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Nintendo Wii U version 5.5.4 update appears out of nowhere

The Nintendo Wii U may not have sold very well, but the Big N is still supporting it with today's firmware update version 5.5.4.

Asif Khan

June 24, 2019 7:20 PM

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Some people like to say the Nintendo Wii U is dead, but I still have my GamePad plugged in just in case I need to play some Virtual Console titles like F-Zero X or Galaga. It came as quite the surprise to devoted Wii U owners that Nintendo actually pushed a firmware update out to the device today. Nintendo Wii U update version 5.5.4 is live and being pushed out to console owners worldwide. 

Wii U right now... https://t.co/1esP3OP7M4 pic.twitter.com/L27tkdRqGX

— Nintendo Everything (@NinEverything) June 25, 2019

Nintendo has yet to publish any patch notes, but if it is similar to past updates it will probably be the boilerplate bug fixes, stability tweaks, and overall improvements to user experience. The last Wii U update was pushed out in September 2018, but the console hasn't really seen many new features for nearly five years. Shacknews Head of Video Greg Burke even declared the Wii U dead in an over-the-top video as he sold the console to fund his future Nintendo Switch purchase.

Wii U has been on the mind of many Nintendo fans this week as we head into the release of Super Mario Maker 2. The original game is a Wii U classic and was a shining star on a somewhat dim lineup of titles on the system. For one shining moment, content creators and players turned to the Wii U for Super Mario Maker, and the rest is truly history.

While the Nintendo Switch is getting the new shiny Super Mario Maker 2 this week, I might have to dust off the old Wii U and fire up the original game. While a whole new audience will get to experience the freedom of making Mario levels on Switch later this week, today's random system update is a nice reminder of how quirky and special of a console the Wii U was. 

Asif Khan

CEO/EIC/EIEIO

Asif Khan is the CEO, EIC, and majority shareholder of Shacknews. He began his career in video game journalism as a freelancer in 2001 for Tendobox.com. Asif is a CPA and was formerly an investment adviser representative. After much success in his own personal investments, he retired from his day job in financial services and is currently focused on new private investments. His favorite PC game of all time is Duke Nukem 3D, and he is an unapologetic fan of most things Nintendo. Asif first frequented the Shack when it was sCary's Shugashack to find all things Quake. When he is not immersed in investments or gaming he is a purveyor of fine electronic music. Asif also has an irrational love of Cleveland sports.