Retro Gaming Australia

In January’s Nintendo Direct video conference earlier in the week, Nintendo detailed their plans for the Wii U version of the Virtual Console service.

The Virtual Console service will launch on Wii U after the Spring (our Autumn) update. Initially only games for the NES and SNES will be released, but plans were announced for the Game Boy Advance to join the line up in the future. Titles are being re-coded for the Wii U VC, with new features like save states being added.

However, the downside of that is that you’re going to have to buy the games again. Nintendo did announce a program whereby you’ll be able to get a discount on the Wii U version of a VC title if you’d bought it on the Wii – which is a better outcome than most expected. For the US, it ends up that you’ll be able to convert to the Wii U versions for $1 for NES games and $1.50 for SNES games. No word on local pricing.

In addition to being able to play on the Wii U GamePad, Wii U VC titles will support the Classic Controller and Pro Controller. Apparently VC titles will be among the first two support two Wii U GamePads.

To whet your appetite, Nintendo are releasing a game a month at a heavily discounted price. Balloon Fight is the first game up, and it’s just 30 cents. That’s cheaper than a McDonald’s cone! F-Zero will follow in February, Punch-Out!! in March, Kirby’s Adventure in April, Super Metroid in May, Mario & Yoshi in June and Donkey Kong in August.