Wii U
Nintendo's first HD console with great exclusives.
Overview
The Wii U (2012) was commercially unsuccessful but had fantastic games: Breath of the Wild, Mario Kart 8, Xenoblade Chronicles X, Smash 4, and more. Cemu emulates it well on Steam Deck.
| Year | 2012 |
| Media | Disc / Digital |
| Steam Deck | Good to Excellent |
| BIOS Required | No (keys for online) |
Emulator
Cemu is the Wii U emulator. Originally Windows-only, it now runs natively on Linux.
Setup
ROM Folder
File Formats
.wux- Compressed disc image (recommended).wud- Uncompressed disc (25 GB each).wua- Cemu archive (game + updates + DLC)- Folders - Loadiine format (decrypted files)
BIOS
Not Required - Cemu needs system files only for online features.
Encrypted vs Decrypted
Wii U games from eShop are encrypted. You have two options:
- Use WiiUDownloader to download games, then CDecrypt to decrypt
- Find pre-decrypted Loadiine format games
Cemu can play encrypted games if you provide keys, but decrypted is simpler.
Updates & DLC
Wii U games often have significant updates. Install them through Cemu for the best experience. DLC also installs the same way.
Performance
Most games run well on Steam Deck. For demanding titles:
- Lower resolution to 720p
- Enable async shader compilation
- FPS++ mods available for 60fps in some games
Where to Find Games
Use WiiUDownloader for eShop content or find games on Mariocube. See the Download Guide.