You just unwrapped that shiny present left by Santa and discovered a Wii U with a bunch of great games. So now what? Well, setting up the Wii U is a simple matter. Unlike previous consoles, everything you need to hook the system up to the TV is now included. Once you’ve made space on your entertainment center and you’ve gotten everything ready, here’s what you’ll need to do in order to get up and running.
1. Connect your console to the internet either via WiFi, or using the included ethernet cable. If your router is too far away from your entertainment center to be connected by the wire, you can use WiFi. The signal should be quite strong and from here, you can begin downloading any updates Nintendo has issued since the system was manufactured. You can expect at least one big update and unfortunately, it may take a while to install.
2. Set up your Nintendo Network ID. Once you have the system updated, you’ll be asked to set up your Nintendo Network ID. This functions just like your username on other services, so keep that in mind. It’s what people will see you as on their friends list and in Miiverse as well. If you already have a Nintendo 3DS with a linked Nintendo Network ID, use that one on your Wii U as well by selecting, “Use existing ID.”
3. Check out some of the pre-installed apps available on the Wii U. While the Wii U is primarily a gaming console, it also comes with some apps that make it a great media center. You can watch YouTube, Amazon Instant Video, Netflix, and if you set up Nintendo TVii, you can even browse your TV channels and upcoming programs using the service.
4. Have more in-depth questions? We’ve got answers! While this serves as a basic guide for setting up your Wii U and getting it ready for yourself or your family, if you run into other issues, we’re here to help. The Wii U Forums is a community of hardcore Nintendo fans who are ready to help you resolve any issues you may have. If you have questions about how Off TV play works, or which games you should check out on the Nintendo eShop, head over there and ask! We don’t bite!