Nintendo working on Wii U Virtual Console

Those disappointed that the Wii U did not launch with a virtual console the way the Wii did in 2006, take heart. Nintendo apparently is working a Wii U version, but won't go into details other than to say that the gamepad will be all that's needed.

3

Those disappointed that the Wii U did not launch with a virtual console to play older games the way the Wii did in 2006, take heart. Nintendo is working on a Wii U version, and apparently the gamepad will be all that is needed.

"We do not have any specifics to share at this time," an unnamed Nintendo rep told Polygon. "However, we are moving ahead with development of a Virtual Console for Wii U, too, and we plan to make it so you can play it on the Wii U GamePad alone."

Right now, the Wii U can only access the Wii virtual console library through file transfer (with an online-connected Wii), and requires the Wii Remote controller. No word yet on how Nintendo will expand on Wii's existing library for the Wii U initially, if at all.

Contributing Editor
Filed Under
From The Chatty
  • reply
    January 10, 2013 3:15 PM

    John Keefer posted a new article, Nintendo working on Wii U Virtual Console.

    Those disappointed that the Wii U did not launch with a virtual console the way the Wii did in 2006, take heart. Nintendo apparently is working a Wii U version, but won't go into details other than to say that the gamepad will be all that's needed.

    • reply
      January 10, 2013 3:25 PM

      I really hope that any virtual console purchases for the Wii count as ones for the Wii U as well.

      • reply
        January 11, 2013 7:08 AM

        haaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahahahahahahaha

        they won't make any money off of you again if they think like that.


        I wish my history carried over too. Pretty much why I stopped buying virtual console games on the Wii. :(

      • reply
        January 11, 2013 8:22 AM

        I doubt it, you already have access to them in Wii mode if you've transferred them over from your old Wii. That's as good as it's going to get with Nintendo since The e-shop is separate from the Wii Shop Channel and even separate from the e-shop on the 3DS.

        The latter really sucks because I'd like to have a unified credit balance between the Wii U and 3DS. I've got 10 dollars on Wii U and 2 dollars on 3DS and I'd like to move those 10 over so I could buy some 3DS games.

    • reply
      January 11, 2013 6:59 AM

      [deleted]

    • reply
      January 11, 2013 8:17 AM

      Iwata touched on this a few months ago when they discussed Wii U backwards compatibility. These new stories come from some Nintendo rep (most likely via e-mail to their customer service) regurgitating that info to the verge.

      http://www.n-europe.com/news/surprise-nintendo-direct-details-wii-u-virtual-console

      date- Nov 14th, 2012

      "We understand that there are people who were looking forward to playing Wii games, Virtual Console games, and so forth on the GamePad, but unfortunately we cannot accommodate those users' expectations. There are plans for a Wii U Virtual console that will be compatible with the Wii U GamePad"

      What that tells me is that there will be a virtual console section on the e-shop that will allow you to launch the games from the wii u menu. The inference is that they will also include the option for off-tv play with the gamepad display.

      In any case, I won't be double dipping on the games I've already bought on the Wii's VC but putting a GameCube section on the e-shop with games that run in 1080p would be very nice. Would like to get my hands on the first Luigi's Mansion and Metroid Prime 1 in HD.

Hello, Meet Lola