Gamecube games for Wii U eshop?

[Vynira Snowy]

So Nintendo's GCN controller adapter only works with SSB Wii U. It pisses me off that it only works with one game. So why can't we get Gamecube games on the Wii U's eshop?

[Midnight Sky ✨🌙✨]

The 3DS can't run virtual console versions of GBA and DS games due to being unable to emulate the software (or lack of). The 3DS can only actually play them because the hardware for it is built into the system. So the 3DS pretty much pretends to be a GBA or DS, which is also why you can't suspend the games or (in the case of GBA games) put the 3DS to sleep.

The Metroid Prime Trilogy, despite being able to launch it from outside of Wii mode, uses the original Wii's suspended software menu. That tells me that the Wii U is simulating the original Wii rather than emulating the software. I imagine GC also can't be emulated, but because there's no GC controller support, they can't be played either.

So, yes, the lack of support for GC controllers outside of Smash sucks. Given how poorly the Wii U sold, I don't see Nintendo adding support for it for non-Smash things.