Update News
Major Wii U Update Adds New Services and Faster Performance
REDMOND, Wash.--(April 26, in the year of our Lord 2013)--
The next major system update for Nintendo’s Wii U home console
after launch is now available for download. The update delivers
a host of new services and enhanced features, such as improved
stability and performance, as well as faster load times when
switching between applications. The update also lays the
groundwork for the imminent launch of the Wii U Virtual Console
service. Wii U owners also will soon see the launch of Wii U
Panorama View.
“Wii U continues to grow and evolve with new features that make
it a better experience for everyone,” said Reggie Fils-Aime,
Nintendo of America’s president and COO. “Now owners can
navigate to their favorite games and services even faster, or
play some of their favorite classic games.”
Here’s what the system update delivers:
The time required to start the Wii U console, launch built-in
applications, exit software and return to the main menu, jump
between applications, and jump between software and Miiverse has
been reduced.
While the Wii U logo is being displayed during the system
startup, users can directly transition to the Wii Menu by
holding down the B Button on the Wii U GamePad.
Users can install games and applications from the Nintendo eShop
in the background while other software is being used.
When powering off during a download, Wii U will go into a
standby mode, then power off when all downloads and
installations are complete.
Users can transfer and copy data between two USB storage devices
in Data Management. This allows users the opportunity to upgrade
or replace a current USB storage device that is connected to the
Wii U Console.
Users can control the priority of their downloads when
downloading multiple items at once.
Improved account selection when powering on the system now
displays Nintendo Network IDs to clearly distinguish accounts.
TV screen size output can now be adjusted in the System
Settings.
An Undo/Redo button was added to the Miiverse drawing input
screen.
As previously announced, additional features are scheduled to be
rolled out a short time after the update goes live. Wii U owners
can soon expect to find:
Virtual Console
A library of quality classic games is planned for the Virtual
Console on Wii U, with favorites such as Balloon Fight, Donkey
Kong, Donkey Kong Jr., Excitebike, F-Zero, Ice Climber, Kirby’s
Adventure, Kirby Super Star, Mario Bros., Punch-Out!! Featuring
Mr. Dream, Super Mario Bros. 2, Super Mario World, Super Metroid
and Yoshi on the way soon. Game Boy Advance and Nintendo 64
games are scheduled to be added in the future.
Each game in the Wii U Virtual Console library has been
developed to include off-TV play on the Wii U GamePad
controller, customizable controls, Miiverse community support
and the ability to instantly save game progress. NES games will
cost $4.99 to $5.99, while Super NES games will cost $7.99 to
$8.99. People who have already downloaded these games to their
Wii System can transfer them to their Wii U consoles and play
them in Wii Mode at no charge. To upgrade and take advantage of
the improved Wii U features, they can purchase them at the
special discount price of just $1 for NES games and $1.50 for
Super NES games.
Wii U Panorama View
Wii U Panorama View opens a window to the sights and sounds of
some of the world’s most exotic destinations. Wii U owners use
the GamePad controller to look in every direction to control an
immersive 360-degree video guided tour as these destinations
come to life from the comfort of your living room. Imagine
catching all the sights during a tour of London on a
double-decker bus. Wii U Panorama View will be available as a
free downloadable demo from the Nintendo eShop and includes a
sample of different experiences the application has to offer.
The full versions of each individual video tour can be purchased
for $2 each.