The Wii U has slowly but surely gained some traction. Sure it’s not selling like Sony or Microsoft’s next generation consoles but it’s alive and kicking. Now that you have one, you may be wondering how you can get more out of it. Every good console has its fair share of great accessories but there are also a lot of stinkers. How many of you have picked up a cheap third party knock off that only breaks in a couple of months and drains your wallet? With that in mind, we want to help you out by identifying some must have accessories to help you get the most out of your Wii U. This list barely scratches the surface of what’s available for your Wii U but at the very least this list narrows down the items you should consider for your Wii U.
Rocketfish – Wii U InvisiShell
Protecting your gamepad should be one of the first things you consider, after all its going to be getting a lot of use. The main feature of the Wii U gamepad is its touch screen. Not unlike the DS, you’ll be clicking, tapping, dragging, swirling and slashing with a large chunk of the software available, so keeping your screen scratch free is a must. Luckily, many companies offer Wii U sized screen protectors to serve this very purpose. Most screen protectors are near identical, so branding isn’t something that is too important here. Any screen protector will do but Rocketfish has the answer for you. The Wii U Invisishell encapsulates most of the Gamepad, leaving only the important bits exposed. This will protect it from grease, grime and any accidental drops. The shell also comes with a built in kick stand for times when you are using less demanding applications like Netflix. All in all, this Wii U accessory is a winner!
Wii U GamePad High Capacity Battery
The GamePad itself has one major flaw; its small battery life. Luckily Nintendo has just the solution. Nintendo recently released the GamePad High Capacity Battery which extends the GamePads battery life to eight hours, up from three to five. Thrifty shoppers may find this nifty little accessory is a bit on the expensive side at $32, but it is completely worth the price. Lengthy gaming sessions or watching a trilogy uninterrupted is now a possibility with this High Capacity Battery. The Battery’s one drawback is that it’s usually in high demand and low in stock. Getting it is further exacerbated by the fact that it’s only available through Nintendo’s online store. So, Happy hunting!
Wii U Pro Controller
Controllers for the Wii U come in all shapes and sizes. Everyone that owns a Wii U has the Gamepad which comes with the machine in the box. The Wii U; however, is not limited to this one controller and has plenty of other control styles to choose from. The most notable of the controller options is the Wii U Pro Controller. This bad boy was built for the serious gamer. Its design is reminiscent of the Xbox 360 controller in shape, but has a recognizable Nintendo flair. It has every bell and whistle you’d expect from a modern day controller like both bumpers and triggers, and buttons hidden below the joysticks. Where the Pro Controller really shines though is through its astounding battery life. The Pro Controller can last up to 80 hours on a single charge. That’s what you would call a modern day gaming miracle. This Controller will cost you around $60 bucks.
Save Money, Use Your Wii Remote and Classic Controllers
For those that owned a Wii, you’ll be glad to know that all of your Wii Remotes can be carried forward to the Wii U, baring they be synchronized to the new machine of course. Many, if not all titles released on the Wii U still offer motion controls, and in some cases require them. Both Wii Remotes and Wii Remote Pluses are also compatible. With the compatibility of Wii Remotes in mind, it’s also important to the note that Classic Controllers work on the Wii U as well. For those that don’t know Classic Controllers plug into the Wii Remote and were typically used to play old games originally released on the NES, SNES or N64. These titles are now strictly acquired through downloads, but they should be played with an older style of control. While the need for a more traditional style controller this time around was alleviated by the WiiU Pro Controller, the Classic Controllers remain a viable alternative for those who may not have the money to upgrade.
Amiibos
The newest craze to sweep the world is Nintendo’s Amiibo figurines. From an outside perspective they look like mere toys, but on the inside they pack a bit more punch. Modeled to look like Nintendo’s most beloved characters, Amiibos interact with a wide range of games giving you added benefits for each character you own. Amiibos grant your Mii Racers Nintendo themed racing suits in Mario Kart 8 while in Hyrule Warriors, Amiibos give you five free bonus gifts per day including money, weapons, and materials for upgrades. Upcoming Kirby, Yoshi, Zelda, Starfox, and Mario games will feature Amiibo support as well, but where they truly shine right now is with Super Smash Bros for Wii U and 3DS. Amiibos function as super smart AI that learn and level up as you fight them. Each Amiibo fighter is fully customizable from its name, to its costume, to its special abilities and each one costs $13.99 in stores with some rarer figurines already fetching higher prices online. These little heroes are truly heroic.
Final Thoughts
By no means is this a definitive list of accessories. Everyone has different needs. Given the Wii U’s limited storage space, an external hard drive is something many may want to consider. Using the Wii’s old remote accessories like the steering wheels and zappers are good options too. For fitness junkies, there is a balance board for use with WiiFit U and, you guessed it, you can use the same balance board you had for your Wii on your Wii U. It’s completely interchangeable! For those who enjoy playing online, many headset options are available too and all vary in terms of the complexity of set up. Did you know you can use your old GameCube controller on the Wii U, provided you pick up the adapter? So many options!
Bottom line you need to assess your needs, do some research and choose an accessory that best meets your needs. Accessory shopping can be very rewarding if you choose the right product, but a horrible task if you don’t know what you are looking for. When in doubt, choose a brand name you recognize or, if possible, a product made by Nintendo. Hopefully we’ve shed some light for you on what the possibilities are.