Gizmodo: homebrew channel

Play Your Wii Games From An External Hard Drive With Simple Hack

Jack Loftus — Sun, 24 May 2009 16:00:00 EDT

As Lifehacker points out, this impressive Wii hack isn't as simple as plugging an external hard drive into our Wii, but it isn't masterclass-level stuff, either. Video of the finished result and some extras is available too. When all is said and done, bye-bye to physical media! [Lifehacker]

WiiGator to Load Gamecube Backups Without Modchips

Mark Wilson — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 09:00:00 EST

Through software alone, WiiGator promises to load backups of Gamecube games on the Wii.

Loaded through the Homebrew Channel, WiiGator seems to work well enough in this video clip. But, according to the sharp eyes of one YouTube commenter, the gameplay does seem to be a bit quicker than normal...by two or three times. Hopefully issues like that are precisely why the bugs are still being worked out.

And for a complete instructions to hacking the Wii, check out John Mahoney's handy guide. [via Maxconsole]

Newest System Menu 3.4 Wii Update Kills Homebrew Again

John Mahoney — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 09:50:13 EST

Hey, Nintendo—what's going on here? After a good year or so looking the other way on Wii homebrew (for the most part), now we've got two fairly serious brew-killing updates in the last month? Word from the folks at Wiibrew.org is that the latest update, System Menu 3.4, is apparently a doozy when it comes to ruining the homebrew party.

New features include USB keyboard support in the Mii channel, enhanced parental controls, and that's where the fun stops: the update also apparently deletes the Homebrew Channel and any other unofficial channels and promises to "check for and automatically remove" modified save files from your system—which is the method used to execute the famous Twilight Hack that makes all the homebrew possible. Not sure whether that means it will disable such save files going forward—hopefully not.

So at the moment, if you have homebrew on your Wii or are planning to (using our handy Wii homebrew
guide, of course), don't update. The Wiibrew folks will hopefully come up with a patched solution that allows you to upgrade without the ill affects. Man, I hope we didn't jinx Wii 'brew by calling it "relatively stable!" [Wiibrew via Maxconsole]

Full message from Nintendo describing the update here:

Message from Nintendo

Wii Menu version 3.4 is now available for your Wii console. To update your Wii Menu to the latest version, please select the Update button at the bottom of the screen or select the System Update option in Wii System Settings.

With this update, Parental Controls have been enhanced, USB keyboard support is available for the Mii Channel, and system functions have been improved.

The Wii User Agreement, which includes the Wii Privacy Policy, has been updated. Because the updated agreement applies to you and your use of the Wii Network Service, you should view the updated version by clicking on the Wii icon located on the lower-left portion of the Wii Channel menu, selecting Wii Settings, accessing the Internet setting, and selecting User Agreements.

You may also view the updated Wii User Agreement online at http://support.nintendo.com

Because unauthorized modifications to save files may impair game play or the Wii console, updating to Wii Menu version 3.4 will also check for and automatically remove such save files.

**Please note: If you've updated your Wii Menu after 11/17/08, you may not need to update again.

Thank you for updating your Wii console!

Nintendo

Wii Homebrew Is Back Again, Now Supporting SDHC Cards

John Mahoney — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 11:45:00 EDT

As predicted and expected, homebrew on the WIi is back thriving after being blocked by the most recent software update from Nintendo. Brewers can go about getting their software back by installing a new version of the Homebrew Channel (which also adds SDHC support for cards larger than 2GB) on their updated Wiis. In addition, if you held out on updating immediately, you can install a tweaked version of the Wii Shop channel that lets you download Wii Ware that only works with the newest update while retaining your homebrew. [Hack Mii, Wii Brew via Slashdot]

DVDX Homebrew Hack Brings Full Wii DVD Playback, Doesn't Require Modchip

John Mahoney — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 10:30:00 EDT

All you need is the Homebrew Channel to add your Wii to the hundreds-long list of devices in your house that can play DVDs. Previous DVD hacks required a modded console, but now you can grab a .DOL file and install a DVD-capable version of mplayer without opening the hood. It should also play video files off of an SD card, although this is still experimental. We haven't tested yet, but if you do, let us know if it works. [Hackmii]