In this, the Year of Luigi, the Wii U is an outstanding option for console gaming.

Forget the launch lineup, forget the mixed messages, forget the initial price point and forget the early marketing efforts. The Wii U that piddled out of the gates in November of 2012 was a very different system than the one we’re looking at today.

The Internet, TechnoBuffalo included, has lately been yammering on about the Xbox One and PlayStation 4. The next generation of home gaming is officially upon us, friends, and these new systems are the proverbial champagne cracking on the heel of the bowsprit of the ship of tomorrow.

Or, wait, are we the champagne and the consoles the ship? No. We’re the ships, the consoles are the bottles and the games are doing the christening.

Look, whatever, you get it. We’re using the Xbox One and the PlayStation 4 to herald the coming of a new age of console gaming. Bully for us.

In all this pre and post launch coverage of Sony and Microsoft’s newest efforts, the Wii U sits quietly, waiting for a fresh set of owners and a chance to shine.

Here’s the thing: in terms of quality, value and sheer volume of good content, the Wii U is the brightest gem in the recent home console lineup.

The Old Adage of Bang for Buck

Let’s start by coming at this argument strictly in terms of money spent. The best Wii U option today is the Wind Waker HD bundle, in my opinion. $299 will get you a Deluxe Wii U, a digital copy of Wind Waker HD and a unique GamePad.

That leaves plenty of dough to pick up additional games. Round out your collection with Super Mario 3D World and Pikmin 3, and you have a stellar starting library for $420, if you pay full price on both of those games.

$420 won’t even get you a PlayStation 4 and a retail game this holiday. It’s not even enough to buy the Xbox One by itself. For current home consoles, $420 is best spent on the Wii U this fall, purely in terms of value.

Now, consider that the Wii U is the last home console with free online play, and you’ve got an extra card in its deck. The Nintendo Network is free, it now features user names (finally) and offers stuff like Netflix, Amazon Instant Video and Hulu.

But, right, what about games?

A Stunning Lineup, Right Now