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Xenoblade Chronicles X is the best all-around Wii U RPG for players who want a huge world to explore, deep combat systems, and a long adventure. If you want a more focused JRPG, choose Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE. The best list depends partly on how strictly you define “RPG”: Nintendo classifies Paper Mario: Color Splash as action-adventure, while some game rankings include it among RPGs.
Which Wii U RPG should you play first?
For the broadest, most demanding RPG experience built for the console, start with the original Wii U release of Xenoblade Chronicles X. Nintendo describes it as an open-world RPG, and Nintendo Life’s review and retrospective highlight its exploration, mission structure, layered combat progression, and distinctive use of the GamePad map.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
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The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild - Wii U | $54.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
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Bayonetta 2 - Wii U Standard Edition | $34.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
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Deus Ex Human Revolution: Director's Cut - Nintendo Wii U | $33.31 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
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Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE - Wii U Standard Edition | $27.95 | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 |
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Pokken Tournament - Wii U Standard Edition | $29.98 | Buy on Amazon |
Its scale comes with a trade-off: the systems take patience to learn, and it suits players ready to spend a long time with one game. Nintendo Life’s reviewer judged there to be well over 100 hours of content; that is the reviewer’s assessment, not a promised playtime for every player. Off-TV play is also less convenient than the large map-focused experience, because information is missing and extended use can drain the GamePad battery. Nintendo Life’s review
Best Wii U RPGs by what you want to play
Best overall and biggest adventure: Xenoblade Chronicles X
Choose this if you enjoy discovering a large world, following mission chains, and learning a combat system with room for customization. The GamePad map is part of the play experience: it helps with exploration and probe placement rather than serving merely as a duplicate screen. The game is an original Wii U release from Monolith Soft and Nintendo. Nintendo’s Wii U catalogue entry
#1 Best Overall
- Explore the wilds of Hyrule any way you like Climb up towers and mountain peaks in search of new destinations, then set your own path to get there and plunge into the wilderness. Along the way, you'll battle towering enemies, hunt wild beasts and gather ingredients for the food and elixirs you'll need to sustain you on your journey
- More than 100 Shrines of Trials to discover and explore Shrines dot the landscape, waiting to be discovered in any order you want. Search for them in various ways, and solve a variety of puzzles inside. Work your way through the traps and devices inside to earn special items and other rewards that will help you on your adventure
- Be prepared and properly equipped With an entire world waiting to be explored, you'll need a variety of outfits and gear to reach every corner. You may need to bundle up with warmer clothes or change into something better suited to the desert heat. Some clothing even has special effects that, for example, can make you faster and stealthier
- Battling enemies requires strategy The world is inhabited with enemies of all shapes and sizes. Each one has its own attack method and weaponry, so you must think quickly and develop the right strategies to defeat them
- amiibo compatibility Tap the Wolf Link amiibo (sold separately) to make Wolf Link appear in game. Wolf Link will attack enemies on his own and help you find items you're searching for. We will also introduce new The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild series of amiibo at E3 this year
It is not the easiest recommendation for someone who wants a brisk, simple story campaign. Its scale and systems are the appeal, but they also make it a commitment. When buying or searching for the game, distinguish this Wii U version from Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition, which was released for Nintendo Switch. Nintendo’s Switch Definitive Edition page
Best focused JRPG alternative: Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE
For a more focused single-player JRPG, consider Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE. Nintendo identifies the Wii U release as a unique RPG. Nintendo’s Wii U catalogue entry Keep the platform label in mind when looking it up: a later Switch release, Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE Encore, is a separate edition from the Wii U game.
Rank #2
- Bayonetta's back and more powerful than ever.
- Wield wild new weapons and execute deadly new moves-like the powerful Umbran Climax-to take out angels and demons in this breathtaking action game.
- You can even team up with friends in 2-player online co-op fights. Broadband Internet access required for online play. For more info, go to support.nintendo.com.
- “M”, Mature 17+ w/Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Partial Nudity, Strong Language, Suggestive Themes
Best genre-boundary pick: Paper Mario: Color Splash
Paper Mario: Color Splash belongs on a broad list of Wii U RPG recommendations, but not every source calls it an RPG. Nintendo’s catalogue classifies it as action-adventure, while Whatoplay includes it in its RPG ranking. Nintendo’s Wii U catalogue entry Whatoplay’s Wii U RPG ranking Include it if you are happy with a wide genre boundary; leave it off a strict list limited to games Nintendo labels RPG.
Broader picks if ports and hybrids count
A wider definition of “Wii U RPG” can include games that are ports, action-oriented hybrids, or downloadable releases rather than original retail RPGs. Whatoplay’s ranking includes Child of Light, Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate, Deus Ex: Human Revolution – Director’s Cut, and EarthBound. Whatoplay’s Wii U RPG ranking These are best treated as additional options for readers whose definition includes those categories, not as equivalent kinds of RPG.
Rank #3
- Ultimate Deus Ex: Human Revolution experience : take advantage of a multitude of improvements, features and additional content that bring this already critically-acclaimed adventure towhole new levels
- Tap into the Wii U's GamePad true potential: Adam Jensen’s newest augmentation, the Neural Hub, offers an immersive and empowering experience, right at the tips of your fingers
- Absolute fusion of action and role-play: A unique combination of action-packed close-quarter takedowns and intense shooting, offering a vast array of augmentations and upgrades for the many weapons at your disposal
- Multi-solution structure: Choose how to accomplish each mission using combat, hacking, stealth or social mode to create a customized experience to suit any gaming style
- Diverse customization: Engage in combat and challenges utilizing deep, specialized character augmentations and weapon upgrades
EarthBound is relevant to a list that includes Wii U Virtual Console releases. Its appearance in a ranking does not establish that it can currently be purchased from a storefront. Availability, used-copy stock, prices, and condition vary and were not verified here.
How to interpret “best” for Wii U RPGs
There is no single uncontested RPG canon for the Wii U. Nintendo’s own catalogue calls Xenoblade Chronicles X and Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE RPGs, but labels Paper Mario: Color Splash action-adventure. Ranking sites may use broader categories that also fold in ports and hybrids.
Rank #4
- Slay like the mighty pop star you are
- A brand-new adventure inspired by Shin Megami Tensei and Fire Emblem
- Deep, energetic turn-based RPG by Atlus
- “T”; Teen w/ Fantasy Violence, Language, Suggestive Themes, and Use of Alcohol
Whatoplay describes its Wii U RPG page as a 55-game ranking. In the snapshot accessed in 2026, its PlayScore presentation gave Xenoblade Chronicles X 8.9, Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE 8.4, and Paper Mario: Color Splash 8.0. These are Whatoplay’s displayed values and ordering, not a consensus review aggregate or scores newly assigned in 2026. Whatoplay’s Wii U RPG ranking
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Choosing a Wii U copy or edition
First decide whether you want a game released for Wii U specifically or any RPG playable through the system’s broader library, including ports and Virtual Console titles. Then check the platform and edition printed on the listing: both Xenoblade Chronicles X and Tokyo Mirage Sessions have later Switch editions with different names. Current store availability, used stock, regional compatibility, and prices are not established here. Nintendo Life reports that 208 Wii U games received physical disc releases, but that platform-wide count does not show whether a particular recommendation has a disc edition. Nintendo Life’s Wii U physical-release retrospective
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- Learn various fighting styles of Pokemon such as Pikachu, Charizard, Lucario, and more. Any fan will be able to learn and execute signature Pokemon moves with a press of a button.
- Turn the tide of battle by calling upon support Pokemon to assist, and unleash devastating attacks to KO your opponent.
- Battles await, and it's up to you to claim the title of Pokken Tournament champion!
- Included as a special gift in the first edition of the Wii U-exclusive Pokken Tournament is a Shadow Mewtwo amiibo card.
- “E10+” w/ Fantasy Violence
Why Xenoblade Chronicles X stands out on Wii U
The game’s identity is especially tied to the Wii U’s second screen: its map supports navigating Mira and placing probes, connecting exploration to the controller rather than treating the GamePad as an afterthought. That design has a practical cost during off-TV play, where the full map experience is not as useful and battery life becomes a concern. The reviewer’s take on the game’s scale and ambition fits its systems-heavy structure: its many hours come from exploring, progressing through missions, and learning how its combat and customization work. Nintendo Life’s review
In a 16 December 2015 TIME interview, Tetsuya Takahashi, executive director of Xenoblade Chronicles X and founder of Monolith Soft, said: “As a result, I’ve come to the realization that it’s best to try and organically make the kind of things I like, or want.”
Quick Recap
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