I didn't play W101, but from what I've seen, I wouldn't call it unique in terms of gameplay, though I can see where you're coming from. I also haven't seen anything about Rodea, but as far as Xenoblade ... I don't think it's fresh at all.
But that's the thing, there's nothing "wrong" with that. There's nothing wrong with taking a tried-and-true formula for gameplay and applying it to a new set of games. The fact is, X is going to be a lot like Xenoblade, but with a bigger world, prettier graphics, etc.. And that's fine! There is no rule that states that a game must be unique or innovative to be fun. In fact many games that tried to be unique or innovative to an extreme ended up sucking (see: The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword).
My issue is with people saying Nintendo is rehashing old games with new graphics, and that this is the reason why the Wii U/Nintendo sucks. As if no one else does this, or as if Nintendo were the worst offenders. There's nothing inherently wrong with using a formula that has worked. But games like CoD and Halo REALLY abuse that. In some of those games, there isn't even the attempt to be innovative in the least.
So I say, that's ok. Mario Kart 8 is the best MK game (in my opinion), but it isn't unique or innovative. It's just the old formula perfected. That's just my opinion though.
I also can't speak about Captain Toad since I didn't play that either.