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Posted by: Matt Liebl

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Although Nintendo has regretted shipping the Wii U with a mandatory day-one patch, the platform holder insists it was necessary to ensure the online functionality worked as smoothly as possible. To be fair, Nintendo did warn of the massive update prior to the system's release, but the lengthy download which took several hours to install still upset many gamers who wanted to just plug in and play. Nintendo has been apologetic for the system's somewhat rough launch, but it looks like it will remain this way for at least a while longer.

"Nintendo developers want to make sure that the very best product is available to consumers," Nintendo of America boss Reggie Fils-Aime told Gamasutra. "That creates a dynamic where our developers are working on elements until the very last point possible. That's why the system update was required on Day One - and this is quite similar to what's happened with other consumer electronic products."

Reggie did reveal, however, that the patch will eventually be built into the Wii U firmware that ships with the system. It's expected that by spring 2013, Wii U buyers won't have to download and install the massive file.

Obviously this doesn't help current owners, but if you plan on getting one sometime next year it's at least comforting to know it won't take you hours to play. For those of you who have already purchased a Wii U, did the patch download fast for you?

Tags: Wii U