With the Wii console you can play games on disk, but you can also play various classic games and download games. Follow this guide to get started buying and downloading games for your Wii.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Add some money to your account
Step 1. Purchase Wii Points from the Wii Shop
Turn on the Wii and select the Wii Shop Channel. Click Start, then Start Shopping, to open Shop.
- Click Add Wii Points and then select "Buy Wii Points with a Credit Card".
- Select the number of points you want to purchase. Prices vary depending on how many points you choose. Games typically cost 1000 points or less.
- Enter your credit card information. Wii Shop accepts Visa and MasterCard. The points will be added to your account immediately and you can start shopping.
Step 2. Add Wii points from a prepaid card
Wii Points Cards are sold by various retailers. Enter your card code to add points to your account.
- To enter the code, open the Wii Shop Channel. Open the shop and click Add Wii Points. Select "Redeem a Wii Points Card".
- Scratch the silver area covering the card code. This is the Points Card activation number. Enter it in the Activation number field and click ok. The points will be added to your account immediately.
- It is usually cheaper to buy points directly from the shop than to buy a prepaid card from a retailer.
Method 2 of 3: Download and play Virtual Console and WiiWare games
Step 1. Learn the difference between Virtual Console and WiiWare:
- Virtual Console games are older games released for older console versions. There are different systems, including Sega Genesis, Super Nintendo, Neo Geo and more. The games can be purchased as single titles.
- WiiWare are games designed specifically for the Wii. They are newer versions than Virtual Console games and cost a little more.
Step 2. Open the Wii Shop Channel
Click Start, then Start Shopping. Choose whether to browse Virtual Console or WiiWare games.
- To download a Virtual Console game click Virtual Console. You will be given several options to browse the Virtual Console library. You can search by popularity, original system, genre, and more.
- To download a game on WiiWare, click WiiWare. You will be given several options to browse the WiiWare library. You can search by popularity, release date, genre, and more.
Step 3. Look for a stock to buy
When you have found a game you want to buy, click on it to open and view its details. Click the "View Compatible Controllers" button located next to the image. This will show you the types of controllers the game works with. Some games only support certain controllers - make sure you have the right hardware.
Step 4. Click Download
You will be asked where you want to download the game. If you have installed an SD card with enough space, you can save the game there.
Step 5. Confirm you want to download
A confirmation screen will appear telling you which controllers are compatible. Press OK to continue. The Download Confirmation screen will appear, and you will be shown the consequences of the purchase on the Wii Points balance, and how much space is required for the download.
Step 6. Wait for the download to complete
Depending on the size of the game and the speed of your connection, this may take some time. Once the download is complete, you will receive a "Download successful" message and to continue you will need to click OK.
The game you just downloaded will appear in the Wii Main Menu
Method 3 of 3: Download new channels
Step 1. Open the Wii Shop Channel
Click Start, then Start Shopping. Select Channels from the main Shop screen.
Step 2. Search for the channel you want to add
These include Netflix, Hulu, and more. Most of these channels are free, but many require a subscription to their respective companies.
Step 3. Download the channel
After confirming the space occupied and the points spent, the channel will be downloaded. This may take a few minutes. Once the download is complete, the channel will appear on the Wii Main Menu.
