Wii U

What I'd like is the ability to use the quick menu with the use of the wiimote. If I turn my Wii U on with it instead of the gamepad it just goes straight to the Wii U menu & straight past the quick menu completely. But I guess I'm the odd one who'd like that as an option I suppose thou. xp

^ Well, the problem with that is that the Quick Start Menu runs on the Gamepad alone, the Wii U and TV don't turn on when using it if you'll notice. When the Wii U turns on, it automatically goes to the Wii U Menu because there is no Quick Start Menu off the Gamepad, if that makes sense.

That would be cool if you could start Quick Start with a Wiimote, Pro Controller or Gamecube controller.

I also have that issue sometimes and I would like to themes added through an update soon.

^Yea I'd love it if the Wii U menu had theme's to use like the 3DS does. It'd be even more cool if you could make your own theme. xp

Nintendo has announced the new "Pre-Downloading" feature that will come in an update for Wii U soon, and 3DS next year.

The “pre-download” system is a system in which consumers who have purchased the game before its release can download most of the game content in advance. Using this system, consumers will not have to wait for a long time to download the game after its release. They will then be able to start playing the game by only downloading a requisite minimum amount of update data.

In addition to the automatic distribution system at the time of purchase, which I have just explained, the “pre-download” system will be available with download cards sold at stores as well, by entering the download code at Nintendo e-Shop in advance. Consumers will not be required to save the download card until the release of the game if they enter the download code on the day of purchase.

This system will be implemented on Wii U first, and is planned for Nintendo 3DS next year.
As I have mentioned today, we are working on various approaches to make the digital business more user-friendly by providing a variety of payment methods, expanding distribution channels and enhancing consumer convenience.

The first game that will be available with this new system is Super Smash Bros. for Wii U, and assumedly all games afterwards.

This is a really cool feature! It actually might just make me want to download games more. But I guess I'll have to wait and see if it actually works.

New system update available for 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

Improvements to system stability and usability:

Further improvements to overall system stability and other minor adjustments have been made to enhance the user experience

I think it's good that they're adding Amiibo settings 11 days before it's release, just to make sure it's ready by the time they actually do release. Not a big update though. I was expecting something related to pre-downloading.

That's nice that the update for amiibo is out so the media can try it out now. pre-downloading can already be done with Smash Wii U so maybe only select games are a part of that.

I think it is a little strange that they're adding Amiibo settings so early but it sounds cool. I guess it is for reviewers and other things to try out early.

New Wii U update is available:

Nintendo wrote:Version 5.3.1 U, available via an Internet connection, includes the following improvements:
Mario Kart 8 highlight reel upload fix:

Resolved an issue that resulted in some users receiving error code 104-1852 while uploading a Mario Kart 8 highlight reel to YouTube
Improvements to system stability and usability:

Further improvements to overall system stability and other minor adjustments have been made to enhance the user experience

I find it strange they'd need a full firmware update on the whole Wii U just for a Mario Kart 8 fix. Regardless I'm glad that's been fixed, I've seen some posts on Miiverse with messed up MKTV highlights.

So, I don't know if anyone remembers, but I posted a list of my guess for the Wii U's releases in 2015 back in the summer. Obviously, there's been some updates since then, and now it's practically confirmed there will not be a game released every month, as no games have been announced for January yet. Here's what I think the release schedule could be like after January though, where I still think there will be a game released every month:

February - Kirby and the Rainbow Curse (confirmed)
March - Mario Party 10 (not an important game or one that will take too long to make, so I think this could happen)
April - Mario Maker
May - Splatoon and Mario Kart 8 DLC (confirmed)
June - Xenoblade Chronicles X and Mario vs. Donkey Kong for eShop
July - Devil's Third
August - Yoshi's Woolly World
September - Star Fox
October - Currently unannounced game, I would die if this were Metroid, but I know it won't happen Maybe a remake
November - The Legend of Zelda (could be December considering it's Zelda) and Super Smash Bros. DLC (this would take longer to make than I think people realize)
December - Currently unannounced budget title, could be another Mario spin-off or Splatoon DLC could release in this month?

I didn't include Giant Robot or Guard, because I have a feeling they'll end up being a part of Star Fox. Maybe not, but I'm not quite sure what to think of them yet.

Thoughts?

Zero, Splatoon won't get DLC, and if it does, it won't take that long.
Mario Party 10 is an important game, they sell really well.
And the creator of 3D Land and 3D World said they're working on a Mario game, so that'll probably be next year.

^ Well yeah it's important in that it will sell well, I mean, it's not one they need to have out immediately, but I think they could finish it fairly quickly is all. I guess I was kind of unclear. Even I'm not sure what I meant. XD Splatoon is definitely the type of game that would get DLC though. It takes awhile to make new content, the game itself has probably been in development for years.

YI was just at Target and they had pre-order cards for Splatoon, Mario Party 10 and Yoshi's Woolly
World. So I think it will more like this.

January: Captain Toad Treasure Tracker Europe.
February: Kirby and the Rainbow Curse.
March: Yoshi's Woolly World and Mario Party 10.
April: Splatoon
May: Mario Maker and Mario Kart 8 DLC 
June: Devil's Third 
July: Xenoblade Chronicles X
August: TBA Mii game ?
September: Star Fox Wii U
October: New Sonic game from the Sonic Team and maybe Paper Mario Wii U.
November: Zelda Wii U and maybe That 3D Mario Game.
December: SNES Remix and a $40 game.

^ That would work, and honestly I'd like it more than my release schedule. Splatoon a whole month earlier than I'm expecting?! That would be amazing. Although, I don't really think preorder availability has anything to do with when the games release, but I could be wrong. I was thinking Yoshi's Woolly World would release earlier, but it's one of the games not listed as "First Half 2015" currently, so I'm not sure.