The WiiU was such an underappreciated console. My friends and I played so much Wii Sports Resort, Nintendo Land, and Game & Wario. Great video man!

Honestly feel like the Wii U and 3DS having shop music made it feel more like an actual store, like I wanted to hang around and browse even if I didn't have plans to buy anything. Maybe it was atmosphere, maybe marketing, maybe both- but it definitely worked. When it comes to the silent Switch eShop, I just get whatever I need to do done and close it as quickly as possible 🤷

The charm of the 3DS and Wii U era is undeniable, and it’s a big reason as to what makes the consoles so beloved even though their player bases aren’t nearly as big as things like the Switch. I still use my 3DS and Wii U constantly, and I really hope that Nintendo’s next system brings back some of that atmosphere in the menus that the Switch definitely lacks. Wonderful video!

YOU'RE JUST LIKE ME FOR REALLLLLLLL I don't care about fast menus. Give me my Nintendo CHARM

Safe to say there’ll never be a dynamic like the Wii U & 3DS again as I don’t see Nintendo ditching the hybrid model. An era that I will forever cherish (no matter how miserable it was at times).

Memories of playing games like Nintendo Land, Super Smash Bros. 4, Game & Wario and even Mario Party 10 while drunk with friends were some of my most cherished memories growing up in my early college years. The Switch just doesn't hold a candle to the Wii U.

Playing that paper airplane game while listening to Fireflies was a piece of hard-hitting nostalgia I didn’t think this video would bring out lol It was always Fireflies and random Phineas and Ferb songs for me

StreetPass is the single best Nintendo feature ever in my opinion. The fact that it’s not on switch in insane to me

I never owned either a 3DS or Wii U during that era despite wanting both. But I was always watching from the sidelines at how wonderful everything looked, imagining myself enjoying those games and consoles for long periods of time. While I may never get to experience what you and everyone who owned those consoles did, I still have a weird nostalgia for that time and I will always cherish that. Also I absolutely LOVED the music that you played during the video. It was my first time hearing some of those tracks, and I need to listen to them again.

Where the Wii, DS and to an extent GameCube played a huge part in my childhood, the Wii U (and later 3DS) played a big part of my teenage years. I remember really loving the Wii U's UI when I first got it back in Christmas 2014! Both (or rather, all three?) generations are extremely important to me. Lots of good childhood memories, however my teenage years are particularly special to me, as that's when my personality (and a lot of the humour and inside jokes I still have) really developed, and technically the Wii/DS/GameCube/Wii U/3DS were *all* heavily involved in those teen years. Wii/DS/GameCube are technically the most nostalgic for me now but it's still very, very weird that the Wii U/3DS are also nostalgic these days. Something is seriously wrong with how fast time moves lol.

This era of Nintendo was so good because everything had so much charm and personality. Not just the consoles but also the Nintendo directs of that era. Unfortunately with Iwatas passing and Reggie leaving, the Nintendo of today just doesn't feel the same. The Switch has better games sure, but I still think the Wii U is the better console because of all of its features.

I used to play Nintendo Land at a friend's house for hours at a time. I loved those days, everyone just playing together, having fun. I only got a Wii U recently and I wish I could have some more people to play with again, but I do not. I'm also in the process of trying to get a 3DS, so hopefully I'll get one soon. I hardly knew anything about games during this era, as it was my very early childhood so I never asked for them. Looking back, I really wish I could have been apart of that community, but at least I am now.

Love your channel, bro... It's like you can put in words what we only feel. Keep up the great work! You deserve millions of subs! Greetings from Brazil.

I love my 2DS. After going through a rough patch where I had zero dollars to my name for a couple years, plunking the money down at Gamestop to get a used one and a couple of games was a great feeling. It marked the end of hard times and I'll always remember that.

In the gaming community, nostalgia is most commonly used as a way of discrediting someone's experience, and because of that, I feel like people like you and I have to make these concessions to people regarding our feelings about these consoles because they can't understand why we can look back on them fondly when they can't. But the truth is, there is something to be said about these consoles that Nintendo could apply to their future hardware if they could hear how important it is. Yes, there are rose-tinted glasses at play, but those memories are amplified in our heads because of the masterful user experience, like you so beautifully put in this video. I wish people could try to understand that before shitting on people who miss what these consoles offered that the Switch lacks. The feelings are valid and there are a lot of us. Lovely video!

I agree it was magical felt like home

This is a perfect video essay for a perfect era of Nintendo. There's a certain charm and personality that came with the Wii U/3DS era that I don't believe can ever be replicated again. Weather you actively playing on your Wii U/3DS, socializing with others about the game you were playing, watching the new Nintendo Direct format of news, participating in Club Nintendo, going into a store to see the new releases or the amiibo kiosk, this special Nintendo joy followed you or at least I know it followed me. I remember the day I found out about the Wii U in early 2013 and just how excited I felt, I wanted this console and I was going to get it no matter what. I remember talking about the games announced for it with my friends and then showing me their progress in various 3DS games. I remember the days I finally received my Wii U and 3DS and just never putting them down for a week. I remember the friendships I strengthened and made just bonding over this era of Nintendo. I remember going from sucking ass at MarioKart Wii to figuring out how to improve my skills through 7 and 8. The time I spent on Miiverse and Streetpass felt wonderful, making purchases on the eshops felt special and more than just a game purchase. I've always held the Wii U up as my favorite console and what I personally believe to be Nintendo's greatest console of all time, I always will.

Leave it up to Nintendo Hero to have the memory feels of what is like to be a Nintendo fan during this era. This was my early adulthood when I got to experience these systems no matter how flawed they were. They left an impact of my life during 2011-now. I freaking love these systems deer to my heart because how it felt like you're home with Nintendo that wasn't corporate now with the switch. I still love the Switch don't get me wrong but it won't beat the magical memories I keep dear to my heart with the Wii U and notably the 3DS. Thanks for this video essay man!

3DS and Wii U music make me cry of nostalgia. So thanks for the tears man

This was amazing to watch, you get it! You understand what its all about. The clean B-roll mixed with nostalgic nintendo music does it for me! Inspiring!

100% agreed. Pure Nintendo magic. Thank you Iwata-san, rest in peace.

I probably wouldn’t be playing video games today if it weren’t for the Wii U and 3DS so yeah I miss the era

I love your videos so much! I also love this era of Nintendo and seeing these images of these great games on 3ds and Wii U takes me back to a happy time and place

No other video on the wii u and 3ds makes me feel so connected to the creator like this one. A special video this is. ❤❤

I absolutely love the Nintendo 3DS and Wii U. This era really did had a special type of magic and charm that makes it stand out. Even though this generation definitely had its problems that the Switch era would later learn from, the features, UI, applications, and games of these consoles really gave this era such a charming personality. I don't personally think it's that crazy to say you miss when Nintendo's consoles were split between home and portable, as I too feel that having both console experiences separate helps make them feel extra special. The amount of creative and amazing games that I have fond memories of from this era of Nintendo systems are endless: Pilotwings Resort, StreetPass Mii Plaza, Kid Icarus: Uprising, Nintendo Land, Fire Emblem Awakening, LEGO City Undercover, Animal Crossing: New Leaf, Pikmin 3, Super Mario 3D World, The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds, Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze, Mario Kart 8, Tomodachi Life, Hyrule Warriors, Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS and Wii U, Splatoon, Super Mario Maker, Yoshi's Woolly World, Xenoblade Chronicles X, Kirby: Planet Robobot, Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE; I really could go on forever, and I didn't even include the eShop-exclusive and Virtual Console games of this era. The strong library of great games between both systems is why I keep playing and enjoying them all these years later. I am admittedly very nostalgic for the atmosphere and vibes of the Nintendo 3DS and Wii U era. For me personally, the lifespans of these systems were the last of the simpler times in my life. By the time the Nintendo Switch launched, things around me already started to feel less simple and more overwhelming. So I guess these consoles mean a lot to me, because they are the last pieces of my younger, blissful days that I still have access to. I'll always love the Nintendo 3DS and Wii U for how incredible they are and the amount of magical fun they've given me in my life.

amazing video that perfectly encapsulates what made these consoles so memorable in a different way to any other. really hope the switch follows suit.

I love that intro man. This video was made with care and honor. Much love

Absolutely beautiful :) thank you for 10 wonderful minutes of reminiscing and appreciation for my favourite thing to do

Great video like always 😊

Nintendo needs to make more first party apps and little games because they're one of those things that you don't realize you would miss so much until they're gone. Also more music in general.

Man! I got sooo exited when I saw you made a new video.👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽

It's odd since the Switch was the last console Iwata worked on and we're in uncharted territory with Nintendo's next system.

Amazing video. You totally describe in perfect detail what the whole community feels.

all these videos make me cry.

Another video on the Wii U generation? What a treat!

You somehow found a way to so eloquently describe what made this ~6 year period of Nintendo so special. Excellent video

I’m especially fond of this era because the 3ds (and the Wii) was my childhood console, so thanks for putting into words what made it so great!

Don’t forget the precursor, the Wii and the DSi era music ＳＬＡＰＳ

OH MY GOD ANOTHER VIDEO FROM NINTENDO HERO tysm ❤️❤️

The most underrated Nintendo consoles for sure. Great video man !

The fact this man has all my opinions in a video. I just found an original release 3DS at a pawn shop a few weeks ago. The moment I was able to hold it again, I cried, I can't lie. It was like grabbing my first 3DS xl for the first time. The magic that these consoles have and the memories they brought from the great games, the personality the consoles have, and even that childhood bliss, that'll probably never come back. Childhood is a magic thing I don't think we ever fully have back. But, we still keep that inner child within us. Thank you, Nintendo 3DS.

You know exactly how to hit my soft spot for these two consoles. Man 2010-2017 was fantastic. 😢 I miss that shit man. I miss it

man... i had so many memories with mario kart 7 and 8, new super mario bros. u, super smash bros. 4, and especially super mario maker and tomodachi life. i really miss the 3ds and wii u era. both systems will have a special place in my heart :>

Captain Toad treasure Tracker gave me so many memories with the Wii-U. I remember in 2015 when i went to my friends house and played the game together. The Wii U did fail, but I think we should all give respect to the Wii U!

I’m so glad I grew up with the Wii I didn’t have a Wii U when it came out but I got one 4 months ago after the shop closed and it’s really been a neat experience

This, *this* is the video I have always wanted made. Thank you, an unfathomably massive fan and adorer of this era of Nintendo to another, thank you, from the bottom of my heart and with all my soul 🥲🫶

The 3DS and Wii U era are my childhood :') I grew up with the original Wii but nothing was as magical as the 3DS and Wii U

God this video is making me so nostalgic

Wii and DS era: Over a quarter of a BILLION Nintendo handhelds/consoles sold (not including GBA). Wii U and 3DS: 88 million sold. You have nostalgia. That's wonderful. The Wii/DS era wins in one of the most one-sided races since Bowser challenged Sonic to a 100 meter dash.

Amazing video I have a Wii U and 2ds but I wish I would have had them around the time they were most active

My friends from school all had 3Ds's and i begged my parents for one so that I could play with them. Instead I got a Wii U and was disappointed at the time because I had no idea what it was. It grew on me and became my favorite console ever. Me and my sibling would always play Smash, Nintendoland, Splatoon, and Wii Party U every weekend with our cousins and I'll never forget those times.

I still play my Wii U regularly despite owning a Switch and gaming PC. I feel like there was so much care and love put into almost every game released on the Wii U. Nintendo were trying so hard to sway people and bring them over to Wii U and nearly every game they put out was an AAA masterpiece. My only complaint with its library is that it never got a new Metroid game (my favorite franchise), but this was mitigated by the fact that it had almost every Metroid game ever previously made available on it (missing only Metroid II). The Wii U is now my preferred way of playing Zero Mission, Fusion, and the Prime Trilogy. Playing the GBA games on HD widescreen is truly game changing. I also just love how charming and inviting the Wii U is, and all the quirky features it had. Also, best Virtual Console of all time, hands down. Wish I had bought more VC games when I had the chance.

Exactly as you said Words will never be able to describe the magic these consoles made you feel

As a person was was a full grown adult in his 30’s during this era, I completely agree with you. The 3DS and Wii U era was one of my all time favorites! The charm and creativity Nintendo exhibited during this era is unmatched and it saddens me how under appreciated Wii U continues to be. Great video! 🎉

I have so many great memories with both wii u and 3ds but wii u is just magical for me, since i got it for christmas 2015, my 6 year old me was so happy, the wii u will always have a special place in my heart

I grew up with a wii u ❤ i loved it and its now my favorite console of all time. I had a wii u and a DS lite back in the day. I got my wii u for Chrismas in 2015 and still have it to this day and i was 6 back than. I got a switch in 2020 but after 3 woaping years i got already tired of the switch and i still do. I play my wii u way more and i always have it in my living room couse its a so good multiplayer system. I grew up with: splatoon, mario kart 8, super mario 3D world, kirby and the rainbow curse, just dance 2016, minecraft wii u edition, animail crossing amibo festival, skylander inmaginators and lego dimension. Than i got the switch and for a few years i dint realy brought anyting for the wii u untill now. I have now A LOT and i actully want to have every wii u game. I think the is like 174. Compared to other console is it not that much. With games did you guys had? I specaly want to know form nintendo hero

It truly was such a great era the 3DS is still one of my favorite consoles and I still play it every so often. I wish the switch had the personality the 3DS had. It’s so colorful and has some amazing music for little stuff it’s great

Owning both systems from near launch I have a lot of great memories. One I won’t forget was playing Luigi Mansion 2’s scarescraper multiplayer on my 3DS with a mate. We cleared the final floor for the first time with a second to spare, a high dopamine rush I am unlikely to capture again.

I just bought a modded 3DS because I missed out on this entire Nintendo era and I'm loving all the games! I'm sad that I couldn't experience it when it was new, but it's better late than never. I considered getting a Wii U, but since so many of those games were ported to the switch, I figured the 3DS is the better option :) great video!

I want them to go back to this for the switch 2. I'm glad someone else acknowledges that this era was the best and most nostalgic and beautiful. Everything had charm and soul. I'm hoping they'll go back to this. The best era.

These console felt like Nintendo at its core. Nothing corporate, nothing hateful. It was just fun. The Nintendo directs especially was super involved with the higher ups like Reggie and Iwata. Nintendo had fun with this era of systems despite them being unsuccessful financially.

I was in my early twenties during this era and I do feel an enormous amount of nostalgia for this period of gaming. It was the last generation of consoles that had truly unique character. Sure switch is different than ps5 and Xbox and pc, but not the way Wii U and 3ds was different from ps3/4 and vita.

The 3ds is my most played handheld console. I have fond memories of going to the midnight release, playing OOT3D long into the night, browsing the eshop everyday Thursday after high school, or even watching Nintendo show 3D. I remember keeping up with Wii U news during E3 2012 and despite all the game droughts I really liked the Wii U. It was definitely a good system with amazing games and a LOT of good games from the eshop.

man i bought a 3ds in 2023 and it was really good the camera reminded me of the vtech camera i had

3:30 that is so true. Of course it's objectively better that now you can have most games on every system (with the games actually being the same). And that you can play full on HD games on the go, but I miss the time when it was actually noticeable that a game was meant for the 3ds, but despite those hardware limitations, still provided the best gameplay they could.

I got Pikmin 3 and Game & Wario free through Club Nintendo during that era. Crazy to me. I can’t imagine Nintendo doing something like that today. For too many reasons to list, it was such a great time to be a Nintendo fan and I’m still playing these systems more than anything else.

I hope one day they'll remake the Wii U and the DS systems cause having those two systems was like an iconic duo

The 3DS and Wii U had so many amazing games and the fan base( Mario and Pokémon) can’t say otherwise

I personally loved the Wii U, I'd even consider it one of my favorite consoles of all time. It was the main system I played on from 2014-2017, and it's nice that the console will live on via the homebrew community just like the original Wii.

I had no idea about the starfox thing in the music player :0 But yes 100% agree! I'm glad someone's putting it into words. I'd include the regular wii in this too, personally. There are no better vibes/feelings than the calm, nostalgic menu osts and remembering the good ol sunny days of playing wii/3ds alone or with friends. I can't describe it well enough but it makes you feel different about life in a good way. My most nostalgic games are Wii Sports, Wii Fit Plus, Mario and Sonic London Olympic games blablabla 2012 Wii, nintendogs + cats, mkwii and super mario bros DS etc I do remember it kind of became a problem sometimes, I brought my 3ds everywhere and if playing games was an activity option at friends' houses I usually chose that, I wonder if I'd drift away from friends if life events didn't cause that already-- anyway I still look at all of my gaming memories fondly with nostalgia. Though that nostalgia has faded a little since it's so easily accessible online now.

i’ve been playing the wii u for my entire childhood at this point, smash wii u being my favourite smash game splatoon 1 being my favourite splatoon game playing around with mods and trolling on miiverse spending all my play coins in new leaf, i definitely use the 3ds and wii u more then my switch

The Wii U was such a underrated console. I still own my Wii U and even my old Wii. I recently bought Wii Sports Resort at a fair price and I'm having a blast. I also love the Wii U menu much more than the Switch menu. Thanks to folders (which you can even customize the color of), I have a much better overview than in the clunky Switch HOME menu where all icons are huge and retail games that aren't put into the Switch still taking up space in the menu while the "folders" are behind the More Software button. Really inconvenient. Also, you can import/export Mii's via QR codes, good if you want to share your Mii's or want to make space without permanently deleting them (3DS). Heck, in the Wii U, you can store up to THREE THOUSAND Mii characters! The Switch only allows 100 Mii's and despite having more color options, it is really lackluster because of the lack of importing/exporting Mii's (Switch has no camera but I'm sure there are other convenient methods possible) and no music. It's also hidden in the system settings rather than being one of the main buttons on the HOME menu. In terms of games, I miss my old 3DS, sent it to repair but instead got a refurbished 3DS with all my StreetPass/Log data/saves gone. That was almost 10 years of data. I remember playing through Luigi's Mansion: Dark Moon on the trip to Italy and back and having a blast! Also, I have SSB4, which is still my favorite Smash game. Sure, the controls on the 3DS version is not that good but since I play casually with easy CPU's or just watch CPU matches, I don't mind. Also, Smash Run was a blast! And of course, Tomodachi Life! I still have my save since 2014 and most of my Mii OC's (look up my deviantART) originate from my Tomodachi Life save! I also have Wii Fit U, which is a blast in multiplayer! Also, you got a HD Wuhu Island with seasons and there's even a SCUBA diving activity! The Wii U/3DS era was surely my personal favorite! I had such a amazing time with the 3DS games and Wii U games!

Man. I miss the little gift box that would appear on your homescreen after your game completed its download.

I feel you fam. The 3ds was great, but nothing can match the absolute peak that was the Nintendo Wii. If you know, you know. That era was the best of the best. The atmosphere was insane, and nothing can compare.

I was a little kid during this era. I was 10 when the 3ds came out in 2011. I remember breaking my oot edition 3ds that same year. Then for Xmas 2012 I knew my mom got me another 3ds. So on Xmas eve, when she went to work, me and my littler sister opened our gifts and I got a purple 3ds. My sister got a pink one. I still had a copy of nsmb2 and I remember booting up the 3ds and hearing that lovely home menu tune. Played the crap of nsmb2 before my mom got back home and then me and my sister wrapped our 3ds’s again 😁😍Gotta be honest I never owned a Wii U as a kid. My family couldn’t afford it. I only recently purchased one in 2020 during covid. Even so, I feel the nostalgia as if I had a Wii U when I was little. Just because it shares the same charm as the 3ds. I still play my 3ds and Wii U, more than my switch. I will never forget the memories and feelings I still get playing what is my favorite consoles ever❤

Switch era peak Nintendo. It had games. Lots of games.

Video request: make a video about you childhood videogame colection

Back in the day the wii u was a great homeconsol but it's so underrated but still it's one most magical thing that i ever lived the wii u start up music the great games and sooo much good memories with it i hope the next consol will have the magical thing that the wii u had.

The 3rd was one of my favorites

Rest in peace to 3DS and Wii U online servers.

I feel like i got a wii u at the perfect time. I got the mario kart 8 with dlc edition wii u on Boxing day of 2015 with a copy of splatoon 1 I remember spending 9 hours that day playing splatoon 1 I picked up a few games here and there when I had the money and overall missed the feeling of "the wii u has no games" as i was playing catchup with my game library Then less than a year later the switch was announced.

I have a 3ds, and I love it to death... Something as simple as getting a 2 week ban from Miiverse for sharing my friend code... is nostalgic...

I wish i got to experience the 3ds as a kid. I had a ds lite and my parents didnt wanna get a similar looking handheld. 25 now and have one now, but its definitely not the same as if i had gotten it as a kid

I got an ice white 3ds and then played the darn thing to death untill it broke i was so heartbroken until i found a dock(it was a charger problem) but it wouldn't work so i had to get a new one and got the exact same but a pink ver. and i still play it to death and even have memories playing it with my brother as he got a new 3ds xl never had a wii u

Honestly this was Nintendo at its peak. I don’t think I will ever love a set of games from Nintendo as much as this era.

It is surprising that no one was confused after hearing about the 3DS, they already knew it was a new console and not just an up grade to the DS, unlike the WiiU.

BGMがどれも懐かしい😭

I lost my original 3DS in May 2020 whilst moving, and recently I've been getting really nostalgic for it since I grew up with it since 2011. I still have my Wii U from 2012 (albeit, formatted), so I don't have as much nostalgia for that compared to the 3DS. I love the charm the 3DS gave us, and it sucks how the Switch just kinda pulled it away from it's bland design (it's still a great console, but I have a lot more charm for the 3DS and Wii U).

The Wii U IS my favorite console. I actually didn’t get a Wii U until after the eshop closed, so I have a very limited experience with it compared to people who loved it in it’s prime, yet I still adore the console. The switch has been nothing but frustrations for me =-_-= so I was happy when I got my Wii U and it gave me no trouble and was genuinely fun to play

I play Animal Crossing New Leaf and Tomodachi Life! They are my fave 3DS games!

I never got the opportunity to play it so I’ve now purchased it wondering if modding it is worth it.

The Wii U GamePad is truly the most comfortable controller I have ever used. It's quite ironic because it looks very big and uncomfortable. I really miss the Wii U GamePad.

Really hard to say about the 3DS sure it was special just like any other Nintendo system I have so I can't really place it anywhere, all I know is that it is there when I need it.

I hope nintendo makes some kind of new miiverse.

Some say the switch is better than the Wii U and 3ds but look at what they had over it, personality, functionality, enjoyment, and was actually fun, and didn’t suck money out of people

The 3DS and Wii U were the first systems I bought with my own money from work and I associate the sounds with early adulthood. 8:50 I'm proof that you would. Now get off my lawn 👴🏾🎉

It rly is a shame because even with kids who are having their childhoods right now, it’ll never be the same as before. I hope with Nintendo’s next console it can truly jump and take me back to something new and nostalgic. I can’t explain how much I’d love to see the bright light aesthetic in a new generation from a company like Nintendo. For now at least, I’ll keep hoping and soon be glad that my Mario side scroller series hasn’t ended yet (I’m so excited for wonder) 🙂

It’s simple for me: The 3DS and WiiU can do everything other Nintendo consoles do, but not the other way around.

It took me 7 years to defeat dj octavio, I did it yesterday 😂

I think my favorite memory to come out of the 3DS and Wii U was the Smash Ballot, because it gave us Banjo & Kazooie in Smash, and possibly gave Nintendo the idea to put Banjo-Kazooie on Switch Online! I consider the Switch to be a "miracle machine", but a lot of that was due to them learning from their mistakes in the previous era, and fans saying, "You can do better." Just as Skyward Sword's failure lead to Breath of the Wild's success, maybe Origami King's "Eh!" from fans prompted them to get a "Woooow!" from Thousand-Year Door.