Right now might be the right time to buy a used Wii U console, especially if you know or learn that the previous owner purchased a lot of games and content. According to what we have been able to learn, at least for the time being, it would appear that even if the previous owner’s data is wiped from the console before sale, games and content are licensed to the Wii U console, not the user’s specific account.

What this means is that the new owner of the used Wii U console can freely download games and content that the previous owner of the console had purchased, despite the account data being wiped from the console. This means Wii U downloadable games such as Trine 2 and Nano Assault Neo can be downloaded to the used console if they were previously purchased on that console.

Nintendo has publically stated that they are able to internally transfer digital content from one console to another, such as in the event that the console dies and needs serviced or replaced in a repair situation, but this ability isn’t freely accessible to gamers.

We suspect that this situation will only remain for a short time till Nintendo changes the way that it binds is download game and content licenses. Once it is bound to the user as well as the console, we doubt that this will continue. However, until it happens, if you purchase a used Wii U, you might be able to download some extra fun at no charge.