New Wii Menu Update Targets Homebrew Again

Nintendo has tried to block homebrew during firmware updates in the past, often unsuccessfully. Now, as it rolls out version 4.3 of the Wii System Menu, stopping homebrew modifications once again seems to be its primary goal. From Nintendo's support site: "Because unauthorized channels or firmware may impair game play or the Wii console, updating to Wii Menu version 4.3 will check for and automatically remove such unauthorized files." Since it's hard to bill that as an upgrade, they vaguely add, "In addition, there are some behind the scenes enhancements that do not affect any prominently-used features or menus but will improve system performance."

Re:the Wii is dead

[d0a0b]

Wii may be dead but the scene isn't, even if you want to update (why would you).

some scenery [teknoconsolas.es]

Re:easy solution

[drinkypoo]

Microsoft is actually the least oppressive console maker this generation. It's easiest to get indie games onto the platform (XNA) and they haven't taken away any functionality with dashboard updates at all. In fact, they gave us the ability to use arbitrary USB storage devices, probably in expectation of the new 360 coming out; you can ostensibly use the transfer cable to continue using your Xbox 360 HDD.

Not really

[LordVader717]

Nintendo are quite user-friendly in this respect. With every Update they explicitly warn you that it deletes Homebrew software and could brick your Wii. And apart from deleting the channels, they don't purposely attempt to do more damage. Microsoft OTOH don't give you any warning, brick your console, and block your account.

Re:As a Wii Owner

[Anonymous Coward]

Whose fault is it for choosing a bad business model?

Re:As a Wii Owner

[canajin56]

No, the first step to installing the pirate stuff isn't the homebrew channel. The first step is buying a Wii. Nintendo should eliminate that step first. This is just insane. Only a few years ago it was utterly unimaginable that hardware makers would try their best to lock users out of their own systems. When Nintendo tried with the NES they were bitchslapped so hard in court. Now it's got the weight of law behind it, it's a high crime to run software on your own hardware, and perfectly acceptable to push updates with the sole purpose of bricking consoles that have "unauthorized" content. Fuck you, Nintendo. It's not unauthorized. I authorized it. Where's the part where I can choose not to authorize Nintendo to violently update my system? That's right, they are mandatory, aren't they. You can decline to install, sure (though the EULA actually says you cannot, that Nintendo can install updates without permission), if you don't mind never playing any new games ever again.

Re:easy solution

[Anonymous Coward]

You indeed have it wrong. The saying comes from the fact that many natives did not have the same view of property as westerners had, so they would trade away vast tracts of land (not always the ones they laid claim to) for guns, beads, etc. When they realized what they had done (or what another tribe had done to them), they demanded their land back. The westerners picked up the "Indian giver" as a term for someone who reneges on an agreement once he realizes he has made a bad deal.

Re:As a Wii Owner

[Mister Whirly]

I just sent in my Wii for repair that is 3 years old that I bought used from someone else - Nintendo paid shipping both ways and did not charge me a penny.

Re:As a Wii Owner

[Sancho]

No one has gotten it all right yet.

You're right--that's incredibly convenient. And platforms where you don't have physical media are moving in that direction (Steam, DSi, WiiWare, XBL downloads, and PS3 downloads.) Of course, there are other problems with these, such as what happens when your physical unit fails.

Re:News flash

[Volante3192]

I am arguing that they should leave homebrew alone because they should pay their engineers to ADD features to the Wii instead of wasting their time trying to stop the unstoppable.

Course, we don't know what happens behind the scenes. Perhaps they have to show token attempts to stop homebrew to make other publishers and developers happy, and perhaps that's why, when they do these updates, they make the attacks targeted and weak.

Face the facts, the hackers have done more to empower the Wii than Nintendo's own engineers. And that's just sad.

In your opinion.

I'm perfectly happy letting my Wii just play the games I get for it.

*and the reason it's a Netflix disc is to get around Netflix's contract with Microsoft. The PS3 needs a disc as well. I've used it, but I'd be fine without it. It still doesn't feel like a media center.