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Wii Update 3.3 Defeats Twilight Hack, Freeloader

Posted by timothy on from the wii-wii-wii-all-the-way-home dept.

Richter X writes "The newest update to the Nintendo Wii's Menu, version 3.3, contains code specifically designed to find and kill the popular Twilight Hack used by homebrewers to play unauthorized code on the Wii. The update also prevents the Freeloader software used to play imported games on the Wii. However, it does not seem to affect the Homebrew Channel in Wiis that already have it installed. The updated code is currently being researched in order to find what code has been changed. So far it has been confirmed that Nintendo included specific instructions to target the Twilight Hack. Work is also being done to update the Twilight Hack in order to bypass this new code."

10 of 125 comments (clear)

  1. Countdown by LameAssTheMity · · Score: 4, Insightful

    I wonder how long it will take to get around the newest most securest(tm) DRM EVER?!

    1. Re:Countdown by 0100010001010011 · · Score: 4, Insightful

      Is it a crack or a fixing of a bug/exploit? Home brew channel still works, mod chips still work, etc.

      Wouldn't complaining about Nintendo fixing a known exploit be like complaining about Microsoft fixing a known hole in XP?

      A known overflow/exploit is found.
      Company fixes known overflow/exploit.
      People outraged that you can't "crack" a box like you used to.

      You know that this might have fixed someone from remotely rooting your Wii?

  2. Increased Usability by kellyb9 · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Doesn't the allowance of "unauthorized code" increase the usability of a particular device? Regardless, I'm getting pretty sick of the trend of buying a physical product and being limited in what I'm allowed to do with it.

    1. Re:Increased Usability by NewbieProgrammerMan · · Score: 3, Insightful

      ...I'm getting pretty sick of the trend of buying a physical product and being limited in what I'm allowed to do with it. It would appear that anyone who feels that way is in a minority so small that companies making physical products don't care.
      --
      [b.belong('us') for b in bases if b.owner() == 'you']
  3. Re:WTF are you smoking by digitrev · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Look. These updates are not mandatory. My Wii currently is not connected to the internet and doing just fine. Even when it is, you have to set it up to install updates automatically. You should have known that by hacking a proprietary system that further updates would probably screw over your hack. Just be glad you didn't get bricked. Caveat emptor, my friend.

    --
    Cynical Idealist
  4. Re:WTF are you smoking by KillerBob · · Score: 3, Insightful

    some of the updates are manditory, and they do have the ability to force one through a game... I had to install an update to my console the first time I played Mario Kart.

    --
    If you believe everything you read, you'd better not read. - Japanese proverb
  5. Re:WTF are you smoking by vux984 · · Score: 4, Insightful

    I had to install an update to my console the first time I played Mario Kart.

    You didn't have to play Mario Kart.

  6. Re:WTF are you smoking by Von+Helmet · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Parent is correct. I agree that a person buying hardware has the right to do whatever they like with it. However, I'm not sure where people get the idea that a supplier is then obliged to support their non-standard hardware/firmware with regard to games or online services.

  7. Re:WTF are you smoking by vux984 · · Score: 3, Insightful

    No, but he couldn't have returned it to the store either, since it had already been opened.

    Caveat emptor.

    As far as I'm concerned the moment you hack your console to do homebrew or whatever else, you forfeit the expectation that purchased software released in the future will work or be compatible.

    Next time rent the game before buying it. Or check on the net if there are issues with you 'homebrew' stuff before buying a title.

    Plus, at least with the case of MK:Wii he can sell it easily.... MK:Wii in particular probably sell quickly... its been sold out every time I've tried getting one in the last month.

  8. Re:WTF are you smoking by ADRA · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Yeah, well, maybe I'll rip out the DVD and replace it with some super l33t faster reading one and I'll just expect it to work with all future Wii games.

    Oh, that's right. The second I do something not specifically authorized by Nintendo, I'm off the support chain and left to rot. I may feel raw about it, but ultimately its my responsibility for introducing the unintended process.

    --
    Bye!