Smash Bros. fans who were hesitant to transition to a more modern method of playing will have to make the switch soon: Nintendo’s Wii U console will not be compatible with those GameCube controllers. In fact, if you’re one of the fans also preaching that Melee is better than Brawl, you might want to keep a ‘Cube or Wii around as well — GameCube games and memory cards won’t work with Wii U either.

NOA President Reggie Fils-Aime has gone on record to clarify that the Wii U will only be backwards compatible with Wii titles, not GameCube software. In addition, the GameCube controller and memory cards ports on the Wii are nowhere to be found on the Wii U hardware.

Of course, with increased internal flash storage and expandability via external storage, it’s not unfeasible that the Wii U could introduce GameCube titles to their Virtual Console offerings in the future. It would certainly be an efficient way of introducing great titles such as Luigi’s Mansion, Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance, The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker,and Super Mario Sunshine to gamers that weren’t among the nearly 22 million GameCube owners. Plus, we can never buy enough copies of Pikmin, Metroid Prime, or Resident Evil 4, right?

Kotaku

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The GameCube had some terrific titles in its twilight years, some of which have received the so-nicknamed “Wii-makes” in order to give the games a little bit more of a fighting chance for commercial success. The latest game to be getting this treatment is Namco Bandai’s Wii port of SD Gundam Gashapon Wars, originally released a year before the Wii launch and now being ported in Japan on June 24th for ¥3,990.

Just like the original, over 150 Mobile Suits (from all over the Gundam franchise) and over 40 battle fields will be available. You can play through single player mode, survival mode, mission mode, Kimama ni Dungeon mode, and/or four player battle.

Andriasang

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Picked up Metroid Prime Trilogy yet? You might want to hold on to the originals, if you’re an OCD collector. It seems that the Trilogy version of Metroid Prime skimps out on some minor graphical details, such as beam effects and water ripples. You may be all, “Wait, what?” but the video above should make things more visible. That’s the GameCube version at the start, and the Wii version around 2:20.

It could very well be that there is a technical reason for the changes (such the moveable arm cannon), but we may never publicly know what those reasons are.

Video by PiccoloCube.

Destructoid

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I’m pretty sure most of us had the same reaction when we finally realized what was being shown on the screen. Remember, presentation slides from earlier events in the year confirmed that a “WIND WAKER 2″ was in development for the GameCube. On top of that, we had all just gotten used to The Wind Waker‘s cel-shading, and Nintendo had hinted they would consider sticking with the art style if it was favorable among the fans. Link’s 2003 outing may not have commercially matched that of Ocarina of Time, but the reviews were positive.

Instead, Nintendo went completely the other way, opting for the darker, grittier style of realism with this second Zelda game for the GameCube. Admit it, you were all giddy for hours after seeing that video for the first time.

YouTube

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The Nielson ratings from January through October 2008 are in and it looks like most Americans have yet to trade in their last-gen console and pick up something new and shiny. The PlayStation 2 still dominates video game console usage in the United States, while the Wii comes in third at 13.4% of usage time. It’s better than last year, when the Wii came in fifth at 5.5%.

But the real kicker is that 4.6% of American gaming time is spent on a GameCube. Who’s still playing their GameCube? I’ll tell you who, it’s the kids whose parents haven’t caved on the Wii yet AND the Super Smash Bros. Melee addicts who still think the GameCube installment is better and won’t give up their wavedashing for Brawl.

Sorry, had to.

GameCyte
via Destructoid

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You don’t see Capcom making it painfully obvious that they’re releasing “Wii-makes” of Resident Evil 4, Resident Evil 0, or Resident Evil, nor can any passer-by tell that Sega’s The House of the Dead 2 & 3 Return contains a game from 1998, except with added Wii controls. Even Nintendo’s own The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess for the Wii doesn’t tout the difference. So picky me would be hesitant to buy (or repurchase, in this case) Pikmin for the Wii if North America’s packaging looks like its horrid PAL cover you see here. Is there a reason we can’t just get nice, clean, attractive box art?

Luckily, there’s that one CD Covers website, and I’ve got a color printer and some glossy paper to use. Those slip covers come right out.

BlogNintendo

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Nintendo 64: 32.9 million
Nintendo Wii: 34.55 million

That’s the score so far, and the game isn’t over yet, at least for the Wii. You may remember earlier this year when it surpassed the lifetime sales of the GameCube. This is only two years into the life of the console, too, so it’s pretty impressive.

There’s no doubt that Nintendo owes their current success to their efforts to expand the market and target previously ignored demographics. The Wii is well on its way to becoming the best selling video game console in history.

GoNintendo

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For those wondering, Sony did previously license the patent back in 2004, and Microsoft settled out of court. Better snatch up those Classic Controllers while you can or, heaven forbid, you’ll have to use the Nunchuk configuration in Brawl when your old controllers wear out!

Bloomberg

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Nintendo may have been denied an appeal, but they’re not going down that easily. Following the upholding of a May 14th ruling ordering Nintendo to pay Texas-based Anascape, Ltd. a sum of $21 million, Nintendo of America’s Charlie Scibetta confirmed that it ain’t over ’til it’s over.

Nintendo does not agree with the ruling of the trial court on the remittitur motion. Nintendo intends to appeal this case to the Federal circuit court.

Yep. This could be a while. Didn’t we have another never-ending legal battle last summer?

GoNintendo

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