New System Update may block Homebrew Channel [update]

by JC Fletcher { Oct 23rd 2008 at 10:51AM }

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.

Tags: homebrew-channel, update, wii-shop-channel

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Thunderbird @ Oct 23rd 2008 10:56AM

I hope I can still play Tatsunoko vs. Capcom.

O @ Oct 24th 2008 8:10PM

I was thinking the exact same thing.

Will still be able to use the freeloader disc to play Tatsunoko vs. Capcom?

hellhammer @ Oct 26th 2008 6:53PM

What's ironic about this whole thing is that Nintendo's choice to make the DS region-free has pushed me to become an importer.

Even better is the fact that if Nintendo were to release an update, making the Wii region-free also (as far as retail Wii/GC games at least), then the few people I know who have installed the Homebrew channel, myself included, would no longer have a need for it.

Garu @ Oct 23rd 2008 11:03AM

I went to download Tetris Party last night, but two times the Shop Channel was down, and the third time I had to do this update first. It took a little while, but after it was done I was able to download Tetris without any problems!

And after Tetris Party, I'm almost out of storage space. I'll be deleting the NEO GEO game I downloaded because I picked up a used copy of the SNK Arcade Classics, so that will help a little.

THRILLHO @ Oct 23rd 2008 11:11AM

i think the updates were in the background to the shop channel, letting GH:WT use the ingame store

Sonic_13 @ Oct 23rd 2008 11:35AM

I'm not sure that an update would be needed for that as other games (like My Life as a King) already have in-game stores for DLC.

Xoviet chiK - Gyiyg Strikes Back @ Oct 23rd 2008 11:15AM

"New System Update may block Homebrew Channel... For Now" - Title fixed.

Fredster @ Oct 23rd 2008 11:38AM

Anyone knows when they'll update the wii to play games off the SD card? My memory is getting pretty full. I was hoping this update would solve this.

Hardy @ Oct 23rd 2008 11:46AM

Last article I read, which was a while ago, they said it won't be done till next year.

Why? I don't know, I'm assuming lame ass marketing reasons.

I don't mind companies holding off stuff for marketing reasons, but when it's a needed/essential change, I don't think it should be held back at all.

bug frawg @ Oct 23rd 2008 12:25PM

I Remember Iwata talking about major changes that need to be made to allow for direct sd access without comprising nintendo's security. (Arrrrr!)

Nigeria @ Oct 23rd 2008 11:17AM

I wish I had 10000 Wii Points.

Mike Sylvester @ Oct 23rd 2008 11:21AM

I wish I had the free space to use up 10,000 Wii Points. :(

Geoff @ Oct 23rd 2008 11:49AM

People who are actually interested in Homebrew shouldn't be upset with Nintendo about this. If these hacks and additions did nothing but allow homebrew it'd be one thing but the majority of people installing the Homebrew channel are using it to install WiiWare and VC titles illegally. Those abusers are at fault. You can't be upset with Nintendo for its efforts to stop piracy.

roflasaurus rex @ Oct 23rd 2008 12:42PM

The majority? Where are you getting your data?

Eric @ Oct 23rd 2008 2:20PM

Agreed. People need to support the developers and stop the piracy nonsense. If this was only used for homebrew, Nintendo wouldn't be able to justify the $$$ to fight it.

Nica @ Oct 23rd 2008 2:45PM

i'm with rex on this. while i do admit to having emulators on my homebrew, i respect the developers who took the time to make these games. i do not put any games that i don't already own in cartridge format or on VC (holding them on my wii is no longer a viable option, i need room for wiiware...). As well, I like to use it as a media player. I like the convenience of having all my ripped movies and shows on my external so I can watch any episode w/o having to go through the discs. but that's just me, i'm not part of your supposed majority.

Shuriken @ Dec 11th 2008 10:13AM

do roms that I own the cartridge for already and just want to play on the wii count?
I imported mother 3's cartridge just so I could get the english translation rom without breaking any laws. (or atleast, I thought I wasn't breaking any laws.)

racecar @ Oct 23rd 2008 11:24AM

Wow. Glad I installed the Homebrew Channel just last night. Think I'll still wait for more news before I update, though.

Sonic_13 @ Oct 23rd 2008 11:34AM

Interesting. In the US (and I'm assuming Europe) the software is still version 3.3, not 3.4.

I downloaded the update last night, but haven't noticed any changes. I haven't receive my message from Nintendo yet though (mainly because I connect through a Nintendo Wi-Fi USB Adapter and my laptop was off).

I'd like to hear more about what was updated in Japan though.

ramuji @ Oct 23rd 2008 1:37PM

I updated, and my version is still 3.3J.

Mr Khan @ Oct 23rd 2008 11:37AM

Hmm..., i got an update to download after i re-connected my Wii, but it was offline for 1.5 months, so it could've been anything. It still says 3.3 U for firmware version

America will probably get this update packaged in with the spring update for the storage solution, seeing how late we're getting DSi

Covarr @ Oct 23rd 2008 12:07PM

I haven't updated yet. I wont, until there's a definite list of what this update has changed in the US. If it blocks the Homebrew Channel from being installed, I probably won't, even though I already have the homebrew channel installed.

icicle0424 @ Oct 23rd 2008 12:23PM

I updated, I already have the HBC, and a workaround will come about by the end of the day anyway. no noticeable changes, except that I got in one little fight and my mom got scared. She said "you're moving with your auntie and uncle in Bel-Air"

THRILLHO @ Oct 23rd 2008 12:46PM

appropriate name icicle, because you just gave me the douche chills

icicle0424 @ Oct 23rd 2008 12:52PM

what are douche chills?

monkeyninja @ Oct 23rd 2008 1:28PM

i dont like how in the shop channel now how u have to click a button to see compatible controllers

KirbyMeister @ Oct 23rd 2008 1:30PM

It's a backport of the signing fix to all IOS versions - ironically, they don't touch the SystemMenu/1-2 so there's no new TP hack killer.

If you're wondering what this does, it makes you unable to install fakesigned anything: we can't change IOS, channels, or boot2 (which includes Twiizers' in-development brick resistant bootmii) unless Twiizers finds another bug in another IOS that lets us edit IOS again.

At least they can't patch boot1, so you can still install BootMii... if you can unsodder your NAND chip and you have a dump of the filesystem pre-update.

Again, feelings of "I don't really own what I paid for if I can't control the software on it" run amok.

Roto13 @ Oct 23rd 2008 11:32PM

When I worked for Xbox one of the first things they told me was that people who own Xboxes don't actually own them, they own the license to use them, much like "owning" software is really just owning the license to use it.

I'm guessing they all do it that way.

720BOMBER @ Oct 23rd 2008 1:48PM

When I got this update my Nintendo Channel stopped working o.O weird

Kenji @ Oct 23rd 2008 2:56PM

From http://www.tehskeen.com/forums/showpost.php?p=42769&postcount=6

A. Does it affect WADs?
- If you had the most recent cIOS, I believe that WAD Manager 1.21 STILL works (it does for some i believe…), Unsure though!!
B. Does it affect HBC?
- If you had yours already installed, it doesn’t, but it seems to block new installations of it.
C. Does it affect Already installed games?
- In no way this upgrade affects anything already installed, unless it is something that must use a IOS, because they have been patched.
D. Can you downgrade and have the Shop Channel working?
- I think you can’t downgrade for the time being, so nobody can test if you can enter the WSChannel after downgrading.

monkeyninja @ Oct 23rd 2008 3:24PM

one update in the dtore is that it doesnt show what controller type u must use. u have to click a button so see it

phenylketonurics @ Oct 23rd 2008 4:27PM

I'm starting to understand why so many kids seem to need alternative storage for their downloadable content. And it saddens me that it's not because you're all just loaded down with money.

Wow.

Roto13 @ Oct 23rd 2008 11:32PM

The Homebrew channel is tiny and everything else is stored on and read from an SD card.

iofthestorm @ Oct 24th 2008 2:44AM

Nah, it's because Nintendo wasn't thinking about WiiWare when they settled on the Wii's specs. I have three N64 VC games and two WiiWare titles, and if I get one more my memory will be filled up. I've also got most of the optional free channels, including the Internet Channel, Mario Kart, and the useless Everybody Votes Channel, so I've got a little leeway if I want to download more, but it's not that hard to do. WiiWare and N64 games are pretty big.

orangelazarus @ Oct 24th 2008 2:08AM

Man i updated because i wanted to get on to the shop channel. Well i went on my pre-installed homebrew channel and the wad installer doesnt work anymore. I wish i would of read this article before i installed it.