Virtual Console queries answered

After confusion arose yesterday from news that some Virtual Console games "can only be played with a Classic controller", according to Wii's instruction manual, Nintendo has explained the situation, as it currently stands, to GamesRadar.

GameCube pads will be the only way to control GameCube games, which can be played as normal with your existing game discs. You must also use GameCube memory cards, and cannot save to Wii's internal memory or SD memory card.

GameCube pads can also be used to play any NES, SNES and N64 titles downloaded from Wii's Virtual Console, although N64 games will not feature rumble capability.

The Wii-mote can be used as a controller for all NES and PC Engine/Turbografx games on Virtual Console. Finally - and obviously - all games on Nintendo's Virtual Console will be playable with Nintendo's Classic controller.

A sliver of good news is that multiplayer games can be mix-and-match. A NES game could be played by one person with a Wii-mote, one with a GameCube pad and a third gamer using a Classic controller, for instance; or a SNES game with two people using the Classic controller and two more using GameCube pads.

November 14, 2006

Ben Richardson is a former Staff Writer for Official PlayStation 2 magazine and a former Content Editor of GamesRadar+. In the years since Ben left GR, he has worked as a columnist, communications officer, charity coach, and podcast host – but we still look back to his news stories from time to time, they are a window into a different era of video games. 

Latest in Gaming
GDC The Game Developers logo
When is the Game Developers Conference 2025 and why is it so interesting?
Pokemon Legends: Z-A screenshot
Everything announced at Pokemon Presents 2025
Saros screenshot featuring the main character and am imposing monster in the background with a swirling void in its chest and multiple arms with balls of fire
Everything announced at the PlayStation State of Play February 2025
Close up shot of an anime schoolgirl with a superhero mask over her eyes in a screenshot from Mightreya.
My Steam wishlist is bigger than ever thanks to the indie devs flooding social media with 15-second clips explaining their games
FGS Spring 2025
The Future Games Show Spring Showcase is back and will have a new live segment from the GDC event floor
A close-up of the Doom Slayer in the upcoming PC game, Doom: The Dark Ages.
Xbox Developer Direct 2025: date, time, and where to stream the showcase
Latest in News
Urban Dead
Cult text-based zombie MMO Urban Dead is shutting down after "a full 19 years, 8 months and 11 days" because of new UK legislation
PS5 30th Anniversary collection on a blue background
Echoing Xbox and Steam, PlayStation rolls out a beta program where you sign up to "test participating games for the PS5 console and PC" plus new features
One of the new Vault Hunters in Borderlands 4
"Don’t gaslight me": Borderlands 4 CEO Randy Pitchford begs fans to be optimistic about the upcoming FPS, otherwise "we'll all pay the price"
MobLand
First trailer for Guy Ritchie’s new crime drama sees Tom Hardy and Pierce Brosnan rule a brutal mafia empire
Ncuti Gatwa in Doctor Who season 2
Doctor Who fans think they've spotted a tease for surprise villains in new season 2 trailer
Helldivers 2
Helldivers 2 has an endgame problem, but a developer assures us "things are coming," they just can't say what yet because otherwise our expectations will be too high