Affiliate disclosure: This guide contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you. Learn more.
The Wii U sold poorly, and that is the whole reason this list is exciting. Its library is packed with first-party gems that many people simply never played, and a chunk of them never left the platform in their original form. Through Cemu on a capable handheld, the library runs beautifully in 2026.
The catch is the GamePad. The Wii U's controller had a touchscreen, and a few games built their whole design around it. The games below were picked because they either ignore the second screen or map to a normal gamepad without much fuss. The ones that do not are flagged clearly at the end.
We frame all of this around games you already own and want to preserve.
Affiliate disclosure: This page contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.
What You Need to Run Wii U Games
Wii U emulation through Cemu wants a PC handheld. A Steam Deck OLED runs most of this list at full speed, and stronger Windows handhelds add headroom. An experimental Android port exists for flagship devices, but it is early software. Our Wii U emulation guide covers the hardware picture and our Cemu setup guide covers installation.
The Essentials
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild (Wii U) — The obvious headliner. The Wii U original runs at a stable 40 fps on a Steam Deck with graphic packs, and higher on stronger hardware. One of the greatest games ever made, and it plays perfectly on a gamepad.
Mario Kart 8 (Wii U) — The original release with its excellent DLC. Runs at full speed with headroom on any PC handheld. Short races make it a perfect handheld game.
Super Mario 3D World (Wii U) — Tight, inventive platforming that runs flawlessly. A handful of touch blocks are handled with a quick screen tap.
Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze (Wii U) — One of the best platformers of its generation, and famously tough. No GamePad gimmicks at all. A perfect emulation target.
Bayonetta 2 (Wii U) — A stylish, explosive action game that was a Wii U exclusive at launch. Runs great and plays entirely on standard controls. The Wii U package also included the first Bayonetta.
Pikmin 3 (Wii U) — Relaxed real-time strategy with gorgeous visuals. Maps cleanly to sticks and buttons. Short expedition days suit handheld sessions perfectly.
The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker HD (Wii U) — The definitive version of Wind Waker, still exclusive to Wii U. The GamePad handled inventory, which becomes a quick touch or button toggle in Cemu.
The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess HD (Wii U) — Same story. The best-looking version of Twilight Princess never left the console. Plays cleanly on a gamepad.
Deeper Cuts
Xenoblade Chronicles X (Wii U) — A massive open-world RPG that stayed on Wii U in its original form for over a decade. Dozens of hours of content, standard controls, and a showcase for what Cemu can do.
The Wonderful 101 (Wii U) — Platinum's chaotic mass-hero action game. Drawing shapes was designed for the touchscreen but maps to the right stick, which is how the later remaster did it anyway.
Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE (Wii U) — A colorful JRPG crossover between Fire Emblem and Shin Megami Tensei. Turn-based, stylish, and great in handheld sessions.
Paper Mario: Color Splash (Wii U) — A funny, gorgeous adventure that never left the console. Card flicking used the touchscreen, and taps handle it fine in emulation.
Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker (Wii U) — Bite-sized puzzle dioramas, ideal for handheld play. A few touch and gyro moments are handled with the screen or a quick remap.
Yoshi's Woolly World (Wii U) — A gentle, beautiful yarn platformer. Zero second-screen dependence. Very cozy on a handheld.
New Super Mario Bros. U (Wii U) — Classic 2D Mario at a crisp 60 fps, bundled in many minds with the excellent New Super Luigi U levels. Light to run, perfect in short bursts.
Hyrule Warriors (Wii U) — The original Zelda musou with its Wii U exclusive content. Big, silly battles that run well and play entirely on standard controls.
Pokkén Tournament (Wii U) — The Pokémon fighting game in its original arcade-style form. Solid on a gamepad and a fun pick for quick matches.
Fatal Frame: Maiden of Black Water (Wii U) — Survival horror where the GamePad was your camera. Cemu maps the aiming to sticks and gyro. It takes a little setup, but the atmosphere is worth it.
GamePad-Heavy Picks, With Eyes Open
Super Mario Maker (Wii U) — The original level builder was designed around the stylus. Playing levels works fine on a gamepad. Building them is clumsy without a touchscreen, so this one is best on a touch-capable device like a Steam Deck.
ZombiU (Wii U) — A tense survival horror game where the GamePad was your inventory and scanner. Cemu's touch mapping makes it playable, but expect friction. Included because nothing else feels like it.
Recommended Handhelds for Wii U Emulation
Wii U wants PC handheld power. The
is the value pick and its touchscreen quietly solves the GamePad problem for most games. The brings extra muscle for higher resolution scales in games like Breath of the Wild and Xenoblade Chronicles X.Related Guides
- Wii U Emulation on Handhelds — the honest hardware picture
- Cemu Setup Guide — installing the emulator
- 20 Best Wii Games for Handheld Emulation — the companion list
- 20 Best GameCube Games for Handhelds — one generation back
- Best PC Gaming Handhelds — the hardware that runs it all
Related reading
GuideGuideGuide