The Much Less Controversial Wii U is dead thread - let's be sad and have a little vote to work out which of the consoles games are better than the other games that happened to be released on the same console. Votes, Votes! VOTES! VOTEEEESSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!!!

5 - Affordable Space Adventures (6 Points)

You said: "Amazing idea for a game, a set of puzzles and concepts that have never been anywhere else, a great co-op experience, and a touch of dead-pan humour. And the best use of the gamepad, turning the toucscreen into a... touchscreen? Plus, good old Nifflas and his trademark "make everything big and hi-res but also empty so you feel like the world's one big giant obstacle" art style."

I say: I really enjoyed the little I played of this, but I really liked the idea of playing it multiplayer and my player 2 wasn't so keen. Certainly deserving of its place here.

5 - Freedom Planet (6 Points)

You said: "This was the best Sonic game in years, until Sonic Mania came out and made everything else look like utter dug meat."

I say: Not much to add on this one, it sounded a bit too pure a sonic game for me so I passed on it.

4 - SteamWorld Dig (7 Points)

You said: It was "Amaze-Balls"

I say: Not a game I instantly think of with the Wii U, but it's a cracker no matter where you play it.

3 - NES Remix (10 Points)

You said: Nothing! You were much more chatty about its 5 point earning sequel, so you can have those comments now.
"when buying Virtual Console games for a second time felt a bit tiresome (I guess I'll play Super Mario Bros. som time) the NES Remix games did a great job of reinventing the classics. This sequel gets a place as it had a better selection of oldies."
"Some shite games, but it’s well put together and probably the best way to experience and actually play the NES library in the 2010s."

I say: As someone who isn't too keen on the NES I wasn't expecting much from the original, but I really ended up loving it. Great way to breathe life into their history.

Guacamelee! Super Turbo Championship Edition (20 Points)

You said: " An excellent little Metroidvania, whose only real fault was the 'little' aspect.  Combined significant but non-frustrating difficulty, a fun fighting system, and Mexicanised gaming in-jokes.  Arriva!"
"Drinkbox Studios take second and fourth spot in my list, and deservedly so. This colourful and offbeat Metroid-like has a dark undercurrent that pokes its head above the surface every so often but you're too busy making your way through a perfectly constructed world to take too much note. And you'd be very right to do so. Really top stuff."
"Sometimes the combat was a little clunky, but I love me a Metroidvania, and this was as good as any recent one. (Except for another one further up my list). Loads of dumb references as well." - This comment nearly didn't make it because I was so upset by it being called clunky. Behave yourself in future please voter  
"Smart game that gets the tone right. I had a really fun time playing this. "

I say: A fantastic game, I've played through it about 4 times and I'm still not bored of it. I freaked out when I saw the sequel being announced as I cannot wait to jump back into such a fantastic world with an amazing combat/platforming system.

Shovel Knight (21 Points)

You said: "it took the Plague Of Shadows DLC for SK to really shine for me. I keep referring to it as a "love letter to NES-era Capcom", and my opinion hasn't changed through the three character campaigns released so far. The gift that keeps on giving, this challenging charm is filled with retro beauty. Let us bask in the knowledge that it is still not over." - I couldn't make it through Plague, so this is total nonsense voter! Shovel Knight is bae.
"The retro style was just starting to look a little... retro... and then Shovers comes along and puts the gameplay back in. This game was always fair, no matter how tough it seemed. Great DLC also."
[specifically of the treasure trove bundle] "impressive package, just like mine."

I say: Another game that I find just a joy to play through, easy to pick up and have a quick run through. It's so good that I've only dipped my toe into Plague Knight (it was a bit too awkward if you ask me) and haven't even looked into Specter Knight.

Runbow (21 Points)

You say: "just a completely joy-filled game. A wealth of single player content is backed up with the best multiplayer content on the Wii U (for not even Smash can handle nine players on-screen at once), all based on such a weak-sounding idea that I was tempted to ignore it. It might be graphically simple but the music is brilliant, the challenge level is high and the fun near limitless."
"“RUNBOW!”. This is superb! Platforming that’s tighter than the proverbial badger’s arse. That soundtrack as well – I love the South American and African influences. I’m very happy to have seen this reach a wider audience through Games with Gold."

I say: I think this is the most fun I've had in multiplayer on Wii U, just a joy to play and I can't wait for this to come to switch so we can all jump back in.

5 - Super Mario 64 (6 Points)

You said: "Yes, I know, I know, this is just a VC release - but of the better version of a great game."
"Because it was kinda-portable and retained the analogue controls (DS I'm looking at you)."

I say: I enjoyed the DS version, you guys are bullies

4 - Metroid Prime Trilogy (7 Points)

You said: "Just for MP1 you understand. MP2E was alright, MP3C can bog off and take its gobby NPCs with it, but MP1's mix of isolation and exploration means it remains one of the very finest games ever. (No way Monkey Ball is better than this GJones, what are you like.)"
"Putting this on the WiiU eShop was great. I'm not a massive fan of the Prime games; I appreciate how good Prime 1 was (but haven't played the other two). However, it's mostly on this list as it screwed over a load of eBay scalpers of the Wii disc version."
"Incredible deal that launched at £8.99, but was hindered by the ridiculous "point the Wii remotes at the GamePad" idea. "

I say: Fantastic game, well deserving of its place here. 3 is the best though.

3 - Advance Wars (8 Points)

You said: "a classic that works wonderfully well on the GamePad. My most played Wii-U game."

I say: I had always wanted to play this game and it did not disappoint. Tough but a lot of fun, plus the multiplayer was fantastic.

Fire Emblem (:The Blazing Blade) (9 Points)

You said: Nothing, but it's a game that speaks for itself, so who cares?

I say: What a game, if you have the slightest interest in Fire Emblem this is a good jumping on point. One of the best ones and it doesn't have the £100 price tage of the very best. Stop what you're doing, go and download this and learn to love this (once) great series.

Earthbound (10 Points)

You said: "an RPG that has rightly gone down in legend. Quirky to the point of self-parody... but that's probably the point. The gameplay was ancient even on its release and the stupidly lengthy save point-free dungeons do grate but it's worth it."
"Finally. I finally got to play this game legitimately. The original was one of the few games I emulated (I know, naughty). But, even though I have a lot of problems with turn based RPGs, everything about the game was absolutely fascinating. So many conventions and stereotypes get chucked out the window, and, despite all the quirkiness, it really makes you feel for the characters."

I say: Not one I clicked with, but a lot of love out there for it.

10 - The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild (19 Points)

You said:
"For those who aren't me or Andy, this is a number 2 vote.  Not because BotW isn't the best game ever, featuring a wonderful sprawling world with characters and challenges I'll never forget.  It is.  But because a better version exists.  I can play the best game ever on the train now.  As such, this, the Wii U version, is overshadowed.  It's the best game, but not quite the best Wii U game."
"Disclaimer: I, like most of us, played the Switch version. However, I have experienced the WiiU version, and it's basically just as good. In that it's everything I could have hoped for and more. I'm genuinely sad I can't think of an excuse to keep playing this right now."

I say: Not a surprise the see this here, but as most think of it as a Switch game we can wait a little longer before it screws up the vote threads good and proper.

9 - Splatoon (23 Points)

You said: Nothing, clearly not enough love going toward this game.

I say: It's a great game, I've always had a few niggles with how it works, but the core gameplay is undoubtably fun and unique with a variety of weapons to play around with. Good stuff.

9 - Super Mario Maker (23 Points)

You said: "A bit of a risk, this: Nintendo essentially said "hey, you do it if you think it's so very easy", but then gave us tools to make it so very easy. Of course, after a while, everything devloved into super-impossible spin-jump glitchy levels, but making Mario levels is something I used to do on paper at 8 years old; it's a dream realised. Excellence."
"Experimenting with your own mad designs and developing a level to suit your own playing style adds another dimension to the signature platforming joy of Super Mario."

I say: This is a game that was released on the Wii U

Splatoon is a whole heap of fun and I actually expected it to rank more highly. Super Mario Maker's status as a 'game' troubles me a little - the majority of the actual levels it contains - whilst I was playing it, at least - were not all that memorable. Still, its potential alone makes it worthy of a place on The List.

Once I've played Breath Of The Wild, I'll let y'all know what I think of it.

5 - Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker (9 Points)

You said: "the GamePad promised much but delivered little. CT:TT used it more than most to help Nintendo deliver something only they could make."
"I think that this has the most interesting and accomplished use of the GamePad. Design is everything, and this game fits with the Wii U’s mechanics brilliantly."

I say: A fantastic game and it was so great looking around the map with your window into Toads world.

4 - Game & Wario (16 Points)

You said: "Islands.  The Miiverse game.  And, frankly, not much else of note."
"for Sketch, the pictionary game. Playing co-op with my sister lead to infinite laughs. Wonderful. Shame some other bits of the game were a bit disappointing."

I say: Nothing to add, after the rough reception I never got around to picking it up, good to hear there was something redeemable about it anyway!  

3 - Affordable Space Adventures (18 Points)

You said: "finally, something worthy of the GamePad idea."
"Not a map screen. Not an inventory screen. But a functioning spaceship-wide control system. Giving you the option to switch between your fuel engine, electric engine, sticky feet, slidey feet, heat shutters, gravity generator... this meant the game could give you puzzles that would be way beyond the abilities of a regular pad control scheme."

I say: I thought this one might've snagged it, but maybe it just didn't reach enough homes. Great to be interacting with the ship in a meaningful way rather than tapping arbitrary buttons.

3 - Super Mario Maker (18 Points)

You said: "in that everything you ever do in this slice of typical and yet atypical Nintendo brilliance is through the GamePad... yeah."
" simple but effective"
"potentially this could have been done with just a control pad, "drawing" levels. But, if you've ever endured trying to make a masterpiece on Little Big Planet, you know what that's like. Perfectly suited for blocky brilliance."

I say: I didn't find the controls in LBP to be all too great and I think having the touch screen made this the ideal platform for it.

Nintendo Land (20 Points)

You said: "Nintendo kept wibbling on about 'asymmetric multiplayer' when it was obvious that nobody had a clue what that was.  It wasn't Ninty Land's fault though, it tried its hardest with some great asymmetric multiplayer games.  Also used Motion+ pretty well."
"the showcase can only make it to #3 in my list. Never was there a more thorough examination of what the GamePad could do."
"A quality Wii U pack-in and a quality Wii U showcase. Take your pick here: it’s pretty much loaded with smart uses of the GamePad."

I say: An obvious one, but a good one! An easy way to show what the Wii U could do and asymmetrical multiplayer is just not done often or well enough.

ZombiU (21 Points)

You said: "I'm not a fan of having to alternate between two screens (Starfox 0 is NOT on this list), but ZombiU gets a pass for being one of the first, and actually tying its Zombie Scanner into the game."
"The GamePad really helped add to the tension in 2012, especially when you were using it as a scanner, as a telephone and to rifle through your inventory when a zombie was right up your arse. Good stuff, although it’s re-release on PS4 shows that the GamePad wasn’t as essential to the experience as we’d all thought."
"An absolutely great map/inventory system on the touch screen, so good the game wouldn't nearly be as tense if it didn't have it."

I say: I've tried it on PS4 since and it's still pretty solid, but there's definitely something to be said for the immersion of having that pad in your hands. Great multiplayer too.

8 - The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker HD (24 Points)

You said: "This still-excellent game, in its best form due to the Fast Sail, is only the third best Zelda on Wii U!  Fourth if you count Minish Cap (and if you're me).  The machine doesn't sound so bad when I put it like that, does it?"
"Stop me if you've heard it: this fixed a lot of the problems of the original Wind Waker; it's still one of the BEST GAMES EVER. It's just not quite as good as some of the other Zeldas."
"Beautiful update of an already pretty game. The messages in bottles were a great touch too. "

I say: Great game isn't it? Not sure I can add much, I picked it up very late into the Wii U's life and haven't taken it for a spin yet.

7 - Bayonetta 2 (29 Points)

You said: "Lightning struck twice; this is at least as good as the legendary original. "
"What a game, although I sold my Wii-U shortly after and regret it ever since. Would love to give ol' Viennetta tits another bash. "

I say: A game that I feel may have been slightly robbed by releasing alongside its slightly better, more inaccessible (but also non-placing) prequel. I absolutely love the 2 games and will still have the WiiU set up to take a spin (unless they release again on switch pls) so I can take them for a spin any time. Brilliant.