Daily Debate: Do You Think the Wii U Is the Most Disappointing Nintendo Console?
Posted on February 20 2022 by Andy Spiteri
With the recent news that come March 2023, Nintendo will be shutting down the servers that operate the eShop for the Wii U and 3DS, it really represents the final nail in the coffin of those systems. While I look back fondly at the 3DS and its amazing collection of games and reminisce about all the time I spent with my handheld, I can’t help but look at the Wii U differently. While it no doubt had some great games, I think it’s no question that this is the most disappointing Nintendo console. Sandwiched between the two most successful Nintendo machines ever in the Wii and the Switch, the Wii U was such an abysmal failure that people were questioning Nintendo’s future as a hardware developer, and it’s not hard to see why the system failed.
The Gamepad always felt like a flimsy children’s toy, it launched without a AAA title to back it up, it relied on the Wiimote gimmickry of the Wii too much, and its reveal sparked confusion about whether this was even a new console or an addon for the ultra-successful Wii. To further add insult to injury, essentially every Wii U game worth playing is now available on the Switch, including Breath of the Wild, which was once looked at as the savior of the Wii U.
To me, there’s no doubt that this is the most disappointing Nintendo console, and I think the sales numbers reflect that, but what do you think? Are you a Wii U defender? Or are you glad to see the console go quietly into the night? Let us know in the comments below!
Andy Spiteri is a Manager of Zelda Dungeon, Host of The Zelda Cast podcast, and Owner of Omega Metroid. Probably drinking a Tim Horton’s Double Double as you read this.
Business: andy.spiteri@zeldadungeon.net
