Compelling narrative, gorgeous visuals and classic characters have carried a robust lineup of family-oriented games offered around the Wii U since its launch in November 2012.
This has been an interesting first year with the new console, that has taken a beating in the market as well as in some critical circles. In reporting the Wii U's recent price cut, USA Today described "an enormous slump in sales" — just 160,000 Wii U consoles sold during Nintendo's first quarter.
The follow-up system on the all-ages appropriate Wii tried to capture a broader audience by releasing numerous M-rated titles including "ZombiU" and "Call of Duty: Block Opps II." But in ranking the 25 best games with the Wii U, IGN's top five picks — "Pikmin 3," "Rayman Legends," "New Super Mario Bros. U," "Lego City Undercover" and "Nintendoland" — were all decidedly family-friendly titles. Four of the five (with Rayman because the only exception) are unique for the Wii U platform.
Following is a look at many of the family-friendly titles that are available on the market exclusively on the Wii U platform.
Game: "Pikmin 3"
Cost: $59.99
ESRB rating: E 10+ (mild cartoon violence)
Review: Unique, engaging and visually stunning, "Pikmin 3" introduces three explorers on the search for food to save their home planet of Koppai. They crash-land over a distant world, where they encounter curious little plant-like creatures which can be loyal followers and ferocious fighters. Alph, Brittany and Charlie shepherd the pikmin, that help collapse obstacles, swarm enemies and locate sustenance.
The mechanics of gathering, leading and tossing pikmin during exploration and combat are refreshingly novel. The gorgeous nature settings are sharp and rich, plus the characters are merely adorable. "Pikmin 3" is wonderfully animated with a capable dose of humor. Game sessions are divided into days as opposed to levels, providing a sense of both freedom and urgency — because if your sun goes down, the pikmin need defense against predators, along with the explorers need food.
But beyond the visuals and gameplay, "Pikmin 3" offers a good, fun storyline to follow because the protagonists explore this strange yet familiar world. "Story mode," while limited by one player, can engage the whole family.
Though cutesy and cartoony in nearly every aspect, you will find there's good amount of fighting and violence involved, plus the game doesn't avoid the tough realities of nature. Babies and toddlers can get spooked, but parents should feel comfortable with "Pikmin 3."
Game: "The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker HD"
Cost: $49.99
ESRB rating: E 10+ (animated blood, fantasy violence)
Review: "The Legend of Zelda" likely includes a good persist the hearts of anyone who grew up playing the old-school Nintendo Entertainment System. The overall game introduced many to the broad new world with the epic computer game quest. Nevertheless for people who haven't maintained using the franchise in recent times, "The Wind Waker HD" may be a good time to get the sword.
Wind Waker is a remastered version of an game produced for your Nintendo GameCube. Back in 2003, IGN called Wind Waker "a masterful achievement — a shining example, in point of fact, of how games must be made as well as a research study for developers wondering have no idea of compelling game." A current Nintendo handout noted that the original Wind Waker "earned a Metacritic score of 96, ranking it among the most elite video game titles ever."
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