Skip to main content
GamesRadar+ GamesRadar+
US EditionUS CA EditionCanada UK EditionUK AU EditionAustralia
Sign in
  • View Profile
  • Sign out
  • Games
    • Game Insights
      • Games News
      • Games Features
      • Games Reviews
      • Games Guides
      • Big in 2026
      • The Big Preview
      • On The Radar
      • Indie Spotlight
      • Future Games Show
      • Golden Joystick Awards
    • Genres
      • Action Games
      • RPGs
      • Action RPGs
      • Adventure Games
      • Third Person Shooters
      • FPS Games
    • Platforms
      • PS5
      • Xbox Series X
      • PC
      • Nintendo Switch
      • Nintendo Switch 2
      • Tabletop Gaming
    • Franchises
      • Grand Theft Auto
      • Pokemon
      • Assassin's Creed
      • Monster Hunter
      • Fortnite
      • Cyberpunk
      • Red Dead
      • The Elder Scrolls
      • The Sims
  • Entertainment
    • TV Shows
      • TV News
      • TV Reviews
      • Anime Shows
      • Sci-Fi Shows
      • Superhero Shows
      • Animated Shows
      • Marvel TV Shows
      • Star Wars TV Shows
      • DC TV Shows
    • Movies
      • Movie News
      • Movie Reviews
      • Big Screen Spotlight
      • Superhero Movies
      • Action Movies
      • Anime Movies
      • Sci-Fi Movies
      • Horror Movies
      • Marvel Movies
      • DC Movies
    • Streaming
      • Apple TV Plus
      • Disney Plus
      • Netflix
      • HBO
      • Amazon Prime Video
      • Hulu
    • Comics
      • Marvel Comics
      • DC Comics
    • Toys & Collectibles
    • Lego
    • Dungeons and Dragons
    • Merch
  • Hardware
    • Insights
      • Hardware News
      • Hardware Reviews
      • Hardware Features
    • Computing
      • Desktop PCs
      • Laptops
      • Handhelds
    • Peripherals
      • Headsets & Headphones
      • TVs & Monitors
      • Gaming Mice
      • Gaming Keyboards
      • Gaming Chairs
      • Speakers & Audio
    • Accessories & Tech
      • Gaming Controllers
      • Tech
      • SSDs & Hard Drives
      • VR
      • Accessories
      • Retro
  • Deals
    • Game Deals
    • Tech Deals
    • TV Deals
    • Buying Guides
  • Video
  • Newsletters
    • Quizzes
    • About Us
    • How to pitch to us
    • How we score
    • Newsarama
    • Retro Gamer
    • Total Film
  • home
  • Games
    • View Games
      • Games News
      • Games Features
      • Games Reviews
      • Games Guides
      • Big in 2026
      • The Big Preview
      • On The Radar
      • Indie Spotlight
      • Future Games Show
      • Golden Joystick Awards
      • Action Games
      • RPGs
      • Action RPGs
      • Adventure Games
      • Third Person Shooters
      • FPS Games
    • Platforms
      • View Platforms
      • PS5
      • Xbox Series X
      • PC
      • Nintendo Switch
      • Nintendo Switch 2
      • Tabletop Gaming
      • Grand Theft Auto
      • Pokemon
      • Assassin's Creed
      • Monster Hunter
      • Fortnite
      • Cyberpunk
      • Red Dead
      • The Elder Scrolls
      • The Sims
  • Entertainment
    • View Entertainment
    • TV Shows
      • View TV Shows
      • TV News
      • TV Reviews
      • Anime Shows
      • Sci-Fi Shows
      • Superhero Shows
      • Animated Shows
      • Marvel TV Shows
      • Star Wars TV Shows
      • DC TV Shows
    • Movies
      • View Movies
      • Movie News
      • Movie Reviews
      • Big Screen Spotlight
      • Superhero Movies
      • Action Movies
      • Anime Movies
      • Sci-Fi Movies
      • Horror Movies
      • Marvel Movies
      • DC Movies
    • Streaming
      • View Streaming
      • Apple TV Plus
      • Disney Plus
      • Netflix
      • HBO
      • Amazon Prime Video
      • Hulu
    • Comics
      • View Comics
      • Marvel Comics
      • DC Comics
    • Toys & Collectibles
    • Lego
    • Dungeons and Dragons
    • Merch
  • Hardware
    • View Hardware
      • Hardware News
      • Hardware Reviews
      • Hardware Features
      • Desktop PCs
      • Laptops
      • Handhelds
    • Peripherals
      • View Peripherals
      • Headsets & Headphones
      • TVs & Monitors
      • Gaming Mice
      • Gaming Keyboards
      • Gaming Chairs
      • Speakers & Audio
      • Gaming Controllers
      • Tech
      • SSDs & Hard Drives
      • VR
      • Accessories
      • Retro
  • Deals
    • View Deals
    • Game Deals
    • Tech Deals
    • TV Deals
    • Buying Guides
  • Video
  • Newsletters
    • Quizzes
    • About Us
    • How to pitch to us
    • How we score
    • Newsarama
    • Retro Gamer
    • Total Film
Trending
  • Pokemon Winds and Waves
  • New Games for 2026
  • GamesRadar+ Replay
  • Mario Day deals
Don't miss these
Close up of PS1 console on woodgrain TV bench next to OSSC with Sir Dan MediEvil figure on top.
Retro If Sony thinks surge pricing won't prompt me to shun new-gen consoles and go back to the PS1, it should think again
Upcoming Switch 2 games banner image showing a figure holding out their hand from Fire Emblem Fortune's Weave, Yoshi from Yoshi and the Mysterious Book, Ditto in human form with Bulbasaur, Charmander, Squirtle, Scyther, Timburr in Pokopia, and Mario from Mario Tennis Fever
Nintendo Switch 2 Upcoming Switch 2 games: New Nintendo Switch 2 games for 2026 and beyond
Evercade Alpha closeup with Ryu from Street Fighter on screen
Retro Best retro consoles 2026: my favorite ways to play classic capers
Original GameCube with Blueretro Wireless Adapter in port next to Sony PVM CRT with hand holding Switch 2 GameCube controller in front.
Retro I've finally found a way to use the Switch 2 GameCube controller with an actual GameCube
Four pictures of games from our selection of the best Switch 2 games list, showing Donkey Kong, Cloud from Final Fantasy, Mario and Luigi, and three starter Pokemon.
Games The 20 best Switch 2 games to play in 2026
Photo of hand holding Game Boy Jukebox next to sad Ditto plush.
Retro I'd probably enjoy the Game Boy Jukebox more if Nintendo released a proper retro handheld remake first
Mario Kart World screenshot Switch 2
Super Mario Mario Kart World content update seemingly leaked by Nintendo itself, players think a fan-favorite mode is returning
Animal Crossing: New Horizons screenshot of cat villager Punchy cooking with a pan
Games The best Switch exclusives to make sure you have in your library
The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker
Games The 25 best GameCube games of all time
Nintendo Switch 2 console on a stand against a red background
Games Nintendo doesn't want Switch 2 eShop to "become a giant slop fest," New Blood CEO claims
An inkling with orange hair in Splatoon on Wii U using a splat gun to cover the stage with orange paint
Games The 25 best Wii U games of all time
Best Wii games: The Legend of Zelda Skyward Sword screenshot.
Games 25 Best Wii Games of All Time, Ranked
Modder RetroOnxy using Virtual Boy wireless controller with Switch to play Switch Online games with stereoscopic 3D image on screen.
Retro You can now use an OG Virtual Boy controller wirelessly with the Switch, and I'm hoping it inspires Nintendo to create its own new pad
Leon Kennedy, wearing a black leather jacket, checks his watch in a hospital waiting room in Resident Evil Requiem
Resident Evil I own 23 Resident Evil figurines, and I'd still rather buy Requiem's amiibos instead of a $300 statue
Lugia in Pokemon XD Gale of Darkness
Pokemon Pokemon XD: Gale of Darkness is coming to Nintendo Switch Online next month, but there's no sign of Colosseum yet
  1. Games
  2. Action
  3. The Legend of Zelda
  4. Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker

Rumor: Wii U to offer downloadable GameCube games?

News
By Henry Gilbert published 21 July 2011

Wii U won't play your GC games, but that doesn't mean you can't pay to download them

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

  • Facebook
  • X
  • Pinterest
  • Flipboard
  • Email
Share this article
Join the conversation
Follow us
Add us as a preferred source on Google
Get the GamesRadar+ Newsletter

Weekly digests, tales from the communities you love, and more


By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

You are now subscribed

Your newsletter sign-up was successful


Want to add more newsletters?

GamesRadar+

Every Friday

GamesRadar+

Your weekly update on everything you could ever want to know about the games you already love, games we know you're going to love in the near future, and tales from the communities that surround them.

GTA 6 O'clock

Every Thursday

GTA 6 O'clock

Our special GTA 6 newsletter, with breaking news, insider info, and rumor analysis from the award-winning GTA 6 O'clock experts.

Knowledge

Every Friday

Knowledge

From the creators of Edge: A weekly videogame industry newsletter with analysis from expert writers, guidance from professionals, and insight into what's on the horizon.

The Setup

Every Thursday

The Setup

Hardware nerds unite, sign up to our free tech newsletter for a weekly digest of the hottest new tech, the latest gadgets on the test bench, and much more.

Switch 2 Spotlight

Every Wednesday

Switch 2 Spotlight

Sign up to our new Switch 2 newsletter, where we bring you the latest talking points on Nintendo's new console each week, bring you up to date on the news, and recommend what games to play.

The Watchlist

Every Saturday

The Watchlist

Subscribe for a weekly digest of the movie and TV news that matters, direct to your inbox. From first-look trailers, interviews, reviews and explainers, we've got you covered.

SFX

Once a month

SFX

Get sneak previews, exclusive competitions and details of special events each month!


An account already exists for this email address, please log in.
Subscribe to our newsletter

A very small collection of people were probably let down to find out that Wii U, while backwards compatible with the original Wii, won%26rsquo;t play GameCube games. While we bet the majority of Wii owners didn%26rsquo;t even know they could play games from the purple lunch box%26rsquo;s mini discs, but it%26rsquo;s always sad to hear a system losing features. Though don%26rsquo;t consider the Cube dead yet, as a recent interview suggests that you%26rsquo;ll be able to download GC games to the Wii U%26hellip; for a price.


Above: May we suggest a game to launch the service?

In an interview with NintendoGal, Nintendo exec Amber McCollum was asked to comment on Wii U%26rsquo;s GC snub. Amber had this choice quote:

You may like
  • An inkling with orange hair in Splatoon on Wii U using a splat gun to cover the stage with orange paint The 25 best Wii U games of all time
  • Pikmin 2 HD Hopes for Metroid Prime 2 Remastered seemingly dashed as Walmart apparently leaks it and stone-cold classic Pikmin 2 for Nintendo Switch Online's GameCube library
  • The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker The 25 best GameCube games of all time

%26ldquo;%26hellip; Nintendo%26rsquo;s history usually goes back one system. The Wii was compatible with GameCube and Wii U will be compatible with Wii and that%26rsquo;s pretty traditional in launches from Nintendo%26hellip; 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.%26rdquo;


Above: May we suggest another?

It seems very natural for Nintendo to expand its successful Virtual Console business on its next console, though this possibility, which Nintendo has yet to confirm, asks several questions. Will the controls transfer well to the Wii U%26rsquo;s innovative tablet, or will we need to keep our Classic Controller Pros handy? And what about size limits? GameCube games take up a good deal more space than your standard Nintendo download of a WiiWare or N64 game, are Wii U%26rsquo;s storage options up to the task? Will Nintendo milk the releases like it did on Wii%26rsquo;s VC or give us a healthy smattering of quality titles like Mario Sunshine, Resident Evil 4, and F-Zero GX right off the bat? Most importantly, which GC games do you want to see downloadable first?

Jul 20, 2011

Sign up to the GamesRadar+ Newsletter

Weekly digests, tales from the communities you love, and more

By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.
CATEGORIES
Nintendo Wii-u Platforms
Henry Gilbert
Henry Gilbert
Social Links Navigation

Henry Gilbert is a former GamesRadar+ Editor, having spent seven years at the site helping to navigate our readers through the PS3 and Xbox 360 generation. Henry is now following another passion of his besides video games, working as the producer and podcast cohost of the popular Talking Simpsons and What a Cartoon podcasts. 

Read more
An inkling with orange hair in Splatoon on Wii U using a splat gun to cover the stage with orange paint
The 25 best Wii U games of all time
 
 
Pikmin 2 HD
Hopes for Metroid Prime 2 Remastered seemingly dashed as Walmart apparently leaks it and stone-cold classic Pikmin 2 for Nintendo Switch Online's GameCube library
 
 
The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker
The 25 best GameCube games of all time
 
 
Twilight Princess GameCube screenshot of Link facing an enemy with sword and shield drawn
Don't get too excited over Nintendo's mysterious "Nintendo Switch 2: Wii Remote" page – it's probably just a glitch
 
 
Holding the Nintendo Switch 2
Metroid Prime 2 and Pikmin 2 aren't coming to Nintendo Switch 2 Online after all, if you believe Nintendo
 
 
Retro Fighters GameCube Battle Dock with hands lowering Switch 2 onto docking station.
This Switch 2 dock will soon make my evil plan to turn everyone's handheld into a GameCube a reality
 
 
Latest in The Legend of Zelda
Screenshot from Ratcheteer DX, showing a GBC-style cave with four pixelated characters finding warmth around a fire.
The Legend of Zelda-esque game mimics the GameBoy to GameBoy Color transition, goes from retro handheld to PC and Switch
 
 
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild blood moon in a red sky
A total lunar eclipse will cause a real blood moon tonight, exactly 9 years after Zelda: Breath of the Wild's blood moon
 
 
A scene in The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess HD on the Wii U showing Link talking to Midna before the Triforce
Princess Zelda actor "started practicing" Twilight Princess' Hylian language "over coffee" and is now fluent
 
 
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom
Sorry, ZeLink shippers, Zelda actor still thinks the 40-year-old pairing is better left "ambiguous"
 
 
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
The Legend of Zelda actor would love to see Ocarina of Time remade in Breath of the Wild's engine: "What's not to love?"
 
 
The Legend of Zelda Skyward Sword screenshot
Challenges in emulating Zelda titles demonstrates the series' knack for reinvention
 
 
Latest in News
Elsa Bloodshot in Marvel Rivals
Marvel Rivals devs felt "panic" at the thought of going into the live-service graveyard that just claimed Highguard
 
 
Palworld Pal with shocked expression
"I wouldn't rule out a Palworld 2.0," says Pocketpair publishing head, but don't expect a "No Man's Sky situation"
 
 
Dafne Keen brandishing her claws as Laura/X-23 in Deadpool and Wolverine
Marvel fans are debating whether Dafne Keen should become Wolverine or stay as X-23, and I've already chosen a side
 
 
Peak mesa biome
Peak came about after a bet between Content Warning and Another Crab's Treasure leads to see whose game would sell more
 
 
Key art for Diablo 4: Lord of Hatred showing Mephisto, a spiky and angular demon, against a red, lightning backdrop, arm and claw raised menancingly, cropped to show more of him
Diablo 4's Lord of Hatred expansion will be "really f*cking hard" at its highest difficulty, dev threatens
 
 
Jin, Mugen, and Fuu standing in a row
Samurai Champloo is getting a live-action Netflix series from One Piece studio, and the original creator is on board
 
 
LATEST ARTICLES
  1. Elsa Bloodshot in Marvel Rivals
    1
    Marvel Rivals devs couldn't help but "panic" at the thought of going into the live-service graveyard that just claimed Highguard: "It's not guaranteed"
  2. 2
    "It's going to be really f***ing hard": Diablo 4 is getting 8 new difficulty tiers in Lord of Hatred because Blizzard wants OP builds to actually have to try
  3. 3
    Marvel fans are debating whether Dafne Keen should become Wolverine or stay as X-23, and I've already chosen a side
  4. 4
    "I wouldn't rule out a Palworld 2.0," says Pocketpair publishing head, but don't expect a "No Man's Sky situation" with a "decade of continuous, massive updates"
  5. 5
    "Whoever sells more copies pays for the other's therapy": Peak came about after a bet between Content Warning and Another Crab's Treasure leads, and ironically the friendslop collab that followed sold more than both games combined

GamesRadar+ is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

Add as a preferred source on Google Add as a preferred source on Google
  • Terms and conditions
  • Contact Future's experts
  • Privacy policy
  • Cookies policy
  • Accessibility statement
  • Careers
  • About us
  • Advertise with us
  • Review guidelines
  • Write for us
  • Accessibility Statement

© Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036.

Please login or signup to comment

Please wait...