Good news: Wii U is getting brand new additions to its Virtual Console! Sadly though, if you’re hoping for Gamecube games, you’ll have to hope on. Nintendo have skipped an entire generation, and are going to be offering Wii games for download from the eShop from today.

Although the Wii U is backwards compatible with disc based Wii games, the process is a little fiddly as you have to put the Wii U into Wii mode, which means that the pro controller and GamePad physical controls cannot be used. The great news is that these new downloads will install on the main Wii U menu, and if the original editions supported the classic controller then they may be playable with the Wii U Gamepad.

Confirmed games for the service are as follows:

Super Mario Galaxy – Out Now

Donkey Kong Country Returns (Europe only) and Punch Out!! (North America only) – Out 22/1

Metroid Prime Trilogy – Out 29/1

All of the above games will be available at half price for the first week they’re on sale, and Nintendo are also planning more releases with Kirby’s Adventure, Punch Out!!, Pandora’s Tower and Sin and Punishment: Successor of the Skies confirmed for Europe. Regular pricing will be around the $20/€20/£18 mark.

Unfortunately there’s no word of an upgrade service for owners of the original discs, and this seems unlikely to change as Nintendo have said these downloads are aimed at people who missed out on the games first time around. Will you be downloading any Wii games?