This game needs to be in every Wii U owner's collection. The replay value, from playing to collecting and unlocking everything, is almost endless. And it's going to be pretty hard to not want to play this game endlessly. This is a title that players will keep coming back to for years to come.
Cosmophony will not be everyone's cup of tea, but those willing to brave its tunnels of torture will be greatly rewarded. The game demands skill to beat, but backs up its exacting nature by providing a bold aesthetic and soundtrack complimented with tight controls.
I'm really only scratching the surface of Smash Bros. There's so much to do and see that players will be absorbed by the game for hours on end. As far as fighting fundamentals go, Smash Bros. is a return to the glory days of Melee, while taking cues from the best of Brawl's presentation and refinements.
Longtime series fans will probably get the most out of the abundant homages and shout outs to series' lore, but action games enthusiasts in general will get a thrill out of Hyrule Warriors' fabulous gameplay. Wii U owners shouldn't hesitate to give the game a purchase.
With great music and great gameplay, Curtain Call is a triumphant celebration of Final Fantasy.
Pushmo World might not please all players, but for newcomers it's as arresting as its 3DS debut, and for returning players, there's just enough that's new to warrant giving it a look. With great puzzles, a fun cast and story, and excellent puzzle building tools for aspiring designers, Pushmo World deserves a spot in your download cue.
It's rare that a developer can not only capture the magic of 8-bit classics, but improve upon them, but Shovel Knight does exactly that. This game is a true classic, and hopefully the first of many more to come from Yacht Club Games. Bravo.
Anyone who missed Swords & Soldiers the first time around, or who has been hankering for a new strategy game, will do well to give this game a download. It's as fun as it was when it bowed in 2009, and remains a fresh, unique take on real-time strategy games. Swords & Soldiers might be a little tricky to pick up at first, but the gameplay is so easy to get into, it's worth a bit of a learning curve to play. Here's hoping Two Tribes graces fans with a proper sequel in the near future! Be sure to give the two Toki Tori games a look if you make your way to the eShop for Swords & Soldiers, as well.
Tomodachi Life isn't going to make all players happy. It can be a touch directionless, and the oddities of the Miis isn't universally appealing. In the end, though, this is the sort of game that open-minded players will love if they give it a chance. There is so much to do and see on a daily basis, it almost becomes compulsory to switch on the game and check in with the Miis. Not a lot of games have as much heart as Tomodachi Life, and I really hope that fans give it the shot it deserves.
MK8 is easily a top three contender for best Wii U game. Outside of a few niggling oddities and small blemishes, the pure bliss of soaring across MK8's wonderful courses is as close to gaming perfection as it gets.
Beyond the single player campaign, Triple Deluxe also offers a handful of other modes. Kirby Fighters is a fighting minigame that plays somewhat like a scaled-down Super Smash Bros., and Dedede's Drum Dash, a rhythm-platform minigame. While not beefy enough to warrant their own full games, both are excellent diversions and time killers.
Romance Dawn is a misfire all around that only the absolute most completist of One Piece fans should give it a look. It’s a shame, because One Piece is normally something quite wonderful. Such a waste.
NES Remix is defined more by the sum of its parts than its individual pieces, so have no hesitation in jumping headfirst into this excellent retro experience.
With roughly 30-35 hours of gameplay, there's a lot to experience and love in 3D World. It's fun, it's gorgeous, and easily one of the best games on the stands.
Wii Sports Club is a fine addition to Wii U's library that pushes the series forward with the addition of solid online play. The core experience remains as compelling as ever, offering play control that is both satisfying and inviting to players of all skill levels. Though the presentation has been upscaled to HD, it still feels like a step backwards compared to Wii Sports Resort's bright and fun visuals. With only two sports currently available, Wii Sports Club isn't as robust an experience as it could be, but what is there will still keep players entertained for hours.