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PoV: Is double backwards compatibility that important?

Posted Jul 20, 2011 at 6:00PM EST by Carl B

Listed in: Wii Tags: backwards compatibility, GameCube, Nintendo

GameCube-black

Some people are angry that Wii U isn't backwards compatible with GameCube, but does it really even matter?

Today we reported that GameCube games would be downloadable on Wii U, which is some pretty cool news. An online marketplace full of retro classics and GameCube games from Nintendo sounds awesome.

But some fans are angry that Wii U doesn't outright play GameCube discs. The system is backwards compatible with Wii games, a system one generation before it.

Why is it so important to play games that came out two generations ago on your current generation system?

It really isn't -- I can't think of a single system that is backwards compatible with a system that released two generations prior. Nintendo has always been big on backwards compatibility with their handheld systems; nobody was this upset when we found out that Nintendo DS wouldn't be able to play our Gameboy Color games.

Chances are if you own GameCube games, you probably own a GameCube, or even a Wii.

Sound off in the comments section below and be sure to continue the discussion on our community forums.

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Well, for one, the fact that you have to rebuy those games you already have but want to play them on Wii U. And second, it's probably the fact that they could have easily done it. If it's BC with the Wii, why not with the GC too?
I for instance would find it a bit strange if the PS3 didn't have BC to the PS1.

But as you said, if you have the games, you PROBABLY have the console. But I guess having it on 1 console would be a lot more convenient.

Side note: I don't own any Nintendo console except the NES, so mistakes on this topic from my side might have been made.

# RE: RE: PoV: Is double backwards compatibility that important? — lordrand11 2011-07-21 03:57

Quoting rohen:

Well, for one, the fact that you have to rebuy those games you already have but want to play them on Wii U. And second, it's probably the fact that they could have easily done it. If it's BC with the Wii, why not with the GC too?
I for instance would find it a bit strange if the PS3 didn't have BC to the PS1.

But as you said, if you have the games, you PROBABLY have the console. But I guess having it on 1 console would be a lot more convenient.

Side note: I don't own any Nintendo console except the NES, so mistakes on this topic from my side might have been made.

Because of the specific disc drives they would have to use would possibly limit the developers on what they could do with the console. I believe it's better this way.

# RE: PoV: Is double backwards compatibility that important? — DeltaDAWG 2011-07-20 19:23

"Is double backwards compatibility that important?"

No.

-2 # There is a console that does Double BC... — joseph881 2011-07-20 19:30

Technically, the PS3 is Double Backwards compatible. The 60, 20, and initial 80GB PS3 SKUs supported BOTH PS2 AND PS1 titles. PS1 titles being available for download on the Store and via their original discs. Even then newer PS3 SKUs, support PS1 games in this fashion, although PS2 playback is gone.

# RE: There is a console that does Double BC... — DeltaDAWG 2011-07-21 11:44

Yup and why is it gone now? Because it was determined to not matter. Or at the very least, not be worth the cost to maintain.

+1 # RE: PoV: Is double backwards compatibility that important? — Sagittarius 2011-07-20 19:50

I'd like to see you jam an NES Cartridge in the Wii U.

I'm just saying...

-1 # RE: RE: PoV: Is double backwards compatibility that important? — Carl B 2011-07-20 20:22

I would love a Nintendo console with slots for every type of cart.

# Real question is, are u a true gamer? — slash_th 2011-07-20 19:54

Cause if your not, then we dont care!

Game cubes are the new age's Retro console.
Real gamers will play "Whatevergame" in "whatevergame's Console"

Dont deserve the title gamer if your crying for Double backwards compatibility =x

# RE: Real question is, are u a true gamer? — slash_th 2011-07-20 20:00

Also note, that to BE a Retro Console you need to either
A: Be many years old
B: Have the gaming company that made "whatever-system" make two more systems then "whatever-system" Ie PS1>PS2>PS3.
C: "whatever-system" No longer is having games made for it.
D: All of the above!
E: Are the Sega Dreacast

Hope yall enjoyed these tips to knowing what a retro console is =3

# no — Fuzzy Palms 2011-07-20 19:57

But it's annoying that the WiiU can't do what a guy in his basement accidentally did with the Dolphin emulator. He was working on a GC emu and discovered that AS a GC emulator it can also emulate Wii games. The Wii is just a gamecube with a bigger disc drive and infrared sensors for the Wiimotes bolted on. Im also very annoyed that the Wii games wont get any scaling during emulation on WiiUwhich is something else the Dolphin emulator can do. Im typically a major Nintendo fan, but this is bullshit.

+1 # RE: PoV: Is double backwards compatibility that important? — hadoken 2011-07-20 20:01

well it is in some cases and with certain people.if its region lock free, i mean i really wanted to play my jap ps2 copy of berserk on my ntsc/us ps3 but cant with wireless controller and upscale and smooth enabled. and if i had a gamecube game and had to pay again to have the same game thats kinda of a rip off, like sony did try with the psp go. i say if it doesnt take anymore effort and money to add the feature i say let it have it. but then there will be hacking and piracy and backup managers, emulators and such,...

+1 # Good — Fuzzy Palms 2011-07-20 20:35

Good point, just another reason to hack the thing ASAP

-1 # RE: PoV: Is double backwards compatibility that important? — AkaiOtoko 2011-07-20 20:10

"I can't think of a single system that is backwards compatible with a system that released two generations prior."
- PS3 plays PSX games, fairly well, I might add.

Also double B/C doesn't really matter as long as the discs aren't the same. If the WiiU and Wii use the same tiny discs the Gamecube use, then I see a reason to complain about something that would be so easy to implement. Now it would be absurd if people were to want N64 B/C, N64 uses an entirely different media container.

# RE: PoV: Is double backwards compatibility that important? — firedragon_jing 2011-07-20 20:52

"I can't think of a single system that is backwards compatible with a system that released two generations prior."

First PS3 systems say hi. My PS3 plays PS1 and PS2 games. Also the GBA and GBASP could play GB and GBC games which technically counts.

And yes it is important. You can get most good gamecube games really cheap now. On the Wii U shop I could see them going up to $20 which for games like MGS Twin Snakes but for others is not. Besides most of us have a good collection of GCN games, some I still need to beat, meaning we need to leave either our Wii out which defeats B/C on the Wii U or dust off our old Gamecubes themselves. Either that or rebuy them which I hate doing because I rather put that money towards new games for the system instead.

# ehh — LilPimpT 2011-07-20 21:59

As long as it can EMULATE the backwards compatibility, i'm fine going discless. It's annoying if a console isn't BC with itself because when hack time comes around, they have to write the emulation from scratch/port an emulator that may or may not work well.

-1 # RE: PoV: Is double backwards compatibility that important? — crait 2011-07-21 00:03

Nintendo had the Gameboy Advanced SP that could play their first Gameboy games. They were once crowned with the fact that they offered backwards compatibility.
I'm not really sad they won't have 'double backwards compatibility.' I see the WiiU as current generation, anyways. So not having simple backwards compatibility is a downside.

# RE: PoV: Is double backwards compatibility that important? — SuperSZ 2011-07-21 01:47

At first it may look that it isn't that important, but then, when you'll see gamecube downloadable games for the Wii U you will realise that you could have saved those bucks and just put the original gamecube disc you own (if it was double backwards compatible).

It's not that they didn't add gamecube compatibility because they couldn't, because it was very difficult to do or something like that. If they could put it in the Wii, they could have easily put it in the Wii U too, they didn't need some special part of hardware (like the old PS3s did, that required some chip to play PS2 games). They did that so they could re-release their gamecube games in digital format, and I'm not OK with that.

Also "I can't think of a single system that is backwards compatible with a system that released two generations prior." all playstation 3 can play Playstation 1 games. Gameboy Advance SP can play Game Boy games.

# RE: PoV: Is double backwards compatibility that important? — Scar3crow 2011-07-21 03:18

I'm not really fussed about the game compatibility, but I would have liked gamecube controller ports in the WiiU, if only for the next Smash Bros instalment; playing Smash Bros is terrible with Wii Remotes...

# RE: PoV: Is double backwards compatibility that important? — Jason 2011-07-21 03:52

Double backwards compatibility is not important or necessary at all. It would ONLY truly benefit people with lots of Gamecube games that for some reason or another don't already have a system to play them on. Meaning their Gamecube or Wii is broken or they sold it for crack, in which case usually the games are sold too cause they have nothing to play them on.

There's no reason to support the discs when they (Nintendo) are not selling/publishing any new Gamecube discs anymore. For the people that want to play Gamecube games on their WiiU they will have the option to purchase games in digital form. This will be good for me as I don't have any Gamecube games, and you'd be hard pressed to find even used ones (other than old Sports games and Viewtiful Joe) in any in stores anymore, at least here in Australia.

Either purchase the game (again) digitally, or play it on your Wii or Gamecube. If you don't have one, either buy a new or used Wii (or Gamecube if you can find one) or sell your games.

Just my opinion.

# backward compatability — bandersnatch1531138 2011-07-21 04:57

it is kinda bullshit that the wii u would be able to play the downloadable version of LoZ: Wind Waker that they'll probably charge 15-20 bucks for but it can't read the disc version I've had on my shelf for seven years

+1 # RE: backward compatability — Musev 2011-07-21 14:27

to be fair, its not like nintendo are going to come round your house and take the wii or gc you already own

# Backwards comparability — Bandersnatch1531138 2011-07-21 19:44

That's true but I don't want to have alot of systems connected to my tv at once or have to swap systems out when I get a Zelda itch especially when it may just be a simple codec like DVD playback on the Wii

Except my snes it's always welcome until I get a tv that can't display it

# RE: PoV: Is double backwards compatibility that important? — PS360 Owner1 2011-07-21 05:02

PS3 doesn't even play PS2 games.

-.-

So, yes it's important.

# RE: RE: PoV: Is double backwards compatibility that important? — Musev 2011-07-21 14:10

mine does. not that I use it.

# RE: PoV: Is double backwards compatibility that important? — firedragon_jing 2011-07-21 09:48

And another reason this is terrible that people are overlooking is that this gives them an excuse to remove the GCN controller ports, meaning you can no longer use your GCN controllers or Wavebirds (not to mention other peripherals like DDR mats and such). Meaning people will need to buy CC Pros or a new Wii U CC which I hope they make a stand alone wireless controller.

# Stupids! — Kali B. 2011-07-21 12:59

People who are upset are stupid. Someone will have a homebrew for gamecube games within a year of WiiU's release

# RE: PoV: Is double backwards compatibility that important? — Mickle 2011-07-21 15:36

Not the best news but at least you can still use the GC games on the Wii U like MS has continued to do with Xbox 1 from day 1, but with Sony it's like Ps2 doesn't exist anymore unless you go out and buy one, and this is because even Sony can't create a Ps2 emulator for their ridiculously complicated consoles and look like they've given up trying.

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