Wii Freeloader
Encyclopedia
Wii Freeloader is a bootdisc developed by Datel to circumvent regional lockout
on the Wii
video game console. It allows the playing of games from other regions, but does not allow the use of DVD±R
, commonly used for backups, copies or homebrew. It can be used in combination with a modchip to allow compatibility with more games or to use an update blocker. The user enters the bootdisc into the Wii system, launches the application from the Wii Menu, then replaces the disc with a region-locked game disc. This disc allows the user to play foreign GameCube games, but there have been some issues reported with different signals and the games simply not working on a foreign system, even with use of the Wii Freeloader.
On June 16, 2008, Nintendo released Wii firmware 3.3, which blocks the Freeloader.
will not allow the Freeloader to bypass the update. Instead, upon clicking on the disc channel it blocks the Freeloader.
, when played on a Japanese Wii after using the Wii Freeloader, will switch over and play the Japanese version of the game on the system.
This leads many people in the gaming community to believe that there may be more Wii games with other languages contained on the discs that are only accessible through use of the Wii Freeloader.
Regional lockout
Regional lockout is the programming practice, code, chip, or physical barrier used to prevent the playing of media designed for a device from the country where it is marketed on the version of the same device marketed in another country.-Video games:...
on the Wii
Wii
The Wii is a home video game console released by Nintendo on November 19, 2006. As a seventh-generation console, the Wii primarily competes with Microsoft's Xbox 360 and Sony's PlayStation 3. Nintendo states that its console targets a broader demographic than that of the two others...
video game console. It allows the playing of games from other regions, but does not allow the use of DVD±R
DVD±R
DVD±R is not a separate DVD format, but rather is a shorthand term for a DVD drive that can accept both of the common recordable DVD formats . Likewise, DVD±RW handles both common rewritable disc types DVD±R (also DVD+/-R, "DVD plus/dash R", or "DVD plus/minus R") is not a separate DVD format,...
, commonly used for backups, copies or homebrew. It can be used in combination with a modchip to allow compatibility with more games or to use an update blocker. The user enters the bootdisc into the Wii system, launches the application from the Wii Menu, then replaces the disc with a region-locked game disc. This disc allows the user to play foreign GameCube games, but there have been some issues reported with different signals and the games simply not working on a foreign system, even with use of the Wii Freeloader.
On June 16, 2008, Nintendo released Wii firmware 3.3, which blocks the Freeloader.
Nintendo blocks usage
Although the Freeloader only allows legally purchased game discs to be played, Nintendo has released an updated firmware that blocks it from running, known as IOS37. As well as this, certain games made by Nintendo with the 3.3 update such as Disaster: Day of CrisisDisaster: Day of Crisis
Disaster: Day of Crisis is a video game developed by Monolith Soft and published by Nintendo. It is an action-adventure survival game, where the player must survive through various natural disasters, all the while also battling terrorists and rescuing civilians...
will not allow the Freeloader to bypass the update. Instead, upon clicking on the disc channel it blocks the Freeloader.
Hidden language on games
Some Wii games have more than one version of the game on their disc. Siliconera has reported that the North American version of the video game Trauma Center: New BloodTrauma Center: New Blood
is the third game of the Trauma Center surgery simulation video game series, for the Wii. New Blood is a new installment with features not seen in the previous title, including cardiopulmonary resuscitation, a cooperative mode, online leaderboards, full voice-over dialogue and a 16:9 widescreen...
, when played on a Japanese Wii after using the Wii Freeloader, will switch over and play the Japanese version of the game on the system.
This leads many people in the gaming community to believe that there may be more Wii games with other languages contained on the discs that are only accessible through use of the Wii Freeloader.
Games not compatible with Freeloader
- Naruto Shippuuden: Gekitou Ninja Taisen EX
- ŌkamiOkamiis an action-adventure video game developed by Clover Studio and published by Capcom. It was released for Sony's PlayStation 2 video game console in 2006 in Japan and North America, and 2007 in Europe and Australia...
US works on EU Wii through the Freeloader. - Crayon Shin-Chan: Saikyou Kazoku Kasukabe King