Hoy everybody! it's yer matey, Benjamin... arrr.. err... okay so i've got a question about how VC/downloaded software linked to my NNID work's. My question revolves around one scary thought namely: what happens if my WiiU dies? I seem to remember reading about somebody that had his Wii/WiiU die on him and that he had lost all his digitally purchased software. He had to call Nintendo to get his NNID over to a new console or something like that (correct me if im wrong, im may very well be.)
I'm considering buying quite a lot of game's digitally (mostly VC, and on Wii-mode in fact. N64 damn it!) and i wonder what would happen to it all if my WiiU would break.
Thanks
3DS Friend Code: 0061-1555-0735
Nintendo Network ID: direth1105
Well I'm all digital and I'm not worried. If your Wii U breaks you send it off to Nintendo for repair; if they feel the need to transfer your software to a new chassis then they'll do so. I think the only way you'd have a problem is if you were really impatient and binned your machine and then wanted them to transfer the ID. As long as you're sensible and do stuff via the right channels I don't think you have anything to worry about.
My main concern is delay due to an external hard drive failure and having to re-download stuff, so I have a spare hard disk for backups which I'm trying to do on a monthly basis.
To my knowledge, VC purchases (and all digital downloads, if I'm not mistaken), are tied to the Wii U they are purchased on. So if your Wii U breaks, you definitely want to have it repaired. However, there have been several articles that Nintendo is looking to link such purchases to your Nintendo network ID instead, which would make the above a non-issue.
Ignore my initial comment above; Nintendo may have changed their policy, according to quote I found below in another thread:
You can blame the victim all you like and yes the person acted foolishly here but that still does not excuse Nintendo's policy of tying game to the console.... the person should only have to buy a new 3DS not a new a 3DS and all the digital games again
Um... that hasn't been the case since December. Remember the system update that added Nintendo Network functionality? Yeah, that forced all Nintendo eShop purchases to be tied to your Nintendo Network ID, so it would be no problem for Nintendo to do some tinkering, remotely detach it from his old system, and attach it to another system. I appreciate that you enjoy having a go at Nintendo, but now is not the time.
I had a similar thought.
If all my games are on an external hdd then they will be safe ?
The purchase is on the Wii U and is not transferred to the external HDD. You can make as many game copies onto as many HDDs as you want, but it will only run on the Wii U that made the purchase. If the HDD get damaged, you can redownload a purchased game to a new HDD as long as the Wii U isn't damaged.
As long as your Wii U is not:
1) Stolen
2) Sold
3) Broken in half
4) Set on fire
5) Strapped on a rocket and shot to the moon
Always send your Wii U back to Nintendo if it breaks or it becomes problematic. At least until the day our purchases are tied to our NNID like how Sony does it with their PSN.
The games are tied to the NNID, however, consumers aren't yet able to manage said account as freely as XBL and PSN allow.
3DS, for example, already allows you unlink and link a 3DS, but if your console is working fine, there's no real reason to transfer your account, unless you decide to switch to an XL or 2DS(vice versa). If your console is broken, you're always better off sending it to Nintendo. The only downside is the wait time, but it's ultimately the best option.
As long as your Wii U is not:
1) Stolen
2) Sold
3) Broken in half
4) Set on fire
5) Strapped on a rocket and shot to the moon
Always send your Wii U back to Nintendo if it breaks or it becomes problematic. At least until the day our purchases are tied to our NNID like how Sony does it with their PSN.
We actually have had users here say that Nintendo will actually recover their stuff if it is stolen.
Current games: Everything on Switch
Switch Friend Code: SW-5075-7879-0008 | My Nintendo: LzWinky | Nintendo Network ID: LzWinky
Thanks for the answers, it seems like i'm safe then. I just wonder what it would cost to send it in for repair when i live in Sweden....... but hey, it aint gonna break! No use in being worried.
3DS Friend Code: 0061-1555-0735
Nintendo Network ID: direth1105
As long as your Wii U is not:
1) Stolen
2) Sold
3) Broken in half
4) Set on fire
5) Strapped on a rocket and shot to the moon
Always send your Wii U back to Nintendo if it breaks or it becomes problematic. At least until the day our purchases are tied to our NNID like how Sony does it with their PSN.
I will try avoid that
I was hoping there was a account/purchase system in place oh well at least it can be fixed.
they are tied to your console, if you live in a country where it is easy to send the console back to Nintendo AND bought the console in the same country it may not be too much of an issue....... but otherwise its a big problem...... and Nintendo does not seem interesting in solving it
I had about $300 worth of virtual console/Wii-Ware content on my original Wii when it bricked a few years back. When I bought a Wii U, I called Nintendo and they were able to transfer all of my purchases to my Nintendo Network ID. I was then able to go into Wii mode on the Wii U and re-download all of my titles. They will ask you a few questions for security reasons--such as if you can remember a few games that you had on there--but it is relatively painless, and it's free.
From what I've gathered, this is a service that wasn't always offered by Nintendo. But you can sleep easy now knowing that your digital content is safe and can be easily restored by Nintendo.
When I sit close to the stage, sometimes I get sweat or spit on me from the Runaway Five.
Yea, my hope is that people start spreading the word and get this nasty "you're screwed" about digital purchases on the Wii U. They've been solving that problem for a long time already, prior to December of last year actually.
I think people just love blowing things out of proportion for longer periods of time than is actually relevant... (I still was facing angry folks from my April Fool's prank two weeks after... haha)
As long as your Wii U is not:
1) Stolen
2) Sold
3) Broken in half
4) Set on fire
5) Strapped on a rocket and shot to the moon
Always send your Wii U back to Nintendo if it breaks or it becomes problematic. At least until the day our purchases are tied to our NNID like how Sony does it with their PSN.
We actually have had users here say that Nintendo will actually recover their stuff if it is stolen.
Actually?? Wow!
Nintendo fan since 6 years of age.
Owned: SNES, Gameboy, Gameboy Color, Gameboy Advance, DS, 3DS, Wii U, PS1, PS2, PS3, PS4 and PSP3000.
3DS Friend Code: 5472-8085-9073 | Nintendo Network ID: kkloveit
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Topic: VC/Digital purchases
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