thanks, just got it.

Wait, did they announce a price drop? I presume not. Hopefully by Xmas there will be a price drop. That's likely when I'll be buying. Either way I think getting one by then is in the cards. There will be lots of good games for the system by then. I guess I'll miss out on the cheap VC games, but I'll live.

Nintendo is not going to do a price drop 3 months after release, lol.

August cannot get here fast enough.

If you bought original VC games on the Wii, but are not happy about the transfer cost from Wii to WiiU, you already paid a fee to re-buy a game from an older Nintendo platform once, why are you complaining about having to do it one more time, for MUCH CHEAPER? Nintendo's not forcing you to upgrade to the WiiU, you can always play the games in Wii mode.

Because they feel they shouldn't have to pay in the first place. There's also the distinct possibility that Nintendo will try this with each and every console going forward. Other companies like Apple and Sony don't have you pay transfer fees like this. Even though Microsoft just flat out dropped XBLA games from Xbox > 360. But that was more of an overall change of service than anything else, which, I guess, is closer to this than anything.

We also don't know the upgrade prices of TG16, Commodore 64, VC Arcade, Genesis and Nintendo 64 games, assuming they're going to be on Wii U as well. I have a funny feeling that TG16 games won't though, but that's more of an issue with Hudson being bought out by Konami than Nintendo being Nintendo.

Windwaker HD...

HD Monolith Soft title...

SMT x FE...

Hell yeah Nintendo!

You are making it easier to justify buying one later this year.

Although it really blows that we have to repurchase our virtual console games to play them on the Wii U gamepad. My concern is not necessarily the price/upgrade cost but the idea that we will have to repurchase the same virtual console games each system generation just to use them on a current system (for the Wii U it's the gamepad feature).

Wii, 3DS, and now Wii U (gamepad).

Compare that to PSN: PSP, PS3, Vita (all compatible with a single digital purchase).

Originally Posted by dragonjud Hmm, I guess you're right about always being able to just play in Wii mode.

That's totally fair, but Wii mode sucks. Gamecube mode on Wii was way better. I wish I hadn't transferred over and just used my Wii for Wii stuff.

Originally Posted by KingBroly Because they feel they shouldn't have to pay in the first place. There's also the distinct possibility that Nintendo will try this with each and every console going forward. Other companies like Apple and Sony don't have you pay transfer fees like this. Even though Microsoft just flat out dropped XBLA games from Xbox > 360. But that was more of an overall change of service than anything else, which, I guess, is closer to this than anything.

I guess I get that argument, but the way I see it is this: you bought Resident Evil 4 on the gamecube, but you have THE OPTION to buy the RE4 Wii version with improved functionality for a relatively decent price. You can also keep your Gamecube around to play the original RE4 without paying for a new copy. Similar deal with Wii to WiiU VC games.

Admittedly, they are really just adding gamepad and MiiVerse support, but then again, if you already bought the game, the most you're paying to transfer is $1.50 a pop. Worth it for me for SOME of the games, not so much for others. I have no problem with this.

Originally Posted by drktrpr1 Nintendo's not forcing you to upgrade to the WiiU

I think this is where you misunderstand. I'm well aware of what they're not forcing me to do, or, rather, that they're not forcing me to do anything. I'm a consumer, my dollar can go where I want it to.

As a business, they should be doing things to *encourage* me to upgrade to the Wii U. This surcharge is a disincentive. The opposite of what they should be doing.

So, correct, they're not forcing me to do anything. I agree. But that's not what I want them to do - I want them to encourage me, not discourage me.

No universal account = no buy on digital stuff at least, until this is fixed, if its never fixed then its no buy on digital Nintendo stuff period. Console will have to get a massive price drop for me to even consider it. I am not interested in remakes, especially remakes that I already own. The upgrade cost is ridiculous, they could have upgraded everyone, or at least early adopters for free. Too much cheap Wii stuff out there right now as well, being a generation behind with Nintendo is the way to go. Unless you can get a newer system for cheap ($99 3DS from Sears for example) or win one in a contest without having to pay for it.

It would be nice if the Miiverse came to 3DS before it comes to smartphones but either is fine with me.

Originally Posted by mykevermin I think this is where you misunderstand. I'm well aware of what they're not forcing me to do, or, rather, that they're not forcing me to do anything. I'm a consumer, my dollar can go where I want it to. As a business, they should be doing things to *encourage* me to upgrade to the Wii U. This surcharge is a disincentive. The opposite of what they should be doing. So, correct, they're not forcing me to do anything. I agree. But that's not what I want them to do - I want them to encourage me, not discourage me.

And not only that, in doing this, they're selectively discouraging a demographic that is otherwise likely to be more interested in WIIU VC activity (and perhaps other WIIU-related purchases) than someone who is new to Nintendo and/or WIIU. Which is to say that I would imagine that there is a correlation between VC title-ownership and brand loyalty.

Those are exactly the customers N should be encouraging with the "little things" like VC transfers. Reward those mofos! Of all customers, don't nickel-and-dime those people, because all it's going to is lead to another install base drop from console/handheld generation to generation.

I could care less about the VC stuff. If you have to have a Wii U enhanced version of Super Metroid, then the $1 could be worth it. If it's for lesser games like Galaga or one of many versions of SF2, that $1 is pointless.

The Virtual Console thing could've made more sense if I could just download the games I already bought as is to my Wii U for free and pay the buck or so if I want the extra features. Having to do the transfer just to get access to the discount makes that more of a hassle than I may be willing to take.

Even then, legacy PSP content for Vita received extra features (control enhancements, mostly) for free.

Originally Posted by dothog And not only that, in doing this, they're selectively discouraging a demographic that is otherwise likely to be more interested in WIIU VC activity (and perhaps other WIIU-related purchases) than someone who is new to Nintendo and/or WIIU. Which is to say that I would imagine that there is a correlation between VC title-ownership and brand loyalty. Those are exactly the customers N should be encouraging with the "little things" like VC transfers. Reward those mofos! Of all customers, don't nickel-and-dime those people, because all it's going to is lead to another install base drop from console/handheld generation to generation.

This is Nintendo we're talking about here.

OK, total newbie question here. I guess I wouldn't mind buying the 30 cent Balloon Fight. But I've never bought anything on the 3DS or Wii U digitally. Lack of points cards (that can be bought on sale) means very few purchases for me... But 30 cents I can't pass up. If I'm using a credit card (again, something I have never done on any system) do they just charge you the 30 cents, or do you have to fund in incremements of $5 or something? Seems like I heard that somewhere about some system.

Also, I know the 3DS has sort of points cards (ie, cash value cards like PSN). Is there something like that for the Wii U? That way at least I could use Best Buy or Amazon credit and not put a credit card on file with the system.

And yeah, thinking about it a bit, mykevermin hit it right on the head: these upgrades should be free if for no other reason then to encourage early Wii adopters who bought a lot of VC stuff early on but then stopped playing the Wii entirely for the last 3-4 years to upgrade to the new system. I imagine a good chunk of CAG falls into that category.

On the other hand, a new Xenoblade game in and of itself justifies my Wii U purchase. As for Wind Waker HD - nice idea, but unfortunately that is the only Zelda game I ever finished so I probably won't be picking that up. Too bad they couldn't do Skyward Sword (which I have yet to play at all).

Holy SHIT those WW screens are ing gorgeous!!! Day 1 (just like the GCN release was before it )

New Mario, Kart, and Zelda "in development" is not an announcement, it's a given, but its good that Mario and Kart will be playable at E3. Gives hope for a holiday release at least.


Also very excited about new Monolith game:

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io:

I do know there are cards for the eShop that are in various increments. Gamestop has them for example, and they'll be for X amount of dollars. I know there's a $50 card for example; it's obvious these are meant to address buying retail games digitally. I want to say there's a $30 or maybe a $20, but don't quote me on that. Since they aren't point based and instead are cash based, they can easily do charges in various amounts.

I don't know much about this "if you buy something on the eShop with a card, it has to be a minimum amount/in some certain increment" thing. That's never been the case with the 3DS, but I don't know if the Wii U is any different.

Speaking generally, I don't like using cards on systems directly given some of the issues that have risen in past years. The two biggest examples are the PSN security hack from 2011, and the fact that Microsoft removed the ability to stop auto-renew of XBL accounts. What REALLY gives me pause is that both of those companies are far, far longer with their online stuff than Nintendo could ever hope to be, so it makes me really hesitant to want to use Nintendo's system for electronic purchases.

Hence, I'm far more inclined to by cards as I need them from retail stores, if only because that seems "safer" in the long run.

Anyway, take this how you will.

Originally Posted by io OK, total newbie question here. I guess I wouldn't mind buying the 30 cent Balloon Fight. But I've never bought anything on the 3DS or Wii U digitally. Lack of points cards (that can be bought on sale) means very few purchases for me... But 30 cents I can't pass up. If I'm using a credit card (again, something I have never done on any system) do they just charge you the 30 cents, or do you have to fund in incremements of $5 or something? Seems like I heard that somewhere about some system. Also, I know the 3DS has sort of points cards (ie, cash value cards like PSN). Is there something like that for the Wii U? That way at least I could use Best Buy or Amazon credit and not put a credit card on file with the system.

You can pay exact change if you want and there are general purpose cards for the 3DS and Wii U eShop.

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Nintendo...114_&cp=1&lp=1

Originally Posted by Strell Speaking generally, I don't like using cards on systems directly given some of the issues that have risen in past years. The two biggest examples are the PSN security hack from 2011, and the fact that Microsoft removed the ability to stop auto-renew of XBL accounts. What REALLY gives me pause is that both of those companies are far, far longer with their online stuff than Nintendo could ever hope to be, so it makes me really hesitant to want to use Nintendo's system for electronic purchases.

Exactly. Well, I might stop in GS tonight and I'll see if they have any cards. I don't see a listing for them on Amazon or Best Buy (unlike the 3DS shop cards) so that's why I wasn't even sure they existed for the Wii U.

Edit: thanks Frisky - a general search for me on "Wii U shop" or "Wii U eshop" didn't show that link. I guess I'll grab one of those with my GS credit tonight. Though funding it with $20 is a little bit of overkill for a few months worth of 30 cent games . But hopefully I'll have more use for it later too.

I just thought of a good use for the Wii -> Wii U upgrade promotion that makes it useful even if I have to pay $1-$2. I have 1000 points on my Wii shop account that I haven't touched in at least 4 years. I also have 3 or 4 Wii Points cards from some long forgotten promo (got them for $3-$10). I guess once a game comes out on the Wii U VC, I could buy the Wii version and then pay the $1-$2 to "upgrade" it. That's all I'm essentially paying then, since the Wii points cards were purchased long ago and that money is long gone. But of course that will only work for games that are on both systems and ones that I haven't already bought.