UPDATE: Off-TV Play in Wii Mode, along with USB keyboard support added in the update.
http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/news/35571
UPDATE: The Wii U Firmware update added new enhancements to the system. Wii Games can now be played on the GamePad, though you still need to control the games with Wii Remotes, etc., and Wii games now can output Dolby Pro Logic II. The console will also now be able to automatically download software from Nintendo. Support for USB keyboards was made available and PDF files can be viewed using the web browser. There were also some minor changes including the use of headsets in Wii U Chat, among other small updates.
The rumored system update for the Wii U is now live and available for download. Estimates on the download size are placing it over the 600 megabyte mark.
The update arrives the night before a Nintendo Direct presentation scheduled for tomorrow morning at 10am ET / 7pm PT.
We are currently downloading the update ourselves and will keep you posted with additional details as our downloads finish, and we discover what is within the update.
You can use the Gamepad for Wii games - can't use the Gamepad controls...
You can use the Gamepad for Wii games - can't use the Gamepad controls...
Can't get any more half-assed than that.
Of COURSE you have something to bitch about. :D
I'm still hoping Nintendo just gets rid of Wii Mode altogether and lets us boot Wi games directly from the Wii U menu. Not sure that will happen, but a girl can dream...
I'm really happy to see the Wii Mode output to GamePad, but it stinks that you HAVE to have the TV on and using the Wii U in order to launch Wii Mode. My family was watching TV all night last night while the Wii U was updating. When the update finished, I excitedly went to launch Wii Mode to test out the new feature, only to be told that if the TV wasn't displaying the Wii U at the time you launch Wii Mode, that it couldn't launch the mode at all. Seems like such a small thing, but now I have to hijack the TV for 2 seconds and then give it back which is just dumb.
I think Nintendo can do it; I'm not sure they ever will. Is it worth the trouble to make backwards compatibility friendlier? No, not when Wii U can use their full attention, but it sure would be nice.
Do these updates delete material from older updates that's no longer relevant? At file sizes this big it won't be long before people with Basic systems run out of room for updates. =/I'm a proud Basic owner, and my free space on internal hard drive hasn't decreased severely after the patch. It's was about 2–3 Gbs and stayed that way. Usually when you update OS it overwtites system files instead addingnew ones.
so does this mean we can play VC games in Wii mode on the gamepad?
Actually if you hold the B button while booting the Wii U it'll go right into Wii mode. I did it last night.
I'm really struggling to make off-screen Wii playing useful. It just seems like I have to lie the gamepad in an awkward position since I can't use the controls on that. That takes a good deal of the fun since I'm in an uncomfortable position. Anybody been able to make a decent set-up?