Launched a full year earlier than PlayStation 4, the Wii U was the first “8th generation” video game console to hit the market. The Wii U and the PS4 differ in a variety of ways, most notably in price, internal hardware, number of games available, and the style of its controller. Another significant difference is that unlike PS4, the Wii U console is compatible with older games offered by its predecessor, the Wii.
Nintendo released two versions of the Wii U console in 2012 for $299 and $349, key differences between the two being storage size and an included game. The PS4 comes in just one version costing $399, features more powerful graphics capability, more than 10 times the storage space, and the capability to play DVDs and Blu-Ray discs.
Similarities between the systems include HDMI outputs, the ability to access the Internet, motion-sensing cameras, both have Bluetooth capability, and WiFi and Ethernet connectivity.
Comparison chart
 | PlayStation 4 | Wii U |
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Single-chip x86 AMD "Jaguar" processor, 8 cores, Clock speed 1.6GHz, A secondary Custom ARM CPU and RAM for background processing such as downloading and recording gameplay. | Tri-Core IBM PowerPC "Espresso" |
| Manufacturer | Sony | Nintendo |
| Media | Blu-ray, DVD, digital downloads | 25 GB Wii U Optical Disc, 4.7/8.54 GB Wii Optical Disc, downloads |
| Graphics | AMD Next Gen, Radeon HD 7xxx series equivalent | AMD Radeon "Latte" |
| Type | Video game console | Video game console |
| Controller input | Dualshock 4; PlayStation Camera; Voice Commands | Wii U GamePad, Wii U Pro Controller, Compatible Wii Accessories |
| Motion Sensing | PlayStation Camera; Gyroscope | Wii U Gamepad Wii Remote: Wii Remote (up to 4 Controllers) Wii MotionPlus (merged into Wii Remote Plus) Nunchuk (each of the Controllers) Sensor Bar: Infrared LED per controllers |
| Developer | Sony Computer Entertainment | Nintendo |
| Product family | PlayStation | Wii |
| Online services | PlayStation Plus. $59.99 annually, $17.99 quarterly or $9.99 monthly. | Nintendo Network, Miiverse, Nintendo eShop, Nintendo TVii |
| Generation | 8th generation console | 8th generation console |
| Storage capacity | 500 GB hard drive (removable; user upgradeable). About 93 GB of storage is for the OS so only about 407 GB of the 500 GB hard drive is actually available. | 8 GB (Basic Set) / 32 GB (Deluxe Set) internal flash memory, SD/SDHC card, USB storage device |
| Internet Browser | Yes (PS4 Web Browser) | Yes |
| Sound | 7.1 Dolby/DTS-HD Master Audio/PCM Surround Sound | 5.1 Linear PCM, analog stereo |
| Website | playstation.com/ps4 | www.nintendo.com/wiiu |
| Release date | November 15, 2013 | November 18, 2012 |
| Predecessor | PlayStation 3 | Wii |
| Price | $399 (US); £349 (UK); $549 (AU); €399 (EU) | $299.99 (Deluxe Set), $259.99 (Basic Set) |
| Backward compatibility | Via PSNow | Wii, Virtual Console |
| Controllers | Up to 4 controllers (update expected) | up to 8 controllers |
| Video Output | HDMI | HDMI, component, composite AV |
| Units sold worldwide | 116 million (as of September 2021) | 13.56 million (as of end of production) |
| Camera | PlayStation Camera (Not Included) | Gamepad Front Facing Camera 1.3 MP |
| Included with the System | PlayStation Wired Mono Headset, DualShock 4, HDMI Cable, USB Cable, and a 30 Day Free Trial for PlayStation Plus | System, Sensor bar, Wii U Gamepad, HDMI cord, power cord, Gamepad charging cord (Basic Set) |
| Available Versions | Different bundles | 8GB (Basic Set), 32GB (Deluxe Set) |
| Processor | Customized AMD x86-64 Jaguar | •3 CPU Cores and 1.5 MB shared L3 cache •1.25 GHz clock speed •45 nm process •Advanced power savings features and design •256 KB L2 cache for core 0+1, 1MB cache for core 3 |
| Operating system | Orbis OS | Wii U OS |
| Online Subscription Fee | PlayStation Plus. $59.99 annually, $17.99 quarterly, or $9.99 monthly. | No |
| Video Connections | HDMI Out | HDMI, Component/D-Terminal, Composite, S-Video, RGB |
| Ports | Two USB 3.0 ports; AUX port; Ethernet; HDMI out; S/PDIF out for audio. | 4 USB 2.0 ports; HDMI out, Sensor bar port, AV out |
| MSRP | $399.99 | $299.99/£249.99/¥26,250 |
| GPU | 800 MHz AMD Radeon GPU with 20 compute units (2 Disabled) 1,152 shaders (stream processors). 72 Texture Units, 32 ROPs, 64 Compute Commands | •Based on Radeon HD 5000 “Evergreen” series •Built on 40nm manufacturing technology •Unified shader architecture •GDDR5 memory support (memory is likely to be shared with CPU and system) •Shader count: 400 unified shaders (rumored) |
| Bluetooth | Yes, Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR | Yes |
| Digital Rights Management (DRM) | Yes | Yes |
| Input Methods | Dualshock 4, PlayStation Camera, and voice commands | Wii Remote (plus accessories), supported Wii accessories, Wii U Gamepad, Wii U Pro Controller |
| Best-selling game | Marvel's Spider-Man (2018) | Mario Kart 8, 8.4 million |
| Connectivity | Super-Speed USBx (USB 3.0) port x2, AUX port x1 Networking: Ethernet x1, IEEE 802.11b/g/n (2.4 GHz only), HDMI out port, digital out optical port. | Wi-Fi IEEE 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth 4.0, 4 × USB 2.0 |
Consoles
Each $399 PS4 console comes with 500 GB of storage, DualShock 4 controllers, and the game Playroom – however, Playroom only works with the PlayStation Eye motion-sensing camera, which is sold separately.
There are two different versions of the Wii U, which vary in price and accessories. For $299, the basic Wii U comes with a console, 8 GB of storage, a Wii U gamepad, and an HDMI cable. The $349 deluxe version includes a console, 32 GB of storage, a sensor bar, the game Nintendo Land, and stands for the console and controller.
The PS4 is only available in black; the basic Wii U console comes in white, and the deluxe version comes in black.
Hardware
One obvious difference between Wii U and PS4 is the hardware. The PS4 sports a quicker computer processor and a more robust graphics card. PS4 has more available RAM, which means the computer can perform more functions simultaneously. The PS4 also has a stronger graphics card, allowing for more detail and variation in images.
If users were to do a side-by-side comparison of PS4 versus Wii U using the same game, there would be perceptible differences in video game graphics, according to tests done by popular gaming websites.
Backwards Compatibility
PS4 will not allow users to play older PlayStation games on the new system, though the company has floated the idea of offering a cloud-based service that would allow users to play older PS1 through 3 games.
Conversely, Nintendo Wii U does have backwards compatibility, and users can play older Wii games.
In a Nutshell
This video shows a quick side-by-side comparison of the graphics, games and consoles:
Controllers
Much of the gaming power of the Wii U lies in its controllers, which sets it apart from the PS4 DualShock controllers.
Gamers control the Wii U with the GamePad, which, in addition to standard game controller buttons, features a built-in 6-inch touchscreen, a microphone, camera, and sensor strip. Gamers can use all of these features to interact with the on-screen display. The GamePad also has near-field technology, which can establish radio frequency communication with other devices when in close proximity. According to Nintendo, the Wii U controller can accept credit card information simply by laying a card on the GamePad.
The Gamepad offers a “second screen” experience in the palm of your hand, as it can display the game you are playing – in full color – the same way it’s shown on screen. The GamePad also comes with a stylus, which allows for precise gameplay control using the touchscreen.
The PS4 DualShock features a special button that players can use to record gameplay clips. Similar to the Wii U controller, it features a touchpad for operating on-screen menu, but that touchpad does not show gameplay. The controllers also have built-in mono speakers and headphone jacks, a rechargeable lithium-ion battery, and a stereo camera interface that senses players’ surroundings.
Both controllers use wireless technology and operate on rechargeable lithium-ion batteries.
Motion Sensor
The Wii U includes a sensor bar that allows users to interact with games using body movements. Wii U also has an additional controller called the Wii Remote, which includes a gyroscope that senses body movements, allowing users to mimic the movements of a tennis racquet or sword, for example.
The PS4 Eye is Sony’s motion capture camera, which allows players to interact with games like PlayStation Playroom. But the Eye is sold separately for $59.99.
Applications
Both Wii U and PS4 offer free access to applications like Netflix, Amazon Prime, and Hulu Plus. However, users may need to pay a separate subscription rate for each of those services. Each console also offers users free access to the Internet with a web browser.
Online Game Play
Both Wii U and PS4 online game play, but only PS4 requires users to subscribe to the PS+, which costs $49.99 per year.
Games
Given its launch date approximately one year before PS4, Wii U has many more games available so far at just over 200. PS4 has approximately 100 as of November 2013. However, new games are planned for each system subsequently.
There are also exclusive games available for each system. For Wii U, those include Donkey Kong Country: Time Freeze, ZombiU, Yarn Yoshi, The Legend of Zelda: Wind Walker, and Super Mario 3D World. Exclusive PS4 games include Basemen Crawl, Drive Club, Earth Defense Force, Everyone’s Gone to the Rapture, Mobile Suit Gundam, The Order: 1886, Rime, and Resogun.
Both Sony and Nintendo operate web stores accessible with the gaming console where users can download a selection of games.
Where to Buy
You can shop for consoles, games, hardware and all accessories for PS 4 and Wii on Amazon's one-stop stores:
PS4 
PlayStation 3 
PS3 
Wii 
Xbox 360 
Netflix
Comments: PlayStation 4 vs Wii U