The Wii U might not of sold incredibly well, but it didn’t sell the horrendously - and it shows will the ongoing and burning passion of the Wii U collectors and enthusiasms standing up for the system (such as myself) and all it’s short comings. Let’s face it, the Nintendo Switch wouldn’t be succeeding as well as it is right now without Nintendo learning from the mistakes that came about with the Wii U. The portable tablet (well, let’s be honest, the tablet you can take a few feet away from the base console,) The touch screen, the general layout of the controller in general - all of these factors can be attributed to the Wii U.
Source: Nintendo UK Website
The Nintendo Switch is an amazing console with amazing games, but if you think about it carefully, most of the stellar games were originally on the Wii U. Zelda: Breath of the Wild, Mario Kart 8, Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze, Splatoon, Captain Toad and even Smash Bros, Yes, Smash Bros Ultimate was built on the same grounds as Smash Wii U, sharing a decent number of assets and mechanics. The real question we need to ask is “Should we be porting so many previously exclusive games to the Switch?” As a hardcore Wii U enthusiast and someone who owns every single physical game, from every region - PAL, US and JPN, I don’t have a problem in the slightest with the constant ports from the Wii U, and encourage the practise so the many people who didn’t pick up a Wii U, or for some reason reject it, can experience the fun and enjoyment that I own being an early adopter of the Wii U.
Pictured: A Complete Wii U Set
The Wii U currently has very few exclusives, with the only ones a cry of shame being Pikmin 3 Tank! Tank! Tank!, Super Mario 3D World and The Wonderful 101, all seriously lacking the support they need (though I’m sure some sort of Pikmin and possibly Mario 3D World will eventually come to the Switch in some form.) With all these ports, the question “Is it worth owning or turning on a Wii U?” comes about. I personally think the smaller indie games and experimental games are worth the price, but that’s of course, up to personal digression and the style of games you like. The main take away at this small look back at the Wii U’s legacy is to remember, while playing one of your favorite Switch games that if it is one of the Wii U ports, keep in mind the place it came from and the lessons Nintendo learnt to make the experience that much better on the Switch. I will miss the dual screens and HUD options available in some games, but I’ll always have my original Wii U and It’s collection of games, ready to go at any time I feel like reliving amazing memories.
