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Wii Homebrew channel sneaks onto Wii U, sticks with what it knows
Back in 2010, Ninteno's waggle-riffic wonder would occasionally pulsate with a charming blue glow: update me, it said, I have hackers to fight. Although its efforts were quickly circumvented by Hackmii's LetterBomb installer, the Wii's 4.3 update was Nintendo's last stand against the homebrew community -- it hasn't offered an update since. That isn't to say Kyoto's game giant gave up, though; Wii U owners can find a tweaked version of the system menu hidden away in the system's backwards compatibility mode, featuring just enough updated code to block existing exploits. It didn't take the community long to catch up, though -- the homebrew channel was working its way onto select systems using tried and true methods since launch day. Now, the HackMii team has compiled an official installer, letting the average joe bypass the menu's IOS files with ease. Like the PlayStation Vita's PSP-based homebrew loader, this exploit is trapped in the sandbox of its original hardware, effectively blocking it from making the most of the Wii U's fancy internals. It's a modest start (and perhaps a little too easy), but its encouraging to see both Nintendo and the modding community sticking to their guns. Check out HackMii's fancywork at the source below, and give us a buzz if you manage to find your way outside of Nintendo's last-gen sandbox.
Wii Homebrew Channel now functions on Wii U
The Wii Homebrew Channel, which allows users to run unlicensed software on the Wii, is now available for the Wii U with some caveats. The news comes via Hackmii, which notes that the latest release of the Homebrew Channel will work within the original Wii menu that the Wii U uses for backwards compatibility. The release does not, however, work within the Wii U menu itself, something the hacking community hopes to change in the future, no doubt.Naturally, tampering with consoles is something you do at your own risk (even if you're downloading official firmware updates, apparently). That said, if anyone manages to get the Fatal Frame 4 translation up and running, let us know.
How to play Xenoblade Chronicles if you live in America
We American RPG fans can do nothing but grit our teeth this week as we watch Europeans tear open their brand new copies of Xenoblade Chronicles, which Nintendo released for Wii in PAL territories today. The Japanese role-playing game has received impressive critical acclaim in the European press, garnering a solid 91 on Metacritic. This should be fantastic for everyone involved -- except Nintendo won't bring it to America. Despite outcries from both fans and media -- and the Wii's dismal software lineup for 2011 -- Nintendo of America has remained stubborn, insisting that it has "no plans" to release Xenoblade in the United States. The same goes for The Last Story and Pandora's Tower, two other hardcore Wii titles that have both been lined up for Europe. By the way, we reached out to Nintendo of America once more, who had no comment as of publishing time. Xenoblade, developed by the minds at Monolith Soft (also responsible for Xenogears and the Xenosaga trilogy), may join the ranks of Mother 3, The Last Window and Freshly-Picked Tingle's Rosy Rupeeland as a game that Nintendo refuses to bring here no matter what anyone says. But don't worry, Yanks. There are other options out there. Since the game is available in English, all you have to do is get your hands on a European copy. Problem is, Nintendo region-locked the Wii. If you have an American Wii, you can only use it to play American games -- until you hack it. It should be noted (and we can't stress this enough) that you should not use your hacked Wii to illegally download or pirate games. That said, we want everyone to be able to play fantastic games like Xenoblade, no matter where they live. So here's how you can import European Wii games and play them on your American Wii.
LetterBomb does game-free Wii hacking for System Menu 4.3
The myth of the unhackable Wii has long since been put to rest, but that hasn't stopped intrepid homebrew enthusiasts from coming up with new exploits. Case in point: LetterBomb. This particular Wii hack is a follow-up to BannerBomb, which was billed as a replacement for Twilight Hack -- all of which are capable of launching the homebrew channel sans hardware mods. BannerBomb stopped short at Menu 4.2, but LetterBomb is carrying the exploit banner, so to speak, for the next generation. Utilizing the console's Message Board, the hack requires an SD card, a Wii running System Menu 4.3, and a Wii MAC address. If you're looking to get your game-free Wii hack on, check out the source link for the full rundown.
Wii System Menu updated to 3.5 in Korea
A preview of what's on the way for the rest of the world: four months after 3.4, Nintendo has sent out Wii System Menu version 3.5 in Korea. The specific feature changes are as yet unknown, but in terms of security updates, it includes IOS254 code, which, like IOS9, blocks the use of the PatchMii program (a custom update manager tool). The new menu apparently adds some kind of updates to the Shop Channel, and adds a "Region Select Channel," which the Wiibrew wiki suggests is nowhere near as exciting as it sounds. Until we find out for certain that this somehow blocks new installations of the Homebrew Channel, or removes existing ones, we're going to refrain from panicking. And even in that case, we don't mind waiting a week or so for someone to fix it.
Wii Warm Up: Homebrewing
It's been awhile since we've talked about homebrew. How many of you are doing it? What are your favorite homebrew applications for the Wii? Do you enjoy the original homebrew games, or have you been using homebrew for something else? How many of you are enjoying homebrew on the Wii?
Wii Homebrew Channel turns 1.0
Despite continuing efforts on Nintendo's part to thwart its installation, the Wii Homebrew Channel – which, as its name implies, enables the use of legal, homebrew games and apps on Wii – soldiers on, with development now hitting the version 1.0 milestone. The big 1.0 brings a slew of changes, updates, and fixes, including support for multiple Wiimotes, the Wiimote's power button, the Classic Controller, and Nunchuk. If you're curious about the Wii homebrew scene and want to try the channel out for yourself, check out this handy-dandy guide.
Homebrew Channel goes 1.1 [update]
Update: Reader CJLopez turned us on to 1.01, which fixes some bugs from 1.0. Adjusted the source link to point to the newer version.That's right, folks. The Homebrew Channel has left the beta stages and become The Homebrew Channel 1.0. Actually, it's still kind of considered to be in beta, but, hey, we can all it 1.0! As for updating it, you can do it the hard way, by downloading the update here, or you can simply update through your existing Homebrew Channel on your Wii. That is, if you didn't update your Wii to 3.4 yet. Of course, with the new Twilight Hack, it's not like it's much of a nuisance, anyway.Head past the break for the update notes.
It lives! The Twilight Hack returns
Occasionally, you do have to wonder why Nintendo bothers. In typical fashion, the latest Wii Menu update (released only seven days ago) was designed to render the Twilight Hack useless. Also in typical fashion, it's already been beaten, proving yet again that you can't keep a good hack down.While some in the homebrew community predicted that the 3.4 update would sound the death knell for the Twilight Hack, Team Twiizers has now written and released new, Wii Menu 3.4-compatible code (though as usual, updating your Wii isn't recommended unless it's an absolute must).HackMii has a link to the new file and all necessary instructions, so let the brewing of homes recommence! 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.
Nintendo unleashes Wii Menu 3.4, updates ToS and removes save files
var digg_url = 'http://digg.com/nintendo/Nintendo_updates_Wii_to_3_4_changes_ToS_and_save_files'; 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 forever put 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.
Homebrew Channel beta9 works with latest system update
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 [Via /.] 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.
Homebrew community takes back the Wii
Good news homebrewsters, the Homebrew Channel has been updated and is now compatible with Nintendo's Homebrew killing (for new installs) October 23rd update. While the previous exploit was closed by Nintendo, Beta 9 of the HBC exploits a different flaw and works just fine with the latest system software. They've even tossed in SDHC support to make the brick risking maneuver a bit more enticing. [Via HackMii, thanks Glen G.]
Wii update blocking homebrew installations
Yesterday's seemingly inane Wii update, which neglected to bump up the system menu version a single decimal value (it remains at 3.3 -- the firmware has upgraded to IOS51, though), now appears to have an actual purpose. Forget the Shop Channel optimization tweaking. The update's more direct mission seems to be to block new installations of fakesigned applications -- most notably, the Homebrew Channel and DVDX. But take note, if you've already got the Homebrew Channel or other unofficial apps up and running then apparently you won't notice the difference. Carry on.[Via Wii Fanboy]
New System Update may block Homebrew Channel [update]
Update 2: "View Compatible Controllers" is now a separate link in the details of each game listing in the Shop Channel. Also, we've corrected the Japanese version number. It's 3.3 everywhere, up from the last update ... 3.3.Update: Reader John writes in and points us to Wiibrew, who is reporting this update kills The Homebrew Channel, as well as the Mplayer that makes DVD play possible. If you've already followed our guide for playing DVDs and installed The Homebrew Channel, then you're fine. Chances are, your Wii may have told you this already -- either through the friendly blue light or a message that pops up when you load the Wii Shop Channel. But in case it hasn't, Nintendo has sent out a new Wii firmware update. In Japan, the software is up to 3.4 still 3.3. The Shop Channel is down for maintenance as well, as all references to Wii Points are changed to "Nintendo Points" and various other pre-DSi maintenance is done. But in America and Europe, not much seems to have changed.This NeoGAF thread is tracking the potential changes -- most notably that some people are now unable to install the Homebrew Channel. People with pre-existing installations are fine, but it's possible that this new update has blocked the ability to install homebrew. There was a fairly ominous message in the update description about deleting altered saves! Of course, these reports could turn out to be in error.Other reported effects include improved Shop Channel loading speed, possibly reorganized item listings, and nothing.
Wii ISO Loader demonstrated on video running "backup" copy of Zelda
Is this the day, is this the hack that frees the Wii console to finally run your legal (or, eh hem, otherwise obtained) "backup" games? As the story goes, Waninkoko, the latest name to emerge from the hacking underground, has developed a "work in progress" v0.1 Wii backup ISO loader for the Wii Homebrew Channel that will run backed-up game ISOs converted with a "special program" -- no modchip required. If true then the whole thing smacks of the original Xbox font exploit that turned that console into a hackers playground and noisy, all-media playing powerhouse. In support of the claim, TehSkeen has posted a video demonstrating the loading and execution of a backup Zelda game. If Waninkoko can deliver this to the masses, then the demand for a proper Wii storage solution is about to grow exponentially.[Thanks, Joseph B.] Read -- Video Read -- Exploit described
Wii Menu hacked to pieces
Homebrewer Crediar has recorded a video of a truly epic series of Wii Menu hacks that pretty much bust the system open. All kinds of hacks are on display, both cosmetic and substantial.Most notably, Crediar has opened up the system not just to discs from every region, but channels (which suggests Virtual Console games), and, according to the text included with the video at DCEmu, GameCube games as well. The Wii's "rescue menu" (used to boot diagnostic discs, apparently) can now be used to boot all discs. And then, for fun, the health warning and the background music were disabled. Now that's just showing off.
Wii homebrew made dead simple
If you've been too scared to try Wii homebrew in the past, you'll be interested in this latest project, which is sort of ... meta-homebrew. The Wii Pack Generator holds your hand through the process of downloading homebrew, making it as simple as clicking on some check buttons and unzipping a file. The Wii Pack Generator allows you to choose the programs you'd like to install from a list, and then generates a self-extracting archive containing the Twilight Hack file, the Homebrew Channel installer, and the programs of your choice. All you have to do is extract it onto an SD card!The most complicated part of this whole thing is figuring out who the participants are. This is a project of wiibrew.com, not the well-known wiibrew.org that runs the Wii homebrew wiki.
WiiBrew's Wii Pack Generator takes the "messy" out of homebrew
Not that getting some hand-crafted 'brew on the Wii was any great feat to begin with, but the kindhearted individuals over at WiiBrew have decided to make things even easier. The newly released Wii Pack Generator is, in its own words, a "web-based utility that allows you to select from the most recent, up to date, and high quality homebrew for your Nintendo Wii and create a custom pack." Everything you select will be beautifully organized into a .zip or .exe file with the correct structure for easy extraction onto your SD card. Any remaining doubts you had about giving this a go just flew out the window (really, we saw it go down), so check the read link to conquer your fears and start really living.[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
One of the easiest Wii homebrew guides you'll find
If you've been waiting for someone to hold your hand through the Wii homebrew process, the folks at WiiHD have created the perfect guide for you, complete with step-by-step instructions, a downloadable starter kit with everything you need, and a video (embedded after the break) that shows you the process from installation, all the way to a trial version of Quake I. It doesn't get much easier than this.[Via Engadget]
Wii homebrew guide: go from zero to Quake in no time
As of right now, homebrewers have the upper hand against Nintendo, and it is possible to run whatever you feel like running on the Wii you own -- even on a recently updated Wii. Now would be a good time to go try some of the stuff that people have come up with. But maybe you feel like you don't know where to start, or don't have whatever technical skills are required to make Wii Quake happen.Much like we did on DS Fanboy for homebrew on that system, WiiHD has created a step-by-step guide to Wii homebrew, starting with the Twilight Hack. Follow these instructions, and you'll have the Homebrew Channel, ready and waiting to run your programs. If following three pages of instructions is too much for your fast-paced lifestyle, they've even put together a Starter Kit containing all the software you'll need, including the Twilight Hack and Homebrew Channel files, Quake, and an Amstrad emulator with public-domain games.[Via Engadget]
