Potential Wii owner - some VC questions

[Andy]

Hi everyone,

I was wondering if some of you could help me out. After much consideration I've decided to opt for a Wii over its current next gen rivals but I still have a ton of questions about it I hope some of you can answer. They're mostly related to the Virtual Console (which I'm extremely interested in) but I got one or two general Wii questions too.

1) When I download a VC game is there any way to back them up? I'm kind of worried incase I spend loads on VC games and I accidently delete them or my Wii breaks (as always seems to happen with me and new hardware) and I'm left with nothing.

2) How long are the game's "shelf life"? There's quite a few I want and it'd be pointless buying them all at once, so do I have to worry that when I finally want to download a certain game it's no longer available? I'm hoping once they're available they're there for good.

3) Are there any risks buying a second hand Wii, such as being unable to download VC games if someone else already has on that machine from a different account or something? (I like the idea of it already coming with downloaded games installed and a cheaper price tag).

4) This question is more about the Wii itself. I own a GameCube but I hate having more than one console under my TV so it'll be gone when I get my Wii. I have a couple of import GameCube games that I'd hate to not be able to play any more. Is there any way to play import GameCube games on the Wii (or is it possible one will be available in the near future)?

5) Finally I've heard online that the Wii's disc drive is notorious for scratching discs when inserting them. Anyone had this problem or is it just people on XBox/PS3 forums trying to give the machine a bad name?

Know that's a lot to read through but I'd appriciate it if anyone can answer them. Thanks, guys!

[ICEknight]

Originally Posted by Andy

1) When I download a VC game is there any way to back them up? I'm kind of worried incase I spend loads on VC games and I accidently delete them or my Wii breaks (as always seems to happen with me and new hardware) and I'm left with nothing.

You can re-download your games without having to pay again for them, they'll always appear as "already purchased" in the Wii shop channel. If you have to change your Wii for another one, you'd have to tell Nintendo because you can't use downloaded games in other system than the one you were using.

2) How long are the game's "shelf life"? There's quite a few I want and it'd be pointless buying them all at once, so do I have to worry that when I finally want to download a certain game it's no longer available? I'm hoping once they're available they're there for good.

Only case of a game disappearing from the shop was "Super Mario Bros The Lost Levels" in PAL regions, and I think it was announced even before it was released.

3) Are there any risks buying a second hand Wii, such as being unable to download VC games if someone else already has on that machine from a different account or something? (I like the idea of it already coming with downloaded games installed and a cheaper price tag).

In that case, the system might be linked to a Club Nintendo account, just make sure you link it to yours before registering any games and it will be fine.

4) This question is more about the Wii itself. I own a GameCube but I hate having more than one console under my TV so it'll be gone when I get my Wii. I have a couple of import GameCube games that I'd hate to not be able to play any more. Is there any way to play import GameCube games on the Wii (or is it possible one will be available in the near future)?

It was possible in the past, but not anymore since one of the last firmware updates, or so I heard.

5) Finally I've heard online that the Wii's disc drive is notorious for scratching discs when inserting them. Anyone had this problem or is it just people on XBox/PS3 forums trying to give the machine a bad name?

Never had any kind of problems with it. All my discs are scratch free.

[Pit 42]

Ok, (takes huge breath)

1. You can copy VC games onto SD cards as backup. However, if within the game you create a save point my returning to the Wii menu, when you transfer the game to the SD card the save point will not be transferred.
2. We in NA haven't seen any VC games taken off the shop channel, so I wouldn't worry about that too much. The Wii is just starting out its lifespan and it will be a long time before Nintendo even considers taking off any VC games.
3. There doesn't sound like any risks in the second-hand Wii you described. I personally abhor the idea of buying used games + hardware, and do so only if I have to, because I'm worried either the game may be scratched or the harware has been tampered with in some way. If I were you and I was really concerned about price I would just wait for Wii's price to drop. But if you're OK with buying a used one, then by all means.
4. In all honesty, I have no idea, as I don't import any games. Sorry.
5. Sounds just like Microsoft and Sony fans trying to give Nintendo fans a hard time. Wii disc will not and do not scatch when intserted.
HOWEVER: I have had trouble getting my Wii Sports disc out the the cheap case it came with, and after pulling and tugging on it for a while my disc has a couple scratches, so I would recommend if you do get a Wii you also purchse some sort of DVD case for Wii Sports so you don't have this problem.

*Phew!* Hope this sort of helps you, sorry about question 4, and hope you make the right descision.

[ICEknight]

Originally Posted by Pit 42

I would recommend if you do get a Wii you also purchse some sort of DVD case for Wii Sports so you don't have this problem.

Or a Wii points card. Those spare cases can be quite useful.

[kelvingreen]

Originally Posted by Andy

5) Finally I've heard online that the Wii's disc drive is notorious for scratching discs when inserting them. Anyone had this problem or is it just people on XBox/PS3 forums trying to give the machine a bad name?

Never had this problem, never heard of this problem. Scaremongering, I'd expect, from MS/Sony fanboys unable to deal with the Wii's success.

Originally Posted by Pit 42

so I would recommend if you do get a Wii you also purchse some sort of DVD case for Wii Sports so you don't have this problem.

Where are you Andy? In Britain, at least, Wii Sports comes with a case.

[ICEknight]

It used to, but it comes bundled with the cardboard case in newer systems.

[-Regii]

Originally Posted by Andy

4) This question is more about the Wii itself. I own a GameCube but I hate having more than one console under my TV so it'll be gone when I get my Wii. I have a couple of import GameCube games that I'd hate to not be able to play any more. Is there any way to play import GameCube games on the Wii (or is it possible one will be available in the near future)?

From what I read, the Wii itself is not region-free, but there is a Freeloader for GameCube Games also working on Wii allowing you to play GC-Games not from your region. Such a thing doesn't exist for Wii-Games yet, unfortunately.

But if you update the firmware of your Wii, then the Freeloader won't work anymore (Read reviews http://www.amazon.co.uk/Datel-Freelo.../dp/B00006FRD9 ), so I think you have no other choice than leaving you Cube under the TV

[Shortay]

Originally Posted by -Regii

From what I read, the Wii itself is not region-free, but there is a Freeloader for GameCube Games also working on Wii allowing you to play GC-Games not from your region. Such a thing doesn't exist for Wii-Games yet, unfortunately.

The freeloader doesn't work on the Wii though

[-Regii]

Originally Posted by -Regii

But if you update the firmware of your Wii, then the Freeloader won't work anymore (Read reviews http://www.amazon.co.uk/Datel-Freelo.../dp/B00006FRD9 ), so I think you have no other choice than leaving you Cube under the TV

Just read the rest of my post plz. ^^

[Shortay]

Originally Posted by -Regii

Just read the rest of my post plz. ^^

I did read your entire post, but some lemon juice got in my eye and I missed the rest =P