Rumour: Key GameCube titles to be released for Wii U

David Stellmack:

Sources tell us that while the Nintendo Wii U will not offer backward compatibility to play GameCube titles, apparently Nintendo is planning for key GameCube titles to be offered via the Nintendo Virtual Console store on the Wii U.

While Nintendo has confirmed that the Wii U will not offer GameCube compatibility as the Wii did, the announcement was a bit of a downer for Nintendo fans. Offering the titles via the Virtual Console store does make sense, but that means owners will have to buy the title again as a digital download; which, of course, isn’t going to make owners of the GameCube title happy.

[-Mika-]

As long as we don't have to buy a gamecube controller in order to play these titles. Then it fine.

[krazykombatant]

why would you??? both the gamepad, wiimote/nunchuck/pro controller have the same buttons. I don't see why you would need to buy one. I think this is awesome, here is some hopes for Nightfire! Along with the entire Metroid Prime series.

[slaton24]

same reason why you had to use classic controller on wii for super nintendo and n64 games

[Baka-akaB]

Except it's not at all the same . The wiimote wasnt close to those pads , the wii u tab seems offer all needed pad functionalities .

[guitarded77]

I want them to at least have a widescreen format option and some form of trophies/achievements if I'm gonna buy them over again. I bought some of the back catalog of games on the Wii, but only because the battery back up were dead in the original carts... if Nintendo is gonna offer old games, there should be some new features at least... I'm not saying HD, but some new features to make repurchasing worth wild. Pro controller implementation is a must.

[Qrphe]

Apparent lack of analog triggers according to reports whoch the GC controller did have.

[abzdine]

If there is a GC game i want the day i will own a Wii U it's Mario Kart: Double Dash. Best MK of them all !

Resident Evil 1 and Zero in HD would be a great thing too!

[badz149]

if that's the case, that's kinda lame! and people say Sony is the devil for selling HD collections!

[StanSmith]

Really? But it's awesome that Sony sells PS1 and PS2 games on PSN now, right...right?

It's getting boring seeing people reaching to criticise rival companies now.

[badz149]

you do know that every single one of the PS3 out there can still play PS1 disc, right? although I can't say the same for PS2 disc but those with BC PS3 can still play them!

that's the difference! PS3 can play PS1 disc but Wii U can't play GC disc!

[StanSmith]

Yes, I do know that seen as I own one too. Guess what? My 360 plays Xbox games too! WOW!

Your reply has nothing to do with the article above. Your first comment was pure rubbish seen as what you were criticising Nintendo for, Microsoft and Sony do the same.

It seems to me that you're one of those "hey, stop bullying Sony" fans who make out they are victims of bias from the media and gamers, yet you run to 360 and Wii/WiiU articles to take shots at them and their userbase.

Basically, Grow up!

[cervantes99]

Yeah because Sony forces you to buy HD collections - grow up!

[StanSmith]

Sweet! I would love Luigi's Mansion, both Rogue Squadrons, RE Remake, RE0 and MK:Double Dash.

[R1CAN617]

Till this day i still havent played Metal Gear Solid Twin Snakes i know it might not be as good as the original but id still like the chance to play it though.

[Neonridr]

it's a faithful recreation, with upgraded visuals.

[nrvalleytime]

Agreed. It's - dare I say it - better than Sons of Liberty.

[Venoxn4g]

I actually love the remake :) maybe you will too

[Theyellowflash30]

how is it not better than the original? Better graphics, MGS 2 engine, updated cinematics. Plus nintendo easter eggs

[Qrphe]

It's way more over the top than the original was supposed to be. Even Kojima himself isn't very fond of it.

[RmanX1000]

Tales of... Symphonia..? I'd like to try it... I missed out back in the day.

[Nerdmaster]

It's the best Tales game. In fact, I think it's the only one I liked enough to finish.

[ronin4life]

Awesome game. Played it twice.

But it wasn't until I recently completed TotA on 3ds that I realized how bad I had been playing all my other games games...>.<;;;

[DivineAssault]

key titles huh.. I hope some of em get HD remasters.. That would be nice but like girly up top said "as long as u dont need to get a GC controller" that would be cool.... I would hate to use the rumble-less wavebird or stay tethered with those short wires on that controller..

Great things will come to the wii u in due time.. After some game releases, a few firmware updates, & a steady flow of added features, it will be the best nintendo system ever created...

Cant wait to try it at the demo stations.. It will make me want it more but im sticking to my guns n waiting til the time is right on this.. Smash bros will make me get it

[3-4-5]

Skies of Arcadia, Tales of Symphonia ?

[nevin1]

Will the Wii U have a upscaling feature to upscale GC games to HD like how PS3 upscales PS1/PS2 games and DVDs?

[fourtwenty2009]

No. Wii and GC games will not be upscaled. Look it up.

If you want to play your GC/Wii games with any graphical improvement at all you should load them on a decent PC running Dolphin emulator. Look that up too.

[Venoxn4g]

GC games may be upscaed, because they wont be running on bakwards compatibility, but Wii games wont be upscaled.. but I hope that Ninty will make something about that in a future, maybe with update, but I would say its a small chance,but you never know

[Zhipp]

I've heard nothing about GC titles not being upscaled, only that Wii titles won't be. It wouldn't really make sense for Gamecube games, or any other digital VC titles for that matter, to not be upscaled.

[Relientk77]

Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker and Skies of Arcadia

[xflo360]

Agreed and f zero gx please! that game was insane!

[vork77]

i have a cube controller and if this happens i be happy

[ChickeyCantor]

you can't use gamecube controlles because there are no gamecube ports.

[vork77]

oh? then i will just use the classic controller

[fourtwenty2009]

Paying for content you probably already own or once rented with no improvements i.e. HD Remastering? No thanks.

I'll play it for free in 1080p using the Dolphin Emulator for PC. I already played through Wind Waker and it was AMAZING. I feel bad for all the families and people that will pay for and play these games in 480i/p, it looks terrible on HDTV, and it doesn't have to be this way; technology has advanced in the decade since Gamecube to make these games look better -- a lot better. It's sad that Nintendo will charge consumers money without giving them that extra value. No upscaling/remastering, NO THANKS. I'll keep playing 1080p Gamecube/Wii games in Dolphin. Better and free.

Wind Waker in 1080p (ONLY on Dolphin Emulator)
http://www.youtube.com/watc...

Mario Sunshine in 1080p (ONLY on Dolphin Emulator)
http://www.youtube.com/watc...

Tales of Symphonia in 1080p (ONLY on Dolphin Emulator)
http://www.youtube.com/watc...

Luigi's Mansion in 1080p (ONLY on Dolphin Emulator)
http://www.youtube.com/watc...

These are experiences with Nintendo games you can't get visually on any Nintendo console, and a decade later that is just sad. I won't support paying for these lazy eShop VC cash-ins. If people don't demand better, Nintendo has no incentive to do better.

Read about it:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wik... _(emulator)

[ChickeyCantor]

" Paying for content you probably already own or once rented with no improvements i.e. HD Remastering? No thanks. "

" I'll play it for free in 1080p using the Dolphin Emulator for PC"

When you say " playing for free" do you mean you don't actually own a copy? Then who are you to complain about ownership and payments?

[Baka-akaB]

Yeah playing on the emu doesnt absolve you from at least owning those games , instead of being a cheapskate .

I can only agree to not wanting to rbuy the same games twice with no worthwile additions

[Qrphe]

You can't really blame him too much though. Some of these games are hard to find and are still expensive. It's not like the developers would see any profit from game resells anyhow.

[Baka-akaB]

Except we dont know wich games he plays or likes , so no for all we know he might actually still have access to them .

The stuff he mentioned so far isnt hard to find or expensive

That excuse doesnt fly for wii games anyway

[josephayal]

Mario Sunchine in Full 1080p

[fourtwenty2009]

don't hold your breath. Nintendo's Wii U does no upscaling of Wii/GC content, and 'virtual console' sort of implies you'll be getting the Gamecube console experience, virtually, i.e. 480i/480p.

I wish Nintendo would do some HD Remasters, but I don't think that's in the cards any time soon. At least right now and for the forseeable future the only way to play GC/Wii titles in 1080p is using Dolphin emulator for PC.

[PopRocks359]

"I wish Nintendo would do some HD Remasters"

So I take it you completely ignored Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D and Star Fox 64 3D?

[StanSmith]

There will be some sort of upscaling on the Virtual Console. If they didn't then Wii/GC/N64/Snes/Nes games will just be little boxes in the middle of your screen due to WiiU's increased resolution.

[FinalomegaS]

i can't take this as a rumor since we know the ability to play GCN disc on the WiiU won't be possible...

There should be a method we could prove we own the original and get a free download. (if the games aren't upgraded in anyway) but if they are then i guess it's ok (widescreen and upscalled res)

[FlairSomewhere]

Granted, I never owned a GameCube, but I wonder if they could somehow involve Club-Nintendo (if that was even around in the days of GameCube). Because you basically locked your disc to an account with a product key. It could be proof that you had an original copy, and not a discounted used one?

[FinalomegaS]

good idea.

[deafdani]

Well, this sounds like they would be straight up ports, without any upgrades of any kind, just like virtual console games for the Wii.

If that's the case, I hope Nintendo at least consider to make a few HD releases, like Sony did with some PS2 games for the PS3. I would love to see a Wind Waker Wii U edition with full HD graphics, widescreen, and gamepad features (using it for maps and inventory, as well as making it double for a Tingle Tuner, it's a no brainer).

It would look gorgeous.

[GameLord08]

Paper Mario: The Thousand Year Door, The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker and Kirby Air Ride. Who's with me?

I'd like to see the Wii U be able to provide the option to upscale the original GameCube graphics to HD (Wind Waker HD, anyone?), but I don't really feel it's essential.

[ConstipatedGorilla]

"Sources tell us that while the Nintendo Wii U will not offer backward compatibility to play GameCube titles, apparently Nintendo is planning for key GameCube titles to be offered via the Nintendo Virtual Console store on the Wii U."

Duh... of course they will! That was the whole point of removing the backward compatibility - so they could charge for them again.

[PygmelionHunter]

I hope these games are priced reasonably, specially if they don't render at a higher resolution.

[Jadedz]

No Eternal Darkness recommendations? Smh -_-

[GameLord08]

Holy crap, good catch! Can't believe even I forgot that one.

[mdkgod43]

WAVE RACE!!!!!!!

[Nevers0ft]

I don't get why this is "news" - shouldn't we just assume Gamecube games will be available for the Wii U? Think about it, it's backward compatible with the Wii and (in essence) the Wii is a pair of Gamecubes on steroids... So assuming the Wii backward compatibility is done via hardware and not software emulation, I don't see why it couldn't handle Gamecube games in a similar way.

[PygmelionHunter]

Because the 3DS doesn't have GBA games available for download, even though early buyers got some of them for free with the ambassador program, so hardware emulation IS indeed possible.

[Master of Unlocking]

But at least the Wii U is backwards compatible with the Wii games, right?

[Knushwood Butt]

Let me know when they announce Killer 7.