If you’re looking to introduce your little ones to gaming, Nintendo’s Wii U  is the best gaming system for the family.

My boys’ first gaming system was Nintendo Wii – when they were about 4 and 6 years old – and the first game they loved playing was Wii Sports Resort. Of course as technology improves, new gaming systems are introduced.

Now with an innovative new Wii U GamePad controller, the Super Mario Maker Deluxe set will allow gamers to play a near-limitless number of intensely creative Super Mario™ levels from players around the world. Mario is on display in Full 1080p HD splendor and thanks to the 32GB hard drive, you have tons of room to save games and download add-ons.

The Deluxe Bundle comes with a high-speed HDMI cable, AC adapter, the GamePad, a sensor bar, the cradle, a stand and a console… and a full game download of Super Mario Maker, an idea book and the 30th Anniversary Mario Modern Color Amiibo.

My kids had been asking for a Wii U for months. The boys love playing Super Mario Bros, and Minecraft for the Wii U. In my opinion, the Nintendo Wii U is the best gaming system for kids under 10, and the first gaming system to introduce to kids.

What’s great is that if you’ve upgraded from a Wii, your games will still be compatible with the Wii U. So all of those Wii favourites like Michael Jackson The Experience and Lego Batman can still be played and enjoyed.

 

$329.99 Available at Best Buy, Amazon.ca, Walmart, The Source.

Super Mario U for the Wii U

Here is a video of my son showing the Super Mario U for the Wii U game, as well as his thoughts of the game:

Mario Kart 8

Here is another video of my son reviewing the Mario Kart 8 for the Wii U:

 

Other games for the Wii U

Wii U Minecraft

The Wii U version of Minecraft will be getting a host of Super Mario-themed content, including new textures for the world, 40 different character skins and 15 pieces of Super Mario 64 music. It will be available on May 17th as a free update. Nintendo will also be releasing a retail version of Minecraft on Wii U on June 17th.

Splatoon

Splatoon is a third-person shooter video centered around characters known as “Inklings”—beings that can transform between humanoid and squid forms, and hide or swim through coloured ink sprayed on surfaces using gun or brush-based weaponry. Wow! Splatoon features several game modes, including 4-on-4 online multiplayer and a single player campaign. The boys find Splatoon colorful and fun.

$69.99 Available on Best Buy, Amazon, EB Games, Toys ‘R Us, Walmart.

Splatoon Inkling amiibo three-pack

Claim your turf as the ink-spewing, squid-like characters called Inklings in Nintendo’s new third-person action shooter game for the Wii U console. The Splatoon Inkling amiibo three-pack includes Inkling Girl, Inkling Boy and Inkling Squid. Introducing amiibo: character figures designed to connect and interact with compatible games. By tapping the amiibo over your Wii U GamePad, you’ll open up new experiences within each corresponding game.

$44.99 Best Buy

Yoshi’s Woolly World + Yarn Yoshi amiibo – Wii U

On a knitted island filled with many Yarn Yoshis of varying patterns, the evil magikoopa Kamek turns nearly all the Yoshis into bundles of yarn for his master Baby Bowser, scattering them across different worlds. But two Yoshis somehow manage to avoid being transformed, and they set off to pursue Kamek and rescue their woolly friends.

Tap amiibo figures to the Wii U GamePad controller or New Nintendo 3DS XL system to interact with compatible games, no portal needed. Use amiibo in compatible games like Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS and Wii U, Mario Kart 8 and Kirby and the Rainbow Curse.

The visuals are cute and beautiful.  $79.95 Indigo