Nintendo's most recent announcement regarding the future of the Wii U may leave classic console fans frustrated. While 2024 saw the end of online services for the Wii U, some gamers have continued to maintain, support, and use their consoles. The Nintendo Switch's predecessor had some unique mechanics that took advantage of the dual-screen mechanics of the Wii U GamePad and the television screen. Additionally, there are still a few titles not currently available on any modern systems.

While many consider the Wii U a commercial failure, it served as a breakthrough system for Nintendo. The console was a cross between the Wii and the Nintendo DS, with the Wii U Gamepad serving as a precursor to what would eventually become the Nintendo Switch. While the in-game graphics were far behind its contemporaries at the time, the Wii U was able to run the much-acclaimed The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. It's also currently the only console where fans can play Xenoblade Chronicles X and Star Fox Zero, although many first-party Wii U games eventually made their way to the Switch. Sadly, recent Nintendo news may disappoint Wii U owners.

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What Wii U Game Would You Like To See Ported To Switch/Switch 2?

It would be great to see some of the titles fans are surprised we haven't gotten yet, such as Xenoblade Chronicles X, Nintendo Land, and The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker HD.

Nintendo announced on Twitter that it has run out of replacement parts for the Wii U. This means that the company will no longer repair Wii U consoles and other peripherals. Many fans consider this to be a huge blow to what was already a sad state for the Wii U. While fans were at least able to preserve games from the Wii U when the online services shut down, the hardware shortage could spell disaster for old units.

Wii U Games That Have Not Yet Been Ported To Switch

• Kirby and the Rainbow Curse
• Xenoblade Chronicles X
• The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker HD
• Nintendo Land
• Star Fox Zero
• Animal Crossing: Amiibo Festival
• NES Remix Pack

Some Wii U games are rumored to be making a comeback on the Switch, meaning fans can start keeping their classic consoles in their vaults. However, with no assurance as to when these titles are moving to newer hardware, those who wish to experience the games as originally intended would need to keep their Wii U's usable.

The gaming community is known to be ingenious when it comes to solving these kinds of problems. Resourceful gamers on the internet often find solutions that could help preserve both hardware and software. Even issues such as the shutdown of Nintendo's Wii U servers were previously bypassed by a few online players. While Nintendo's statement may disappoint owners of the Wii U, avid collectors may be able to discover ways to maintain their system post-support.

Nintendo Wii U

The Nintendo Wii U was the original successor to the Nintendo Wii and featured upgraded motion controls as well as a new controller that had a touch-screen tablet interface. It was part of the eighth-generation of the console wars and went toe-to-toe with the Xbox One and PS4.

Brand

Nintendo

Original Release Date

November 18, 2012

Hardware Versions

Nintendo Wii U