This could be popular

The Wii U eShop is still a mystery, to the extent that we're assuming that it'll be branded as "eShop" on the basis of new pre-paid funding cards spotted in North America. Another mystery is the Virtual Console, as we've only been introduced to new download titles scheduled for the launch period, with few clues as to whether there'll even be a new retro games catalogue on the system.

Of course, Wii went as far as to bring us Nintendo 64 games, while its original model could play GameCube discs. Wii U will play Wii discs, so good old-fashioned logic suggests that GameCube's back-catalogue will be available for download. We'd be astonished, frankly, if the 'Cube didn't appear in download form, with Nintendo of America boss Reggie Fils-Aime recently saying that he'd love to see GameCube games on a Wii U Virtual Console, before stating that he had nothing to announce and, probably, winking with a knowing look. We're so keen to see it happen that we've given our own take on the future of GameCube on Wii U, with hopes for HD remakes as well as downloadable classics.

The inevitability of this — as it seems to us — is potentially reinforced in the latest issue of Retro Gamer, the monthly UK magazine run by Imagine, one of the largest publishing groups in the country. In a feature highlighting Nintendo's return to classic franchises, the article states the following in a very matter-of-fact way.

Backwards compatibility with Wii will be included but you'll no longer be able to play GameCube titles. They'll be on the Virtual Console store instead.

Has the team behind Retro Gamer let slip on a secret shared by Nintendo, or is it making an educated guess? As part of a major publishing group it could be the former, or it may just be assuming what we all expect to happen. We're going to be optimistic and hope it's true, and you can check out the article in question below.

So, are you keen to have some GameCube goodness on Wii U, or is it not a big priority for you on the new system? Let us know in the comments below.