What came after the Wii U?

Following the release of the Wii U in 2012, several other prominent video game consoles emerged, both within its own generation and in the subsequent generation. The primary consoles that came after the Wii U were the PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch, which are all part of the Eighth Generation, followed by the Ninth Generation consoles like the Xbox Series X/S and PlayStation 5.

Consoles Succeeding the Wii U

The Wii U was part of the Eighth Generation of video game consoles, which began in 2012. Within this same generation, other major consoles were launched after the Wii U's debut, offering new technological advancements and gaming experiences.

• PlayStation 4 (PS4): Released in 2013 by Sony, the PS4 became a strong competitor in the eighth generation, focusing on powerful graphics and a robust online ecosystem.
• Xbox One: Also launched in 2013 by Microsoft, the Xbox One aimed to be an all-in-one entertainment system, competing directly with the PS4.
• Nintendo Switch: Nintendo's own successor to the Wii U, the Switch, was released in 2017. It innovated with a hybrid design, allowing seamless transitions between home console and portable handheld play.

The Next Generation of Gaming

Beyond the Eighth Generation, a new era of consoles began, marking the Ninth Generation of video game hardware. These consoles arrived several years after the Wii U and its direct contemporaries, pushing boundaries in performance, visuals, and load times.

• Xbox Series X and Series S: Released in 2020 by Microsoft, these consoles offer high-fidelity gaming (Series X) and a more affordable, digital-only option (Series S).
• PlayStation 5 (PS5): Launched in 2020 by Sony, the PS5 features ultra-high-speed SSDs, immersive haptic feedback, and advanced audio technologies.

Console Generations Timeline

To provide a clear overview of how these consoles fit into the broader history of gaming, here is a simplified timeline of recent video game console generations:

This table illustrates that while the Wii U kicked off the Eighth Generation, it was soon joined by other powerful systems, which were then followed by the advent of the Ninth Generation consoles.