Wii U will have downloadable GameCube titles

While Wii U is backwards compatible with Wii games, it is not backwards compatible with GameCube titles — on-disc, at least. Speaking to Nintendo Gal at E3 last month, Nintendo of America director of entertainment and trend marketing, Amber McCollom, said that select GameCube titles will be made available as digital downloads.

“You know it’s interesting that you bring up backwards compatibility and Nintendo’s history usually goes back one system,” she said. “The Wii was compatible with GameCube and Wii U will be compatible with Wii and that’s pretty traditional in launches from Nintendo.

“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.”

Wii U launches in 2012.