This is a list of Virtual Console games that were available on Wii U in North America.
These releases take advantage of the console's unique features, such as Off TV Play with the Wii U GamePad and posting to Miiverse. Some of these games were also available on the Wii Virtual Console, which can be played through Wii U's Wii Mode, but these legacy versions lack some features of the Wii U Virtual Console. While Wii Virtual Console titles cannot be played using the Wii U GamePad's controls, a September 2013 system update enabled the use of the GamePad's screen as a display. While some Wii games were also available for download from the Wii U eShop, these are not designated as Virtual Console releases and lack Virtual Console features.
The list is sorted by system and in the order in which they were added in Nintendo eShop for Wii U. To sort by other columns, click the corresponding icon in the header row.
As of March 27, 2023, it is no longer possible to purchase any Virtual Console games due to the closure of the Wii U eShop. However, customers can redownload games they have previously purchased. [1]
The following is a list of the 318 games that were available as Virtual Console titles for the Wii U in North America, [2] sorted by system and in the order they were added in Nintendo eShop. To sort by other columns, click the corresponding icon in the header row.
These titles were originally released for use on the Nintendo Entertainment System, which was launched in 1985.
There were 94 games available to purchase at the time of the Wii U eShop's closure. [2]
These titles were originally released for use on the Super Nintendo Entertainment System, which was launched in 1991. There were 51 games available to purchase at the time of the Wii U eShop's closure. [2]
These titles were originally released for use on the Nintendo 64, which was launched in 1996.
There were 21 games available to purchase at the time of the Wii U eShop's closure. [2]
These titles were originally released for use on the Game Boy Advance (GBA), which was launched in 2001.
There were 74 games available to purchase at the time of the Wii U eShop's closure. [2]
These titles were originally released for use on the Nintendo DS, which was launched in 2004. There were 31 games available to purchase at the time of the Wii U eShop's closure. [2] All games on the list are published by Nintendo. [3]
These titles were originally released for use on the TurboGrafx-16, which was launched in 1989. There were 40 games available to purchase, of which 33 were available at the time of the Wii U eShop's closure. [2] All games on the list are published by Konami. [5]
The TurboGrafx-16, known as the PC Engine outside North America, is a home video game console designed by Hudson Soft and sold by NEC Home Electronics. It was the first console marketed in the fourth generation, commonly known as the 16-bit era, though the console has an 8-bit central processing unit (CPU) coupled with a 16-bit graphics processor. It was released in Japan in 1987 and in North America in 1989. In Europe the Japanese model was unofficially imported and distributed in the United Kingdom and France from 1988. In Japan, the system was launched as a competitor to the Famicom, but the delayed United States release meant that it ended up competing with the Sega Genesis and later the Super NES.
Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection is a defunct online multiplayer gaming service run by Nintendo that formerly provided free online play in compatible Nintendo DS and Wii games. The service included the company's Wii Shop Channel and DSi Shop game download services. It also ran features for the Wii and Nintendo DS systems.
The Virtual Console is a defunct line of downloadable video games for Nintendo's Wii and Wii U home video game consoles and the Nintendo 3DS family of systems.
Jaseiken Necromancer is a 1988 role-playing video game by Hudson Soft for the PC Engine. The game has never been officially translated into English despite becoming available as a downloadable purchase in United States and Europe.
The Wii Shop Channel is a discontinued digital distribution service for the Wii video game console. The service allowed users to purchase and play additional software for the Wii, including exclusive games, and games from prior generations of video games. The Wii Shop Channel launched on November 19, 2006, and ceased operations on January 30, 2019.
WiiWare was a service that allowed Wii users to download games and applications specifically designed and developed for the Wii video game console made by Nintendo. These games and applications could only be purchased and downloaded from the Wii Shop Channel under the WiiWare section. Once the user had downloaded the game or application, it would appear in their Wii Menu or SD Card Menu as a new channel. WiiWare was a companion to the Virtual Console, which specializes in emulated games originally developed for other systems instead of original games.
The Wii system software is a discontinued set of updatable firmware versions and a software frontend on the Wii home video game console. Updates, which could be downloaded over the Internet or read from a game disc, allowed Nintendo to add additional features and software, as well as to patch security vulnerabilities used by users to load homebrew software. When a new update became available, Nintendo sent a message to the Wii Message Board of Internet-connected systems notifying them of the available update.
The Wii U is a home video game console developed by Nintendo as the successor to the Wii. Released in late 2012, it is the first eighth-generation video game console and competed with Microsoft's Xbox One and Sony's PlayStation 4.
The Nintendo eShop is a digital distribution service for the Nintendo Switch, and formerly available via the Nintendo Network for the Wii U and Nintendo 3DS. The Nintendo eShop was first launched in June 2011 on the Nintendo 3DS via a system update that added the functionality to the HOME Menu. It is the successor to both the Wii Shop Channel and DSi Shop. Unlike on the Nintendo 3DS, the eShop was made available on the launch date of the Wii U, although a system update is required in order to access it. It is also a multitasking application, which means it is easily accessible even when a game is already running in the background through the system software, though this feature is exclusive to the Wii U and the Nintendo Switch. The Nintendo eShop features downloadable games, demos, applications, streaming videos, consumer rating feedback, and other information on upcoming game releases.
The Nintendo Network was an online service formerly ran by Nintendo that provided free online functionality for the Nintendo 3DS and Wii U systems and their compatible games. Announced on January 26, 2012, at an investors' conference, it was Nintendo's second online service after Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection. Former president of Nintendo Satoru Iwata said, "Unlike Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection, which has been focused upon specific functionalities and concepts, we are aiming to establish a platform where various services available through the network for our consumers shall be connected via Nintendo Network service so that the company can make comprehensive proposals to consumers."
The Wii U operating system also known internally as Cafe OS is the official firmware version and system software for the Nintendo's Wii U home video game console. Nintendo maintains the Wii U's systemwide features and applications by offering system software updates via the Internet. Updates are optional to each console owner, but may be required in order to retain interoperability with Nintendo's online services. Each update is cumulative, including all changes from previous updates.