Introduction
The Nintendo Wii U system boasts an impressive library of innovative and enjoyable platforming games that take advantage of the console‘s unique capabilities. With the included GamePad offering new ways to control and interact with platformers, along with updated takes on classic Nintendo franchises like Super Mario and Donkey Kong, the Wii U is a platformer fan‘s dream console.
In this comprehensive guide, we will countdown the absolute best platformers available on the Wii U and explore what makes them stand out as the cream of the crop. From challenging retro-inspired indies to gorgeous HD Nintendo titles, these Wii U platformers represent the pinnacle of the genre on the system.
What Makes Wii U Great for Platformers?
The Wii U GamePad controller is key to making platformers feel fresh and innovative on the console. The touchscreen allows for intuitive level interactions, drawing platforms, freezing enemies and more unique gameplay opportunities. The screen can also provide additional visual information to aid tricky platforming challenges.
Many platformers integrate asymmetric multiplayer with the GamePad for one player to assist the main runner. This opens up co-op opportunities perfect for the platformer genre. The Wii U also supports up to four Wii remotes for even more local co-op chaos.
Of course, it doesn‘t hurt that Nintendo has a long lineage of top-tier platformer mascots that continued their legacy on the Wii U. Modern incarnations of Mario, Donkey Kong and others provide stellar traditional running and jumping challenges. Combined with visually impressive remasters of classics, the Wii U satisfies old school Nintendo platforming.
But the system also attracted many contemporary indie darlings in the platforming space such as Shovel Knight. With a great blend of nostalgic feels and new features, the Wii U became one of the best homes for platformers of its generation.
The Top Wii U Platformers
Here is our countdown of the absolute best platforming experiences you can have on the Nintendo Wii U:
15. Mighty Switch Force! Hyper Drive Edition
Mighty Switch Force! is a puzzle platformer starring cyborg cop Patricia Wagon. She must use her gun, helmet and agility to capture escaping convicts by activating switches that open the way. This colorful strange world has blocky 3D graphics and quirky animation style for plenty of visual charm.
The HD version on Wii U polished the experience with enhanced visuals at 1080p and 60fps. New levels were also added to flesh out Patricia‘s adventures. The GamePad is integrated into the puzzle solving, labyrinth navigation and enemy encounters for a deeper gameplay challenge.
14. Child of Light
This poetic adventure RPG hybrid from Ubisoft has a gorgeous watercolor art style and an emotional storybook narrative. The protagonist Aurora sets out across the mystical world of Lemuria on a quest to restore sun, moon and stars stolen by the Queen of the Night.
Beneath the beautiful aesthetics lies a solid side-scrolling platformer foundation enhanced by RPG leveling systems. Aurora gains allies along the way, leading to a deep rock-paper-scissors style turn-based battle system marrying RPG strategy with platformer accessibility.
13. New Super Luigi U
This special version of New Super Mario Bros. U stars the high-jumping green brother Luigi with shorter, more challenging level design. All 82 courses are new and cater to Luigi‘s specific platforming abilities. Nabbit can also be played, who doesn‘t take damage from enemies but also can‘t use power-ups.
With only 100 seconds to complete levels, New Super Luigi U really tests player‘s skill and precision jumping ability compared to regular Mario‘s more laidback pace. This refocus makes it one of the hardest and most rewarding 2D Mario experiences on Wii U with a package bursting with content.
12. Super Mario 3D World
Incorporating both 2D side-scrolling and 3D open exploration, this hybrid entry fits right at home on Wii U. Level variety is off the charts with creativity that rivals the Super Mario Galaxy titles. Multiplayer allows up to four players simultaneously with Mario, Luigi, Toad and Princess Peach.
The HD visual overhaul pops with color and creativity in level theming from tropical beaches to spooky ghost houses. Power-ups like the Cat Suit, Double Cherry and more provide unique gameplay. Those craving classic 3D platforming get an abundance of delightful levels to explore.
11. Terraria
This 2D sandbox action-adventure game has many parallels with Minecraft. It contains procedurally generated worlds with biome varieties including snow, desert, jungle and more. Core gameplay focuses on exploration, crafting, building and combat. Many bosses pose threats across various difficulty tiers.
The Wii U version mirrors other releases but makes smart use of the Gamepad for quick inventory swapping and enemy targeting. Local multiplayer also runs smoothly in split-screen for collaborating on ambitious building projects. With so much user generated content, no two Terraria playthroughs ever feel the same.
10. Yoshi‘s Woolly World
This borderline arts and crafts experience thematically revolves around knitted and cloth textures across characters, enemies and environments. Yoshi unravels enemies into yarn balls to build platforms hovering in mid-air.
Poochy Pups add cooperative multiplayer opportunities, and there is ample hidden depth throughout the game world. With a subtle tilt towards relaxed play, it best suits younger or casual players wanting a playful experience. But there remain challenging stages and collectibles for completionists too.
9. Trine 2: Director‘s Cut
Trine blends side-scrolling platforming with physics-based puzzles and combat using three heroes with distinct abilities. Pontius is a fighter, Zoya uses a bow and arrow, and Amadeus can conjure magic objects to overcome obstacles. Using all three in harmony is key to progress.
This enhanced Wii U edition increases visual fidelity with added physics elements and GamePad advantages. Touchscreen functionality helps place objects and command the characters. Off-TV play is useful as the game can be completely played on the GamePad screen for more intimate puzzling.
8. Little Inferno
This bizarre satirical game focuses on throwing all kinds of weird objects into an open fireplace and watching them burn for entertainment. The unusual narrative explores isolation from technology obsession and consumer addiction through dark comedic metaphor.
On the surface Little Inferno is extremely simple, but it evolves slowly into a shockingly profound interactive experience about the human condition. This offbeat indie title stands in amusing contrast to traditional Wii U platformers.
7. Scram Kitty and his Buddy On Rails
This energetic shooter challenges players to navigate various rail networks while blasting enemies left and right. The titular character rides the rails while his buddy shoots all opposition from his helper spot. There are numerous dangerous obstacles, enemy types and intense boss encounters.
With an electronic soundtrack and flashy neon vector graphics, fast reactions and precision shooting reign supreme. The Wii U GamePad offers a different perspective on the action from the television view. Scram Kitty also supports co-op with extra GamePads. With tight controls and nonstop arcade madness, it delivers satisfying gameplay.
6. Rayman Legends
Ubisoft‘s limbless hero Rayman returns to his 2D platforming origins with beautiful hand-drawn high definition visuals. This time Rayman and friends must save fairy-like Teensies from nightmares in legendary paintings. Level diversity is exceptional from underwater stealth to rhythm-music stages.
Up to five players can cooperate simultaneously while new characters offer helpful support roles catered to various playstyles. Daily and weekly challenges are available too for motivated perfectionists to test skill. The creativity in both art and level design make Rayman Legends a standout on Wii U.
5. Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze
Retro Studios actually took over the Donkey Kong Country series from Rareware beginning with Donkey Kong Country Returns on Wii. This sequel introduces dynamic rotating camera angles and new playable partners Dixie Kong and Cranky Kong with their own abilities.
Barrel blasting platforming is mixed up with challenging mine cart, rocket barrel and swimming segments across vividly themed islands like autumn woods and summer seaside. The outstanding dynamic soundtrack deserves special praise for perfectly amplifying intensity during gameplay. Again supporting co-op, DK‘s latest adventure oozes that Nintendo magic polish.
4. NES Remix 1 & 2
These compilation titles are a nostalgic platformer fan‘s dream come true. Iconic levels from 30+ classic 8-bit Nintendo games have been redone in quickfire "remixed" form with new challenges. Games represented span classic series like Super Mario Bros., Donkey Kong, Kid Icarus, Kirby and more NES greats.
Remix stages have funny tweaks like enemies wearing Link‘s iconic green hat. New achievements and modes like checkpoint races provide tons of replay value. The museums also include video clips, untampered emulations and virtual reproduction game manuals. These definitive NES tributes are a must-own.
3. Shovel Knight
This quintessential indie game wears its old-school inspirations proudly on its sleeve. The authentic 8-bit presentation mirrors similar aesthetics from games during the NES era. Tight platforming gauntlets and sweeping soundtrack hit the nostalgic feels while introducing all-new characters into the pantheon of retro classics.
The base campaign alone is built of excellent level design with epic boss encounters. But expansions featuring playable campaigns for King Knight, Specter Knight and the villainous Plague Knight add amazing replay value. Shovel Knight epitomizes the indie retro renaissance and is a perfect fit for Nintendo‘s heritage.
2. Guacamelee! Super Turbo Championship Edition
This Mexican-themed metroidvania stars an agave farmer named Juan Aguacate who dons an iconic luchador mask to rescue El Presidente’s daughter from beyond the grave. Players gradually gain abilities allowing access to new areas in the open world. The dimension shifting mechanic also brings interesting puzzle and platforming opportunities.
Combat is fueled by an in-depth wrestling moveset to unleash super strength upon skeletons and demons alike. The Wii U release also includes two DLC expansions adding hours more content. The tongue in cheek humor and reverence for internet meme culture complement deep exploratory gameplay.
1. Super Mario Maker
Nintendo basically gave fans the ultimate 2D platformer toolkit and an entire gallery to share their ingenious ideas. Players can construct Mario levels from scratch with assets spanning 30 years of iconic games. Experiment to build traditional, puzzle, automatic or sadistically difficult stages. Then play creations from Mario fans worldwide with millions of levels uploaded.
The intuitive drafting process skips cumbersome game development bottlenecks so anyone can build professional-quality experiences quickly. Touchscreen illustration and the interactive Mario amiibo figure make level design smooth. Super Mario Maker represents the ultimate fan service and nearly infinite content source for 2D Mario platforming greatness.
Conclusion
The Wii U amassed a staggeringly diverse lineup of exceptional 2D and 3D platformers, especially from Nintendo themselves. First party tentpoles like Super Mario 3D World and Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze provided console-selling experiences marrying nostalgia and innovation. Successful third party experiments like Rayman Legends proved the unique GamePad controller could enhance traditional formulae.
Meanwhile the tidal wave of outstanding indie platformers like Shovel Knight and Guacamelee demonstrated the vibrant range of gameplay possible. Whether desiring a few hours of reflex-testing bliss or many months conquering massive exploratory worlds, the Wii U delivers memorable platforming adventures to satisfy any preference. For platformer fans or devotees of Nintendo magic, the Wii U catalogue constitutes required playing.
