New Wii update spells the end for Freeloader [Update 1]
by Chris Greenhough 
{ Jun 17th 2008 at 11:45AM }
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.
[Update: Corrected "infinitesimally small"]
[Via videogaming247]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
LordGek @ Jun 17th 2008 12:05PM
No updating for me then! But seriously, has anybody dealt with Datel before with older versions of Free Loader? Assuming they do find a work around this latest Firmware update, how does one go about getting the latest Freeloader update?
samfish @ Jun 17th 2008 12:06PM
This just pisses me off. I can understand killing the Twilight Hack, but it's just stupid to kill Freeloader.
And how am I going to play the Haruhi game now?!
=(
Matthew @ Jun 17th 2008 12:22PM
I'm not sure what freeloader is but I assume it allows u to play imported games, which I guess s sad bcuz I know overseas there are some cool stuff.
As for Nintendo taking these steps, good to see I suppose but let's invest in other areas that need desperate attention. Hopefully at E3 certains things will be discussed, e.g hardware space, usb ports, online play etc etc.
RupeeClock @ Jun 17th 2008 12:21PM
The reason the freeloader doesn't work any more is because of a "Trucha Signer" exploit that was fixed in the update.
But Datel promised they would replace freeloaders that get blocked, didn't they?
Kaji @ Jun 17th 2008 2:44PM
now i KNOW i saw that somewhere on the site before i got the freeloader, but i sure as hell can't find that anymore now. I wonder if they'll resend you copies of freeloaders >>...
Alex @ Jul 3rd 2008 8:30PM
I saw that too, but I forgot where, I knew Datel said that, it would be saved to your account, the sale data. They also said that it would always work.
Nigeria @ Jun 17th 2008 12:22PM
Wow, that fucks up half my Wii collection.
I won't be updating and if I get Smash Bros it'll probably be a second hand version now.
You know, it's not the long releases that fluster me - I've gotten used to it now I've got a Wii - it's the fact that certain games will never make it to PAL regions: Harvey Birdman, sold poorly, never really had a chance of making it here. And with the empty populism being undertaken by the UK and German censorship boards, there's every chance the entire PAL region receive a gimped version.
I'm rambling. I guess my point is: whatthefuckisthisshitNintendoit'slikewe'renotyourPALSorsomething.
Jayenkai @ Jun 17th 2008 12:29PM
But.... But.... Smash Bros isn't out yet!!!
shawn @ Jun 17th 2008 4:38PM
what is wrong with playing imports,freakin nintendo i swear
SegaPleaseMakePanzerDragoonWii! @ Jun 17th 2008 1:01PM
Just in time for the PAL release of SSBB. I doubt that's a coincidence. Good luck getting anything useful towards fixing this from Datel, my money says you and your Freeloader are on your own. Consider it a lesson learned. Never buy an unofficial disc and expect it to work forever and be supported with replacements and updates from the manufacturer, it won't be. Watch these things clutter up ebay in the upcoming days/weeks. Probably make great beer coasters. It does suck that both Trucha and Twilight got the axe, but I'm confident that those in the know will find a workaround soon. At least if you installed the Homebrew Channel before updating, it still works and homebrew can still be launched from there.
Alexandre @ Jun 17th 2008 1:03PM
The scene community already confirmed that they found a way to override the Trucha blocking. So, until they release it, DO NOT UPGRADE.
CJLopez @ Jun 17th 2008 2:12PM
Thats right, i mean, developers always comes with a counterattack in a instant, just look at the iphone jailbreackers
Come on people, there is no need to fret, really. I looking on ordering Oneechanbaran R, need to slay zombies on bikini (well, not me, the game character) so 'll wait to the solution for this loader
samfish @ Jun 17th 2008 2:19PM
I always make it a point to wear a bikini whenever I play Resident Evil or House of the Dead, myself.
dumblar @ Jun 17th 2008 3:38PM
"Infinitesimal" already means "extremely small." "Infinitesimally small" is poor usage at best.
spuddles31 @ Jun 17th 2008 9:46PM
gg nintendo,
i bought me freeking freeloader like a week ago and now this!
good thing i dont put my wii on the net
but seriously WTF NINTENDO!
its a good thing they dont update the DS firmware or my M3 would suddenly stop werking >______>
grrr........
and all this just for smash, whcih is a mediocre game at best
Simon @ Jun 18th 2008 12:10AM
Dear PAL users.
here's a flaming shit on your door step! Are we cool or what!
Love,
Nintendo.
PS. We also raped your cat. Hope you dont mind.
Kuro @ Jun 19th 2008 3:12PM
Thanks to this, I´ll install a modchip in my wii, because I have some imported games (brawl for example) and now I can´t play them anymore, Nintendo has dissapointed me...for last time
Bernard @ Jul 6th 2008 4:25PM
Grrrrr hate the new generation of consoles. Stupid updates are killing anything interesting that you could do with them. Why do Nintendo care about region encoding? Officially they are probably not allowed to be seen to help this, but killing a product that has been out for many consoles for many years is just stupid, it just makes people hate you. Bleedin' updates.
Detech @ Jul 19th 2008 6:56AM
I have the PAL Wii with 20 PAL games and just bought the EURO Console Freeloader. I am planning to purchase 10 - 15 games in the US. My question: If I install the Freeloader, can I then keep playing my "old" PAL games or only the US games? Or is the Wii "reprogrammed" so that it only accepts US games?