Wii U Virtual Console launches this spring

Today during a Nintendo Direct presentation, president Satoru Iwata announced that the Wii U will introduce a Virtual Console this spring. At launch, players will be able to download Nintendo Entertainment System and Super Nintendo Entertainment System games, though Game Boy Advance titles will be added at a later date.

In addition, Nintendo said there will be "special pricing" options for those who already own Wii versions of Virtual Console titles. This is $1 for NES games and $1.50 for SNES games.

Wii U Virtual Console titles will allow players to save game progress. Additionally, the games can be played on the Wii U GamePad and will feature support for Miiverse.

Lastly, in celebration of the Famicom's 30th anniversary, Nintendo is making one NES or SNES game available each month now through July for 30 cents. Each title will be available at the discounted rate for 30 days, and the first title--Balloon Fight--is now available in the Nintendo eShop for Wii U.

Other titles part of the promotion include F-Zero (February), Punch Out! Featuring Mr. Dream (March), Kirby's Adventure (April), Super Metroid (May), Yoshi (June), and Donkey Kong (July).