Wii U System update.

[Howard_Casto]

I was about the head off to bed and noticed it was up.  Looks like Nintendo learned their lesson this go around.

The update downloads like regular dlc, so you can leave it running in the background.  You do have to restart the machine to install it, but that's not a huge deal. 

The speed increase in terms of loading times is fairly dramatic.  You don't hear more than the first few notes of a game's loading screen jingle before the actual game starts now. 

There was one minor thing they did that I'm eternally grateful for.  Now the login screen shows your linked account name as well as your screen name, which makes it easier to login to the rewards program on your pc and ect. 

The other thing they added is "sleep mode" downloading, that basically works like it does on the 360.  Not the most exciting feature in the world, but hey... I'm using it right now for the rayman freebie so I suppose it's useful. 

The other thing they added is virtual console integration, but seeing as how only the preview titles have been released thus far there's no telling what this actually does.  My preview games boot really fast now, but I'm not sure fi that's due to the system changes themselves or the integration. 

Also you are supposed to be able to boot straight into Wii mode by holding down B on boot... so there's that. 

So anyway, one less thing for Nintendo haters to complain about. 

With Injustice, and Lego City just released and RE: Revelations coming out next month there might actually be some games to play on it as well. 

[retrostark]

thats a fairly big update on nintendos part. we have to now just hope that they did a good amount of bug testing, because it might seem all fine and dandy, but than if there is a bug it could get ugly for nintendo.

otherwise some of the updates sounded nice, but should have been features in the original release. i love nintendo, but they seem like they are not putting in a big effort ever the keep in the market.

[Howard_Casto]

Considering they've been working on this update since launch day I'd say it's fairly bug free.  Nintendo never gets in a hurry.  That's frustrating for a lot of gamers, but for me it just gives me more confidence in the brand.   

LOL yeah the 200 year old company that is Nintendo is doomed.  Tell me another one. 

As usual Nintendo knows what they are doing.  They had to get the console out last winter or else they risked not getting the typical sales boost they enjoy with a console launch.  Once the PS4/Next Xbox come out it will be hard to get that.  Rumor is they found a last minute bug.. thus the day one update and it kind of bonked the launch. 

The only thing that's holding them back now is games.  Once the first 3d Mario/Zelda/Metroid is released they'll be fine. 

[hypernova]

The only thing that's holding them back now is games.  Once the first 3d Mario/Zelda/Metroid is released they'll be fine. 

I'll still wait at least until a decent sized price drop.

[Howard_Casto]

You'll be waiting a long time then... typically Nintendo doesn't reduce the price of their consoles until the end of their life cycle.  Don't let the 3ds fool you, that was unprecedented.

[ark_ader]

Nintendoh has dropped the Wii U on the UK already and it is not working. 

It's an elephant that will see a fire sale, and I'll pick one up when they get to £50.

Source

[Howard_Casto]

Well again you'll be waiting a long time.  It took three years for the "failure" that was the gamecube to drop from 199 to 100 bucks.  It remained at that price for it's life cycle.  And that was the most drastic cut they ever did.  So going by that I Wii U might get down to 250 bucks in a couple of years. 

[ChadTower]

I'm waiting for my kids to say they want one.  So far they haven't.  Their friends are telling them to wait until there are games worth playing.

[retrostark]

i want one for the new pikmin. and i want a 3DS for new animal crossing. those were my favorite games awhile back for gamecube.

[05SRT4]

I got mine, and since we got it from release date I have maybe 35 minutes of game play and the rest is netflix. Just waiting for Zelda.

[Malenko]

I got mine, and since we got it from release date I have maybe 35 minutes of game play and the rest is netflix. Just waiting for Zelda.

The sequel to "Link to the Past" finally convinced me to get a 3DS. Ive been enjoying Mario Kart 7 on it while I wait. 3D is tough, I usually have it in 2D mode, less headache , more fun.

[amendonz]

http://www.ign.com/articles/2013/05/17/ea-senior-engineer-the-wii-u-is-crap

Ouch.

[Malenko]

http://www.ign.com/articles/2013/05/17/ea-senior-engineer-the-wii-u-is-crap

Ouch.

ppl listen to EA?

[hypernova]

Doubt it.  EA doesn't listen to people, so why should we listen to them?

Well again you'll be waiting a long time.  It took three years for the "failure" that was the gamecube to drop from 199 to 100 bucks.  It remained at that price for it's life cycle.  And that was the most drastic cut they ever did.  So going by that I Wii U might get down to 250 bucks in a couple of years. 

It came out in 2001-the same time as the original Xbox, and a year after the PS2.  Nothing ever came out afterwards until 2005, which was the 360.  By then, the price cut was already in effect for a year.  Wii kicked ass partially because the 360 was already on the market for the year, (and RROD like crazy, killing consumer confidence) and the PS3 was exorbitantly priced, while the Wii was priced for the masses.

Circumstances are different this time around.  They have to worry about the competition's offerings in the next few months.  Unlike the original Wii, it's not gangbusters.  They weren't able to carve into the market because they have no great games.  And they still won't for months to come.  The WiiU will not offer an incredible savings over the competition when they release (unless they price-drop).  People are past the motion control gimmicks by now.  They can't risk waiting 3 years until they make a move.  Frankly, short of a complete meltdown by the competition, the best Nintendo can hope for this gen is breaking even or making a small profit.  But even a meltdown like the RROD debacle didn't ruin the 360 in the long run.  I think Nintendo's lost the window to win this generation.  Then again, I don't know if they ever had a shot in the first place.

[Fursphere]

The New Super Mario Wii U is *almost* enough to make me buy a Wii U.  I'm waiting to see what else they offer.

The Wii first party games were fun - but the 3rd party support was horrible.  So many terrible games. 

Nintendo is all about reminding people what FUN is. Fun is not better graphics.  Fun is not faster processors, more ram, or any of the other crap Song and Microsoft are touting. 

Fun is about good games.  So we'll see what comes out on the Wii U in the next year.