This is my Wii U games selection. For this console, I’m mainly focused on exclusive titles that have not (yet?) been ported to the Switch or that are not significantly better on the Switch, titles that make a “good” use of the tablet for the gameplay and games that I find more more fun to play with a Wiimote.
Last edited on : 05.02.2026
Meaning of the columns :
- Tablet usage : tells how the tablet is used for the gameplay
- Available on Switch : Yes if the game has been ported to the Switch
| Title | Category | Tablet usage | Available on switch | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Affordable Space Adventures | Puzzle / Adventure | Essential: Complex cockpit interface to manage ship systems. | No | Wii U Exclusive. Impossible to port faithfully without two screens. A masterpiece of asymmetrical coop. |
| BAYONETTA | Action | Yes | Solid port. The Switch version has slightly better framerate, but Wii U includes Nintendo-themed costumes. | |
| BAYONETTA 2 | Action | Optional touch controls. | Yes | Switch version has faster loading. Wii U version is where it debuted as an exclusive. |
| Captain Toad Treasure Tracker | Puzzle | Touch to move platforms/stunning enemies. | Yes | Wii U choice: The blowing-into-the-mic mechanic and touch screen feel more natural on the GamePad than in Switch docked mode. |
| Chasing Aurora | Action / Racing | Asymmetrical multiplayer. | No | A stylish launch title focused on flight physics. Best played in local multiplayer. |
| Chasing Dead | Horror / FPS | Map and inventory on screen. | No | Sci-fi horror with live-action FMV sequences. Known for being technically rough. |
| Devil's Third | Action / Shooter | No | Itagaki's unique blend of swordplay and shooting. Online servers are dead, but the campaign remains a cult curiosity. | |
| Disney Epic Mickey 2 | Platformer | Permanent map and quest log. | Yes | The Switch "Rebrushed" version is superior technically, but Wii U has the dual-screen convenience. |
| F1 RACE STARS POWERED UP | Racing | Map and standings. | No | Wii U choice: Includes all DLC and additional tracks/drivers not found in the original base game. |
| Kirby and the Rainbow Paintbrush | Platformer | Essential: Entirely played via touch screen. | No | Beautiful clay-mation style. Since you look at the tablet 100% of the time, playing on TV is mostly for spectators. |
| Little Inferno | Puzzle | Touch to burn objects. | Yes | Atmospheric "fireplace" sim. Very intuitive with the stylus. |
| Mario Tennis Ultra Smash | Sports | No | Known for being light on content, but features the "Mega Mushroom" mechanic. | |
| Mario vs DK Tipping Stars | Puzzle | Essential: Stylus control. | No | Cross-buy title with 3DS. Focuses on level creation and sharing. |
| NINJA GAIDEN 3 Razors Edge | Action | Combo list and weapon swap. | Yes | The Wii U version fixed most issues of the original release before it hit other consoles. |
| New SUPER MARIO BROS U + LUIGI U | Platformer | Boost Mode" (place platforms). | Yes | Wii U choice: 5-player local play (4 on controllers + 1 on GamePad) is removed in the Switch version. |
| Nintendo Land | Party | Essential: Best use of the GamePad. | No | Wii U Exclusive. Perfect showcase of asymmetrical gameplay that cannot be replicated elsewhere. |
| PIKMIN 3 | Strategy | Essential: Map and multi-tasking. | Yes | Wii U choice: Managing three squads via the stylus on the GamePad map is significantly more precise than the Switch controls. |
| Pandora's Tower | Action / RPG | No | Wii RPG playable on Wii U. Uses the pointer controls or Pro Controller. | |
| Paper Mario Color Splash | RPG | Essential: Card sorting and painting. | No | Visually stunning. The GamePad is used for the "Cutout" mechanic to solve puzzles. |
| Runbow | Platformer | Yes | Colour-based platforming. Up to 9 players on Wii U using various controllers. | |
| SONIC LOST WORLD | Platformer | RC Gadget control. | No | Note: Also on PC. The Wii U version features exclusive Zelda and Yoshi DLC stages. |
| Shakedown: Hawaii | Action | Map screen. | Yes | Retro-style open world GTA clone. Supports the Wii U Pro Controller perfectly. |
| Splatoon | Shooter | Essential: Real-time map and Super Jump. | No | Wii U choice: The map on the GamePad is much more useful than the "X" button toggle in Splatoon 2/3 on Switch. |
| Star Fox Guard | Tower Defense | Essential: Multicam monitoring. | No | Wii U Exclusive. You use the tablet to switch between 12 cameras to protect your base. |
| Star Fox Zero | Shooter | Essential: Cockpit view / Gyro aiming. | No | Wii U Exclusive. Controversial controls require looking at both screens. Very immersive once mastered. |
| Zelda: Wind Waker HD | Adventure | Essential: Real-time Map/Inventory. | No | Wii U Exclusive. Much faster sailing than GameCube. Inventory management without pausing is a game-changer. |
| Zelda: Twilight Princess HD | Adventure | Essential: Map/Inventory/Transform. | No | Wii U Exclusive. Improved textures and the "Ghost Lantern" item to speed up Poe hunting. |
| Xenoblade Chronicles X | RPG | Essential: Navigation and fast travel. | No | Wii U Exclusive. The GamePad (FrontierNav) is vital for managing the massive world map and probes. |
| ZombiU | Horror | Essential: Sonar/Inventory/Looting. | Yes | Wii U choice: On Switch (Zombi), the tension is lost because looting doesn't force you to look away from the TV. |
| Game & Wario | Party | Essential: Various unique mini-games. | No | Wii U Exclusive. Showcase for asymmetrical play, especially the "Fronks" and "Island" games. |
| Nano Assault Neo | Shoot 'em up | Off-TV Play. | Yes | Great twin-stick shooter. Very short but visually impressive. |
| Blasting Agent | Platformer / Shooter | No | 8-bit style run and gun. Straightforward retro action. | |
| Super Smash Bros. 4 | Fighting | No | The only version with the "8-Player Smash" on huge levels and "Smash Tour" mode. | |
| Super Mario Maker | Creative | Essential: Designing with stylus. | No | Wii U choice: Building levels with the stylus is vastly superior to the controller/finger touch on Switch. |
| Project Zero: Maiden of Black Water | Horror | Essential: GamePad as a Camera. | Yes | Wii U choice: Using the GamePad as a physical "Camera Obscura" (motion sensing) is much more immersive than the Switch version. |