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Wii Firmware Update 3.3 Blocks Freeloader
on 17.06.2008 at 10:10
Posted by Shane Jury (Phoenixus) 
Comments: 28 
Reads: 8164
Tags:
Wii, Nintendo, Homebrew, Freeloader, Mii
Posted by Shane Jury (Phoenixus) Comments: 28 Reads: 8164 Tags:
Wii, Nintendo, Homebrew, Freeloader, Mii Recent News
Nintendo have issued the latest Firmware Update for Online Wii owners, and whilst the changes are minimum in number, they have profound effects.
The most well-known feature of the update is the ability to move your Mii creations from your regular 100-maximum storage to the Mii parade. Doing so deletes key features of your Mii, such as the name of its Creator and birthday details.
Behind the scenes though, the update has far more effect. According to GoNintendo, 3.3 is the one that kills the Wii Freeloader, the disc used to play import Wii games. Freeloader users had best be wary of this update.
The infamous Twilight Hack, a glitch in Zelda; Twilight Princess that allowed Homebrew to operate on the console, has also been blocked. Anyone with a Homebrew Channel already on their Wii will still be able to use it, but the primary method of obtaining the channel is now gone.
Have your say on this news below.
The most well-known feature of the update is the ability to move your Mii creations from your regular 100-maximum storage to the Mii parade. Doing so deletes key features of your Mii, such as the name of its Creator and birthday details.
Behind the scenes though, the update has far more effect. According to GoNintendo, 3.3 is the one that kills the Wii Freeloader, the disc used to play import Wii games. Freeloader users had best be wary of this update.
The infamous Twilight Hack, a glitch in Zelda; Twilight Princess that allowed Homebrew to operate on the console, has also been blocked. Anyone with a Homebrew Channel already on their Wii will still be able to use it, but the primary method of obtaining the channel is now gone.
Have your say on this news below.
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2825
L78 Slippy
Yep, seems that way. I updated the paragraph a little.
Datel previously said that they would update Freeloader discs if they get blocked. I wonder if that offer still stands.
- Anyone fancy one of my favourite games?
Datel previously said that they would update Freeloader discs if they get blocked. I wonder if that offer still stands.
- Anyone fancy one of my favourite games?So yeah, Golden Sun 3.
18111
C3 Mod
I hope it does. I still plan on getting ToS2 and Rune Factory you know!
Thankfully Brawl comes out soon. Until I have matching data (characters and stages all unlocked) in the PAL version, I will not be updating my Wii.
Thankfully Brawl comes out soon. Until I have matching data (characters and stages all unlocked) in the PAL version, I will not be updating my Wii.
Resident Evil 5 and Bionic Commando PC Announced
8336
L100 C3 Master
I certainly will not be.
4938
L99 Master Hand
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO. 
Wishing for a new Rival Schools!
15712
Founder/Admin
Jeeeees. Damn you Nintendo. I can understand Freeloader, but the Homebrew scene would really have been awesome. Let us create, damn you!
I'll definitely not be updating unless it forces it to. Don't think I'll be shelling out for a PAL copy any time soon, flogging the US game will be very hard.
jb(at)cubed3.com
I'll definitely not be updating unless it forces it to. Don't think I'll be shelling out for a PAL copy any time soon, flogging the US game will be very hard.
jb(at)cubed3.com
193
L20 Orbinaut
I reckon this firmware update will be on the Smash Brothers Brawl Disc and be required before you can play it. Whilst I am dissapointed about the homebrew, they need to close the piracy loopholes so I'm not too worried.
About to board my plane. Merry Christmas everyone!
3129
L81 Chun-Li
And this is exactly why I didn't import Brawl, No More Heroes etc.
So yeah, Golden Sun 3.
18111C3 Mod
russraine said:
I reckon this firmware update will be on the Smash Brothers Brawl Disc and be required before you can play it.
I reckon this firmware update will be on the Smash Brothers Brawl Disc and be required before you can play it.
Now that would be incredibly annoying. That way I can't keep my old data to play alongside my new one.
And this is exactly why I didn't import Brawl, No More Heroes etc.
Can't see why this is reason enough. If you ask me those extra 4 months of Brawling were well worth it. Not to mention Datel might bring out a new Freeloader anyway.( Edited 17.06.2008 12:38 by SuperLink )
I'll have what she is eating.
406
L31 Pokey
Never used imports/freeloader/homebrew or parading Miis for that matter. Updated it last night. Just cause my Wii was pulsing beautiful blue. Can't resist that blue.
Blue.
Blue.
Look unto me in every thought. Doubt not. Fear not.
Do ya like ol' gregg's place? Got all things that are good.
743
L44 Ayla
AAAARRRGGGHHH i read this only hours after i updated and lost brawl!!! 
Can brawl anytime now.....if you want an easy win 
BOMBERMAN code: 2879 2176 8600, or just find me in a random match
I think it might be time for Newspapers to look over their sponsorship contracts...
BOMBERMAN code: 2879 2176 8600, or just find me in a random match
I think it might be time for Newspapers to look over their sponsorship contracts...
Just discovered why police dogs are called K9.
782
L45 Funky
Super Smash Bros. Brawl launches next week.
Coincidence?
Coincidence?
Let's Tap and Virtua Tennis 2009 hands-on now up!
8959
Reviews Editor
I won't be upgrading my firmware until they give me something worth upgrading for, then.
Cubed3 Staff :: Reviews Editor
Xbox Live/Twitter :: C3Mike
Cubed3 Staff :: Reviews Editor
Xbox Live/Twitter :: C3Mike
19
L2 Toad
Booo! Not gonna update, at least until I'm finished with Okami and Elebits.
Hope Datel does something to counter this.
Hope Datel does something to counter this.
Wishing for a new Rival Schools!
15712Founder/Admin
Canyarion said:
Super Smash Bros. Brawl launches next week.
Coincidence?
Super Smash Bros. Brawl launches next week.
Coincidence?
Very very true, lol, they probably could have fixed the problem months ago.
jb(at)cubed3.com
So yeah, Golden Sun 3.
18111C3 Mod
Would I be correct in saying the US Freeloaders have been blocked too? I see no reason to put that off TBH...
But you're right. Maybe Nintendo tried to avoid a "European Brawl outcry", but want to make sure that Brawl still sells to everyone who already bought it. Greedy bastards.
But you're right. Maybe Nintendo tried to avoid a "European Brawl outcry", but want to make sure that Brawl still sells to everyone who already bought it. Greedy bastards.
83
L9 Peahat
Nintendo should lose no money on their European sales just because some people decided to buy the American version. Thats money the American division makes instead, and now they're losing out and their figures suffer.
Having said that, I am dissapointed about the homebrew...
Having said that, I am dissapointed about the homebrew...
Sex is bad. Sex is a Sin. Sins are forgiven so stick it in!
9413
L100 C3 Master
I'd be suprised if the homebrew community didn't find a workaround, and when it does it has a region free application in it so theres at least some hope for people who have imported games.
XBL Gamertag: James2t3
XBL Gamertag: James2t3
Gomu gomu no kamehame-bankai no jutsu!
2112
L72 Samus
ARGH.
Well, I certainly won't be updating.
Though I have 2 Wiis, so I might update one of them.
Well, I certainly won't be updating.
Though I have 2 Wiis, so I might update one of them.
6917
L100 C3 Master
What was this Twilight hack?
Sleepie and bored
3479
L84 Crono
so them who not updateing what u going to do when they add a HDD?
79
L8 Lakitu
if the brawl disc does have an update, you can use the freeloader to stop it anyway.
Your right hand comes off?
582
L38 Moblin
Well we all knew this was coming, in anycase not updating wii till pal brawl comes out 
Gamertag: LKR101
Currently playing: Super Mario Galaxy/Megaman Starforce 2
Gamertag: LKR101
Currently playing: Super Mario Galaxy/Megaman Starforce 2
712
23
L3 Gooba
Fear not! Region Free gaming is still possible with 3.3!
For those of you who don't know what the Twilight Hack is or how to use it... Twilight Hack
As long as you use the Twilight Hack to install the Homebrew Channel (here) BEFORE updating to 3.3, you will still be able to run homebrew when you update.
There is a homebrew application available called Gecko Region Free which functions just as the Freeloader and allows you to play import games!!!
However! the current version (1.5) of Gecko Region Free doesn't support Brawl... but the next version will and its coming out very soon.
Version 1.4 does support Brawl, but it doesn't work on the Homebrew Channel... so yea... useless.
Gecko Region Free is available here. Keep an eye on that link as 1.6 should be released soon.
EDIT: The new version won't be called 1.6, it will be called GeckoOS( Edited 18.06.2008 16:01 by auroreon )
For those of you who don't know what the Twilight Hack is or how to use it... Twilight Hack
As long as you use the Twilight Hack to install the Homebrew Channel (here) BEFORE updating to 3.3, you will still be able to run homebrew when you update.
There is a homebrew application available called Gecko Region Free which functions just as the Freeloader and allows you to play import games!!!
However! the current version (1.5) of Gecko Region Free doesn't support Brawl... but the next version will and its coming out very soon.
Version 1.4 does support Brawl, but it doesn't work on the Homebrew Channel... so yea... useless.
Gecko Region Free is available here. Keep an eye on that link as 1.6 should be released soon.
EDIT: The new version won't be called 1.6, it will be called GeckoOS( Edited 18.06.2008 16:01 by auroreon )
Do ya like ol' gregg's place? Got all things that are good.
743L44 Ayla
WHY did I have to have the latest??? WHY?! 
If i had've left it for at least another 4 hours, it would have been fine. Oh well, i'll just have to trade in some games for the PAL version on the 26th.
If i had've left it for at least another 4 hours, it would have been fine. Oh well, i'll just have to trade in some games for the PAL version on the 26th.Can brawl anytime now.....if you want an easy win
BOMBERMAN code: 2879 2176 8600, or just find me in a random match
I think it might be time for Newspapers to look over their sponsorship contracts...
BOMBERMAN code: 2879 2176 8600, or just find me in a random match
I think it might be time for Newspapers to look over their sponsorship contracts...
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