This "rebuilding" of the VC is some of the worst news to come out of these online-based consoles.
When Wii U launched, I was under the impression that this is where Nintendo would hit it's stride with that huge VC library they've built up, that was being neglected by the masses due to the out-of-the-way nature of the Wii Shop (and it's clunky navigation to boot).
So we're saying that the hundreds and hundreds of games accumulated on the Wii VC over the years will sit stagnant without any attention (besides the more "tech-savvy" portion) on the old "Wii Mode" shop? Or is that going down? Even if not, it's hidden under multiple layers and will be neglected.
It's really a joke. They took years building that up (slowly mind you, it took years before some obvious big hits or cult classics made it), and now here we are seeing them re-building it at a complete snail's pace or possibly slower than before. All that building up out the window. All because they already released the "biggest" hits on Wii VC and want an excuse to bring attention towards them again. That could be done via the right visibility on Wii U interface, or simply announcing off-screen play for each title to drum hype instead of having them unavailable completely with off-screen play as the excuse.
It would make more sense to port the entire library and integrate into the modern Wii U shop/interface, gradually patching in off-screen play one by one. They could still make a big deal and hype each release when they get the novelty patched in. But no, it (presumably) would get them more money if they make them completely unavailable and release as re-decorated, trickled out at the slowest pace possible so there is "ammo" for years to come.
It's a real shame. The library built up on Wii VC was "getting there" but needed to fill in gaps still. Now we see all those years of waiting for slow VC releases go out the window and we are essentially back in 2006, where in 6 years from now, we will be at the same place, or less content even, we are now on Wii VC. All for the excuse of a novelty, off-screen play?
And we probably will not get many of the titles on Wii VC, because more than likely in order to "re-publish" as Wii U VC format, licenses need to be re-gained or renewed. And many of the companies that agreed to do that for Wii VC are now non-existant or not in the same climate or will simply not agree to do new licenses.
Less variety in the library, trickling out over years, all over again...thanks a lot "off-screen play". A gimmick, a novelty that I myself lost interest of after using the console for a day. I'd much rather play on the TV with better IQ and screen size and resolution. The screens on the Gamepads are not even great quality, especially after being spoiled by high-end mobile phone screens or the Vita's OLED. I'll use my TV, thank you.
As if there weren't already enough letdowns with how the Wii U is handled, this is a huge blow for me. The digital library, not only VC but WiiWare, were things to look forward to for me to get use out of Wii U due to it's current stagnant offerings in terms of new retail (and digital) titles. Now we have to sit here like sheep anticipating Nintendo's "trickling out" snail-pace method of games that we already waited years to get on Wii VC? Sorry, I won't take part.
It's increasing proof that the Wii U launch was rushed to the market. Things like preparing their back catalog to work on the new platform is something that was to be expected, but now it's a "fortunate inconvenience" that Nintendo can just slowly release these titles again and build up something that has already been built up, all for a novelty that ultimately really isn't the genuine or most enjoyable way to experience these games.
All of this is another disappointment to me in modern Nintendo, who, in my eyes, can't afford many more disappointments. I am not a fan of Iwata-run Nintendo, and mid-way through the GCN generation when he took pedestal, I noticed the changes beginning. It is a shame that this is their strategy with online marketplaces, among other things. I understand they want to retain a sense of value of these archive games by not making them freely available, to be forgotten soon later, but there is a tasteful way to make them available and visible without having to remove them completely and re-drip them out.
Also, I want to know if Wii U "Wii Mode" and the Wii itself as far as VC games go have any quality difference. What is the true "genuine" experience as far as resolution, scaling and IQ? Are they exactly the same, or does Wii U running through HDMI, or some kind of scaling, decrease "genuine" IQ?