nintendo double down, so to speak, on local multiplayer.
#1
For all its features, accessories, bells, and whistles, WiiU is, ultimately, a video game player. And all video game players should be judged by their library of games. Well, WiiU has a mighty impressive library already, thanks mostly to Nintendo EAD, which, after thirty years, remains the single best video game developer in the world. The only place to play its newest software, outside of the 3DS? You got it, WiiU.
Despite its low sales and in defiance of the doom and gloom articles that have shadowed the WiiU since it first launched almost two years ago, I adore Nintendo's newest home console. Its controller, much maligned, is a game-changer when it comes to asymmetrical gameplay and local mutiplayer; its online social network is unlike anything on PS4 and Xbox One; and its exclusive software ranks among the best in the business.
Below is a top ten list of the reasons I love my WiiU. Please enjoy.
#10
Web browser
Having used the web browser on WiiU, I can't imagine using the inferior browsers on other systems. Compared to the clunky, inconvenient web browsers on Xbox 360, PS3, and PS4, WiiU is a dream come true. Being able to type with a touchscreen and stylus makes navigating pages and filling in text fields fast and easy. After a good old-fashioned mouse and keyboard, it's the next best thing.
#9
Backward compatibility
What was more or less standard during the seventh generation has become, depressingly, a Nintendo exclusive in the eighth. Only on Nintendo 3DS and WiiU can consumers boot up their seventh gen games. Moreover, with WiiU it's not only games that are backward compatible. It's controllers too. All those Wii Remotes and nunchuks you collected over the last eight years? Those work again with WiiU.
#8
Pro Controller
If you want to upgrade those controller, however, you can do so with the Pro Controller, arguably the best "traditional" controller on the market today. Comfortable, light, ergonomically-superior, with battery life that would outlast a Doctor Who marathon, it's simply a joy to use.
#7
Support for the little guy
With the help of Dan Adelman, Nintendo's former indie boss, the Japanese gaming giant pushed into the "indie" space, tentatively with Wii and now much more forcefully with WiiU. "Indie" darlings like Guacamelee! and Shovel Knight are yours for the playing on Nintendo's unfortunately-named console.
#6
Free online
Microsoft and, more recently, Sony are in the business of charging their consumers for online multiplayer. Not Nintendo. The online infrastructure of the WiiU might not be as sophisticated or as robust as its counterparts on Xbox One and PS4, but it works and it's free.
#5
Miiverse
This is probably the most revolutionary thing about the WiiU, a fully-realized community-oriented social network where like-minded people can share achievements, artwork, tips, and experiences.
#4
GamePad
The GamePad has its share of detractors, sure, but to me it's a brilliant, if underused, controller. The avenues it opens up for asymmetrical gameplay, demonstrated by Nintendo Land and others, and for local multiplayer, demonstrated most recently by Hyrule Warriors, makes the Pad worth the extra price of admission.
#3
Virtual Console
It may not be as robust as the Wii Virtual Console (what is?) but overall it's a great repository for classic, hard-to-find games. Don't want to pay $200 for EarthBound on eBay? OK, how about $10 on WiiU?
