Nintendo has made two major announcements regarding the next-generation console it just launched. Nintendo will be releasing two major software updates in spring and summer to optimize the UI speed of the console. The next major update announced will bring Nintendo's Virtual Console to the Wii U.

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Nintendo has taken some heat for the UI of the Wii U, mainly that it can be very sluggish. Ever since the Wii U launched in November, customers have been complaining about the long load times when accessing games, when trying to return to the home screen, and even having to wait hours for a software update to download and run on the console. Currently, it takes about 20 to 30 seconds to launch some games and apps on the Wii U, which can seem like a lifetime when you're trying to play a game.

Nintendo's president Satoru Iwata confirmed today that Nintendo would be releasing two system updates to address both issues. The spring update will focus on making software, games, apps, and UI launch much faster. The summer update will be focused on returning gamers to the Wii Menu/home screen faster.

Iwata also announced that Nintendo will be bringing the Virtual Console to the Wii U in the spring. The service has been part of the Wii U since its release but Nintendo will be adding it to the eShop to make it more convenient for customers to purchase and download popular games from previous versions of Nintendo's consoles. Nintendo announced that NES and Super NES titles will be made available for the Virtual Console on the Wii U with a spring update. The Wii U Virtual Console games will be playable off-TV using the Wii U's GamePad.

Nintendo will also be celebrating the 30^th anniversary of the NES and Nintendo will be offering different selections of games for 30 days at $0.30.

These sounds like very welcomed updates for the Wii U and spring can't come soon enough.

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