The Wonderful 101

 Wii U
User Score
8.6

Generally favorable reviews- based on 546 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 472 out of 546
  2. Mixed: 34 out of 546
  3. Negative: 40 out of 546
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  1. imoses
    Jan 26, 2015
    9
    If you took the brush drawing from Okami, the humor and style of Viewtiful Joe, the gameplay from Bayonetta, and a pinch of Pikimin you get... The Wonderful 101!

    I absolutely love this game.

    Pros:
    + Original
    + Challenging
    + Funny
    + Wii U Gamepad integration

    Cons:
    - camera at times is weird
    - stylus works less reliably than analog
  2. tre802001
    Aug 30, 2015
    9
    Wonderful 101 is a great game. The controls were a little tough in the beginning but once you learn them the game is so much fun. The cheesy quotes and dialogue is great. The game reminds me of 80's cartoons.
  3. PhantomMac
    Sep 3, 2015
    8
    This is a very original game with different control movements. If you leave it for a while, it can be hard to remember all the movements. The action is good, the battles are a challenge and it is a refreshing game because it is so different.
  4. AMMANN7
    Sep 5, 2015
    10
    10/10

    A much needed breath of fresh air on the Wii U

    + Great over the top story
    +Anime and Power Rangers inspiration
    + 100 heroes
    + Characters
    + Dialogues
    + Multiplayer

    - Controls a little bit hard to master
  5. o_rfilho
    Feb 20, 2016
    8
    Wonderful 101 one unique IP from Nintendo a challenge its not for the fainter hearted its hard story wise its somewhat simple but funny if you have a Wii U its a must have
  6. Revin
    Sep 14, 2015
    10
    The most fun I had playing a game in years. There is a learning curve, which in my opinion is a good thing. W101 is an island of challenge in a sea of hand holdy games. A breath of fresh air in an industry that has lost touch with its classic difficulty roots. It requires experimentation and focus. You can't button mash your way to the end, or rely on a single gimmick.
    Aside from    The most fun I had playing a game in years. There is a learning curve, which in my opinion is a good thing. W101 is an island of challenge in a sea of hand holdy games. A breath of fresh air in an industry that has lost touch with its classic difficulty roots. It requires experimentation and focus. You can't button mash your way to the end, or rely on a single gimmick.
    Aside from gameplay, the story and writing are hilarious. Goofy characters usually don't appeal to me but I couldn't help but fall for this games charm.
    My only gripe with the game is that everything looks like it's been coating in a layer of gloss. I really don't care too much about graphics in a game that breaks the 4th wall with outside references at every turn though    … Expand
  7. Atlink
    Nov 1, 2015
    8
    The short version is: If you like cheesy superhero shows, or over-the-top anime fight sequences, this is probably the game for you.

    The long version: The Wonderful 101 (W101) is a fantastic game created by Platinum for the Wii U, which absolutely pushes the console to its limits. There were many times I had to remind myself that this console is considered "underpowered", because this    The short version is: If you like cheesy superhero shows, or over-the-top anime fight sequences, this is probably the game for you.

    The long version:
    The Wonderful 101 (W101) is a fantastic game created by Platinum for the Wii U, which absolutely pushes the console to its limits. There were many times I had to remind myself that this console is considered "underpowered", because this game certainly knows how to take art direction to a new limit. Lots of colors, lots of action, and lots and lots of characters on screen.

    The main attraction of the game is that you are playing as a group of superheroes known as "The Wonderful 100", and you are on a mission to stop the GEATHJERK invasion. Over the course of the game, you will learn new moves, and gain new abilities by adding more CENTINELS (the organization the W100 work for) members to your army, allowing you to wield a blade, crack a whip, and shoot a gun. The more people you have in your party (which you can recruit during gameplay), the larger and more powerful you can make these weapons, although the incredibly large versions only last a few seconds, due to their overwhelming damage capability.

    While W101 plays just fine for the most part, there are some noticeable issues with the drawing, whether you decide to draw on the Wii U's gamepad screen, or use the right analog stick. Some powers are far too similar, or can be transformed into something else by either angling the stick just right, or by drawing too far. There were definitely a number of times I had run into this issue in the heat of battle, which caused my character to die. Thankfully, continuing doesn't require that you re-start battles all over again, but simply drops you right back into the fray, with the enemy's health right where you left it.

    The other problem is that this game is extremely ambitious in squeezing every ounce of processing power from the Wii U's graphics chip, and while it does this without a hitch most of the time, during the later levels, I noticed the framerate dip from the silky smooth 60 fps down to a painfully noticeable 15 fps. Keep in mind, I'm giving estimates here, the actual fps may or may not be higher/lower.

    Another problem is due to the gameplay mechanics. I'm not someone who enjoys being spoonfed everything in a game, by being told where to go and what to do every second, but there are some mechanics that are explained in the beginning of the game that you may or may not remember learning around 20 hours in, leaving you confused and frustrated. At this point, after a few minutes of wandering, a hint system may have been nice. There weren't a whole lot of times that I was completely stumped, but they definitely broke the epic feel of the game when I ran around the same area over and over looking for a wall to whack, or trying to figure out how to pick up a gear. Thankfully, these mechanics come full force in the later levels, so you won't be forgetting them later on.

    All in all, W101 is a great game, and actually utilizes most aspects of the Wii U's hardware pretty well without it seeming overly gimmicky. Entering certain rooms will force you to use the Wii U's gamepad screen to solve a small puzzle, or use the gyro controls to move a camera to face your enemy. These gimmicks are used sparingly, but do add a fresh spin to the combat and adventuring.

    The sound design is absolutely fantastic and has one of the greatest super-hero themes ever made within. While most people would gripe at the english voices, they're so over the top and cheesy that it just works, given the setting of the game. If the game tried to take itself seriously at all, I'd be disappointed. Get a nice sound system, and crank it up, especially for the last portion of the game, in which you may be tempted to cheer when you complete your task (or scream that you just broke the A button off your controller).

    As I mentioned before, W101 has some shortcomings, but the vast majority of the game is fun, fast, and highly engaging. The storyline is quite good for a game this silly, as long as you aren't expecting anything deep and thought provoking. If the drawing mechanic was a bit better fleshed out, I'd easily rate this game a 9.

    Absolutely recommended.    … Expand
  8. Fudgeberry
    Feb 12, 2018
    8
    Extremely satisfying combat system with more complexity than you could shake a stick at. The novelty never wears thin as the game continues to one-up itself at every turn. A few questionable design decisions rear their heads during certain, specific one-off gameplay segments. Certain characters unfortunately wear thin and are less than adequately developed, but others make up for itExtremely satisfying combat system with more complexity than you could shake a stick at. The novelty never wears thin as the game continues to one-up itself at every turn. A few questionable design decisions rear their heads during certain, specific one-off gameplay segments. Certain characters unfortunately wear thin and are less than adequately developed, but others make up for it with their fantastic charm.… Expand
  9. Stlouzilla
    May 30, 2017
    6
    The Wonderful 101 is that rare Nintendo game that simply didn't resonate with me. The presentation and lore is vibrant and interesting, the core concept is unique and engaging, and the gameplay is innovative and solid but something about it doesn't hit home. The game is very busy and I couldn't get invested to the extent that it seemed to demand. It may sound simple and reductive but IThe Wonderful 101 is that rare Nintendo game that simply didn't resonate with me. The presentation and lore is vibrant and interesting, the core concept is unique and engaging, and the gameplay is innovative and solid but something about it doesn't hit home. The game is very busy and I couldn't get invested to the extent that it seemed to demand. It may sound simple and reductive but I just didn't think the game was very fun.… Expand
  10. RODOLFMENESES
    Mar 27, 2017
    10
    Unos de los mejores juegos de wii u. Divertido y con gran reto, los comandos con el game pad son los mejores que se han logrado para la consola.

    Ampliamente recomendable
  11. darkzaga
    Mar 29, 2017
    7
    No es un mal juego y no son malas las mecánicas. No soy objetivo con mi nota ya que es una cuestión personal el hecho de no gustarme. Esperaba el juego con muchas expectativas y este no llegó a cumplirlas.
  12. ItsRoland
    Feb 24, 2018
    10
    Best game on wii u. i hope platnium games will make another wonderful 101 game
  13. Meta1234
    Apr 21, 2018
    7
    Great credit goes to the originality of the game in terms of gameplay mechanics. I also see some enthusiastic reviews from other users.

    Unfortunately for me, I got stuck and never completed the game since I could not keep up with the pace of the game. If I give it another go in the future (small chances) I will update the score accordingly.

    For now it is a 7.
  14. 15963574258
    Mar 24, 2018
    10
    THE WONDERFUL 101 Is a good game, it's an excellent original game too. The content is very rich, the battle is creative, the system has the depth, it should be seriously evaluated.
  15. mario_sparrow93
    Feb 20, 2019
    8
    Si por algo se define The Wonderful 101 es FRESCURA. Su sistema de combate es dífícil de controlar y es muy frustrante al principio, pero una vez le coges la onda el juego es una completa maravilla. Se ha ganado por derecho propio ser considerado, De los mejores juegos de acción de la generación y el mejor juego de Wii U, en el sentido de que ha sido el ÚNICO juego que ha sabido implantarSi por algo se define The Wonderful 101 es FRESCURA. Su sistema de combate es dífícil de controlar y es muy frustrante al principio, pero una vez le coges la onda el juego es una completa maravilla. Se ha ganado por derecho propio ser considerado, De los mejores juegos de acción de la generación y el mejor juego de Wii U, en el sentido de que ha sido el ÚNICO juego que ha sabido implantar mecánicas jugables originales que engrandezcan de verdad la experiencia de jugar con tableto-mando...y no limitarse a modo TV, mapita en el gamepad y FUERA XD

    El juego trata de un supergrupo de superhéroes que van a tener que vérselas con unos alienígenas que quieren invadir la tierra y para hacerlo, nuestro ejército de héroes se fusionarán dando lugar a unas "hectofusiones" que pueden adoptar la forma de puños, espadas, pistolas o mazos gigantes. Como dije antes el sistema de control es difícil de manejar al principio, ya que consiste en dibujar con el dedo en el gamepad el símbolo especiífico para activar una hectofusión u otra. Pero a medida que avanzas se convierte en una locura y una virguería jugable debido al dinamismo con el que cambias las hectofusiones: De puño a espada; de espada a pistola; de pistola a gancho...bueno lo dejo porque hay PORRRONES de hectofusiones, todas ellas útiles debido a la gran variedad de enemigos que se nos presentan en pantalla y dependiendo de estos tendrás que utilizar unas hectofusiones u otras. Luego por supuesto también se podrán utilizar para hacer puzzles o abrir puertas o manejar naves mientras peleamos con bichos...hay níveles que es que son una LOCURA de la cantidad de cosas que haces al mismo tiempo XD.

    Gráficamente es caricaturesco, pero sus entornos supercoloridos y su magistral sonido hace que sea una experiencia audivisual muy notable. El rendimiento es constante algún que otro tirón cuando hay muchas villanos en pantalla pero tampoco nada preocupante.

    La historia tiende al humor y a la exageración...vamos como ver una película de Los Vengadores...pero bastante mejor hecha XD. Porque al mismo tiempo sabe dar profundidad a cada uno de los personajes y dar unos momentos intimistas y humanos muy eficaces, por lo que hace que te encariñes bastante con ellos. Y a partir de la segunda mitad del juego se convierte todo en giros argumentales y ÉPICA PURA, no digo más XD

    El juego es diversión pura en todos los aspectos y no hay nada especialmente malo al que echarle en cara salvo por la poca aceptación que ha tenido y de verdad que me arrepiento no habérmelo pillado en su día. Posiblemente estemos ante el "el juego de culto" de Wii U, así de claro lo digo.    … Expand
  16. XV_
    May 11, 2019
    6
    I didn't expect Wonderful 101 to be this bad, but here we are. I really liked the character design and all the artistic choices grew on me, also the plot took an interesting twist here and there and the story has a lot of heart, however the storytelling isn't on par and there's a lot of cringy and cheesy comedy that didn't work for me, even the game seemed to be annoyed by it btw.

    The    I didn't expect Wonderful 101 to be this bad, but here we are. I really liked the character design and all the artistic choices grew on me, also the plot took an interesting twist here and there and the story has a lot of heart, however the storytelling isn't on par and there's a lot of cringy and cheesy comedy that didn't work for me, even the game seemed to be annoyed by it btw.

    The worst problem is the gameplay, it has a lot of great ideas but they all fall short, very very very short. The battle system is a mess and there's a lot of enemies that have way to much HP, boss battles that are like 10-15 min feel like an eternity because there's a lot of hit and run in this game, perhaps I was playing it wrong (I did look for how to play videos), but it seems that the game tries too hard to not explain the mechanics. I died a lot but it doesn't even matter because you have 5 continues and Arcade style you appear on the same spot with the same HP of the enemy, that was good because it will be a torture to any level from start.

    Thanks to this game I discovered what I dislike of Hideki Kamiya's games, that they always have a lot of ideas but lack the polish and they really overstays its welcome. By the 3/4 of this game, I was really looking forward to finishing it but the thing just went on and on, if my homeboy Wonder Red and some other main characters were there, maybe I didn't make it at all. I will not recommend this game to anybody unless you're like a big fan of Kamiya's work and want to play all of his games, but if not, maybe you should skip this one.    … Expand
  17. antenneone
    May 16, 2019
    9
    Una verdadera obra maestra. Lo tiene todo, gráficos, jugabilidad, control exquisito (Una vez que le coges el caire). PAra mi el mejor juego de Wii U. Largo y rejugable. Una mezcla entre pikmin, bayoneta y Viewtiful joe, pero con identidad propia.
  18. greninjaX
    Dec 18, 2018
    9
    this game is awesome. Nintendo needs to port it to the switch so that more people will be able to experience this work of art.
  19. SkywalkerMcD
    Dec 1, 2020
    9
    Despite the imperfect controls, this is a unique and beautiful game with nothing comparable available. Great animation, personality and huge bosses make this game a classic gem.
  20. Goodopinion
    May 13, 2020
    8
    Was hard at first. Once you understand the gameplay and grasp combos, the game is satisfying. Soulful
  21. SpeedPower465
    Jul 3, 2020
    10
    The Wonderful 101 is a masterpiece, with hours of pure action, challenge, fun and madness. The whole adventure is full of charm, detail and an incredible game feel.

    The game's main mechanics are incedibly original and really, really fun, easy to learn but hard to master. The levels are impressive, with a huge amount of different enemies to fight, each of them being it's own unique    The Wonderful 101 is a masterpiece, with hours of pure action, challenge, fun and madness. The whole adventure is full of charm, detail and an incredible game feel.

    The game's main mechanics are incedibly original and really, really fun, easy to learn but hard to master.

    The levels are impressive, with a huge amount of different enemies to fight, each of them being it's own unique concept with it's own moveset and moves (some of them can do a LOT of attacks!).
    And the boss fights... are just incredible. Every single boss fight from this game is full of crazy action and over the top epicness, with unpredictable bosses that can use different attacks every time you play the battle.

    The Wonderful 101 gets better and better as long as you progress, with an excellent character development, orchestrated soundtrack, non-stoping action and a sense of epicness that you can't see in almost any game.

    And the hard mode? You'll love it.    … Expand
  22. Oppai_Senpai
    Nov 13, 2021
    9
    this religious experience makes the WiiU worth it! Platinum really did their thing with this one!
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Awards & Rankings

17
#17 Best Wii U Game of 2013
5
#5 Most Discussed Wii U Game of 2013
1
#1 Most Shared Wii U Game of 2013

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
78

Generally favorable reviews - based on 75 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 52 out of 75
  2. Mixed: 23 out of 75
  3. Negative: 0 out of 75
  1. Level7.nu
    Dec 12, 2013
    60
    The Wonderful 101 bursts with charm, humour and style. It is very easy to care for the characters and their universe. But frequent trouble with the controls breaks the tempo far too often. Something that also racks up the challenge unnecessarily high in an already hard game. But at the same time the battle system is a joy, if hard to master. It’s a very good game with some rough edges that feels very well needed on the Nintendo Wii U.
    Read full review
  2. Universo Nintendo
    Oct 29, 2013
    90
    This is the kind of experience which Nintendo promised when it announced the console - the kind of experience it deserves.
    Read full review
  3. LEVEL (Czech Republic)
    Oct 24, 2013
    80
    Full of ideas, humor and difficulty, The Wonderful 101 will keep you glued to the screen, which can be both good & bad. But a little bit of challenge from a difficult game never killed anyone, right? [Issue#234]
See all critic reviews »