Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute2Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors3Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesThe Wii U is Nintendo’s home video game console released in 2012. Its distinctive controller, the Wii U GamePad, has a 6.2-inch touchscreen that can show extra game information or, in supported games, let you play without using the TV. The console plays nearly all Wii games, but Nintendo has ended Wii U online play and stopped new eShop purchases.
What is the Wii U?
Nintendo revealed the Wii U at E3 on June 7, 2011, and released it in 2012. Nintendo’s investor materials list November 18, 2012, as the U.S. launch date and November 30, 2012, for Europe (Nintendo investor document).
The console’s defining feature is the Wii U GamePad: a controller with a 6.2-inch screen. Depending on the game, it can show a map, inventory, or other information, or support play on the controller’s display instead of the television. The GamePad is not a portable console; it connects to and works with the Wii U system. Nintendo president Satoru Iwata described the idea in the reveal announcement as changing how people interact with their TV, console, and the Internet (Nintendo’s June 7, 2011 announcement).
How the Wii U works and what is included in its hardware
The Wii U connects to a television and supports video output up to 1080p over compatible connections. Nintendo’s specifications list an IBM Power-based multi-core CPU, an AMD Radeon-based HD GPU, 802.11b/g/n Wi-Fi, and four USB 2.0 ports. The Basic Pack has 8 GB of internal flash storage; the Premium Pack has 32 GB. The console supports USB external storage, SD cards up to 2 GB, SDHC cards up to 32 GB, and Wii U and Wii optical discs (Nintendo UK specifications).
#1 Best Overall
- Controllers are original OEM (not 3rd party)
- Tested and works well. Nice condition
Nintendo lists support for up to two Wii U GamePads and up to four Wii Remotes, Wii Remote Plus controllers, or Wii U Pro Controllers. A Wii LAN Adapter can provide a wired network connection and is sold separately, according to Nintendo’s specifications.
Is the Wii U the same as the Wii?
No. The Wii U is a separate console, with its own games and a screen-equipped GamePad. It is backward-compatible with nearly all Wii software and many Wii accessories, but the reverse is not true: Wii U games do not play on the original Wii. Wii U is also not compatible with GameCube games or accessories.
Rank #2
- The Wii U GamePad breaks down barriers between you and your entertainment with a 6.2" 16:9 LCD touch screen, motion control system, front-facing camera, microphone, stereo speakers, rumble feature
- Console works with most games from the original Wii console, as well as the Wii Remote, Wii Remote Plus, Nunchuk controllers, Balance Board and many other Wii accessories, so you can continue to enjoy your favorite Wii features
- Play using a Wii Remote controller, the Wii U GamePad controller or a Wii U Pro Controller.
- Four USB 2.0 connector slots are included. The new console is backward compatible with Wii games and Wii accessories.
Can you play Wii games on a Wii U?
Yes. Wii U runs nearly all Wii software in Wii Mode and supports Wii Game Discs. Wii Mode retains Wii control requirements: use a paired Wii Remote or Wii Remote Plus, plus any accessories required by the game. The Wii U GamePad and Wii U Pro Controller cannot control Wii software. The GamePad can display Wii software, but that does not make it a Wii controller (Wii U electronic manual).
Nintendo lists Wii Remotes, Nunchuks, Classic Controllers, and the Wii Balance Board among compatible Wii accessories. Whether an accessory works depends on the game or application; no one accessory works with every title. The Wii U does not support legacy GameCube controllers (Nintendo UK compatible accessories).
Rank #3
Can you still play Wii U online?
No. Nintendo ended Wii U online play and other features that use online communication on April 8, 2024. This includes online cooperative play, rankings, and data distribution. Game modes that do not require network communication remain playable offline (Nintendo support notice).
Miiverse, Nintendo’s social network for Wii U, closed earlier, on November 7, 2017. Features tied to it are gone; Nintendo gives comments on Super Mario Maker levels and the BLADE report feature in Xenoblade Chronicles X as examples (Nintendo Miiverse FAQ).
Rank #4
![Replacement Official Authentic Nintendo Wii U Console [Black] [Nintendo Wii] (Renewed)](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/31duHqvb2xL._SL160_.jpg)
- Includes Replacement Wii U Console.
Can you still buy or download Wii U games?
Nintendo stopped Wii U eShop purchases and new free downloads on March 27, 2023. Nintendo’s support notice says owners can still redownload games and downloadable content they previously purchased and receive software updates “for the foreseeable future.” That is Nintendo’s stated policy, not a guarantee of permanent access (Nintendo eShop discontinuation Q&A).
Physical Wii U and Wii discs remain an option for compatible games, subject to having the disc and working hardware. Nintendo says offline games, Mii Maker, and basic settings do not require an internet connection; internet-dependent applications do, and their availability should not be assumed (Nintendo support notice).
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
Best Value
What to check when buying a used Wii U
Because new eShop purchases are no longer available and bundle contents vary, check both the console’s condition and what the seller includes. Confirm that the Wii U GamePad is present and working; it is central to the system’s controls and menus. Also check whether the power supply, sensor bar, and any Wii Remotes you need are included and functional. A Wii Remote is required for Wii games, while the GamePad alone cannot control them.
Quick Recap
Wii U at a glance
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| What kind of system is it? | Nintendo home console released in 2012 |
| What makes it distinctive? | Wii U GamePad with a 6.2-inch screen for extra information and supported off-TV play |
| Can it play Wii games? | Nearly all Wii software, using Wii-compatible controls |
| Can it play GameCube games? | No |
| Can it play Wii U games online? | No; Nintendo ended online play and other online-communication features on April 8, 2024 |
| Can owners still download prior purchases? | Nintendo says redownloads and updates continued “for the foreseeable future”; this is not a permanent-access guarantee |
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.
