Author Topic: What If the Wii had an External Hard Drive? (Read 9448 times)

Kytim89 · « **on:** February 10, 2010, 07:21:53 PM »

Let us suppose for a second that Nintendo released an update that allowed the wii to use an external hard drive for memory storage. It could use HDD or flash drives as a storage device that would hook up into the USB ports. However, there would be a catch to this. I for one would mod a NES controller with a large capacity USB flash drive inside. This way it would look nice along with my stickers that make my wii look like a NES console.

EasyCure · « **Reply #1 on:** February 10, 2010, 07:30:43 PM »

Quote from: Kytim89 on February 10, 2010, 07:21:53 PM

This way it would look nice along with my stickers that make my wii look like a NES console.

pics?

Kytim89 · « **Reply #2 on:** February 10, 2010, 07:32:10 PM »

I will get them to you soon.

Mop it up · « **Reply #3 on:** February 10, 2010, 07:36:01 PM »

That seems kind of unnecessary. You can already store Wii data on your PC by transferring them with an SD card. And really, isn't the space of an SD card enough?

Kytim89 · « **Reply #4 on:** February 10, 2010, 07:51:05 PM »

how could i send you pictures?

Mop it up · « **Reply #5 on:** February 10, 2010, 07:56:34 PM »

Upload pictures to here:

http://photobucket.com/

Post pictures using the image button and inserting the links.

Kytim89 · « **Reply #6 on:** February 10, 2010, 08:04:05 PM »

What about email?

TJ Spyke · « **Reply #7 on:** February 10, 2010, 08:24:03 PM »

Quote from: Mop_it_up on February 10, 2010, 07:36:01 PM

That seems kind of unnecessary. You can already store Wii data on your PC by transferring them with an SD card. And really, isn't the space of an SD card enough?

But there is a LOT of data that can not be copied to SD cards (without modding your Wii), stuff like Animal Crossing: City Folk or Mario Kart Wii data, plus many Virtual Console and WiiWare games.

Kytim89 · « **Reply #8 on:** February 10, 2010, 08:29:57 PM »

I just think a flash drive NES controller would look nice with my NES themed wii.

BlackNMild2k1 · « **Reply #9 on:** February 10, 2010, 08:55:47 PM »

Quote from: Kytim89 on February 10, 2010, 07:51:05 PM

how could i send you pictures?

NWR Forums "How To" Guide to Posting.

Mop it up · « **Reply #10 on:** February 10, 2010, 10:07:56 PM »

Quote from: TJ Spyke on February 10, 2010, 08:24:03 PM

Quote from: Mop_it_up on February 10, 2010, 07:36:01 PM
That seems kind of unnecessary. You can already store Wii data on your PC by transferring them with an SD card. And really, isn't the space of an SD card enough?

But there is a LOT of data that can not be copied to SD cards (without modding your Wii), stuff like Animal Crossing: City Folk or Mario Kart Wii data, plus many Virtual Console and WiiWare games.

You wouldn't be able to transfer that stuff to an external hard drive, either.

Morari · « **Reply #11 on:** February 10, 2010, 10:39:49 PM »

I was tempted by those NES case decals for the longest time!

If the Wii allowed for storage to an external hard drive, then they'd better allow for game installs as well. Nothing is worse than having to dig through a binder to find the game disc you want to play. It is my understanding that the PS3 and 360 already do this to some extent. It seems pretty redundant for consoles specifically though. We're not too far away from these being nothing more than locked down computers... we're 99% there already.

Pale · « **Reply #12 on:** February 11, 2010, 11:16:47 AM »

Yeah, it's only really a worthwhile addition if it comes with some added features as well. Morari's idea is a nice one, as I also hate fumbling through binders. However, what Morari doesn't realize is that you still need to do that on the 360 because that's how they handle their rights management. It's only purpose is to decrease load times, but I do it for every game I'm currently playing to try and baby my 360, as I figure using the hard drive puts less strain on the system and generates less internal heat than the disc drive.

I think the biggest SD cards can already hold every single WiiWare and VC game at the same time.

Jonnyboy117 · « **Reply #13 on:** February 11, 2010, 04:48:43 PM »

It wouldn't make any difference at this point, except to give users more options and price flexibility on their storage solutions.

The real problem is that Nintendo still has tons of restrictions on how games access the SD card, and on what kinds of data can be delegated to the SD card.

Installs are nowhere near happening, as Nintendo has no system for online authentication. As Pale noted, you still need the disc on 360 -- installing just helps with load times and drive noise. On the PS3, there is no "optional install" feature. Some games require an installation to keep down load times, but you still need the disc because many assets are still loaded optically. Among all three consoles, the only legitimate games you can play without a disc are ones that are downloaded to begin with. (The closest things to an exception are the game-specific channels installed from Wii games like Mario Kart and Wii Fit.)

Pale · « **Reply #14 on:** February 11, 2010, 05:54:10 PM »

Ya know, I never thought about that. You could let friends and family borrow your Wii Fit disc and it'd give them the ability to track their weight for free. Could be really handy for EA Sports Active players... and also precisely the reason why companies won't allow disc free game installs. =P

Kytim89 · « **Reply #15 on:** February 11, 2010, 05:56:10 PM »

Quote from: Jonnyboy117 on February 11, 2010, 04:48:43 PM

It wouldn't make any difference at this point, except to give users more options and price flexibility on their storage solutions.

The real problem is that Nintendo still has tons of restrictions on how games access the SD card, and on what kinds of data can be delegated to the SD card.

Installs are nowhere near happening, as Nintendo has no system for online authentication. As Pale noted, you still need the disc on 360 -- installing just helps with load times and drive noise. On the PS3, there is no "optional install" feature. Some games require an installation to keep down load times, but you still need the disc because many assets are still loaded optically. Among all three consoles, the only legitimate games you can play without a disc are ones that are downloaded to begin with. (The closest things to an exception are the game-specific channels installed from Wii games like Mario Kart and Wii Fit.)

Could an SD card handle downloadable content from wii games like the HDD does for the PS3 and 360. Also, is this Johnathan Metts from RFN? If so, could you mention that the DSi can play itunes podcasts on your next show, please? I found this out a while back and would really like to start a trend.

BlackNMild2k1 · « **Reply #16 on:** February 11, 2010, 06:03:04 PM »

Quote from: Pale on February 11, 2010, 05:54:10 PM

Ya know, I never thought about that. You could let friends and family borrow your Wii Fit disc and it'd give them the ability to track their weight for free. Could be really handy for EA Sports Active players... and also precisely the reason why companies won't allow disc free game installs. =P

How are they gonna track their weight without a balance board?

TJ Spyke · « **Reply #17 on:** February 11, 2010, 06:14:12 PM »

Quote from: Kytim89 on February 11, 2010, 05:56:10 PM

If so, could you mention that the DSi can play itunes podcasts on your next show, please? I found this out a while back and would really like to start a trend.

Is that really news? Podcasts are just MP3 (or MP4) files, any device that can play those will be able to play podcasts.

Chozo Ghost · « **Reply #18 on:** February 11, 2010, 07:28:47 PM »

If Nintendo released an external hard drive for the Wii at this point it would probably fare little better than the 64DD add-on for the N64 console. A much better idea would be for Nintendo to integrate an HDD into their successor to the Wii.

Pale · « **Reply #19 on:** February 11, 2010, 07:41:28 PM »

Quote from: BlackNMild2k1 on February 11, 2010, 06:03:04 PM

Quote from: Pale on February 11, 2010, 05:54:10 PM
Ya know, I never thought about that. You could let friends and family borrow your Wii Fit disc and it'd give them the ability to track their weight for free. Could be really handy for EA Sports Active players... and also precisely the reason why companies won't allow disc free game installs. =P
How are they gonna track their weight without a balance board?

Hah, good point.

BranDonk Kong · « **Reply #20 on:** February 12, 2010, 01:06:20 AM »

My Wii has an external hard drive.

Kytim89 · « **Reply #21 on:** February 12, 2010, 03:34:03 AM »

Could the SD card handle DLC for wii games like punch-out, sin and punishment 2, no more heroes 2, etc?

Chozo Ghost · « **Reply #22 on:** February 12, 2010, 04:59:14 AM »

Quote from: Kytim89 on February 12, 2010, 03:34:03 AM

Could the SD card handle DLC for wii games like punch-out, sin and punishment 2, no more heroes 2, etc?

Well, considering SD cards with capacities exceeding that of DVDs are rather common now, sure, why not?

Stratos · « **Reply #23 on:** February 12, 2010, 05:02:57 AM »

I think you can store DLC for WiiWare games on your SD Card.

Also, Bock Band and Guitar Hero DLC are stored on them as well.

Mop it up · « **Reply #24 on:** February 12, 2010, 05:03:30 AM »

Can an SD card handle DLC? Yes. But only small files, as the Wii can't run data stored on an SD card, it has to be transferred to Wii system memory. Nintendo would have to release a firmware update if they wanted to allow data to be read directly from an SD card.

Can those specific games receive DLC? No, because they were not programmed for DLC.

News:

Author Topic: What If the Wii had an External Hard Drive? (Read 9448 times)