Nintendo has released a new system update for their Wii U console, debuting the long-awaited quick start menu for the GamePad designed to get players into games faster and also bumping the software to version 5.0.0.

With the new update, Wii U owners will find that when turning on the console with the GamePad you'll be greeted with a new quick launch menu. This menu will allow you to instantly boot into any downloaded game or disc-based game, almost halving the time previously taken to launch games from the original Wii U menu. Those powering on the Wii U with the Wii Remote or Wii U Pro Controller will still be greeted by the traditional menu sadly.

Alongside the quick launch feature, the update also brings new alert messages - "special notifications from Nintendo" - that will be displayed on the GamePad even when the console is powered down in standby mode. Nintendo says a ringtone will notify users that a notification is waiting.

As usual, other changes in the update include common stability fixes and minor adjustments, all of which can be found through the patch notes at Nintendo's website.