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Wii system menu hack released, region coding on the run

by Ross Miller on Aug 6th 2008 9:30PM

Remember that Wii system menu hack we told you about yesterday? Among other things, HackInstaller removes the health warning at startup, the background music and -- most importantly -- all region encoding for GameCube and Wii games and Wii channels (you can view a walkthrough of the patch, above). Homebrew coder "Crediar" has released HackInstaller into the wild.

Installation requires the homebrew channel. If you haven't taken the leap to homebrew, check out the Wii Pack Generator for a no-fuss entry into the scene. We suspect Nintendo isn't going to take this loss of region coding concern lightly.

Source

Tags: crediar, hackinstaller, hacks, homebrew, Wii

Reader Comments (21)

Let's make biscuits! Let's make Biscuits!!

Serves 'em right for (probably) not releasing the Haruhi game and Capitan Rainbow here!

Guys, I wouldn't install this unless you have somewhat of an idea on how it and the Wii works.

People who are new to homebrew should read up before indulging themselves in the region free goodness that this provides.

Just a warning, as this is the first main menu replacement that has ever been released, and I have already heard some people on some forums that this is PAL only.

Also, I don't think this is necessary for region free game playing anyway, as there's a homebrew app that lets you do this. I guess this is mostly proof of concept right now, and adds a recovery menu although we don't know if that works yet. I'd wait for the first system menu replacements from Team Twiizers before installing anything, since they are the ones who are enabling all these hacks, and they understand them and their associated risks the best. Unlike other devs who just seem to randomly release things, Team Twiizers seems to always make sure things won't brick consoles or otherwise harm them.

PROTIP: It only works for Wii System 3.2E (E = Europe)

This doesn't add a whole lot of functionality that wasn't already on the Wii through homebrew. On top of that, this seems a lot more risky than just installing the homebrew channel and a no-region app. I'd highly suggest against anybody that doesn't really know what they are doing trying to load this onto their wii. This is a step in the right direction, though ever since the first custom IOS we've all kinda known that a proper softmod would be coming out sooner or later (and this isn't it) so you might be jumping the gun by installing this.

I wonder if this works with version 3.3....friend played Wii Fit and agreed to a system update while I was in another room. I was so pissed.

I read your post, blog-troll. You said nothing about the positives of homebrew. You only provided a rant on the woes of people using the homebrew channel to pirate wads.

You did clarify your position after the fact, but it wasn't up when I wrote my post--or in the very least, I did not see it. It's entirely possible the suq post system at Joystiq decided I shouldn't see your rejoinders.

Why do people insist on doing [more or less] illegal things with the homebrew including stealing WADs and making it region free.

This crap will make Nintendo bring the hammer down hard on homebrew.

The only thing illegal about homebrew to me is being able to play pirated games.

I don't think being able to play other region games should be looked down upon by Nintendo, so long as you actually PAY for the game.

Region locking in this global world is counter-intuitive.

Also, what's a WAD?

A WAD is the format that Wiiware titles are in. I won't say how (because I strongly object to the practice) but it's now possible, and quite easy unfortunately, to load Wiiware games you didn't purchase.

How anyone could ever rationalize the theft of something someone slaved over, that costs less than 1/6th the price of a normal game, I have no idea.

I love homebrew, I'm curious to know who voted me down and for what reason. Don't misunderstand my post.

I love Homebrew, I don't like that people use it for ilegal things. Homebrew has a ridiculous amount of potential, and now that the wii supports external storage there is nothing holding it back.

I like using my homebrew to use my wii as a Media Center, to play weekly anime, listen to much or watch pron.

I can't wait until there is a good version of linux to rock on the wii, play some linux games and stuff. It'd be really badass.

Post is getting long, Shutting up. Bye.

Why do people always equate homebrew with piracy?

The homebrew channel already adds really awesome and completely legit functionality to the wii, like media playback, a port of quake that uses the wiimote, and emulation of the SCUMM VM. Furthermore, as far as emulation/vc stuff goes, I'm not paying nintendo a second time for the privledge of playing the NES games that are sitting in my garage.

Just because something can be used for illegal purposes doesn't mean it is being used for illegal purposes.

I didn't equate homebrew with piracy. Did you not read my post? I equated WAD copying, and region hacking to being ilegal. Next time actually READ before you attempt to argue.

too late for me. I've already moved to the PS3 camp. Region free as STANDARD FTW!

The only thing I want this for is the health warning removal. I don't care about region free games OR removing the background music.

What does THAT tell you, Nintendo? (Hates the Wii AND DS "health" warnings)

They only put that in to protect themselves. With all the frivolous lawsuits flying around nowadays it's best just to stick that in so that nobody can try to sue them for not warning them about playing video games upside down for 10 days straight or something.

Urgh. I hate websites that force you to register before they let you download things. =/

But endure it I must! Europe has been the main victim of region-locking for far too long!

Guess I have to wait for a version that'll work with 3.3E anyway. T_T

Every time you play a japanese game on a us wii, Miyamoto cuts himself :p

Wii games have always attracted players in such a manner that people wait eagerly for the latest introductions into the market. One of the recent Wii games getting high popularity among Wii lovers is

Breaking News

Wii system menu hack released, region coding on the run

Reader Comments (21)

Posted: Aug 6th 2008 9:45PM Gir said

Posted: Aug 6th 2008 9:49PM samfish said

Posted: Aug 6th 2008 9:50PM (Unverified) said

Posted: Aug 6th 2008 10:45PM iofthestorm said

Posted: Aug 6th 2008 9:51PM BPMOmega XBL PSN Steam said

Posted: Aug 6th 2008 10:55PM BananaBoat said

Posted: Aug 7th 2008 8:09PM JCDoe said

Posted: Aug 6th 2008 11:30PM ultimateq said

Posted: Aug 6th 2008 11:43PM samfish said

Posted: Aug 7th 2008 1:21AM JoshMilewski said

Posted: Aug 7th 2008 2:45AM BananaBoat said

Posted: Aug 7th 2008 7:59AM ultimateq said

Posted: Aug 7th 2008 10:05AM JCDoe said

Posted: Aug 7th 2008 5:13PM ultimateq said

Posted: Aug 7th 2008 5:22AM Windmill said

Posted: Aug 7th 2008 8:22AM (Unverified) said

Posted: Aug 7th 2008 12:58PM (Unverified) said

Posted: Aug 7th 2008 1:03PM (Unverified) said

Posted: Aug 7th 2008 1:26PM (Unverified) said

Posted: Aug 7th 2008 3:23PM NO DOUBT GET LOUD said

Posted: Aug 11th 2008 8:06AM (Unverified) said

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