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There is no single objective list of the best Wii U games, but several titles recur in editorial recommendations and Nintendo’s sales figures. For a broadly appealing starting point, choose Mario Kart 8; for a defining solo adventure, try The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker HD or Breath of the Wild. The right pick depends on whether you want exploration, platforming, strategy, action, or local multiplayer—and whether you specifically want the Wii U version.
How to choose among the best Wii U games
Editorial rankings and sales figures answer different questions. Nintendo Life’s all-time list puts The Wind Waker HD first, Mario Kart 8 second, and Breath of the Wild third; that is the publication’s editorial judgment, not a universal score. Nintendo’s Wii U sales table, meanwhile, records units sold, not quality or the number of current players. It lists Mario Kart 8 as the system’s top-selling game in the table.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
|
Super Mario 3D World - Nintendo Wii U (Renewed) | $17.31 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
|
Super Smash Bros. - Nintendo Wii U (Renewed) | $14.35 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
|
Cars 3: Driven to Win - Wii U | $14.23 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
|
Mario Kart 8 - Nintendo Wii U (Renewed) | $23.91 | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 |
|
New Super Mario Bros. U + New Super Luigi U - Wii U (Renewed) | $29.44 | Buy on Amazon |
Start with the kind of play you want. The recommendations below cover racing, exploration, platforming, strategy, fighting, and action, as well as games best suited to a group. The Wii U GamePad’s integrated second screen enables some distinctive experiences, but not every game depends on it.
Recommended Wii U games
The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker HD — best all-around adventure
Nintendo Life ranks this HD remaster first in its Wii U list. It preserves the original’s distinctive art direction while refining sailing and other activities, making it an appealing starting point for a solo adventure. Nintendo Life reports its Wii U release date as October 4, 2013, in North America and the UK/EU.
#1 Best Overall
- Disc only. Original case and manual not included. Will come packaged in a generic case.
- Each character has unique abilities and play styles. For example, Princess Peach glides over gaps, while Luigi has his trademark extra-high jump.
- The new cat transformation allows players to run on all fours, pounce on enemies, attack in midair, or use their claws to scamper up walls and goal poles.
- Explore colorful 3D environments filled with obstacles and contraptions like transparent pipes and vertical conveyor belts, which add new puzzle elements.
- Use the Wii U GamePad Controller's touch screen to search for hidden blocks and freeze enemies in place.
Mario Kart 8 — best racing game and group pick
Nintendo Life ranks Mario Kart 8 second, praising its handling, courses, replayability, and online races in its review-era assessment. GameSpot’s review excerpt emphasizes its focus on precise driving. Nintendo reports 8.46 million Wii U software units sold as of March 31, 2026, the highest figure in its displayed Wii U sales table. That figure is a sales total, not a measure of current availability or active players.
It is an especially easy choice when you want a game that can work for solo play and local competition. Many players may know the later Mario Kart 8 Deluxe edition on Switch, but this recommendation is specifically for the original Wii U release.
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild — best for open-ended exploration
Nintendo Life ranks the Wii U version third and describes it as functional and entrancing, while noting that the Switch edition has better visuals and performance. Nintendo’s UK catalogue presents it as an exploration-focused adventure. Choose the Wii U edition if playing on original hardware matters to you; if you want the stronger-performing version and have access to Switch, the newer edition is the more compelling choice.
Rank #2
- Disc only. Original case and manual not included. Will come packaged in a generic case.
- This renewed game has been cleaned, tested, and shows minimal wear.
Super Mario 3D World — best platformer for solo or co-op
Nintendo Life places it in its top ten and discusses multiplayer as a complement to the core platforming. It is a strong pick whether you want to work through levels alone or add friends to the action. Nintendo reports 5.89 million Wii U software units sold as of March 31, 2026.
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Nintendo Life ranks Pikmin 3 ninth and highlights its crafted strategy and use of Wii U GamePad features. If you prefer traditional controls, it also supports Wii Remote and Nunchuk. That makes it a good example of a game where the GamePad adds a distinctive option without being the only way to play.
Nintendo Land — best for local group play
Nintendo Life includes it among the Wii U’s strongest exclusives, and GameSpot describes its multiplayer attractions as both a console showcase and something enjoyable with friends or family. Its appeal depends on having a group; it is a less natural recommendation if you mostly play alone.
Rank #3
- Train and advance your abilities of 2 wheel driving, barrel rolls and more in 6 thrilling game modes.
- Catch air and perform as many stunts and tricks to get the highest score.
- Collect and use a variety of power ups to eliminate as many crash karts as possible to get the highest score.
- Hop into the tracks against Lightning McQueen and the gang to rev up for the ultimate challenge.
- Put your training to the test and race against your family and friends to become the ultimate champion.
Splatoon — a Wii U-specific battle game
Nintendo’s catalogue describes Splatoon as a new kind of battle game for Wii U and identifies it as available only on Wii U in that page’s copy. Nintendo reports 4.95 million Wii U software units sold as of March 31, 2026. Those facts establish its platform history and sales, not whether its online features are currently operating, so check current service information before buying it specifically for online play.
Super Smash Bros. for Wii U — best for fighting and local competition
Nintendo’s catalogue lists the Wii U fighting game, and Nintendo reports 5.38 million Wii U software units sold as of March 31, 2026. It is a natural candidate for local matches; historic sales figures do not establish the present status of online services.
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Nintendo Life places Bayonetta 2 in its top five, and Nintendo lists it as a Wii U game. Choose it for fast, demanding action rather than a casual or family-oriented experience.
Rank #4
- For Wii U Consoles Only. Will Not Work in an Original Wii Console
- This renewed game may come repackaged in a generic case. It has been cleaned, tested, and shows minimal wear.
- Race along walls and upside-down on twisting anti-gravity racetracks!
- Share highlight videos of your greatest moments with friends via the Mario Kart TV feature and Miiverse.
- Race and battle with friends locally or connect online to play with random players from around the world.
Sales popularity is not the same as a best-of ranking
Nintendo’s sales figures are useful evidence of how widely games sold on Wii U, but they do not measure critical quality, current player activity, or whether a game suits a particular reader. These are the figures in Nintendo’s Wii U software sales table, with data as of March 31, 2026:
| Game | Wii U software units sold |
|---|---|
| Mario Kart 8 | 8.46 million |
| Super Mario 3D World | 5.89 million |
| New Super Mario Bros. U | 5.82 million |
| Super Smash Bros. for Wii U | 5.38 million |
| Nintendo Land | 5.21 million |
| Splatoon | 4.95 million |
These are Nintendo’s reported software sales totals, not unique players or a count of copies currently for sale. New Super Mario Bros. U appears here because it is among Nintendo’s listed top sellers; the editorial shortlist above focuses on the varied recommendations described in the guide.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What to know about Wii U editions and the GamePad
Nintendo describes the Wii U as a home console whose GamePad has an integrated second screen. Some games use that screen or asymmetric local play to add a Wii U-specific element; others are enjoyable without relying on it. Nintendo also describes the console as backward compatible with almost all Wii games and accessories, but that does not change which titles in this list are Wii U games.
Best Value
- Disc only. Original case and manual not included. Will come packaged in a generic case.
- This renewed game has been cleaned, tested, and shows minimal wear.
Several Wii U recommendations later appeared on Switch, and the Switch edition of Breath of the Wild has better visuals and performance according to Nintendo Life’s comparison. If your priority is the best available edition, check whether the game you want has a newer version and compare that version directly. If you are collecting for original hardware or want the Wii U-specific experience, the Wii U release may still be the version you want.
Buying a Wii U game today
Physical Wii U copies are legacy-market products. No current prices or stock levels are established here, so check the individual listing rather than relying on an old price or assuming a copy is available. Before buying, verify:
- Disc condition: Ask about scratches and whether the game has been tested.
- Completeness: Check whether the case and any included materials are present if that matters to you.
- Region and compatibility: Confirm the listing’s region and compatibility with your console.
- Version: Make sure the listing is for the Wii U edition, not a later release on another system.
For most players seeking one dependable first pick, Mario Kart 8 combines broad editorial praise with Nintendo’s highest Wii U sales total in the cited table. For a more personal choice, use genre and play setting as the deciding factors: exploration with Zelda, platforming with Super Mario 3D World, strategy with Pikmin 3, or group play with Nintendo Land.
Quick Recap
Sources
- Nintendo Life’s 50 best Wii U games guide
- Nintendo software sales data
- Nintendo UK: The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
- Nintendo UK: Splatoon
- Nintendo UK: Wii U console information
- GameSpot’s Wii U games selection
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
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