The Wii U has a tough act to follow, coming hot on the heels on the wildly successful Wii. And while its games library may have been slow to populate in its early months, the fact is that Nintendo’s newest home console now has a good list of top titles that would make most gamers happy. Check out our choices for the best games released on the Wii U so far by looking at the list below. And with the console’s library continuing to expand, make sure to check back on this page as we update in over the coming weeks and months.
Batman Arkham City: Armored Edition
“From the speedy exhilaration of soaring high above the streets to the atmospheric thrill of discovering long-forgotten secrets in the tunnels below Gotham, this is an unforgettable adventure that will keep you coming back to the cape and cowl long after you’ve seen the credits roll.” — Read our review
Bit.Trip Presents…Runner 2: Future Legend of Rhythm Alien
“Runner 2 doesn’t just offer you an entertaining experience; it throws its arm around you companionably, ushers you into its whimsical world, and makes you feel like part of something special.” — Read our review
Call of Duty: Black Ops 2
“Though it’s a shame that league play is dead on arrival, there’s still a lot of taut action to enjoy online, helping Black Ops II provide the Wii U with its first great shooter experience.” — Read our review
Darksiders 2
“The Wii U version of Darksiders II may suffer from some additional technical hitches, but this vast adventure is so absorbing, it’s still easy to lose yourself in its oppressive world.” — Read our review
Deus Ex: Human Revolution — Director’s Cut
“Human Revolution sets you free into its world and gives you the tools to succeed. In combat, this means wielding guns and grenades; when sneaking, it means performing stealthy assassinations and activating temporary invisibility; and when exploring, that means punching through concrete walls and breaking into storage facilities.” — Read our review
Lego City Undercover
“There are bigger, more complex, more beautiful open-world games on the market. But none of them are this good at making you feel so young at heart.” — Read our review
Mass Effect 3
“When your goal is no less than ensuring the survival of an entire galaxy, sacrifice is inevitable, and Mass Effect 3 makes sure you feel each and every one.” — Read our review
Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate
“It’s easily the best Monster Hunter game so far, and while it would be nice to see a console sequel with more up-to-date visuals and all-new locations, Ultimate is an great entry into the Wii U catalog.” — Read our review
New Super Mario Bros U
“Nintendo seemingly recaptured traditional, distilled platforming, but also incorporated a newfound attention to modern gaming trends and expectations. It’s a challenging platformer, an excellent recreation of Mario’s best moments, and it’s the perfect way to kick-off Nintendo’s journey into HD.” — Read our review
Nintendo Land
“Nintendo Land isn’t just a fine showcase of the Wii U’s capabilities, though it certainly is that. It’s also a great game in its own right, and particularly if you have friends or family members with whom you can play all of the multiplayer attractions, it’s a great way to start getting a lot of enjoyment out of the new console immediately.” — Read our review
Pikmin 3
“There’s nothing quite like Pikmin out there, and its delightful combination of survival strategy and unflinching cuteness should entertain you throughout this lengthy adventure.” — Read our review
Rayman Legends
“Momentum is the name of the game in this 2D platformer. Rayman runs, leaps, swings, glides, and swims with a kinetic grace that compels you ever onward. Being able to squeeze past spikes and thunder across toppling towers should be expected in any adventure that presents such formidable challenges, but what makes Legends special is how joyful such movements are.” — Read our review
Super Mario 3D World
“Mario has always had that uncanny ability to cross the boundaries of age and gender, to bring a smile to the face of every player who crosses his path. Super Mario 3D World is no different. This is a dazzlingly inventive game that brings the fun in spades, and will leave you grinning like a loon from start to finish.” — Read our review
The Legend of Zelda The Wind Waker HD
“The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker HD is a loving restoration of a bold and beautiful adventure, with Nintendo shifting some elements of the original game’s aesthetic, and streamlining the pace where it had occasionally sagged.” — Read our review
The Wonderful 101
“This is an ambitious, funny, and inventive game that’s keen to impress but slightly scrappy in its presentation, packed with ideas but is slightly confused about how to express all its abundant creativity.” — Read our review
* GameSpot’s Best Of Lists will be updated periodically as new games worthy of inclusion are released on their respective platforms.