Honestly, it’s kinda wild to think about. By the time 2016 rolled around, the Wii U was basically a ghost ship. Nintendo was already whispering about the "NX" (which we now know as the Switch), and most third-party developers had jumped overboard months prior. Yet, there was Ubisoft. Still standing on the deck. Still dancing.
The Just Dance 2017 Wii U song list represents a very specific, weird moment in gaming history. It was the last "big" year for the console before it was officially put out to pasture. If you still have that bulky GamePad sitting under your TV, you probably know that this specific version of the game feels like a time capsule. It’s got that strange mix of 2016 radio hits, some genuinely bizarre international tracks, and the last gasp of the Wii U’s unique hardware features.
We’re going to get into the weeds of what made this tracklist special, why some songs are missing from modern versions, and why the Wii U version is actually better than the Wii one—even if nobody bought it.
The Just Dance 2017 Wii U Song List: Every Track You Remember
You’ve got 41 tracks on the base disc. That’s the standard. But the variety in the 2017 edition felt a bit more "experimental" than the years right before it. You had the massive, inescapable chart-toppers like Justin Bieber’s "Sorry" and Sia’s "Cheap Thrills," which were basically mandatory if you wanted to sell a copy of the game to a teenager in 2016.
But then, Ubisoft threw in some curveballs.
"Daddy" by PSY (featuring CL) was the spiritual successor to Gangnam Style, and while it never hit those same heights of global insanity, it was a workout on the Wii U. Then you have the absolute fever dream that is "PoPiPo" by Hatsune Miku. If you haven't tried to mirror the movements of a digital vocaloid while holding a Wii Remote, you haven't lived. Or maybe you've just saved yourself some joint pain.
Here is what you actually get on the disc:
"All About Us" by Jordan Fisher, "Bailar" by Deorro feat. Elvis Crespo, "Bang" by Anitta, "Bonbon" by Era Istrefi, and "Cake by the Ocean" by DNCE. You also get "Can't Feel My Face" by The Weeknd, which, let's be real, is a nightmare to dance to if you're actually trying to follow the rhythm and not just flailing. "Carnaval Boom" by Latino Sunset brings that tropical vibe, while "Cheap Thrills" by Sia feat. Sean Paul remains one of the best choreographed tracks in the game.
The list continues with "Cola Song" by INNA feat. J Balvin, "Daddy" by PSY feat. CL, "Don't Stop Me Now" by Queen (a classic that actually fits the frantic energy), "Don't Wanna Know" by Maroon 5, and "Dragostea Din Tei" by O-Zone. Yes, the Numa Numa song. In 2017. It was a choice.
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Then you have "El Tiki" by Maluma, "Ghost in the Keys" by Halloween Thrills, "Groove" by Jack & Jack, "Hips Don't Lie" by Shakira feat. Wyclef Jean, and "I Love Rock 'n' Roll" by Fast Forward Highway. "Into You" by Ariana Grande is a standout for fans of pure pop, while "La Bicicleta" by Carlos Vives & Shakira keeps the Latin energy high.
"Lean On" by Major Lazer & DJ Snake feat. MØ was huge that year. "Leila" by Cheb Salama, "Let Me Love You" by DJ Snake feat. Justin Bieber, and "Like I Would" by Zayn kept the "current" vibe alive. For the kids (or the terrified adults), there's "Little Swing" by AronChupa feat. Little Sis Nora and "Oishii Oishii" by Wanko Ni Mero Mero.
Don't forget "PoPiPo" by Hatsune Miku, "Radical" by Dyro & Dannic, "Run the Night" by Gigi Rowe, and "Scream & Shout" by will.i.am feat. Britney Spears. "September" by Equinox Stars covers the disco base, while "Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)" by Beyoncé finally made its way in. "Sorry" by Justin Bieber has both a standard and an extreme version. "Te Dominar" by Daya Luz, "Tico-Tico no Fubá" by The Frankie Bostello Orchestra, "Watch Me (Whip/Nae Nae)" by Silentó, "What Is Love" by Ultraluminal, and "Wherever I Go" by OneRepublic round it out.
Oh, and "Worth It" by Fifth Harmony feat. Kid Ink. Can't forget that one.
Why the Wii U Version Specifically?
Look. Most people bought this for the original Wii. Even in 2016, the Wii was a juggernaut in nursing homes and daycare centers. But the Wii U version of Just Dance 2017 had things the standard Wii version simply couldn't touch.
High Definition.
It sounds small now, but seeing the neon aesthetics of Just Dance in 1080p compared to the muddy 480i of the original Wii was a revelation. The colors popped. The coaches looked like actual people rather than blurry thumb-folks.
Also, the GamePad. While most people find the GamePad clunky, in Just Dance 2017, it acted as a "Puppet Master" station in certain modes. You could sit on the couch and pick the next moves for the people actually dancing. It was a great way to mess with your friends. Honestly, it's one of those "asymmetrical gameplay" features that Nintendo bragged about for years and only Ubisoft really bothered to use.
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The Just Dance Unlimited Factor
This is where the Just Dance 2017 Wii U song list gets complicated. This was the second year of "Just Dance Unlimited," the subscription service. If you had an internet connection, that list of 41 songs suddenly ballooned to over 200.
But here’s the kicker for 2026: those servers are mostly a graveyard now.
Ubisoft shuttered the online services for the older Just Dance titles on Wii U a while back. This means if you buy a used copy today, you are strictly limited to what is on that physical disc. You can't just hop online and stream "Rasputin" or "Toxic" like you used to. This makes the physical song list on the 2017 disc much more important than it was at launch. You’re buying a static product, not a gateway to a library.
The Weird Tracks You Probably Skipped
Every Just Dance fan has those songs they play once for the "Megastar" rating and then never touch again. In 2017, that was definitely "Oishii Oishii." It’s a song about... well, it's Japanese for "delicious," and the choreography involves a lot of food-related gesturing. It’s bizarre.
Then there’s "Ghost in the Keys." It’s one of those Ubisoft-produced tracks that they use to avoid paying licensing fees for every single slot. It's fine. It's spooky. But nobody is putting that on their Spotify Wrapped.
On the flip side, "Dragostea Din Tei" was a stroke of genius. Everyone knows the chorus. Even if you don't speak a word of Romanian, you’re screaming "Ma-ia-hii" by the second verse. The choreography for that one is surprisingly athletic, too. It’s not just waving your arms; it’s a full-body workout if you’re doing it right.
Technical Nuances: Controllers and Lag
If you’re digging out the Wii U for this, you need to remember that the console supports three different ways to play.
- The Wii Remote Plus: Still the gold standard. It’s accurate enough for a dance game and fits in your hand.
- The Just Dance Controller App: Back in 2017, this was the "cool new thing." You could use your smartphone as a controller. In 2026? Good luck getting that old version of the app to talk to a Wii U. It’s a laggy mess. Just find a Wiimote.
- The GamePad Microphone: For the "Sing Along" feature.
The Wii U had a weird bit of input lag compared to the original Wii if you didn't have your TV set to "Game Mode." Because the Wii U scales the image to 1080p, those extra milliseconds can actually ruin your "Perfect" streak on a song like "Scream & Shout."
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The Legacy of the 2017 Edition
Why does this specific year matter? It was the bridge.
Just Dance 2017 was the first game in the series to launch on the Nintendo Switch (as a launch title in March 2017), but the Wii U version was developed alongside it. Because of that, the Wii U version feels "modern" in a way that 2014 or 2015 didn't. The UI is cleaner. The menus don't take ten years to load.
It also marked the point where the "story" elements of the dances started getting more complex. Look at the background of "Into You." It’s not just a flashing strobe light; there’s a narrative, a specific aesthetic that feels like a music video.
What to Do If You’re Buying This Today
If you’re a collector or just someone who wants to relive the mid-2010s, there are a few things you should know before hunting down a copy for the Wii U.
First, check the disc for scratches. The Wii U used proprietary high-density discs that are notoriously finicky. A deep scratch on a Wii U disc is often a death sentence, unlike the more resilient standard DVDs used by the original Wii.
Second, don't pay more than twenty bucks. While some Wii U games have skyrocketed in price (looking at you, Devil's Third), Just Dance 2017 is common. Even though it's the "best" version of that year's song list, there are millions of copies out there.
Third, realize that the "Just Dance Machine" mode is actually pretty fun. It was a new addition for 2017 where you have to perform different dance styles (ballet, flamenco, etc.) to help aliens refuel their spaceship. It’s cheesy as hell, but it’s a great way to see choreographies that aren't tied to specific pop songs.
Actionable Steps for the Best Experience
To get the most out of the Just Dance 2017 Wii U song list right now:
- Switch your TV to Game Mode: This is non-negotiable for the Wii U to reduce lag.
- Calibrate your sound: If you’re using a soundbar, the audio might be slightly behind the video. Check the in-game settings to sync them up.
- Grab a Wii Remote Plus: The "Plus" versions (or the ones with the dongle) have better gyroscopes. The game says it doesn't matter, but your score will tell a different story.
- Focus on the "Extreme" Versions: If you're a veteran, the standard "Sorry" choreography is boring. Unlock the Extreme version by getting a high rank on the base track; it's one of the most rewarding routines Ubisoft ever designed.
- Forget the Online: Don't waste time trying to connect to Ubisoft servers or Unlimited. They are largely defunct for this platform. Treat the 41 songs on the disc as the total package.
Just Dance 2017 on Wii U is a remnant of a transitional era. It’s a weird, colorful, loud reminder of a console that never quite found its footing, playing the hits of a year that feels like a lifetime ago. Whether you're doing the "Whip/Nae Nae" for the irony or genuinely trying to master "Don't Stop Me Now," the tracklist holds up surprisingly well for a decade-old party game.