Here’s the games I have reviewed so far on the Wii U, sorted first by letter grade, then alphabetically.

Wii U Reviews – Sorted by Grade

Game	Genre	Grade
Batman: Arkham City Armored Edition	Open-World Action-RPG	A+
tl;dr Batman: Arkham City is one of the greatest Open-World games ever made, and it does pretty much everything right – the movement and combat, the story and voice acting, the gadgets, the world, the characters… this is an all-around magnificent game. It has aged a smidge since its initial release, and the Wii U improvements don’t really offer anything truly game-changing, but they don’t detract from the experience either. Whatever platform you get it on, consider Batman: Arkham City a must-play game.
Kirby and the Rainbow Curse	Platformer	A
tl;dr Kirby and the Rainbow Curse is an excellent follow-up to Kirby: Canvas Curse, featuring similar family-friendly Platformer gameplay that has players using the touchscreen to draw platforms and walls to guide Kirby. It is naturally not as inspired and original as Canvas Curse, but it is still an absolutely superb game that should be considered a must-have by Platformer fans.
Nano Assault Neo	2-Stick Shooter	A
tl;dr Nano Assault Neo is a 2-Stick Shooter where players shoot bugs on a microscopic cel. This game is not only visually-stunning, but it addresses the biggest issues I had with the game’s predecessor, and it adds some fun new features as well, particularly a new co-op two-player mode that makes excellent use of the Wii U gamepad. This is absolutely a game you’ll want to pick up before the Wii U eShop closes in March 2023.
Need for Speed: Most Wanted U	Open-World Arcade Racing	A
tl;dr Need for Speed: Most Wanted U is an absolutely stunning Arcade-style open-World Racing game, with visuals that are gorgeous even by today’s standards, an incredible sense of speed, tons to see and do within the game’s massive city, and fun (if a bit overly-forgiving) Arcade-style gameplay. The online lobbies are abandoned at this point, but everything else about this game is still as fresh and fun as it was when the game first released a decade ago, and the added Wii U features definitely give this version of a game something to boast about. If you own a Wii U and enjoy Racing games, consider this a must-have.
Pushmo World	Puzzle-Platformer / 3D Platformer	A
tl;dr Pushmo World is a family-friendly Puzzle Platformer with light 3D Platformer elements that has players pushing and pulling blocks to climb a structure. This game has a simple concept and is extremely accessible, yet the gameplay hides a lot of potential depth, with plenty of content for the small $10 price tag, including a level builder. And while Wii U owners can no longer trade custom-made Puzzles via Miiverse, there’s still plenty of fun to be had here, and Puzzle fans should absolutely consider this a must-have, and snatch this game up quickly before the eShop closes in March 2023.
The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker HD	Action-RPG	A
tl;dr The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker HD is a superb remaster of an excellent Zelda game, and one that not only improves the graphics, but that addresses some of the biggest complaints about the gameplay of the original. Wind Waker still has a few flaws, but overall this is still an outstanding game, and this version of the game is unquestionably the definitive version
The Swapper	Puzzle-Platformer	A
tl;dr The Swapper is a Puzzle-Platformer on a foreboding space station where players make use of the titular device, which allows them to create clones and then swap their consciousness into that body. This game does just about everything right – great gameplay mechanics, excellent puzzle design, great atmosphere, and a gripping story. The Wii U version even makes good use of the touchscreen to interact with the game. However, whether you get this game on the Wii U or some other platform, you should absolutely get this game, as it is outstanding.
Yoshi’s Woolly World	Platformer	A
tl;dr Yoshi’s Woolly World is a Platformer that combines the traditional mechanics of the Yoshi series with the “everything is made of fabric and wool” aesthetic of Kirby’s Epic Yarn, and the result is the best Yoshi game since Yoshi’s Island on the SNES. Compared to the Nintendo 3DS version of the game, the Wii U version touts better visuals and a co-op mode… on balance, I’d say both are about on par with one another. But in either case, if you enjoy Platformers, this is definitely one to get.
Batman: Arkham Origins	Open-World Action-RPG	A-
tl;dr Batman: Arkham Origins is the third game in the Batman Arkham series, and a prequel to Arkham Asylum and Arkham City. This game is an Open-World Action-RPG much like Arkham City, and unfortunately, it doesn’t quite live up to the greatness of Arkham City, but is nevertheless still a superb Open-World game well worth a look by fans of the genre and Batman fans alike.
Call of Duty: Black Ops II	First-Person Shooter	A-
tl;dr Call of Duty: Black Ops II on Wii U is a solid port of an excellent First-Person Shooter that translates the experience of the game to Nintendo’s platform wonderfully. The online lobbies are empty now in 2022, but the campaign mode and local multiplayer are just as good here as on other platforms, if not better thanks to the Wii U gamepad. If you enjoy First-Person Shooters and haven’t already played this game elsewhere, the Wii U version is well worth getting.
Call of Duty: Ghosts	First-Person Shooter	A-
tl;dr Call of Duty: Ghosts on Wii U is a solid port of an excellent First-Person Shooter that once again translates the experience of the game to Nintendo’s platform wonderfully. Unfortunately, with dead online lobbies, only two players supported locally, and the bot-filled Squads mode in its place, this feels like it’s sadly lacking in its multiplayer, and the campaign still feels as “on-rails” as ever. This is still a phenomenal First-Person Shooter, but this is neither the best game in the series nor the best platform to play it on.
Extreme Exorcism	Arcade / Action-Platformer	A-
tl;dr Extreme Exorcism is an Arcade-style Action-Platformer where each round of gameplay has players fending off the ghosts of their gameplay from former rounds. It’s a clever gimmick that makes for a delightfully fun time, especially in multiplayer. This game is well worth including in your Party Game rotation.
Fast Racing Neo	Futuristic Racing	A-
tl;dr Fast Racing Neo is a Futuristic Racing game like F-Zero, and while Nintendo Switch owners will want to get the improved version of that game, Fast RMX, those looking for a truly great racing game on Wii U will find this to be an outstanding racing game – fast-paced, graphically gorgeous, and tons of fun, albeit high in difficulty and suffering from deserted online lobbies. Still, if you’re looking to expand your Wii U Racing Game library, this is definitely one of the best games in that genre on the platform.
Mass Effect 3 Special Edition	Third-Person Shooter / RPG	A-
tl;dr Mass Effect 3 Special Edition is a solid port of a truly great Third-Person Shooter and RPG. Unfortunately, being the third game in a highly serialized trilogy on a platform without the prior two games really hobbles this version. If Nintendo platforms are your only choice, consider this a must-have. However, if you have another platform (particularly one with Mass Effect Legendary Edition), go for that instead so you can experience the entire saga.
Sonic: Lost World	Platformer / 3D Platformer	A-
tl;dr Sonic: Lost World is seemingly directly inspired by the gravity-defying antics of Super Mario Galaxy, and while this game never reaches those same heights, it is nevertheless a blast to play, and possibly the best of the 3D Sonic games (with some good 2D levels too). While it still has some areas that could do with improvement, this game’s great gameplay that focuses on the Sonic franchise’s best elements, wonderful level design, and an excellent presentation make this one an absolute winner.
Super Smash Bros. for Wii U	Fighting Game / Platformer / Party Game	A-
tl;dr Super Smash Bros. for Wii U is a truly great entry in Nintendo’s franchise of Platformer / Fighting Game hybrids. Unfortunately, it is a truly great game that has been thoroughly eclipsed by Super Smash Bros. Ultimate on Nintendo Switch. While this game has a few gameplay modes, features, and stages that didn’t make it into its Nintendo Switch sequel, none of those elements hold a candle to all of the content in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. This game is truly a great game, but if you own a Nintendo Switch, you should skip it and go straight to the sequel.
The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess HD	Action-RPG	A-
tl;dr The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess HD is a port and remaster of the GameCube and Wii Action-RPG that gives us the best elements of the control schemes of both prior versions, along with a few extra features and a wonderfully updated presentation. This is still at its core the same game, with the same issues with pacing and linearity, but it is also an outstanding entry in the genre, and this is additionally clearly the best version of the game too. If you own a Wii U, this is a must-have game.
Affordable Space Adventures	Puzzle	B+
tl;dr Affordable Space Adventures is a wonderfully unique Puzzle game that has you navigating through dangerous terrain by powering up and powering down various systems on your spacecraft. This game was so clearly designed with the Wii U in mind that it seems extremely unlikely it will be ported to any other platform, and it’s such a creative and unique experience that it’s well worth trying out while you have the chance. This is also an excellent choice for a good co-op game on the Wii U. In any case, I highly recommend you give this one a try!
Deus Ex: Human Revolution Director’s Cut	First-Person Shooter / Stealth / Action-RPG	B+
tl;dr Deus Ex: Human Revolution is a First-Person Shooter with Stealth and Action-RPG elements that has players choosing how to tackle tasks in a cyberpunk future. The Wii U version of the game has its own unique added features, but players have frustratingly little choice how to play the game. Still, the game is excellent and this is a wonderful version of it. If you have a Wii U laying around and don’t already have this game for another platform, you’d do well to give this version a try.
DuckTales Remastered	Platformer	B+
tl;dr DuckTales Remastered is not just a remaster but an all-out remake of the classic Nintendo Entertainment System Disney-licensed Platformer, and overall it is an outstanding remake of a great game, with wonderful updates to the sound and visuals and some improvements to the already-excellent gameplay as well. Unfortunately, the game’s designers were a bit overzealous when it came to the game’s story elements, resulting in that story constantly interrupting the gameplay. It’s a frustrating flaw that brings down the pace of the game, but it is one worth putting up with because everything else here is so good.
Injustice: Gods Among Us	Fighting Game	B+
tl;dr Injustice is a Fighting Game that takes place in a world where a tragedy caused Superman to turn down a dark path, bringing the rest of the DC universe down with him. The story here is absolutely phenomenal, with a great presentation that truly shows a lot of love for these DC characters and the world they inhabit. Unfortunately, the Wii U version no longer works online, and doesn’t include any of the Ultimate Edition content, making this possibly the worst version of the game. If you’re a DC fan, I still think you absolutely need to play this game, but if possible play it on another platform.
Knytt Underground	Platformer	B+
tl;dr Knytt Underground is a Platformer that combines some really great character-swapping gameplay with wonderful exploration, with a truly beautiful presentation (if you ignore the terrible character designs), all resulting in one of the biggest hidden gems on the PlayStation 3, Vita, and Wii U’s digital storefronts. Be sure to grab it before those three storefronts get shut down.
Mario Party 10	Party Game / Minigame Collection	B+
tl;dr Mario Party 10 is the requisite Wii U installment in Nintendo’s long-running Party Game franchise, and while it’s somewhat uneven, the parts of it that are good are very good. In particular, Bowser Party mode offers some great asymmetrical gameplay, and some of the Bonus Mode games are excellent. Skip the Amiibo Party mode though. Overall, this is a superb entry in the series.
Mario Tennis: Ultra Smash	Sports (Tennis)	B+
tl;dr Mario Tennis: Ultra Smash is extremely feature-poor, lacks court variety, and its online lobbies are deserted. However, while it definitely has its issues, the core gameplay is excellent, and the visuals may lack variety but they look extremely nice and polished. All things considered, Mario Tennis: Ultra Smash may have disappointed players expecting a wacky Tennis game with tons of features and creativity, but if you’re primarily looking for quality Tennis gameplay, this is one of the best games in the series.
Nintendoland	Compilation / Party Game / Arcade	B+
tl;dr Nintendoland is a fantastic pack-in game for the Wii U that does a magnificent job demonstrating the console’s capabilities. Nearly all 12 games in this Compilation of various minigames are well worth playing, and some make for absolutely superb Party Games with truly inventive gameplay. There may be better games on the Wii U, but I strain to think of a game that is so clearly perfect for the Wii U.
Rush	Puzzle	B+
tl;dr Rush is a Puzzle game where players place arrows to guide colored cubes to like-colored exits. It’s a simple game, but it’s done well, with a polished presentation and some great level design. Its biggest flaw is some irritating control issues, but for $2, this game feels like an absolute steal and Wii U owners would do well to snatch it up now while they still can.
Skylanders: Swap Force	Action-RPG / 3D Platformer	B+
tl;dr Skylanders: Swap Force is the third game in this Toys-to-Life series, a family-friendly Action-RPG with Platformer elements much like the previous console entries in the series. Pretty much every element from the prior games has been improved upon here, including a more impressive presentation, more streamlined level design, less intrusive use of the Skylanders figurines, and more options and features. This is by far the best Skylanders game in the series up to this point, and an excellent game in general.
Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed	Kart Racing	B+
tl;dr Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed is a Kart Racer that has players taking the role of one of various Sega characters and racing on tracks inspired by Sega games, using vehicles that transform from cars to boats to aircraft. This game does have some rubber-banding issues and the transition from one vehicle type to another can be disorienting, but overall this is a solid Racing game that Wii U owners should definitely want in their collection.
Splatoon	Third-Person Shooter	B+
tl;dr Splatoon is the first game in Nintendo’s first game in Nintendo’s online multiplayer-focused kid-squid ink-shooting Third-Person Shooter series. This game is still excellent even to this day, with a fair number of players still fighting it out online. There’s enough unique content here to still make this game worthwhile if you have a Wii U already, but don’t expect anything dramatically different than the later games. If you don’t have a Wii U already, don’t feel the need to go buy one just to play this game – stick with the sequels in that case.
Wii Fit U	Sports (Exercise) / Minigame Collection	B+
tl;dr Wii Fit U is a solid Workout game that provides a pretty healthy variety of minigames to exercise with, as well as some great tracking tools to keep you on-target for your personal goals. Having said that, this game doesn’t gamify its exercise quite as well as Ring Fit Adventure, and the requirement to have multiple Wii Hardware Accessories to play the full game can be cumbersome as that equipment becomes harder to find. Still, this is probably the best workout game other than Ring Fit Adventure, and Wii U owners looking to get in shape should definitely get ahold of it if they can.
Dr. Luigi	Match-4 Falling Block Puzzle	B
tl;dr Dr. Luigi is a version of Nintendo’s classic Dr. Mario Match-4 Falling Block Puzzle Game that features a few inventive new game modes and a polished presentation. There’s nothing here that outright revolutionizes the Dr. Mario franchise, but overall this is an excellent entry in the series, and one that fans of the genre will definitely want to buy before the Wii U eShop closes.
Edge	Arcade	B
tl;dr Edge is an Arcade-style game that has players navigating a cube through mazes. It’s simple, but there’s surprisingly excellent level design, a slick modern presentation, and plenty of content to make it more than worth its $2 price.
LEGO Batman 2: DC Super Heroes	Open-World 3D Action-Platformer	B
tl;dr LEGO Batman 2 is yet another game to feature Traveller’s Tales family-friendly LEGO game formula, and this time it takes ambitious steps forward for the series, introducing full voice acting and Open-World elements to the well-established 3D Action RPG formula of the franchise. These new elements are a bit rough in places, and the game features some “jankyness” that makes it feel a bit unpolished, but overall this is a solid entry in the series, well worth playing.
Mario Vs. Donkey Kong: Tipping Stars	Puzzle-Platformer	B
tl;dr Mario Vs. Donkey Kong: Tipping Stars is a Puzzle-Platformer that has you guiding robotic toy versions of Mario characters through levels by interacting with the level itself. It’s still a solid entry in the genre and series, even if its one most noteworthy feature, its online level-sharing, is no longer available.
Skylanders: Giants	Action-RPG / 3D Platformer	B
tl;dr Skylanders: Giants is the second game in this Toys-to-Life series, a family-friendly Action-RPG with Platformer elements much like the previous console entry in the series. This game doesn’t change much of the formula from the prior game, save for the titular Giants themselves, which both add variety and gate off more of the game’s content unless you have one of these figures. If you do, you’ll once again be in for a good time. If not, you may find the limitations the game places on you to be wearisome. However, if you’re down for the whole Toys-to-Life experience, you’ll find Skylanders: Giants to be a worthy sequel.
Skylanders: SuperChargers	Action-RPG / 3D Platformer / Kart Racing	B
tl;dr Skylanders: Trap Team is the fourth game in this Toys-to-Life series, a family-friendly Action-RPG with Platformer elements much like the previous console entries in the series. This entry in the series marginally improves on some elements of its predecessor, but also drops the ball in some areas, such as its multiple new figurine types and lack of competitive multiplayer mode. It’s still a solid entry in the series, but it’s not quite on par with Swap Force.
Skylanders: Trap Team	Action-RPG / 3D Platformer	B
tl;dr Skylanders: SuperChargers is the fifth game in this Toys-to-Life series, a family-friendly Action-RPG with Platformer and Kart Racing elements that actually shakes up the Skylanders formula somewhat for the first time in series history. Everything here is still fun and there’s a wonderful amount of variety, but there’s also a lot of odd problems that really should have been ironed out before the game was released, including a requirement that players have a specific type of Skylanders toy to play, a multiplayer competitive mode that’s absurdly convoluted to access, and sections of the game that fight the player for control. This is still a game that’s well worth playing, especially for Skylanders fans, but it definitely comes with its fair share of issues too.
Spellcaster’s Assistant	Top-Down Arcade	B
tl;dr Spellcaster’s Assistant is an Top-Down Arcade-style game that has players putting away spellbooks in a wizard’s library while avoiding dangerous bookworms and other enemies. The gameplay in this game is creative and varied enough to be more than worth the low $4 price tag. If you’re a Wii U owner who appreciates retro-style games, this is definitely one you’ll want to get before the Wii U eShop closes permanently in March 2023 (tomorrow!)
Stealth Inc. 2: A Game of Clones	Puzzle-Platformer	B
tl;dr Stealth Inc. 2 is a Puzzle-Platformer where players try to guide a clone to escape a scientific facility. The gameplay here is simple, yet it’s made very fun thanks to some really excellent level design. Unfortunately, the online level sharing no longer works, but otherwise this is a solid addition to the Wii U game library.
Super Mario Maker	Platformer / Content Creation Application	B
tl;dr Super Mario Maker is a Platformer and Content Creation Application that allows players to create their own Mario levels. As of 2022, players can still download others’ creations online, but they can no longer upload new levels. And of course Super Mario Maker 2 on Nintendo Switch is a far superior game that improves on this one in numerous areas. However, Wii U owners looking for enjoyable Mario gameplay will still have a lot of fun content in this game if they decide to pick it up.
Tekken Tag Tournament 2 Wii U Edition	Fighting Game	B
tl;dr Tekken Tag Tournament 2 Wii U Edition is the eighth entry in the Tekken Fighting Game series, featuring a massive roster of characters, tons of options and gameplay modes, and a cute Fight Lab tutorial mode. This game has a few technical issues, and I don’t think it’s a truly extraordinary Fighting Game, but it’s a solid entry in the genre, and the Wii U version is arguably the definitive release of the game.
Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell: Blacklist	Stealth / Action-RPG	B
tl;dr Splinter Cell Blacklist is the last (as of 2022) mainline entry in the Splinter Cell series, and the Wii U version of the game is mostly a solid but unspectacular version of a solid but unspectacular Stealth game. This game’s biggest flaw is how many of the game’s features rely on the now-defunct UPlay service, stripping the game of its multiplayer among numerous other features. What’s left is still a solid entry in the genre, but not a must-play one.
Ultratron	Arcade / 2-Stick Shooter	B
tl;dr Ultratron is a 2-Stick Shooter that evokes the classics of the Atari era, while giving players modern elements like upgrades they can purchase between rounds. The visuals are a bit too dark, and can make it hard to see where enemies are, but otherwise this is an outstanding Arcade-style action-fest. If you’re looking for something fun, fairly simple, and shooty, this game is well worth picking up.
Xenoblade Chronicles X	Open-World RPG	B
tl;dr Xenoblade Chronicles X is an Open-World RPG about the remnants of humanity trying to survive on a distant planet after fleeing an Earth destroyed by a massive battle between alien forces. This is a massive, ambitious game, one with a lot of complex systems at work… and one that makes it far too difficult for players to figure out those systems. This game is at turns impressive and frustrating, surprising and confusing. If you’re an RPG fan with a Wii U, it is a must-have, although it is very, very far from flawless. Still, despite its many flaws, it remains a truly unique and enjoyable game, and one still very much worth playing.
1001 Spikes	Platformer	B-
tl;dr 1001 Spikes is a challenging Platformer with a retro-style presentation that in not only punishingly difficult, but that pushes a “trial and error” style of gameplay that won’t appeal to everyone. However, those who don’t mind this will find a game with great level design within this framework, as well as a lot of unclockable content and features. As such, you will likely either love this game or hate it.
Bit.Trip Presents…Runner2: Future Legend of Rhythm Alien	Auto-Runner	B-
tl;dr Runner2 is an Auto-Runner that is the second game in the Bit.Trip Runner series. This game features some imaginative visuals, along with fairly standard gameplay for the genre, complete with a high difficulty level that spikes at irregular intervals. If you’re looking for a challenging Platformer, this game may be just what you’re looking for, but most will probably find this too frustrating for their tastes.
Blek	Puzzle	B-
tl;dr Blek is a Puzzle game where players draw a line on the touchscreen, with that line repeating infinitely, and players are tasked with using this to draw through all colored dots on screen while avoiding black dots. The game design and clean-looking aesthetic in this game are fantastic, but the learning curve can be a bit steep, and the game is particularly unforgiving against those who can’t judge distances by eye or draw straight. However, if you’re looking for a stylish, unique, and difficult Puzzle game, this one is well worth adding to your Wii U library.
Dragon Fantasy: The Black Tome of Ice	Turn-Based JRPG	B-
tl;dr Dragon Fantasy: The Black Tome of Ice is a Turn-Based JRPG that greatly improves on the previous game in the series, with a better presentation and more nuanced combat, all while still having the same winning sense of humor as the first game. This game still feels somewhat derivative by nature, but even so it’s worth seeking out for fans of JRPGs.
Game & Wario	Compilation / Arcade / Various	B-
tl;dr Game & Wario is a family-friendly Compilation of minigames that make use of the Wii U’s unique hardware features. However, while it shares WarioWare’s characters and aesthetic, this is not WarioWare – this game sacrifices WarioWare’s fast pace and variety for a bit more depth (but not much). The dozen or so minigames here are hit and miss, but when they hit, they’re a delight, and a truly unique demonstration of the Wii U’s capabilities. You have to slog through a few stinkers to get to all the good ones, but overall I feel like it’s worth it, and if you own a Wii U, you should absolutely get your hands on this game on the Wii U eShop before that eShop closes. It’s not likely to be your favorite Wii U game, but it is still a unique experience you’ll only get on the Wii U.
GetClose: A Game for Rivals	Arcade / Party Game	B-
tl;dr GetClose is an Arcade-style Party Game that has players literally sharing controllers to shoot at each other and play capture the flag (er, crown). It’s a relatively unique take on the genre and its $1 price tag makes it easier to forgive the lack of content and ugly visuals. If you have a Wii U, definitely give this game a look.
LEGO The Hobbit	Open-World 3D Action-Platformer	B-
tl;dr LEGO The Hobbit on Wii U is yet another Open-World 3D Action-RPG in Traveller’s Tales’ family-friendly LEGO franchise. This game has many of the same elements as the console version of LEGO The Lord of the Ring, but it adds in some new elements that just make for more busywork and tedium. This is still an enjoyable game that will be a great choice for those who are fans of the Hobbit films, but if those films didn’t thrill you, I think there are other better LEGO games that will be a better choice for you.
NES Remix 2	Minigame Collection	B-
tl;dr NES Remix 2 is a Minigame Collection based on twelve classic games from the Nintendo Entertainment System. While it still doesn’t live up to its potential, this sequel is an all-around better game – the featured NES games are better, progression is better-paced, the minigames themselves are more fun, and there’s even a few nice extras here. It’s still frustrating that this game doesn’t focus more on the mix-and-match “Remix” challenges, but it’s still overall a fun nostalgia trip through some of Nintendo’s best early games.
Pinball Arcade	Compilation / Pinball	B-
tl;dr Pinball Arcade is a free-to-play Compilation that includes one free Pinball table, Tales of the Arabian Nights, and the ability to buy others via paid DLC, including numerous tables that are no longer available on more modern platforms. Even if you’re not a big Pinball fan, if you own a Wii U you might as well get this while you can, since it’s free. And if you are a Pinball fan, be sure to download the tables you want now before the Wii U eShop closes in 2023 (Later this month!)
Pure Chess	Board Game	B-
tl;dr Pure Chess is a version of Chess with a good presentation and a good selection of features for the $8 price tag. The only area it’s a bit lacking is in its content, with only a few room and piece types to choose from. However, this is overall a solid game of Chess.
Spin the Bottle: Bumpie’s Party	Party Game / Misc.	B-
tl;dr Spin the Bottle: Bumpie’s Party is a Party game that has players ignoring the TV and Wii U gamepad’s screens to focus on various co-op minigames using just the Wii remotes’ motion-sensing abilities in a variety of wacky minigames. It’s unfortunately slim on content, and you really need a good number of players to really enjoy it how it’s meant to be played, but if you can manage it, this is a truly unique experience like no other. Any gamer who plays with friends and owns a Wii U should definitely get this game before the eShop closes, because there’s nothing else quite like it.
The LEGO Movie Videogame	3D Action-Platformer	B-
tl;dr The LEGO Movie Videogame on Wii U takes Traveller’s Tales’ family-friendly LEGO game formula and uses it to create a videogame based on The LEGO Movie. This is a solid LEGO game, but I feel like it does itself a disservice by constantly inviting comparisons to the film, when doing so would undoubtedly lead to the game coming up short by comparison. Still, if you did enjoy the film, or LEGO in general, I think you’ll find this game to be a satisfying romp.
The Wonderful 101	Spectacle Fighter	B-
tl;dr The Wonderful 101 is a Spectacle Fighter where players command a large group of heroes who can get into different formations to combat enemies. The original Wii U release of this game is still the superior version, as the dual screens and touchscreen are an important element to the gameplay here. This still isn’t one of Platinum’s best games in the genre, but it is at the very least a good one.
Toto Temple Deluxe	Platformer / Party Game	B-
tl;dr Toto Temple Deluxe is a multi-player-focused arena-based Platformer where players essentially play keep away with a goat they try to hold on to while others try to knock it off of them. This game is somewhat lacking in variety, but it is still a fun and frantic experience that should make for a solid Party Game.
Wii Party U	Party Game / Minigame Collection	B-
tl;dr Wii Party U is a Party Game and Minigame Collection with various multiplayer-focused games that make use of the Wii U gamepad and/or the Wii remotes in various ways. There’s some good, fun gameplay to be found here, but it’s scattered across multiple various game modes, with a lot of junk mixed in as well. Plus, the presentation simply can’t compete with the likes of Mario Party. It’s still a decent Party Game worth playing, but it just can’t compete with Mario’s best offerings in the genre.
Wii Sports Club	Compilation / Sports (Various)	B-
tl;dr Wii Sports Club is both the third game in the Wii Sports series and also a remake of sorts of the first game, with the five included games being the same as what was in the original Wii Sports (Tennis, Bowling, Golf, Baseball, Boxing). Golf is much-improved here, Bowling has some solid additions, Baseball has “love it or hate it” changes, Tennis is not much different than the original release, and Boxing is… still Boxing. All in all, this isn’t the triumphant upgrade many might have hoped for, and the odd pricing scheme is unnecessarily confusing. Still, it does mean you can get the parts of this game you want and ignore the parts you don’t. If nothing else, I highly recommend Wii owners get the Golf portion of the game, and Bowling is pretty good too.
Zombie Defense	Tower Defense	B-
tl;dr Zombie Defense is, as you might imagine, a Tower Defense games where players defend against hordes of incoming zombies. The graphics are terrible and the controls leave something to be desired, but there are some clever gameplay ideas at work here, with a really meaty skill tree of unlockables. If you can look past this game’s flaws, I think you’ll find a lot of rewarding gameplay here.
ZombiU	First-Person Action-RPG / Stealth	B-
tl;dr ZombiU is a First-Person Action-Adventure with Stealth elements. As a Wii U launch title, ZombiU definitely shows its age, and the ways it uses the Wii U gamepad range from clever to annoying. However, there are enough inventive elements here to make this game worthwhile, and the local multiplayer mode is not only inspired, but it is unlikely to ever be replicated on any other platform. If you have a Wii U, you should absolutely get this game, despite its flaws.
Angry Birds Trilogy	Compilation / Arcade	C+
tl;dr Angry Birds Trilogy is a family-friendly Compilation of Angry Birds, Angry Birds Seasons, and Angry Birds Rio. These games look and play much as their mobile phone counterparts, albeit with the option to play using either the touchscreen or traditional gamepad controls. This is a decent port, but one wonders if it’s one that’s worth buying when there’s a good chance you already have Angry Birds in some form on your phone.
Angry Birds Star Wars	Arcade	C+
tl;dr Angry Birds Star Wars is a family-friendly Star Wars-licensed version of the popular mobile phone game series, combining the series’ gameplay with Star Wars sounds and characters that look like a mash-up of the Angry Birds series’ characters and Star Wars’ popular characters. The option to play using either the touchscreen or traditional gamepad controls is nice, and this is a decent port, but one wonders if it’s one that’s worth buying when there’s a good chance you already have Angry Birds in some form on your phone.
Cubeshift	Arcade	C+
tl;dr Cubeshift is an extremely simple free-to-play Arcade-style game that has you moving rows to allow a square to safely fall down a shifting shaft. It’s extraordinarily simple with a bare-bones presentation, but the gameplay is surprisingly compelling. If you have a Wii U, definitely snatch this up – it’s nothing revolutionary, but it’s still a fun time-waster.
Disney Infinity 2.0 Edition	3D Platformer / Action-RPG / Content Creation Application	C+
tl;dr Disney Infinity 2.0 Edition is a family-friendly 3D Platformer with Action-RPG elements and a Content Creation Application mode where players are enticed with the promise of an epic crossover featuring all their favorite Disney, Pixar, and Marvel characters, and being able to build their own adventure for those characters. This time around, the game is much-improved, being both more user-friendly and offering more gameplay variety… but the fact that the game’s online features have been shut off means that the majority of this game’s content is no longer available, and players still wanting to enjoy the game will only truly get the most out of it buy buying into the “Toys to Life” stuff. Overall, this is still an improvement, but it still ends up being limited compared to the likes of Skylanders.
Disney Infinity 3.0 Edition	3D Platformer / Action-RPG / Content Creation Application	C+
tl;dr Disney Infinity 3.0 Edition is a family-friendly 3D Platformer with Action-RPG elements and a Content Creation Application mode where players are enticed with the promise of an epic crossover featuring all their favorite Disney, Pixar, and Marvel characters, and being able to build their own adventure for those characters. Once again, there are definitely improvements over prior games in the series, but there are also some horrible graphics and performance issues, and once again the fact that the game’s online features have been shut off means that the majority of this game’s content is no longer available, and players still wanting to enjoy the game will only truly get the most out of it buy buying into the “Toys to Life” stuff. Sadly, this series ended without ever truly realizing its full potential.
Dragon Fantasy: The Volumes of Westeria	Turn-Based JRPG	C+
tl;dr Dragon Fantasy: The Volumes of Westeria is a Turn-Based JRPG that does a good job capturing nostalgia, but kinda’ fails at creating its own sense of identity. The one exception is the game’s excellent sense of humor. If you’re craving an old-school JRPG that will give you a few chuckles, this game is well worth a look.
Drop It: Block Paradise!	Puzzle	C+
tl;dr Drop It is a physics-based Puzzle game where players use the touchscreen to eliminate blocks to control how the remaining blocks fall, with the goal of guiding a star sitting above to solid ground below. The gameplay here works well enough, but doesn’t do anything unique or surprising, and the presentation is pretty terrible. However, for only $2, this may be worth picking up for Puzzle game fans.
Fatal Frame: Maiden of Black Water	Graphic Adventure / Horror	C+
tl;dr Fatal Frame: Maiden of Black Water is a Graphic Adventure game with strong Horror elements. This is the fifth game in the Fatal Frame series, where the protagonists fend off killer ghosts using a magical camera, and this installment involves the search for missing persons on a mountain with a dark past. The presentation and atmosphere in this game is outstanding, and there is some extremely creative use of the Wii U’s unique features here… though I think the incorporation of the Wii U gamepad’s features may have been a bit too ambitious, resulting in a lot of unnecessary frustration. This release is still an extremely unique Horror game with a lot going for it, but there’s a lot you have to put up with to get to that good stuff.
Flowerworks HD: Follie’s Adventure	Arcade	C+
tl;dr Flowerworks HD is an Arcade-style game that has players collecting pollen and shooting it at flowers while trying to collect other bits of pollen along the way. The gameplay here is fairly compelling, though its appeal is limited by an array of problems, including control, presentation, and performance issues. It’s still a decent game worth playing, but it feels like it needed more work smoothing over the rough edges to make it a better one.
LEGO Star Wars: The Force Awakens	3D Action-Platformer	C+
tl;dr LEGO Star Wars: The Force Awakens is yet another game to feature Traveller’s Tales family-friendly 3D Action-Platformer LEGO game formula, with this game adding multiple new elements, but the only one that is a clear success is the improved visuals, which unfortunately make for some performance issues on the Wii U. There’s nothing here that truly revolutionizes the LEGO game formula, but fans of the franchise will still find this to be enjoyable.
Mini Mario & Friends Amiibo Challenge	Puzzle-Platformer	C+
tl;dr Mini Mario & Friends Amiibo Challenge is technically a free-to-play Puzzle-Platformer, but it is absolutely unplayable unless you have an Amiibo figurine, and preferably the specific supported figurines to unlock additional content. If you do, you’ll find this game to be an excellent (but short) take on the genre that makes good use of the touchscreen, and while it’s not something worth paying to play, Amiibo owners might as well get it as it costs them nothing extra.
Pac-Man and the Ghostly Adventures 2	3D Platformer	C+
tl;dr Pac-Man and the Ghostly Adventures 2 is a 3D Platformer based on the animated TV show of the same name that’s loosely based on the classic Arcade game. This game improves on the camera problems the first game had, though much of the rest of the game feels like a retread. This is not a bad 3D Platformer, but I think you can find better on Nintendo platforms.
Sportsball	Arcade / Party Game / Platformer / Sports (Misc.)	C+
tl;dr Sportsball is basically what would happen if you took the classic Arcade game Joust and turned it into a quirky Sports game. The result is wacky and fun, though it’s brought down by unpredictable physics and hit detection, as well as a lack of single-player content. Still, this game makes for a nice addition to your Party Game collection.
Star Fox Zero	On-Rails Shooter	C+
tl;dr Star Fox Zero takes the On-Rails Shooter series and brings to it a unique, creative, and unwieldy new control scheme that makes use of both your TV screen and the Wii U gamepad screen. In the moments where this works, it is magnificent, a true step forward for the series… but far too often, this game forces other elements onto the player that drag it down horribly. On balance, I’d still argue that it’s worth playing this game for its creative take on the series and those brief moments of brilliance, but it’s clear to see why many view this game as a disappointment.
Sudoku Party	Sudoku Puzzle	C+
tl;dr Sudoku Party is a Sudoku Puzzle game with a confused and underwhelming presentation, as well as a disappointing amount of options. In fact, there are fewer options here than in the Nintendo 3DS version, with no online multiplayer. However, this game delivers where it counts – excellent gameplay and an absolute wealth of content for the tiny $5 price tag. If you’re craving Sudoku on your Wii U, this is a decent choice.
Tank! Tank! Tank!	Arcade / Action	C+
tl;dr Tank! Tank! Tank! Is a simple Arcade-style Action game that has you driving a tank around and shooting other tanks or robotic enemies. There’s some simple arcade-style fun to be had here, but it’s so shallow you’ll tire of it extremely quickly. The a la carte payment system does mean that you can download a portion of the multiplayer for free, but after playing it I doubt you’ll want to spend money to get any of the rest.
Tetrobot & Co.	Puzzle	C+
tl;dr Tetrobot & Co. is a Puzzle game that has players guiding around a drone to hit switches and absorb and shoot out blocks. The puzzle design is good, but overall there’s nothing particularly special going on here. At the very least the optional touchscreen controls make the Wii U release the best console version of the game, for what it’s worth.
Watch Dogs	Open-World Action-RPG	C+
tl;dr Watch Dogs is a Grand Theft Auto-style Open-World Action-RPG where players take on the role of a hacker and vigilante in a version of modern-day Chicago. It’s mostly a solid but not especially noteworthy Open-World game, but the Wii U version has some absolutely nasty graphical issues that make it difficult to enjoy, and the addition of a Wii U gamepad interactive map does little to mitigate the damage to this game. Stick with other Open-World games, or get this game on another game platform.
Woah Dave!	Platformer / Arcade	C+
tl;dr Woah Dave! Is an Arcade-style Platformer that channels classic games like the original Mario Bros. It’s a bit simple and a tad too tough, but overall it does a good job evoking that era of gaming. Plus, if you own both a DS and Wii U, you can get both versions for the price of one via cross-buy.
Your Shape: Fitness Evolved 2013	Sports (Exercise)	C+
tl;dr Your Shape: Fitness Evolved 2013 is a Workout game that’s heavy on the “workout” and light on the “game”. Some of this game seems poorly thought-out, but it does get an “A” for effort, giving players a wide range of exercises to choose from, decent options and tracking features, and even dietary recommendations. It’s not likely to replace Ring Fit Adventure for those who have moved on to the Nintendo Switch, but it’s a solid way to exercise on the Wii U for those inclined to do so.
A World of Keflings	Management Simulation	C
tl;dr A World of Keflings is a family-friendly Management Simulation game that actually plays more like a Real-Time Strategy, with players placing units to tell them what resources to mine and what to build, only without any opposing force to worry about. It’s too linear to be a fun Management Simulation, and the lack of challenge makes this a poor Real-Time Strategy, but this still has some use as a way to get beginner players used to the mechanics of Real-Time Strategy games. Veteran players, on the other hand, should skip this one.
Batman: Arkham Origins Blackgate – Deluxe Edition	Metroidvania	C
tl;dr Batman: Arkham Origins Blackgate is a Metroidvania that features numerous elements of the 3D Batman Arkham series, reworked to be used in a “2.5D” game. While there are definitely still elements of greatness left over from those other Batman games, overall this formula just doesn’t work as well in 2.5D, with nearly every part of that formula made worse here. It’s still a fun Metroidvania that should be enjoyable to Batman fans, but it’s a pale shadow of Batman Arkham games it’s based on.
Chasing Aurora	Arcade / Party Game	C
tl;dr Chasing Aurora is an Arcade-style Party game where players navigate birds while playing different kinds of tag. The presentation in this game is pleasant even if it clashes with the gameplay, and that core gameplay here is good, but there’s just not enough content and variety to keep things interesting. There’s some fun to be had here, but this is far from a standout game, both in its genre and in the Wii U’s library.
Cloudberry Kingdom	Platformer	C
tl;dr Cloudberry Kingdom is a challenging Platformer with procedurally-generated level design. This makes for some frequently poor level design, and that’s on top of core gameplay that’s merely “okay”, but there are some elements here that are easier to like, like the game’s fast pace and great soundtrack. Ultimately, as this game will provide different players with different experiences, I think that how good this game is will vary somewhat from person to person.
Devil’s Third	Third-Person Shooter / Action	C
tl;dr Devil’s Third is a Third-Person Shooter with some Action game elements about a prison inmate recruited by the government to hunt down his former terrorist cell. Despite all of the behind-the-scenes turmoil and the extreme hate this game received upon release, I don’t think it’s terrible, just mediocre. However, it’s also one of the games that’s due to see a tremendous price increase the moment the Wii U eShop closes and the digital version becomes unavailable, so if you’re curious to see this game for yourself, now may be your last chance to get it. That is, if you even want to – even on the Wii U, you have better alternatives.
Dungeons and Dragons: Chronicles of Mystara	Compilation / Arcade Brawler	C
tl;dr Dungeons and Dragons: Chronicles of Mystara is a Compilation of two classic Arcade Brawlers – Dungeons and Dragons: Tower of Doom and Dungeons and Dragons: Shadow Over Mystara. Unfortunately, these games have terrible hit detection, and their insistence on constantly making players stoop down to pick up loot really hurts the otherwise action-focused gameplay. This is a release that’s only for collectors and fans of the original Arcade game.
LEGO Batman 3: Beyond Gotham	3D Action-Platformer	C
tl;dr LEGO Batman 3 is yet another game to feature Traveller’s Tales family-friendly LEGO game 3D Action-Platformer formula, and it shockingly decides to walk back the ambitious Open World elements introduced in LEGO Batman 2. The result is a game that’s perfectly playable, but feels like a huge step backwards for the series, and presents something that truly does feel like “more of the same” at a time when this franchise really needed to innovate and break out of its rut. Disappointing.
LEGO Marvel’s Avengers	Open-World 3D Action-Platformer	C
tl;dr LEGO Marvel’s Avengers is yet another game to feature Traveller’s Tales family-friendly LEGO game 3D Action-Platformer formula with some Open-World elements. Unfortunately, the game’s good qualities are undermined by a lot of frustrating bugginess, along with some poor design choices. There’s still a fun game underneath all of this, but you’re much better off getting one of the other LEGO Marvel games.
Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate	Action-RPG	C
tl;dr Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate is a decent port of the Wii entry in the series to Wii U, but it suffers from frustrating controls and convoluted game design. If you have any modern platform, stick with the newest Monster Hunter games in the series – they’re much better.
Mr. Pumpkin Adventure	Graphic Adventure	C
tl;dr Mr. Pumpkin Adventure is a Graphic Adventure where players try to help the titular pumpkin-headed man recover his memory in an odd world filled with puzzles to piece together. Apart from the odd world and nice presentation, there’s nothing to truly distinguish this game within the genre. Not great, not terrible, and certainly not a game anyone but fans of Graphic Adventure games should feel the need to play.
My Style Studio: Notebook	Art Application	C
tl;dr My Style Studio: Notebook is an Art Application that allows players to treat their Wii U like a digital art tablet, drawing pictures. The presentation is pretty poor, but there’s a good selection of options and features here. Unfortunately, those features are missing some basic stuff, like the ability to zoom in or go full-screen, or change your brush size. For $3, this is still a decent Art Application, but far from a great one.
NES Remix Pack	Compilation / Minigame Collection	C
tl;dr NES Remix Pack is a Compilation of the two NES Remix games previously released on Wii U, both Minigame Collections based on classic games from the Nintendo Entertainment System. Neither game really lives up to the potential of the idea this package presents, but the second game is a marked improvement over the first. Unfortunately, there are few benefits to getting this disc-only Compilation, and those benefits are undoubtedly outweighed by its price. Until the Wii U eShop shuts down, the digital versions of these games are probably the way to go.
Pac-Man and the Ghostly Adventures	3D Platformer	C
tl;dr Pac-Man and the Ghostly Adventures is a 3D Platformer based on the animated TV show of the same name that’s loosely based on the classic Arcade game. This is a fairly decent linear 3D Platformer, but it’s marred by camera problems, aiming issues, and a presentation that not everyone will like. This game isn’t bad, but it’s far from great.
Psibo	Arcade	C
tl;dr Psibo is a Arcade-style game that mashes together elements of Arcade Brick Breakers, Pong, and Space Invaders, all with a simple retro-futuristic presentation. It’s a clever idea, but unfortunately it misses some important elements from each of the games it copies, resulting in an amalgamation that’s too challenging and just not as compelling as the games it is derived from. Fans of the Atari era may still find this interesting, but most are better off leaving it alone.
Scram Kitty and His Buddy On Rails	Top-Down Arcade / Platformer / Two-Stick Shooter	C
tl;dr Scram Kitty is a Top-Down Arcade game that has players using the game’s gravity-bending mechanics to try to work their way through the game’s levels, collecting lost kitties and reaching the exit. This game has some interesting mechanics at work, but the challenge level is far too high for most players, and the way the game gates progress behind otherwise optional level goals creates additional frustration. Only players wanting a painfully tough game should bother with this one.
Shütshimi	Top-Down Arcade	C
tl;dr Shütshimi is a Shmup where players are tossed from one situation to the next in a fast-paced WarioWare-style fashion, which sounds great, except it’s all really shallow and repetitive. While it’s not bad, it doesn’t have the sort of staying power to keep you playing it after more than a short play session before moving on.
Sing Party	Music-Rhythm	C
tl;dr Sing Party is a Karaoke game that doesn’t do much that’s new for the genre outside of an odd “Party Mode” that has multiple players following on-screen dance prompts for no good reason. There’s also the odd choice to make the game only work with a USB microphone in some game modes, and only work with the Wii U gamepad’s built-in mic in other game modes. Also, the 50-song track list is somewhat limited, though this is somewhat offset by the game’s low price tag. Overall, this is far from a spectacular Karaoke game, but it’s more or less a decent one.
Space Hunted	Action-Platformer / Arcade	C
tl;dr Space Hunted is an Arcade-style Action-Platformer where you need to pick up a UFO thing and reach an exit in each of the game’s single-screen levels. There’s nothing especially complex or original going on here, but there is at least a decent amount of variety. Players looking for something old-school in style may find this to be an interesting diversion.
Space Hunted: The Lost Levels	Action-Platformer / Arcade	C
tl;dr Space Hunted: The Lost Levels is an Arcade-style Action-Platformer where you need to pick up a UFO thing and reach an exit in each of the game’s single-screen levels. This is more of the same of the sort of gameplay we saw in the first Space Hunted, but with a higher challenge level to ensure that only those who loved the first game and want something like it but tougher will enjoy this one. Which is to say, not most people.
Star Fox Guard	Tower Defense / Shooting Gallery Game	C
tl;dr Star Fox Guard is an odd blend of Tower Defense and Shooting Gallery Game that’s fairly unique, having players swapping between camera turrets to fend off invading robots. Unfortunately, the novelty does at times interfere with the gameplay, as it’s not always intuitive how to switch to the camera turret you want, and the gameplay could do with a bit more variety. It’s still well worth trying out, but it definitely feels like it could have used more time in development.
Star Splash: Shattered Star	Auto-Runner	C
tl;dr Star Splash is an Auto-Runner (Auto-Swimmer?) that has you collecting stars as a dolphin. While some gameplay elements here are a creative take on the genre, overall the gameplay is really hurt by the game’s poor controls. There are still some creative elements at work here, but I think most will likely want to skip this one.
Warriors Orochi 3 Hyper	Action Brawler	C
tl;dr Warriors Orochi 3 Hyper is an Action Brawler in the Musou style that combines characters from the Dynasty Warriors and Samurai Warriors franchises. As Musou games go, this one is pretty unexceptional, and it even suffers from some issues with pop-in that mar the experience. This is mostly a decent entry in the genre, but it’s far from a great one.
WordsUp! Academy	Puzzle	C
tl;dr WordsUp! Academy is a word-based Puzzle game where players are given seven letters and they must come up with as many words as possible using those letters. This release is only a marginal improvement over 3, 2, 1… WordsUp!, and only adds a few more game modes. It’s not a terrible word-based Puzzle game, but it still doesn’t stand out among the crowd of other entries in the genre.
Blasting Agent	Action-Platformer	C-
tl;dr Blasting Agent is an Action-Platformer with a retro-style pixel art presentation. There’s nothing particularly unique or special about the game, but for $3 it gets the job done… or at least it almost does, with irritating screen shuddering issues in spite of the simple presentation. For the cheap price, you may still get some enjoyment out of this game, but don’t expect anything extraordinary here.
Breezeblox	Puzzle	C-
tl;dr Breezeblox is a Puzzle game where players must roll a block around a maze to get it to an exit without falling off. This is a simple game, but the gameplay is really tedious in a way that’s going to be divisive. I didn’t care for it, but I suppose others out there might. At $3, I suppose it’s not too much of a risk, but I wouldn’t recommend this game.
Captain U	Platformer	C-
tl;dr Captain U is a Platformer where the character in the game can stop and use the gamepad to interact with the game as you do. While the presentation in this game features an appealing retro-style look, and some of the ideas here aren’t bad, there are enough technical issues and poor design choices here that it makes this game difficult to enjoy. I suggest skipping it.
Daikon Set	Compilation / Arcade	C-
tl;dr Daikon Set is a Compilation of three extremely simple Arcade-style games with an retro Atari-style pixel art aesthetic. The games are functional but shallow and not especially compelling. However, the soundtrack is surprisingly good for what is otherwise a largely disposable game whose free price tag and unavailability outside of the Wii U eShop are the biggest things making this still worth getting.
Disney Epic Mickey 2: The Power of Two	3D Platformer	C-
tl;dr Epic Mickey 2 is a 3D Platformer that has a lot of promise in its paint/thinner magical brush game mechanic… but soon abandons anything interesting that mechanic has to offer, instead focusing on its tedious, poorly-implemented forced co-op gameplay. As if that wasn’t enough, this game has some pretty terrible performance issues too. The only thing epic about this game is the epic disappointment.
Disney Infinity	3D Platformer / Action-RPG / Content Creation Application	C-
tl;dr Disney Infinity is a family-friendly 3D Platformer with Action-RPG elements and a Content Creation Application mode where players are enticed with the promise of an epic crossover featuring all their favorite Disney and Pixar characters, and being able to build their own adventure for those characters. Unfortunately, the game is unpolished, suffers nasty performance issues, is overly confusing, its Content Creation elements are too limited, and its 3D Platformer and Action-RPG gameplay is too restricted by the Toys to Life elements. Unless you absolutely need a Disney-themed Toys to Life game, this is not the Toys to Life game you’re looking for.
ESPN Sports Connection	Compilation / Sports (Various)	C-
tl;dr ESPN Sports Connection is a Wii Sports-style Compilation of simplified cartoony Sports games, including versions of Tennis, Golf, Baseball, Soccer, Kart Racing, and Football. Unfortunately, out of all these games the only one that really works is Baseball, with all of the others having major problems. Plus, one problem bringing down this entire collection is atrocious performance issues, with nasty load times, ugly pop-in, terrible framerate issues, and distracting scenery flickering. Just stick with Wii Sports, you’ll be better off.
Guitar Hero Live	Music-Rhythm	C-
tl;dr Guitar Hero Live is, as of 2022, the final game in the Guitar Hero series of Music-Rhythm games, and it’s a pretty terrible way for the franchise to go out. The completely different control scheme for the series’ signature plastic guitar is sure to be divisive, but with only 42 songs on-disc and the online services terminated, this is one of the most pathetic guitar games ever made.
LEGO Dimensions	3D Action-Platformer	C-
tl;dr LEGO Dimensions is a 3D Action-Platformer that takes the standard Lego game formula and adds in the Toys to Life formula, giving players the ability to bring in characters from all sorts of various worlds (well, in Lego form, at least). Unfortunately, the Toys to Life elements add little to the game, the Lego gameplay feels pretty stale here, and there are a number of technical issues and annoyances that make this game seem more frustrating to play than the average Lego game. If you love Legos and dream of seeing these various universes collide, you’ll still likely get some thrill out of all of this, but that thrill will be tempered by the game constantly disappointing you with its problems.
Mario & Sonic at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games	Compilation / Sports (Various) / Minigame Collection	C-
tl;dr Mario & Sonic at the Sochi 2014 Olympic Winter Games includes 18 different Sports-themed minigames that range from mostly-realistic to absurdly cartoony. Some of these minigames are genuinely good, particularly Hockey and Curling. However, everything here is extremely content-poor, and the game’s pacing suffers terribly due to each minigame having its own gimmicky motion-sensing control scheme. Plus, the uneven gameplay caused by giving one player access to different controls via the Wii U gamepad makes multiplayer inherently unfair. The presentation here is fantastic, and the gameplay does show occasional moments of brilliance, but those moments are never built on, and you’ll spend just as much time dealing with this game’s frustrations as you will enjoying it.
Mario & Sonic at the Sochi 2014 Olympic Winter Games	Compilation / Sports (Various) / Minigame Collection	C-
tl;dr Mario & Sonic at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games includes 17 different Summer Sports-themed minigames. There are a few decent ones here, but mostly what’s here is pretty bland and lacking in content. In fact, this blandness is due in part to this game not making use of any motion controls or touchscreen controls, making the game’s more monotonous events blend together. Unless you absolutely must have every Mario Sports game or Olympics game, this one is not worth your time.
NES Remix	Minigame Collection	C-
tl;dr NES Remix is nominally a Minigame Collection based on sixteen classic games from the Nintendo Entertainment System. Unfortunately, those minigames feel more like exercises and end up being more work than fun. And the highly-touted “mix and match” elements of this game that are so highly-advertised are so minimal and buried so deep in this collection that they’re not even a consideration when looking at this package as a whole. Unless you’re a huge fan of classic Nintendo, this game is not for you.
Paper Mario: Color Splash	Turn-Based RPG / Action-RPG	C-
tl;dr Paper Mario: Color Splash is a Turn-Based RPG with Real-Time elements during combat, and for better or worse (mostly worse), this game follows in the footsteps of the highly disappointing Paper Mario: Sticker Star with Nintendo saying, “sure, fans hated that, but maybe what they really wanted was… more of that stuff they hated!”. The presentation and writing here is excellent, but the gameplay is so needlessly tedious and just plain bad that it’s hard to enjoy it. This game isn’t without merit, but you need to have a lot of patience to enjoy it.
Pokemon Rumble U	Action-RPG	C-
tl;dr Pokemon Rumble U is the third entry in the extremely simple “toy Pokemon” Action-RPG, and it adds support for Pokemon NFC figurines, as well as 4-player play. While the 4-player gameplay does improve the game, it’s still so shallow and repetitive that it’s not a game likely to keep you entertained long, and certainly not long enough to be worth the $18 price tag. Skip it.
Sonic Boom: Rise of Lyric	Platformer / 3D Platformer	C-
tl;dr Sonic Boom: Rise of Lyric is not really a Sonic the Hedgehog game, but rather a game based on the Sonic Boom animated series. This might not seem like it would be a huge distinction, but it makes a world of difference, as this game was seemingly designed by people who have no idea what makes a Sonic game work. It’s slow, plodding, has terrible pacing, bad frametrate issues, and a huge fixation on its story. This game isn’t without its bright spots, but as a Sonic game it’s a massive disappointment and as a Platformer it’s mediocre.
ZaciSa’s Last Stand	Tower Defense	C-
tl;dr ZaciSa’s Last Stand is a Tower Defense game that’s ugly, bland, and does little to set itself apart within the genre. However, its $1 price tag may still make it appealing for players who want a Tower Defense game that’s super-cheap. I suppose at that price, it may be worth it… but not much more than that.
Bridge Constructor Playground	Simulation / Puzzle	D+
tl;dr Bridge Constructor Playground is a game with Simulation and Puzzle elements that has the player building bridges using the touchscreen. Unfortunately, the game’s controls are awful, and the game does a poor job communicating important information to the player. Don’t bother with this one.
Rabbids Land	Party Game	D+
tl;dr Rabbids Land is a Party Game featuring the screaming rabbit-like Rabbids competing in a board game-like arena in a theme park. While the core concept is sound enough, the game is repetitive, poorly-paced, and horribly lacking in content. If you’re looking for a great Party Game on Wii U, you have multiple other, better choices. Don’t bother with this one.
SphereZor	Arcade	D+
tl;dr SphereZor is an Arcade-style game where players move around an emoticon-style face and try to collect pickups while avoiding enemies. This game has multiple terrible design decisions that mar the potential this game had as a fun multiplayer experience, and things are made worse by absolutely terrible loading times. Do yourself a favor and skip this one.
Zumba Fitness World Party	Music-Rhythm / Sports (Exercise)	D+
tl;dr Zumba Fitness World Party is a Music-Rhythm game with a focus on exercise that has players dancing to burn off calories. The presentation here is pretty good, but the game does a terrible job showing players how to perform the actual dances, and not everyone is going to be able to use the required strap. Even if you do, the motion sensing capabilities of this game are dubious at best. No matter what you wanted out of this game, you’ll find something better elsewhere.
3Souls	Platformer	D
tl;dr 3Souls is a Platformer that has players interacting with characters using many of the unique features of the Wii U gamepad. However, the way the game uses these features, and its overall game design, are so terrible that the game seems like it’s internationally designed to be a frustrating and joyless experience. Perhaps games like 3Souls are emblematic of what the Wii U represents, but I don’t think this is how that platform should be remembered, and for your own sake I don’t think this is a game you should inflict upon yourself just to see the nadir of what “the Wii U experience” has to offer.
Hot Wheels: World’s Best Driver	Racing / Misc.	D
tl;dr Hot Wheels: World’s Best Driver is a dull, abysmal affair that only just barely qualifies as a “Racing” game, instead being more about uninteresting challenges. Unfortunately, the controls are horrendous, and the game’s announcer seems like he’s trying to put you to sleep. Do one better than that and be sure to sleep on this game – you’ll probably get more entertainment value snoozing than you would playing this snooze-fest.
Humanitarian Helicopter	Arcade	D
tl;dr Humanitarian Helicopter is a free-to-play Arcade-style game that has you flying around 2D areas in a helicopter dropping supplies and rescuing survivors. Everything about this game is poorly-designed and amateurish, from the simple, mindless gameplay to the laughably ill-conceived menus. If you have a Wii U, this game costs you nothing but your time, but even that might be too valuable to waste on this.
Shadow Archer	Top-Down Arcade	D
tl;dr Shadow Archer is an Arcade-style game where players take the role of the titular archer shooting arrows at spiders in a forest. This game is so simple it’s virtually pointless. Don’t bother with this one.
Shadow Archer Special	Top-Down Arcade	D
tl;dr Shadow Archer Special is an Arcade-style game where players take the role of the titular archer shooting arrows at spiders in a forest. This game improves on the original Shadow Archer in some ways, but makes things worse in other ways, ultimately resulting in a game that’s still tedious, frustrating, and not worth owning unless you just want to add to your collection the final Wii U game ever released. Personally, I don’t think it’s worth it.
Sinister Assistant	Top-Down Action	D
tl;dr Sinister Assistant is an Top-Down Action game that has players using spells to exterminate monsters. All the creativity of this game’s predecessor is gone here, replaced with tedium and frustration, with attacks that all have frustrating issues and boring, repetitive gameplay. Don’t bo0ther with this game, even if you enjoyed Spellcaster’s Assistant.
Super Ultra Star Shooter	Shmup	D
tl;dr Super Ultra Star Shooter is a Shmup that’s pretty bland and simple. There’s not much reason to go for this game over numerous other better Shmups on the market.
The Voice: I Want You	Music-Rhythm	D
tl;dr The Voice is a Karaoke game featuring bad covers of only 30 songs backed by embarrassingly bad cheap-looking monochrome video footage of random people singing. This is about as bad as Karaoke games get, do not buy it.
Maze Break	Arcade Brick Breaker	D-
tl;dr Maze Break is an Arcade-stye Brick Breaker where players are trying to break the blocks in a level within a limited amount of time. Unfortunately, the controls here are just plain awful and the physics are atrociously bad to the point where this game just is not fun to play. Do not get this game.
Shadow Archery	Shooting Gallery Game	D-
tl;dr Shadow Archery is a Shooting Gallery Game and follow-up to Shadow Archer where players take the role of the titular archer shooting arrows at spiders in a forest, but this time either using the Wii remote’s motion control or tapping on them using the touchscreen. Unfortunately, the change in genre hasn’t made this gameplay any less tedious, frustrating, or shallow. In fact, if anything, it’s even worse now.
Tap Tap Arcade	Compilation / Arcade	D-
tl;dr Tap Tap Arcade is a Compilation of two simple Arcade-style games, Don’t Crash and Spikey Walls. Don’t Crash is a dull and repetitive single-button Arcade game where you select which lane to be in while dodging a car going the other way, and Spikey Walls is an absolutely terrible Flappy Bird clone. Even at $2, this pair of games is not worth the price.
Tap Tap Arcade 2	Compilation / Arcade	D-
tl;dr Tap Tap Arcade 2 is a Compilation of two simple Arcade-style games, Skeasy and Volcano. Skeasy is an extremely simple Top-Down Skiing game, and Volcano is a simple, repetitive Platformer that has you jumping up a series of platforms to avoid lava. Both games are so simple and repetitive you’ll grow bored with them within minutes of playing. Even at $2, this pair of games is not worth the price.
Animal Crossing: Amiibo Festival	Party Game / Board Game	F
tl;dr Animal Crossing: Amiibo Festival is what happens if you take Mario Party, add an Animal Crossing theme… then remove the minigames, force players to buy extra Animal Crossing-themed Amiibos just to play multiplayer, and then force them to repeatedly tap those Amiibos every single turn, just because the game hates you and wants you to know it hates you. The presentation here is so nice and lovely, but everything else about this game is a HARD NO.
Wii U Panorama View Bird’s-Eye View	Application	F
tl;dr Wii U Panorama View Bird’s-Eye View is a 5-minute 360-degree video where the viewer looks around themselves from a camera attached to the underside of a glider aircraft, and then from on the bow of a boat. Even at $2, this feels like an absolute ripoff when you can get a similar experience on YouTube for free, and even if this wasn’t the case, the fact that the people who produced this video couldn’t be bothered to record it with anything even remotely resembling a decent image quality is outright insulting.
Wii U Panorama View Carnival in Rio	Application	F
tl;dr Wii U Panorama View Carnival in Rio is a 7-minute 360-degree video where the viewer looks around themselves in the midst of a parade in Rio De Janeiro. Even at $2, this feels like an absolute ripoff when you can get a similar experience on YouTube for free, and even if this wasn’t the case, the fact that the people who produced this video couldn’t be bothered to record it with anything even remotely resembling a decent image quality is outright insulting.
Wii U Panorama View Double-Decker Tour	Application	F
tl;dr Wii U Panorama View Double-Decker Tour is a 9-minute 360-degree video where the viewer joins a double-decker bus tour of London. Even at $2, this feels like an absolute ripoff when you can get a similar experience on YouTube for free, and even if this wasn’t the case, the fact that the people who produced this video couldn’t be bothered to record it with anything even remotely resembling a decent image quality is outright insulting.
Wii U Panorama View Kyoto Sightseeing	Application	F
tl;dr Wii U Panorama View Kyoto Sightseeing is a 7-minute 360-degree video where the viewer joins a geisha on a rickshaw tour of Kyoto. Even at $2, this feels like an absolute ripoff when you can get a similar experience on YouTube for free, and even if this wasn’t the case, the fact that the people who produced this video couldn’t be bothered to record it with anything even remotely resembling a decent image quality is outright insulting.
Zen Pinball 2	Compilation / Pinball	N/A (F)
tl;dr Zen Pinball 2 is nominally a free-to-play application that lets you play Pinball using tables you buy via paid DLC. Unfortunately, the game currently appears not to let you play even if you pay for the DLC. As such, I recommend everyone avoid this game, even if you’re enticed by the few pinball tables that didn’t make it into later games from this developer.
Art Academy: Home Studio	Art Application	N/A
tl;dr Art Academy: Home Studio is an Art Application that aims to teach players basic art skills. In many ways, this seems to be a promising culmination of the series and everything it’s been trying to build up to. Unfortunately, constant, repeated crashes kept me from properly reviewing this Application, and as appealing as it is, the possibility that others may face the same issue makes it impossible for me to recommend.

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