In the world of video gaming, the Wii U holds a unique place. As Nintendo’s innovative console that bridged the gap between the era of the Wii and the Switch, it brought with it a plethora of titles that catered to a wide array of audiences. From iconic franchises to indie gems, the Wii U library was diverse. However, amidst this varied collection, some games stood out not just for their gameplay or storytelling, but for their remarkable commercial success.
Rank | Game | Genre | Developer | Publisher | Platfroms | Release Date | Sales |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Mario Kart 8 | Kart racing | Nintendo EAD, Nintendo EPD | Nintendo | Wii U, Nintendo Switch | May 29, 2014 | 8.46 million |
2 | Super Mario 3D World | Platform | Nintendo EAD Tokyo | Nintendo | Wii U, Nintendo Switch | November 21, 2013 | 5.89 million |
3 | New Super Mario Bros. U | Platform | Nintendo EAD | Nintendo | Wii U, Nintendo Switch | November 18, 2012 | 5.82 million |
4 | Super Smash Bros. for Wii U | Fighting | Bandai Namco Studios, Sora Ltd. | Nintendo | Wii U | November 21, 2014 | 5.38 million |
5 | Nintendo Land | Party, adventure | Nintendo EAD | Nintendo | Wii U | November 18, 2012 | 5.21 million |
6 | Splatoon | Third-Person Shooter | Nintendo EAD | Nintendo | Wii U | May 28, 2015 | 4.95 million |
7 | Super Mario Maker | Level editor, platform | Nintendo EAD | Nintendo | Wii U, Nintendo 3DS | September 10, 2015 | 4.02 million |
8 | New Super Luigi U | Platformer | Nintendo EAD | Nintendo | Wii U, Nintendo Switch | June 20, 2013 | 3.07 million |
9 | The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker HD | Action-Adventure | Nintendo EAD | Nintendo | Wii U | September 20, 2013 | 2.37 million |
10 | Mario Party 10 | Party | Nd Cube | Nintendo | Wii U | March 12, 2015 | 2.27 million |
As we move further into 2024, it’s time to look back and rank the best-selling Wii U games, highlighting the titles that captivated players and flew off the shelves like no others. This retrospective will not only celebrate these blockbuster games but also delve into what made them resonate so strongly with gamers worldwide. Join us as we count down the Wii U titles that left an indelible mark on the console’s legacy, measured by their sales figures and the impact they had on the gaming community.
Best Selling WII U Games
1. Mario Kart 8
Release Date: May 29, 2014
Genre: Racing
Developer: Nintendo EAD, Nintendo EPD
Publisher: Nintendo
Platforms: Wii U, Nintendo Switch
With a remarkable achievement of 8.46 million units in sales, “Mario Kart 8” is a standout title in the racing genre and a celebrated entry in the “Mario Kart” series. The game introduced groundbreaking anti-gravity racing mechanics, allowing for exhilarating races on walls and ceilings, adding a fresh twist to the gameplay. Featuring a beloved roster of characters from the Mario universe and a diverse selection of imaginative tracks, “Mario Kart 8” brought vibrant high-definition visuals to the series for the first time. This title not only became a cornerstone of the Wii U’s gaming library but also continued the legacy of the “Mario Kart” series as a synonym for fun and competitive racing.
2. Super Mario 3D World
Release Date: November 21, 2013
Genre: Platformer
Developer: Nintendo EAD Tokyo
Publisher: Nintendo
Platforms: Wii U, Nintendo Switch
“Super Mario 3D World,” with its impressive sales figures of 5.89 million units, is a vibrant and innovative platformer that stands out in the iconic Super Mario series. This title brought players together in a cooperative multiplayer experience, allowing up to four players to explore and complete levels together, each character having unique abilities. The game is renowned for its creative level design, which includes a variety of environments and introduces the now-iconic Cat Mario power-up, allowing characters to climb walls and pounce on enemies. With its charming visuals, engaging gameplay, and the introduction of new gameplay mechanics, “Super Mario 3D World” solidified its place as a pivotal title for the Wii U and continued the legacy of Mario’s platforming adventures.
3. New Super Mario Bros. U
Release Date: November 18, 2012
Genre: Platformer
Developer: Nintendo EAD
Publisher: Nintendo
Platforms: Wii U, Nintendo Switch
“New Super Mario Bros. U” achieved significant success with sales reaching 5.82 million units, marking its place as a key title in the Super Mario franchise. This game revived the classic side-scrolling platformer gameplay that fans have adored for decades, adding new levels, power-ups, and challenges. It introduced the innovative Boost Mode, utilizing the Wii U GamePad to allow a fifth player to join in by placing platforms to help or hinder the main players. The game is celebrated for its beautiful, high-definition graphics that brought the Mushroom Kingdom to life like never before. “New Super Mario Bros. U” provided both solo and multiplayer experiences, combining traditional Mario gameplay elements with new innovations, making it a beloved addition to the Wii U library.
4. Super Smash Bros. for Wii U
Release Date: November 21, 2014
Genre: Fighting
Developer: Bandai Namco Studios, Sora Ltd.
Publisher: Nintendo
Platforms: Wii U
“Super Smash Bros. for Wii U” stands as a monumental title in the franchise, boasting impressive sales of 5.38 million units. This installment in the iconic fighting series brought together characters from across the Nintendo universe and beyond, allowing players to battle it out in various themed arenas. Known for its vast roster of fighters, including fan favorites and unexpected newcomers, the game offered a deep and engaging experience that appealed to both competitive players and casual fans. With its dynamic gameplay, diverse modes, and the ability to support up to eight players in a single match, “Super Smash Bros. for Wii U” delivered one of the most comprehensive and enjoyable entries in the series. Its success on the Wii U platform highlighted the enduring popularity of the Smash Bros. formula and its significance as a cornerstone of multiplayer gaming.
5. Nintendo Land
Release Date: November 18, 2012
Genre: Party
Developer: Nintendo EAD
Publisher: Nintendo
Platforms: Wii U
“Nintendo Land” has carved out its niche within the Wii U’s legacy, achieving sales of 5.21 million units. This innovative party game serves as a virtual theme park, featuring a collection of mini-games based on popular Nintendo franchises such as “The Legend of Zelda,” “Mario,” “Metroid,” and more. Designed to showcase the unique capabilities of the Wii U GamePad, “Nintendo Land” offers a variety of multiplayer and single-player experiences, making it an ideal game for family and friends to enjoy together. The game’s intuitive gameplay and engaging attractions provide an accessible yet deep gaming experience that appeals to both longtime Nintendo fans and newcomers alike. “Nintendo Land” not only stands as a testament to the diverse appeal of the Wii U console but also celebrates the rich history of Nintendo’s iconic characters and worlds.
6. Splatoon
Release Date: May 28, 2015
Genre: Third-Person Shooter
Developer: Nintendo EAD
Publisher: Nintendo
Platforms: Wii U
“Splatoon” emerged as a groundbreaking title for the Wii U, with sales reaching 4.95 million units. This vibrant third-person shooter introduced players to the ink-splattering battles of Inklings, humanoid characters that can transform into squids. The game’s innovative gameplay centered around turf wars, where teams compete to cover the most ground with their team’s colored ink. “Splatoon” was praised for its fresh take on the shooter genre, incorporating elements of strategy, teamwork, and creativity. With a variety of weapons, gear, and modes, it offered a dynamic and engaging experience. The game’s success not only established a new franchise for Nintendo but also showcased the Wii U’s capabilities in supporting unique and original gaming concepts, making “Splatoon” a standout title in the console’s lineup.
7. Super Mario Maker
Release Date: September 10, 2015
Genre: Level editor, platform
Developer: Nintendo EAD
Publisher: Nintendo
Platforms: Wii U, Nintendo 3DS
“Super Mario Maker” captivated the gaming community with its innovative concept, achieving sales of 4.02 million units. This game creation system allowed players to design and share their own Mario levels, using a wide array of tools, obstacles, and items inspired by various eras of Mario games. From classic 8-bit Super Mario Bros. visuals to the more modern aesthetics of the New Super Mario Bros. series, players could craft levels in the style that most appealed to them. “Super Mario Maker” was celebrated for its user-friendly interface, making game design accessible to everyone, from seasoned gamers to those new to the concept. The title fostered a vibrant online community where players around the world shared their creations, challenging and inspiring one another. This groundbreaking approach not only paid homage to the legacy of Mario but also empowered players to become creators, solidifying “Super Mario Maker” as a landmark title in the Wii U library.
8. New Super Luigi U
Release Date: June 20, 2013
Genre: Platformer
Developer: Nintendo EAD
Publisher: Nintendo
Platforms: Wii U
“New Super Luigi U” distinguished itself within the Wii U’s lineup, amassing sales of 3.07 million units. This platformer, originally released as downloadable content for “New Super Mario Bros. U” before becoming a standalone title, put Luigi in the spotlight, offering a fresh perspective on the classic side-scrolling gameplay. The game featured shorter, but more challenging levels, designed to test players’ skills with Luigi’s unique jumping abilities and slippery movement. Celebrating the “Year of Luigi,” this title not only provided a significant challenge for seasoned platformer fans but also paid tribute to Mario’s often-overlooked brother. “New Super Luigi U” stood out for its inventive level design and the distinct gameplay experience it offered, making it a memorable addition to the Wii U’s diverse game catalog.
9. The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker HD
Release Date: September 20, 2013
Genre: Action-Adventure
Developer: Nintendo EAD
Publisher: Nintendo
Platforms: Wii U
“The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker HD” revitalized a classic with its HD release on the Wii U, achieving sales of 2.37 million units. This action-adventure game, originally launched for the GameCube, was given new life with enhanced graphics, a more user-friendly interface, and improved gameplay mechanics. Set in a vast oceanic world, players navigate islands and the high seas as Link, embarking on a quest to save his sister and ultimately battle the evil Ganon. The HD version preserved the charm and whimsy of the original while introducing features like the Swift Sail for faster sea traversal and a streamlined Triforce quest, significantly improving the gaming experience. “The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker HD” not only introduced this beloved title to a new generation of gamers but also cemented its status as a timeless classic in the Zelda series.
10. Mario Party 10
Release Date: March 12, 2015
Genre: Party
Developer: Nd Cube
Publisher: Nintendo
Platforms: Wii U
“Mario Party 10” brought the iconic party game series to the Wii U with great success, recording sales of 2.27 million units. This installment continued the tradition of engaging board game-style gameplay mixed with a wide variety of mini-games, designed for multiplayer fun. It introduced the new “Bowser Party” mode, where one player takes on the role of Bowser using the Wii U GamePad to challenge the others in asymmetric gameplay, adding a fresh dynamic to the competition. With its colorful graphics, diverse mini-games, and the inclusion of amiibo support for additional game content, “Mario Party 10” provided families and friends with countless hours of entertainment, maintaining the series’ reputation as a go-to choice for party gaming on the Wii U platform.
Legacy of Innovation
Reflecting on the best-selling Wii U games illuminates the console’s unique charm and the enduring appeal of its top titles. From the thrilling races of “Mario Kart 8” to the inventive landscapes of “Super Mario Maker,” these games not only dominated sales charts but also captured the hearts of players worldwide. Despite the Wii U’s brief moment in the gaming spotlight, its legacy, carried by these standout titles, continues to influence and inspire. These games remind us of the Wii U’s contribution to gaming history, proving that great gameplay transcends the lifespan of any console.