The Wii U Menu is the main dashboard of the system. It is a graphical user interface similar to the Wii's "Wii Menu" and Nintendo 3DSHOME Menu. It allows launching software stored on Wii U optical discs, applications installed in the internal memory or an external storage device, or Wii titles through the system's "Wii Mode". By default, on the TV screen, the WaraWara Plaza is displayed while on the Wii U GamePad screen, application icons are displayed, although the screens can be swapped. Like the original Wii, discs can also be hot-swapped while in the menu. These however can be swapped any time between the television screen and the GamePad screen. The Wii U Menu also allows users to access system applications such as the Miiverse, surf the internet using the Internet Browser, watch movies and TV shows on Nintendo TVii, download apps through the Nintendo eShop, and check for notifications.[1] System settings, parental controls and the activity log can also be launched through the menu.
The Wii U Menu is directly integrated with Miiverse and the Nintendo Network. When the Wii U powers on, the television screen will show the WaraWara Plaza in which user status and comments on Miiverse are shown. Each user is represented by their respective Mii and is often associated with a Miiverse community.[2] Users can save any Mii on the WaraWara Plaza to their personal library, Yeah! their post, write a comment, and send a friend request.
The Home Menu (stylized as HOME Menu) can be accessed during any game or application through the user pressing the Home Button on the Wii U GamePad, Wii U Pro Controller or Wii Remote. The Home Menu allows the user to launch certain multitasking applications, such as Miiverse, Nintendo TVii, Nintendo eShop and the Internet Browser while a game or application is running. It also displays various information such as date and time, the wireless signal status, controller battery life and controller settings. Current downloads can also be managed in the Download Manager, which downloads and installs games and applications and their respective updates, as well as downloading system updates in the background.
The Wii U is capable of opening applications simultaneously. Once an application is running, the user can push the HOME button to suspend it temporarily. The user can then open another specially designed multitasking applications built into the system without closing the suspended software or application.
The Wii Mode is a fully virtual Wii system inside of the Wii U, with all of the limitations and privileges therein. When a Wii game disc is inserted into the Wii U, the system automatically launches the Wii Mode. The Wii Mode storage memory is limited to 512 MB, just like the Wii storage memory is. The SD Card Menu is also available on the Wii U's Wii Menu, just like it is on Wii, which an up to 32 GB SDHC card can be inserted into the system. There are a few slight differences, however. The Wii System Settings are not accessible, only the data management settings. Although the Wii Shop Channel is fully available, not all of the content is; the Netflix, Hulu Plus, and YouTube applications available on the Wii Shop Channel cannot be used on the Wii U.
amiibo Settings has been added to System Settings. amiibo Settings allows users to register an amiibo owner and nickname, delete data written to an amiibo by supported software, or reset an amiibo
The Quick Start screen displays when the Wii U console is turned on from the Wii U GamePad. It shows recently used or installed software which can be started immediately, without first loading the Wii U Menu. Quick Start is ideal for users who want to start playing games right away.
Addition of notifications for the Wii U GamePad
With this service you can receive occasional notifications from Nintendo about selected games and products, special promotions and more. If a notification is received while the console is powered down, the GamePad will make a sound, as well as display the notification on its screen for a short while. It is also possible to check out notifications on the Quick Start screen. The settings for these notifications can be changed under Power Settings in System Settings, including the option to define the hours during which notifications will automatically display.
Improvement of Standby Functions
System updates, in addition to being downloaded automatically, are now also installed automatically while the Wii U console is powered down.
Wii U Menu
When users select their user Mii from the Wii U Menu, the User Settings screen now displays. The design and layout of the Users Settings screen has been updated, including the ability to switch the active user from the User Settings screen.
System Settings
An option for Quick Start screen settings has been added to Power Settings. The settings for notifications on the Wii U GamePad can be changed here as well.
HOME Menu
An icon to start the Notifications application (different from notifications on the Wii U GamePad) has been added to the HOME Menu.
系統穩定性方面的改進和其他調整
Further improvements to overall system stability and other minor adjustments have been made to enhance the user’s experience.
The Wii U console will now be able to automatically receive recommended software and demos from Nintendo via SpotPass. The feature can be deactivated under Internet in System Settings.
Support for USB keyboard input
Users can now use a USB keyboard in situations where a software keyboard appears. (Some software titles may not support this feature)
Users can now save their username and password when they sign in to websites. (Saved usernames and passwords can be deleted in the internet browser’s Settings menu)
Images taken from the TV or Wii U GamePad screens can now be uploaded to websites (such as Facebook, Twitter and Tumblr) by pausing a software title with the HOME Button, then starting the internet browser.
The browser can now display PDF files available on websites. (Some files may not be displayed correctly, depending on the size and format of the PDF file. PDF files cannot be saved.)
When playing a movie or video, the user can skip forward and backward to different points by pressing the L or R Buttons on the Wii U GamePad. It is also possible to hold the R Button to initiate fast playback.
Developer tools and user agent switching are now available for website developers to use.
Wii U Menu
An icon for the friend list has been added to the Wii U Menu.
Wii Mode
Users can now choose to display Wii software either on just the TV, or on both the TV and Wii U GamePad. (When displaying Wii software on the TV and GamePad, the GamePad buttons cannot be used to control the game. A Wii Remote/Wii Remote Plus is required to control the game, using the GamePad’s sensor bar.)
Dolby Pro Logic II Surround Sound support has been added for Wii software that supports this feature.
System Settings
An option has been added under the Internet setting that allows users to automatically receive software titles sent by Nintendo.
Users can now select which type of audio output cable will be used under the TV setting. Even if the Wii U console is connected to the TV with an HDMI cable, users can now use a Wii AV Cable or other connection cable to output audio via commercially available speakers.
Users can now set the interval for performing standby functions in hourly-increments when Standby Functions are enabled under Power Settings.
系統穩定性方面的改進和其他調整
Further improvements to overall system stability and other minor adjustments have been made to enhance the user's experience.
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. Software updates will be installed while the Wii U is powered down, and system updates will be installed the next time the Wii U is powered on.
改善系統的穩定性和可用性
Further improvements to overall system stability and other minor adjustments have been made to enhance the user experience.
This feature enables data for purchased software, system updates and software updates to be downloaded and installed automatically even after the console has been turned off.
When purchasing downloadable software, any available updates for that software will be downloaded at the same time.
Updates to Download Management
It is now possible to reorder downloads.
Newly purchased downloadable software will automatically install once the download completes.
Updates to Parental Controls
The "Viewing Distributed Videos" restriction has been changed to "Entertainment Excluding Games". A screen requiring parental consent will be displayed before the first use of any non-game software (including video-viewing software) or other new service.
BBFC ratings are now supported on consoles with the country set to the UK.
The COB R18+ classification is now supported on consoles with the country set to Australia or New Zealand.
Enabled Direct Opening of Wii Menu
When the Wii U logo is displayed after turning on the console, holding down the B Button on the Wii U GamePad or Wii Remote will open the Wii Menu directly. (If no default user has been selected on the console, the user-selection screen will be displayed, and a user must be selected.)
Updates to System Settings
Under Data Management, two USB storage devices can now be connected to move and/or copy data. You can move and/or copy data between the system memory and a USB storage device or between two USB storage devices. (Up to two USB storage devices can be connected when moving, copying or deleting data. In all other cases, only one USB storage device can be used at a time.)
Under Data Management, you can now move, copy or delete data for a selection of software titles.
The TV option now includes the option to adjust the screen size of the display on the TV. (This replaces the similar options previously available within Miiverse, Nintendo eShop, and the internet browser. which have now been removed.)
The "Auto Power-Down" option has been renamed to "Power Settings", which now includes both the auto power-down setting and the new standby functions feature.
改善系統穩定性和便捷性
Improvements have been made to system stability and convenience for greater user enjoyment.
^[a] Available after linking a Nintendo Network ID. ^[b] 可提供Wii遊戲模式。 ^[c] Only available for software titles for which update data is being distributed.
