logo

Info

Reviewbucket.co.uk scanned the internet for Nintendo Wii U reviews.
You can find all Nintendo Wii U reviews and ratings on this page.

Read the reviews.

Analysis

For Nintendo Wii U, 444 customer reviews collected from 1 e-commerce sites, and the average score is 4.4.

Detailed seller stats;
Amazon has 444 customer reviews and the average score is 4.4. Go to this seller.

Detail

Click to list all products in this category.

Similar Items

9.5.2013

Not since the Sega Dreamcast have I seen such a fascinating games console suffer so unfairly. This isn't to say that the Wii U has sold poorly, but the unprecedented success of the original Wii has simply raised the bar of expectations to a crazy level, and so early on too.That success clearly left Nintendo underestimating any need to promote this product with the same exposure. As a result, the Wii associates itself with the Wii U in quite negative ways, despite the fact that the Wii U has a 'Wii mode' built in... Confused yet?The other mistake is of course in the name. 'Wii' works both as a universal brand and reference; a group activity. The addition of 'U'to highlight a more personal gameplay has zero impact on how this new product is an improvement over it's predecessor. The most logical names would have surely been 'Super Wii', or 'Wii 2'.But business school over; here are some of the reasons for why the Basic Pack is a better deal over the Deluxe.- The Game Pad Charging Cradle and Stand aren't necessities- The eShop Digital Promotion is far from rewarding unless you spend a huge sum of money- The Wii Remote Sensor Bar is cheap to find elsewhere (or you may already have one)- Though the Basic Pack has only 3 to 4GB of available storage, this is plenty of room for Virtual Console content and demos, unless of course you intend to download retail games (which range between 2 and 14GB on average).In the Wii U's teeny-tiny box you'll findthe Wii U console itself,the Game Pad, with a stylus included,a charging cable for the Game Pad,AC power cable for the Wii U,HDMI cable (which is nice and chunky, unlike cheap versions),and of course the obligatory leaflets/manual. These arrive in more languages than C-3PO's memory banks.When you first unpack and hold the Game Pad, it's clear that there are a whole variety of applications for this unique device and it's large LCD screen. Although the screen dominates the surface, the Game Pad also includes buttons that are familiar from the NES right through to the GameCube, only coupled with up-to-date features such as a camera, microphone, speakers, NFC sensor and more. The finishing touch is a stylus, which allows more precise input on the touchscreen. It is powered through a rechargeable battery (and USB cable).The touchscreen is resistive, meaning that it can be input with any kind of contact, but at the expense of not having multi-touch support.Here is the most important thing to understand. The Game Pad is complimentary to the Wii U console; think of it as quite possibly the most advanced gaming controller yet. It does NOT operate without the Wii U, as it is a controller. The included touchscreen can be viewed as another means of input, but with the advantage of changing its behaviour depending on what game you're playing. Not only this, but it can also act as a secondary or alternate screen, meaning that your TV no longer has to be the centre piece. This to me is groundbreaking - it's altered the way I now play my games, because you can go for a large scale experience on the TV, or play quite intimately on just the GamePad.Perhaps the greatest feat however is that, in hand, it still feels very comfortable, despite all these latest additions and hefty size. And if you don't need the touchscreen for your gameplay, then you're free to use the Wii Pro Controller that is sold separately - this looks and behaves more akin to a GameCube controller.But the Wii U doesn't just have to be controlled with the Game Pad or Pro Controller. Although certain applications or games with benefit from them, the console is backwards compatible with Wii accessories, including the ever popular Wiimote. So, if you're familiar with the Wii or even still own one, keep your Wii Remote and Sensor Bar as they are invaluable. The Wii U menus can all be controlled with a Wii Remote as normal.Bear in mind however that if you do want to play a game with just a Wii Remote/Pro Controller, you'll still need to control some of the Wii U functions with the Game Pad.The Game Pad can also perform basic operations for controlling your TV/Sky box, which is very handy for turning the volume down on loud games. This is activated by a single 'TV' button.Setting up the Wii U takes between 15 and 20 minutes, though most of this time can be dedicated to creating a new 'Mii' character (your on-screen avatar). In operation, the console is very cool and literally silent without a disc. This is an area people often forget, but Nintendo have always built very reliable and rugged hardware; the Wii U is certainly no exception. It draws significantly less power than the PS3 and Xbox 360, so it's peace of mind that Nintendo have designed such a green machine. The console also has the ability to download software/update data when it is off, which is great for silent and energy efficient tasks.After turning the console on, you're greeted to a new plaza that contains your Wii U's Mii avatars and others from around the world, all bustling and looking funny. The object of all this is that popular discussions or themes which may interest you (based on your own activities) are displayed as posts, whether it's a player who can't get past a certain stage in a game, or someone who has drawn a picture. But all this chatter is taken from the new Miiverse application, where the user can enter a discussion and post text or a drawing. It's fun, friendly and well moderated. Discussions are separated for games (old and new) or special topics (such as 'The Year of Luigi').The second home screen contains your channels, almost exactly as how they would appear on an original Wii. You can switch the plaza and channels between your TV and Game Pad in a single button press.This software does take some getting used to, because you'll be so tempted to keep looking at the TV when, in fact, you realise the options and buttons are right there in front of you on the GamePad. Once you overcome this, it's easy to use the Wii U without the TV. In fact, this is a large draw for the Wii U, because you're not tied to the TV. If I want to check out Miiverse, browse the Internet or kill five minutes on a NES game, it can all be done solely on the GamePad.As mentioned earlier, you can connect a USB hard disk drive to expand your storage, but at the expense of requiring another power outlet. This is primarily to store full games or demos that have been downloaded from the eShop; SD cards can only store game saves. What I like about this feature is that the file management is absolutely painless, with simple options to move content between your Wii U's memory and the hard disk. With the drive plugged in, your content appears just as it normally would with other channels, and if you unplug it, they disappear. Therefore, the drive doesn't need to be connected if you're not playing games on it, which is fantastic. This also means that if you don't want to buy a hard disk, then you can even use a USB memory stick to store things temporarily.One strange decision by Nintendo is how you access original Wii Software, such as discs and Channels. Rather than allowing the software to seamlessly integrate into the new Wii U Menu, the console actually emulates the original Wii Menu in a partition, and therefore requires a system reboot just to switch back and forth. This is pretty lousy because the Wii Menu itself is redundant, unless you're still playing software that you downloaded for your original Wii.There is no reason to talk about the 'power' of the console. This is a term that is as broad as saying to someone "Is your car any good?"... Regardless of its engine, the journey you take decides how enjoyable the ride was. All that needs to be said is that the step up to HD is beautiful, and Super Mario Bros. U - though not pushing the hardware much - is already a major improvement over the original Wii graphics. Some textures often look equal to or better than current consoles, and the lighting/shadow techniques are simply outstanding.The GamePad responds well and there is no lag between it's own screen and your TV screen. It's screen resolution is average at best, but providing you hold the GamePad at a normal distance, it's not a concern. Also, colour and saturation are excellent. Be aware however that there is limit in the distance that the Game Pad can operate from the Wii U, so don't expect to hop upstairs and still be playing. I normally get to around 6/7 meters from the console.Battery life is between 4 and 5 hours, depending on how you use the GamePad. Some critics may refer to this short play time as a flaw, but Nintendo have been very clever about it as the battery is removable on the back of the GamePad (Not many people have picked up on this). Therefore, it's almost a certainty that Nintendo will release a 'Pro' battery in the future with a larger capacity.Although mirroring the TV and the addition of extra controls are great, the Game Pad actually comes into its own with a surprising feature in 'Virtual Console'. Nintendo has begun offering a library of video games that span between the NES and - as promised - the GameCube in their eShop store, and they can be played on the GamePad or TV. Although the current catalogue is small, I downloaded several classics and have since been reluctant to put them down... The transfers are nothing short of astonishing in 1080p, with Super Mario World in particular looking like night and day in a comparison to my SNES. Virtual Console games can also have button assignments and Restore Points, in case things get a little tricky.Internet browsing is OK, but nothing special. I was quite surprised at how fast the actual speeds are, but the controls feel a little clunky if you're used to using a multi-touch display as on most tablet computers. I like how you can control an internet page on the GamePad, and then hide or reveal it on the TV.The included video applications on the Wii U menu are hit and miss; YouTube is excellent, Netflix and LoveFilm obviously requires subscriptions, and Nintendo TVii isn't compatible in the U.K yet. Doh!The rest of Wii U is not without faults. It's eShop, which enables you to download games rather than owning a disc, is sadly over-priced in comparison to retail products, because they are sold at their RRP. Switching between applications can be a little slow, although this was recently updated and is so less so (though could still be improved).My real beef however has been with the convoluted data transfer process between an old Wii and your new Wii U. What on earth were Nintendo thinking? First off, you must 'still' possess the original Wii console in order to perform any kind of transfer, so if like myself you copied all your data to an SD card believing that it was readable, and then ditched the Wii... then I sympathise with you.This process exists due to digital rights management; you're transferring a license to own the games on the Wii U, not just simply copying the game data. Nintendo should have made this clearer in their promotional content.Final thoughts? The Wii U is simply stuffed to the helm with innovative features and potential, yet it hasn't got the recognition it deserves. Some may suggest that the RRP was too high on release, but this argument is lousy when you're comparing the vast functions of this new console to its predecessor. I fear too many people have judged the Wii U harshly by its appearance rather than its actual performance.Likewise, those who suggest that the Wii U has been too expensive ought to prepare themselves for any future console from Sony or Microsoft.Providing you view the Wii U's operating software as a work in progress, then you can appreciate how beautifully designed this machine is - balancing power consumption, performance and cost all while still maintaining that typical Nintendo quality.I've no doubt that its competitors will release more 'powerful' hardware, but that doesn't equate more enjoyment. What really makes the difference is when a video game captures your imagination, and to that end, visuals only tell part of the story. The Wii U is an insanely fun piece of kit that combines the best of two worlds: the Wii input that we all know and love, and a brand new tablet-like controller. Now it's just up to developers to take advantage of the Wii U GamePad and it's obvious potential.
Read more..

30.8.2016

I bought the console as a Christmas gift for my son (11 years old), who is pretty heavily into gaming, already owning an Xbox360, iPad and PS Vita, and having an old (and failing) Wii. I’ve also got a PS3 & PS4, so as a household we’re no strangers to gaming.However, even though we were already very well covered with so many consoles and handhelds knocking about, there was something very appealing about the Wii-U. For starters, as a child of the eighties, the Nintendo brand is almost magical. Kind of the home of modern day console gaming if you like. And, although Nintendo’s consoles have succumbed to a lesser degree to all the 18 certificate Triple-A titles that abound on Microsoft and Sony’s current consoles,they have also retained far more of the neon-coloured, quirky, unashamedly off-the-wall Japanese influenced titles, that are just… well…., more fun. So, whereas I’d argue that you could probably happily live with either one of Microsoft or Sony’s current generation consoles, you will always want to own Nintendo’s too.I was probably just as excited as my son as he opened the box on Christmas day, and neither of us were in any way disappointed. To get the boring stuff over with, the console comes well packaged, if a little bit fiddly with its various compartments for cables etc. It was easy to set up, with all cabling clearly marked, and easy to hook up. The Wii-U gamepad didn’t take long to charge up, and we were soon launching into Mario Kart 8. The first thing that was abundantly clear was how fantastic the game looked. Maybe not on a par with the visuals on offer from the PS4 or Xbox One, but closer to that than the previous generation of consoles and a massive improvement on the Wii. Most games will only run natively in 720P rather than 1080P, including Mario Kart 8, but you’d be hard-pressed to notice. It looks amazing on my 1080P Samsung, super-smooth running at 60fps and just a joy to play. This is, no doubt, the best version of the best karting game on any console or handheld, ever.The Wii-U gamepad is also an absolute joy. Initially it looks a bit clunky and cumbersome, but once you get your hands on it, it’s very comfortable indeed, with a great button layout. Mario Kart 8 also gave early insight into how the big on-board colour screen can be used creatively to complement the main game screen, showing a course map and information about race positions, among other things.The gamepad truly comes into its own when being used as a separate controller, to remotely play games on the gamepad only without the need for a TV. This is supported by many, many games, including Mario Kart 8, and it’s a done flawlessly. Simply switch in-game from TV to the gamepad, and you can continue your gaming experience on a hand-held, while freeing up the TV to be used by someone else for something else – genius! You do have to have the Wii-U console left turned on (as the controller itself has no processor and can’t run games independently, and you have to stay within range of the console (20 or so feet I think), but depending on the layout of your house, this can allow you to sit in separate rooms. Of course, you can do remote play on a PS4, either via a PS Vita or using a PC with a gamepad, but you need additional hardware for this and even though the PS4 remote play range is greater, it’s just not as slickly implemented as it is on the Wii-U.I bought several other games, including Splatoon, which was also included in this bundle, but as a download via redemption of a code (compared to Mario Kart which came pre-installed). I also got Super Mario 3D World and Super Mario Maker. These are all three an absolute blast, and again it’s the graphics that stand out in all the games – simply stunning. Nintendo has not lost its touch, and the Mario brand has not lost its creativity or it’s simple but endlessly fun gameplay. The more powerful hardware takes them even further and gives the games a kind of polish and depth that they have never had before.Eight months down the line and there have been no issues whatsoever with the hardware, which is proving itself to be as well-built and resilient as it looked (not that I doubted it would be with my past experience of Nintendo hardware). There have been hours of fun, and this is one of my best buys of the last 12 months. I’d echo the comments of other reviewers regarding price, as this seems to fluctuate a lot – not just for this bundle, but for all other combinations of consoles and games. I paid £229.99, which was outstanding value for money, particularly given it was the 32GB console (which incidentally is essential in my view, to ensure you’ve got a decent amount of space for downloaded games).It’s also worth mentioning, for anyone considering a purchase that already has a Wii, that the vast majority of Wii games are backwards compatible with the Wii-U, so if you need to supplement your game collection, you may already have a big back catalogue from your previous purchases. Also worth a note that Nintendo is offering many games from its considerable back catalogue on other consoles (such as GameCube) for download (for a price) via their online store. This makes the Wii-U a very versatile machine, and by far the most backward-compatible of all the current generation of consoles in my view. Also useful to know that your Wii Sensor Bar and Wii remotes will all work with the Wii-U, not just for Wii games but you can also use the old Wii remotes for some Wii-U games, rather than having to buy additional Wii-U controllers. This is a real money-saver if you’ve already got a Wii.In summary, if you’re looking to re-discover the true essence of gaming, look no further if you haven’t got a Wii-U yet. And if you’ve got young children, for me this should be your number one choice of gaming console. There’s more than enough content available to keep both adults and children happy, and with the remote play so well implemented to allow play to continue seamlessly when parents want the TV back, it’s a no brainer if you ask me. You'll be smiling from ear to ear, so just buy one!
Read more..

21.8.2014

I finally decided to buy a Wii U after sitting on the fence since it's release, with the latest launch of Mario Kart 8 I thought the special edition would make a perfect addition to my collection of Nintendo consoles. This price drop makes it £110 cheaper than the PS4 and a whopping £160 lower than the XB1. Almost 2 years on from it's initial release I think it's time to share my opinionsThe console is small in stature and only slightly larger than the Wii, the premium version has a glossy black finish while the basic version is a glossy white. It is considerably smaller than the other next gen systems at about 20% volume of the XB1 + Kinect. Both the Wii U tablet and pro pad are also very well designed,both are built to a very high glossy quality.You also have to take into consideration that both the PS4 and XB1 are not backward compatible, and the input/output lag of the XB1 obliterates any possibility of using the 'HDMI IN' function for anything other that viewing video. The Wii U however is fully compatible with every Wii game and console accessory which opens it's software library up to well over a thousand games, many of which are considered the best of all time such as Mario Galaxy 1+2, Twilight Princess, Smash Bros Brawl and Metroid Prime Trilogy.I paid £475 for my XB1 at launch with a bundled Fifa 14 and a separate copy of Forza 5, in the months since I've never felt so mugged off in all my life... While the PS4 and XB1 are more powerful their game libraries are very poor, even almost 1 year after their releases neither have a game worth buying the console for.The criticisms of the Wii U always centre on two things:The lower processing power in relation to XB1/PS4, and it's library (or lack of) games. Both of these points I've since discovered are actually false...The Wii U has less processing power yes, but not a single game has even came close to pushing the hardware. Assassin's Creed 4 is the classic example. The Wii U has a completely different architecture to other systems, this isn't showcasing lower power but rather a lazy conversion which is evident in all the cross format games. Next is the library of games, the Wii U currently has 9 exclusive full release games scoring more than 80% on Metacritic compared to the PS4's 2 (inFamous + The Last of Us) and the XB1's 1 (Titanfall, which is hugely overated).Next is the online play, Sony and Microsoft has been infested with American, racist, rage kids for the past 10 years and it sours the online experience, you can't go into a pre-game lobby without having some obnoxious child shout abuse at you down the mic. There's entire Youtube channels devoted to abusing gamers and provoking a reaction, such is gaming on MS and Sony machines.If your not being abused verbally then there's the cheaters using lag switches and aim bots and making it pointless even trying to play online as you have no chance. The absolute worse thing about this is Sony and Microsoft's complete inaction against this even though you're PAYING for online access, chances are if you've played COD online for these systems then you've came across cheaters. This really annoys me as a 12 month XB Live subscription is £40 but MS don't even police their own servers, I stopped my XB Live last year shortly after the XB1 release.Online access for the Wii U is free, and there is no difference in the speed or availability of servers. In fact when I've been online with Mario Kart 8 I'm almost always instantly put into a pre game lobby.I bought COD: Ghosts when it was £15 on the Wii U and it was a revelation, first of all you're playing against Nintendo gamers and not rage kids. Pre game lobbies were always filled with mature, like minded gamers who you could chat to and have a joke with, not the typical MS or Sony rage kid.Second is the cheats, I've put about 20 hours into this and I haven't came across a single cheater, no lag switches or aim bots. The Wii U has restored my faith in online gaming.At this moment in time the Wii U is the best choice for next gen gaming, it has the better exclusive games currently out and coming in the future, is cheaper and has far better online community which is free.
Read more..

3.12.2012

I was really excited about getting the Wii U and when it arrived I must admit I was slightly disappointed after reading the various online reports of the console being slow and taking ages to download an initial update.Okay so in the Box, you get 2 power supplies one for the Console and then for the GamePad and a HDMI lead. No other bells or whistles in the basic model. The actual console is a slim body and very compact it takes up the same space as a Wii although is slightly deeper in length. The GamePad is big and I was surprised at the size which I thought would be heavy but it really is lighter than you can imagine.Setting up the machine once connected takes a while longer than any otherconsole thanks in part to the required system update which activates the majority of the Wii U functions. I connected up the wires hit the power on and nothing happened... well nothing at first as you need to pair the GamePad with the console (walk back to machine press sync and then press sync (dig out a pen) on the controller which is recessed in the back). Okay that's done the job onto the next bit of the setup. The GamePad really becomes the main source of navigation from setting up the controller to be a TV remote, which is all done with the minimum of fuss, to the configuration of your wifi it seems straight forward and with ease, then the dreaded hour long update which actually took around 40 minutes.Once the update has been installed you get to create your Profile and activate a Nintendo ID (Gamer Tag) but using the new GamePad makes entering details very quick and it's extremely responsive which is great. Creation of my Mii and account all sorted I was then lost.The Wii U has 3 basic menu screens,The TV shows the main WaraWara Plaza which is a sort of trending screen, what people are playing, what they think about those games and how popular they are. It sounds simple, it really is but it also is fascinating to see people voicing what is good and also bad about a game can really help you think about if it's something you want to invest in.The Default GamePad view is the standard channels (TV screens (introduced on the Wii)) with various options to choose like launching a game or app (netflix, lovefilm, youtube or system settings etc... all similar if you've used the Wii or 3DS.The Final menu is the HOME menu, tap the Home button on the GamePad and up comes the Friends (adding Friends), e-shop, web etc... which can be brought up when playing a game and allows you to google tips on a game, then throw a comment on the MiiVerse (Think a gaming forum) capture a picture of where you might be stuck and then carrying on with the game feels so simple and new that it makes you wonder why this has never been done before.Having the 3 menus though does take a while to get use to, no more so than the various updates to the XBOX blades, metro, windows interface to the PS3 and it's XMB design that has had numerous tweaks along the way. But like anything there is a learning curve and you just need to be patient and it all starts coming together. It is worth noting that on the GamePad in the top right you can hit the switch icon and the WaraWara screen is displayed and the channels are sent to either the TV or the void if the TV is off :o)I know this is probably sounding straight forward now but I didn't get what I was suppose to do and I was getting pretty frustrated (reading the manual does help for a change).I suppose the biggest question is will it change the living room... for me I believe it will, the integration of Netflix and LoveFilm (not yet available but imminent) and the way it's used is great, the games in the e-shop Nano Assault Neo is amazing and for the promotional price seems that you can't go wrong with it as your first Wii U e-shop game. The MiiVerse makes for a solid addition for gamers and the overall experience seems great for a brand new console it just needs you to give it some TLC to get use to it.A worthy purchase indeed
Read more..

2.12.2012

I think the Wii U is great. It is technologically far superior to the original, and it finally seems a worthy compatriot to my HD TV, with its absolutely beautiful online system and graphics. Yes, there is some concern about its CPU, but it is difficult to predict how much of an issue that really is, with the so-called "next-gen" still being defined.For me, the Wii U is about complementing my TV. With its integration with Netflix and Lovefilm, low power consumption and impressive peripherals (the gamepad), the fact that it can play HD games is almost just a bonus. Do I care about 1080 60 fps? Not really. But I am curious to see if MS or Sony will be able to match this experience with a comparable price tag.Regardless, I expect my PC will remain my main "serious" gaming device, with the Wii being used to party games and the odd exclusive. Best of all, the ability to continue playing without the TV means that I can now enjoy my games while my wife uses the TV.One of the things I loved most about my Wii is the fact that everything simply worked. Unfortunatley I can't say the same for this edition. Maybe Apple has made me lazy, but some of the annoyances are:- I had to supply my email address twise during setup: once when doing the update, and then again later when setting up my Nintendo account.- After supplying my location, the setup process asked for my timezone. Is it that hard to get the timezone from my location?- The lovefilm app does not work - it erroneously states that I need an internet connection. Netflix works fine (this is actually becoming a bit of a habit for me: on my ipad and pc netflix just works, whereas lovefilm always seem to have issues).- The sensor bar I got does not work unless I manually press the "set" button. Then it starts beeping every hour, even though it is connected to the box with its usb cable.- The initial update took almost 2 hours. Then netflix required an update that took 10 minutes. Then Zombiu required an update that took 15 minutes. And due to the bricking issue, every update is a stressful affair.- My gamepad only synched properly after a restart, not sure why.- The synch button on the box is heavy and does not give good feedback on whether it has been pressed.- The synch button on the gamepad requires a pen (I used my stylus).- You can't play Zombiu without the TV. Really disappointing, as off-TV gaming is one of the features of the device.Sorry if that turned into a rant, and I must add that this does in no way negate what this device brings to the table. It is a wonderful idea, and a good implementation, that may require a few months to mature into its potential.EDIT: After updating my system again on the 6th of December, (another 1 hour wait, so be warned), the Lovefilm app now finally works (also after another 10 minute update, sigh). And I am happy to report that it works better than the Lovefilm iPad or PC apps. They finally realized that you want to see your TV shows as a single unit, not every episode as a separate viewable item. It even keeps track where in the series you are (just like Netflix, which is the way it is supposed to be).
Read more..

24.9.2014

The WiiU has been around for 2 years, over those 2 years the console has managed to do quite well with more and more sales year by year and better games coming out each year. Now I will be honest I hated the WiiU when it came out, I just said that it would fail even though I am a Nintendo Fan at the time I didnt like it. Oh how I was very wrong. Right away let me say I love the WiiU and that could be because over time I have matured and seen how good it really is.So first let us talk about the design of the WiiU, the design is very minimal. It has a very nice form factor, allowing it to fit in a lot of places with no difficulties.The glossy finish is very nice but annoying at first as I felt like I had to handle it like fine art to not get any finger prints on it, thank fully I got no finger prints on. But where the design really shines for me is in the WiiU Gamepad, now the size maybe big for some at first bu it is very comfortable. The screen is not 1080p but because of the high Pixel Density it actually looks really good, playing games or even just viewing a movie on it looks really good plus having it not 1080p means good battery life. Played it 3 hours straight and it had no hint of going dead so good design decision.Next the interface, this will be familiar to those who have used a Wii or who own a 3DS as it has pretty much the same interface. There is also a kind of social hub area which shows on up on which ever screen is not showing the main menu. This addition does look pretty cool, not sure of its real function as it hasnt done much for me but it does look cool.Now lets move onto gameplay on the WiiU, frankly its awesome. Games are presented to you in glorious 1080p with no screen tearing or frame rate drops, the animations and gameplay are buttery smooth. Gaming on the gamepad is also very smooth with a good frame rate although the frame rate looked a tad lower on the gamepad than on the TV but by no means was it poor frame rate. Overall the gameplay is fantastic and with the new wealth of games coming out it can only get better.Finally when not gaming, watching Netflix or YouTube is fantastic. YouTube viewing is great with a nice UI being controlled by the gamepad, this allows for a near perfect experience. The perfect experience comes when viewing Netflix, the UI is just so easy to navigate and is buttery smooth, smoother than on my actual PC which is kinda odd. But the best bit which really made me smile and is something I never knew, you are able to view Netflix Video on the gamepad. You can view your favourite movie on the big screen or kick back and watch it on the gamepad while others view whatever else they want on TV. It is a fantastic feature.The WiiU offers an amazing experience with a great wealth of games to choose from, and plus the eShop unlocks even more for you. Frankly the WiiU is a great console, but I will only recommend a WiiU to Nintendo Fans as it is these people it will please the most. Overall it is a great console, easily 10/10 for me.
Read more..

17.10.2013

I first played Wind Waker on the Gamecube and thoroughly enjoyed it. This HD remaster matches or even surpasses my memories. The game looks absolutely dazzling. This is a HD remaster of the highest calibre. The lighting is especially stunning and it appears that most objects in the game have shadows. The game still plays very well; the combat is simple but responsive and satisfying. The sailing is very pleasurable and relaxing and sped up considerable by the new Swift Sail (obtained in the Auction House on Windall Island) if you choose. The Tingle Bottles add a layer of enjoyable interaction with other players as everyone can send random messages out to other players games.These messages sometimes contain pictographs, doodles or just a friendly hello.The console is just like the other Premium Wii Us except for the Zelda-themed Gamepad which looks very nice indeed. The Gamepad looks a bit clumsy but feels very comfortable when held and the touchscreen is an invaluable input method for games and especially Miiverse. It enables fairly rapid typing and doodling to communicate with others on Nintendo's social network, Miiverse. These are the two aspects of the Wii U that have most impressed me and offer an experience you cannot replicate on any other console. Miiverse is great fun and enables you to connect with others even in wholly single-player experiences. You can share screenshots, tips and hints and your own experiences. You can ask for help and provide it.In short, I am surprised by how good a console the Wii U is. I expected to enjoy Zelda and a few other exclusive but I can see this becoming my primary console as I love the Gamepad and Miiverse and there are plenty of quality games already released and many more to come this year and next. The Wii U is also fully backward-compatible with the Wii which has a huge library of brilliant and quirky games like Mario Galaxy, Okami, Metroid Prime Trilogy, Fire Emblem, Zelda: Skyward Sword, Trauma Center, Xenoblade Chronicles and many more. Most of the Wii peripheral are compatible and some (Wiimote Plus, Classic Controller) are used in many games.The only criticisms I have so far relate to the lack of Dolby Digital or DTS. The Wii U only output LPCM 2.0 or 5.1 and unfortunately some amps and headphones (in my case) don't support this format. A modern amp will convert this output to the required format and pretty much everything will play LPCM 2.0 as basic stereo but there is no Dolby Digital in games or Netflix. I also have had some trouble with the WiFi connection but this could very well just be an issue with a very poor WiFi router. The battery life of the Gamepad is also fairly short (2-3 hours) but the AC Adaptor is quite long so it's not such an issue. You can buy an improved battery too if you really need it or the Wii U Pro Controller which has a battery life of 80 hours or so but I find the Gamepad features so useful that I would only buy a Pro Controller for multiplayer.
Read more..

26.2.2016

For any "true" Nintendo fans - you would have probably bought one by now; if you are a casual gamer - and prefer family games and enjoyed the original Wii (despite its issues) perhaps you were waiting for a good deal on Wii U. Well, that time has arrived, sell the Wii (or keep) and get this.This bundle (Mario Kart 8 & Splatoon) is IMHO pretty great and the price is good also. If you're going to get a new Wii U then it is now or never - otherwise just use the Wii and wait.Compared to Wii:- The Pad looks great, it is pretty much a portable game console in itself but larger and heavier than expected.I would have preferred for it to use standard AA batteries rather than a 2nd charger.- You can only use 1 Pad and it does not seem this will ever change now - despite rumours for years.- You can use your old Wii-motes if you install the sensor bar.- If you were unhappy with the Wii graphics, SCART/composite connection - this will give your HDTV justice with great 1080p graphics (HDMI cable is included! a nice touch)- Can play on Pad and keep TV off or let the other people watch something on it - and plug headphones for sound.- Looks much better in black and the Pad is quality - even at somewhat reduced resolution compared to tablets these days.Games:- If you played MK on the Wii then MK8 is pretty much the same but graphics are a lot better. The Pad is interesting (e.g. see maps) but does not add to a lot. No split-screen for family multi-player, geared for on-line play really.- Splatoon is a lot of fun but again geared for on-line multiplayer rather than family.- Apps are available, e.g. Netflix, LoveFilm, iPlayer - so if your HDTV is not smart then you can use modern versions of those apps on the console.- You can use your old Wii games on the Wii U; quality is a bit better due to digital connection, etc.- Games are, IMHO, relatively expensive. Many games are no longer out and even more expensive to buy used than RRP.Overall I am not unhappy to have upgraded at this price though not 100% as happy with it for family play as original Wii. The Wii U seems more geared towards classic single-player console gaming (hence gamepad) - while the Wii had innovative Wii-motes. It somehow seems a bit like going back?The Pad is interesting but does not seem to do a lot - it is somewhat interesting it can mirror the whole screen and/or used to select (like a tablet) but perhaps it has added great expense. Paradoxically perhaps then 2 or more should have been supported (e.g. if only for control with no/basic video) for multi-player to prevent 2nd (or other) players feeling "2nd class".Anyway if you wanted a new (not used) premium (black) Wii U have a Wii already and PS4/XBox1 are not your kind of console (just as PS3/XBox360) - then this is probably a good time to get it and this bundle.
Read more..

11.1.2014

The Wii U is a brilliant piece of kit and offers a nice change from the more 'hardcore' consoles on the market. The graphics are very good (a large step-up from the Wii) and the tablet controller adds a great new depth to games and better functionality with instantaneous menus which keeps fluidity within the games.Many people say that this should not be selected over an Xbox One or PS4 because it does not have the power to provide great graphics or third party games. However I, and many others, recommend this console to own and play alongside other consoles due to the difference and uniqueness of the core offering.Many of the best games ever made are Nintendo exclusives and so a Nintendo console is a must for anyone who enjoys brilliant and unique games and the variety available stretches much further than FPS games.The Wii U is also backwards compatible with the Wii and can use the Wii-mote controller and so allows you to play even more of Nintendo's best games without the hassle. There is also a brilliant e-shop which provides quick downloads of classic Nintendo games or you can download current Wii U games if you don't fancy going to the shops to buy a hard copy.If you have a 3DS it can link to the console and can be used in conjunction with certain games (such as Monster Hunter 3) and the Mii from the console can be transferred to your 3DS via your Nintendo ID.Good Points:Limited edition Zelda edition console! With a great looking controllerTablet controller which graphic potential is similar to a HD TV.Better online and games such as CoD play like they do on 'more powerful' counterpartsMany Nintendo Intellectual Properties provide exclusive and brilliant games (Zelda, Mario, Smash Bro's)Backwards compatibility with Wii gamesNegative points:Not a vast amount of great games and limited third party support.You have to wait for Windwaker to download before you can play it (its only 30mins-1hr)I honestly can not recommend this console enough - for the price it is a great value console which will keep casual and more experienced gamers entertained for many hours.If you are not a zelda fan then any of the special edition consoles are worth the money although only the hardware within the Zelda pack is notably different to the rest of the consoles (as it has the hyrulian encrusted controller)
Read more..

25.11.2015

Honestly, the best console I've had in years, so fun. Bought as a present for my 6 year old for Xmas, I installed everything ready to wrap it up and put it away, however, I 'quickly' tested Mario Kart and I have to say it was the most fun I've had in years! I played the Mushroom Cup, then a couple of online races.Online was excellent, absolutely no lag and no drop in the frame rate, the actual game was fantastic, graphics are ridiculously good and the controls ultra responsive, character selection and car modifications are extremely varied, plenty to unlock also. The courses are amazing as well, anti gravity, underwater, parachuting, all extremely fun.My review for Splatoon..... Installed it,did a bit of the tutorial, couldnt jump across a gap as a squid, took a huff and turned it off haha, needless to say my daughter will be better than me at it as this is the game shes been talking about. Graphics again are brilliant and controls responsive.Mario Kart can be played on the handheld only, whilst Splatoon has to be through the TV, unless I missed something, either way of playing is fantastic, Graphics are amazing even just on the handheld, I kept switching between that and the TV and couldn't see the difference.The setup, took me around 2 hours altogether to install everything, Mario Kart and Netflix, Youtube were already installed on the console which made things mega easy, everything very straight forward and even created my Daughter a little 'mii' character that looks very similar to her so she'll be over the moon!!!£229 at the time of writing this review is an excellent price and £20 cheaper than anywhere else so I bought a lego game with the money I'd saved! extremely fun, backwards compatible, the games are brilliant I cant wait to get some more mario games, definitely buy this bundle of you're sitting on the fence 10/10
Read more..

21.1.2015

Always been a fan of Nintendo but never thought I would buy a Wii U. But then I read up a little on what it does and was pleasantly surprised.For me the ability to play games using the new tablet style game pad instead of a tv screen was fantastic, it allows my wife to watch tv while I still get to play my games. The backwards compatibility with Wii games is also awesome, I have loads of these and the Wii remote which is compatible also.I was kinda torn between getting a black 32gb console and the white 8gb console but decided to go for the white 8gb due to the price and the fact you can just plug in a USB hard drive or memory stick which you probably would have to do with the 32gb version anyway and the black version doesn't really come with many other extras worth mentioning.There are plenty of USB sockets, WiFi built in and HDMI which gives such a great picture on your tv.There are plenty of games for the Wii U, the likes of the Mario games, Zelda and the usual Nintendo releases which I love and cant get enough of. There is also quite a number of cheap games available like Call of Duty, Assassins Creed and one of my favorites 007 Legends. Plenty of new games on the horizon including Project Cars. Also the Wii U shop built into the console is great for buying and downloading games direct to your console, the always have deals and you can get some bargain games including vintage Nintendo games from NES to Wii.The new controller is excellent very comfortable and packed with motion sensors, microphone and a camera which provides lots of innovative features in a lot of games. It would be the perfect tool of PS4 or Xbox consoles.I would definitely recommend this console to anyone who loves gaming in general and would like the choice of playing on the tv or on the gamepad for a reasonable price.
Read more..

7.2.2016

Honestly one of my favourite gaming purchases to date.Being a Wii owner previously and seeing how much fun I had with that consistently over almost a decade (context - I'm now almost in my mid 20's), I decided to finally take the leap to the Wii U as I saw that fresh new content was being made for it with better graphics - everything I was on board for. I bought it not really knowing how/if the gaming dynamic would change with the gamepad being involved, but as something that I thought looked cool and I'd be more than willing to give a good go. I bought the 32GB version on recommendation from someone at a gaming store, as a lot of content is now DLC (to be bought online and downloaded straight on to your console instead of bought on a physical CD)and since MK8 and Splatoon - both highly popular games based on reviews - were preinstalled onto the console, I went for this package, and I haven't looked back since.It is backwards compatible, meaning all of your old Wii games will work on it, and you can transfer (though be careful here because it's irreversible) all of your old wii saves onto the Wii U, and just use that as your mega Wii console! Wii controllers are also compatible meaning you won't have to fork out extra for different controllers, although some games require the pro Wii u controller, which I have currently not got (but as I understand mimics the gamepad controls but without the screen)I have bought Super Smash bros, Super Mario Bros U (+ Super Luigi U) and Mario Party 10 so far as well, and have downloaded additional content for MK8; bar Mario Party 10 (that's a different review for a different time!), I love everything and so do my friends and family.TL;DR - A great gaming system for all ages that is crazy fun, which is amplified if you are already a nintendo fan.
Read more..

14.5.2014

Having had a Wii since 2005, this feels like a major spec boost. I think this is one of those products I had to try to really get it. I was skeptical at first, but having tried it, it's great. The kids absolutely love the gamepad and Zelda WindWaker HD. It has even got the kids away from their beloved Minecraft, which is saying something!With this bundle, you get everything you need to get going, right out of the box including the console itself, Zelda themed gamepad, charger+dock, HDMI cable, sensor bar etc. Windwaker HD comes as a download (there is a download code inside the box).Until now, I did not realise how useful it is to be able to decouple from the TV screen and play just on the gamepad.Sometimes my kids just prefer to play that way as well.Each player can have their own account with the WiiU, with their own messages, friends, game levels etc. which has proven to be a welcome improvement over the Wii.There are no Wiimotes included (or needed for WindWaker), which is ideal as I already have 5 (presumably this has been a way to keep costs down). The old ones (and motion plus) are compatible of course, and I've tried them with other games.We've since bought Super Mario Bro for Wii U. The coop play through the gamepad means Dad (that's me) can join in and actually help the kids through placing platforms and stunning enemies - frantic, but brilliant as normally the kids leave me standing.Although good, it's not about the hardware for me, but the software. As my family see it, Nintendo still put the same passion, attention to detail and effort into games for younger kids, which as a parent, is very appreciated. Personally, I can't think of anyone else who comes close in this respect.
Read more..

2.1.2015

I won't write in detail about the Wii U as many other posts have covered it much better than I can.I can say that I was undecided about whether to get the 8gb basic version or the 32gb one. The difference in price is quite a bit(with a game pack about 60-70 pounds).If you get the basic version you will need a sensor bar which are between 5-10 pounds,I already had a wii and used that one. The 32gb also comes with a console stand(which I would not use looking at it in use), and a stand for charging the gamepad(again not really useful) both of which are cheap to buy seperately.The 8gb version only leaves about 3gb of actual space after the operating system is updated,so I would reccommend buyinga small usb stick so any saves or demos you download will fit.A 8gb (less than a fiver)stick will suffice for basic needs or if you intend to download games directly ,a larger size(I've got 64gb) or even a large external hard-drive.Even if you wanted to buy all that came with the 32gb version,it would still work out cheaper to get the basic version..As they don't give you a free game with the Wii U,getting a game with the console is fairly essential, if you don't get a console/game package, nintendoland is a good starter to check out how good the console is.I got mine quite late in the lifespan of the Wii U,for me and my 8 year old son to play and am very impressed by the games and console. As a pc gamer I am also happy that the graphics look great.The only downer is that their is not much 3rd party game support but I doubt I will be able to get all the games I want to play before a new console comes out.Hope this helps.
Read more..

29.10.2013

I pre-ordered this, and it arrived on the morning of release day - great service, Amazon. I love the console, and the game. The Wii U Gamepad is an amazing piece of kit and really evolves and innovates in typical Nintendo fashion. Off TV-play is brilliant and is a feature I use a fair bit, for playing games, browsing the web, watching films / programmes on Lovefilm. The new E-shop is a vast improvement on the Wii Shop, and there are playable demos for a number of games - full disc releases not just the smaller indy type downloadable games (although most of the games are available for download as well now). I'm sure that Wii U is going to finally start selling well now that more games are coming out for it,and for my money this new way of playing games is far more interesting and worthwhile than the so called next gen systems that are about to come out, which as far as I can tell are just the same as the current gen, but with prettier graphics. Wind Waker HD is superb, I played the Gamecube original but didn't get all that far in it. I've progressed further in this one and intend to complete it. The gameplay is largely the same, but the accellerometer controls work brilliantly for things like 1st person view, aiming the grapple hook and looking around with the telescope. The updated graphics are gorgeous, they keep the look of the original, but are much sharper and more detailed, and the lighting is a lot more realistic. I would thoroughly recommend the bundle, and also the console generally, and Wind Waker. The limited edition Zelda themed Gamepad is subtle but distinctive.
Read more..

List All Products

Terms and ConditionsPrivacy Policy