Wii U Virtual Console Expected To Launch This April

Nintendo has announced that the Wii U will get its own Virtual Console later this year.

The company said that gamers can expected the service to launch sometime this April. However, fans shouldn’t expect an overwhelming amount of content when Virtual Console goes live. According to IGN, Nintendo is only initially releasing a handful of NES and SNES titles.

Pricing for these games will be similar to the Wii Virtual Console. Players looking to download a game previously released for the NES can expected to pay between $4.99 and $5.99 per title. SNES games will run around $7.99 and $8.99 depending on the title.

Those who purchased games through the Wii Virtual Console will have to purchase the games all over again. However, Nintendo said they are offering discounts to these individuals if they agree to transfer the game from the Wii to the Wii U.

Kotaku reports that this morning’s Nintendo Direct also included news regarding the 30th anniversary of the Nintendo Entertainment System. The company intends to release a handful of iconic games for the Wii U that can be downloaded on the cheap.

Gamers who fondly remember Balloon Fight can now download the title for approximately 30 cents. In the coming months, Nintendo fans will have the opportunity to snag F-Zero, Punch-Out Featuring Mr. Dream, Kirby’s Adventure, Super Metroid, Yoshi, and Donkey Kong.

The company also announced that upcoming OS updates will reportedly decrease loading times when traveling between menus. Nintendo explained that these changes should be implemented this spring and this summer.

According to VG247, a quick look through the Nintendo Direct source code revealed something called “Nintendo Gamecube.” This has lead some to believe that the company intends to offer Gamecube titles for download at some point in the near future.

Do you own a Nintendo Wii U? Are you excited about the launch of the Virtual Console?