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 the Wii U and Nintendo 3DS eShop in Japan starting early next year. Although the company didn't explicitly say it is permanently closing shop for the 3DS and Wii U, it appears to be an inevitability at this point.
While the 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.
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Released in 2013, Rayman Legends is the direct successor to 2011's Rayman Origins. It serves as the fifth main entry in the Rayman series, and Rayman Legends for the Wii U received positive reviews from fans and critics due to a gameplay design that fits the console well. Although Rayman Legends also 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 Legends carries over the gameplay mechanics of Rayman Origins, allowing up to four players to make their way through various levels. Apart from the main characters, Rayman Legends also saw the return of Murfy the greenbottle, who made his first appearance in Rayman 2: The Great Escape. The story of Rayman Legends takes place one century after Rayman Origins.
Another notable Wii U game players should purchase before the eShop goes away is The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker HD. Serving as a remaster of the GameCube game, The Legend: Of Zelda: The Wind Waker HD is 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 first Legend of Zelda games to be released on the Wii U, joined later by The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild - though that game is best suited on the Nintendo Switch. The story of The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker sees 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 that Pikmin 3 is one of the most revolutionary entries in the Pikmin series thanks to its reimagined mass-action strategy gameplay. In Pikmin 3, players control three explorers and a wide variety of Pikmin in a struggle for survival. The game also introduced more Pikmin types, off-TV play, and downloadable content. Shortly after its release in 2013, Pikmin 3 received positive reviews thanks to its innovative gameplay, stellar graphics, and improved level design.
In 2015, Nintendo's Shigeru Miyamoto released a cryptic statement suggesting that a Pikmin 4 was 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 of Pikmin 4 is, especially since Nintendo is keeping itself busy with other franchises. However, a new Pikmin game is not impossible, and Nintendo may just be keeping it at bay.
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Players looking for a mature game on the Wii U should consider picking up Mass Effect 3 Special Edition. It is worth noting that Mass Effect games typically don't release on Nintendo consoles, which is why Mass Effect 3 on the Wii U is a rare game to have. Serving as the third and final installment in the original Mass Effect trilogy, Mass Effect 3 is set six months after the events of Mass Effect 2. After its release, Mass Effect 3 received glowing reviews for 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.
In 2014, Nintendo and Platinum Games released Bayonetta 2, the sequel to the popular action-adventure hack-and-slash game Bayonetta. Originally released for the Wii U, Bayonetta 2 introduced much-needed improvements from the first game, especially in its combat system. As such, Bayonetta 2 received critical acclaim from both fans and critics. Bayonetta 2 takes 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 is one of Nintendo's oldest franchises, which is why keeping it relevant and fresh must be a difficult task. In 2014, Nintendo released Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze, a direct sequel to 2010's Donkey 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 Freeze received mostly positive reviews upon release thanks to its innovative level designs, smooth gameplay, and soundtrack. However, one element of Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze that 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 Freeze is one of the best entries in the franchise so far, and is definitely a must-have for Wii U players.