Local Multiplayer Console (Wii U?)

aikoels · June 6, 2014

So, I need a cheap console that I will mostly be playing local multiplayer games on (I already have a wii for online connections like netflix). The point of this is so that my mom and I can play games at her house (which doesn't have wifi, we use mobile hotspots) I was originally thinking about using an old gamecube I have, but the issue is that the games tend to be hard to get (because it is so old), not to mention that there are no new games that we can play.

I was also looking at the wii u, however that massive controller with the screen just looks so clunky! (If you have a wii u can you weigh in on this please, I am genuinely curious as to how people are liking it).

Basically, does anyone with the wii u think that it will be a good console that I can play local multiplayer games on (mario kart, smash bros, mario party, ect.) or is there another console that I should think about.

Another question about the wii u, is it possible to use only the action controller and wii controllers, I really don't like the look of the large controller that it comes with

Thanks in advance!

Kyuubixchidori · June 6, 2014

get a xbox 360? they are really cheap right now, and cheap used recent titles are very plentiful. That being said, my best friend has a Wii U, she loves it to death, so theres that.

skywake · June 7, 2014

As a Wii U owner (who's also crazy biased because I got the thing day 1) I don't have much of a problem with the GamePad at all. It's comfortable and the addition of off-TV play more than makes up for any complaint you could possibly have. The only real downside is that the battery life isn't that crash hot but for me that's only been minor annoyance a couple of times during fairly long gaming sessions. Then I just grab my Pro-Controller which has an insanely good battery life and keep going. It's at those times when I've realised how handy the second screen actually is. As for other controllers on the Wii U it really depends on the game. Most multiplayer games support the WiiMote, most games in general support the Pro controller. If it's a multiplayer game then it kinda has to support more than one type of controller. However some games actually use the GamePad's features and you'll probably find yourself playing a lot of single player games off-TV anyways Nvidia Shield style

For local multi in general though there aren't that many options. If you went the 360 route you won't find that many good 4 player local multi games out there. There's Halo, some retro shooters, some indie stuffs and then you get into sports games, Guitar Heros and Just Dance type games. Which are cool if that's your thing but it's not really that deep a library. Compare that the Wii U which while it doesn't have that deep a library already has a decent list of 4+ local multi player titles. New SMB U, 3D World and Mario Kart all support 4 players, Nintendo Land supports 5 as does the Wii U version of Rayman Legends. Then there are largely single player games like Pikmin 3, The Wonderful 101 and Donkey Kong Country Returns which all have two player modes. Plus there are the less gamery titles like Wii Party U, Wii Sports Club and Mario & Sonic not forgetting that later in the year we'll get Smash.

But anyways, pretty sure that when someone says local multi they mean Mario Kart. Mario Kart 8 is fantastic, go for it.

aikoels · June 7, 2014

--snip--

Thank you so much for your answer about the Wii U, it seems that the Wii U is the perfect console for what I need (mostly 2 players, but will also have to go up to 4 a lot) it also gives me a way to get Wind Waker HD, and since Wind Waker is my favorite game of all time, I think that the wii u is a great choice!

Again, thanks so much for the in depth answer and game recommendations.

jj509 · June 8, 2014

I just want to comment since I just bought a wii U for the release of Mario Kart 8. In the short time of its release I have had some of the best Local multipler fun I have had in a long time (since halo 1 days). Just a bunch of friends getting together goofing off for hours twice a week playing Mario Kart & 3D world. I'm so glad I invested into a Wii U instead of a PS4 or X1 for now.