Nintendo Wii U
Also known as Project Cafe
- Manufacturer
- Nintendo
- Type
- Home console
- Generation
- 8th generation
- Released (North America)
- Nov 18, 2012
- Released (Japan)
- Dec 8, 2012
- Released (Europe)
- Nov 30, 2012
- Launch price
- $299.99 (Basic) / $349.99 (Deluxe)
- Discontinued
- 2017
- Units sold
- 13.56 million
About the Nintendo Wii U
The Wii U was the first Nintendo console with HD graphics, built around the GamePad, a controller with a built-in touchscreen. Its name and marketing confused many shoppers, who thought it was a Wii accessory, and it sold just over 13.5 million units before the Switch replaced it.
Many of its best games were later ported to Switch, including Mario Kart 8, Super Mario 3D World, Bayonetta 2 and Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze. The ones that weren't, along with low print-run physical releases, are where prices are strongest: Devil's Third, The Wonderful 101 and several late-life games.
The console plays Wii discs and supports Wii Remotes. A working GamePad is essential, since replacements are no longer made, so confirm it pairs and charges.
Nintendo Wii U games by the numbers
Loose prices across 217 priced games
Most valuable Nintendo Wii U games
![Zelda Wind Waker HD [Limited Edition] cover art](https://images.igdb.com/igdb/image/upload/t_cover_big/co3ozi.jpg)
![Zelda Twilight Princess HD [amiibo Bundle] cover art](https://images.igdb.com/igdb/image/upload/t_cover_big/co3mqa.jpg)
![Super Smash Bros. [Controller Bundle] cover art](https://images.igdb.com/igdb/image/upload/t_cover_big/co5ysr.jpg)
![Xenoblade Chronicles X [Special Edition] cover art](https://images.igdb.com/igdb/image/upload/t_cover_big/co40ub.jpg)
![Guitar Hero Live [2 Pack Bundle] cover art](https://images.igdb.com/igdb/image/upload/t_cover_big/co1wpe.jpg)
Most valuable sealed Nintendo Wii U games
![Hyrule Warriors [Limited Edition] cover art](https://images.igdb.com/igdb/image/upload/t_cover_big/co3p0r.jpg)
![LEGO Marvel Super Heroes [Walmart Edition] cover art](https://images.igdb.com/igdb/image/upload/t_cover_big/co5bze.jpg)
![Mario Kart 8 [Limited Edition] cover art](https://images.igdb.com/igdb/image/upload/t_cover_big/co2kq1.jpg)
![Skylanders Trap Team Starter Pack [Color Alive] cover art](https://images.igdb.com/igdb/image/upload/t_cover_big/co1ysd.jpg)
![LEGO Jurassic World [Target Edition] cover art](https://images.igdb.com/igdb/image/upload/t_cover_big/co1mws.jpg)
Top rated Nintendo Wii U games
Most listed on eBay right now
Nintendo Wii U games by release year
By each game's original release year, so ports count under the year the game first came out.
Hardware specs
| CPU | 1,24 GHz Tri-Core IBM PowerPC ''Espresso'' |
|---|---|
| Graphics | 550 MHz AMD Radeon ''Latte'' |
| Memory | 2 GB DDR3 @ 1600MHz |
| Sound | 5,1 Linear PCM, Dolby Surround (Wii mode) |
| Media | Wii U and Wii optical discs. |
| Storage | 8 GB internal flash (Basic), 32 GB internal flash (Deluxe). USB mass storage device, SD/SDHC Card |
| Resolutions | 480i, 480p, 720p, 1080i, 1080p |
| Video output | Composite, S-Video, YPbPr component, RGB SCART, D-Terminal, HDMI |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi IEEE 802.11 b/g/n. Bluetooth 4,0 and 4x USB 2,0 |
| Online | Nintendo Network |
Console family
More Nintendo consoles
Game values from PriceCharting market data. Hardware specs and revisions from IGDB.