Of Nintendo‘s console libraries, the Wii U‘s is arguably the most overlooked. As their first HD system competing directly against the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One, it stumbled out the gate with uninspiring technical specs and few must-have launch titles. Yet for action fans willing to give the Wii U a chance, it houses a number of excellent exclusives that deserve recognition.
Let‘s shine a spotlight on the console‘s standout action titles – from hardcore combat platformers to family-friendly brawlers, these games demonstrate how much pure fun the Wii U can offer in spite of its shortcomings. When judged on gameplay merits rather than technical prowess, these 7 action games represent the Wii U at its very best.
What Defines a Great Action Game?
Before counting down the Wii U‘s action elite, let‘s define what gameplay traits characterize the genre‘s leading lights. As an action gamer yourself, you know the essence lies in tests of skill – platforming challenges, intense combat, enemy onslaughts that push your reflexes to the limit.
Beyond platform jumping or brawling basics, truly great action titles feature fluid control schemes that translate your inputs perfectly, vast progression systems that reward skill growth, and imaginative worlds brimming with secrets to uncover. Coupled with striking visual and audio flare, the greatest action games envelop you completely in their expertly crafted gameplay flow.
Using these criteria, here are the Wii U releases that best encapsulate action gaming excellence.
The Wii U Action Hall of Fame
Despite its smaller library compared to rivals, the Wii U houses a strong variety of action genres, from 2D platformers to 3D brawlers. Let‘s explore the very best examples that no action fan‘s collection is complete without.
#7 – Super Mario Maker
Release Date: September 11, 2015 \
Developer: Nintendo
Sales: Over 4 million copies
Part creation tool, part traditional 2D platformer, Super Mario Maker empowered players to construct and share their very own devious Mario levels. Its robust editing features brought amateur developers‘ wildest side-scrolling ideas to life with intuitive Wii U Gamepad controls. Meanwhile, its digital storefront offered seemingly endless content, with over 7 million player-designed courses to conquer at launch.
Core platforming gameplay retained the precision and fluidity the Mario series is renowned for. Branching level design paths promoted replayability, as no two playthroughs were ever quite the same. Blending a polished editing suite with classic 2D action platforming gameplay, Super Mario Maker stands as one of the Wii U‘s most creative titles.
#6 – Axiom Verge
Release Date: September 1, 2016 \
Developer: Thomas Happ Games
Metacritic Score: 89
A masterclass in indie game development, Axiom Verge is a passion project decades in the making. Designed and coded solo by Thomas Happ over the course of 5 years, it pays loving tribute to classics like Metroid while featuring plenty of original ideas as well.
You play as Trace, an amnesiac scientist who awakens in an alien world plagued by a deadly glitch. Like any Metroidvania protag, Trace is initially nearly defenseless but eventually amasses a powerful arsenal of weaponry. However, what sets Axiom Verge apart is its emphasis on abilities that manipulate in-game environments and enemies. The aptly named "Glitch" gun corrupts both natural and synthetic obstacles to solve puzzles in unconventional ways no other game allows. Coupled with an eerie retro aesthetic and haunting soundtrack, Axiom Verge stands on its own merits while wearing its Metroid inspirations proudly.
#5 – Skylanders Swap Force
Release Date: October 13, 2013\
Developer: Vicarious Visions
Metacritic Score: 89
The Skylanders series pioneered the "toys to life" video game genre by incorporating real-world figurines into virtual gameplay via a Bluetooth portal. While viewed by some as a shameless cash grab, the series‘ third entry Skylanders Swap Force featured excellent hack-and-slash platforming action to back up its innovative gimmick. With a Metacritic score of 89, it struck the perfect balance between showcasing the clever Swap Force character combo mechanics, rewarding combat, enticing collectible rewards and content variety to charm young audiences. Though future Skylanders titles diluted the formula, Swap Force gets credit for realizing the true potential of merging physical toys with digital games.
#4 – Guacamelee! Super Turbo Championship Edition
Release Date: July 2, 2014\
Developer: Drinkbox Studios \
Metacritic Score: 90
Perhaps the most underappreciated gem in the Wii U‘s indie lineup, Guacamelee! leverages Mexican cultural flair into a vivacious 4-hour Metroidvania experience. Its signature feature – swapping between the worlds of the living and the dead – creates clever platforming puzzles and combat encounters which play upon this core mechanic.
Vibrant visuals bursting with color couple beautifully with one of gaming‘s catchiest mariachi soundtracks to generate an intoxicating atmosphere. Packed to the brim with witty references alongside challenging dungeons, Guacamelee! stands tall among the indies on this list for practically oozing personality. If you enjoy exploring vivid, character-filled worlds while punching skeletons wearing sombreros, do not overlook this Luchador-masked hero‘s adventure.
#3 – Rayman Legends
Release Date: September 3, 2013\
Developer: Ubisoft\
Metacritic Score: 92
Rayman Origins revived the limbless platforming hero to critical acclaim in 2011, while its direct sequel Rayman Legends surpasses it to stand as the character‘s highest achievement. UbiArt Framework empowers painting-like visuals of stunning detail, transforming each world into a lush interactive cartoon. Coupled with an infectious soundtrack spanning musical genres, the presentation generates an unmatched sense of joy and charm.
Beneath the cheery facade lies plenty of clever platforming design and technical challenges. Spot-on controls carry an wonderful fluidity, key to overcoming the unpredictability later levels thrust upon you. Support for 5-player local co-op makes sharing the journey with friends and family a breeze. Packed top to bottom with passion and polish, Rayman Legends deserves recognition as one of the Wii U‘s crowning gameplay achievements.
#2 – Super Smash Bros. for Wii U
Release Date: November 21, 2014\
Developer: Bandai Namco/Sora Ltd\
Sales: Over 5 million copies
The legendary Nintendo mascot fighter needs no introduction – casual players and seasoned tournament competitors alike agree the Super Smash Bros. series perfects chaotic crossover combat. Building on each prior entry, Super Smash Bros. for Wii U stands as the most content-packed chapter yet, with over 50 playable fighters from 30 different game worlds.
Its breadth of single player and multiplayer offerings set a new high bar for the franchise. 8-player Smash allows double the usual chaos, while online play smooths out limitations of past installments. Underneath subtle gameplay tweaks lies the same rewarding fighting system, easy to learn but challenging to fully master. Exclusive newcomers like Splatoon‘s Inkling bring fresh abilities to the fold. From fan service extras to hardcore tournaments, Super Smash Bros. for Wii U retains its accessibility while catering to devoted competitive players more than ever before.
#1 – Super Mario 3D World
Release Date: November 22, 2013 \
Developer: Nintendo EAD Tokyo \
Sales: Over 5.8 million copies
The Wii U‘s flagship Mario platformer remains its top action title for good reason – it perfects 3D traversal with the finest level design in series history. Vibrant, varied stages constantly introduce new gameplay concepts, from piloting giant ice skates to stealthily sneaking past enemies as a cute cat. Four playable characters like towering Luigi and floaty Princess Peach add versatility. Most importantly, the new 3D plane grants more depth to exploration compared to past side-scrolling entries.
From start to finish, Super Mario 3D World emanates unmatched imagination as one delightful playground. Regular power-ups like the classic Fire Flower return alongside new stars like the horned Boomerang suit for unique power combos. Endless nooks and crannies hide collectibles for completionists to hunt down across multiple playthroughs. All these elements blend into an impeccable SNES-throwback adventure brimming with replayability for all ages. While the package may seem simple on the surface, peer deeper to witness Mario platforming finesse at its peak.
While the Wii U underperformed expectations, overlooking its library does its stellar exclusives like the aforementioned action greats a disservice. Their critical and commercial success highlight how effectively Nintendo harnessed the Wii U hardware, even if concepts like the GamePad didn‘t fully captivate consumers long-term.
For action fans disappointed with recent offerings on Nintendo‘s hit Switch console, give the Wii U‘s catalog a second look. The imaginative game design and expert polish of these 7 classics exemplify how much pure gameplay innovation Nintendo can still deliver. In an alternate timeline where the Wii U thrived as intended, perhaps these hard-hitting mascot brawlers, creative platformers and charming co-op adventures would sit alongside gaming‘s most fondly remembered titles.
