Favorite Games: Super Mario 3D World, Mario Kart 8, Super Smash Bros U, Super Mario Galaxy (2), Donkey Kong Tropical Freeze, ZombiU, Super Mario Maker, Virtual Console games, more to come.
This is one of Nintendo's devices that could have gotten much better than it was if it wasn't for the confusing commercials and high price. It ended up to be one of Nintendo's worst selling consoles (probably the worst if we don't count the VirtualBoy)
The Wii U GamePad is the most functional, biggest main / default controller I've ever seen for a console. It can do almost anything, it's more functional than a Nintendo Switch controller having a touchscreen which works with a stable custom protocol and a microphone and camera. It still has the 'Nintendo Quality' for not breaking and withstanding tough use. However the default battery doesn't last really long.
It's very unfortunate many of the services stopped working, especially the videocall functionality.
But this thing managed to get an incredible graphic boost, it's extreme. This can be seen in various games, even in first party games like SM3DW and Mario Kart 8. It's the first Nintendo Console that supports 1080p output, and the only first party title utilizing this is Super Smash Bros U. Yet it doesn't even get hot while playing games, the warmth is identical to the GameCube (so are other things...). It's a very quiet console unless the disc drive starts spinning. The disc format is some special thing, I believe it's something between Blu Ray and HD DVD in terms of storage. The console supports up to 2000GB external storage and a SD card (which can be accesed in Wii mode). It has 4 USB ports, in which storage can be used, or the GameCube Wii U adaptor for supported games such as SSBU.
The front can be opened and closed and the design is very identical to a Wii but rounded. It comes with a sensor bar (even though the gamepad can also be used as a sensor bar), a Nintendo HDMI cable and charging cable for the Wii U GamePad, and in my case the Premium version also ships with a stand for the GamePad and a charging dock for it. There's also a basic version (even though I never saw this in a shop) which has a white color and ships with 16GB internal storage instead of 32GB. For 2012, 32GB was not really much storage to ship with a game console, but for this device, it is ok as long as you don't digitally buy a lot of Wii or Wii U games. It can be used on its side but also standing with the feet that comes with the premium edition.
Speaking of the Wii, it has a Wii mode which boots the Wii U into the classic Wii menu, however limiting the resolution to 480p, which is extremely low. Wii games bought from the E-shop will run in 720p though. You can use the system just as a normal Wii in this modus. There's one weird problem here, it cannot run GameCube games even though it supports the controllers. This is one of the reasons I do not own a Wii and I have a GameCube.
My device is a Limited Mario Maker Edition and shipped with the game and a 8-bit Mario amiibo, it's a really fun game for creating Mario levels, yet it is missing bigger functionality as in the fangame Super Mario Bros X.
For now this is the last Nintendo device that actually got Call of Duty games. The two games are: Black ops II and Ghosts.
It also has YouTube and Netflix so it can be used for streaming videos, but how long it will be supported would be the question...
The graphics are on the same level of the Nintendo Switch, however they don't always run on a higher resolution unlike the Switch. The Switch features a couple better looking games though.
While the second hand devices are quite cheap right now, I got this weird feeling the games will get expensive just like some GameCube games because of their rarity.
I must say the controller looks like a gaming tablet as if it was released in 2003 with extremely thick bezels... The Audio quality is decent when listening, it lacks some clarity in some areas, the bass is really there when you put the speakers on your ears but not at a normal listening distance. The rumble is there and it's quite good, but it doesn't get as heavy as with an Xbox 360 controller. The device comes with a stylus, which is a huge variant of the Nintendo DS. The capacitive touchscreen can get bright enough for usual circumstances and delivers good detail and has good colors. The streaming artifacts can rarely be seen on the screen. The camera is decent. The joysticks provide very precise control, and the buttons are on the larger side, but it plays very, very good. It starts getting heavy over time though.
The menu is very easy to use and very clear. The apps look like iPhone apps in a bubbly glassy interface. You can switch the apps and Mii's between the GamePad and Monitor by pressing X. Making folders is very easy and scanning amiibo works the fastest and is the easiest on this console. Unfortunately the Nintendo service for stickers and messages has stopped so no Mii's from over the world can be seen in the home menu anymore.
Games
Super Mario 3D world
One of the smoothest and best 3D Mario game experiences I've ever had, difficulty and progress curve is perfect, lots of levels aren't hard to complete. A lot of replay value and really awesome graphics. The amount of new content such as the Cat bell powerups and new items add innovative fun to the game. The very large amount of powerups that can be used by all the characters in this game makes it a really well developed game in terms of functionality. One of the best 3D Mario games to date. If this wasn't ported to the Nintendo Switch. So many people wouldn't have experienced this beautiful piece of software. This game fully utilizes the Wii U GamePad's hardware such as the acceleration & gyro sensor, the touch screen, the microphone. This functionality has been removed from the Switch version.
Mario Kart 8
This is the best Mario kart version I ever played in my life, the previous being the DS version. The graphics are designed so well, if it weren't for the lower pixelated resolution, these graphics looked like they were real at the time! So many good tracks, and such smooth gameplay are the major things of the game. It lacks a classic VS mode unlike the switch version, but it's the racing that matters here! There's still quite some loading time, which was barely reduced in the Deluxe version on the Switch, but once it's done you are going to love this! If you would get a Wii U if you don't have a Switch yet, get this game! Along with 3D world and SSBU, it's the best you could get for the system!
Super Smash Bros U
One of the few games running in 1080p, and it can do this in 60 fps. This version of smash allows you to create your own level and adds even more functionality such as using a 3DS as controller and connecting it to a 3DS for some functionality, connecting GameCube controllers if you have the adapter. It works with every Wii controller so there's a lot possibility of input. It keeps all functionality of previous games and adds new characters but also removes some previous characters. This is the ultimate game to put your amiibo's to use! The GamePad screen can be used as a camera or for displaying stats to a host if it's not being assigned to a fighter. The game allows a lot of customization.
Virtual Console Games
This is where the console really peaks next to these games mentioned above!.. Or at least, used to be before the E-Shop closed. This console has the largest library of Virtual Console games of all the consoles. It's as if you have the entire NSO (plus) subscription library, but you have to purchase them individually. A lot of console including non-nintendo console games are there as well. It's also the only console where you can buy Nintendo DS games digitally and play them, because I don't think these will ever appear in the NSO subscription due the way the Switch is designed. Buying Wii games here will give you the benefit of rendering them in 720p instead of 480p. Weirdly enough you cannot buy GameCube games even though it supports the controllers.
Should you get this?
If you are looking for a second hand value console to game on, depends. It has a lot of good first party games, but because of its small library and higher price than other second hand consoles of its generation, I'd recommend A PS3 / Xbox 360 / PS4 / Wii instead.
Do you simply want to play Mario games? Maybe, this has a lot of good Mario themed games, however most of them are have been ported to the Switch.
Do you want to play remastered Zelda games? Yes, get this console! They haven't been announced on the Nintendo Switch yet (except for Link's Awakening and Skyward Sword).
Do you have a lot of Wii games lying around but accidentally sold your Wii? Get a normal Wii instead, this device is too expensive second hand for Wii games.
Do you hate holding a heavy controller (or just the GamePad) and don't plan using Wii / GameCube controllers? Don't buy this console, it requires the gamepad to be set up and most Wii U games rely on it.