Wii U Deals

Information

Wii U is the successor of Nintendo’s Wii. It focuses more on a gamepad controller that features a touch screen instead of the wand-like remote and gesture gaming of Wii. However, it does support the Wii Remote and has HD graphics. In addition, the console is backwards compatible with the Wii, which means it supports any game for that particular console.

The console was released a year ahead of the Xbox One and PS4. Although it may not be as powerful as these consoles, Nintendo did made it an innovative and fun console and comes with the highest number of exclusive games and considerably cheaper. Aside from boasting stand-out titles like The Legends of Zelda: The Wind Waker HD, Splatoon and Bayonetta 2, it also offers some of today’s best local co-op games like Mario Kart 8 and Super Smash Bros.

What’s in the box?

Nintendo Wii U starter pack not including the GamePad

The Wii U box contains the console, a gamepad, the various connectors, and generally a game. Like any console, if people are going to play local multiplayer games, they’ll need additional controllers. Instead of more gamepads, extra players use the Wii remote or the Controller Pro. If you’re planning to buy many games through Nintendo’s eShop and other retailers, you’ll also need external storage, as the console doesn’t have a lot of internal storage. A list of external USB hard drives that Nintendo has successfully tested with the Wii U is here, although others will work as well.

Why you need a Wii U in 2018

Hardware

Wii U is powered by IBM Power PC 750-based three-core CPU, 2GB of RAM and AMD Radeon High Definition GPU pale in comparison to what's inside the PS4 and Xbox One, both of which have eight-core AMD APUs and 8GB of RAM, but it still plays games in Full HD. Nintendo is more on packing its consoles with as many bizarre and yet fun features into its hardware as possible.

The sleek rectangular box of Wii U shares the same dimensions as the Wii. It comes with an HDMI port for 1080p, 1080i and 720p as well as an AV multiout that can handle standard definition for CRT TVs. It also has a port for a Wii motion sensor array and 4 USB ports which houses the SD card slot as well. You can’t place it vertically like its predecessor without a stand though.

Wii U GamePad controller

When Nintendo revealed Wii U in 2011, it showcased the GamePad first, rightfully so since this is the star of the show. The tablet-style game controllers measuring at 259x135x23mm, comes with a 6.2in touch-sensitive widescreen display, speakers, microphone and front-facing camera. Despite its size, it is incredibly light to hold in your hands and the contours have been moulded perfectly to the shape of the palms.

Its front array includes two analogue sticks, a traditional d-pad, and the four usual A, B, X and Y buttons, as well as Start and Select. In addition, there are left and right bumper and trigger buttons on the front edge; there's even a TV button which turns your GamePad into a universal remote control. Its four trigger buttons sit very comfortably underneath your index and middle fingers, and its smooth curves offer the perfect amount of grip.

The screen features the same resistive technology as the 3DS, so it needs a firm tap for your touch to register, rather than the merest brush of more common capacitative screens. It does come with a stylus which slots neatly into the back of the controller, though, just in case you don’t want to smear your fingers all over it. Its 854x480 resolution provides a crisp and vivid display, making it the perfect companion for the Wii U’s other unique feature, Off-TV Play.

Wii U deals

The giant Japanese company recently announced that it’ll be focusing on the Nintendo Switch and will end its production of Wii U. Now is the best time than ever to grab a deal on brand new consoles while you still can as you may only be able to find pre-owned soon. The console may not be able to compete with powerful consoles from Sony and Microsoft but it comes jam-packed with unique features. If you’re someone who’s not really into the hardcore-type of gaming experiences, the light-hearted and fun orientation of the Wii U experience could work for you.

Here at Latest Deals you will find a wide selection of Wii U console deals in the UK as well as on games, accessories and bundles. So if you’re looking for Wii U console cheapest price and more, you’ve come to the right place!

Wii U console bundle deals:

• Pre-owned Wii U 32GB Premium Bundle (Fair Condition) + 2 Games £119.99
• Nintendo Wii U 32GB Mario Kart 8 and Splatoon Premium Pack – Black – Amazon - £239.99
• Nintendo Wii U Console Mario Kart 8 Premium Bundle – Tesco - £326.09

Brand new Wii U console deals are currently a bit hard to find as they are running out of stock both online and in-stores from major retailers. However, there are Wii U console second hand deals from Game and Grainger Games:

• Nintendo Wii U Black Console (Fair Condition) at Game £89.99
• Nintendo Wii U - Basic White 8GB Edition Gaming Console – Used £114.99
• Nintendo Wii U Black Console Pre-owned Free Delivery & C+C £89.99

What are the games available?

The Wii U tends to get fewer third party titles than the other consoles, so kids may not be able to play the games their friends are playing. For the young set, games in the Skylanders or Lego series are generally good. Games that are good for all ages include those with “Mario” or “Zelda” in the title, Rayman Legends, Pikmin 3, and the online paint-shooter Splatoon. There aren't a lot of M-rated games, but notable ones include Splinter Cell: Blacklist, Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag, and Deus Ex: Human Revolution – The Director’s Cut. The Wii U will also run Wii games, so if you have never had a Wii there are many great games to choose from.

Nintendo emphasizes local multiplayer – gamers playing in the same room rather than through the Internet – far more than other game companies. Popular games with a strong emphasis on local multiplayer include Super Smash Bros., Mario Kart 8, Super Mario 3D World, Rayman Legends, Super Mario Bros. U, Mario Party, and Wii Party U.

Wii U games can be purchased in stores that carry games, either in-store or online, but most games are also available as downloads on the eShop, although you'll need an external drive if you're going to download more than a few small games.

Off-TV play

Not all games support this, but those that do allow you to entirely play the game just on the GamePad. You don’t need to turn on the TV in order to play as all menu of Wii U can be accessed via the Home button of the GamePad. In addition, if someone else wants to watch TV, you can continue playing making it one of the most family-friendly console to date. Aside from this it also has a built in rumble, a microphone, 9-axis motion sensors (a 3-axis accelerometer, a 3-axis gyroscope, and a 3-axis geomagnetic sensor) and internal speakers so you can still hear everything if you’re playing away from the console and TV. The speakers themselves were very good substitutes for the TV, but there’s also a headphone jack (and volume slider) on top of the controller if required.

Wii U's GamePad functions as a TV remote controller

Wii U Chat app

Moreover, you can use the GamePad as a TV remote even when the console is turned off and its front-facing camera can be used to call your friends in the Wii U Chat app. Unlike Skype, this app lets you draw on the screen with the stylus. It’s a a fun and quirky feature that livens up an otherwise pretty ordinary chat app, and it’s particularly great for filling in any awkward silences.

A console for the whole family

Nintendo is well-known for producing family-friendly consoles and games. They appeal to younger gamers, and the company has always made their online community Miiverse very safe by enforcing very strict rules on what can be posted. Voice chat in online games is, however, a free-for-all even on the Wii U.

Wii U’s parental controls allow a lot of control over what kids can play. You can set the Wii U so a password is required to play games rated for various age groups, go on the Internet, or post on the Wii U Miiverse.

Pros and cons

The Wii U easily has the most console exclusives of the big three and is a must-have for fans of Nintendo IPs like Mario and Donkey Kong. It's also still the most family-friendly of the consoles. It's a money-saver for online play; unlike the XB1 and PS4 the Wii U doesn’t charge a monthly fee for online play, and it uses far less electricity than either.

However, the console has less graphical power and less storage space for downloaded games than the PS4 and XB1. The game has few third-party titles, meaning you can't play hit franchises like Grand Theft Auto or Metal Gear Solid. There are some genres that are better served on other platforms, like RPGs.

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