Wii U spring system update now live

Nintendo's long-awaited Wii U system update has gone live, bringing with it improved console loading times and a number of other features.

The speed boost offered by the update is undoubtedly the most welcome feature for Wii U owners. It dramatically cuts the time spent waiting for the Wii U Menu and other system software to load - there's a comparison video below.

Further speed improvements are due in another firmware update later this year.

Other new Wii U tweaks include the ability to download and install software while in standby mode. You can also shuffle the order of downloads.

Miiverse and the system internet browser can now be controlled via other Wii U and Wii U controllers.

You can also now connect two USB storage devices at once and transfer data between them.

The full list of changes lies below.

Version 3.0.0 U improvements:

New Features:

• A standby function to download and install software while the system is powered off
• Software purchased from the Nintendo eShop will automatically install in the background once the download is complete
• Holding down the B Button while the Wii U logo is displayed during startup will load the Wii Menu *¹

Changes to System Settings:

• An option to transfer and/or copy between two USB storage devices in "Data Management"
• To facilitate this feature, you will now be able to connect two USB storage devices to a single Wii U console*²
• The ability to select multiple software titles when transferring, copying, or deleting data in "Data Management"
• The option to adjust screen size is now available under "TV" *³
• "Auto Power-Down" has been renamed "Power Settings"
• Options for the standby function are located within this menu

Changes to Miiverse:

• Added support for the Wii Remote, Wii U Pro Controller, and Classic Controller
• Handwritten posts will now also display on the TV screen during creation
• "Undo" and "Redo" buttons are now available when creating a handwritten post
• Removed screen size setting. This option can now be adjusted from System Settings

Changes to Nintendo eShop:

• Software downloaded from the Nintendo eShop will include released updates and will no longer need to be updated after installation
• Removed screen size setting. This option can now be adjusted from System Settings

Changes to the Internet Browser:

• Added support for the Wii Remote and Wii U Pro Controller
• Added the option to change search engines when performing a keyword search
• Added the option to return to the start page from the bookmark menu
• Removed screen size setting. This option can now be adjusted from System Settings

Changes to Download Management:

• Added the option to change the priority of downloads

Improvements to system stability and usability:

• Further improvements to overall system stability and other minor adjustments have been made to enhance the user experience

• *¹ User selection may be necessary
• *² Only one USB storage device can be used during normal use
• *³ A similar option has been removed from Nintendo eShop, Miiverse, and the Internet Browser

Watch on YouTube