The Wonderful 101 is an action game where 100 superheroes from around the world collaborate to defeat alien terrorists who threaten Earth. The player's character, Wonder-Red, is a member of Centinels, a secret service created by the United Nations to defend Earth against alien invasions. When Will Wedgewood, the main character, discovers his superhero powers and becomes part of the group, he joins forces with other superheroes, including Wonder-Blue, and eventually meets 100 characters who join throughout the game.
The gameplay follows a linear path in a 3D environment from an isometric viewpoint. The player must save citizens and can perform double jumps, attacks, and combine attacks into combos. Powerful attacks are performed through Unite Morphs, which allow the superheroes to merge their energy to form a large shape that deals massive damage using quick time events. The player can switch between different characters and use various Unite Morphs to solve environment-based puzzles and overcome obstacles.
The game features a variety of Unite Morphs, each tied to a specific symbol and used for different purposes, such as crossing gaps or activating switches. Some Morphs have multiple uses, and the player can level up certain ones to unlock new abilities. The game also includes special Morphs that can be performed with all 100 heroes together, offering unique gameplay experiences.
The Wonderful 101 features various gameplay styles, including a classic shoot'em up section and a boss battle reminiscent of the Punch-Out series. The GamePad has dual screen moments, such as a flying section where the cockpit is shown on the GamePad and a maze section that clears fog on the TV screen. The game also includes a crafting system, a simple way to synthesize new items from space vegetables.
The game is divided into 25 operations, each with multiple sections, and awards medals based on time, highest combo, and damage received at the end of each section. The game supports cooperative multiplayer for up to five players, where one player uses the GamePad and the others use Wii U Pro Controllers. The Remastered version, released in 2020, features improved graphics, sound quality, and controls specifically designed for modern consoles.