![Wii U Gets 700MB Firmware Update [Updated]](https://www.kotaku.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/01/191t84d3jy842jpg.jpg?quality=75&w=640&h=360&crop=1)
The Wii U has just got a big firmware update. Update: We now have a change log from Nintendo, which you’ll find below.
Version 4.0.0 U, available via an Internet connection, includes the following improvements:
New Features:
- A feature to output video and sound to the Wii U GamePad when using Wii Mode Users can choose to output to the TV and GamePad, or just the TV
- A feature to automatically receive recommended software and demo titles from Nintendo using SpotPass
- Support for USB keyboards
- An option to disable use of a Nintendo Network ID on non-Nintendo hardware, such as PCs and smartphones
- Support for Dolby® Pro Logic® II Surround Sound when playing Wii software
Changes to Wii U Menu:
- Added a friend list icon to the Wii U Menu for easier access to the Friend List
Changes to System Settings:
- An option to automatically receive recommended software is now available under “Internet”
- A setting to select which cable outputs sound is available through “TV”
- Users can choose to output sound through an HDMI cable, non-HDMI cable, or both cables at the same time. Click here for instructions
- A setting to adjust the hourly interval in which standby functions are performed is available under “Power Settings” when Standby Functions are enabled
Changes to Wii U Chat:
- Added the option to view a friend’s profile on Miiverse when sending or receiving a chat request
- Users can now chat using a headset connected to the Wii U GamePad
Changes to Internet Browser:
- Pressing the R or L Buttons on the Wii U GamePad will skip video playback forward/back a small amount of time
- Holding the R Button will speed up video playback Ability to save username and passwords for websites that require login
- Ability to launch the Internet Browser during gameplay and upload screenshots Added support for viewing PDF files
- Added features intended for website developers that allow the user to enable developer tools and set user agent
Improvements to system stability and usability:
- Further improvements to overall system stability and other minor adjustments have been made to enhance the user experience
That first one sounds amazing, but there’s a catch: “Wii software displayed on the Wii U GamePad cannot be controlled by the GamePad. This feature only allows Wii software to be displayed on the GamePad. A Wii Remote Plus or Wii Remote is required to play Wii software titles.”
Sadly, the console’s biggest problem — sluggish menu load times — doesn’t appear any better.
Comments
26 responses to “Wii U Gets 700MB Firmware Update [Updated]”
I got one on the weekend, and oh my – dat menu load. D:
Update the hell out of it if you haven’t already. There’s a patch that reduced it significantly, but it’s still slow.
Yep, took it to latest version. Unsure on file size because it doesn’t say, but it took ages.
That’s giving more credit that due. The menu is slow slow I can raise the whole of the Titanic and have time to spare.
I’ll say. I recently got mine when Dick Smith had that 50% off sale.
Still waiting for the menu to load……
I picked one up last week during that Dick Smith bargain, i’ve actually got a list of games out, or out by the end of the year which ended up longer than I expected. Although, if it was someones primary console, I could see the issue.
My only problem is that i’ve pledged to only buy digital copies of games from now on, and seriously.. the prices on the eShop kill me. So i’m hoping they have eventual sales or discounts on eShop titles.
I’m too used to PC games pricing where I can get any game for less than AU $60 even on launch.
I’m actually seriously considering picking up a Wii U, something that I didn’t think I’d be doing 12 months ago. There’s a good number of games coming out in the next 6-12 months.
I wish Nintendo would fix that huge problem. At the moment, the only enjoyment I am getting out of my Wii U is through Xenoblade Chronicles.
Until the new Sonic comes out, there is no game that really interests me and the ones that do are basically updated ports of games I have played and finished already.
Not really that impractical. They do give you both a dock and a stand for the gamepad, and I found off-screen play for Pikmin with the Wii remote+nunchuk to be excellent.
It’s a minor nuisance for me. I’d like to use the gamepad alone, but hey, this is a good step forward.
So the only thing I really cared about from an update isn’t fixed?
Awesome
No games? unfortunate….
Nintendo direct tonight will is about games
Does anyone know when we will get TVii, if ever?
Sigh, hoped there would be some word on the latest Youtube update freezing the console.
The update fixed the youtube for my console.
menu is a little faster, heaps noticeable in miiverse.
Also netflix update for super HD, yay for nbn :p
Updated today and is fixed for me too! So glad. Lots of little tweaks, noticed the miiverse especially.
Playing Wii games on the Gamepad makes the jaggies slightly less noticeable.
Too bad you still need a secondary controller though. I can understand the need with Remote/Nunchuk games but I wish we could use the gamepad controls as a classic controller.
You can play Wii games on the gamepad? Like, which ones?
…All of them. It says right up the top there, that’s what this update does.
The gamepad contains a screen, speakers and a sensor bar. It’s essentially a TV. Before this update, you couldn’t use it to play anything but Wii U games. But now, you can play Wii games using off-screen play.
That’s really cool. I’m looking really really forward to the Wii U now.
The gamepad has a sensor bar? This is news to me!
Am I mistaken if I say that a regular TV is required to start up Wii mode, even if you just want to use the gamepad?
Couldn’t tell you, I’m just going by the announcement here. I still play my Wii games on my Wii.
Video via HDMI & audio via anologue. Finally. No more TV speakers!