Kirby: Canvas Curse and Animal Crossing: Wild World Join North American Wii U Virtual Console

Kirby: Canvas Curse and Animal Crossing: Wild World are now available on the North American Wii U Virtual Console, marking another significant step as Nintendo of America continues to align its Virtual Console offerings with those seen in Europe.

The addition of these classic Nintendo DS titles strengthens the Wii U’s library and offers players in North America the chance to experience these much-loved games once again via the eShop. Kirby: Canvas Curse, initially released for the Nintendo DS in 2005, is often celebrated for its innovative use of touch controls and creative level design, laying the groundwork for its spiritual successor, Kirby and the Rainbow Curse, which appeared on the Wii U a decade later.

Meanwhile, Animal Crossing: Wild World, which debuted in 2005, remains a landmark in the life simulation genre, introducing the popular franchise to portable play and later inspiring the hit Animal Crossing: New Leaf for the Nintendo 3DS. In this week's release update, Nintendo confirmed that both Kirby: Canvas Curse and Animal Crossing: Wild World would be making their way to the Wii U eShop nearly a year after their European Virtual Console launch.

This move is consistent with Nintendo of America's recent efforts to ensure parity with the European Virtual Console, broadening access for fans across different regions. A Nintendo spokesperson highlighted the importance of revisiting classic titles, stating that making these DS favorites accessible through the Wii U eShop provides long-time fans and newcomers alike the chance to (re)discover important moments in Nintendo's portable legacy. Historically, the Virtual Console service has offered a curated selection of titles from Nintendo’s extensive back catalog, making iconic games available for modern players on contemporary hardware like the Wii U.

Such re-releases support the preservation and celebration of Nintendo's rich gaming heritage. Both titles are now available for download via the North American Wii U eShop as of the week of October 13, 2016.

Their arrival is sure to appeal to retro enthusiasts and anyone hoping to experience formative entries from Kirby's and Animal Crossing's storied histories. For more updates on eShop releases, Virtual Console news, and the latest in Nintendo developments, stay tuned to our ongoing coverage.

Nintendo of America Nintendo Kirby: Canvas Curse Animal Crossing: Wild World Wii U Nintendo DS eShop