You will be able to update the firmware without formatting the device. Plus it is the only next gen console so far where you can play next gen games from an external source.
When updating the drive's firmware, do not select to format the device if prompted by your PC as this will delete your data. I paid £100 for my 2TB (HDD) seagate backup plus i use now, it is only double for SSD speeds which i would gladly pay. Buffaloīe sure to keep your drive up to date with the latest firmware ( ). These device(s) have been subjected to basic performance tests, and we will expand the list below as more devices are confirmed to work with Wii U. I did this recently and found that there is really only one self-powered hard drive that can do this reliably: Seagate Backup Plus Slim (I think this must be the same model you have.) Because I use the USB 10/100 Ethernet adapter as well (on the other USB port), I cant use a Y-cable. We have found that the following external storage devices work with the Wii U system. Please visit the websites listed below for information on each manufacture's latest models. Nintendo cannot guarantee the availability of all models. Due to the wide range of external storage devices, usability and performance will vary. To ensure maximum performance between your Wii U and an external storage device, we recommend using a hard-disc drive (HDD) with a dedicated power source (i.e., using an A/C adapter).