Nintendo is at it again, unleashing yet another Wii Menu Update which puts us at 3.4, as our glowing Wii just informed us. Aside from augmenting the Nintendo User Agreement, the new system update will also "check for and automatically remove" all "unauthorized modifications to save files." Guess what, homebrew fans? The party is over foreverput on hold for the time being.
This is basically all of the info we have right now, but we're sure the homebrew community will step up soon with a response to this. You know how they hate it when Nintendo tries to stop them from running their'brew.
Keep an eye on Wii Fanboy for more on this as it's made available.
Well, that was fast. That recent update that wouldn't allow users to install the Homebrew Channel? It's been bested, as the Homebrew Channel beta9 has been released. Among working with the latest update, beta9 also brings the following fixes to the table:
Installer / updater now works with the October 23 update
SDHC support
REALLY fixed the memcard bug
Installer now picks newest sane IOS, fixes some beta8 regressions
Added a reload button (for SD card changes)
Return to system menu skips warning
Fixed some graphical glitches
Saner XML load code
Many fixes to underlying stuff in the newer libogc
Usually, the news that Nintendo updated the firmware on your Wii while it's away for repair would hardly count as news at all. Since yesterday, however, when everybody caught wind of how the latest Wii Menu Update knocked the Twilight Hackand Freeloader on the head, Nintendo's meddling hasn't been as appreciated.
A group of disgruntled Wii owners whose consoles have been repaired and updated with new firmware congregated on the forums of GBAtemp.net, in a thread titled "CURSE u NINTENDO!," to howl about Nintendo's repair team and their habit of adding unwanted updates. While we can only sympathize with them, we should probably let this serve as a warning to others: if you are a homebrewer or importer with a Wii that's conked out, you might want to think twice about sending your machine to Nintendo.
Turns out the Twilight Hack wasn't the only casualty of the latest Wii Menu Update. Import gamers everywhere are turning on their Wiis to find that the Freeloader disc they purchased to play (for example) Super Smash Bros. Brawl (remember that?) on their PAL Wiis is also rendered useless by the update. Slotting the Freeloader disc into a Wii now results in a message telling you that:
1. An error has occurred. 2. You'll need to eject the disc and turn off your Wii, please. 3. Your worth as a human being is infinitesimal at best. Why do you even bother going on?
So there you go, folks -- say goodbye to playing imports early, and hello to waiting for big-name releases that already appeared elsewhere months ago.
Well folks, looks like the party has come to an end. All of you enjoying your free Tetris are up the proverbial creek sans paddle. Your Wii should be glowing blue as you read this right now.
The latest update, which rolls the Wii Menu to 3.3, not only kills the Twilight Hack, but also allows you to move a Mii from the Mii Plaza into the Mii Parade directly, thanks to the addition of a handy new icon. You just drag and drop as you normally would.
But, let's get back to the real news here. Nintendo has finally gone ahead and sunk the U.S.S. Homebrew. We're anxious to see how the community is going to take this one.
Update: According to commenters, the update doesn't kill the Homebrew Channel (if it was already installed), so there's still something for you all to have fun with.
The homebrew community has been hard at work creating wonderful experiences for you to enjoy with your Wii. Did you know about homebrew game Masteroids? Or how about the shmup OpenTyrian? Outside of games, people have been using the Balance Board to come up with somereally neat stuff. Keep up with the homebrew scene by staying current with our Homebrew category!
After the surprise release of the Nintendo Channel today, we decided a video walkthrough was in order. So we've gone ahead and hooked up our fancy schmancy video equipment to get you this direct-feed footage of the Channel at work. Hopefully it'll help some of you determine whether or not this Channel is worth your download. Personally, we think it is.
Watch as we check out the many informative videos available, as well as the plethora of DS demos on tap.
One person has apparently created a hack for the Wii, allowing for the transport of the Virtual Console games from one system to another. As you can see in the video above, the process does not look all too difficult, however there is room for discrepancy. The video was uploaded to YouTube by user dannyml, and merely says "Hacked The Virtual Console." And there is a noticeable lack of seeing the copied game run for us to be comfortable labeling this as believed.
Update: To clarify, the Wii Shop Channel update applies to Wiis in North America, as upon checking our own Shop Channel, we found the above screen. It just so happens a European stumbled upon it.
As you all know, we're getting set to get Wii Ware up and running on our Wiis. Upon that beautiful day, in which we're sure the sun will shine through the clouds and engulf us all in warm rays of light, many Wii owners will be trying to duck and dodge all of that sunshine while downloading games through Wii Ware. Those of us in North America won't have to flee for our lives from the sun until May.
But we digress. European Wii owners will likely find out (either through reading this or by checking their Wii) that the Wii Shop Channel requires an update. And with Wii Ware on the horizon, it's likely this update is in some way a part of that. Actually, forum-goers at NeoGAF report that Nintendo confirms it's in preparation for the launch of Wii Ware. Others even commented about a "guide-thing in the lower right corner of the shop."
If you've been in the vicinity of your Wii within the last few minutes, you might have noticed it started glowing. With the latest system update and new Metroid Prime 3 channel, we thought it might be something worthwhile. And, while its contents aren't anything spectacular as far as news goes, it does show that Nintendo cares.
The latest system update fixes a supposed known glitch with the Wii's Opera browser. Apparently, some have had their system lock up while using the thing, which this new update so happens to correct. Also, the update adds some stability to the Wii LAN adapter, which we can't comment on using since our HQ is all fancy-schmancy with its wireless capabilities.
Yesterday's Wii system update has been quite the mixed bag. For some, the added keyboard functionality is a great new feature, along with the Virtual Console download information, but for others who enjoy imports, the system update has been the bane of their existence. Now, word hits that the update has killed SD Media Launcher functionality.
While we haven't seen much on the homebrew scene for the Wii, it looks like those who enjoy completely legal homebrew are left up the proverbial creek without the required paddle.
We could complain all day about the new digital clock that came with this morning's 3.0 firmware update for the Wii, but it really seems foolish to gripe about a such an inconsequential detail. So, much like with the system's name change or the children we've mistakenly fathered, it'll just have to be something we learn to live with.
The big improvements for this version upgrade are additional navigation options for the Shop Channel and shorter loading times when bringing up channels. Also, according to a few incoming reports, the console's fan now runs while in WiiConnect24 mode, addressing rumors of Wiis overheating when left in standby. Check past the post break for the complete list of updated items, and let us know what you think of all these new bells and whistles!
The homebrew community is doing nifty things with the Wii. Have you learned how to play DVDs on your console yet? Or read about the app that lets you play games from other regions? What about getting Goldeneye to run on Wii? Alternatively, you could just use homebrew to get your cheat on. 
Turns out the Twilight Hack wasn't the only casualty of the latest Wii Menu Update. Import gamers everywhere are turning on their Wiis to find that the Freeloader disc they purchased to play (for example) Super Smash Bros. Brawl (remember that?) on their PAL Wiis is also rendered useless by the update. Slotting the Freeloader disc into a Wii now results in a message telling you that:
The homebrew community has been hard at work creating wonderful experiences for you to enjoy with your Wii. Did you know about homebrew game Masteroids? Or how about the shmup OpenTyrian? Outside of games, people have been using the Balance Board to come up with some really neat stuff. Keep up with the homebrew scene by staying current with our Homebrew category!
