Mario Kart 8 - Video Review by IGN

Mario Kart 8 has officially launched in North America, and is now available to purchase in stores, or in digital form on the Wii U eShop. The latest entry in the series is priced at $59.99, and those who purchase it will have the chance to get another game completely free. All you have to do is register the racer with Club Nintendo sometime between May 30th and July 31st of this year. After doing so you will receive a code to download a digital version of one of four Wii U games. Choices include: New Super Mario Bros. U, Pikmin 3, The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker HD, and Wii Party U. Click here for the details on Nintendo's official website.

If you aren't already aware, the big feature of Mario Kart 8 is anti-gravity, which allows the karts and bikes to drive on walls and ceilings. The track design is as clever as ever, and the graphics are arguably the best on Nintendo's HD console.

The game has plenty to offer, and here are the highlights.

• Eight cups to compete in, four of which include gorgeous remakes of retro courses.
• A number of items to use, including the new Super Horn which can destroy projectiles, including the blue spiny shell.
• A host of playable characters to use, including Miis
• Customizable vehicles which allow you to mix and match parts.
• Multiple control schemes including the Wii U GamePad, Wii Remote (and Wheel), Wii Remote and Nunchuk, or Wii U Pro Controller.
• A few multiplayer modes, allowing you to play with friends online or locally. Gamers can race each other, or duke it out in Battle Mode.

So how does Mario Kart 8 stack up? Very well! The game currently has a Metacritic average of 89 based on 62 reviews by professional critics. If you don't trust critics, you can read some customer reviews on Amazon here. As of this writing, it has an average of four and a half stars out of five on the online retailer's website.

Jose Otero of IGN has released his video review of the game, and he absolutely loves it, giving it a solid 9, earning it the distinction of "Amazing." You can watch the video review after the break.

Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze - Video Review by IGN

Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze is the biggest Wii U title of early 2014, and it's now available in North America. The game was developed by Nintendo's own Retro Studios, who also crafted the well-received Donkey Kong Country Returns which was released for the Wii a few years back.

Tropical Freeze plays very much like its immediate predecessor, but with some new features. The big ape can now pluck items out of the ground, a move borrowed from the US version of Super Mario Bros. 2, and can also pick up enemies and throw them at their comrades (another move borrowed from the plumber's wacky NES classic). Also new to the series are Kong Pow Moves, which allow players to use the power of their Kongs of choice to affect enemies in various ways, like turning them into recovery hearts.

Fan-favorite Dixie Kong has returned after a long absence, and can twirl her hair like a propeller to get some hangtime on jumps and even some extra height. In single-player, she and Diddy ride on DK's back, essentially acting as power-ups, though both are completely playable characters in co-op, just like in the gorilla's Wii sidescroller.

Dixie isn't the only new playable character. Cranky Kong, whom Nintendo regards as the original Donkey Kong from the first arcade title, can be used as well. His cane allows him to defeat certain enemies the others can't, and also lets him bounce on spikes that would otherwise cause damage and take lives. In many ways, Cranky's abilities are very much like those of Scrooge McDuck in the NES classic DuckTales, and he has been received well by many for that very reason.

The reviews for Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze have been overwhelmingly positive, and the consensus from professional critics is that it's a darn good game. As of this writing, it has a Metacritic score of 82 based on 58 reviews. Average gamers also think very highly of it, and it currently has an average of 4.9 stars out of 5 on Amazon. For those of you trust average gamers more than critics, you can read some customer reviews on Amazon here.

Jose Otero of IGN recently uploaded his video review of the game to YouTube, and he thinks it's awesome. You can watch his review after the break.

NES Remix - Video Review by the Wiiviewer

Nintendo recently released NES Remix on the Wii U eShop, a surprise title that nobody saw coming. The downloadable title features "remixed" versions of old 8-bit classics like Super Mario Bros, Donkey Kong, and The Legend of Zelda, along with a host of others. Players are given various challenges with limited time to complete each one, and the game acts as a museum of sorts for the Big N's great franchises, some of which we haven't seen in quite some time.

Popular YouTube user the Wiiviewer has downloaded a digital copy and spent some time playing through it. He really likes the way it allows players to revisit old favorites with new twists, and for those who love the old classics, he says it's "totally worth a buy." Video review after the break.

Super Mario 3D World - Video Review by IGN

Super Mario 3D World is scheduled for release on November 22nd, just in time for the holidays. As you are probably aware, it is the first 3D Mario game to feature 4-player co-op, which will surely be one of its main highlights. In addition to multiplayer, the Wii U exclusive also boasts a multitude of items, including new power-ups like the Cat Suit as well as returning favorites like the Boomerang Suit which was featured in Super Mario 3D Land. The game also hearkens back to Super Mario Bros. 2 with the same cast of playable characters, each of whom has their own special abilities. Mario is the well-rounded one, Luigi can jump higher and farther than his brother, Peach can float in the air, and Toad runs the fastest.

While the public will have to wait a few more days to get their hands on Mario's latest adventure, members of the press received review copies in advance and have spent hours playing their way through the Sprixie Kingdom. The consensus is clear: Super Mario 3D World is a masterpiece. As of this writing, the title's Metacritic average currently stands at 93 out of 100 based on 37 reviews. When it is released this Friday and becomes eligible to review, the game's detail page on Amazon will surely boast a high average score from user reviews.

Jose Otero of IGN has uploaded his video review of the game to YouTube, and he absolutely loves it. As you will see, the stage design is brilliant, the soundtrack is amazing, and the multiplayer will surely keep gamers coming back for more. Video review after the break.

Review: Batman Arkham Origins- Wii U

The release of Batman Arkham Origins on the Wii U seems to be as mysterious as the Dark Knight himself; prompting more questions than answers. Why is it ten dollars less than the PS3 and XBOX 360 versions? Does it use the Gamepad? Why hasn't anyone reviewed this game on Wii U? And finally, is it any good?

While I admittedly have no idea why this version costs less than the others (my best guess would be the lack of multi-player, though I am in no way complaining) nor do I know why there are no Metacritic review scores more than one week after the game was released on Wii U. However, I did don the virtual Batsuit to investigate whether or not the game is worth buying. Read on to find out...

Sonic: Lost World - Video Review by GameTrailers

Sonic: Lost World was released over a week ago in Europe, and it is now available in North America. So far, the hedgehog's latest adventure has gotten some truly mixed reviews. On the one hand, some outlets are scoring it well below average, while others are saying it's very solid. As of this writing, the Wii U version currently has a Metacritic average of 62 based on 50 reviews.

The feedback from average gamers has been very mixed as well, but generally much more positive. As of this writing, the Metacritic average from everyday users is at 8.2 out of 10. Since the game has just been released, it is now eligible for review on many digital stores. Customers have started posting their thoughts on the Sonic: Lost World detail page on Amazon, and more will surely do the same as the hours and days go by.

GameTrailers seems to have provided one of the more positive reviews, choosing to focus on what the game does right. Still, before making a purchase, I suggest you do your homework to see if this one is for you. In any case, you can find GameTrailer's video review after the break.

Skylanders Swap Force - Video Review by GameSpot

Skylanders Swap Force is now available on the Wii U in addition to just about every other platform, having launched on October 13th. This new entry in the best-selling series lets players swap out the top and bottom halves of the new figures to create characters of their own, changing their powers and moves in the process. All of the previous figures from Skylanders: Spyro's Adventure and Skylanders: Giants can be used in the game as well, which is good news for those of you who already own a good number of them.

The reviews have been coming in, and so far, they are mostly positive. There aren't too many reviews specifically discussing the Wii U version, but what's being said by critics is certainly encouraging. The reviews by Amazon users have also been favorable as well, which you can check out here.

Chris Barylick of GameSpot has uploaded his video review to YouTube, and it's definitely worth checking out, especially if you or your kids are fans of the popular games. Video review after the break.

The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker HD - Video Review by IGN

The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker HD is being hailed as the "definitive version" of the GameCube classic, and for good reason. The gorgeous cartoon look has held up very well over the years, and now that the game is running in 1080p, it looks better than ever. The enhancements are more than cosmetic though. The new Swift Sail allows players to travel much faster than they could in the original and it always has the wind behind it, meaning it's no longer necessary to keep changing the direction of the wind every few minutes to keep traveling at a good pace.

In addition, the Triforce shard collection sequence has been retooled and streamlined, making it much less of a nuisance, and it is now possible to move around while in first-person mode. While walking around FPS-style, players can even use a few of Link's weapons, including the boomerang and bow.

The digital version was released a few weeks ago on the eShop, but players who don't have an external hard drive have been waiting for the physical version to arrive so they can save their precious storage space. The boxed copies have been available in stores since last Friday, and so far the reviews have been full of praise. The Wind Waker HD has received glowing scores by Amazon customers, and the press have also given it high marks.

Jose Otero of IGN has uploaded his video review, and he gave it a near-perfect score. In his opinion, this is the greatest Zelda game ever. Video review after the break.

Hot Wheels: World's Best Driver - Video Review by the Wiiviewer

Hot Wheels: World's Best Driver was recently released on the Xbox 360, PS3, and Wii U, making it one of the few third-party multiplatform titles on the system. Unfortunately, there is no reason to be excited by it. Popular YouTube user the Wiiviewer has spent some time playing through the game and his video review is extremely negative. As he puts it, there's no reason to even rent this one. Judging from the footage, he is undoubtedly right. Video after the break.

Scribblenauts Unmasked: A DC Comics Adventure - Video Review by Kwing

Scribblenauts Unmasked: A DC Comics Adventure was released just a few weeks ago on the Wii U, 3DS and PC. The latest entry in the series features a storyline in which protagonist Maxwell and his sister Lily travel into the DC universe with the protagonist's magic notebook and encounter iconic characters like Batman, Superman, and the Green Lantern.

Popular YouTube user Kwing has a copy of the Wii U version and recently uploaded his own video review of the imaginative and unique title. While he does have a few issues with it, on the whole he seems to think it's a quality game. Video review after the break.

The Wonderful 101 - Video Review by IGN

The Wonderful 101 is now available in North America. The Wii U exclusive was developed by Platinum Games and published by Nintendo themselves. It features a team of one hundred superheroes whom the players guide through levels filled with villains, including plenty of huge bosses. The characters can be assembled to take the forms of various weapons including a giant fist, sword, gun, whip, and more.

So far the reviews have been very positive, and the unique action title currently has a Metacritic average of 79 out of 100 based on 61 reviews, with a few near-perfect scores awarded by some publications. Keza MacDonald of IGN has uploaded her video review and while she scores it a little lower than most, it's still a pretty good overview of what the "mass-hero action" game has to offer. Video review after the break.

Rayman Legends - Video Review by Kwing

Rayman Legends is scheduled for release on the Wii U in North America on Tuesday, September 3rd, and the reviews are already coming in. The reaction from critics has been universally positive so far. As of this writing, it currently has an impressive Metacritic average of 91.

For fans of the Big N who are looking for something to play, you should definitely check out the latest 2D entry in Ubisoft's beloved franchise. If you would like to see what it has in store for gamers, you're in luck. Popular YouTube user Kwing has uploaded an in-depth review which goes into quite some detail about the many features in this amazing sidescroller. You can watch his review after the break.

DuckTales Remastered - Video Review by Kwing

DuckTales Remastered was released earlier this month, and has received mostly good reviews so far. The Wii U version currently has a Metacritic average of 78 based on 9 reviews. The game is an HD remake of the classic NES platformer based on the cartoon series of the same name. It features hand drawn 2D sprites on 3D backgrounds, remixed music, and even has full voice acting by most of the cast of the show, which is quite amazing considering how long it's been since the series original TV run. The game was developed by WayForward Technologies, who are renowned for their 2D games, including Contra 4 and Mighty Switch Force.

Popular YouTube user Kwing has uploaded his video review of the Wii U version, and while he does have a few minor gripes with it, he really, really loves it. You can watch his review after the break.

Disney Infinity - Video Review by IGN (Xbox 360 version)

Disney Infinity was released in North America two days ago on almost every platform, including the Wii U. The game features "Play Sets" and the "Toy Box." The Play Sets have specific challenges and puzzles for players to tackle, with unlockable characters, vehicles, and gadgets as rewards. The "Toy Box" allows players to create their own environments which can then be shared with friends.

The Xbox 360 version currently has a Metacritic average of 75 based on reviews from 14 critics. As of this writing, there aren't any reviews of the Wii U version by professional critics, but there are a few customer reviews on Amazon which you might want to check out.

IGN has released their video review of the game, and they highly recommend it. The video features the Xbox 360 version, but the Wii U version should be pretty much the same. You can watch it after the break.

Pikmin 3 Review: King of Video Games

The King of Video Games goes into interstellar overdrive with Pikmin 3. 

Click here to read the king's decree

Pikmin 3 - Video review by IGN

Pikmin 3 is scheduled for release in Europe on July 26th, and in North America on August 4th. While the general public can't buy the game yet, members of the gaming press have already received their copies and the reviews are coming in. The verdict? It's a great game, just like its predecessors.

Keza MacDonald of IGN has completed her video review of Nintendo's latest masterpiece, and she has plenty of praise for the Wii U exclusive. You can watch her review after the break.

Game & Wario - Video review by the Wiiviewer

Game & Wario was released just a few weeks ago with a price of $39.99, significantly lower than most retail titles. The Wii U exclusive features 16 minigames which make use of the GamePad's various features, including the 6.2-inch touchscreen, gyroscope, accelerometer, and buttons.

So far, the reviews have been very mixed. As of this writing, the game's Metacritic average stands at 61%. The consensus is that some of the minigames are really fun while others are shallow and get tiresome too fast. User reviews on Amazon are also mixed, but the online retailer's customers seem to be more positive on the whole.

Popular YouTube user the Wiiviewer has uploaded his own video review of Game & Wario, and while he doesn't think it's perfect, he still says it's "worth a buy." Video review after the break.

New Super Luigi U - Video Review by the Wiiviewer

The New Super Luigi U DLC was recently released on the Wii U eShop and it's been getting mostly good reviews, currently holding a 76% average on Metacritic. While the level design has been praised, the difficulty level is much higher than New Super Mario Bros. U and some reviewers have described it as "frustrating" at times. In other words, this is a game for hardcore Mario fans.

Popular YouTube user the Wiiviewer has weighed in with his opinion, and he has mixed feelings about it. You can watch his review after the break.

Review: Yoshi - Wii U Virtual Console

Until July 2013, Nintendo is celebrating the 30th anniversary of the Famicom by releasing "classic" titles for the new Wii U Virtual Console. As an added bonus, you can get these games for 30 cents during the first 30 days of each title's release. This month's release is Yoshi. Is the game like a bowl of cherries or the pits? Find out after the jump.

Rayman Legends Challenges App - Video Review by Kwing

The Rayman Legends Challenges App was released exclusively on the Wii U a week ago and is available for free on the eShop. New challenges are added daily and weekly, with support lasting until the full game hits store shelves later this year. It supports single-player and co-op, along with leaderboards, which should provide gamers with hours of entertainment.

Popular YouTube user Kwing has uploaded his video review of the free game, and he highly recommends it. Seeing as how it's free, you should definitely download it and give it a shot. Video after the break.