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Finally: Freeloader for Wii

TSA said:
My tracking # still returns it is not in the UPS system yet, though the e-mail says it shipped yesterday.
Click to expand...

Same here.

It can be a thing where it's assigned a number through UPS, but not actually shipped yet. Things like that can happen.

I'd give it to perhaps the end of the day or Saturday before you actually see veritable tracking info on UPS.
 
Ramenman said:
I'm beginning to think bumping this thread was a little mistake. We have a thread with a OP talking about a freeloader who only plays GC games, so why not make a new thread in the first place ?

Then the op could be updated with "what we know and what we don't know", preventing the people joining the party just now from asking the same questions on every page.
Click to expand...

I still think it would be nice to have a dedicated place to talk about and sum up everything we know. I'll have some time this weekend so I might do that, what is it, with frequently asked questions (and by frequently I mean every two pages or so), where to buy it, and a list of games confirmed by GAF to be working/not working.

What do you think ?
 
I agree, good idea.
Create the thread. Take the initative, it can only lead to greatness.

A good thread with definitive answers and a list of issues etc.
Oh and a regularly updated list of worthy import titles for Wii and GC would be cool
 
If you want me to update the OP, i'll do it, but I'll need somebody else writing that FAQ and further details (I just don't have a lot of time for that, I'm a little busy with my design projects at uni :( ).

Allright guys, I've updated the OP with some info gathered by gaffers on this thread, I think that'll do until we have a detailed FAQ.
 
old?

Maxconsole said:
Divineo.co.uk sent us in a close-up of the new Wii Freeloader disc and on it something slightly interesting is revealed. The disc has a caution mark stamped on it which states "FreeLoader for Wii works with all current versions of Wii firmware at the time of release. No guarantee can be given of compatibility with future firmware releases so if online updates are performed on your console this may prevent FreeLoader from functioning correctly."
Click to expand...

1sl3xg.jpg
 
I refuse to believe they don't have some sort of plan. They'd have reprint those discs for each new firmware which releases, for one, and the short term sales that would be garnered wouldn't be worth the development of the disc and printing, I'm sure.
 
Menuboy said:
I thought the disc bypassed any update even if it's on the game disc. Lying eh..
Click to expand...
It can prevent it from forcing an update, but it can't physically stop the user from doing it on their own time and thus allowing Nintendo to set up some sort of Freeloader Firewall.
 
I got my Freeloader this monring (PAL Wii user).

I haven't any Wii Games to try with it, but I just tried Zelda Four Swords Adventures, and Chibi Robo, both NTSC Gamecube games, and I can't get them to work. Something's happening, because when I put these discs in normally, the Wii doesn't even recognise them as GC games on the disc channel, whereas post-Freeloader insert, it does. It just doesn't boot them, it just cuts to black and the drive stops making noises.

When you put the disc in, the Wii makes a noise like loading a Spectrum tape, as colour-blurring lines sort of creep across the screen from right to left, twice, then it returns to normal. The Wii disc channel doesn't recognise the disc as being anything.

Sorry guys, wish I had NHM or Smash Bros for trying, but I didn't think that far ahead. Possible later on today if I can get anything when i'm in Glasgow (unless anyone knows any good Indy Games shops in Edinburgh?)

Anyway, some scans of the Instructions in the box, which clears some things up about Updates etc

n154io.jpg


28s4vbc.jpg


Edit: Imageshack changed to Tinypic
 
EDIT : Oh, man, imageshack is banned on GAF, upload them on tinypic (or else) quick before someone notice.

^
Wow, awesome :/
Now I really need someone to try a Wii Game on it.

Interesting bit : the second scan explains what the hell that meant :
Dear Customer



Further to your email we can confirm that on every occasion that the product is used when the disc is inserted in the console that it allows the usage of any imported Wii game discs and disables the console from been able to update its firmware, if the disc is removed after been inserted and reinserted this will again enable the console to update its firmware but still allow the usage of the any imported Wii game discs.



Regards
Click to expand...

Basically if you want to play it uber careful the solution is to load even games from your region using the "alternative selecting method" of the Freeloader. That way the on-disc updates are not totally installed, only the bits required to play the game are.


Menuboy said:
I thought the disc bypassed any update even if it's on the game disc. Lying eh..
Click to expand...

Reading, eh..
 
samratty said:
I agree, good idea.
Create the thread. Take the initative, it can only lead to greatness.

A good thread with definitive answers and a list of issues etc.
Oh and a regularly updated list of worthy import titles for Wii and GC would be cool
Click to expand...

Of the top of my head, the top import Wii titles are

Fire Emblem Radiant Dawn
Super Smash Bros Brawl
Trauma Center New Blood
No More Heroes (Uncensored edition)
Superior versions of VC games (Can't get without a US Wii, no Freeloader is gonna change that)

Anyone wanna add something else I've missed
 
That alternative method sounds really convoluted. I may hold off on this for a couple months to see if Nintendo decide to block it or not.
 
Noooooo, this has to work with my GC imports. I still have a few that I want to play again, and I don't want to chip my console just to run those games.
 
I got Soul Calibur 2 GC JPN and several PAL games to play on my US Wii as well, hope they all work.

No post arrived at Saturday for me, so im probably gonna get the Freeloader on Monday... :D
 
I've emailed Codejunkies to ask about specific Gamecube instructions. They're not mentioned in the instructions, or even on the box, but they are on the website. And like I say, there's definitely something happening, as the Wii is now mysteriously recognising the discs.
 
Shafto said:
I've emailed Codejunkies to ask about specific Gamecube instructions. They're not mentioned in the instructions, or even on the box, but they are on the website. And like I say, there's definitely something happening, as the Wii is now mysteriously recognising the discs.
Click to expand...

So whats happening then? Could you possible make a video or a set of pics of it running?
 
Shafto said:
I've emailed Codejunkies to ask about specific Gamecube instructions. They're not mentioned in the instructions, or even on the box, but they are on the website. And like I say, there's definitely something happening, as the Wii is now mysteriously recognising the discs.
Click to expand...

Just to confirm, when you say it's recognising the discs, you mean that you are now able to play the games?
 
No - it's not running the discs, I can't play the Gamecube games.

First and foremost, please note I DO NOT HAVE ANY OTHER-REGION WII GAMES (as of yet), only GAMECUBE.

What happens when you load the Wii as normal, and attampt to play a GC game from outwith your region, is the Wii Disc Channel doesn't change. It doesn't recongise the game, and it doesn't load the Nintendo Gamecube logo, which it would with a same-region game.

However, when I insert the Freeloader (at the main Wii Menu screen), it causes a sort of bizarre colour banding to move across the screen from right to left, twice. according to the instructions, this confirms the Freeloader has loaded.

Now, assured that the Freeloader has loaded, I insert an other-region GC disc. This time, the Wii Disc Channel recognises a game has been inserted, and loads the Nintnedo Gamecube Logo. I now click on the Disc Channel, and click 'Start Game'. On a same-region GC game, this would boot the game, but this time, it isn't. It just goes black, a few audio clicks are heard, and the Wii Drive stops spinning. No game loads, and you have to hard-reset the system. The Wii Remote is off, and doesn't work with the system any longer (although this is similar to a regular GC game, I believe).

I can't promise any pictures or videos today, but to be honest, I've pretty much described exactly what happens.
 
It seems CJ are being idiots with how they are shipping the orders. I ordered over a week ago and its still in process, some people I know ordered 2 or 3 days ago, and have theirs shipped.
 
Shafto said:
No - it's not running the discs, I can't play the Gamecube games.

First and foremost, please note I DO NOT HAVE ANY OTHER-REGION WII GAMES (as of yet), only GAMECUBE.

What happens when you load the Wii as normal, and attampt to play a GC game from outwith your region, is the Wii Disc Channel doesn't change. It doesn't recongise the game, and it doesn't load the Nintendo Gamecube logo, which it would with a same-region game.

However, when I insert the Freeloader (at the main Wii Menu screen), it causes a sort of bizarre colour banding to move across the screen from right to left, twice. according to the instructions, this confirms the Freeloader has loaded.

Now, assured that the Freeloader has loaded, I insert an other-region GC disc. This time, the Wii Disc Channel recognises a game has been inserted, and loads the Nintnedo Gamecube Logo. I now click on the Disc Channel, and click 'Start Game'. On a same-region GC game, this would boot the game, but this time, it isn't. It just goes black, a few audio clicks are heard, and the Wii Drive stops spinning. No game loads, and you have to hard-reset the system. The Wii Remote is off, and doesn't work with the system any longer (although this is similar to a regular GC game, I believe).

I can't promise any pictures or videos today, but to be honest, I've pretty much described exactly what happens.
Click to expand...

Does it claim to run GCN games? AFAIK, it only says it runs Wii games.
 
That sucks Shafto, hopefully codejunkies can get back to you with some positive info - I was really hoping import GC games would work, i've been dying to play Baten Kaitos Origins :(
 
Shafto said:
No - it's not running the discs, I can't play the Gamecube games.

First and foremost, please note I DO NOT HAVE ANY OTHER-REGION WII GAMES (as of yet), only GAMECUBE.

What happens when you load the Wii as normal, and attampt to play a GC game from outwith your region, is the Wii Disc Channel doesn't change. It doesn't recongise the game, and it doesn't load the Nintendo Gamecube logo, which it would with a same-region game.

However, when I insert the Freeloader (at the main Wii Menu screen), it causes a sort of bizarre colour banding to move across the screen from right to left, twice. according to the instructions, this confirms the Freeloader has loaded.

Now, assured that the Freeloader has loaded, I insert an other-region GC disc. This time, the Wii Disc Channel recognises a game has been inserted, and loads the Nintnedo Gamecube Logo. I now click on the Disc Channel, and click 'Start Game'. On a same-region GC game, this would boot the game, but this time, it isn't. It just goes black, a few audio clicks are heard, and the Wii Drive stops spinning. No game loads, and you have to hard-reset the system. The Wii Remote is off, and doesn't work with the system any longer (although this is similar to a regular GC game, I believe).

I can't promise any pictures or videos today, but to be honest, I've pretty much described exactly what happens.
Click to expand...

I don't have one or the manual so I wouldn't know...

Do you not actually *start* the disc channel when Freeloader is inserted?
 
I ordered mine from Divineo

http://www.divineo.co.uk/cgi-bin/div-uk/wii-dfr.html

I placed my order at 15:00 yesterday, payed for 1st Class, as oppossed to the more expensice Next Day Delivery, and got it at 10:00 this morning.

Not to rub it in or anything, but if people are desperate, get it from these guys.

Although, i'd be waiting to see if it actually works first, after these GC games not going swimmingly.
 
Looks like there will be many freeloader revisions over the wii lifespan. But it will pay for itself for Australians because US games are so much cheaper than the local versions. You could buy a freeloader and one game it would still be cheaper than buying that game locally.
 
You do not Start the disc channel when the Freeloader is inserted. The Wii does not recognise it as a disc.

You must wait for the main Wii Menu to load, then put the Freeloader in. Instead of the Wii Disc Channel changing to something, a strange colour banding spreads from right to left, twice, and makes a noise similar to a Spectrum loading. This is a distortion of whatever's happneing sound/screen wise, as it's different depending on when you load it (i.e., while looking at the Disc Channel, Mii Channel etc, vs the standard channel overview). According to the instructions with the Freeloader, this means that it has succesfully loaded. Nothing changes in the Disc Channel, and the Wii Menu looks identical to what it did before.
 
Shafto said:
I ordered mine from Divineo

http://www.divineo.co.uk/cgi-bin/div-uk/wii-dfr.html

I placed my order at 15:00 yesterday, payed for 1st Class, as oppossed to the more expensice Next Day Delivery, and got it at 10:00 this morning.

Not to rub it in or anything, but if people are desperate, get it from these guys.

Although, i'd be waiting to see if it actually works first, after these GC games not going swimmingly.
Click to expand...


Hmmm very tempting as my order is still unpaid / unshipped and I have my US copy of NMH sat next to me..
 
Shafto, are you using component cables?

If you're in 480p mode, try changing to 576i 50hz, 480i 60hz or holding B down on a cube controller when you insert your US games.
 
Shafto said:
I ordered mine from Divineo

http://www.divineo.co.uk/cgi-bin/div-uk/wii-dfr.html

I placed my order at 15:00 yesterday, payed for 1st Class, as oppossed to the more expensice Next Day Delivery, and got it at 10:00 this morning.

Not to rub it in or anything, but if people are desperate, get it from these guys.

Although, i'd be waiting to see if it actually works first, after these GC games not going swimmingly.
Click to expand...

...God damn it. I ordered from Codejunkies last Thursday.

And the main reason I bought this was to play my Gamecube games, so if it doesn't work as promised then I really am going to be pissed :-\
 
Tried changing the display settings with no success (although I don't have component cables, I use RGB SCART). Also, tried holding B on startup, no success.

Still no word from Codejunkies support - not sure if they'll have weekend support or what.
 
For everyone that's getting annoyed at the possibility of GC not working, remember, I am only one person with one up-to-date Wii, there's every chance i'm doing something wrong, and wait until I hear from Datel. There is hope, in that the Wii is changing it's response to the discs after Freeloader, so something must be going on. Bare in mind, i'm only trying Chibi Robo and Zelda Four Swords too.
 
Hmmm, ordered it 10 days ago from codejunkies and still no dispatch, will probably take up the offer on divineo if nothing happens by monday.

Will hopefully have both the freeloader and an NTSC copy of No More Heroes next week to try it out, sure I won't be the first though.
 
Yeah I'm in the same boat, they really are taking the piss when people who ordered 2 days ago had it shipped while many people who've had it ordered for over a week are still waiting. Bah.
 
Shafto said:
No - it's not running the discs, I can't play the Gamecube games.
Click to expand...

You don't need a disk to play import GC games on your Wii:

One clever forum user has figured out a way to play US and Japanese GameCube games on a PAL Wii without a hardware mod OR Freeloader disc utility.

The trick, involves a simple dis-swapping technique that you can perform easily on your PAL Wii right now. All you need is one PAL GameCube game, and your import game, of course.

To do it, first insert the PAL GameCube game and enter the Disc Channel (the thumbnail you click on to run Wii/GC games). Once the Wii recognises the disc the GameCube logo will be displayed.

Now for the trick. Point your Wii Remote at the start button but DON'T start the game yet. Press the eject button then, a second or so later, click on the on-screen start button.

Now you have to be quick - the moment the Wii spits out the PAL disc quickly swap it for the NTSC game and it will boot up as normal.

We've tried out the trick, discovered by a user of the Maxconsole forums, and it works a treat.

We failed a couple of times before realising that you only have a split second to remove the import disc and insert the PAL one before the Wii resets itself.

Enjoy it while it lasts, because we anticipate Nintendo fixing this very quickly with a system update.
Click to expand...

http://www.computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id=158979
 
D-X said:
You don't need a disk to play import GC games on your Wii:
Click to expand...
This glitch was fixed ages ago and I had serious concerns over the damage it was doing to the slot loading disc drive in the long term.
 
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