FreeLoader GC doesn't work in our Wii
Despite a report to the contrary, we can't get the GameCube FreeLoader to work on a Wii. We've tried to use FreeLoader to play GameCube titles from other regions, but the sad, unrecognized-disc screen taunts us over and over.
We're using FreeLoader 1.06B -- alleged to be the right version by internet posters -- and a fully updated Wii (2.0U). We've tried inserting the disk when the Wii is off, then restarting. We've tried cleaning the disc. We've tried a special dance and blew in an NES cartridge slot as an offering, but nothing gets our FreeLoader started.
Datel told us that it doesn't yet have a Wii for testing and couldn't offer any more help. The company is also waiting for a Wii to determine if it can make a FreeLoader for Wii games.
Readers, have you gotten a GameCube FreeLoader working with a Wii? If so, how?
See also:
Wii not even remotely region-free
NOA's Reggie Fils-Aime skirts region issues
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
BB @ Dec 1st 2006 7:14PM
I wonder if the recent update had anything to do with stopping FreeLoader to run. I mean, Nintendo only said that the parental controls were updated. Could this be one of those silent updates to stop importing/piracy?
Jeff Ramos @ Dec 1st 2006 7:35PM
http://www.gamevideos.com/video/id/7637
they got their to work!
Crowbar @ Dec 1st 2006 7:37PM
I wouldn't mind knowing this as well. I tried my own Freeloader 1.06b disc when I went home the weekend of Thanksgiving and my import copy of Viewtiful Joe worked perfectly with it. Alas, I don't have the disc with me to see if the update affected it or else I'd try again.
If this is a universal problem, then... Well, I'm slightly annoyed, but I still have my Gamecube to play imports on, at least.
ryanredzie @ Dec 1st 2006 7:43PM
That's odd. Didn't 1up/EGM tried that out in a video on gamevideos.com?
FernandoRocker @ Dec 1st 2006 7:47PM
Have you noticed that every word can be used with the word "Wii" or Wii related words??? I mean... at first no one like the name, but now, everyone love it. Wiimote, Miisenger, Wii will win, wiitar hero (maybe someday)... what else????
Doc @ Dec 1st 2006 7:56PM
I know for a fact that it works, or that it at least did work before. I suppose it is possible an update broke it, but that possibility seems remote.
Sauce @ Dec 1st 2006 8:03PM
I have the freeloader version 1.06b and it works fine. I just tryed it with japanese Naruto 4 for the gamecube and I did not have any probles. maybe its the new version that has the problems.
Miharu @ Dec 1st 2006 8:14PM
Play-Asia says Action Replay works. I have a Freeloader 1.06B and I plan on testing it as soon as Wiis hit Europe, that is next Friday.
denkigrve @ Dec 1st 2006 8:20PM
I tested mine out this weekend and it works fine for the Japanese version of Naruto 2. Mine's a 1.06 also. Unless an update came out within the past 2 days I don't think that's the issue. It reset my Wii the first time I put it in, but after booting back up it loaded, and I ejected it, and put in Naruto 2 and it loaded fine.
I then tried just the Naruto disk itself and that got the same screen you guys are showing above. I'll post a shot of it when I get the chance. I don't have access to the TV right now. GF is watching a movie.
Seraph Wing @ Dec 1st 2006 8:27PM
Strange, but speak for yourself. I'm able to play Naruto 3 with no problem (progressive scan, too!). And mine is version 1.06b, if that's any help.
Alex @ Dec 1st 2006 8:28PM
Mine works, Fully updated wii, V 1.06b freeloader
denkigrve @ Dec 1st 2006 8:34PM
Here are the images of my Wii at the bootdisk load screen and then telling me there is no memory card in Slot A.
http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l301/denkigrve/IMG_2482.jpg
http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l301/denkigrve/IMG_2483.jpg
Feel free to pose the image of the disc actually loading instead of the one that's there.
localpirate @ Dec 1st 2006 8:36PM
ActionReplay with Freeloader works perfectly on my Wii.
BB @ Dec 1st 2006 8:38PM
Me thinks Joystiq has a problem if everyone else can run FreeLoader
denkigrve @ Dec 1st 2006 8:41PM
I guess I should explain how I got it to work... I booted my Wii... I ejected Zelda. I then inserted the Freeloader disc. It said to eject. I ejected it. I then inserted the Naruto disc, and it booted up fine. I played it for a bit the other day, but when I took the shots I didn't go further than booting to the "auto-load from Slot A" screen. I didn't feel like going back to the closet of retired consoles for my controller.
Sean @ Dec 1st 2006 9:15PM
Doc,
I think you mean that possiblity looks wiimote
Kingdox @ Dec 1st 2006 9:52PM
The freeloader doesn't work on my Wii. I don't know what version of Freeloader I have but I do have a fully updated Wii.
Testing the freeloader was one of the first things I did when I got my Wii.
Abd FYI the Intec Gamecube Advance port also doesn't work on my Wii.
http://www.amazon.com/Intec-GameCube-Advance-Port/dp/B0001EPWSA
The Perksizer @ Dec 1st 2006 10:04PM
Use the Action Replay disc with the freeloader on it. Thanks to that baby i was playing Giftpia and Doshin the Giant on my Wii.
GridMortis @ Dec 1st 2006 10:10PM
Important factors:
You must reset the Wii after initial loading of the Freeloader.
Don't forget to remove the dongle...heh.. before the import game loads.
You, and only YOU are welcome.
joystiq.com reminds me of breast milk
Dan K @ Dec 1st 2006 10:35PM
I'm using V 1.06b and it works fine with Naruto 3, haven't tried it with my others yet.
Drew @ Dec 1st 2006 11:07PM
I just tried with Naruto 3 and Freeloader 1.06b and it works fine. I have done the update as well and it still works.
BPM? @ Dec 2nd 2006 1:07AM
Just tested Nintendo Puzzle Collection with Action Replay V1.06 on a fully updated Wii (including that mysterious one from last night...). And it works just fine.
Zack Stern @ Dec 2nd 2006 1:32AM
Thanks for all of the comments and reports. Is anyone using 1.06B? (Not 1.06b)
hoosier @ Dec 2nd 2006 3:08AM
"Have you noticed that every word can be used with the word "Wii" or Wii related words??? I mean... at first no one like the name, but now, everyone love it. Wiimote, Miisenger, Wii will win, wiitar hero (maybe someday)... what else????"
By George, you're right!
How about "Wiitard", "Wiik", "Wiimpy" and "Giimiicky"?
=)
Trey @ Dec 2nd 2006 4:51AM
I have 1.06, a fully updated Wii, and no success with Naruto 3. Joystiq, you are not alone.
Trey @ Dec 2nd 2006 4:56AM
Woah, I just noticed the above post and went back and checked- mine is 1.06B (not 1.06b). Maybe that has something to do with it? I knew I should have picked up that used copy in Gamestop for under $5!
sheds @ Dec 2nd 2006 5:18AM
1.04 = needs to be verified
1.06b = works
1.06B = doesn't work
Action replay = works
daroga @ Dec 2nd 2006 7:49AM
I've got 1.06b and the Wii has never recognized the freeloader disc at all. :(
David Jr. @ Dec 2nd 2006 8:20AM
I have Freeloader 1.06b. I tried it 3 times before it actually booted it up. It works fine now on the first try and I used Naruto 4 to test it.
COO @ Dec 2nd 2006 9:43AM
Did anyone try the MAX Drive Pro kit and if succesfull - booting linux
Sponge @ Dec 2nd 2006 10:07AM
@FernandoRocker
I gonna smoke me some Wiid.
Burner @ Dec 2nd 2006 10:29AM
I have the Freeloader V 1.04 disc and it has no trouble booting up on my Wii, despite all the scratches on it. Used Naruto - Ninja Taisen 4 to test and it runs just as it would on the standard Gamecube. The Wii's been updated too, but no problems booting imports so far.
Dennis @ Dec 2nd 2006 12:27PM
the freeloader i used worked for my wii, i think it just varies on the version you have. i cant give u the exact version number right now but freeloader has loaded up every single time i've put it in so far
fillerbunny9 @ Dec 2nd 2006 3:56PM
I have an Action Replay, and it lets me play my imports just fine. from the sounds of things, that is also the more reliable choice. time to upgrade, perhaps?
some person @ Dec 2nd 2006 9:10PM
does the GCN AR work on Wii? does the freeloader bundled in AR work?
martin @ Dec 4th 2006 8:10AM
You need a FWiiLoader. sorry, couldn't resist!
Wasa @ Dec 11th 2006 3:22PM
yep i was gonna say the same thing as bb
i have a system that hasn't had any updates other than the launch ones, and could care less about playing games from other regions, now if i can talk my boss into leting me open a freeloader or find one in our used inv then i'll give it a try then update and try again
cheers
Frank @ Dec 14th 2006 3:03AM
I bought a new AR 1.14a and inserted into a Wii (European/Pal) version. It stated, afters some time: "Unable to read disk". If someone has a suggestion how it can work, let me know.
Lib @ Dec 28th 2006 5:57AM
I have freeloader 1.06B and it will not work either, i have a european/pal wii). Any info on how to make it work would be appreciated!
nekootaku @ Jan 5th 2007 2:49AM
FL 1.04 + PAL WII -> Doesn't work. Like joystiq's friends.
My idea is that freeloader doesn't work on PAL wiis...
Rey @ Jan 13th 2007 10:04PM
Ok listen people its very easy, all you need is an AR a.k.a Action Replay. So first make your WII horizantal. Then put in the Action Replay, your WII should reboot. Then go back to the game program press start. In the Action Replay go to freeloader and press it, it should say open lid, its the same thing as eject. Then add any game you want, like as for me i put in Gekitou Ninja 4 a.k.a naruto clash of ninjas 4. It should be working and if you want, skip the intro. Then on the "start screen" you eject your game!, if its japanese or any other language we dont understand (lol) it should show some words, which says close the lid. So then you put your game back in, and it should work perfectly fine. Also it will work on any other game just remember to eject! on the "start screen", you know where it says press start button to begin playing. (have a great time playing!)
Rey @ Jan 13th 2007 10:32PM
Oh yea one more thing i forgot to say to put your memory card in slot A and the AR memory card in slot B.(sorr guys i forgot to say that)
Rey @ Jan 13th 2007 10:36PM
Hey guys! its me again, check this out, i tryed it again and you know what?, it doesnt have to be horizantaly, it could be verticaly. So all you got to do is follow the steps i wrote earlier. (enjoy playing!)
MechaBouncer @ Jan 17th 2007 11:56AM
Rey, I can't thank you enough. I've been trying to get the Japanese GC game DreamMix TV World Fighters to work on my US/NTSC Wii (updated to 2.0U) using an Action Replay (V1.14A) for the last week. It would freeze up just before the main menu would show up every time, but worked fine on GC. Using your method, I finally was able to get the game to run. Here's how:
1. The Wii is lying horizontal and switched on with the Action Replay memory card in Slot B, game save memory card in Slot A (mine was a Nyko 64MB card), and GC controller in Port 1 (I used a Wavebird transmitter).
2. Insert the Action Replay disc and launch it from the Disc Channel.
3. The AR copyright information will come up (if using a Wavebird, be sure to press the A button, else the controller won't acknowledge itself) and then the AR menu. Select Freeloader from the menu.
4. Eject AR disc when told to "open the lid" and then insert your game disc (DMTWW in my case).
5. The game will start loading and bring up a Japanese menu asking to format the memory card in Slot A if it has not been already. Select the top option to format. If it's already formatted, it'll just show a little Japanese message (probably "reading memory card, don't remove") and continue.
6. Now is the most crucial step to get DMTWW to work. When the animation for the Hudson logo begins, you MUST eject the disc (at which point it'll give you an error of gibberish characters that probably represent Japanese characters on a Japanese GC) and then reinsert it. Doing this at any other time will cause the system to freeze. Other games may need to be done at different points.
7. Now the game will play as normal.
Thanks again! I couldn't have done this without your instructions!
Charles @ Jan 22nd 2007 3:42AM
My action replay used to work on my wii but when i updated the wiis firmware i got the msg unable to read disc. At 1st i thought that my wii was stuffed but looks like its the wiis software. Can any1 else confirm?