It was mid-November 2012 when Nintendo beat Microsoft and Sony in the "who is going to release their next console first" race. Whether anybody knew or cared that Nintendo was even running in the race is an inconsequential detail. For someone who has owned every Nintendo console since the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) debuted in the fall of 1985 (and there have been a handful of them), I've never really experienced the same level of excitement or commitment with the release of the latest Nintendo console that I do with the others. However, it does seem inevitable that I will eventually acquire one, as was the case with the Wii U.

The Wii U was a Christmas gift which tells you the exact day it moved into to the entertainment center community occupying the real estate below my TV. And with the Xbox 360 and Playstation 3 as neighbors, it did seem like it was the new kid on the block trying to keep up despite being the newer system. It's kind of like you buying a new sports car...a red one even...and you're out washing it in the driveway one sunny, warm Saturday morning. Your neighbor's automatic garage door opens with a grinding and whirring sound, and then out comes an old classic muscle car, with a deep rumbling of the exhaust hinting at the raw horsepower just ready and waiting to melt the tires with a press of the accelerator.  The driver nods and waves, friendly enough, before speeding away...and in that instant, you know he's thinking, "I could so take him." And he knows you're thinking the same thing too.

Alas, we're talking video games though and even though the Wii U is the newest console, and knows that it might not be able to keep up with the older Xbox 360 and Playstation 3, it's still going to be put through the paces by its current owners. When I bought the Wii U, I got one game with it. Not because that's all I wanted or could afford at the time, but because that's all I saw that interested me. The game was none other than...

New Super Mario Bros. U

The New Super Mario Bros. U is your traditional Mario game. That's not to say it's not a fun game...it's entertaining enough. Some of the levels and challenges are quite clever - certainly not on the magnitude of Donkey Kong Country Returns, but definitely more than adequate. It has plenty of new and innovative features and map designs, but enough throw back content you can't help but reminisce about the original. I was particularly fond of the Run For It level which has you sprinting through the map as fast as you can, hitting POW after POW to keep the platforms you need to use to progress through the level on from turning back into coins.

I have finished each of the 8 worlds now with 3 stars and am now chugging through the bonus level, which I hope to have knocked out in the next day or so. When this happens, and it will happen, I won't have any other game to play on the Wii U...which will obviously result in it being that house on the street with the unkempt lawn and newspapers stacking up on the front porch.

I've looked at Game Stop and other places for a potential successor to the game I am playing on the Wii U, and after having looked at the list of available games, it's bleak. The thought process while browsing the shelves in any given Game Stop about what to play now goes something like this...

Call of Duty: Black Ops II - Hmm. I heard you were good...even one of the best games on the Wii U and best versions of Black Ops II...but I already have you on the Xbox 360. I've beaten your single player campaign...I'll get back to you.

Assassin's Creed III - Well, maybe. I never finished the first; I never tried the second...so I don't know if moving on to the thirds is a good idea. It's not you, it's me.

Mass Effect 3 - You are indeed a great game...but I already have you for PS3, and if I did want to play you again, it would be on a system that looks the best.

ZombiU - You know I've picked you up a couple times now and read the back of your box on more than one occasion.  I even started to approach the register with you in hand, but turned back. Sure, some people sing your praises, but I've heard a couple bad things about you from others too. You're kind of a risk. I haven't ruled you out yet though.

Rabbids Land - I see you looking at me...but I'm not picking you up. Okay, maybe just for a second. I'll at least look at the back of your box just because you all are so dang cute. But I already know I'm not going to buy you. No offense.

Sing Party - Hah Hah...um, no. Not only no, but...no.

Transformers: Prime The Game - Hmm, maybe. I heard good things about you from your neighbors. I suppose if I can't find anything else, but you're not my first pick. Sorry.

Batman: Arkham City Armoured Edition - Once was enough...more than enough. (Take that, Dean!)

007 Legends - Hmm...I don't recall hearing too much about you. Let's see what Game Informer had to say about you. Give me just a second.

(Whips out phone and navigates to Game Informer Online...searches on review)

Oh dear!

"A mess of a title that's uninspired at best and nearly broken at worst...truly awful..."

Next please!

Wait, what? You don't talk to your video games when you're looking at them in the store?

Moving on...

Jeapordy, Wheel of Fortune, Funky Barn, Family Party - No, No, No and heck no!

FIFA 13, NBA 2K13, ESPN Sports Connection, Madden NFL13 - Sorry fellas, I'm allergic to sports games.

Darksiders II - Well now, what do we have here? I've heard you are a particularly brutal game that sends even the most seasoned gamers running in fear and crying for mercy. If that is true, which I tend to believe it is, I'm concerned the Wii U controls might be an obstacle. I will think about it and get back to you.

It's at about this point where I get frustrated, shaking my fist at Nintendo in silent protest. There is one, maybe two games I "might" be interested in. This coming from the first of the next generation console line up?

I wonder...

Where is Star Fox?

Where is Donkey Kong?

Where is Zelda?

Where is Pikmin?

Where is Smash Brothers?

Where is F-Zero?

Where is Metroid?

Heck, I'd even take a Kirby game at this point, but I'd rather have a Punch Out, Duck Hunt or Excitebike.

Now, I know many of these games are in the works and on the way. Some of them I'm very excited for and will play them when they do finally release. But as of today, right now, and for the near future...these games are not available. And so, my Wii U becomes a paperweight; a shiny object on my TV stand that looks pretty but does nothing else but collect dust.

I don't regret the purchase, because as I mentioned in the introduction - it was inevitable. But my curiosity with the system is quickly morphing into disappointment. I'm looking at my brand new red sports car and longing for my neighbor's old but still very capable muscle car. Come on Nintendo, get with the program.

Will you please make some better and some more games for the Wii U.

Cheers.