I'm spoiled by being able to back up all of my save/game data on my PS3, PC, Vita etc, so I'm a little concerned that there isn't a straight up "back up all the things" option in the Wii U settings. I've heard some icky backup suggestions like manually copying files.
However, since you can move games/their saves over 100% to an external source (which I should then be able to back up), it seems like if all my game/save content is on an external device I should be able to back up that device and keep all my content, right?
So if all my content is on an external drive can I really back it up? Can anything but the Wii U read Wii U formatted external media (it'd probably be an HDD)? If I "restore" the external drive's contents can my Wii U still read the restored contents? And...least likely, if something happens to my Wii U, will I be able to use my external drive's content in any way on a new Wii U system?