Wii U Virtual Console To Launch Next Week

The Wii U Virtual Console is finally scheduled to arrive in North America.

Those who have been waiting patiently for Nintendo to unveil the feature will be able to indulge in a few titles beginning next week. The Virtual Console will be added as part of the Wii U’s spring firmware update.

Nintendo CEO Satoru Iwata explained that a handful of games will be available to players when the Virtual Console launches next week. Included in the first batch of titles are F-Zero, Balloon Fight, Donkey Kong Jr., Excitebike, Punch Out, Super Mario World, Ice Climber, and Kirby’s Adventure.

Iwata also stated that Wii U owners will be able to play Virtual Console games on their TVs or the machine’s GamePad.

Although the announcement is certainly good news for those individuals who have been patiently awaiting the feature since the Wii U hit retail shelves last year, many are extremely excited about the pending arrival of the classic SNES game Earthbound.

The beloved 1995 role-playing game is expected to arrive in North America and Europe later this year. The lack of a proper release date is a little disappointing, but it’s nice to know that the game will finally make its way to the Virtual Console before the year is up.

In addition to the titles already listed, the Wii U Virtual Console is also getting a brand new game this summer. Game & Wario will be available at retail and on the eShop beginning June 23.

While the Virtual Console will initially be limited to only NES and SNES games at launch, Iwata stated that Game Boy Advance and Nintendo 64 title will be available at some point down the road. A specific timetable has not been released as of this writing.

Do you own a Nintendo Wii U? Are you excited that the Virtual Console is finally scheduled to arrive at some point next week?