Topic: Will we be able to transfer our purchased virtual console and wiiware games to the next gen nintendo console?

And when the Wii dies out of warranty in a few years?

The great thing about Sony and Kindle - the other two products I have digital distribution - is they allow up to 5 copies of the hardware tied to the account. If one dies, or a new console is released that I can tie my account to, then it's no big deal.

The absolute best thing about downloadable media is there's no real reason for the games to be rendered obsolete by hardware refreshes.

I can't comment on those other services, but yes, Nintendo are a bit behind the curve in that department. Hopefully they will impress us all with a smooth transition from one to the other, I daren't even think about how fans (myself included) will react if not. Guess we'll just have to wait and see...

I think the best way to do it is to make it a one time one way only transfer that locks your downloaded games on the Wii to the Wii 2 that you've chosen to download your first game to. You would then lose the ability to play the transferred games on the Wii they came from.

@Stuffy

I can't see where the grounds for a lawsuit would be if they didn't let you transfer games, since you could keep your wii.

The way they'd lose in real terms is you'd have fewer early adopters buying their next gen. console, at least right away. I figure that many of the people who are excited about getting the next console are the more "serious" or "hardcore" gamers. They're the 20% who took the time and effort to connect the Wii online and download games. If you've got a couple hundred dollars in downloads, you're not going to want to trade in your Wii and lose them. If you're serious about getting the next console, it'll mean you'll have to save up longer for it, if nothing else.

The best way to do it would be to have some sort of in store program at Gamestops/Target/Best Buy/Walmart where you can trade in your wii, they have a code that lets them download everything on your hard drive onto a sim card in store (like they do at apple stores when they transfer all your PC info to a Mac). Then you can set up everything on your Wii2 when you get home. People would be trading in like mad. There should be a way to DIY too, for those who buy online. For the casuals who have gotten onboard WW this would be great too, since they're probably less likely to be on Club Nintendo, and in store marketing would let them know that they CAN transfer games.