It's a pretty trivial task if they're keeping the VC going. I think we all assume, and with good reason, that they'll want to keep selling these games. We assume that when they do so they'll want to do it with support for the hardware that comes in the box. So there's a damn good chance that they'll do the trivial update to each game so they can sell another million copies of Super Mario Bros. Why not let people who have already paid for those games play the largely-the-same Wii U version?

Oh and the re-download thing. I'm fairly sure they were saying that the transfer process only copies the games stored on the Wii system memory. Because of that the titles you have stored on the SD card might have to be redownloaded. Not sure whether it's worth reading into that too much.

We got early versions of the games that weren't upto the standard of the normal VC titles. There was no NES icon on the menu, no save states as you mentioned but that was about the only difference. Once the full versions were releaced we were given the option to update to the final version next time we opened the eShop.

I wouldn't be surprised if they do something similar with the VC on the Wii U TBH.

I hope so (although some games which have been removed I guess are unlikely ever to appear on the Wii U eShop, e.g. the R-Type games).

Features I'd like to see for Wii U VC games (don't know if any are realistic):

• output in HD with optional filters, e.g. to emulate an old-fashioned CRT display (as most modern emulators, and even Sega's Genesis/Mega Drive games from Steam, allow you to do);
• correct aspect ratio built-in, so that you don't have to keep grabbing your TV remote to switch between 16:9 and 4:3 bordered;
• ability to play on the Wii U gamepad, like on Wii U retail games
• when playing on the big-screen TV, option to control it with the Wii U GamePad OR the Wii U Pro Controller OR the Wii Classic Controller OR the Wii Remote (where possible)
• proper save state functionality.

According to the Japanese Nintendo Direct this morning, a Wii U Virtual Console is in the works that will be able to allow gamers to play VC games on the GamePad, but it won't be ready in time for launch. Will find a source later.

@GameLord08
Yeah I saw that just then but... my Japanese is super limited. I worked out from the pictures that Wii, WiiWare and Wii VC titles won't be able to be played on the gamepad but there was a Wii U VC that would. Hopefully when the Wii U VC does launch (I'm surprised it's not there from day 1!) Wii VC titles will be converted as the Wii U versions are released.

Fingers crossed!

I expect a jump start in the release schedule

I'm concerned we still haven't heard any details about the Virtual Console and eShop in general.

Are they really going to let the console be released without giving us any info?

Well at this stage the Wii U VC doesn't exist. I just hope when they launch it they have patched all the old Wii VC games so we can play them on the Gamepad (I also hope that if you have already paid for the games they will let you redownload them for free).

They stated already that the wii VC games can't work with a Gamepad or Pro controller as it runs off of an emulated wii. No big deal, but still makes you wonder what games are going to be on the eshop without new VC

@TheDreamingHawk
That wasn't exactly what they said. They said that after the launch-day update you will able to transfer all of your downloaded Wii content and play it in Wii mode but you won't be able to play it on the Gamepad. Separately there is a Wii U VC down the track which won't be ready at launch and will allow you to play games on the gamepad.... but no details yet.

So what I'm guessing will happen is this:

• You won't have the option to download any Wii VC titles at launch unless you transfer the rights from a Wii
• The Wii U VC will launch with a good chunk of content... say half to three quarters of the Wii VC
• As new Wii U VC titles launch you'll be asked to update your Wii VC titles
• VC will launch before the end of the year

As long we we don't get one game every 30 years, I should be fine; I hope they keep a stready flow of them.

I agree, except for the last one.