Should it all be simpler?

Last month we reported that Nintendo Network IDs were tied to one console - meaning you couldn't sign into your own account on a friend's Wii U or worse still, if you were unlucky and broke your brand new Wii U, there would likely be no easy way to simply login on a new console and retrieve your details.

For anyone worried about what would happen to their account and download purchases in the unfortunate event of a broken Wii U, Nintendo of America has confirmed to Kotaku that the ID will be safe if a replacement system is ever required:

NoA’s repair process includes the transferring of the Nintendo Network ID to a new Wii U console if a replacement system is needed.

So while the neat idea of playing with your save data on a friend's system is still a no-go, it looks like you can indeed use your Nintendo Network ID on another console - though only if replacing a broken Wii U through the Big N's repair process. Nintendo will need to be involved directly with the process, so you can't simply pop into your local repair shop or retailer for a quick replacement. What do you think of this news, has Nintendo over-complicated a process that should seem incredibly easy in this day and age? As always, let us know in the comments section.

[source kotaku.com, via mcvuk.com]