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Topic: Wii U and storage space - am I doomed?

Posts 1 to 20 of 22

ducktrapper

Just got a Wii U Basic pack for the kids for Christmas. I thought I'd manage with 8GB because I don't really intend to download games but to buy them on disc, as I always did with the Wii and the Gamecube. I tried the Wii U out last night with two games - Super Smash Bros and Mass Effect 3 - and discovered that it immediately needed to download updates of both games. I'm not sure whether I've got the hang of storage but it appeared that I had only about 1GB of storage left after downloading updates.

Was I wrong after all to assume that I could manage with a basic pack because I prefer to buy games on disc? Do most games have updates that will add significantly to system memory? I was about to pre-order Xenoblade Chronicles for the Wii U but I hear it will come with downloads and surely that will fill up my memory, rendering the game useless.

I have bought the Wii U on a tight budget and really did not want to get hold of a disc drive. Is there any hope for someone who just wants to play discs and save games to system memory? If it turns out to be impossible, can I get away with saving things to a USB flash drive or am I dreaming?

Sorry. Many questions here, I know. Getting a bit worried about my decision to go with an 8GB Wii U. I chose it because more expensive consoles were beyond my price range, but now it looks as if it might not be adequate to the job. Any advice gratefully appreciated.

ducktrapper

Joeynator3000

As afar as I know, Basic is for people who were planning to get an External Hard Drive right from the start...so I guess you're gonna have to get one...they're not TOO costly. But ask around before getting one.

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MegaMari0

A flash drive could do as a TEMPORARY solution. If you have one with 32GB or 64GB that can help alleviate the issue. Ultimately an HDD would do wonders for you. Black Friday or Cyber monday have awesome deals on external storage.

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ducktrapper

I am a complete newbie to external drives and probably would have decided against a basic pack if I had known, since the cost will probably go up to that of a Premium Pack anyway. Thanks for your help, but if I may ask two quick questions... should I just search for external hard drive on amazon (my only option where I am located) or do I need to research which hard drives are compatible with the Wii U? Also, since I may need to use a USB stick to tide me over till after Christmas, is it possible to back up the data to a PC in case of data loss?

Edited on by ducktrapper

ducktrapper

Joeynator3000

Nintendo has a couple recommended drives somewhere on their site, but like I said just ask here. Some people have already gotten a drive so they'll be able to tell you which bran to go for.

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Keep it PG-13-ish.

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faint

I've been using a "western digital element" 500 gig for six months and it works great. The cost is pretty good to

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gcunit

Any usb storage works. SD card or flash drive shouldn't need extra power; a hdd with no power lead will require a usb y-cable; a hdd with a power lead will be good to go.

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ducktrapper

I shop from the UK so my options are possibly a bit different to some of you. Plus my budget is severely limited. So I am going for anything that will work adequately at a cheap price. A bit disappointed in the inadequacy of the wii u basic pack. I do feel that the publicity material is misleading in suggesting that extra space is necessary mainly for those who want to download games and that the system memory will be fine for game saves. You have to do a bit of digging to discover that many disc-based games have large GB updates that come attached to them as soon as you load them into the console. Obviously regulars on a site like this will be well aware of all this but I am a newcomer to the Wii U.

I am planning to go with a flash drive for Christmas. This apparently works with the wii u: http://www.amazon.co.uk/SanDisk-Cruzer-Blade-Flash-Drive/dp/B...

In the new year I will then go with this plus a Y cable. Can the fact that it is portable be such a problem?: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Toshiba-HDTB305EK3AA-Canvio-Portable-...

These are the cheapest options I can find - budget is the main issue. The only thing that would make me go with the external drive right away rather than the flash is if I cannot transfer the data from one to the other at a later date. Obviously I can.... can't I?!

If anyone can suggest anything cheaper or more reliable and also very cheap available on amazon co uk I will follow the advice.

Cheers to everyone here.

Edited on by ducktrapper

ducktrapper

Mk_II

My 2 cents: get a USB 2 HD drive with an external power supply. They're dirt-cheap now as everybody is moving on to USB 3.

is it possible to back up the data to a PC in case of data loss?

No. The Wii U uses a non-standard file system that is not recognized by your PC.

Edited on by Mk_II

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ducktrapper

@Mk_II: I will look for one on amazon co uk but USB 3 seems to be crowding them out. I also want to be sure I find one compatible with the wii u (I am a complete newbie to these things, sorry). Is there the possibility of lag on some games if an older drive is used? If this is a stupid question, apologies...

ducktrapper

cwong15

If you go for a flash drive, I would go for a USB 3.0 drive rather than USB 2.0. Even though the interface is nominally USB 2.0, the reality is that USB 3.0 flash drives are backward compatible and much faster (read and write) even when plugged into a USB 2.0 interface. Since USB 2.0 is old tech, you might actually get better prices with USB 3.0 drives as they are current tech. While admittedly not a heavy user, I've had good results with my 64GB Sandisk Ultra Fit. It's so tiny it barely sticks out of my Wii U.

cwong15

Mk_II

Sorry but i would certainly not go with a flash drive. Nintendo advises against them. Trouble is that flash drives are far less reliable than a harddrive in the longer run. In particular if you do a lot of (re)writes like for game saves.

BTW: Nintendo published a list of compatible hard drives. Google or search the offical Nintendo site and you'll find it.

Edited on by Mk_II

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steamhare

@Mk_II: If you buy a new flash drive, the read/write to failure is extremely high. It will last through a large amount of read write cycles; certainly as many or more than a hard drive. They also have a low power draw, so you wouldn't need to think about a y cable or separate power source. The only major concern should be the lower storage space.

steamhare

ducktrapper

Thanks everyone for the advice. There seem to be conflicting opinions about flash drives but I've made up my mind to get one for the short term and to invest in an external hard drive in the new year. Cheers.

ducktrapper

JaxonH

Even the 32gb is barely enough for disc only gamers. Once you tack on OS, updates for games (which can vary wildly) and digital only purchases and apps, you're going to need 32gb at the bare minimum (have to think over the course of the long term).

The reason USB thumb drives are advised against are because they have limited read/write cycles. Short term is fine, but you want an external HDD.

I second the recommendation for a Western Digital 500gb drive. I advise AGAINST a drive that's externally powered (has to plug in an outlet) unless you have spare outlets. What most people do (and this is required if it's not externally powered) is use a Y cable to plug the drive into the Wii U. A Y-cable basically has 2 USB ports on the end to draw power from instead of 1. Which you need because the Wii U has low-power-output USB ports.

I'll link the drive and the Y cable in a moment. And don't feel bad. Even with a 32, most people end up buying a drive. You just have to nowadays. Stock storage is never enough on any console. My PS4 has a 2 terabyte internal drive I installed, and even it is already 75% full after just 2 years. It's the reality we live in.

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JaxonH

WD 500gb MyPassport External HDD
http://www.amazon.com/500GB-Elements-Portable-External-Drive/...

Y Cable
http://www.amazon.com/eForCity-dual-Micro-B-Cable-Black/dp/B0...

Edited on by JaxonH

All have sinned and fall short of Gods glory. Wages of sin is death. Romans

God so loved the world He sent His only Son- whoever believes on Him has eternal life. Unless you believe, you will die in your sins. Whoever believes, rivers of living water flow within them. John

ducktrapper

I've found the WD My Passport on amazon uk and will go with that one in the New Year. Many thanks for the recommendations.

ducktrapper

Henmii

@ducktrapper,

I guess 8gb will do as long as you don't download games on the e-shop or update your games. Keep in mind that many retail-games get updates nowadays. Sometimes its for free dlc, but most of the time it is for solving glitches. If your Wii u is connected to the internet, then your system will immediately download updates when you start-up a game. Sadly there isn't a option: "I don't want this update". The Xenoblade chronicles X packages are optional (they make the game quicker), but I am sure there will be some updates for glitches (and maybe some optional paid dlc). And in the case of Splatoon: Most of the games content seems to come in the form of free updates. The downside: When the servers go down or your harddrive breaks (if you have on), then you are stuck with a VERY basic game. Not good in my opinion!

If you really don't want updates, never connect your Wii u to the internet. That's the only way.

Henmii

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