How can I preserve bundled digital games that came with a used Wii U?

How can I preserve bundled digital games that came with a used Wii U? - Woman sorting garbage and putting metal can into bucket

I recently bought a second-hand Wii U off of eBay which came with a few games, some digital and some physical discs. The intent of buying the machine was to not only have an HDMI capable machine for my Wii collection, but also to run my GameCube discs on HDMI via Homebrew hacks.

I noticed that the non-browser based hack injection requires a game to be bought from the Wii U eShop. For that, it would obviously require a linked Nintendo Account ID (NNID?) and I have one for my Nintendo Switch, but no other Nintendo machines. From what I've read, it seems that once a Wii U has been associated with a NNID, you cannot associate that Wii U with another NNID.

Now it would be trivial if I just did a "wipe all settings" to start fresh on the Wii U, but since two of the games that it came with are digital (it was a Mario 3D bundle machine), I'm concerned that I might lose the digital games.

So my questions are:

  1. Validation of the assumptions above.
  2. I don't believe the Wii U was ever associated with an NNID as there is only a 'guest' account on it and going into its details I can see that it is asking me if I want to link it to a NNID which I'm assuming means it never was linked.
  3. In its current presumably anonymous (non-NNID-linked) state, would a "wipe all settings" preserve the digital games? i.e., are they burned in the machine or re-downloadable based on the machine serial number? Or do I need to associate an account with my NNID before I attempt such a thing?
  4. Given that the machine is several years old, is it too late to do such an action?

Thanks!






Pictures about "How can I preserve bundled digital games that came with a used Wii U?"

How can I preserve bundled digital games that came with a used Wii U? - Responsible female sorting garbage while putting tin can into container for metal litter and looking at camera
How can I preserve bundled digital games that came with a used Wii U? - Low angle of female putting tin can into bucket for metal trash for recycling litter
How can I preserve bundled digital games that came with a used Wii U? - Young responsible female standing in kitchen and putting tin can into bucket while sorting trash



Do digital games stay on Wii U?

Nintendo has announced it will cease digital game purchases on Wii U and Nintendo 3DS systems in March 2023. From that date onwards, it will no longer be possible to make purchases in the Nintendo eShop for either system, or download free content, including game demos.

Can you store Wii U games on SD card?

The Wii U includes an SD card slot at the front of the console. But you can't use an SD card for storing Wii U games. SD cards only work for storing pictures of your Miis, holding screenshots in Super Smash Bros. for Wii U, and transferring data from a Wii to your Wii U.

Can I keep my Wii U save if I have a digital and physical version if a game?

So long as the same user is selected on the console, the save data will not be impacted whether the software is played from a game card or downloaded from the Nintendo eShop.

How do you set up a used Wii U?

Complete these steps
  • Connect the Wii U GamePad to its AC adapter and allow it to charge.
  • Find an area to set up the Wii U console.
  • While the Wii U GamePad is charging, connect the Wii U console to its AC adapter.
  • Connect the Wii U console to your television.
  • Power on the television and Wii U console.




  • EVERY Wii U Game STILL Not on Switch...All 28!




    Sources: Stack Exchange - This article follows the attribution requirements of Stack Exchange and is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.

    Images: SHVETS production, SHVETS production, SHVETS production, SHVETS production