Shut me up so you can take my money.
With the release of Super Mario Maker 2 on Nintendo Switch this week, more of the Wii U’s library finds some sort of representation on the Switch, which is great considering how little time people had to really experience some of its best titles. Whether via sequels or ports, Nintendo has slowly been bringing the best of the Wii U games to its current console.
But even with Splatoon and Mario Maker sequels, Captain Toad and New Super Mario Bros. U ports and more, there are still treasured gems of the Wii U trapped on Nintendo’s last-gen system. Here are seven Wii U ports Nintendo should make (or franchises to at least consider sequels for), instead of just leaving all this unspent money in my wallet.
Pikmin 3
Look, even though Shigeru Miyamoto has discussed Pikmin 4 in the past, I’m not sure my dream sequel will ever actually be made real. But Nintendo continued the GameCube’s Pikmin franchise with the fantastic Pikmin 3 on the Wii U, so I can hope they’d eventually bring it to Switch as well. With new Pikmin types, the surprisingly fun Bingo Battle mode, and a stellar campaign, Pikmin 3 proved the franchise still had plenty of ingenuity left in it. But, rather than continue its impressive life beyond the Wii U, Nintendo has (so far) just released the middling Hey! Pikmin on the Nintendo 3DS..
There’s no reason to let Hey! Pikmin represent the lasting legacy of Pikmin, and a port of Pikmin 3 (and maybe even Pikmin 1 and 2 if Nintendo is feeling charitable) feels like an easy win for one of Nintendo’s most unique franchises. If Pikmin 4 actually is ever slated as a Nintendo Switch game, it certainly doesn’t hurt to refresh fans’ memories — and maybe even gain a few more in the process of porting the franchise to the Switch.
Super Mario 3D World
Before Super Mario Odyssey captivated us all in the first year of the Switch’s life with its ingenious (and a little horrifying) idea of “What if Mario could temporarily overtake the living consciousness of everything around him,” Super Mario 3D World ignited our imaginations with “What if Mario, but cat.”
In all seriousness, Mario 3D World is a brilliant marriage of the two facets of Mario’s platforming adventures, building off the success of the 3DS’ Super Mario 3D Land to create one of the best Mario adventures you probably haven’t played. 3D World has some truly challenging end-game levels, but its intriguing and oft-rewarding level design is not only a joy to play alone (or with friends), but also well worth a replay to discover what you missed along the way.
The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword, Wind Waker, and Twilight Princess HD
Look, I know a rumor about The Legend of Zelda remasters pops up once every few hours, but it absolutely is something Nintendo should consider for the Switch’s library. Whether Skyward Sword could ever make the jump from the Wii is likely based on how much Nintendo wants to adjust its controls to a more traditional schema or try to replicate the motion controls with the Switch Joy Cons. But the Wii U served as a home to two great Zelda ports itself — Twilight Princess HD and The Wind Waker HD.
Whether the Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild 2 teaser trailer actually points to any Twilight Princess influences, it’d be a shame to not see this massive Legend of Zelda adventure make one more generational jump.
Similarly, Wind Waker HD is a fantastic version of one of the best Zelda adventures around (well, in my book anyway, it’s my personal favorite). There’s a certain joy to sailing the seas, especially with the HD version’s improved sailing speed, and the incredible visual palette of Wind Waker deserves to live on for future generations.
Yes, the Switch may be giving us a Link’s Awakening remake and a sequel to one of the most celebrated games of all time, but why not fill out the library with even more incredible Zelda adventures?
Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE
We’re still waiting for Shin Megami Tensei V, announced for the Nintendo Switch before the Switch even was released. That wait has been long and relatively quiet, so it wouldn’t hurt to have some more SMT representation on the Switch, especially when it takes some Fire Emblem influences into consideration.
Yes, some critics noted a lack of Fire Emblem in Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE, but the unique RPG’s ambitions deserve to see the light of day beyond the Wii U. Especially when some elements of Tokyo Mirage Sessions are similar to the Persona franchise and, with our collective dashed hopes for a Persona 5 port (for the time being), it would be great to have TMS make the jump to the Switch, especially as its Wii U GamePad uses could easily be translated in the porting process.
The Wonderful 101
PlatinumGames and Nintendo continue to have a great relationship, with Astral Chain debuting as a Switch exclusive this August, and Bayonetta 3 still on the way. Platinum has done a tremendous job of trying out unique ideas with a number of new franchises, and while perhaps not its best, The Wonderful 101 delivered a unique, intriguing premise that could, with a second lease on life, possibly become a memorable series.
Players control a gaggle of heroes, who can be united for new abilities. While the Wii U version used the GamePad as a way for players to draw symbols to form weapons, it wasn’t exactly the most responsive system, and a Switch port could possibly allow Platinum to find a simpler, more useful way of employing this gameplay tactic.
Platinum is full of inventive ideas, and Wonderful 101’s unique gameplay inventions are worth checking out — it’s just a shame you can’t do that unless you own a Wii U.
Nintendo Land
Nintendo Land is probably going to be more difficult to port than many games on this list, I realize. The minigame collection was built as a showcase for the Wii U’s specific functionality. But, the games included were not only joyful multiplayer experiences but yet another sign that Nintendo’s party game ingenuity can extend beyond the Mario Party franchise.
I’d love to see Nintendo find a way for its amusement park aesthetic to find a second lease on life with a host of Switch minigames. Think 1-2 Switch but…better. Throw in a set of Joy-Con controllers and you’ve basically got yourself a new Wii Play on your hands. (But, y’know, also hopefully better.)
What do you think of our list of Wii U games we wish could be ported to the Switch? Agree, disagree, or think we missed an obvious one? Let us know in the comments! And for more Switch coverage, stay tuned to IGN’s weekly Nintendo show, Nintendo Voice Chat.
Jonathon Dornbush is IGN’s News Editor, PlayStation lead, and Beyond! host. Talk to him on Twitter @jmdornbush.
