Dant

Nintendo really has no excuse for the Wii U not having Gamecube backwards compatiblity. Let me explain.

I have detailed here, how it is possible for Nintendo to have GC compatiblity, and Not add to system cost. It requires no more emulation that Nintendo has already programmed for Wii compatiblity.
Also, just because there would be physical compatiblity, that doesn't mean GC games would be off limits to the Virtual Console.

Wii Specs:

PowerPC CPU @ 729 MHZ
ATI GPU @ 243MHZ

Memory

24MB Embedded into CPU
3MB Embedded into GPU
64MB RAM usable by any component

Gamecube Specs:

PowerPC CPU @ 486MHZ
Exact Same ATI GPU @ 162MHZ

Memory

24MB Embedded into CPU
3MB imbedded into GPU
16MB to buffer DVD drive and for Audio Processor
The only remaining differences are I/O and of course the DVD drive itself.

As you can see the Wii and Gamecube are very much the same, save for some overclocking and a RAM upgrade.

Here's how the Wii gets compatiblity: (From what I can decipher) 48MB of RAM is disabled, and 16MB is used as a DVD buffer and reserved for audio. The processors are then clocked down from 1.5x speed to 1x and run at Gamecube spec.

Now if the Wii U can already run Wii games without issue, what is preventing Gamecube compatiblity?

You may say "What about the controller ports?". Well wouldn't it be simple for nintendo to sell a box that had four GC controller ports, and two memory card slots, and plugged into a USB socket?

In my quest to determine the Wii U's exact hardware... this is about the most I can contribute.

So far the generally agreed upon fact is that the Wii U will have a GPU currently being called a R770 and is to be made by AMD (ATI).

(Source: http://www.engadget....ful-than-ps3-a/)

Having a good bit of experience in PC hardware I heard "R770" and immediately went to Wikipedia to confirm my thoughts.

(Source: http://en.wikipedia....iki/Radeon_R700)

Now looking at prototype names AMD used for this line of GPUs we can narrow this down to three specifc GPUs. Those being the 4830 (R770LE), the 4850 (R770PRO), and the 4870 (R770XT). Most likely the 4870 as it remains the most unmodified from the first design, with the other two having parts of the core disabled, so moderately defective core can be used (Sounds bad, but if you know alot about semiconductor manufacturing it makes sense.)

Having just upgraded from a PC running a 4870 I can vouch for these certianly being workhorses and much much more powerful than what current consoles hold. That and having them handle both an HDTV and the controller (about 480P) when current AMD drivers allow 6 HD displays at once, it shouldn't be a problem.

I know that doesn't clear much up, but it's about the best I can determine from this.

Hello everyone, I'm Dant. I am extremely excited about the Wii U, being just a little bit of a Nintendo fanboy and owning every Nintendo home console released in the US, as well as owning all three major console this generation (I wanted to play Gran Turismo 5, Crysis, SSBM, and Halo: Reach... Almost a waste.)

My rather unusual nickname comes from the days I used to play World of Warcraft, being the first major online game I had played at that point, I had no idea what to have for a name. The randomization system WOW had gave me a rather long and hard to spell name I can't remember, and as such my friends shortened it to the first four letters: Dant.

I don't own a 3DS, and haven't used the Wii I own much since about 2008. Lately I've been more interesed in PC gaming and haven't paid much attention to Nintendo since until the Wii U was announced.

The games I'm currently playing are: Minecraft, The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, Gran Turismo 5 and I'm hoping to buy a copy of Skyward Sword fairly soon.

Super Smash Bros. Brawl  FC: 2878-9263-6585

Mario Kart Wii FC: 0044-3412-6944

PSN name: dant

Xbox 360 Gamertag: T3h Vengeance

Steam Username : dant2142