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Wii U
ウィー・ユー Wii U
Wii U console.png
The Deluxe Wii U console
Release dates
Japan: December 8, 2012
North America: November 18, 2012
Europe: November 30, 2012
Australia: November 30, 2012
South Korea: N/A
China: N/A
Hong Kong: N/A
Taiwan: N/A
Technical specs
  • Size: 1.8 inches high, 10.5 inches deep, 6.8 inches long.
  • Weight: Approximately 3.41 pounds (1.5 kg).
  • CPU: IBM PowerⓇ-based multi-core processor
  • GPU: AMD Radeon™-based HD GPU
  • Storage: Internal flash memory, SD Cards, USB Devices, Wii (U) Optical Discs
  • Networking: Wireless (IEEE 802.11b/g/n) connection, USB 2.0 connectors ×4
  • Backwards Compatibility: Wii Accessories/ Games
  • Audio: Uses six-channel* and analog output*
  • Video: Supports 1080p, 1080i, 720p, 480p and 480i. HDMI (3D stereoscopy supported), Wii D-Terminal, Wii Component Video, Wii RGB, Wii S-Video Stereo AV and Wii AV
Related information
Console generation: Eighth generation
Pokémon generations: I*, III*, IV*, V*, VI
Console type: Home
Colors:
White
Black
External links

The Wii U (Japanese: ウィー・ユー Wii U) is Nintendo's home game console for the eighth generation of video games, which serves as one of the company's competitions for Sony's PlayStation 4 and Microsoft's Xbox One, the other being the Nintendo Switch.

First officially announced during the Electronic Entertainment Expo or E3 of 2011, the Wii U (previously referred to as Project Café) is the successor of the Wii and is backwards-compatible to all Wii games and controllers. The console features a 6.2-inch touch screen-capable controller equipped with a camera, called the Wii U GamePad. In addition, the console is capable of playing games at 1080p with a 16:9 (widescreen) aspect ratio. Its handheld counterpart is the Nintendo 3DS.

Unlike the original Wii and much like the Nintendo GameCube, the Wii U did not sell as very well as Nintendo hoped it would be. It would have sold 100 million units, and yet, it only managed to sell 13.56 million units worldwide, making it Nintendo's least successful home console. The Wii U's lifetime sales were outsold in only nine months by its successor, the Nintendo Switch. As a result, it was discontinued in Europe on October 1, 2016, in North America on November 10, 2016, in Australia on November 14, 2016, and in Japan on January 31, 2017, only around 4 years after the console's initial release. Commonly cited reasons for the Wii U's bad sales include some confusing marketing, a complicated GamePad, a few third-party titles with many of them being canceled and/or unreleased, high initial pricing, and the lack of Blu-ray and even DVD and CD playback; numerous first-party Wii U titles, however, were ported to the Nintendo Switch.

Technical specifications

  • Size: 1.8 inches high, 10.5 inches deep, 6.8 inches long.
  • Weight: Approximately 3.41 pounds (1.5 kg).
  • CPU: IBM PowerⓇ-based multi-core processor.
  • GPU: AMD Radeon™-based HD GPU.
  • Storage: Internal flash memory (8 or 32 GB)
    • External Storage: SD memory cards, USB storage.
    • Game Storage: Wii U and Wii optical discs.
  • Networking: Wireless (IEEE 802.11b/g/n) connection, USB 2.0 connectors ×4.
  • Backwards Compatibility: Most Wii accessories and games are compatible with the Wii U.
  • Audio: Uses six-channel PCM linear output via HDMI® connector, or analog output via the AV Multi Out connector.
  • Video: Supports 1080p, 1080i, 720p, 480p and 480i. Compatible cables include HDMI (3D stereoscopy supported), Wii D-Terminal, Wii Component Video, Wii RGB, Wii S-Video Stereo AV and Wii AV.
  • Memory: 2 GB DDR3 RAM.

Features

  • Miiverse: allowed communication with a community of both Wii U and 3DS owners
  • Nintendo Network
  • TV Remote: The Wii U GamePad can be used as a regular TV remote
  • Near Field Communication (NFC): Can communicate wirelessly with objects above it.
  • Nintendo eShop: "The digital storefront for Wii U will be available at launch and offer a variety of content for people to download and enjoy. Consumers will also be able to purchase and download select games that are also available at retail stores." ~ Nintendo. eShop was also used in 3DS.
  • Video Entertainment: Hulu, Netflix, Prime Video, YouTube
  • Video Chat: Uses front-facing camera of GamePad to have video chats with other Wii U owners.
  • Internet Browsing

Pokémon games

All releases listed are the year in which the Japanese version was released.

Title Genre Release
Pokkén Tournament Arcade fighting 2016


Nintendo eShop

The Nintendo eShop used the internet to purchase and download select full Wii U titles, Wii U-exclusive downloadable games (including WiiWare and Virtual Console games with money uploaded onto the player's account.

From March 27, 2023 onwards, it is no longer possible to purchase or download these applications on the Nintendo eShop for Wii U, as the eShop has been closed for such actions.

Nintendo eShop titles

Title Genre Release
Pokémon Rumble U Action RPG 2013


Retail titles

Title Genre Release
Pokkén Tournament Arcade fighting 2016


Wii titles

Title Genre Original release eShop release
PokéPark Wii: Pikachu's Adventure Action-adventure 2009 2015


Virtual Console games

Virtual Console games were old games that were originally released on past consoles, and had been re-released on the Nintendo eShop. They could be downloaded after being bought.

Title Genre Original system Original release VC release
Pokémon Pinball: Ruby & Sapphire Pinball Game Boy Advance 2003 2014
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Red Rescue Team Dungeon crawler Game Boy Advance 2005 2016
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Blue Rescue Team Dungeon crawler Nintendo DS 2005 2016
Pokémon Ranger Action RPG Nintendo DS 2006 2016
Pokémon Snap First-person rail shooter Nintendo 64 1999 2016
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Sky Dungeon crawler Nintendo DS 2009 2016
Pokémon Ranger: Shadows of Almia Action RPG Nintendo DS 2008 2016
Pokémon Ranger: Guardian Signs Action RPG Nintendo DS 2010 2016


Via backwards compatibility

Running in Wii Mode, the Wii U can be used to play games playable on the Wii.

On game discs

Title Genre Release
Pokémon Battle Revolution Battle simulation 2006
PokéPark Wii: Pikachu's Adventure Action-adventure 2009
PokéPark 2: Wonders Beyond Action-adventure 2011


WiiWare games

 
WiiWare
Title Genre Release Cost
My Pokémon Ranch Virtual Life 2008 1000 Wii Points
Pokémon Rumble Fighter 2008 1500 Wii Points
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon (WiiWare) Dungeon crawler 2009 1200 Wii Points


Virtual Console games

Title Genre Original release VC release Cost
Pokémon Snap First-person rail shooter 1997 2007 1000 Wii Points
Pokémon Puzzle League Puzzle 2000 2008 1000 Wii Points


Gallery

Cameos

External links

References



Game systems with Pokémon games
Nintendo handheld consoles
GB (Pocket · GBL · SGB · SGB2) • GBCminiGBA (SP · GBm · GBP)
DS (Lite · DSi · DSi XL) • 3DS (XL · 2DS · New 3DS · New 3DS XL · New 2DS XL)
Switch (Lite · OLED)
Nintendo home consoles
SNES (BS-X · SGB · NP · SGB2) • N64 (DD) • GCN (GBP)
Wii (Family Edition · mini) • Wii U
Switch (OLED)
Sega consoles
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