Shackling network IDs to a single Nitendo Wii U console doesn’t seem to make all that much sense.
Meaning, if you buy a Nintendo Wii U today and it breaks next month you’ll have somewhat of a difficult time accessing your online account after replacing your console.
This also means you can’t log into your Nintendo Network Account on a friend’s machine. In fact, Nintendo has posted an official entry that specifically addresses the ability to log into a Network Account on a different console. The entry reads:
Can I Log Into My Nintendo Network Account on a Different Console?
Answer:
• No, you cannot. A Nintendo Network Account can only be used on the console where it was created. In the future, you will be able to use your Nintendo Network Account with future Nintendo consoles and other devices, such as PC’s.
• Currently, the Wii U supports up to 12 individual Nintendo Network ID’s per console, which enables each member of the family to have his or her own unique identity on the system.
That doesn’t seem particularly fair to Nintendo owners, especially if a console breaks and has to be replaced during the warranty period or even after. I mean, you really should be able to access your Nintendo account on any console. I can only assume the Japanese-based corporation enacted this policy to prevent digital purchases from being shared on multiple machines.
The Nintendo Wii U – which launched just days ago – has experienced a number of issues, including consoles bricking during a launch day update. In addition, the next-gen system hit the streets without the promised TVii entertainment hub for streaming content and other programming. Nintendo now says the Tvii feature will go live in the near future.
