Nintendo has yet to announce a release date for Earthbound in North America or Europe, but did say the game is definitely on its way to the Wii U Virtual Console this year. That process is progressing, with a listing on the Australian Classification system direct from Nintendo. Earthbound is rated M in Australia for crude humor and sexual references. Ness, you've grown up so fast.
Earthbound never made it to the Wii's Virtual Console, even though Nintendo promised an appearance. Earthbound's existence on the Wii U satisfies our nostalgia – considering it actually launches this time – though we recognize the hilarity in using an 18-year-old game as a system seller. Only Nintendo.