How to Get a Cheap Wii U System

The least expensive way to get some Wii U gear is to go pre-owned. The 8GB consoles are about $200 now. The larger 32GB consoles are about $275. The extra $75 is most certainly not worth it. If you're considering a used 32GB console, just buy a used 8GB system and pick up a good USB external hard drive to expand the console's storage. You can easily get a 1TB hard drive for about $60; this is far larger than 32GB and more space than you'll probably ever use on Wii U. I picked up an 8GB console and an extra controller for $190 after tax and haggling with the shop owner. Make sure to take the system out of the box and inspect it though. You don't want a cracked, scratched GamePad or yellowed plastic (yuck).

Note that both 8GB and 32GB consoles are so small you won't be able to download many full-size AAA games (zero on the smaller console, probably 3-4 on the 32GB machine) without picking up some external storage. If you buy retail discs only (no downloads except smaller indie titles) you probably won't need more storage than the bare 8GB console anyway.

If you're looking for a new console, the Premium 32GB set (currently $300) that comes with Nintendo Land is not my first choice, though the game is fun and the black console is really nice. The Basic 8GB set ($250) is an okay choice when paired with an external hard drive, but if you're buying new, you may as well buy a bundle:

• Wait for an undoubtedly-upcoming Super Smash Brothers bundle. I'm sure it will be a good deal.
• The Mario Kart bundle is the best deal Nintendo has had on Wii U so far: $330 nets you a 32GB Wii U plus a second controller and a copy of Mario Kart 8 and Nintendo Land. Unfortunately these sold out right away back in June and it doesn't look like Nintendo is shipping any more of them.
• The Zelda bundle has risen to $350 and comes with a 32GB console (the GamePad has custom Zelda-themed designs on it) and Wind Waker HD, but this set doesn't seem like the best value unless you're a huge Zelda fan.
• Older bundles with extra Mario or Luigi games are all round $300 and probably less desirable.

Once again, these bundles come with the 32GB console which can likely only hold 3-4 full-size AAA downloads so you might need an external hard drive eventually. I'm in the same boat with my 8GB console, though I plan to buy full-size AAA games on disc. If my available 2.7GB storage ever fills up with indie and virtual console games (unlikely, as my NES and SNES still work fine) I will look to spend less than $40 on an external hard drive, probably in the 120GB - 300GB range.

Secrets of the Wii U

The Wii U has a number of unsung features I only recently discovered:

• Its Netflix, Amazon Instant Video, Hulu, and YouTube players are really, really good. You can view content on your TV or the Wii U GamePad. Really handy when someone else is using the TV (you can plug headphones into the GamePad too, by the way).
• The TVii feature is also really interesting. You can search and view content on your TV network (cable, satellite, whatever), Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon backed by data from IMDB and Rotten Tomatoes. You can also do interesting social network activities relating to the show you're watching on the GamePad while the show runs on your TV. It's a surprisingly immersive TV guide experience.
• USB storage expansion. The internal storage on the Wii U is tiny (8GB or 32GB) and laughably easy to fill with just a few games. In the 8GB console's case, you don't even have the option of downloading a game over 2.7GB since the system software itself eats up 5GB right off the bat. This issue is easily solved by attaching a cheap USB external hard drive available from Best Buy, Amazon, or Newegg.
• You can play most games right on the GamePad without using your TV. This is great when someone else is using the TV or just wants some peace and quiet. You can parallel play to your heart's content.
• The graphics are actually really good. Every game I've played, even the super-fast Mario Kart 8 outputs 1080p at a solid 60 frames per second, making it both beautiful and extremely playable even when the screen is clogged with action. Nintendo may not be pushing out games with more realistic graphics like other studios, but they make up for it with high-fidelity design and bold color. What first stands out about Mario Kart 8 are the colors: deep blues, striking reds, and vibrant greens that other games, even titles lauded for their impressive graphics (e.g. Destiny), just don't have.

Wii U Critical Mass

Nintendo released the Wii U in North America on November 18, 2012. Up until mid-2014, sales were about as lively as the Duke Nukem Forever multiplayer community.

But then Nintendo released Mario Kart 8 and, one month later, handily won E3 even with a phoned-in virtual performance. Nintendo announced enough upcoming Wii U titles that, in addition to their already-released library, opened the gates for the Wii U. Suddenly Wii U reached critical mass (finally) in terms of available software worth playing. Wii U took New Super Mario Bros. U, Super Mario 3D World, Donkey Kong Country Tropical Freeze, The Wonderful 101, and their recent Mario Kart 8 victory and announced the addition of Super Smash Brothers, Bayonetta 2, Splatoon, Yoshi's Wooly World, Hyrule Warriors, Xenoblade Chronicles X and Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker.

Finally, the Wii U has enough established and upcoming titles to warrant buying in. Enough so that after E3, the Mario Kart 8 Wii U bundles immediately sold out online and in stores. For three months in my area it was nearly impossible to find a Wii U, and I was even looking at pre-owned inventory! Hardware prices haven't been dropping much, either.

Where is that invisible "worth it" line drawn? About five or six titles. Once a console has enough software that you can spend more on games than the actual hardware, it's worth buying. Say 5 games x $50 = $250 makes the basic 8GB set worth purchasing.

Sure, Wii U still lacks in "hardcore" games (though it does have Call of Duty: Ghosts!). However, I recently rediscovered Nintendo's fun factor. Having grown so jaded and bored with most games lately (such as the aforementioned Call of Duty: Ghosts), I recently plunked down $200 for a used 8GB Wii U, a spare controller, and Super Mario 3D World. I find myself having a surprisingly good time. Nintendo is still innovating gameplay here while the shooter franchises of the world continue to stagnate. I want to keep exploring this crazy, silly world Nintendo created. I've been smiling! I hardly ever smile. Further adding to the fun, the game attracted my wife's interest so we finally have something she's interested in playing together. There's another hidden win in Nintendo's pocket: so many of their games are co-op you can play with friends.