The Wii U is a console that’s been underappreciated by many people. It would never compete against the power of the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One, but it did have some incredible games.
The best RPGs for the Wii U take advantage of the GamePad controller’s unique setup. There are plenty of good RPGs for the Wii U, but these are some of the best ones you can play today.
Let’s get into it!
What is an RPG Game?
Role-playing games (RPGs) involve creating your own character and playing as them in a fictional world.
RPGs follow an open-world style and don’t adhere to a linear storyline like other video games. Players can choose what they want to do, including exploring different areas in the virtual world and completing side quests in between the main storyline’s missions.
A Brief History of The Wii U Console
Nintendo’s Wii U was the successor to the Wii and was released in November 2012. The console was released alongside the Wii U GamePad controller, a touchscreen tablet-like device that could be used as a second screen for playing games.
The Wii U had limited success, with sales of 13 million units by the end of 2016, making it Nintendo’s least successful home console ever. When it launched, the Wii U sold around 400,000 units in the USA in its first month and around 890,000 units after 7 weeks.
However, sales quickly declined and continued to fall. By 2017, Nintendo had only sold about 13 million total consoles worldwide since launch.
Despite poor sales for Wii U consoles, there were some standout titles for the platform during its lifespans, such as Mario Kart and Super Smash Bros.
7 Best Wii U RPGs of All Time
There are plenty of great Wii U tiles today, but here are some of the best RPG games you can find based on actual user ratings from Metacritic.
#7. emPaper Mario: Color Splash/em
- Prism Island is being drained of its color in this turn-based action-adventure RPG hybrid.
- Paper Mario's paint hammer splashes paint on anything it hits so he uses it to bring the color back to the island.
- “E” for Everyone w/Mild Cartoon Violence
The Super Mario series is one of the most popular RPG franchises ever. The original game was a launch title for the Nintendo 64, and it’s been going strong ever since.
The latest entry in the series, emPaper Mario: Color Splash/em, was released for the Wii U in 2016. It’s a delightful adventure that continues this beloved franchise’s legacy of innovative gameplay mechanics and memorable characters.
emPaper Mario: Color Splash/em takes place in Prism Island, a land inhabited by Toads who can magically create paint from thin air that can be used to bring things to life. After a giant paint bucket crashes into the island, all the Toads on the island lose their ability to make paint and must find new sources of color before they completely fade away.
The game received positive reviews from critics, who praised its humor, visuals, and gameplay.
You can get your hands on your very own copy for Wii U on Amazon here.
| Publisher | Nintendo |
| Developer | Nintendo |
| Number of Players | 1 |
| Genre | Adventure, RPG |
| Release Date | October 7, 2016 |
#6. Ittle Dew
Ittle Dew is an action-adventure game developed and published by Ludosity for the Nintendo Wii U. It was released on November 13, 2016.
Ittle Dew is a humorous adventure game that follows the titular character as she tries to save her friend Tippsie from a dungeon full of puzzles and monsters. The game features beautiful hand-drawn art with a charming visual style that brings back memories of classic retro games.
The gameplay is simple enough for anyone to pick up and play, with plenty of hidden areas to discover. The graphics are bright and colorful, and the music is catchy and fun.
| Publisher | Ludosity |
| Developer | Ludosity |
| Number of Players | 1 |
| Genre | RPG |
| Release Date | October 15, 2019 |
#5. emTokyo Mirage Sessions #FE/em
- Save your city and become a star in this shamelessly over-the-top RPG by cult-favorite developer Atlus
- Destroy elaborate enemies with powerful, flashy, entertainment-themed attacks
- Fuse items to craft increasingly strong weapons and abilities
- Savor the fan-service with original songs by Japanese entertainment giant Avex, stylish costumes, and much more
- A combo of two series from a dream-team of developers - Atlus and Intelligent Systems - forms a unique, brand-new IP
One of the best RPGs on the Wii U is emTokyo Mirage Sessions #FE/em. It takes place in modern-day Tokyo and features characters inspired by Japanese pop culture.
You play as a young man who encounters a strange creature named Mira, who grants him supernatural powers. As you progress through the game, you form bonds with other characters in your group and can summon them to fight alongside you in battle.
emTokyo Mirage Sessions #FE/em also has RPG elements, such as leveling up, gaining new skills, and equipment upgrades.
Check it out on Amazon here!
| Publisher | Intelligent Systems |
| Developer | Intelligent Systems |
| Number of Players | 1 |
| Genre | Adventure, RPG |
| Release Date | December 26, 2015 |
#4. emMonster Hunter 3 Ultimate/em
- Brand New in box. The product ships with all relevant accessories
emMonster Hunter 3 Ultimate/em is the latest game in the Monster Hunter series. It was released for the Nintendo 3DS and Wii U, with the latter version being a port of the original Wii U release.
The game is an action-adventure RPG emphasizing combat against giant monsters. You can play solo or team up with up to three other players online.
In addition to hunting monsters, there’s also a crafting system where you can create new weapons and armor from materials you find in the wild. The game has a lot of quests and side quests to keep you busy for hours on end.
You can find it for yourself on Amazon here.
| Publisher | Capcom |
| Developer | Capcom |
| Number of Players | 1 |
| Genre | Action, RPG |
| Release Date | December 10, 2011 |
The Wii U has plenty of great RPGs for you to dive into — virtual world and all!
©Tinxi/Shutterstock.com
#3. emXenoblade Chronicles X/em
emXenoblade Chronicles X/em is one of the best Wii U RPGs and a must-play for RPG lovers. The game takes place on an alien planet, where you explore ruins and fight giant mechs called Titans.
It has a great story, fun characters, and tons of customization options for your character. Plus, it has the best graphics out of all the Wii U games, so expect some great visuals that create a beautiful world to explore.
emXenoblade Chronicles X/em is one of the biggest games for the Wii U. There are tons of quests and side missions to complete, plus a ton of optional content to explore if you’re looking for something different from the main storyline.
Check it out on Amazon here.
| Publisher | Monolith Soft |
| Developer | Monolith Soft |
| Number of Players | 1 |
| Genre | Adventure, RPG |
| Release Date | December 4, 2015 |
#2. Child of Light
Child of Light is an RPG developed by Ubisoft and released in April 2014.
This game is set in a fantasy world where you play as Aurora, a young girl who wakes up in a dreamlike world called Lemuria. She must work with her companions to find her way home by defeating the Black Queen, who’s trying to seize control of Lemuria.
The game features turn-based combat, and you can upgrade your skills and weapons throughout the game. The game also has some platforming elements where you can jump on enemies or run away from them if they get too close to you.
| Publisher | Ubisoft |
| Developer | Ubisoft |
| Number of Players | 1 |
| Genre | RPG |
| Release Date | April 29, 2014 |
#1. emMass Effect 3: Special Edition/em
- A rich, branching storyline: Experience a sci-fi epic with multiple endings determined by your choices and actions throughout the game
- Massive in scope: Battle on many worlds across the galaxy as you unite the ultimate force to take back the Earth before it's too late
- Large-scale and intelligent enemies: Battle enormous enemies and take on a smarter type of foe that will consistently challenge your best combat tactics and put you on the edge of your seat
- Unlock a customizable arsenal: Tailor each weapon with devastating upgrades including scopes, grips, barrels and dozens of other unique attachments. Each weapon boasts its own powerful impact and...
- Unleash death from afar or go toe-to-toe: Customize your soldier
The Mass Effect series is one of history’s most beloved gaming franchises. Mass Effect 1, 2, and 3 are among the best RPGs of all time, but emMass Effect 3: Special Edition/em stands out.
emMass Effect 3: Special Edition/em is a remastered version of Mass Effect 3 that includes all of the DLC from earlier editions, plus new bonus content and gameplay improvements. The most significant change is adding a fourth ending to the game, which has been added.
This updated version also includes improved textures and lighting effects throughout the game and additional cutscenes between missions.
Check it out on Amazon here.
| Publisher | Electronic Arts |
| Developer | Bioware |
| Number of Players | 1 |
| Genre | Adventure, RPG |
| Release Date | March 6, 2012 |
Where to Buy Wii U RPGs
There are a few different places to buy Wii U games. The Nintendo eShop is the official place to get digital downloads of Wii U titles. You download them directly from Nintendo, and they’re stored on your system’s hard drive.
You’ll also find retail and physical versions of Wii U games at Amazon and other online retailers like eBay and BestBuy.
A good tip when buying used Wii U games is to check their condition before bidding or buying.
What to Know Before Buying Wii U RPGs
The Wii U comes with a small 500GB hard drive and enough space for a handful of games and apps. Invest in an external hard drive if you’re planning on downloading many games and apps. Otherwise, you’ll be forced to delete old games or re-download them whenever you want to play something new.
Wrapping Up
The Wii U is a great platform for role-playing games, and plenty of excellent RPGs are available. With so many options available, it can be hard to know where to start if you’re new to the console. Check out these top picks and have a blast on your Wii U!
Up Next:
- The Absolute Best Xbox 360 Sandbox Games of All Time
- The 7 Absolute Best Wii Real-Time Strategy Games of All Time
- The Absolute Best Xbox One Sandbox Games of All Time
- The 7 Absolute Best Nintendo DS Real-Time Strategy Games of All Time
The image featured at the top of this post is ©Barone Firenze/Shutterstock.com.
