Wii U came into its own in 2014, and our list of the best Wii U games of the year reflects that. The game saw a ton of releases, mostly first-party, and they offer a great variety of genres, styles, and difficulties. Our top two games won’t surprise you, but the rest of the list might. And next year is going to be even better, especially in terms of Nintendo's releases... including the biggest in its history, Zelda Wii U.
9. Bayonetta 2
I’ll admit it: I’m not a Bayonetta kind of guy. I don’t like Devil May Cry or this kind of action game, and the creepily oversexed aesthetic offends me as a feminist. But dammit, it’s not for me, but this is really solidly put together and I respect that. It’s indisputably better than the original, probably above anything else in the genre, and unique on
8. Pushmo World
It is indescribable how good of a puzzle game Pushmo World, and the whole Pushmo series, is. This is one of Nintendo’s great undiscovered gems, lost to serious gamers amidst its cutesy garb. This is a tragedy. But one you can easily rectify. This is an eShop game so, come on, just go for it.
7. Child of Light
What does it say that there are only three third-party games on this list, and only Bayonetta 2 is a full retail release? I don’t think it says anything at all. As long as we get games like Child of Light, we’ll still be in good shape: This beautiful and poignant Ubisoft RPG should be required playing, even if it’s not overly complex.
6. Hyrule Warriors
This year’s Zelda game is famously not a Zelda game, but a Dynasty Warriors release. It’s still well-polished, even if it’s the biggest example of fan-service we’ve ever seen. If you love the world of Hyrule as much as we do, you’ll like this, even if the gameplay is totally different.
5. Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker
I’ve talked at length about why Captain Toad is awesome, but here’s the short version: It evokes the sense of wonder and joy that most people never experience once they aren’t kids anymore. And it uses the Wii U GamePad in a way that actually justifies why the system exists in the first place. It’s a must-have. AND IT’S SUPER CUTE.
4. Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze
More Donkey Kong Country is never a bad thing (even if we’d rather have Metroid), and Tropical Freeze has the level of difficulty, ingenuity and beauty we’ve come to expect from Retro Studios. And with a lot more Dixie Kong! I had a hard time getting excited about this game, but I was wrong: It’s fantastic.
3. Shovel Knight
I love Shovel Knight. It is easily one of my favorite games of the year, and it made me feel things the top two Wii U games didn’t make me feel. It’s new in a sense, and in another, it’s a Super Nintendo game created in the modern era. It’s on the eShop for Wii U and 3DS, and it’s an absolute must-buy. It’s Castlevania meets Mega Man meets me being insanely happy sitting on the couch playing it, and really, isn’t that what matters?
2. Mario Kart 8
It’s the best Mario Kart on a console since Mario Kart 64… or ever, if you’re not held back by nostalgia (I am). It may not have perfect multiplayer or a perfect interface, but Mario Kart 8 is a tour de force among racing games, and with the new DLC, it’s gotten even better. This one’s a keeper for years.
1. Super Smash Bros Wii U
Could there be another choice? With the biggest and best roster of characters, an eight player mode, great stages, and no detriments except for a lackluster single player mode, Super Smash Bros Wii U is so obviously the Wii U game of the year that the rest of the list almost pales by comparison. This game is going to get continuous play for the better part of another decade; it’s Masahiro Sakurai’s tour de force, and perhaps his last game in the series. It’s a good thing it’s pretty darn close to perfect: I have no hesitation at all in naming it the iDigitalTimes Wii U Game of the Year.
