Wii update blocks piracy, Freeloader

Wii News | Importers beware.

This morning Nintendo has made a new system update for the Wii available. The update appears to be quite small, and brings the Wii system to version 3.3E.

The update has added some features to the Mii Parade section of the Mii channel, but it appears it's main use is to block some methods that allow piracy on the system. Unfortunately for importing gamers, this means Datel's Freeloader device has been disabled, as the method it used to boot imports was the same as that used by pirates, a method of booting called 'trucha signing'.

The update also appears to cover an exploit that used a hackers Zelda save file to run unauthorised code on the Wii.

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71 Comments

TheAnswer

1 year ago

mwahaha it was only time before Nintendo worked out a way to stop the freeloader. Now people will just have to not get the update

Cerebral

1 year ago

Quote

We're still trying to get confirmation on this, so why don't you let us know in the comments thread of this article whether you can use your Freeloader or not?

Haha. Frankly, I'm not game.

Also, that's poor form from Nintendo.

DancesInUnderwear

1 year ago

Just in time for you to rebuy Smash Bros. Not surprising in the slightest.

arbok

1 year ago

^^ do you think alot of people would have imported?

But yeah - hurting the hardcore is not good - they drive a lot of the hype but I guess Nintendo are looking for a different audience.

It's kind of interesting that Nintendo like to have such strict region protection.... whereas we have seen Sony go region free for the PSP and PS3.

Gizmocreative

1 year ago

this judt means i wont be buying any wii games at least until i finish my import copy of no more heroes. bad luck nintendo. you silly heads. we are special needs kids for christ sake. no hard drive expansion, limited australian release and the growth of mainstream family party games is making the wii a more and more boring console for me.

in a world where globalisation is inevitable through the freedom of the internet. nintendo once again takes a big step back by telling us what we like and spoon feeding us. meanwhile the 360 and the ps3 bring out expansions, new hard and software innovations.

DancesInUnderwear

1 year ago

arbok wrote

It's kind of interesting that Nintendo like to have such strict region protection.... whereas we have seen Sony go region free for the PSP and PS3.

What I find strange is that every one of Nintendo's handhelds have been region free, and it hasn't caused doom to rain down upon them, but when it comes to home consoles, apparently it would.

Joseph

1 year ago

Well, I'm certainly glad I didn't import now. And with Smash being released in a little over a week, this makes it a little sweeter for me.

I feel for the people that did import though, it simply isn't on Nintendo. At least let them play the games they've currently got, and just kill the freeloader via future game discs.

LeonJ

1 year ago

Ah well. I played and enjoyed No More Heroes with sweet sweet blood.

I didn't get Brawl because I knew deep down that Nintendo would nerf the freeloader.

Buttmouth

1 year ago

I don't really care - its more incentive for me to sell up and get that PS3 I've always wanted (since MGS4 came out.)

MrAndyPuppy

1 year ago

I've got a Freeloader, but I've also got a US Wii, so I'll continue to import - just won't be able to play those games upstairs unless I swap the consoles around.

Still, region locking is evil.

Oh, and I was wondering why the blue light came on - now I know without even needing to turn the Wii on.

genxevo

1 year ago

hopefully brawl doesn't have the 3.3E update, so i can still play no more heroes and buy brawl in a week

TheAnswer

1 year ago

genxevo wrote

hopefully brawl doesn't have the 3.3E update, so i can still play no more heroes and buy brawl in a week

Knowing Ninty it's probably an "added bonus" on the Brawl disc

VOOK

1 year ago

TheAnswer wrote

genxevo wrote

hopefully brawl doesn't have the 3.3E update, so i can still play no more heroes and buy brawl in a week

Knowing Ninty it's probably an "added bonus" on the Brawl disc

Guess that's why there is a 4 month delay.

Michael Pincott

1 year ago

Argggggghhhhh I have nothing but hatred for Nintendo right now. There's no excuse for it. I guess I'll just be taking my Wii offline.

Benza

1 year ago

Eh, I learnt my lesson from the cube, no chance in hell of me ever buying an Australian nintendo console again.

**** them with lava.

Skiller

1 year ago

Nintendo just lost 10-20 software sales (including predicted sales oven the next year or 2 tho), I was going to order freeloader along with no more heroes and trauma center: new blood if the 3.3e firmware didn't wreck freeloader but since it does so screw nintendo, they aint getting a cent. I probably also would have got elebits and boom blox from the US too since the PAL versions are just too expensive to be worth it.

PAL nintendo sucks

arbok

1 year ago

Yes I was going to get trauma center too!!! what a bummer - i was also going to get Wii Ski/Family Ski

canetoad

1 year ago

Ahh, thanks for the heads up. I would have updated just before if my remotes weren't out of batteries. I think I've got all the games from Nintendo I want this gen really. Mario Kart, Galaxy, Brawl etc. That'll last me. If there's a game I really want I'll just mod my Wii. Great idea Nintendo, rule out the completely harmless and legal way to play games on your console, causing people to mod it which will in many a case lead to piracy

Emuaust

1 year ago

well after having my freeloader for a week, im pretty pissed, oh well, ill keep it purely as a homebrew console now, maybe only geeks and otaku's need a freeloader anyway!

Puddingfork

1 year ago

arbok wrote

Yes, in my area at least. A fair few kids at school already have Brawl thanks to GameTraders doing all the importing for them, and advertising it outside their store quite a bit. I like my local GameTraders owners, should I call and warn them or would they already know too?

arbok

1 year ago

Won't hurt if you call so why not?

Especially as there's a week to go to the local release some kid might really want it badly enough to get the import version.

B3NBO

1 year ago

Total crap! I have been using the twilight hack and this update kills that too. What a shame

. I wont be updating. Hope BRAWL doesn't come with the update on the disk!

el_rezzo

1 year ago

Hurts for people who grabbed imported copies, hopefully Nintendo come to their senses and go region free some time soon, region free gaming on PS3 has really opened me up to a lot of games I normally wouldn't have played or bought (plus I'm actually getting the hang of some Japanese thanks to Yakuza).

arbok

1 year ago

^^ be sure to tell us what u think of Yakuza 3 when you're done!

I'm halfway through the first. Its pretty good (could be better though) - enjoying the story anyway.

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