Wii U

Wii U spring update to add Virtual Console, Miiverse improvements

Starting now, get one NES game a month for 30 cents each.

Nintendo is planning two significant Wii U system updates due in spring and summer in response to some of the requests from Wii U users and to add new features, company CEO Satoru Iwata said during today’s Nintendo Direct broadcast.

“We realize the time it takes to launch software and return to the menu screen is one of the biggest concerns on Wii U,” said Iwata. Nintendo plans to address this.

The spring update will add significant improvements to Miiverse. It will enable the ability to create user communities, add more than one official community per title, improve usability, and add filtering functions. Miiverse will also be accessible from smartphones. At first, it will be a browser-based experience, but Nintendo plans on creating a dedicated smartphone app in the future. You’ll use your Nintendo Network ID and password to sign in.

“I believe this will expand the potential of Miiverse,” said Iwata.

Virtual Console

The Wii U Virtual Console service will launch right after the spring system update. At the time the service starts, Nintendo will have prepared a selection of Nintendo and Super Nintendo titles. With Wii U’s Virtual Console, you’ll be able to save a back-up of your game progress, play off-TV on the Wii U GamePad, and access MiiVerse. New systems previously not available on Wii, such as Gameboy Advance, are also being added.

Virtual Console games on Wii U will cost the same as they do on Wii. Nintendo games will cost $4.99 to $5.99 while Super Nintendo games will cost $7.99 to $8.99. If you already own these titles on the Wii Virtual console, you’ll get Nintendo games for $1.00 and Super Nintendo games for $1.50.

To celebrate the 30th anniversary of Nintendo Entertainment System (or Famicom) in Japan, Nintendo is making one Nintendo or Super Nintendo game available each month from now through July at the anniversary price of 30 cents. Each game will be available at that price for 30 days. Here is the schedule: