A new ESRB rating suggests that Nintendo is planning to release the critically-acclaimed Wii classic Super Mario Galaxy as a digital download on the Wii U eShop.

While the Nintendo Wii certainly had its problems, the system was also home to some of the most beloved video games of the last generation. One such game, Super Mario Galaxy, is actually the most critically-acclaimed video game of all time, and has been praised as being one of the best 3D platformers ever made. Now it appears as though even more gamers will have a chance to see what all the fuss is about, as it looks like Super Mario Galaxy is coming to Wii U.

This rumor is thanks to a new ESRB rating that lists the game as being available for both Wii and Wii U. This means that the Wii U version of Super Mario Galaxy likely won't be an HD remaster or a remake, but rather, a simple port of the game to the Wii U eShop. This would make the most sense considering the sequel, Super Mario Galaxy 2, is already available on the Wii U eShop.

Since the Wii U is backward compatible with the Wii, some might argue that releasing a digital version of Super Mario Galaxy on the Wii U eShop is pointless. On the contrary, Super Mario Galaxy is becoming an increasingly difficult game to find in stores at a low price, even after it was a made a part of the Nintendo Selects lineup. This digital release will give gamers that missed the game on the Wii a chance to experience it without breaking the bank.

Now the only question is, when will Super Mario Galaxy be available on the Wii U eShop? 2015 is very nearly over, but before then, Nintendo has one more event in the form of a Super Smash Bros. Nintendo Direct. Even though the Nintendo Direct (which will take place tomorrow) is dedicated to Super Smash Bros., perhaps Nintendo could casually announce when fans can expect to see Super Mario Galaxy on the Wii U.

If there's no announcement tomorrow, it seems likely that Super Mario Galaxy won't hit the Wii U until 2016. After all, Super Mario Galaxy 2 released on the Wii U last January, so it would be fitting for the original to follow suit and release on the system next month to kickoff what is sure to be an interesting 2016 for Nintendo.

Regardless, Super Mario Galaxy is one of the most critically-acclaimed games of all time, and for good reason. We named it as one of the best games of the last generation, and it's definitely an experience just about any gamer should consider checking out. Hopefully even more gamers will discover Super Mario Galaxy if it comes to the Wii U eShop, and maybe if it it sells well, Nintendo may offer news on the potential Super Mario Galaxy 3.

Whether or not Super Mario Galaxy is getting a digital Wii U release, the physical Wii version of the game is playable on the system thanks to backward compatibility.

Source: Destructoid