5 Special Wii U Virtual Console Games Not on Switch

[@Nic5Cyprus]

I really like how Nintendo Life gave Jon free range to make videos on any topic he wants

[@TotallyNotCalledEvan]

The 'Ranking all 55 Kongs' video is evidence that this is too much power for any one man to have

[@woahsea]

@@TotallyNotCalledEvan Don't you mean not enough?

[@AdventureRuben]

@@TotallyNotCalledEvan haha, I couldn’t get through the whole segment. BUT i loved it . 😂💕

[@MrFatboyRuns]

I was thinking the same thing. Appears to have a lot of creative freedom.

[@brandonsimoncini]

Or Jon posts only when Alex is asleep

[@TheSpaceking12]

In the WiiU versions of the Megaman battle network series, they allowed you to access the event-exclusive content that was once only accessible in the Japanese versions under extremely limited situations. These included but weren't limited too, the secret battle chips like Double Beast in battle network 6, or secret forms like Bass Cross in battle network 5. I really liked this as it showed that Capcom was very willing to pay just that extra bit of attention here in the cases of these games, just a little bit more then what was even needed, and I loved that.

[@Lucario1121]

Yeah I remember buying a few of the Battle Network games on the VC and when I saw those chips I was like "Holy shit, I don't remember these :0"

[@Schimnesthai]

You don't know how important this information is to me... for us Wii U fans i think, thanks!

[@Matanumi]

There is a fuckin megaman game that needs a legacy collection...

[@alinepiroutek8932]

@@Matanumi I was expecting to Capcom reveal them this year because it is the 20th anniversary of Battle Network franchise

[@joserachi96]

I think the only downside to the vc versions are the colors, they look so much darker similar to how n64 games on wii u vc are much darker. Gamma colors settings I think it's called

[@Nay089]

I’m seeing a trend with Jon’s videos....

[@LWAllen]

Wii U forevaaarrr!

[@StrangeDad]

He will singlehandedly make the world believe that WiiU was great and not a massive disaster. This is a joke btw. I'm not here to trash talk WiiU.

[@rifasclub]

Whish is?

[@Chlocean]

@@StrangeDad It's okay. I bought the console day one, love it to this day and will still admit it was a dumpster fire.

[@matheusg.3508]

Wii U is still my favorite console of All Time... =P (Switch unfortunatelly doesn't have legacy content or backwards compatibility... Otherwise it would be my favorite one !)

[@MimiKyu749]

0:00 Intro 0:37 *Super Mario Advance 4: Super Mario Bros. 3* 4:13 *Drill Dozer* 5:33 [Talking about 2D shooting games] 6:01 *Duck Hunt* 6:42 [Talking about Earthbound] 7:29 *Earthbound Beginnings* 8:12 *Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon* 8:41 *Animal Crossing: Wild World* 9:02 Outro

[@supernintendoid9708]

Finally, the Wii U is appreciated!

[@ireallydontknowifiamhonest]

Tbh the wii u was quite a character and i loved it

[@JoelGarcia-lu3tw]

I mean it has a good game lineup but the actual console was pretty trash

[@supernintendoid9708]

@@JoelGarcia-lu3tw How so?

[@TheRCScotsman]

Love mine. Turned it into a retro box. Currently playing through OOT on it!

[@supernintendoid9708]

@@TheRCScotsman How? Did you soft mod it?

[@gusramos7928]

Don't forget the greatness that is getting the entire metroid prime trilogy on the wii u eshop for like 20 bucks.

[@steel5897]

That was crazy. I believe the physical copy was over $100 at the time.

[@okapi_q]

And it was only $10 for the first week it was available. I got it for a damn steal

[@Schimnesthai]

@@okapi_q I totally forgot about that one damn nice

[@LOSTLEAD8R]

It was 10$, but ja

[@zarinblade5936]

But some how 3d all stars managed to cost 60$

[@JaxontheYoshi]

I actually never knew about the e-reader levels! Holy cow these are awesome!

[@connor9568]

I knew about they existed but I didn’t know there were so many of them! It’s basically a new game!

[@rgkong8783]

Same...

[@JaxontheYoshi]

@@connor9568 I know right! So many gimmicks!

[@patrickmurphy9470]

I must have it now!!!!

[@MBeca_]

I played Drill Dozer in Spanish thanks to the Wii U! Amazing game

[@dukemon6163]

I wonder if we will ever see the GBA versions of Donkey Kong Country re-released. DKC3 had a new OST and a whole new extra world.

[@andyc6542]

Really? Didn’t know this! DKC3 holds SO many special memories for me. Got it for Christmas the year it was released and I’m pretty certain it was my last year of being excited for Christmas before I grew up and it didn’t hold the same wonder..Funnily enough, remember the TV schedule on the day and things like that. Happier times..

[@MissiGNO000]

romsites

[@andyc6542]

@@MissiGNO000 Id rather play it on Nintendo hardware than have to boot it up through a laptop..

[@madmonkeymcknight7535]

@@andyc6542 Yeah but sometimes there's no other choice...

[@leobetosouza]

Oh! Really? I need to play the DKC3 of GBA right now!

[@dubspwns]

I'm glad we're getting more Jon videos on NintendoLife. His videos are very fun to watch. Keep up the good work Jon!

[@VideoGameAnimationStudy]

4:20 getting some wonderful Alan Partridge vibes here!

[@Rosiepunzel]

Funny number

[@senpai4173]

@@Rosiepunzel 6 9

[@smallperson1]

@@senpai4173 4:20 and 6:9

[@Lymington214]

I stand by the argument that there's still stuff to love about the Wii U.

[@fernando98322]

Always love me a Jon video. EarthBound Beginnings was a huge event, it's a very underappreciated gem even by EarthBound fans. I seriously recommend playing it (after the other 2 games). And the myth of 'grinding' is only true when you start the game and when you get new party members though there are tricks to help grinding

[@rifasclub]

The thing about Earthbound is that they are better the newer they are (as of now). Quality of life stuff that got added over every entry was a huge deal, regardless of how you feel about every game's plot, mechanics, etc.

[@Lucky2000Zx]

Can agree, I still think about time to time and wish I can go back in time to relive that moment again. And what's even crazier is that I played Mother 1 translated on the GBA about two months before it came out and known as EB Beginnings.

[@CrypticMantisTX55]

Semi-related, I find it strange Nintendo made some fanfare about The Mysterious Murasame Castle releasing internationally on the 3DS VC, but never released it in the Wii U VC, and that it hasn't been released on the NES Online App or Famicom Online App.

[@praxicoide]

Thanks for this. I had no idea. I just bought it. I went through the Virtual Console on Wii U, but not on the 3ds. I actually have this on the original hardware and it is a blast. Very exhilarating and fast-paced. Gave me blisters. Now we just need Joy Mecha Fight.

[@CrypticMantisTX55]

@@praxicoide Yeah, on the 3DS VC I mostly just bought GB and GBC games. The only NES ones I have are via the ambassador thing. I kept waiting for them to release Murasame Castle on Wii U and it just...didn't happen.

[@jeremysart]

I used (and still use) my Wii U more than the Switch! It was loaded with great apps straight from the get. I loved seeing all the art from Miiverse, exploring the world on Wii Street U, and I was an early adopter of the 8gb black console so there was Nintendo Land for free and all the SNES, NES and other classic games as a reward for $1

[@stevevee4138]

Don't remember any reward, how was that given?

[@jeremysart]

@@stevevee4138 Nintendo Land was a pack in game and the NES/SNES games were available on the eshop for $1 each for a limited time for those who bought the console early.

[@superdajoka]

I just got a Wii U recently, and I've been enjoying it. I really like all the virtual console games, as well as the original wii u games that haven't come to switch yet, like Nintendo land, xenoblade x, and yoshi's wolly world.

[@Tom-ig3rj]

"the wii u says bye too" why must you hurt me this way

[@michaelk639]

Now do a 3DS version of this!

[@jaidens.g.1920]

Mysterious Murasame Castle shoutout when?

[@Matanumi]

Four swords anniversary

[@Paradoxe_0]

3DS wasn’t a failure....

[@supercam8479]

One on the 3ds would be Pokémon crystal since the the only way you can catch celebi legit

[@GameDadGrant]

Summer Carnival '92 RECCA! And also that one Dragon Ball Z SFC release Namco did...

[@RetroCabeza]

F-Zero GP Legend also had some exclusive courses for the e-reader that were preserved last year. Good stuff 👍

[@nessentialsunlimited]

Retro Cabeza are these e-reader courses on the Wii-U? I ask because you said preserved in 2020? So wondering if they ended up anywhere else because it's strange they would add something like that to Wii-U so late in its life.

[@nessentialsunlimited]

Also wondering how you found out about this? How do you stay informed, I definitely don't want to miss out haha

[@RetroCabeza]

@@nessentialsunlimited Someone made a rom with the courses included. I found out on twitter, following MVG or the Videogame History Foundation.

[@nessentialsunlimited]

@@RetroCabeza ok nice I love those channels. So the roms are only playable on PC then?

[@RetroCabeza]

@@nessentialsunlimited You can play it it any emulator or GBA flashcart

[@NecromancerAdr]

I love the Wii U VC. Playing GBA games with a SNES controller is magical.

[@itstrayantula7082]

If only they updated the Wii U to where there is split screen multiplayer. 😔🤔😐

[@MegaStylerX]

How do you play with an SNES controller?

[@NecromancerAdr]

@@MegaStylerX with the SNES Classic controller, it has the same plug as the Wii Classic controller so you can connect it to a wiimote

[@MegaStylerX]

@@NecromancerAdr oh I see, thank you!!

[@peterhalliday6492]

@@NecromancerAdr do you mean an original snes controller? I don't understand. Thanks

[@baritoneystark]

you just know it’s Jon’s vid, ya magnificent beastie

[@vedi0boy]

Damn, Jon is really perfect for this channel

[@bartoszkawczynski5462]

It's nice to see some love for Wii U. Thank you, Nintendo Life.

[@Shadowholocaust]

I'm Still salty that virtual console isn't on switch

[@Minako_Meleph]

I totally agree. Option for mapping the buttons (like Wii U) or having the option to be them as a standalone, that can be played offline is why I don't like NES and SNES Online

[@itstrayantula7082]

At least there’s Arcade Archives. 😉👍

[@criticalhard]

Vortual consule is Way better than the crap they've done ughh

[@david-jonballinger6638]

@@Minako_Meleph like the nes and snes levels are cool but personally i'm not interested in playing those console's games. It would be much kore of an incentive for me to join the subscription if they had gba, n64 and ds games (and wii if possible)

[@ssssssstssssssss]

So basically, you don't need to own a WiiU for WiiU games anymore, but you should own one for its Wii backwards compatibility and its virtual console (while it stays up).

[@zaraguth]

The fact that this is 2021 and I just found out there are even more Mario Advanced 4 content I had NO idea about...

[@TruExtentChannel]

Along with Duck Hunt, both Wild Gunman and Hogan's Alley got the same treatment with the on screen cursor.

[@lw1391]

Viewers: "c'mon -Reggie- Jon, give us Mother 3" Jon: "how about this instead" (shows Mario game with ecard reader levels).

[@remingtonsteele007]

My heart skipped a beat when Jon threw his gamepad up in the air like that

[@TessieWatchingClub]

Most of the Megaman Battle Network games on Wii U VC give you an Auto Unlock to all the secret chips when you go to communications, surprised that wasn’t brought up here. It gives you the most insanely overpowered chip in the series anytime you want in 3 with Bass GS though lol

[@GmasterB89]

Yesterday I bought: - Super Mario Advance 4 (even though I own an original GBA copy it’s still worth it!) - Metroid Fusion - NES Remix - Duck Hunt Thanks for the tips Jon! And I’m not done buying yet!

[@RPG_Hacker]

As far as I know, the Mega Man Battle Network games also had some exclusive content that previously was only available in the Japanese versions of the games, and as a big fan of the series, that's something I really love to see. If Capcom ever releases a Battle Network Legacy Collection, I sure hope they include all that bonus content.

[@maxcarlson102]

That Mario bros 3 e reader levels finding new life on Wii U is so cool, Nintendo should do it again if we get a GBA online for the switch

[@MoonSarito]

I am loving the affection and attention that Nintendo Life is giving to the Wii U, although it was a commercial failure it was one of the best consoles I have had in my life and many cool things like the ones you mentioned were "stuck" in it , you guys are really awesome, i'm loving your content.

[@lupermattroid]

Jon: *introducing a video Me, smiling stupidly: I love this guy!

[@Punmaster9001]

You're convincing me that my recent purchase of a Wii U was a good idea.

[@PogueSquadron]

The eCard stuff reminds me of how great it would be to have the All-Star sprites in Mario Maker 2.

[@virajvjoshi]

Just wanted to drop in and say Jon's doing such a great job with these videos. The Gamefreak joke legitimately cracked me up.

[@karlsmith4270]

7:27 Aged quite nicely. It got a NSO release eariler in 2022.

[@TheActs2021]

Still playing Metroid Prime Trilogy, Metroid Fusion, Zero Mission, Castlevania Aria of Sorrow, Marvel Pinball FX2... all thru the VC & all on the Wii U... YES SIR

[@DKCreo]

Just bought Super Mario Advance 4: Super Mario Bros. 3. I seriously had no idea that this even existed since I just completely ignored everything involving the e-reader back in the day. . . Appreciate the video!

[@Nirbion]

I really appreciate how most of Jon's videos start with Panel De Pon-music. God bless him.

[@VulturePilot]

The WiiU has N64, GBA, DS, and Wii virtual console as well so its a whole bunch

[@fluffibuni8663]

I've really been loving these videos looking at Nintendo gaming beyond just the Switch. Just raising awareness of so many Nintendo gaming options that are out there in the wild, in a really fun and interesting way :-)

[@DP3com]

And just like that, I'm buying/downloading SMA4: SMB3 on my Wii U. I completely forgot this version includes the e-reader levels. Thank you.

[@CluelessAnon]

I see Jon was brought on as the dedicated Wii U expert.

[@catsorafgc]

The Wii U was such a special system. A good chunk of virtual console games spanning Nintendo’s history and a lot of unique games. I need a new game pad lol

[@breadz285]

I love all these videos appreciating the Wii U! It was my first Nintendo home console and still to this day my favorite.

[@E111DOG]

Love these videos. I consider myself a pretty hardcore Nintendo fan and yet didn’t know just how unique some of these Wii U VC games are

[@RubenSterlingS]

The Wii U deserved more attention unfortunately it wasn't when it came out. It was the first console I could afford with my own money and I'm still playing on it.

[@petunia4141]

Wii U introduced me to so much of Nintendo's history and I'll always remember it fondly because of that.

[@theinfinity7s]

Uforia: The Saga. We never got it in the states back when I was a kid and I wish we had. I was so happy to play it on the virtual console. It's a simpler Metroidvania/Blaster Master but with a Kirby esthetic, of you will. Plus, it's made by Sunsoft and the music shows. So good.

[@FoxFandango]

Jons just made me get the Wii U out of my drawer and set it up to play Mario bros 3. I'm now too rediscovering Nintendo Land after all these years. Thank you NintendoLife.

[@why5757]

I knew about the ereader levels but never bothered to get it because I thought it was only like 5 levels. I had no idea that there were 40 of them! Thanks for the info!

[@METC500]

JON THAT GAMEPAD FLIP GAVE ME A HEART ATTACK

[@glowzinho104]

I really wish Nintendo put EarthBound and EarthBound Zero on the Nintendo Switch Online retro game collections. Or maybe if they also released Mother 3 in the West and made some kind of “Mother 1+2+3”.

[@labrynianrebel]

They better call it Earthbound Endings

[@es7990]

Just the content I like - Thanks John!

[@Hmbs271]

I remember being pleasantly surprised finding Onimusha Tactics and Medabots RPG on the Wii U VC store, such great and rare games.

[@david-jonballinger6638]

Jon's lovely bass tones sends shiver's up my spine.

[@muat1155]

John making use of the £5 credit I have left on my Wii u virtual console after the first 30 seconds!

[@Paradoxe_0]

Game freak for tempo the elephant Pokémon:Am I a joke to you?

[@willwilson6643]

Loving these throwback videos in my feed. Never clicked on a thumbnail so fast

[@Soup-man]

You just reminded me that Square never put most of their RPGs on the Western Wii U Virtual Console. Thanks.

[@euden]

I love the Wii-U as a system and its severely underrated. More videos like this Jon! Also wondering how many times he dropped that tablet before he got the take right :D

[@AdventureRuben]

Jon is totally at the right place at NintendoLife!! Totally love his content

[@JJGamezMC]

Before nintendo closes the wii u eshop closure I will make sure I have all of these games. It’s so great I have this list of these special releases because they don’t really seem to stand out from the other virtual console titles, so it’s hard to find games I may never get to try again. Thanks for the great vid Jon!

[@danielsimmich1858]

This was such a great video idea. I need a follow up for the Wii U and one for the 3DS as well so I know what virtual console games to prioritise

[@asciidity4193]

Loving Earthbound, and Duck Hunt too. Love your videos BTW.

[@andyc6542]

Literally just found out the e-card levels are on the Mario Advance 4 Wii U game. Booting the console up as we talk to download!

[@agents5307]

I wish Super Smash Bros for N64 was on Wii U virtual console.

[@agents5307]

@@certifiedbruhmoment85 They should do Super Smash Bros. All Stars and it could be a bundle of the original, Melee, and Brawl.

[@jaketaller8567]

@@agents5307 That would be so cool

[@adamsmith868]

Can't believe he threw the Gamepad, those things are expensive! Super Mario Bros. 3 e-reader levels are pretty cool.

[@David-dz1cb]

The Wii U was genius, and I love the attention to detail and extra bonuses Nintendo threw in the VC releases! Miss those days.

[@expsharevideogames]

Affordable Space Adventure. A great game. Makes unique use of the Wii U gamepad, and is still a Wii U Eshop exclusive

[@NatashaZooks]

Great to see some Wii U love!

[@coolhatkid]

You CAN play DS games online using Wiimfi. Although not supported by Nintendo, you can still play some DS games online. Not all, but a good handful.

[@MathiasWolfbrok]

"You can't play Mario Kart DS online" *Laughs in Wiimmfi*

[@DrRank]

To be fair, it's hard to get that to work on modern 3DS firmware.

[@MoonSarito]

@@DrRank You just need to change de DNS on the console, you can even play on the emulator ( MelonDS or DeSmume ).

[@DrRank]

@@MoonSarito The only DS game I emulate is Ace Attorney Investigations 2. I believe in using official hardware whenever possible.

[@MathiasWolfbrok]

@@DrRank 3DS isn't a factor here, especially since the Wifi settings for DS and 3DS games are separate, the real problem is finding an old router that still uses WEP over WPA

[@Schimnesthai]

I know its been more than 2 months since this came out but i want to add: - Some N64 games also have rumble (Tested Star Fox 64 only, it was glorious) - In Japan, some games are the Shindou version instead (Mario 64/Waverace i think) - Smash for Wii U has GameBoy games running on a VC engine for Wii U that was never released. - Some Wii games don't need Wii Mote to be played and instead use the Gamepad, some people say that every game that used the Classic Controller does, but in other parts it is said that only 3 games support this, i remember one being Xenoblade Chronicles, i don't remember the rest but i think that another was Pandora's Tower, i haven't tried this one myself yet. - This is obvious, but SNES and NES Classic controllers work on Wii and Wii U VC... wich is very cool. Finally, i have to shoutout the DS games, with a minor hack, you can up-scale them to 1080p, looks gorgeous but after playing one game you need to turn off the system or it'll get softlocked while trying to exit.

[@sethsteven11]

really enjoying the content jon is bringing to the channel

[@Katie-hj5eb]

I was confused why Jon was back at Nintendo Life until I realized this wasn't made after the wii u death was announced.

[@DarkFlame0wns]

Any video showing love to the wiiu is an automatic thumbs up!

[@Salvatore-xs]

Love my Wii U, such an underrated console. But did have to laugh at around 6 minutes into the video, with Jon saying duck hunt thought I was hearing something else first couple of times lmao.

[@Andreib2012]

Thanks for the Super Mario 3 info. Just downloaded it on the Wii U

[@matthewharr6372]

Definitely gonna grab Earthbound and Mario before the store shuts down. Love live the Wii U!

[@kylegaymer]

A reason why I still own a Wii U, the virtual console library is amazing

[@Koning038]

Interesting topic! I’ll pick some of these up. Thanks for the heads up, Jon!

[@markiimark6573]

Wow I had no idea sma4:smb3 had those extra levels! Now I know what I'm doing tonight!

[@Loch32]

you know why youre here

[@foxer2623]

😔

[@JumpyKaput]

True dat

[@markbless419]

very cool about Mario Advance 4! another honorable mention: Metroid Fusion & Metroid: Zero Mission

[@blorac9869]

You look like my nephew, subscribed! Enjoyed!

[@robertpetrie6847]

I wish they would release the mother trilogy

[@rifasclub]

I can see it happen. The reason not to localize Mother 3 is because of how expensive it would be to pay for certain licenses, but if they release it as a physical bundle that sells well, it could be a profitable game.

[@davidmorrison2135]

@@rifasclub I want to see that happen as usual

[@joshernsteen2066]

There is fan translations of the 3 mother games on the game boy advance found on Ebay.

[@King_Luigi]

@@joshernsteen2066 Or we could just download the obviously free translation & use an emulator to play it instead. (Not like Nintendo is printing new copies of MOTHER 3 these days that someone could buy...)

[@criticalhard]

Earthbound sequel is already due time ugh

[@mondongo_en_salsa]

We love you Jon

[@Netizen56]

The Wii U was amazing. Don't know why it wasn't more popular.

[@johnedington1632]

Games featured: Super Mario Advance 4: SMB 3 Drill Dozer(GBA) Duck Hunt(NES) Earthbound Beginnings(Mother 1) Fire Emblem Shadow Dragon

[@UDPlaythroughs1990]

Just what I needed

[@ReservoirFella88]

My heart literally skip a beat after you tossed the Wii U controller without looking haha!

[@finnhaverkamp]

Great video. Really cool recent history.

[@rai.17]

“The Wii U says bye too” Awh

[@SuperNintendad]

I'm glad you caught that too.

[@JsYTA]

I hope the next Mario Maker let's you mix and match different assets like the E-Reader levels.

[@danieldiehl6063]

love this kind of content... please do more stuff like this