We already published the list of best Wii U games of all time, now it’s time to discover the best Wii U action games of all time.
With amazing titles available, the Wii U definitely has a great library of action games.
So, if you’re a fan of both the Wii U and action games, there’s a chance you’ll like this list.
And some of you may already know some of the games mentioned in this list.
#25. The Wonderful 101
- Release Data: PlatinumGames/Nintendo, 2013
- Genre: Action » General
The Wonderful 101 takes the expected gameplay of hack and slash action games and adds a unique mechanic to make things interesting.
Instead of controlling one character, you control an ever-growing horde of characters.
Furthermore, players can also use exciting special moves that unite the horde into performing outlandish and ridiculously powerful attacks.
#24. Yoshi’s Woolly World
- Release Data: Good-Feel/Nintendo, 2015
- Genre: Action » Platformer » 2D
Woolly World stands out among other Wii U platformers thanks to its distinct art style and lighthearted nature.
The game is best played with a friend, as the relaxed pace and countless collectibles make for a fun multiplayer experience.
So, if you’re looking for a family friendly game that is super fun for all ages, then look no further.
#23. Affordable Space Adventures
- Release Data: KnapNok Games, 2015
- Genre: Action » Shooter » Shoot-‘Em-Up » Vertical
Playing as an inexperienced space traveler, your ship suddenly crashes on a mysterious planet, leaving you stranded.
While you explore, the ship is constantly self-repairing, occasionally offering new abilities and functionality for the player to take advantage of.
Despite the exploration-heavy nature of the game, Affordable Space Adventures offers an interesting mystery that is fun to unfold as you progress.
#22. Teslagrad
- Release Data: Rain Games, 2014
- Genre: Action » Platformer » 2D
Teslagrad stands out due to its impressive hand-drawn art, focus on puzzles, and its interesting take on magnetism.
As you explore the massive tower, you’ll gain the ability to magnetize to different colored blocks, opening up new areas that present new puzzles.
All in all, the game offers a decent amount of platforming as well as puzzle gameplay.
#21. Scram Kitty and His Buddy on Rails
- Release Data: Dakko Dakko, 2014
- Genre: Action » General
Unlike other on-rails shooters, Scram Kitty actually takes place on an unbroken rail that you ride along.
As you circle around, you must dodge obstacles on the rail while blasting a huge number of enemies out of the sky.
And for those who can wrap their heads around the unique gameplay, you will find tons of enjoyment in this title.
#20. Chariot
- Release Data: Frima Studio, 2015
- Genre: Action » Platformer » 2D
While the gameplay of Chariot might seem simple, the fun play on physics makes this cooperative platformer deceptively difficult.
Either alone or with a friend, you must traverse the landscapes of numerous stages, tugging the chariot along.
And if you want to succeed in cooperative play, you’ll have to use communication and some decent strategy, making this a fun multiplayer adventure.
#19. Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker
- Release Data: Nintendo EAD Tokyo/Nintendo, 2014
- Genre: Action » Platformer » 3D
Treasure Tracker sees you moving around stages as Toad, finding hidden collectibles and stars.
Toad can run around and interact with his environment, but cannot jump, forcing players to figure out each stage as if it’s a three-dimensional maze.
And despite the cute nature of the game’s visuals, the puzzles can get incredibly difficult, leading to some real brain teaser moments.
#18. Adventures of Pip
- Release Data: TicToc Games, 2015
- Genre: Action » Platformer » 2D
Adventures of Pip plays out like a normal platformer, with a bit of open world exploration, humor, and unique gameplay mechanics peppered in.
The world fluctuates between low and high-count pixel graphics, and as it changes Pip gains new powers.
Swapping between Pip’s 8-bit and 16-bit character models opens up different opportunities, allowing you to complete puzzles and defeat powerful enemies.
#17. Stick it to the Man!
- Release Data: Zoink!/Ripstone, 2014
- Genre: Action » Platformer » 3D
Stick it to the Man! is a treat both visually and for its unique gameplay mechanics.
Although the game is a platformer, the gameplay mostly revolves around solving puzzles by interacting with characters, reading their minds, and completing objectives.
Along your adventure you’ll visit a variety of interesting locales and attempting to overcome the mysterious man who wants you dead.
#16. Splatoon
- Release Data: Nintendo, 2015
- Genre: Action » Shooter » Third-Person » Arcade
Splatoon stands out among other Nintendo franchises, as it is a shooting game that focuses on competitive play.
And unlike other popular competitive shooters, defeating enemy players isn’t your only objective.
Throughout the game’s various modes, you’re also tasked with spreading your team’s ink color across the map, using a variety of fun and interesting weapons to do so.
#15. Mighty Switch Force! Hyper Drive Edition
- Release Data: WayForward, 2012
- Genre: Action » Platformer » 2D
This title provides players with tightly packed levels that focus on speed and efficiency.
A few unique power ups allow players to alter the environment, trapping enemies and opening up new paths.
Overall, it’s a fun and quirky platformer that lends itself well to the speedrunning community, and it’s a joy to try and beat your best times on each level.
#14. Runbow
- Release Data: 13AM Games, 2015
- Genre: Action » Platformer » 2D
Runbow‘s competitive nature make it an excellent party game to play with friends.
You and eight other friends compete in high speed stages that evolve as you progress, with some obstacles becoming harder to see.
Due to its high player count, Runbow is one of the only Wii U titles that can be played with an exceptionally large group of friends.
#13. Tekken Tag Tournament 2: Wii U Edition
- Release Data: Namco Bandai Games, 2012
- Genre: Action » Fighting » 3D
Like the original Tekken Tag Tournament, players select two characters to fight with in 3D stages.
And besides the standard variety of modes, this version features two new modes, one of which revolves around collecting Super Mario mushrooms.
This version also features exclusive costumes, allowing you to play while sporting outfits such as Mario, Luigi, and Peach.
#12. Stealth Inc 2: A Game of Clones
- Release Data: Curve Digital, 2014
- Genre: Action » Platformer » 2D
Stealth Inc 2 is a unique puzzle game that focuses on tasking the player with being stealthy.
You control multiple clones at a time, and must sneak around the clone manufacturing facility, collecting items and overcoming obstacles.
The creepy atmosphere lends itself well to the cautionary pace of the game, and figuring out new ways to progress is tons of fun.
#11. Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze
- Release Data: Retro Studios/Nintendo, 2014
- Genre: Action » Platformer » 2D
At first glance, Tropical Freeze might seem like an easy platformer, but that would be the wrong assessment.
This sequel to Donkey Kong Country Returns gives players exceptionally challenging stages that are rewarding to complete.
You can take on this adventure by yourself or with a friend, and the game’s many secrets and collectibles provide plenty of replayability.
#10. New Super Mario Bros. U
- Release Data: Nintendo, 2012
- Genre: Action » Platformer » 2D
Once again, Bowser has kidnapped Peach, and it’s up to Mario and his friends to rescue her.
Up to five players can play with one player using the gamepad to interact with the environment.
This shows that even decades later, the Mario Brothers franchise is still able to provide quality 2D platforming that is even more fun to play with friends.
#9. Call of Duty: Black Ops II
- Release Data: Treyarch/Activision, 2012
- Genre: Action » Shooter » First-Person » Arcade
The main campaign is one of the only Call of Duty titles to feature multiple endings and branching story options, and its fluctuating timeline provides players with two distinct styles of gunplay.
The Zombies mode is arguably the most popular mode in the game, and Black Ops II refines this mode with more story, variety, and atmosphere than ever before.
#8. Trine 2: Director’s Cut
- Release Data: Frozenbyte, Inc., 2012
- Genre: Action » Platformer » 2D
Trine 2 tells an interesting fantasy tale while offering engaging platforming and puzzle gameplay in both single player and cooperative modes.
The cooperative mode allows three players to play at once, each controlling one of the three characters.
As you progress through the game, a narrator details your adventure, and various characters along the way flesh out the game’s fantasy world.
#7. Skylanders SuperChargers
- Release Data: Vicarious Visions/Activision, 2015
- Genre: Action » Platformer » 3D
This game is part of the popular “toys-to-life” franchise Skylanders, which sees gamers collecting real-life figurines to use as playable characters within the game.
The bright cartoon visuals and lighthearted story make this game an immediate draw to younger audiences, and the collectible nature of the corresponding figurines makes it an addictive and enjoyable time for collectors everywhere.
#6. Bit.Trip Presents…Runner2: Future Legend of Rhythm Alien
- Release Data: Gaijin Games, 2013
- Genre: Action » Rhythm » Music
Runner2 is delightful to play thanks to its unique personality, cool visual style, and extremely simple controls.
The game features over 100 different levels with one singular objective; to reach the end without getting hit.
Unlike other games in the series, Runner2 features a polygonal art style rather than a pixelated one, which is a step up in quality.
#5. Super Mario Maker
- Release Data: Nintendo, 2015
- Genre: Action » Platformer » 2D
Super Mario Maker is a fantastic level editor that allows players to replicate their favorite levels by creating their own.
The editor allows you to switch between the style of various Mario titles, letting you craft levels from Super Mario World, Super Mario Brothers 3, and more.
It’s easy to lose yourself for hours while playing this game.
#4. Shovel Knight
- Release Data: Yacht Club Games, 2014
- Genre: Action » Platformer » 2D
Although many games try to recreate the look and feel of retro games, few do so with such success as Shovel Knight.
The basic idea of the game is to simply travel from level to level, reaching the end of the stage alive.
Despite the challenging nature of the game, the controls are easy, making it a welcoming game for newcomers.
#3. Super Smash Bros. for Wii U
- Release Data: Bandai Namco Games/Nintendo, 2014
- Genre: Action » Fighting » 2D
The Super Smash Bros. series has always been great for parties, and the Wii U version heightens the player count to a level unseen in the franchise before.
Thanks to the connectivity with the 3DS version, you can engage in 8-people fights, which leads to an endless amount of sessions that will keep you playing for hundreds of hours.
#2. Super Mario 3D World
- Release Data: Nintendo, 2013
- Genre: Action » Platformer » 3D
This 3D Mario title is slightly different from past console adventures like Super Mario 64 and Super Mario Galaxy.
Now, up to three friends can join you on this cooperative adventure, playing as Peach, Luigi, and Toad.
And after you’ve completed the main worlds, this game opens up a remarkable amount of new stages that are more challenging and rewarding.
#1. Rayman Legends
- Release Data: Ubisoft Montpellier/Ubisoft, 2013
- Genre: Action » Platformer » 2D
If you’re a platformer fan, Rayman Legends contains everything that draws you to the genre, from excellent level design and tight controls to fun secrets and a variety of gameplay modes.
There’s a certain artistic quality to Rayman Legends that is hard to quantify, and the end result is a riveting and addictive side-scrolling adventure that is fun to play.
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See also: Best 3DS Games & Best Switch Games
Are your favorite games on the list?
Deciding which Wii U action game is the best is no doubt a never ending topic, but it’s fun to do!
