7 year old boy: Recommend a WiiU game for him

[Story]

So my younger brother got a WiiU for his birthday last month and he hasn't really been playing all that much. I came over the other day to play a little bit with him, since I bought him an extra controller to go along with the system. He has Mario 3D Land New Super Mario Bros. U, Skylanders Swap Force, and Epic Mikey 2: The Power of Two (which we haven't played yet). This is his first game system, though he has played games on an iPad. When I tried to play with him he got easily frustrated. It seems doesn't know how to traverse 3D space very well as his hand-eye coordination isn't very good yet.
Long story short: Mario is too precise for him and Skylanders is frustrating because of its lives system (you need to swap out figures in order to continue a level).

Does anyone have a good video game recommendation for my little bro?

Edit: He has New Super Mario Bros. U, not 3D land, my bad. e-e

 

[Roxas1359]

Hm, well you could always try kart racing. Sonic Allstars Racing Transformed is on the Wii U, was one of my first games for it, and Mario Kart 8 is coming out in about 2 months. You could also try Wind Waker HD and see if he likes adventure games. The Wii U is also able to play Wii games so if he likes Wind Waker HD you could see if he likes Skyward Sword and Twilight Princess.
Other than that you could try some of the VC games to try and improve hand-eye coordination, although the VC tends to be overpriced on some games sadly. :/

 

[Evonisia]

Rayman Legends is apparently 'best' on the Wii U, and is a co-op focused game, definitely get that. It's also 2D.

 

[Shoggoth2588]

There's always New Super Mario Bros U. It's in the more traditional 2D style of older Mario games. Other than that, Rayman Legends would likely fit the bill too since it too is a 2D platformer similar to the Mario games.

 

[gorfias]

You can pick up Nintendoland cheap used at Gamestop. Fun, different mini game collection.


I'm interested in Pikmin 3 myself.

 

[Roxas1359]

You can pick up Nintendoland cheap used at Gamestop. Fun, different mini game collection.

OP, there is also this. Although it's better to buy it online since you can get a brand new copy of GameStop for just a few dollars more than what GameStop offers for it. It used to be worse though, as GameStop, Walmart, Target, etc used to charge $60 for a brand new copy of Nintendo Land, when at the same time GameStop was offering it for only $20 used...yeah I like NintendoLand, but it's definitely not worth $60, at most maybe $40 like Wii Party, but that's all.

 

[mitchell271]

You can pick up Nintendoland cheap used at Gamestop. Fun, different mini game collection.
I'm interested in Pikmin 3 myself.

Goddamn ninjas, stealing everything for my own post! Think of this as a seconding of these titles.

 

[jelock]

Could try the lego games. Though he might have some difficulty with the controls even on those, hopefully the cartoonyness of them might help though. Maybe just browse the games list on wikipedia and see if anything jumps out. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Wii_U_software

 

[Ken_J]

If 3D world is too precise for him do NOT get him DKC Tropical Freeze or Rayman Legeneds. While both are just fantastic they are incredibly difficult. Donkey Kong much more so. Mario U is much more forgiving than both but in my opinion but kinda basic.

 

[lacktheknack]

Throw in another for Rayman Legends. Yeah, it's hard, but so was Tomb Raider III, which I played when I was eight.

 

[Story]

Hm, well you could always try kart racing. Sonic Allstars Racing Transformed is on the Wii U, was one of my first games for it, and Mario Kart 8 is coming out in about 2 months. You could also try Wind Waker HD and see if he likes adventure games. The Wii U is also able to play Wii games so if he likes Wind Waker HD you could see if he likes Skyward Sword and Twilight Princess.
Other than that you could try some of the VC games to try and improve hand-eye coordination, although the VC tends to be overpriced on some games sadly. :/

All good games, but I'm not sure about those suggestions. I don't know if he'll enjoy Zelda without a lot of guidance. I played Wind Waker and even I am a bit ashamed to admit I had a hard time beating it to the end. Perhaps because it was my first Zelda game, but still. Mario Kart is a very good one though, I might pick that one up. Thanks!

Rayman Legends is apparently 'best' on the Wii U, and is a co-op focused game, definitely get that. It's also 2D.

I might buy that one if only for myself (and for my sister). I don't think he'll be able to enjoy the challenge without being frustrated. However, doesn't that game also have a support system similar to Mario U? In that someone can use the touch screen to help out other players? He might enjoy that since he is used to feedback directly on the control screen, since he is so used to iPad games.

You can pick up Nintendoland cheap used at Gamestop.

That is an excellent suggestion! I didn't even consider Nintendoland. I think all the mini games and easy enough difficulty he'll find at least something to like about that title. Thanks a bunch.

As for Pikimin, I think he might be too young for it. The time limit might frustrate him, though I would be lying if I said I wasn't interested in playing that myself.

If 3D world is too precise for him do NOT get him DKC Tropical Freeze or Rayman Legeneds. While both are just fantastic they are incredibly difficult. Donkey Kong much more so. Mario U is much more forgiving than both but in my opinion but kinda basic.

Yeah, I agree with you on that one. I really want to play those games, but I know they will be a bit too difficult for him at this stage. Interestingly my mom almost bought him Donkey Kong instead of Skylanders, I talked her out of it because early reviews said it was a pretty difficult game.

Could try the lego games. Though he might have some difficulty with the controls even on those, hopefully the cartoonyness of them might help though. Maybe just browse the games list on wikipedia and see if anything jumps out. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Wii_U_software

Also a good suggestion, he likes real legos too. Are the Lego games pretty forgiving?

 

[jackpipsam]

I couldn't recommended more Donkey Kong: Tropical Freeze.
That is a fantastic game.
I don't agree that its too hard, I think for a 7 year old, he should be able to get into the rhythm of it.
But then again, if you have concerns, maybe try the Wii version, that should be cheap enough at this point and give a decent enough indicator if he can handle it.

There's also the Sonic game, i'd pick that up at a discounted price, that series is popular among that age group.
The new Sonic games aren't really the speed-twitch based, its more go along with it kinda game.
Although some do find them frustrating.

But there's a whole bunch of Wii games which work on the system.
Maybe Skyward Sword will be more up his alley, that doesn't require twitch movement.

 

[jelock]

Could try the lego games. Though he might have some difficulty with the controls even on those, hopefully the cartoonyness of them might help though. Maybe just browse the games list on wikipedia and see if anything jumps out. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Wii_U_software

Also a good suggestion, he likes real legos too. Are the Lego games pretty forgiving?[/quote]

Yeah they are pretty good. Though there is platforming there is never any real punishment for failing. Characters respwan straight away, no lives etc. Plus they have some good open worlds so he can just mess around. The co-op in them is really forgiving and fun as well so you can always play along.

 

[jelock]

Could try the lego games. Though he might have some difficulty with the controls even on those, hopefully the cartoonyness of them might help though. Maybe just browse the games list on wikipedia and see if anything jumps out. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Wii_U_software

Also a good suggestion, he likes real legos too. Are the Lego games pretty forgiving?

Yeah they are pretty good. Though there is platforming there is never any real punishment for failing. Characters respwan straight away, no lives etc. Plus they have some good open worlds so he can just mess around. The co-op in them is really forgiving and fun as well so you can always play along.

 

[crazygameguy4ever]

here's a recommendation.. get the money back for the Wii u and pay the difference for either a PS3 or a PS4 instead.. so he he'll have a better console that has plenty of great games

 

[Story]

here's a recommendation.. get the money back for the Wii u and pay the difference for either a PS3 or a PS4 instead.. so he he'll have a better console that has plenty of great games

You might be kidding, but I'll humor you since I'm going to get more responses like this.
A few things:
We partly bought the WiiU because it seemed like the perfect "my first console"...well console. The touch screen on the controller is perfect for a child that doesn't have the hand-eye coordination down pact. He just got off of the iPad as well, a similar medium.

My mother is at the same time anal and ignorant I'm sorry to say. She doesn't want him to play any games that are too violent, but she's isn't smart enough (or is just too lazy) to research a game before buying it. That's pretty much how my 14 year old sister got Grand Theft Auto V and Saints Row IV, both purchases my mother regrets getting of course. At least for the WiiU she's less likely to buy an M rated game.

We already have a 360 if he wants to play games on that system. Feel free to give recommendations for that if you want.

Both me and my sister want to play Nintendo related games, like Super Smash Bros for example. Getting a WiiU for the brother was a good excuse to buy the system.

Believe me when I say I would love to watch my brother play the Sly Cooper series and Puppeteer, but I personally feel he'll get more millage out of the WiiU, especially for a beginner.

 

[Tanis]

If you don't mind playing a WII game...

Why not Klonoa?

2D
Possible 'helpful'(?) co-op if needed.
No waggle!

 

[gorfias]

...it's better to buy it online

I'm getting the impression that watching game prices is like watching the stock market! I paid something like $11 for Nintendoland and it is well worth that! Now, online, Gamestop is asking for more like 20 used, while as little as $22 new at Amazon.com

You can pick up Nintendoland cheap used at Gamestop. Fun, different mini game collection.
I'm interested in Pikmin 3 myself.

Goddamn ninjas, stealing everything for my own post! Think of this as a seconding of these titles.

LOL. Interesting you 2nd Pikmin 3! I'm going to have to get that ASAP. (I assume you mean it's good for grownups too).

That is an excellent suggestion! I didn't even consider Nintendoland. I think all the mini games and easy enough difficulty he'll find at least something to like about that title. Thanks a bunch.

As for Pikimin, I think he might be too young for it. The time limit might frustrate him, though I would be lying if I said I wasn't interested in playing that myself.

Same here, though, I'll have to look into whether or not a little guy could play it.

Me and a bunch of buddies played some Mario U and while it is bright, shiney and cute, it is pretty hard! I worry the same about Rayman but want that too.

 

[JacksonDemolition]

How did I know if the sony fanboys were going to be dipshits again. I bet if this was about the PS3/4 no-one would complain. If you want to introduce your bro into RPGs. Get $10. Buy Earthbound on the eShop. If you are into RPGs. SSB4 if he is into Smash Bros and Mario Kart for the same reason. Both are likely going to be $60 at launch. Rayman is the perfect platformer to introduce him to hard platformers but its precise. It demands nothing but perfection in the invaded levels. But checkpoints are everywhere but the invaded levels (invaded levels still make me cry but they are only needed for 100%).

SO RECAP.

Earthbound

SSB4

Mario Kart 8

Rayman Legends