Wii Menu 3.3 update disables Twilight Hack for those who haven't already taken the plunge

Here's an odd one. We assumed Nintendo would be actively building software updates to kill off the Virtual Console-threatening homebrew that has been rapidly spreading to Wiis worldwide, but the Wii Menu 3.3's effect on hackers seems accidental at worst. The word on the street is that if you've already installed the homebrew channel onto your Wii, the 3.3 update will pose zero threat, but it patches up the Twilight Hack hole, meaning virgin consoles will have little hope for homebrew once they've updated to 3.3 -- until someone cracks it, of course. The update also lets you pull Miis from the Mii Plaza to the Mii Parade directly, a time for rejoicing, indeed.

[Thanks, Sean]

[Fedule @ Jun 17th 2008 12:28PM]

It also kills the FreeLoader. Avoid at all costs.

[dhytspam @ Jun 17th 2008 5:54PM]

It really does. I was not sure about updating this morning, did a light google search before going ahead (9:00am UK). I had read updates was fine ... for the march updates. I had resisted updating for months and the day I do, no more freeloader and my copy of Smash Bros. (US) is now defunct.

[Kawaiipikachu @ Jun 17th 2008 7:53PM]

Well theres no point avoiding the update as this update will be inclued in future game disc's which you must install before you be able to play those games .

Don't forget from the same people that brought you the update that blocks the Gamecube version of freeloader the software update that blocks the Wii version .

Well i predicted it in fact i found out all about the update in a different webpage & im not afraid to get it .

I like the idea that the updates are also on the disc as well for those people who can't get there Wii online .

[ybd @ Jun 18th 2008 11:20AM]

Fortunatly the Wii doesn't have any future games.

[nanobis @ Jun 17th 2008 12:28PM]

How do you go about getting the home brew channel,

[Phoenix @ Jun 17th 2008 1:11PM]

You can't yet. It doesn't work

[Phoenix @ Jun 17th 2008 1:18PM]

Wait, ignore me

http://www.nintendowiifanboy.com/2008/05/25/homebrew-channel-beta-releases-to-the-public/

[pavelbure @ Jun 17th 2008 12:44PM]

maybe if they didn't release utter crap games for the vc people would stop doing this, or maybe they wont.

[Jamar @ Jun 17th 2008 1:17PM]

Oh no, they've got some wonderful games on VC. Now releasing them in English is another matter.

[PCIV @ Jun 17th 2008 8:01PM]

And thing is, Homebrew Channel is also used to install VC and WiiWare Bootleg.

[Mile @ Jun 17th 2008 12:53PM]

What's the twilight hack? Link shows zero results. Zip. Nada.

[aardWolf @ Jun 17th 2008 12:56PM]

This one is difficult, so make sure you're sitting down:

Go to Google, and search for:
twilight hack

You're welcome

[Mile @ Jun 17th 2008 1:23PM]

Google? Why would I use a pr0n search engine to search for Twilight Hack? Unless....!

[initialxy @ Jun 17th 2008 1:33PM]

@Mile, then would you kindly introduce me a non-p0rn search engine that you use when you are not looking for p0rn. o and search "twilight hack" in there.

[Darkroom @ Jun 17th 2008 12:56PM]

so if i update the 3.3 and already have them installed, my system will be unaffected? but what if i try to uninstall them using the TPH?

i have NO SHAME for hacking the VC... i had bought all those games back in the 80s / 90s already... but whatever, if it means anything to nintendo, i some of them once since i installed them.

[sinjinn @ Jun 17th 2008 5:14PM]

i also had ALL those games, and also ALL those systems .. honest.

just out of intrest do you still have ALL the cartridges?

[Phoenix @ Jun 17th 2008 1:13PM]

So will you still be able to install NEW homebrew apps? Or will only the ones you have installed work if you have already hacked?

[Warren @ Jun 17th 2008 1:13PM]

Thanks Engadget - I sent this to you last night.

[Naughty Bunnies @ Jun 17th 2008 3:18PM]

oh shut up

[Chris Miller @ Jun 17th 2008 1:19PM]

No worries folks. Head on over to www.wiibrew.org

They've already found a bypass to the new patch, it just hasn't been released to the public yet. And if you already have the Homebrew Channel installed, no worries. The new update doesn't take away it's functionality :)

[Backwards People @ Jun 17th 2008 1:24PM]

Nintendo does not support homebrew on DS or Wii.

In fact, they're against it. Which is ridiculous.

[Plothole @ Jun 17th 2008 8:38PM]

It's not ridiculous when you consider that the same methods for implementing homebrew can also be used to play pirated games.

[Harkonian @ Jun 17th 2008 1:40PM]

So, if I am reading this correctly I can get the Homebrew channel by using the Twilight hack and the only way to get the Twilight Hack is to use a hacked version of a save game file for "The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess" and the only way to use a hacked version of the save game file is to buy the "The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess". Does that sound about right?

[NoAndThen @ Jun 17th 2008 1:50PM]

Wow, you got all that from reading the internets?

I bow to you, sir/madam.

So, ya. That's the deal.

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=twilight+hack

[youngcalihottie @ Jun 17th 2008 2:32PM]

is it just me?
the links in this article took me to magenta.

[John H. @ Jun 17th 2008 3:07PM]

I have the Homebrew Channel installed, so updating will not delete the Homebrew Channel or cancel my ability to use SNES9x/Virtual Boy Advance? All this update does is cancel the ability to use the Twilight Hack, right?

[Josh L @ Jun 17th 2008 3:24PM]

Correct.

It won't even do that for very long. Apparently the hackers at large have already found a way around it so it's only a matter of time until that's released to the public, too.

[Joel @ Jun 17th 2008 3:40PM]

I've never seen this happen before. The Wii cam on without me activating it. I turned it off and it turned back on and kept doing so. So I turned on the TV and saw I had a message from Nintendo. After installing the update the Wii automatically turned off. Is there a setting to control that behaviour?

[nanobis @ Jun 17th 2008 3:57PM]

it seam like you have the wifi on continuolsy, that is if, when you turn the wii off the power led goes yellow.

you can turn the wifi to be off when you turn off the wii in the wii menu (or setings).

this should sort it.

[John H. @ Jun 17th 2008 4:11PM]

I have mine set to Wiiconnect 24 on, but mine didn't try to force me to download the update, I don't know what to tell you.

[computer.dude.28 @ Jun 17th 2008 5:18PM]

Yeah, I thought it was pretty funny when the Homebrew Channel was still there after the update.

[Scott @ Jun 17th 2008 7:21PM]

Thanks for the heads up!

[Backwards People @ Jun 18th 2008 11:58AM]

Your argument is illogical.

The point: We, the people who buy the DS, want to make software on it.

Regardless of how Nintendo deals with piracy, the point still stands.

What is your point? I should not have bought the DS? I don't think that's a solution.

[Player911 @ Jun 19th 2008 3:26PM]

There is nothing wrong with running programs YOU made for a specific system.

Companies are just greedy and would rather you pay them to use THEIR programs.