7.5 /10 18

The Wonderful 101: Remastered is Platinum Games’ most ambitious passion project, delivering an isometric action experience that stands apart from every contemporary brawler. Originally exclusive to Wii U in 2013, this remaster finally brings the game to Switch, PlayStation 4, and PC, introducing 101 controllable heroes to a wider audience. The game received divisive critical reception ranging from 4/10 to 9/10, with reviewers split between praising its unique design philosophy and criticizing its steep learning curve and demanding mechanics. Players who invest time in mastering its systems discover a deeply rewarding action game with combo depth rivaling Bayonetta, while newcomers may struggle with its combat intricacy and environmental puzzle design.

How to Play The Wonderful 101: Remastered

The Wonderful 101: Remastered centers on drawing gestures with your controller to form different unite morphs, which transform your squad of heroes into powerful weapons. Unlike traditional button-mashing brawlers, you must manually perform actions while managing positioning, crowd control, and environmental interactions simultaneously.

1. Controls – The game requires drawing specific shapes on your controller or using the right stick to create weapons. This learning curve is steep; the original Wii U touchscreen mechanic has been adapted, making it playable but less intuitive than the original.
2. Progression – You advance through chapters by defeating enemy waves, solving environmental puzzles, and boss battles. Multiple difficulty levels offer varying challenge, and mission mode provides separate challenges outside the campaign.
3. Combat/Mechanics – Combine light and heavy attacks while switching between weapon types (sword, gun, whip, hammer, etc.). You command 101 heroes across seven main weapon classes, each with distinct playstyles and combo potential that rewards experimentation.
4. Tips – Don’t mash buttons; timing and precision matter more than speed. Learn environmental interactions early (using specific heroes to solve specific puzzles), practice drawing gestures during downtime, and play on normal difficulty first to build familiarity.

Who Should Play The Wonderful 101: Remastered

This game appeals to action veterans willing to embrace complexity, but alienates those seeking straightforward, accessible combat. Its cartoon aesthetic masks mechanical depth comparable to Devil May Cry and Bayonetta, though the presentation style differs significantly from those franchises.

• Action Enthusiasts – If you love Platinum Games’ design language and value combo depth over accessibility, this is essential. Fans of Bayonetta, Metal Gear Rising, and Devil May Cry will find tremendous depth here.
• Local Co-op Players – The game supports 1-5 players locally on Switch and 1-4 on PlayStation 4 and Steam, making it excellent for group play across multiple game modes including the full campaign.
• Platinum Games Completionists – As Platinum’s first self-published title and most experimental offering, this game represents the studio at its most daring and inventive.
• Skip If – You prefer intuitive controls, straightforward tutorials, or forgiving difficulty curves. If you want traditional brawler mechanics or need constant hand-holding, this game will frustrate rather than delight.

The Wonderful 101: Remastered Platform Performance

Platform performance varies significantly across versions. PlayStation 4 delivers the smoothest experience, maintaining 60fps most of the time, while Nintendo Switch suffers occasional frame drops. PC offers superior visuals but requires a decent GPU. The game’s CPU-intensive action sequences challenge all platforms at different points.

The Wonderful 101: Remastered System Requirements

PC specifications are modest for modern standards, supporting both low-end and high-end configurations. The game runs on Direct3D 9, making it accessible to older systems while scaling beautifully on current hardware. Minimum specs run the game playably; recommended specs guarantee smooth 60fps at 1080p.

Similar Games to The Wonderful 101: Remastered

If you’re drawn to The Wonderful 101: Remastered, these games offer comparable action depth, though none match its unique gesture-based mechanic. Each delivers Platinum’s signature style while approaching combat differently, providing alternatives if you want similar experiences.

• Bayonetta – Direct spiritual predecessor with deeper combo systems and refined mechanics. Bayonetta executes similar action design with more polished controls and tutorial structure, but lacks the team-based mechanics.
• Devil May Cry 5 – Focuses on character-switching combo depth. Offers comparable mechanical complexity with superior accessibility and world-building, though less experimental in design philosophy.
• Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance – Platinum’s action design applied to a stylish cyborg action game. Features memorable boss battles and distinct visual identity, but different combat pacing and emphasis.
• Nier: Automata – Platinum-developed action-RPG with multiple playstyles. Combines action sequences with narrative depth and open-world exploration, offering broader appeal than Wonderful 101’s arcade-focused design.

The Wonderful 101: Remastered vs Competitors

Comparing The Wonderful 101: Remastered against other action games reveals significant differences in scope, accessibility, and design philosophy. While it offers unique mechanics, competitors provide more approachable alternatives with comparable or superior mechanics depth.

The Wonderful 101: Remastered Story and World

The narrative follows a team of underdog heroes defending Earth from alien invaders, delivering tongue-in-cheek superhero storytelling with genuine emotional beats. The world feels alive with distinct locations, from urban landscapes to sky fortresses, each supporting unique gameplay sequences. Presentation emphasizes spectacle and humor, with colorful character designs and energetic dialogue that never takes itself too seriously. The story escalates naturally, introducing mechanical variations that prevent the action from becoming repetitive despite the single-goal focus of each mission.

The Wonderful 101: Remastered Multiplayer and Online

The Wonderful 101: Remastered offers robust local multiplayer options, making it one of the few modern action games supporting extended co-op play. Online play is not featured; all multiplayer remains local, creating a unique selling point for couch co-op enthusiasts.

• Campaign Co-op – Up to 5 players on Nintendo Switch, 1-4 on PlayStation 4 and Steam. Play the entire campaign cooperatively with friends controlling different heroes simultaneously.
• Mission Mode – Separate challenge-focused mode where players tackle arcade-style missions with leaderboards. Solo or co-op with score competition.
• Local Versus – Custom challenges and battle modes support competitive local play for skilled players seeking head-to-head action.
• Cross-Play – No online matchmaking or cross-platform play available. All multiplayer requires same-screen or local connection.

The Wonderful 101: Remastered DLC and Expansions

Post-launch content has expanded The Wonderful 101: Remastered substantially with new playable characters, challenge modes, and cosmetic options. Most DLC launched within the first two years post-remaster, with support eventually winding down but providing meaningful additions for dedicated players.

• The Wonderful One: After School Hero – Free expansion launching May 2023. Standalone story featuring new gameplay mechanics and additional character skins alongside expanded mission content.
• Character DLC Packs – Paid DLC including playable characters from Platinum’s other franchises and cosmetic hero variants, allowing aesthetic customization without gameplay impact.
• Mission Pack Content – Additional time attack challenges and secret mission modes released throughout 2021-2022, expanding replayability for completionists.
• Free Updates – Regular patches addressed frame-rate issues, control improvements, and balance adjustments through 2021. SilentPatch community fix available for frame-pacing concerns on PC.

The Wonderful 101: Remastered Community and Support

The community remains small but passionate, with active discussion spaces maintaining player engagement years after launch. Developer responsiveness has been strong for a crowdfunded remaster, with continued support despite team focus shifting to new projects.

• Official Platforms – Platinum Games maintains presence on official forums and social media channels. The studio remains engaged with community feedback and reports.
• Reddit and Discord – Community subreddits and Discord servers host active discussion, strategy guides, and multiplayer coordination for interested players seeking group sessions.
• Mod Support – Steam Workshop supports community mods on PC. Notable fan-created tools address technical issues and allow cosmetic modifications without affecting core gameplay.
• Update Status – While active development has concluded, Platinum Games released the substantial After School Hero DLC in 2023. Current focus remains on community support rather than new content patches.