Wii U doesn't play GameCube games [Joystiq]

[DP ServBot]

Terrible news for fans of Aquaman: Battle for Atlantis who thought the Xbox version was missing a certain something. A Nintendo spokesperson recently told Giant Bomb that the company's upcoming Wii U console won't be able to play GameCube discs like its predecessor.

It's kind of a disappointment. GameCube support on the Wii was like a charming, nursing-home-bound grandma. No, we never really visited her, but we liked knowing she was alive.

Basically what we're saying is that Nintendo killed your grandma.Wii U doesn't play GameCube games originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 08 Jun 2011 21:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.




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[HappehLemons]

I always used the BC on the Wii to play Gamecube games. I actually used my Wii for Gamecube games more then I did for Wii games. It supported component cables, and a lot of games looks fantastic with progressive scan

[Swamperon]

I'm still not totally sold on that design... I expected a bit more than a Wii with rounded corners. Still, there's time for it to change.

It's a shame about the lack of GC BC but not a huge issue, beyond some dedicated Nintendo fans and us collectors no one is going to be affected. I'd be amazed if GC games are not added to the VC.

If only all Wii saves were transferable then I could box up my Wii and get out my GC.

[Kitsune Sniper]

... But it'll still have backwards compatibility with the Wii, right?

[Orion Pimpdaddy]

If it were BC with the Gamecube, it would add to the cost. Actually, I'd prefer it not to be BC with the Wii. Everyone already has a Wii.

[Icarus Moonsight]

... But it'll still have backwards compatibility with the Wii, right?

Software and controllers - All.

Was there ever a system that fully supported BC back 2 cycles (say PS3 and I'll bite you through the internet! I swear!)? Would have been groundbreaking, but probably not worth the effort or expense at all.

[kupomogli]

Software and controllers - All.

Was there ever a system that fully supported BC back 2 cycles

Aside from the PS3, yes. Two.

The Sega Genesis, although you had to buy the two separate additions for it to play the other consoles.

The GBA and GBA Player. GBA, GBC, and GB.

I guess I'm not too upset with no Gamecube bc as I only own 12 games for the system. Except all 12 are some of the best games, if not the best games, on the system.

[Kitsune Sniper]

Some of the better Gamecube games got rereleased for the Wii anyway.

But it still sucks for those gems that didn't. Ah well.

[buzz_n64]

The Sega Genesis, although you had to buy the two separate additions for it to play the other consoles.

There are three separate additions I can think of. The power base converter to play Master System games, the Sega CD to play Sega CD games, and the 32X.

[MrNelson]

I've still got my Cube, so the lack of support doesn't bother me. What does bother me is that I'll have to get used to a new controller for the next Smash Bros. Hopefully Nintendo will release some kind of Classic Controller modeled after the Gamecube one.

It's a longshot, but a man can dream

[Kitsune Sniper]

There are three separate additions I can think of. The power base converter to play Master System games, the Sega CD to play Sega CD games, and the 32X.

... But the Sega CD and 32X were -forward- compatibility add-ons. Not backwards compatibility. I don't think that counts...

[Flashback2012]

... But the Sega CD and 32X were -forward- compatibility add-ons. Not backwards compatibility. I don't think that counts...

It shouldn't.

I think what kupo was getting at was the PBC allowed the SMS games to be played on the Genesis in both cart and card form. The carts were from the SMS/Mark III while the cards were from the SG-1000/SC-3000. The latter was released prior to the SMS/Mark III so it counts as another generation technically.

As for the topic at hand, I'm not the least bit surprised GC BC didn't make it into the Wii U. I have to wonder though if the hardware architecture allows for more seamless emulation of GC games should they add an option for them on the VC. Isn't the Wii essentially a souped up GC of sorts? Maybe the box isn't designed to handle GC accessories but I can't imagine it'd be too much work on their part to re-work things like memory card saves to work with SD cards instead of dedicated memory cards. Additionally, the games that had GBA support they could finagle to work with the Wii U controller to perform essentially the same functions. Even still, the classic controller should be able to map all of the buttons from the GC controller and if that doesn't fly, what's to stop them from releasing a classic controller shaped like the Wavebird?

[Nebagram]

I'm not too disappointed, tbh I didn't really expect the Wii U to have double backward compatibility. Just another excuse to dust off my old cube.

[BetaWolf47]

Um, folks, the Power Base Converter isn't 100% compatible with all Master System games. There's one plane combat game that doesn't work.

Also, this news is no surprise. With the sole exception of GBA, no Nintendo system has ever been backwards compatible with a system two generations old. By the way, this also means no GameCube controllers on Brawl. Keep your original Wiis, folks.

[Kellhus]

I read the topic and thought to myself, "oh".

[Zap!]

Aside from the PS3, yes. Two.

The Sega Genesis, although you had to buy the two separate additions for it to play the other consoles.

The GBA and GBA Player. GBA, GBC, and GB.

I guess I'm not too upset with no Gamecube bc as I only own 12 games for the system. Except all 12 are some of the best games, if not the best games, on the system.

I wouldn't count the Genesis, because he asked about a system playing two previous generations. Genesis just did Sega Master System games in that respect.

[Lerxstnj]

I thought it might be BC, but not too disappointed. I enjoy my Gamecubes and they'll likely be my last Nintendo. I am still quite happy with my decision to skip over the Wii and looks like I'll do the same with Wii-U.

[Belmont008]

Honestly I figured if it was backwards compatible with the wii then it would be backwards compatible with GCN since they are near identical hardware.

[calthaer]

The GameCube had a lot of quality and innovative titles, in spite of the fact that it was the underdog for its generation. Metroid Prime, Pac Man Vs., Zelda Four Swords, Animal Crossing, Pikmin, Viewtiful Joe were there - it had a lot of real winners. There were also solid multi-platform releases (LEGO Star Wars, Resident Evil, Killer 7, Beyond Good & Evil), updates of popular franchises (Super Smash Bros, Paper Mario, Zelda, F-Zero), and re-releases / remakes of classics (Metal Gear Solid, Sonic Adventure DX, Ikaruga, and the various "collections" of old-school games). And then, as has been mentioned, you could go with GBA / GBC / GB games on the big screen if you had the GBA player (which, I must say, rocks...why no NDS player for the Wii yet?).

It's understandable that Nintendo wouldn't want to include backwards compatibility with a ten-year-old system, but...it kind of seems to me that there's a lot more shovelware on the Wii than there are good titles. I'm hard-pressed to name more than ten titles on the Wii that I have that I consider "must-haves," that I would have to keep in my collection. I know I own - and enjoy - more GCN titles than I do Wii titles. I'd almost prefer that they skip Wii compatibility and go for GCN.

[Gameguy]

The Atari 7800 could play 2600 games, that was two generations old at the time.

Still not really a big deal. Did people really complain about the N64 not playing NES or SNES games?