Skip to main content
GamesRadar+ GamesRadar+ GamesRadar+ The Games, Movies, TV & Comics You Love
Sign in
  • View Profile
  • Sign out
flag of UK
UK
flag of US
US
flag of Canada
Canada
flag of Australia
Australia
  • Games
  • TV
  • Movies
  • Hardware
  • Video
  • News
  • Reviews
  • Guides
  • Deals
  • More
    • PS5
    • Xbox Series X
    • Nintendo Switch
    • Nintendo Switch 2
    • PC
    • Platforms
    • Tabletop Gaming
    • Comics
    • Toys & Collectibles
    • SFX
    • Newsarama
    • Retro Gamer
    • Newsletters
    • About us
    • Features
Total Film
Gaming Magazines
Gaming Magazines
Why subscribe?
  • Subscribe from just £3
  • Takes you closer to the games, movies and TV you love
  • Try a single issue or save on a subscription
  • Issues delivered straight to your door or device
From$12
View
Trending
  • Summer Game Fest
  • New games for 2025
  • Upcoming Switch 2 games
  • Switch 2 stock
Recommended reading
Screenshot featuring Toad and Toadette from the Wii U version of Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker
Games The 25 best Wii U games of all time
Out of Words
Platforming Games This co-op platformer was a "boyhood dream" for the self-taught stop-motion animator now directing it, and it might just rival It Takes Two with a more earnest story and action less likely to destroy your relationships
Darumi Amemiya uses her knives to launch an ultimate attack in The Hundred Line: Last Defense Academy
RPGs "I don’t think anyone will ever make something like this again": Danganronpa creator says his new strategy RPG is "a crazy game," and "even if it doesn't sell well, I'm genuinely glad we made it"
The Hundred Line: Last Defense Academy
JRPGs Not content with his new strategy RPG having 100 endings, Danganronpa's creator wants to add even more in a DLC
Donkey Kong punches towards the screen in Donkey King Bananaza with a big, mischievous grin on his expressive face
Donkey Kong Donkey Kong Bananza feels like a sequel to Super Mario Odyssey to me, and it couldn't be in better monkey paws
Mario and Luigi in the boxart for Super Mario Maker 2
Super Mario Super Mario Maker 2 is 2D Mario’s ultimate form, and it’s all thanks to Nintendo’s community
Ruffy runs across the ocean on wooden crates in Ruffy and the Riverside, with the GamesRadar+ Indie Spotlight logo
Platforming Games Banjo-Kazooie and Paper Mario mix together in this delightful puzzle platformer that has me swapping textures to solve puzzles by changing the world
  1. Games
  2. Action
  3. The Wonderful 101

Wonderful 101 has much deeper gameplay than we thought

Features
By Henry Gilbert published 9 August 2013

The creator of Bayonetta shows the world how rich his new game is

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

Being a superhero isn't easy

Being a superhero isn't easy

Its so easy to dismiss an overly colorful game as being simple or intended for younger players, but dont make that assumption about The Wonderful 101. Finally coming to Wii U in the US on September 15, the superpower-infused game brings together 100 colorful heroes in the hopes that the small army can stop an alien invasion of Earth. And to our surprise, the team has a shocking variety of attacks--as long as youre curious enough to find tactics the game doesnt outright tell you about.

Wonderful 101 is from the same game director as Bayonetta, but the similarities arent obvious in screenshots. After playing a 30-minute chunk of the final game, we noted that Wonderful 101 is similarly dedicated to pushing (and punishing) players with deep, combo-heavy gameplay. We faced a small chunk of the massive robot army the games masked vigilantes are tasked with stopping, and the largest of the group was giving us some trouble. We took tons of damage as we adapted to its attack patterns and broke through its defenses. After the harrowing battle, the Nintendo rep was quick to clarify that wasnt a mid-boss, but a normal encounter.

Wonderful 101s average encounters feel like potential boss battles because your diverse moveset is continually called upon to beat enemies in inventive ways. Team leaders like Wonder Red, Wonder Blue, and Wonder Pink each have specific attacks that can be summoned with a quick stencil on the GamePads screen. While youre cleanly swapping between those attacks during the tense levels, the game throws out a surprisingly varied collection of enemies at you that demand new tactics, particularly if you want your performance to earn the coveted Platinum rating. And as director Hideki Kamiya showed in his recent Nintendo Direct, if hardcore players are willing to look, intricate combos are waiting for them to uncover.

If you were worried Platinum was going soft from its new partnership with Nintendo, what weve played of Wonderful 101 would prove otherwise. It isnt going to hold your hand, but once youve finally destroyed, say, a giant cyborg turtle, you know you earned it.

Keep reading to see all the new screens for the fast-approaching game...

Page 1 of 13
Page 1 of 13
Saving citizens transforms them into new members of your super-army

Saving citizens transforms them into new members of your super-army

Page 2 of 13
Page 2 of 13
Dodge moves like this are instrumental to surviving a battle

Dodge moves like this are instrumental to surviving a battle

Page 3 of 13
Page 3 of 13
You don't just morph your team into weapons, but also special items to reach new areas

You don't just morph your team into weapons, but also special items to reach new areas

Page 4 of 13
Page 4 of 13
Be careful to watch how much battery power you have for transformation

Be careful to watch how much battery power you have for transformation

Page 5 of 13
Page 5 of 13
Head-on attacks like this aren't always the smartest move

Head-on attacks like this aren't always the smartest move

Page 6 of 13
Page 6 of 13
The core team of heroes have a lot of personality

The core team of heroes have a lot of personality

Page 7 of 13
Page 7 of 13
We're guessing this guy is Wonder Red's rival

We're guessing this guy is Wonder Red's rival

Page 8 of 13
Page 8 of 13
Meet your friendly (if goofy) robot sidekick

Meet your friendly (if goofy) robot sidekick

Page 9 of 13
Page 9 of 13
Here's a closer look at the bad guys

Here's a closer look at the bad guys

Page 10 of 13
Page 10 of 13
Each time you meet a new enemy, you get a quick intro

Each time you meet a new enemy, you get a quick intro

Page 11 of 13
Page 11 of 13
When new heroes join your team, they get distinct personas

When new heroes join your team, they get distinct personas

Page 12 of 13
Page 12 of 13
They not only make your team stronger, but they also work as in-game collectibles

They not only make your team stronger, but they also work as in-game collectibles

Page 13 of 13
Page 13 of 13
CATEGORIES
Wii-u Platforms Nintendo
Henry Gilbert
Henry Gilbert
Social Links Navigation

Henry Gilbert is a former GamesRadar+ Editor, having spent seven years at the site helping to navigate our readers through the PS3 and Xbox 360 generation. Henry is now following another passion of his besides video games, working as the producer and podcast cohost of the popular Talking Simpsons and What a Cartoon podcasts. 

See more Platform Features
Read more
Screenshot featuring Toad and Toadette from the Wii U version of Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker
The 25 best Wii U games of all time
Out of Words
This co-op platformer was a "boyhood dream" for the self-taught stop-motion animator now directing it, and it might just rival It Takes Two with a more earnest story and action less likely to destroy your relationships
Darumi Amemiya uses her knives to launch an ultimate attack in The Hundred Line: Last Defense Academy
"I don’t think anyone will ever make something like this again": Danganronpa creator says his new strategy RPG is "a crazy game," and "even if it doesn't sell well, I'm genuinely glad we made it"
The Hundred Line: Last Defense Academy
Not content with his new strategy RPG having 100 endings, Danganronpa's creator wants to add even more in a DLC
Donkey Kong punches towards the screen in Donkey King Bananaza with a big, mischievous grin on his expressive face
Donkey Kong Bananza feels like a sequel to Super Mario Odyssey to me, and it couldn't be in better monkey paws
Mario and Luigi in the boxart for Super Mario Maker 2
Super Mario Maker 2 is 2D Mario’s ultimate form, and it’s all thanks to Nintendo’s community
Latest in Action
Link is in a barrel in The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker on Nintendo Switch 2
Twink Link is being freed: Nintendo apparently backtracks, says you are allowed to call yourself Twink Link as it works to unban a Switch 2 it "flagged by accident"
Protagonist Jordan in a screenshot from the reveal trailer for Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet.
Naughty Dog boss Neil Druckmann is leaving HBO's The Last of Us season 3 to turn his "complete focus" to Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet and the studio's "future projects"
Death Stranding 2 PS5 screenshot
Death Stranding 2 has a "completely hidden mechanic" that lets you fire lethal rounds, meaning voidouts are now inevitable
a robot being shot with a gatling gun but still approaching menacingly
Rockstar remembers Red Dead Online exists and puts out a new update trailer for the first time in 4 years, leaving fans hopeful it's not dead after all: "Are we back?"
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom
Nintendo Switch 2 could revolutionize Zelda technology: Tears of the Kingdom tinkerers confirm lasers are way deadlier now – "We always knew 60 fps would be insane, but I didn't expect it to be this insane"
Death Stranding 2 Sam touching Lou and Fragile
Hideo Kojima says he "kind of hates" the AI assistant in his phone, which is why Death Stranding 2's message is that people shouldn't just rely on technology
Latest in Features
Superman
Krypto the Superdog - The comic history of Superman's best friend
All-New Spider-Gwen: The Ghost Spider #1
Spider-Gwen's new comic introduces her own personal symbiote villain, Tantrum: "Tantrum is the embodiment of everything Gwen was trying to leave behind"
A screenshot from Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 showing Maelle fighting an enemy.
I accidentally became a god in Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, and it broke combat so badly that I had to nerf myself to keep things fun even on Expert mode
Multiple Jans discuss their situation in The Alters
My current GOTY contender sold itself to me with an out-of-nowhere musical number, and I can't praise that choice enough
Death Stranding
6 years too late, I bring lukewarm takes: Death Stranding rules, and we should all play more games outside of our comfort zone
María Gabriela de Faría as The Engineer
James Gunn's Superman may be setting up The Authority movie with its enigmatic villain The Engineer
  1. Sam fires at the ghost mech squid boss in Death Stranding 2: On the Beach
    1
    Death Stranding 2: On the Beach review: "This tarpunk delivery epic is more Metal Gear Solid than ever, for better and worse"
  2. 2
    Rematch review: "As with Rocket League, the just-one-more-game pull is magnetic"
  3. 3
    Tron: Catalyst review: "Disc slinging is a thrill in this gorgeous rendition of the series, but I'm let down by a time-loop story that falls flat"
  4. 4
    FBC: Firebreak review: "A disappointingly bland multiplayer FPS that's missing far too much of what made Control special"
  5. 5
    Dune: Awakening review: "Both extremely compelling and extraordinarily boring, sometimes at the same time – yet still a true Dune love letter"
  1. A T-rex in Jurassic World Rebirth
    1
    Jurassic World Rebirth Review: "An unscary sequel that needed a little more time in amber"
  2. 2
    M3GAN 2.0 review: "A bold sequel with a slightly underwhelming conclusion"
  3. 3
    28 Years Later Review: "Enough terror, splatter and suspense to satisfy”
  4. 4
    Predator: Killer of Killers review: "Great characters, thrilling action, and gorgeous Arcane-esque animation"
  5. 5
    From the World of John Wick: Ballerina review: "Brilliant action, even if the plot gives you a sense of déjà vu"
  1. Lee Jung-jae as Gi-hun in Squid Game season 3
    1
    Squid Game season 3 review: "A staggeringly excellent final season wraps up one of the greatest Netflix shows ever"
  2. 2
    Ironheart review: "A relic of Marvel's content-at-all-costs era"
  3. 3
    Star Trek: Strange New Worlds season 3 review: "The show's most assured run of episodes to date"
  4. 4
    Doctor Who season 2, episode 8 spoiler review: 'The Reality War' is "a mix of the good, the bad, and the truly baffling"
  5. 5
    Doctor Who season 2, episode 7 spoiler review: 'Wish World' is "an exciting and ambitious" start to the season finale, with hints of WandaVision

GamesRadar+ is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

  • About Us
  • Contact Future's experts
  • Terms and conditions
  • Privacy policy
  • Cookies policy
  • Advertise with us
  • Review guidelines
  • Write for us
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Careers

© Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036.

Please login or signup to comment

Please wait...