Nintendo's Downloadable Dilemma

Despite its reputation as a casual gamer's console, Wii has actually been an incredible system for Nintendo fans. Not only does the platform house some of the greatest modern achievements in the company's history, it launched the Virtual Console, the digital service that allows fans new and old to connect with some of the publisher's greatest hits. In a sense it is the ultimate Nintendo system, housing some of the biggest games from the NES, SNES and N64 eras. Add in GameCube support for most of its life and you have a system capable of spanning the bulk of Nintendo's library - no small feat.

There's just one problem. Nintendo currently has no structure in place to preserve your files as you move from one system to another. Buy a new Wii? You can't re-download your Virtual Console games or even transfer them via SD card. Currently the only solution is to send your old and new systems into Nintendo for a couple weeks for them to manually shift your data, and even then that's typically something the company does only when your console accidentally combusts or gets hit by a speeding car.

For those of us who have heavily invested in Nintendo's digital software, the possible inability to shift downloaded content is a huge problem. Few will want to keep a Wii plugged in just for Virtual Console access, particularly when Wii U will play all of its predecessors' retail software.

In short, if you're a Nintendo fan, you've got a new home console coming by the end of the year. What the heck are you going to do with all the games you downloaded on Wii?

If Nintendo decides to allow its customers to retain their purchased games on Wii U, there are few approaches worse than doing what it's doing now. Currently gamers must send their systems to Nintendo if they want to shift their data. This obviously places a huge burden on Nintendo itself, allows the company to choose who it will help, and deprives customers of the products they invested in. Who wants to send a Wii U away after they just bought it? Anyone?

A slight workaround might be if Wii U is actually capable of pulling Virtual Console data off an SD card. Currently files are bound to a specific Wii console, but if the security system of Wii U is different, perhaps this doesn't have to be a limitation. The problem here is obvious. Remember using floppy disks back in the '80s and '90s? The joy of ejecting one disk to enter another and another… and another. Those of us who gamed on the PCs of that era will remember that headache. If you're newer to gaming, imagine sitting in front of your two consoles, switching inputs back and forth as you (potentially) sit through transfer after transfer, moving a half dozen applications at a time.

To the point - it would not be fun.



Alternatively, Nintendo could sell or provide some sort of transfer cable (similar to the recent Xbox 360 solution) or application that would allow Wii and Wii U to connect and transfer files. This works to some degree - it's much faster than any sort of card or mail-based concept, and would potentially allow users to walk away from the process. There might even be an option to allow you to determine what files you'll transfer and which ones you're fine forgetting about.

This still isn't perfect though. It's not an account-based solution. Depending on Nintendo's approach, your Wii becomes some sort of clunky back-up drive, or your ability to own a second Wii U in the future is precariously limited - maybe both situations happen. The fact is Nintendo needs to figure out a strategy that future-proofs its emerging digital strategy. 3DS owners have this in place for the most part. Nintendo needs to finally implement a comprehensive solution.

Fortunately they have one that is about the best-case scenario considering all of the logistical problems that face the company.



In order to avoid future download debacles, Nintendo needs an online account system, one capable of tracking purchases as well as purchase information. Here's the thing - Nintendo already has this system, it just hasn't fully expanded it to have the full functionality it needs. In exchange for reward points, Nintendo currently allows its fans to manually track retail purchases and link digital content to Club Nintendo. The only thing that remains is bringing its online store into the fold. If I've purchased The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask on Wii's Virtual Console, and it's linked to Club Nintendo, why couldn't there be a button that allows me to download it on Wii U? The system is there. The data is being tracked.

This solution isn't perfect - those of us who have purchased titles without registering with Club Nintendo will lose significant investment. However, Nintendo's most loyal fans, and the ones who likely have purchased the most content, are probably a part of the Club. What kind of passionate Nintendo fan doesn't want little pins and calendars? Some of us will have to bite the bullet a bit, but at that point maybe Nintendo can resort to the "worst case scenario" and help limited groups of high volume customers that aren't a part of the Club.

The online needs of modern consumers extend well beyond digital content purchases, but it is a significant problem. Many gamers experienced their first NES and SNES games on Wii. In many respects, the system's Virtual Console has helped pad out the release schedule when it was at its weakest. Those of us who have been playing Nintendo games for decades have been able to catch up on some of the games we missed the first time around.

Regardless of Nintendo's overall strategy, it has a problem on its hand with its poor digital content strategy for Wii. It didn't think far enough into the future. Now the future is here. It's time for Nintendo to give us a solution. Let's hope we get our answers soon.


Rich is an Executive Editor of IGN.com and the leader of the IGN Nintendo team. Follow his ridiculous adventures through MyIGN and Twitter. Keep it cool, Koopalings.

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