Some of you might think the XBox One and PS4 are the best consoles of this generation, that they are far superior than some "under-powered gimmicky toy for children." But I honestly think you are missing out on one of the most fun current gen gaming consoles by having that mentality. So I'm going to list 10 reasons why you should buy a Wii U if you haven't already done so.

Reason 1: Value

Compared to the XBox One and PS4 which are both listed at $399.99 USD for the bare minimum sets (console, 1 controller and needed cables), the Wii U is $299.99 USD for most deluxe bundle sets (console, gamepad, 2 games and needed cables). Sounds like you would certainly get your money's worth with that deal, especially if you're on a budget.

Reason 2: Free Online Play

Once again, if you are on a budget, this is a great alternative to XBox Live and PlayStation Plus/Now as there are no online subscription fees. However, while there aren't many games on the Wii U that use online gameplay, the ones that do are very good and are (for the most part) stable with little lag or connection drops. (Keep in mind this still does happen regardless of which console you choose.)

Reason 3: Backwards Compatibility

Out of the three current gen consoles, the Wii U is the only one that can play the games of its predecessor without the need for modding. And because you can transfer your all of your Wii Shop Channel purchases and save files from the Wii to the Wii U, you could move all of your data onto the new Wii U and sell the Wii at GameStop/EBGames or on eBay for some quick cash to help cover the cost of the system.

Reason 4: Exclusive Games

When it comes to games, exclusivity is what usually sells a console, and out of the three, the Wii U has the widest and most fun selection of games you could ever ask for. Here are some examples:

• Super Mario 3D World
• Bayonetta 2 (Includes Bayonetta 1)
• The Wonderful 101
• Super Smash Bros for Wii U
• Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker
• Pikmin 3
• Nintendo Land
• Hyrule Warriors
• Mario Kart 8
• Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze

If that list isn't convincing enough, then I don't know what is.

Reason 5: Amiibo

If you're a collector of Nintendo memorabilia, then these little figurines will certainly eat a very big hole in your bank account. They may be small, but the amount of detail they have is astounding. Plus, since each one is outfitted with NFC technology, they can interface with the chip reader in the GamePad of the Wii U to further enhance the games you're playing.

Reason 6: Off TV Play

Say you're the kind of person that lives in a house with other people (terrifying I know) and they want to watch a show or movie on the TV you're using, but you're playing games and don't want to give up the remote because you just got comfy. Well because of the Wii U's GamePad, most games for it have the ability to play the game with the TV on a different channel or even completely off. This even applies to the TV streaming apps on the system as well. No more fighting for the remote!

Reason 7: Miiverse

Most gaming forums are usually pretty boring and lackluster due to a lot of them being run by a small handful of people in their spare time, but since Miiverse is run by Nintendo itself, there is an air of family friendliness which is a nice alternative to the many other forums I have found to be uninviting. Also, if a game supports Miiverse, you can post screenshots of your achievements or if you're stuck, you can ask for advice in game specific communities. Plus every once and a while, Nintendo's employees will post updates on news, contests and various other activities which help to mix things up a bit.

Reason 8: Local Asymmetrical Gameplay

This is probably the biggest reason why I love the Wii U so much. Because of the GamePad, multi-player game modes in some games are much different than other consoles due to the separate screen. One player uses the GamePad while 1-4 other people use Wii Remotes (with nunchuks) or Pro Controllers on the TV. Think along the lines of a game of tag where the one with the GamePad is "it."

Reason 9: No More Friend Codes

Assuming you were like me and hated the Wii's constant use of friend codes in any game that had online, then you'll love the fact that Wii U has abandoned that feature entirely in favor of a Nintendo Network user ID. Plus it also gives you the ability to send friend requests instead of the stupid and tedious act of registering each other's friend codes and hope that it worked.

Reason 10: Unique Single Player Experience

Single player games that put emphasis on use of the GamePad are often the most entertaining to play as the second screen provided by the GamePad is frequently put to good use. Usually it provides easy access to a map or your inventory, but there are a few games that offer a more unique experience by using the GamePad in conjunction with the TV. It just feels innovative and fresh.

Hopefully these reasons will help sway you into buying a Wii U the next time you have some extra cash to burn. But until then, I'll be seeing you.