Several days ago, Nintendo made the announcement on its Japanese Twitter account that it would no longer allow players to add funds via credit card on theWii Uand Nintendo 3DS eShop in Japan starting early next year. Although the company didn’t explicitly say it is permanently closing shop for the 3DS andWii U, it appears to be an inevitability at this point.
Whilethe 3DS did see some success during its prime,the same can’t be said about the Wii U. Unlike its predecessor, the Wii U barely made a dent in the video games industry and became a massive failure for Nintendo. However, while the Wii U did fail to become a commercial success, it still hosts some noteworthy Nintendo games that players may not be able to access anymore should the company decide to shut down its digital store.
RELATED:Nintendo Consoles That Deserve LEGO Sets Like the NES
Rayman Legends
Released in 2013,Rayman Legendsis the direct successor to 2011’sRayman Origins. It serves as the fifth main entry in theRaymanseries, andRayman Legendsfor the Wii U received positive reviews from fans and critics due to a gameplay design that fits the console well. AlthoughRayman Legendsalso made its way to other platforms, players should still experience it on the Wii U where it takes advantage of the console’s gamepad.
Rayman Legendscarries over the gameplay mechanics ofRayman Origins,allowing up to four players to make their way through various levels. Apart from the main characters,Rayman Legendsalso saw the return of Murfy the greenbottle, who made his first appearance inRayman 2: The Great Escape. The story ofRayman Legendstakes place one century afterRaymanOrigins.
The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker HD
Another notable Wii U game players should purchase before the eShop goes away isThe Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker HD. Serving as a remaster of the GameCube game,The Legend: Of Zelda: The Wind Waker HDis a must-play on the Wii U. This remastered version adds native 1080p resolution, an alternative lighting engine, and several gameplay changes.
It is also one of the firstLegend of Zeldagames to be released on the Wii U, joined later byThe Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild- though that game is best suited on the Nintendo Switch. The story ofThe Legend of Zelda: The Wind Wakersees Link celebrating his coming of age when a giant bird drops Tetra onto Outset Island. After Link rescues Tetra from monsters, the bird snatches away his sister Aryll and Tetra agrees to help Link search for his sister.
It is no doubt thatPikmin 3is one of the most revolutionary entries in thePikminseries thanks to its reimagined mass-action strategy gameplay. InPikmin 3, players control three explorers and a wide variety ofPikminin a struggle for survival. The game also introduced more Pikmin types, off-TV play, and downloadable content. Shortly after its release in 2013,Pikmin 3received positive reviewsthanks to its innovative gameplay, stellar graphics, and improved level design.
In 2015, Nintendo’s Shigeru Miyamoto released a cryptic statement suggesting that aPikmin 4was nearing completion. As such, fans of the franchise waited with bated breath for an announcement trailer to drop at any moment, but nothing has happened ever since. As a result,it remains unclear what the status ofPikmin 4is, especially since Nintendo is keeping itself busy with other franchises. However, a newPikmingame is not impossible, and Nintendo may just be keeping it at bay.
RELATED:Using Older Nintendo Consoles to Predict Next-Gen Switch’s Release Date
Mass Effect 3 Special Edition
Players looking for a mature game on the Wii U should consider picking upMass Effect 3 Special Edition. It is worth noting thatMass Effectgames typically don’t release on Nintendo consoles, which is whyMass Effect 3on the Wii U is a rare game to have. Serving as the third and final installment in the originalMass Effecttrilogy,Mass Effect 3is set six months after the events ofMass Effect 2.After its release,Mass Effect 3received glowing reviewsfor its art direction, the roster of characters, emotional depth, improved combat, and voice acting. However, despite its critical success, some fans didn’t take the game’s ending.
Bayonetta 2
In 2014, Nintendo and Platinum Games releasedBayonetta 2, the sequel to the popular action-adventure hack-and-slash gameBayonetta. Originally released for the Wii U,Bayonetta 2introduced much-needed improvements from the first game, especially in its combat system. As such,Bayonetta 2received critical acclaim from both fans and critics.Bayonetta 2takes place on the fictional mountain of Fimbulventr and the town of Noatun. The game saw the return of characters such as Rodin, Lika, and Enzo, alongside new friends.
Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze
Donkey Kongis one of Nintendo’s oldest franchises, which is why keeping it relevant and fresh must be a difficult task. In 2014, Nintendo releasedDonkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze, a direct sequel to 2010’sDonkey Kong Country Returns.In the game, Donkey Kong and his family must traverse five islands to save their home, Donkey Kong Island, after it is frozen by the Snowmads.
Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freezereceived mostly positive reviewsupon release thanks to its innovative level designs, smooth gameplay, and soundtrack. However, one element ofDonkey Kong Country: Tropical Freezethat received mixed reviews is its level of difficulty, which became a barrier to entry for players trying out the franchise for the first time. Despite this,Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freezeis one of the best entries in the franchise so far, and is definitely a must-have forWii Uplayers.
MORE:Netflix Ceases Services on Nintendo 3DS and Wii U
