Like many of you out, I carelessly updated my Wii to firmware version 3.3 before waiting to see how it affected homebrew, but don't worry! There IS a way to still install WAD files yet! To do this, you must have the Homebrew channel already installed, or a lot of patience with the Legend of Zelda glitch. This also works as a good way to get around the "re: -2011" error.
Here's how:
1. Go here and download this batch file to patch a legit copy of IOS15 to IOS16. 2. Click here to go to a page with what looks like a broken link to download IOS15. For now, the link there actually works (I am not hosting this file, so if it disappears you may have to do some googling). 3. Drag the IOS15 wad onto the batch file, and the new file (called IOS16.wad) will be created in the same directory. 4. Finally, use this copy of WadManager to install the new IOS16 wad. IOS16 should install fine because it registers in the Wii as a legitimate IOS update, unlike custom WADs. This specific copy of WadManger was tweaked to work with IOS16, so after you update you can install any WADs you want! 5. Install this WAD to retain all the updates of the newest firmware 3.3. Make sure you have no gamecube memory cards or any USB things plugged in. (via http://wiibrew.org/wiki/Wii_Shop_and_IOS51_installer)
And that does it! I'm still working on getting Backup Games to work, but you can go to this page for help on that. The only issue I've had so far with backup games is trying to get a WAD version of the dvdX installer. If you want even more compatability, you can try to downgrade your IOS with Waninkoko's downgrader.
Okay, this one is a bit of a double-edged sword. On the one hand, it sucks when you purchase an awesome, new iPhone, then five months later a new model comes out and makes your phone obsolete. On the other hand, its awesome being able to buy an old Pocket PC with wifi for only $20 on eBay.
Unfortunately, the problem goes from "understandable" to "freaking ridiculous" rather quickly when you look at the gaming market.
Case in point:
Today, the new PSP 3000 comes out. Not long before it, PSP Slim for $199. Stupid me bought the original $350 PSP "fat" way back in 2006, only two years ago. Two years, three upgrades.
The same thing happens to a much more noticeable scale with PC gaming. People have come to accept the fact that computers are getting faster and more powerful at an exponential rate, but do programmers have to program games that only run on top-of-the-line systems? Many of the games that are being programmed right now will never run on the computers of today. While it is much easier to upgrade PC gaming units than console units, wouldn't it make more since to program games with the average computer in mind? Instead, people have to download demos or pirate the games before hand just to check and see if the game can even run.
Ultimately, the real problem isn't that today's computers aren't powerful enough to make fun games, it's just that programmers have lost their focus. One of the reasons the Nintendo Wii outsold the competition so fast at the start of the console wars wasn't because of the graphics, but was because the whole concept was based around making games that are affordable and fun. When did the goal of computer programmers change from making good games to making good-looking games? More importantly, when will it go back to the way it was?
~jw
P.S. I do not not condone the pirating of PC games. Just throwing that out there...
Try to guess which video game each picture is from! Click on the images to see them full-size. To see the answers, highlight the yellow bar of text.
Game 1
Give up? This one is Kirby!
Game 2
Give up? This one is Mario!
Game 3
Give up? This one is MegaMan!
Game 4
Give up? This one is actually a little harder than the others because it is based off of a flash animation called Platform Hero! You can see the original animation by clicking here.
Game 5
Give up? This one is Snow Bros!
Game 6
Give up? This one is Adventure Island!
Game 7
Give up? This one is Balloon Fight!
Game 8
Give up? This one is Bomberman!
Game 9
Give up? This one is Burger Time!
Game 10
Give up? This one is Dig-Dug!
~jw
P.S. I've been unable to find the original artist for these images, despite my hardest efforts. If anyone knows, please tell me in the comments so that I may give credit where credit is due! Thanks!
This year for Spring Break 2008, I traveled to Virginia to see my girlfriend's family. They recently purchased a Wii, and I had the pleasure of watching her Dad and her Uncle duke it out. It's painfully hilarious. Check it out!
As of Today, Februrary 26, 2008, Wii users will be asked to update to the newest Wii Firmware, Version 3.2u.
I've just updated, and from what I can tell, all it does is allow new Parental Settings and for the Wii to update from Game Disks. Rumor has it that this version fixes some minor bugs (bye bye custom code?) and allows for new Parental Controls.
Not too impressive, but perhaps it is necessary for the amazing online play that everyone is expecting with the new Smash Brothers and Mario Kart game coming out in the following months. Keep it up, Wii!
As of February 11th, 2008, Harvest Moon for the SNES is now available for download from the Wii virtual console in the USA! Get to playing, yo!
This game is one of the most coveted SNES game of all time. Here's the wiki... at the current market price of about $57 - $95, $8 is quite a deal! Get it while it's hot!
~jw
P.S. Price estimate HERE. Its a good read, check it out!
I used to love X-play. In fact, I would never buy a game without first checking to see how Morgan and Adam rated it on a scale from 1-5. I'd even TiVo the thing everyday so I wouldn't miss the newest reviews. That was.... before.
Today, we live in a post-x-play world of hate. And it sucks (for 5 reasons).
5. They be disrespecting their fans
Remember the stupid skits with the interns? Yea, I didn't like them that much either. But thats not the point! The point is, those stupid sketches between reviews where what made the show X-play. The new X-play has taken the characters of Adam and Morgan and just made them into announcers. I loved X-play because its hosts loved video games, too!
Still, occasionally Adam and Morgan's passion for games comes out in their monologues between segments, but the show has still been robbed of its very essence. I miss you, X-play...
4. Interviews suck
Ok, so not everyone will agree with me on this one, but I think interviews suck. Why would I want to hear about how a game was created before I've even had time to play it and appreciate it? I say this to the interviews done with creators of games that haven't been released yet (cof cof SPORE cof coff).
Now, I'll admit that the segment on joining the video game Industry is pretty interesting, but again, thats not why I watch X-play. I love me some video games, but I don't want to create them -- I just want to play them.
3. I never liked "Cheat"
Now that "Cheat" has been combined into the show, I have even less respect for X-play. For one, "Cheat" doesn't actually show cheats anymore. Instead, its more like tips. Here's a good example...
I own Super Mario Galaxy. I've gotten about 103 stars of the 120. The game isn't all that hard, but its a ton of fun. On yesterday's X-play, they showed a "cheat" for Mario Galaxy, but the cheat was actually a tutorial on how to beat the SECOND BOSS in the game. Honestly, if you can't beat the mole man level, then its not going to do you much good to get past this level. It only goes uphill from there.
2. It has become "Attack of the Show II"
Let me first say that I like Attack of the Show. But I also liked the first "Land Before Time." My point is, we don't need another "Attack of the Show." I realize that X-play is still more gaming focused that AotS, but it doesn't change the fact that it is very suddenly merging toward the same goal. I actually now like AotS MORE than X-play, because at least it has Gadget Pr0n and more realistic hosts. X-play makes me sad now. :-(
1. They don't review video games anymore
This is my biggest complaint. Each show has maybe one game preview and one review. Once again, I'm not a big fan of game previews, but for a video game reviewing show, I've seen a couple of the new episodes with out a SINGLE REVIEW. That is just wrong.
Now, I hear that they have recently decided to start pre-releasing Zero Punctuation's reviews on the show, but thats kind of cheap. I went to Zero Punctuation after I lost all hope in X-play. In fact, X-play sucking made me a huge fan of Zero Punctuation. I just hope X-play doesn't drag ZP down with them....
So...
As much as I criticize the new X-play, I would like to give kudos to their new website design. Its simply easier to navigate and I can find reviews quicker. Also, Zero Punctuation has stolen my heart, so it's too late, X-play.... I just can't believe you're having an affair with ZP... I'm not quite sure how to feel about that.
So, notice the laid back Mario? Notice the L33t number of star bits? Right. That should be enough to make you not notice the awkward number of starts. Also, the above picture should help explain why my posts have been far and few recently.
The Wii would be a Volkswagen Bug. It may not be the fastest car in the world, but it’s cheap, fun, and does what you want it to do. It handles great and looks interesting, but if you're a guy and have one then someone is eventually going to make a sexual joke at your expense.
Playstation 3 (PS3)
The PS3 would be a top-of-the-line Ferrari. It is way out of the ordinary person's price range, so it has a smaller market, but if you have enough money to get it, it has the most high-tech engine available under the hood.
Xbox 360
The Xbox 360 would be a Jeep Wrangler. The biggest market it appeals to are people in their teens and twenties. It is considered cooler than the Volkswagen by many but is cheaper than the Ferrari, making it a good middle-of-the-road vehicle. Upon the decision to purchase the Jeep, the future owner has the option of getting either a skimmed down version or a tricked-out off-roading version.
Unfortunately, the Jeep is notorious for easily breaking. It is top heavy, easy to flip, and the motor dies quicker than other cars. Playstation 2 (PS2)
The Playstation 2 would be an old (but well kept) Toyota Camry. They still make new ones, but they are not the car of choice. Many of them are still on the road, and most of them look and run just fine. By far the weakest of the current cars, it is also the most affordable. Although it is a dying breed, its availability makes it more attractive to the common driver.
Nintendo DS
The Nintendo DS would be a Go-Kart. Not technically a car, but still a blast to drive around in! People love to race around in these things, but no was meant to use this as a regular car. It’s affordable and fun, and because of this it is popular.
Playstation Portable (PSP)
The PSP would be a Harley Davidson Motorcycle. It is more powerful than a Go-Kart, but a lot more intimidating to drive. Steering can be tricky, but once you get the hang of it, it can be pretty fun. You look cool driving it, but it is less fun than riding a Go-Kart. It can be used as an everyday car, but it was more designed for joyriding than transportation. As a bonus, there is a large fan-base of riders who love tricking out their Harley’s, and they would be more than willing to help you tweak yours too.
~jw
P.S. I tried to stay semi-non-biased, but if you disagree let me know in the comments. Thanks for reading!
Anyone remember that fun little game called Bloons? Well, someone made a spin off! And then another! And its that second one that I can't stop playing. It is called Bloon Tower Defense 2. The objective is to pop the balloons before they cross the screen. Its pretty addicting. Give it a try and let me know if you beat all 50 waves of balloons!
(My strategy is to put up as many cannons as possible with a couple of boomerang monkeys to pop the metal balloons!)
~jw
P.S. Click here to play full screen! P.S.S. Super Monkey is the BOMB! (You'll know what i'm talking about when you play!)
3092. Thats my highest score. Normally, I wouldn't post games, but this one is dang addictive. Give it a shot and let me know what you score in the comments! :-)
Like many of you out, I carelessly updated my Wii to firmware version 3.3 before waiting to see how it affected homebrew, but don't worry! There IS a way to still install WAD files yet! To do this, you must have the Homebrew channel already installed, or a lot of patience with the Legend of Zelda glitch. This also works as a good way to get around the "re: -2011" error.
