Promised Wii U update is live, increases speed, fixes overscan issues, adds Virtual Console

Well, it’s finally here. The Wii U update that Nintendo promised in their last Direct video is live, increasing the overall speed and stability of many of the Wii U’s features and functions. It also fixes the rather annoying problem I had with the system when it first launched — some apps, like the Miiverse and store let me fix the screen size, while the rest of the system would just scan past the borders of my TV. Check past the break for the full list of fixes the new update brings.

• 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.

Also available today is the first batch of Wii U Virtual Console titles, including Super Mario World, Super Metroid, Kirby Super Star, and more. Each of these can be purchased on the eShop for $4.99-$5.99 for NES titles, and $7.99-$8.99 for SNES titles. Games already owned on the Wii partition can be upgraded for $1-1.49 each.

Another Wii U firmware update is planned to launch this summer.