A video released by Nintendo shows Wii U performance after the update coming in April:

The difference is big, looks like the load time problem is solved.

Here's a quote from Iwata:

"Hello, this is Satoru Iwata of Nintendo.

As we announced in the January Nintendo Direct, we plan to release two Wii U system updates. One in spring, and one in the summer.

Today, I would like to let you know the status of these two updates.

We are planning to release the spring system update in April, which will improve the time it takes to launch software, and the time it takes to return to the Wii U Menu.

We still have tests remaining, and it will take a little more time until we can release the update. But today, we have prepared a video so you can see how the loading time will change when returning to the Wii U Menu with the system update, so please take a look if you are interested.

In the future, we would like to share announcements about Nintendo Direct events here, so we appreciate your continued attention.

And lastly, like in other Announcement Communities, please understand that while we read every comment, we are not able to reply. Thank you. "

Thanks to tomatito for posting this quote.

Yup. I just saw it, too. It's quite an impressive improvement.

This is good news. Hopefully it doesn't only apply to closing games, because they are a bit too specific in the video description:

"This video shows how the loading time will change when returning to the Wii U Menu with the system update scheduled for release in April, 2013."

Couldn't they have made the video a minute longer and showed loading up another program, or the system settings menu at least?

link pls, good news if true! Pls link lol

Jesus Christ finally.

that is awesome news.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zBmg_CNsQcc

awesome... can't wait

Impressive - I wonder who cocked up the original coding.

Holy mother of cats, what a difference. It's a shame it was that clunky to begin with but at least they came though and fixed it instead of ignoring it.