Nintendo is tweaking a couple of Gamecube titles for re-release on Wii - Donkey Kong Jungle Beat and Pikmin - and has just detailed how it’s all going to work using the Remote/Nunchuk interface.

Both games are part of what Nintendo is calling the “Play It On Wii” range, which suggests there’ll be more recycled fun to look forward to in the not too distant future. We’d previously questioned the wisdom of rehashing the back catalogue like this - it’s a seemingly retrograde step for a next gen(ish) console and the Wii is perfectly capable of playing old Gamecube discs should you be so inclined. However, it seems that more effort is being expended to make the two games in question suit the new hardware platform than we‘d first imagined.

Donkey Kong Jungle Beat, for instance, ditches the cumbersome bongo peripheral that was used in the ‘Cube original. Instead DK’s movement is controlled with the Nunchuk analogue stick while jumping is actuated with a deft press of the A button. Motion controls acome into play during the comedic combat sequences. The gameplay has been altered slightly too, with checkpoints and enemy character positioning being moved around slightly. It’s not clear why but we’re sure it’s all for the greater good in further improving an already moderately decent platform/action game. Bit of a shame the mad bongo-bashing component is completely gone, though.

There are fewer tweaks in the case of Pikmin. Basically the Remote is used to coral your pointy-headed platoons, while the A button is used to select individual Pikmin or throw them and the alerts your chosen squad. Sounds dandy to us.

The games are out in Japan on December 11th and 25th respectively, priced at roughly £26. Needless to say there’s no news from Nintendo Europe in either regard, but we’ll let you know as soon as it’s announced. Fingers crossed they match the cheapster price point too.