Wii U

The Wii U is a <a href="/facts/Home_video_game_console/zP1RTC84">home video game console</a> developed by <a href="/facts/Nintendo/dMrLpaHu">Nintendo</a> as the successor to the <a href="/facts/Wii/BxUgl2da">Wii</a>. Released in late 2012, it is the first <a href="/facts/Eighth_generation_of_video_game_consoles/ATJVb6Sf">eighth-generation video game console</a> and competed with <a href="/facts/Microsoft/nGIDDXdx">Microsoft</a>'s <a href="/facts/Xbox_One/Nom1XYbe">Xbox One</a> and <a href="/facts/Sony_Interactive_Entertainment/tnH01NqQ">Sony</a>'s <a href="/facts/PlayStation_4/wMtdFnoP">PlayStation 4</a>.
The Wii U is the first <a href="/facts/Nintendo_consoles/LEBu1pfl">Nintendo console</a> to support <a href="/facts/High-definition_video/3CoUBum1">HD</a> <a href="/facts/Video_game_graphics/0C39CTRF">graphics</a>. The system's primary <a href="/facts/Gamepad/WeNdbxjt">controller</a> is the <a href="/facts/Wii_U_GamePad/7dfa0Scg">Wii U GamePad</a>, which features an embedded <a href="/facts/Touchscreen/zpSKDFpe">touchscreen</a>, a <a href="/facts/D-pad/rA3C2xT0">D-pad</a>, analog sticks, and action buttons. The screen can be used either as a supplement to the main display or in <a href="/facts/List_of_Wii_U_games_featuring_Off-TV_Play/Kju938FJ">supported games</a> to play the game directly on the GamePad. The <a href="/facts/Wii_U_Pro_Controller/wnX10xl4">Wii U Pro Controller</a> can be used in its place as a more traditional alternative. The Wii U is <a href="/facts/Backward_compatible/FbHFBu5y">backward compatible</a> with Wii software and accessories. Games can support any combination of the GamePad, <a href="/facts/Wii_Remote/0uaGlccQ">Wii Remote</a>, <a href="/facts/Wii_Nunchuk/0uaGlccQ">Nunchuk</a>, <a href="/facts/Wii_Balance_Board/wJJf6QVL">Balance Board</a>, or Nintendo's <a href="/facts/Classic_Controller/SbarEDuG">Classic Controller</a> or Wii U Pro Controller. Online functionality centered around the <a href="/facts/Nintendo_Network/tntfYrEK">Nintendo Network</a> platform and <a href="/facts/Miiverse/RzwbE4Co">Miiverse</a>, an integrated <a href="/facts/Social_networking_service/qFIh6VT1">social networking service</a> which allowed users to share content in game-specific communities.
Critical response to the Wii U was mixed. It was praised for its innovative GamePad controller, improvements to online functionality over the Wii, backward compatibility with Wii software and peripherals, and price. However, it was criticized for its user interface and functionality, and the GamePad's short battery life. It <a href="/facts/List_of_commercial_failures_in_video_games/NISR8nuJ">had low sales</a>, primarily credited to a weak lineup of <a href="/facts/Launch_games/KvCvXrMA">launch games</a>, limited third-party support, and poor marketing including the lack of distinguishing the unique functionality of the GamePad from just being a <a href="/facts/Tablet_computer/6pGX2I7b">tablet device</a> for the Wii. Production of the Wii U ended on January 31, 2017. On March 3, 2017, Nintendo released its successor, the <a href="/facts/Nintendo_Switch/UPy7Bcyu">Nintendo Switch</a>, which retained and refined concepts introduced with the Wii U. Most of the Wii U's <a href="/facts/Platform_exclusivity/QVkkR4tv">exclusive games</a> were later <a href="/facts/Video_game_port/GrzV82qw">ported</a> to the Switch.

Wii U open-in-new

Wii U