For a long time we've been awaiting Gameboy Advance titles on the Wii U Virtual console, it looks like our wishes have been granted. And the first three titles will be with us as soon as next week including a nice little selection of games; Advance Wars, Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga and Metroid Fusion.

But this is only the beginning of an epic April for fans of the older generation of Mario (and other Nintendo) titles.

For anyone who didn't play Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga first time round, you'd be crazy not to take advantage of getting this on your Wii U for a mere £6.29 GBP (approx 8 EURO, 10 USD).  Check out the full announcement from Nintendo UK below

26^th March, 2014 – Back in 2001, Nintendo delivered the next generation of portable entertainment in the shape of Game Boy Advance, a 32-bit handheld console with an intuitive design and a host of memorable titles. To celebrate some of the classic gaming moments delivered by this handheld gem, Nintendo will begin releasing Game Boy Advance titles on Nintendo eShop for Wii U Virtual Console starting next week, allowing fans and newcomers alike to enjoy some of gaming’s greatest highlights on the living room TV or on their Wii U GamePad. In addition, Restore Points that save progress during gameplay and Miiverse connectivity both offer new features when enjoying these classic games.

 

A selection of GBA titles will be coming to Wii U from 3^rd April, with a few of gaming’s most renowned characters kicking off the roster.

On 3^rd April, three very different titles comprise the initial launch line-up:

• Advance Wars (£6.29) is a critically acclaimed turn-based strategy game, in which you must lead your Commanding Officers to victory. Take control of ground, air and naval forces and face enemies across more than 100 battlefields, tackling a range of terrains and weather conditions.
• Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga (£6.29), the first game in the Mario & Luigi series is a zany, action-filled role-playing game, which lets you control both of these stars simultaneously and take part in turn-based battles. Mario and Luigi must work together to explore the vast lands of the Beanbean Kingdom and defeat the evil witch who has stolen Princess Peach’s voice.
• Metroid Fusion (£6.29) offers classic bounty hunter, gun-toting action but with an added twist: hero Samus Aran has been attacked by a deadly parasite! Cured by Metroid DNA, Samus is bestowed with unique new powers, and sets out on a quest to hunt down and face the mysterious ‘SA-X’. Metroid Fusion combines an engaging original story with intense platform action in classic Metroid series style.

Two more great titles follow on 10^th April:

• In Kirby & The Amazing Mirror (£6.29), there is not just one Kirby but four, with the powerful pink hero splitting into different coloured copies of himself! Together they must restore harmony to Dream Land, sucking up foes big and small along the way. Seek out the hidden collectibles in-game which can alter the appearance of Kirby – all part of this wacky, fun-packed adventure!
• Before he branched out his business to more recent systems, Wario first set up shop on Game Boy Advance in Wario Ware Inc.: Minigame Mania (£6.29). From 10^th April, join Wario and experience a dizzying whirlwind of over 200 minigames, each one simple but played at lightning fast speed.

On 17^th April blast to unthinkable speeds and try your hand at mystical role-play:

• F-Zero: Maximum Velocity (£6.29) launched on Game Boy Advance with supersonic force, where descendants of famous stars from F-Zero put their driving skills to the test in 10 brand new, high-speed hovercraft, and 20 different courses and four difficulty levels to master. From lowly rookie to F-Zero champion, face deadly tight turns, gravity-defying jumps and stomach-churning speed boosts on the road to success.
• In the epic role-playing adventure Golden Sun (£6.29), evil is slowly covering the world, with the forces of darkness pursuing the lost art of Alchemy. Alongside trusty companions, use weaponry, magic and a host of elemental creatures to return peace to this mystical world.

And on 24^th April an epic ‘egg-stravaganza’ awaits:

• In Yoshi's Island: Super Mario Advance 3 (£6.29)  the evil Kamek attempts to kidnap the baby Mario brothers, leading to the heroic Yoshi stepping in to save the day. With Baby Mario on your back, traverse a beautiful crayon-illustrated world filled with fiendishly designed levels to defeat Kamek and his master, Baby Bowser!

Relive some of your old Game Boy Advance favourites this April on Wii U, and keep an eye out for further releases in future months. To catch a reminder of what lies in store with the above titles for April, a new Wii U Virtual Console trailer can be viewed here.

Shortly behind Nintendo UK's announcement above, Nintendo of America announced the same but also confirmed a bonus for fans of classic Mario platforming - the legendary Super Mario Bros 3 will be unleashed on a Nintendo 3DS or Wii U near you on April the 17th for only $4.99 USD.