The Nintendo Wii system comes with 512MB of internal flash memory, which is more than enough for most gamer’s game saves. However, if you need to increase the capacity of the Wii’s memory then you can purchase an additional SD memory card. Adding an SD card to the Nintendo Wii memory slot will allow you to do more game saves, plus even store movies, music, photographs, and games (more on this later).

What is an SD Memory Card?

An SD Memory Card (often called an SD Flash Card) is a memory device that allows you to read, write and delete data from a device that has an SD memory slot. The "SD" actually stands for Secure Digital. The cards are very small and normally weigh less than two grams and they are only as big as a postage stamp.

Devices that support SD Cards

The most common users of SD cards are digital cameras, mobile phones, and of course games consoles like the Nintendo Wii.  SD cards are one of the least expensive memory cards on the market due to there popularity. If you have a digital camera you may already have an SD card that is compatible with your Wii.

What Size SD Cards Does the Wii Support?

There are different capacity SD memory cards that can be used to enhance the Nintendo Wii memory. You have the choice of 512MB, 1GB, or 2GB. The 512MB Secure Digital card is lowest capacity supported by the Wii and the 2GB version is the highest capacity supported (the 2GB version stores 4 times the 512MB version).

At the time of writing, the Nintendo Wii does not support writing to a 4GB SD card though, but it is able to read from the card. For example, this means you could transfer say four 1GB movies from your PC onto a 4GB SD card and then watch them on your TV via your Wii Console.

Below I have detailed several ways you can benefit from purchasing an SD Flash Card for your Nintendo Wii.

Saving Your Game Data

The Nintendo Wii provides the ability to save game progress (as well as other data) to the internal Nintendo Wii memory, so if this is all you expect to be doing on Wii then it may not be necessary for you to have an SD card. However, some gamers prefer using the SD card in order to back up their data and store it in a safe place.

Updating the Wii System Software

Nintendo allows you to update the Wii console’s system software by downloadable updates to your PC via the Internet.  You can use an SD memory card to transfer the downloadable updates from the Internet onto your Wii Console.

Storing Movies, Pictures, and Music

You can transfer movies, music, and photographs from your PC or Mac onto an SD card and access them via your Wii console. There are number of Wii download services available that will allow you download media content from the Internet and transfer them to your Wii system.

Download Wii Games

You can also download Wii games directly to the SD card via Nintendo’s Virtual Console for the Wii. The virtual console is a library of classic Nintendo games (such as the SNES or Nintendo 64 games) that you download and play on the wii. An SD card is essential if you intend to download games.

With a Secure Digital memory card you will be able to get faster access to data, enjoy cost effective, reliable and even durable additional memory that will suit people for several different reasons. Enhancing the Nintendo Wii Memory is just one way to get the most of out your Wii system.

Click the following link to get more information about:  Wii game downloads (full free Wii games, movies and music) 

Click the following link to get further information on:  Wii Memory Cards (including where to buy the cheapest SD cards online)

When you go to your local store to buy a Nintendo Wii Console, more often than not your friendly sales person will tell the unsuspecting buyer that you need to buy an SD memory card. The line they will most probably use is that you will need a Wii memory card to save your games onto.

This is absolute rubbish!!  The Wii comes with a built-in 512MB flash memory card that is more than enough to store your game saves on.

However, if you want to download music, video, or games to your Wii then you will definitely need to purchase a SD memory card.

What Memory Cards can I buy for the Wii?

The Wii has one SD slot and supports SD memory cards from 512MB to 2GB. You can buy more than one SD card if you wish, but you can only use one at a time. For example, you could store a few movies on 1 SD card and your music on another SD card and then swap them around.

Where can I buy Wii Memory Cards?

Virtually all store that sell Wii consoles will sell Wii memory cards, buy you could pay 2-3 time the prices if you buy a card from a store. You will save a considerable amount of money if you order your memory card online. We recommend:

USA and Canada: Buy.com or UnbeatableSale

UK and Ireland: Micro Direct or PC World online

Europe: Pixmania

Where can I download free games, music, and film for the Wii?

We have already provided in-depth reviews of the top Wii game download services here.