Wii U Update: Wii Mode Now Available on GamePad, Controls Not Compatible

By Justin Sarachik, Christian Post Reporter Tuesday, October 01, 2013

This morning Nintendo announced that the Wii U Gamepad will now be able to play Wii games without needing the main console on the TV.

Unfortunately for gamers, the WiiMote will be need to play these old titles on the GamePad which could get awkward because of the size of the screen.

According to CVG, the update also allows for automatic downloads of recommended demos and software from Nintendo's eShop.

Another update made the console more computer-like, as they smoothed out the web browser and now allow PDF's as well as password and users names being savable on the browser. In addition, the Wii U can now have an external keyboard hookup as well as surround sound.

Nintendo U.K. recently admitted one of the biggest problems the Wii U is facing is that people do not know it is a new system and relate the console to the regular Wii.

Nintendo will be partnering with Tesco to create more awareness for the console with a series of promotional campaigns and advertisements, reported VG247.com.

The company will send 300,000 Tesco customers who bought a Wii a five-page booklet explaining all about the Wii U and including money-off vouchers for games.

Tesco will also continuously play commercials for Mario, Donkey Kong, and Zelda until Christmas. Also, coming are press advertorials and a promotional tour set to reach around 115,500 shoppers.

"We haven't had the sales we wanted on Wii U hardware. We haven't had the software for most of this year. But we have some quite ambitious numbers, particularly with some of our biggest franchises coming," said U.K. marketing director Shelly Pearce. "Our monthly tracking shows that Wii remains the No.1 console for brand awareness. This offers us a massive opportunity to convert Wii owners to Wii U."

She also said Nintendo has a lot of work to do to be on the up-and-up, but the interest is definitely growing.

"There was a big misconception at launch about what Wii U is. And one of the big messages is that this is a new console and a new controller. There are many people out there that don't know what this is," she explained.