Nintendo systems have traditionally been known for having stellar first-party games, but these days, it would be a crime to ignore all the exceptional eShop games being made by independent developers. Nintendo’s online shop is home to some of the most creative and unique video games one can buy, which is something that we respect here at Nintendojo. Check out our list below to see what we think are the best Wii U eShop games of 2014!
BEST WII U ESHOP GAME
Shovel Knight
In a decision that should surprise no one, we’ve declared Shovel Knight as the best Wii U eShop game of 2014! The game is a fantastic love letter to anyone that enjoyed platformers like Mega Man during the NES era of gaming. From the gorgeous 8-bit aesthetic to the upbeat chiptune soundtrack, Shovel Knight truly looks and plays like a retro classic from the past.
However, this retro feel is only a small portion of what makes Shovel Knight such a great game. Having the protagonist’s main weapon be a shovel instead of something like a sword makes the gameplay unconventional, yet highly amusing and entertaining. Not only must you whack your enemies with a shovel, you can also use it to mine for treasure and dig through patches of dirt that obstruct your path. This adds an interesting twist to the platforming genre that helps make the game something very special. Shovel Knight is truly a modern classic!
- Read the Nintendojo review.
BEST GAME RUNNERS-UP
Guacamelee! Super Turbo Championship Edition
Guacamelee! Super Turbo Championship Edition is easily one of the best couch co-op games you can buy on Wii U. The game delivers a ton of fun both as side-scrolling brawler and a Metroidvania, as there are plenty of rooms to explore and new moves to learn that will improve your playable luchador. Guacamelee is also a genuinely funny game that often references the games that it was inspired by, such as the blatant use of Chozo Statues from the Metroid series to give players new powers. The game is clearly made by people that love and care about these classic video games, which has helped Guacamelee become a quality indie gem as a result.
- Read the Nintendojo review.
Child of Light
With solid gameplay and a stunning hand drawn art style, Child of Light stands as one of the best Wii U RPGs. The game plays similar to old school Final Fantasy games that utilized the Active Time Battle system within its turn-based battles, but it adds a few new twists to keep things interesting. For instance, if you can hit an opponent right before it’s about to attack you, it will lose its chance to attack you for that turn. Your firefly companion deepens the layer of strategy this mechanic offers, as it can temporarily slow down the time it takes for an opponent to strike and let you attack an enemy at the right time to prevent damage. The firefly could also be controlled by a second player, which can lead to entertaining co-op sessions with a friend.
HONORABLE MENTION
SteamWorld Dig
Interestingly enough, another platformer based on digging through dirt made our list as an honorable mention this year! SteamWorld Dig on Wii U stands as a high quality port of the original 3DS game released in 2013 and plays like a dream with remastered HD graphics. There’s a big world underneath the surface and it’s exciting to dig deep to see what you’ll find underground.
- Read the Nintendojo review
WHAT’S YOUR TAKE?
What do you think of our choices? Which one of these games is your favorite? Let us know by leaving a comment and participating in the poll below!
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Choosing not to vote, because all of those games are awesome. :)
I finally picked up Shovel Knight on the New Year after waiting forever for a sale. After playing, I feel guilty not paying full price. Seriously, the game delivered on all its promises.