Unlike the Wii, the Wii U will not be compatible with the GameCube software or controllers. You won't be able to play your GameCube games... does this means that the GameCube is dead on the Wii U?

NoA Amber McCollom disclosed during an interview that Wii U is capable of downloading titles from the old system.

NG: I noticed on backwards compatibility at the press conference that the GameCube was missing.  Why is this?

AM: You know it’s interesting that you bring up backwards compatibility and Nintendo’s history usually goes back one system.  The Wii was compatible with GameCube and Wii U will be compatible with Wii and that’s pretty traditional in launches from Nintendo.

NG: So the Wii U will not support the discs or accessories?

AM: Actually the GameCube discs will not be compatible with Wii U, but a number of the games that were playable on GameCube can be downloaded from WiiWare.

Source

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She mentions WiiWare, I'm sure she means an online game service like the VC. But is this true? There must be a way to to play GC games on the Wii U, and I'm sure they will go the download route (+ adding Dreamcast, Saturn, etc to the VC XD)

Now unto the controllers. People could simply use the CC or U controller to play these titles. Still Nintendo could release Wavebirds or simply some GC-to-remote adapters to please its fans.

That would be great! I could play Mario Sunshine and Wind Waker again and try a few others aswell!

will be good for people who sold or broke their games/consoles but for me i have everything working and in great shape so i won't be needing this unless there is a game that i missed.

Could be useful to pick up GC games i never got on the system itself, though my GC collection is fairly extensive, barring the fact that i missed both Pikmin games, Paper Mario, Baten Kaitos, and StarFox Adventures

I'll keep my GC around for the games i own physically, though

Yeah I thought something like this would happen, VC games on wii like SNES, NES,N64 ect, and now GC games on Wii U, makes sense.

If it ups the cost of the system then no thanks.

Yeah, if the rate of release is the same as it is now, you can expect to get Eternal Darkness in what, 5 or 6 years ?

The thing is, it's pretty sure they don't bother to add functionalities, so don't dream for a SSBM online.

I can't wait for BK Origins to show up on one of the Hanobi festivals if this is true

I sure hope that they don't hold back and bring us EVERY Gamecube game, opposed to less then 25 N64 games.

This is good news,but, not great. I think they're going to be $15-$20 a game, I'll probably pass on that.