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Wii U Review Round-Up

The Wii U is here, and along with it comes video games. And along with those video games come our opinions about which ones are worth your time. Check out all of our Wii U reviews and their corresponding Test Chamber videos where applicable below, and get ready for even more as we're able to spend more time with the system and its software.

New Super Mario Bros. U - "After playing through New Super Mario Bros. 2 on 3DS a few months ago, I was concerned that the “New” series had run its course. The levels didn’t feel as fresh and the coin collection gimmick didn’t make much of an impact. I feared this dip in quality signaled stormy skies for New Super Mario Bros. U on Nintendo’s next home console, but I couldn’t have been more wrong." - Bryan Vore

Nintendo Land - "The question for Nintendo Land really comes down to longevity. Although I had an absolute blast playing Mario Chase for a few rounds, I’m already bored with it. With only a few similar standout games, the collection doesn’t captivate as much as it could. Still, despite some control foibles and a few uninteresting minigames, Nintendo Land gives players a proper introduction to the capabilities of the Wii U and its GamePad." - Kimberly Wallace

ZombiU - "Gamers eager for a new experience tailored to the Wii U likely have their eyes on ZombiU. It shows off nearly every feature of Nintendo’s new hardware, but the sum of these parts is a horrifying Frankenstein’s Monster. Good zombie games are a dime a dozen these days, and I can’t recommend ZombiU above them despite being the only undead shooter on the Wii U." - Tim Turi

Scribblenauts Unlimited - "To push Scribblenauts Unlimited to the limits of its vocabulary is impressive, and seeing how objects interact with one another is always amusing. Scribblenauts Unlimited’s ability to blur the line between game and toy is one of its greatest strengths. Finding the more obscure and bizarre ways to solve puzzles is where the experience shines, largely because it’s the kind of fun you create for yourself." - Kyle Hilliard

Technically, our Epic Mickey review mainly covers the current console versions, but we do touch on the Wii U version. Also, our Wii U impressions of Ninja Gaiden are exactly that, impressions, but it doesn't mean it should be discounted from our round-up.

Epic Mickey 2: The Power of Two - "Attractive visuals only carry the game so far. Just when I finished one infuriating, monotonous boss fight I’d get thrown into another directionless, obtuse puzzle room. The discrete sections connect into an unbroken string of frustrating gameplay. I’m genuinely sad that a game rooted in the joy of Disney failed to evoke any in me, but Epic Mickey 2 is so disjointed and rambling, I was ready to escape Wasteland when the time came." - Matt Miller

Ninja Gaiden 3: Razor's Edge - "While none of [the Wii U] tweaks and additions are unwelcome, the core material of the game is still the weakest in the series. Enemies are still brainless, combat doesn't require the finesse of previous titles, and the story is as incoherent and terrible as ever. I didn't enjoy my time with Ninja Gaiden 3 earlier this year, and what I've seen of Razor's Edge leads me to believe that gamers won't have any better of a time with this update." - Dan Ryckert

 

Rabbids Land - "Video games that ape board game concepts are an insult to board game players. Board game design has come a long way since Parker Brothers first started publishing Monopoly, but most Mario Party-like games still hold to the formula of rolling a die and circling a board while collecting baubles and trinkets. Some of the best modern board games on the market incorporate deep strategy with and interactive story and player cooperation, but these elements have been entirely lacking from the “board games” we play on gaming consoles. Rabbids Land is one of the worst offenders in years. Not only does Ubisoft’s Wii U launch title hold fast to a tired formula, it is also mind-numbingly boring." -Ben Reeves

 

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Comments
  • Got the Wii U.NSMBU rocks!
  • definitely getting Mario, and probably getting ZombiU. I know GI gave it a bad review, but I've also seen it get scores like an 8, 8.4, 9.2, and even 9.7. I've been interested in it for a while, interested enough to try it for myself.
  • The only one that I think I'd enjoy is Scribblenauts. And buying a whole system for one game is a bad move. I'll wait till next christmas and see what kind of library they put together
  • I wish it had a better line up
  • This system raised some eyebrows,but honestly I'm not interested even in the slightest.Thank you GI for cementing my decision not to buy.

  • I was gonna get ZombiU(btw Kyle, not "Zombie U"), but after some of these reviews and seeing some footage, I'm rethinking the decision. Thankfully, I heard there's gonna be a demo, so I'll be able to wait. In the mean time, I'll either get SU or NSMBU.
  • To get to the point, get NSMBU.

  • Oddly enough I usually agree with you guys, but I've played about an hour so far and I'm truly enjoying it! The only problem I've encountered is the speed at which you swing your cricket bat, but its easily adaptable. The constant zombie noises keep you on edge, and its relatively easy to just play on the Gamepad alone! I'd highly suggest it to those lead astray but the reviews!

  • I clicked here because of Dan's face.

  • Who's giraffe is that?

  • Disappointing launch, and the console has already apparently been hacked: http://kotaku.com/5961665
  • It sounds like ZombiU is the Red Steel of the Wii U. I could be wrong but I remover being so pumped for Red Steel as a launch title: here was a game that used the Wii remote like a light gun and in close combat you swung it like a sword it seemed to showcase major points of the Wii but the game itself was very lackluster.
  • I wont pay $60 for it, but I will still probably give ZombiU a try in the future. I loved Red Steel the way you love a bad movie that hits that mark of "so bad its good", so hopefully ZombiU does the same for me.

  • I wont pay $60 for it, but I will still probably give ZombiU a try in the future. I loved Red Steel the way you love a bad movie that hits that mark of "so bad its good", so hopefully ZombiU does the same for me.

  • It sounds like a decent line up for the launch, but nothing special. I'm more excited about the upcoming games though.

  • Hmmm...seems like the only best games for the WiiU at this time are Super Mario Bros. U and Scribblenauts Unlimited, judging from how they are reviewed. Still, the system just came out so they may be better games later on for it.
  • While ZombiU seems to be turning into Wii U's Red Steel, I'm enjoying the game so far except for one weird issue.

    I play with Y-axis inverted, but in the GamePad, when scanning the environment, it's NOT inverted.  Holy crap for confusing.  

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