Nintendo has announced that the Wii U Virtual Console will officially launch in North America next week with the console's spring firmware update.

　　Speaking during today's Nintendo Direct presentation, Nintendo CEO Satoru Iwata said Virtual Console games on the Wii U would be playable on TV and from the GamePad. Games will also be able to access the Miiverse community.

　　At launch, the Wii U Virtual Console will feature classic Nintendo titles F-Zero, Balloon Fight, Donkey Kong Jr, Excitebike, Punch Out, Super Mario World, Ice Climber, and Kirby's Adventure

　　As part of the announcement, Nintendo confirmed that cult 1995 SNES RPG Earthbound would be also be coming to the Wii U Virtual Console this year in North America and Europe.

　　Elsewhere in the Nintendo Direct presentation, Nintendo confirmed that Wii U eShop title Game & Wario would release in North America on June 23.

　　As for the 3DS eShop, Nintendo will be releasing Mario and Donkey Kong: Minis on the Move on May 9. This year the 3DS eShop will also see three original games from Professor Layton publisher Level 5: The Starship Damrey, Bugs vs Tanks, and Attack of the Friday Monsters! A Tokyo Tale.

　　Finishing off Nintendo's downloadable announcements, the publisher confirmed Capcom-developed The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Ages and Seasons will be released for 3DS Virtual Console on May 30.

　　You need a javascript enabled browser to watch videos.

　　Click To Unmute

　　Earthbound Virtual Console Announcement

　　How Alan Wake II Made Me Face My Fear of Horror Games

　　GameSpot's Top 10 Games of 2023Thompson: The Pop Culture Icon’s Strange Legacy - LoadoutFirearms Expert’s FAVORITE Weapons Of 2023State Of Gaming Handhelds In 2023How Lies of P Cracked the Souls GenreLike a Dragon: Infinite Wealth - Official Ichiban Kasuga Character Spotlight TrailerLike a Dragon: Infinite Wealth - Official Saeko Mukoda Character Spotlight TrailerLike a Dragon: Infinite Wealth - Official Chitose Fujinomiya Character Spotlight TrailerLike a Dragon: Infinite Wealth - Official Eric Tomizawa Character Spotlight TrailerLike a Dragon: Infinite Wealth - Official Kazuma Kiryu Character Spotlight TrailerLike a Dragon: Infinite Wealth - Official Yu Nanba Character Spotlight Trailer

　　Share

　　LinkEmbed

　　Size:640 × 360480 × 270

　　Start at: End at: Autoplay Loop

　　Want us to remember this setting for all your devices?

　　Sign up or Sign in now!

　　Please use a html5 video capable browser to watch videos.

　　This video has an invalid file format.

　　00:00:00

　　HTML5

　　Auto HD High Low

　　Report a problem

　　Sorry, but you can't access this content!

Please enter your date of birth to view this video

　　By clicking 'enter', you agree to GameSpot's

　　Terms of Use and Privacy Policy

　　enter