If you haven’t been privy to the latest news coming from Nintendo, here’s the summary: Nintendo is set to release a new console, codename NX, in March of 2017. Besides it’s codename, and the disclosure of a new Zelda game to accompany it, we know very little else about the new Nintendo hardware. I’m excited because I love Nintendo. I’ve played the majority of their first-party titles (which are second to none) and i’ve owned pretty much every piece of hardware they’ve release since the SNES. And yes, that includes their current generation home console the Wii U. Which brings me to the point of this article. Let’s talk about the Wii U.

In my eyes the Wii U was a home run. Maybe it does’t show it on Nintendo’s bottom line, but in my experience with it, and it’s games, it’s a great console. The Wii U gamepad is unlike anything to come to home console’s and it’s functionality was just as unique. Being able to play Mario Kart 8 while my brother watched a movie on the TV? Awesome. Changing the channel, adjusting volume and surfing the web with the gamepad? Futuristic shit right there. I feel I’m sitting at the helm of the Enterprise every time I use that piece of tech.

Nintendo gets who’s playing their games. Again, this might not show with all the internet heroes trashing it left and right, but ask anyone who has put significant time into the Wii U’s library. They will tell you how great the experience is. Case and point, the launch of Super Smash Brothers for the Wii U. Everyone knows that Super Smash is one of Nintendo’s strongest recurring title. It has been for some time. Nintendo knew that they out some hardcore fans during the Wii version, so what did they do? They did exactly what the fans were asking for; They released a game that uses Gamecube controllers! Getting an updated game with traditional controls is just what Super Smash needed.

With additional titles like Mario Make and the two Zelda HD remakes, The Wii U has really put out quality games. Could the third-party support be better? Yeah, but that’s not why I buy a Nintendo system.

The bottom line here is that more people need to find games that they enjoy, rather than comparing numbers and online reviews. My Wii U will have purpose in my TV entertainment center far past the NX’s debut.

-Matt