Following the incredibly successful Mario Kart 8 launch, Nintendo has released the newest firmware patch for the Wii U.

Today,  Nintendo fans were greeted with a notice to install the newest firmware update. This update (5.0.0 U) brings some of the larger updates promised in Nintendo’s financial briefing last January — specifically, the Quick Start Menu.

The new features included are:

• 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

• 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

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 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

My Opinion

I’m currently typing this up as I wait for my update to install. While this isn’t bringing in a ton of new features, I can’t wait to instantly start up Mario Kart 8. You know… since that is taking up the majority of my life at this point.

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Lou Contaldi is MONG’s Nintendo Specialist and senior editor.  You can follow his incoherent ramblings at Twitter.