How to Play Wii Games on the Wii U

The Wii U has backwards compatibility with Wii games, so you can play your Wii games on the Wii U. There's a method you have to follow to play them.

Steps

  1. Image titled Play Wii Games on the Wii U Step 1
    1
    Synchronize a Wii Remote to the Wii U. You synchronize a Wii Remote to the Wii U the same way that you synchronize one to the Wii. The Sync button on the console is located to the right of the power button.
  2. Image titled Play Wii Games on the Wii U Step 2
    2
    Turn on your Wii U console with a Wii disc in the disc drive.
  3. Image titled Play Wii Games on the Wii U Step 3
    3
    At the Wii U menu, select the "Wii Mode" option. You have to use a Wii Remote from here.
  4. Image titled Play Wii Games on the Wii U Step 4
    4
    Go to the Disc Channel, which is the channel at the top left of the screen. From there, load the game.

Community Q&A

  • Question
    What other controllers can I use with the Wii U?
    Milos Tosic
    Milos Tosic
    Community Answer
    You can use a Wii remote, Nunchuk, Wii Balance Board, Wii Zapper, Wii Wheel, and other Wii accessories.
  • Question
    Do I need a Wii to play Wii games on my Wii U?
    Milos Tosic
    Milos Tosic
    Community Answer
    No. You can play the Wii games on Wii U without Wii, but if you want to continue where you left off, you must do the Wii system transfer (this requires a Wii).
  • Question
    Can I use HDMI cable or RCA? When I use an HDMI cable, it loses signal.
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Wii U doesn't have an RCA jack. In fact, no 8th-generation consoles do. You'll have to use HDMI.
  • Question
    What Wii games are compatible on the Wii U?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Most Wii games work on Wii U, but Wii U games can’t be played on a Wii.
  • Question
    Can I use Wii U games on the Wii?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    No, as they are meant for different systems.
  • Question
    Do I need a Wii remote to play Wii games on my Wii U?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Yes.
  • Question
    Can the Wii U gamepad be used in Wii mode?
    Milos Tosic
    Milos Tosic
    Community Answer
    That's not possible right now. You must use your sensor that your got with your Wii/Wii U and a classic Wii remote.
  • Question
    How do I play Wii U games on a Wii? Can I do that?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    No, that is not possible. You can play Wii games on a Wii U, though.
  • Question
    Is it possible to play a Wii game with a third-party control pad?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    A third-party Wii controller will usually work, depending on the quality.
  • Question
    What should I do if those 4 steps don't work?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Check the disc in normal Wii or Wii mini. If Wii (mini) displays the message, "unable to read the disc", check the Wii Operations Manual to help with troubleshooting. It could be dirty or corrupted.

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About This Article

wikiHow is a “wiki,” similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. To create this article, volunteer authors worked to edit and improve it over time. This article has been viewed 75,741 times.
46 votes - 85%
Co-authors: 6
Updated: September 28, 2021
Views: 75,741
Categories: Wii U