Wii U system software: Difference between revisions
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'''Wii U system software''' is the official [[firmware]] version and [[operating system]] for [[Nintendo]]'s [[Wii U]] game console. [[Nintendo]] maintains the Wii U's |
'''Wii U system software''' is the official [[firmware]] version and [[operating system]] for [[Nintendo]]'s [[Wii U]] game console. [[Nintendo]] maintains the Wii U's systemwide features and applications by offering system software updates via the Internet. Updates are optional to each console owner, but may be required in order to retain interoperability with Nintendo's online services. Each update is cumulative, including all changes from previous updates. |
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The system's official [[integrated development environment]], named MULTI and published by embedded software engineering vendor Green Hills Software, is intended for use by Nintendo and its licensed developers in programming the Wii U.<ref name="Nintendo GHS press release">{{ cite press release | title=Green Hills Software's MULTI Integrated Development Environment Selected by Nintendo for Wii U Development | url=http://www.ghs.com/news/20120327_ESC_Nintendo_WiiU.html | location=San Jose, CA | date=March 27, 2012 | publisher=Green Hills Software | accessdate=June 27, 2014}}</ref> Details of the operating system's internal architecture have not been officially publicized. |
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Revision as of 05:01, 28 June 2014
![]() | |
![]() The Wii U Menu GUI | |
Developer | Nintendo |
---|---|
OS family | Nintendo proprietary |
Working state | Current |
Source model | Closed source |
Initial release | 1.0.1 / November 18, 2012 |
Latest release | 5.0.0 / June 2, 2014 |
Available in | Danish, German, English, Spanish, French, Italian, Dutch, Norwegian, Portuguese, Russian, Polish, Swedish, Turkish, Japanese |
Update method | Direct Download Game Disc |
Platforms | Wii U |
Default user interface | Wii U Menu |
Preceded by | Wii OS |
Official website |
Wii U system software is the official firmware version and operating system for Nintendo's Wii U game console. Nintendo maintains the Wii U's systemwide features and applications by offering system software updates via the Internet. Updates are optional to each console owner, but may be required in order to retain interoperability with Nintendo's online services. Each update is cumulative, including all changes from previous updates.
The system's official integrated development environment, named MULTI and published by embedded software engineering vendor Green Hills Software, is intended for use by Nintendo and its licensed developers in programming the Wii U.[1] Details of the operating system's internal architecture have not been officially publicized.
The current version of the system software is 5.0.0, which was released on June 2, 2014.
Wii U Menu
The Wii U Menu is the main dashboard of the system, acting as an application organizer and launcher. It is a graphical shell similar to the Wii's "Wii Menu" and Nintendo 3DS HOME 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". The WaraWara Plaza is displayed on the TV screen, while the Wii U GamePad screen displays the application icons available for launch; the two screens' display roles can be swapped with the press of a button. Like the original Wii, discs can also be hot-swapped while in the menu. The Wii U Menu may also be used to launch applications entirely beyond just gaming: the Miiverse social network which is integrated with all games and applications; the Internet Browser for the World Wide Web; play media through Netflix, Hulu, YouTube, Nintendo TVii, and more; download Wii U software and content through the Nintendo eShop; and receive official notifications from Nintendo.[2] System settings, parental controls and the activity log can also be launched through the menu.
WaraWara Plaza
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.[3] Users can save any Mii on the WaraWara Plaza to their personal library, Yeah! their post, write a comment, and send a friend request.
Home Menu
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.
- Health & Safety Information
- User Accounts
- WaraWara Plaza
- Wii U optical disc launcher
- Mii Maker
- Wii U Chat
- Activity Log
- Parental Controls
- System Settings
- Netflix
- YouTube
- Amazon Instant Video (United States only)
- Hulu/Hulu Plus (Japan/United States only)
- LoveFilm (Europe only)
- Nico Nico Douga (Japan only)
- Bandai Channel (Japan only)
Multitasking applications
In addition to running one primary game or application, the Wii U is capable of simultaneously opening select system applications. Once a primary application has been launched from the Wii U Menu, the user can then push the HOME button to temporarily suspend that application. One of the following applications may then be launched, and may possibly interoperate with the primary application, such as screenshots and game scores.
- Miiverse
- Nintendo eShop
- Internet Browser
- Nintendo TVii[a]
- Notifications
- Friend List
- Download Manager
^[a] Nintendo TVii is available in Japan and North America as of December, 2012.
Wii Mode
The Wii U's Wii Mode is a fully virtualized Wii system, with all of the limitations and privileges thereof. When a Wii game disc is inserted into the Wii U, an appropriately launchable icon appears on the Wii U Menu. Alternatively, the Wii U may be powered on while holding the B button. Either method will effectively relaunch the Wii U to entirely become a virtual Wii system until it is relaunched into Wii U mode. As with a native Wii system, the Wii Mode's internal storage memory is limited to 512 MB, and the SD Card Menu can utilize a card up to 32 GB in size.
There are a few slight differences between the Wii U's Wii Mode and a native Wii system. The data management settings are accessible, but the Wii System Settings are not. The Wii Shop Channel is fully available for the purchase of Wii software; however, its Netflix, Hulu Plus, and YouTube applications cannot be used. The system must be relaunched into Wii U mode, in order to utilize the native versions of these applications.
System Update releases
Obsolete | Current |
Nintendo releases updates to the Wii U system software as needed to improve functionality, fix problems, and to add or remove features.
Version 5
Table of versions: Wii U OS Version 5 | |||
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Version | Release date | Changes in System Software | |
5.0.0 |
June 2, 2014[4] |
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Version 4
Table of versions: Wii U OS Version 4 | |||
---|---|---|---|
Version | Release date | Changes in System Software | |
4.1.0 |
March 31, 2014[4] |
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4.0.3 |
February 24, 2014[4] |
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4.0.2 |
November 18, 2013[4] |
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4.0.0 |
September 30, 2013[4] |
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Version 3
Table of versions: Wii U OS Version 3 | |||
---|---|---|---|
Version | Release date | Changes in System Software | |
3.1.0 |
July 10, 2013[4] |
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3.0.1 |
May 21, 2013[4] |
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3.0.0 |
April 25, 2013[4] |
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Version | Release date | Changes in System Software |
Version 2
Table of versions: Wii U OS Version 2 | |||
---|---|---|---|
Version | Release date | Changes in System Software | |
2.1.3 |
March 4, 2013[4] |
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2.1.0 |
December 4, 2012[4] |
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2.0.0 |
November 18, 2012[4] |
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Version | Release date | Changes in System Software |
^[a] Available after linking a Nintendo Network ID.
^[b] Available in Wii Mode.
^[c] Only available for software titles for which update data is being distributed.
Version 1
Table of versions: Wii U OS Version 1 | |||
---|---|---|---|
Version | Release date | Changes in System Software | |
1.0.3 |
November 18, 2012 | This is the default system software version installed on every Wii U at launch. | |
1.0.2 | |||
1.0.1 | |||
Version | Release date | Changes in System Software |
See also
Other gaming platforms from Nintendo:
Other gaming platforms from this generation:
Gaming platforms from the seventh generation:
References
- ^ "Green Hills Software's MULTI Integrated Development Environment Selected by Nintendo for Wii U Development" (Press release). San Jose, CA: Green Hills Software. March 27, 2012. Retrieved June 27, 2014.
- ^ "Social networking comes to Wii U, Miiverse will interface with PCs and phones". VentureBeat. 2012-06-05. Retrieved 2012-06-12.
- ^ "Wii U Official Site - Built-in Software". Nintendo. 2012-11-01. Retrieved 2012-12-04.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k "Latest system update information". http://www.nintendo.co.uk/. Nintendo of Europe. Retrieved 3 June 2014.
{{cite web}}
: External link in
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- ^ Gaston, Martin (April 26, 2013). "Wii U spring system update now live". www.gamespot.com. CBS Interactive, Inc. Retrieved April 30, 2013.
- ^ Spencer (November 17, 2012). "Wii U Backwards Compatibility Is Like A Wii In Your Wii U". Siliconera. Retrieved 2014-03-02.