Wii U – A Quick Review
Summary
Overall rating: 9/10
Value for money: 8/10 (due to cost of Wiimotes)
Pros: Hugely entertaining games, great touchscreen controller and small size
Cons: Small catalogue of games and expensive official Wiimotes
Review
I bought my Wii U with Mario Kart 8 (it also came with Super Mario Bros U) over a year ago and I don’t think a day has gone past when the console hasn’t been used. This is because, when not gaming, it is just so much easier to use the touchscreen to navigate YouTube, Netflix or Amazon Instant Video than a Smart TV remote or the TiVO box.
I had a SNES growing up which was replaced by the first Playstation and that in turn by original XBox and then an XBox 360. I also have an original Wii that has seen so little use in the time I have it that I swore I would never buy another Nintendo.
However, over the last few years I have played on my Xbox 360 less and less and it only really gets use as a media centre now with the occasional appalling attempt to play Black Ops II. The Wii U is spectacular in that it has reminded me how much fun games use to be when I was a kid, sat round with friends or family playing the original Mario Kart or taking it in turns to complete levels of Super Mario. I realised I didn’t need better graphics, I needed better games. Wii U is HD and it looks plenty good enough for me!
The price is spot on as well, my only wish is that the genuine wiimotes were cheaper. It’s approx. £50 for a wii remote plus and nunchuk here in the UK so I have taken a gamble on cheaper knockoffs as getting 4 authentic ones will cost the same as the system itself! Of course you can use the old Wiimotes (non-plus versions) if you have the original Wii but you’ll need the Wiimote Plus add-ons for most of the new games.
I hope that third party support improves as there are still very few games in the pipeline compared to other platforms although, truth be told, I should be happy enough with Nintendo’s offerings. I have my fingers crossed that sales of this fantastic system pick up so that more developers will be enticed to create for the Wii U. It’s a remarkable platform and the ability for one person to have their own screen (using the Gamepad) to set up traps for the other players in ZombiU
or hunt the characters as a ghost in Nintendo Land: Ghost Mansion
Talking about creativity; Splatoon (Nintendo Wii U)
has just dropped through my letter box. If you haven’t heard of it, it takes FPS gaming to a whole new child friendly level. It is unique and will certainly require a review all for itself once I’ve had time to play.
The Wii U is not perfect but what matters for a games console most: it’s fun!
Instructions
Not necessary! The Wii U is one of the simplest devices to set up and use. The included quick start guide will have you up and running in no time.
