System Software

Version 5.0.0 U/E.J (3 June 2014)

• New Features:
  • A Quick Start Menu is now displayed when users press the GamePad POWER Button or HOME Button to power on the Wii U
    • Users can start recently played or newly installed software directly from the Quick Start Menu ^[1]
  • Wii U GamePad Alerts (special notifications from Nintendo) can be displayed on the GamePad when the Wii U is powered down
    • Users will be notified with an audio ringtone when a new GamePad Alert is displayed
    • GamePad Alerts that have been received can also be viewed through the Quick Start Menu ^[2]
• Changes to Standby Functions:
  • System updates will now automatically install after download when the Wii U is in Standby
• Changes to the Wii U Menu:
  • The User Settings screen now displays when users select their User Mii from the Wii U Menu
  • The design and layout of the Users Settings screen has been updated
    • This includes the ability to switch the active user from the User Settings screen
• Changes to System Settings:
  • Quick Start Menu options have been added to Power Settings
    • Wii U GamePad Alert options are located within the Quick Start Menu options
• Changes to the HOME Menu
  • A Notification icon is now available on the HOME Menu, allowing users to launch the Notifications feature from the HOME Menu
• 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  The Quick Start Menu is only displayed when the Wii U GamePad POWER or HOME Buttons are pressed. Other controllers, such as the Wii Remote Plus and Wii U Pro Controller, will continue to power on the Wii U

²  Wii U GamePad Alerts are different from the notifications received via the Wii U Notifications feature. Wii U GamePad Alerts settings can be changed via Power Settings located in System Settings.

Version 4.1.0-U/E/J (31 March 2014)

• Further improvements to overall system stability and software compatibility

Version 4.0.3-U/E/J (24 February 2014)

• Further improvements to overall system stability and software compatibility

Version 4.0.2-U/E/J (18 November 2013)

• Further improvements to overall system stability and software compatibility

Version 4.0.0-U/E/J (30 September 2013)

• New Features:
  • A feature to output video and sound to the Wii U GamePad when using Wii Mode ^[1]
    • 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 ^[2]
  • Ability to launch the Internet Browser during gameplay and upload screenshots
  • Added support for viewing PDF files ^[3]
  • 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

¹  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.

²  Users can delete saved usernames and passwords from the Internet Browser settings.

³  Sometimes data may not be displayed correctly depending on the size and format of the PDF file. PDF files cannot be saved.

Version 3.1.0-U/E/J (10 July 2013)

• The standby functions will now regularly connect to the Internet when the Wii U is powered down to check for available SpotPass data or software and system updates
• Further improvements to overall system stability and software compatibility

Version 3.0.1-U/E/J (20 May 2013)

• Further improvements to overall system stability and software compatibility

Version 3.0.0-U/E/J (25 April 2013)

• 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"
  • 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"* ^[2]
  • "Auto Power-Down" has been renamed "Power Settings"

• Changes to Miiverse

• Changes to Nintendo eShop

• Changes to the Internet Browser

• Changes to Download Management

• 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  A similar option has been removed from Nintendo eShop, Miiverse, and the Internet Browser.

Version 2.1.3-U/E/J (4 March 2013)

• Further improvements to overall system stability have been made.
  • The previously announced system update, which adds new features and further improvements to the user experience, will be released in April.

Version 2.1.0-U/E/J (4 December 2012)

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

Version 2.0.0-U/E/J (18 November 2012)

• Added new Network features
  • Nintendo Network ID creation and linking feature
  • "Miiverse" ^[1]
  • "Nintendo eShop" ^[1]
  • "Internet Browser"
  • "Friends List" ^[1]
  • "Wii U Chat" ^[1]
  • "Notification List"
  • "Download Management"
  • "Wii System Transfer" ^[2]
  • Software update feature ^[3]
  • USB storage device feature

¹  In order to use those features, you will need to register Nintendo Network ID.
²  You can use this feature in Wii Menu.
³  Update feature is available only for the software which has update data.

Version 1.0.2-U

US Launch System Software

Version 1.0.1-U/E

US & Europe Launch System Software

Version 1.0.0

Prerelease/Prelaunch System Software

Not distributed in the wild.

Note: changelog taken from Nintendo