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*[[BBC iPlayer]] released:
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Revision as of 19:02, 15 November 2009

Wii system software is a set of updatable firmware versions, and a software frontend on the Wii video game console. Updates, which are downloaded via the system's Internet connection (WiiConnect24), allow Nintendo to add additional features and software. When a new update becomes available, Nintendo sends a message to connected systems notifying them of the available update.

Several game discs, both first-party and third-party games, have included system software updates[1] so that players who are not connected to the Internet can still update their system. Additionally this can "force" an upgrade by requiring the player to perform the update, without which the new game cannot be played[1]. Some online games (such as Super Smash Bros. Brawl and Mario Kart Wii) have come with specific extra updates, such as being able to receive posts from game-specific addresses, so, regardless of the version of the software you have installed, it will install an update. See the next section for a technical explanation on why this is.

IOS

The Wii's firmware is in the form of IOSs (thought by the Wii Homebrew developers to stand for 'Input Output Systems' or 'Internal Operating Systems'[2]), which run on a separate ARM architecture processor to other Wii software (nicknamed Starlet by the Wii homebrew community, as it is physically located inside the graphics chip, the Hollywood, so it is a small part of Hollywood). These control input and output between the code running on the main processor (the PowerPC "Broadway" processor) and the Wii's hardware features that did not exist on the GameCube, which can only be accessed via the ARM. When Nintendo releases a new IOS version, except for unusual circumstances (for example security updates to block homebrew), the new IOS does not replace any IOS already installed. Instead, it gets installed in addition to any current IOS versions. All native Wii software (including games distributed on Nintendo optical discs, the System Menu itself, Virtual Console games, WiiWare, and Wii Channels), with the exception of certain homebrew applications, have the IOS version hardcoded into the software. When the software is run, the IOS that is hardcoded gets loaded by the Wii, which then loads the software itself. If that IOS does not exist on the Wii, in the case of disc-based software, it gets installed automatically (after the user is prompted). With downloaded software, this should not theoretically happen, as the user cannot access the shop to download software unless the player has all the IOS versions that they require. However, if homebrew is used to forcefully install or run a piece of software when the required IOS does not exist, the user is brought back to the system menu. Nintendo created this system so that new updates wouldn't unintentionally break compatibility with older games, but it does have the side effect that it uses up space on the Wii's internal NAND Flash memory. IOSes are referred to by their number, which can theoretically be between 0 and 254, although many numbers are skipped, presumably being development versions that never were completed.

System Menu

The System Menu provides a graphical interface to the Wii's abilities. All games run directly on the Broadway processor, and either directly interface with the hardware (for the hardware common to the Wii and GameCube), or interface with IOS running on the ARM architecture processor (for Wii-specific hardware). The ARM processor does not have access to the screen, and therefore neither does IOS. This means that whilst a piece of software is running, everything seen on the screen comes from that software, and not from any operating system or firmware. This includes the home menu (a menu of uniform appearance that appears when the home button is pressed in any piece of official Wii software), and any error messages that might appear. Therefore, the version number reported by the Wii is actually only the version number of the System Menu. This is why some updates do not result in a change of the version number: the System Menu itself is not updated, only (for example) IOSes and channels. As a side effect, this means it is impossible for Nintendo to implement any functions that would affect the games themselves, for example an in-game system menu (similar to the Xbox 360's in-game Dashboard or the PS3's in-game XMB). [3]

Wii System Update releases

This is a list of features included in Wii's System Updates.

System Menu Version (if updated) Date Released Region Channel updated and description of update
4.2 2009-09-2828 September 2009 United States Japan Europe Australia South Korea
  • Updates Wii Shop Channel.
  • Deletes DVDX version 1 and Homebrew Channel versions 1.0.4 and older and blocks Bannerbomb v1[4]
  • Refuses to boot and displays the message "Error:003" on Korean systems that have had its software region changed to a different country.[5] [6]
  • Installs boot2v4 if it had not been installed. This could brick consoles having user modified boot2 loaders and has a very slight chance to render even unmodified system inoperable if the process was interrupted while it was being written.[4][7][8]
  • Updates all IOSs and adds IOS70.[5][9]
  • Replaces IOSs 222, 223, 249 and 250 (spots where cIOSs are installed) with stubs.[9]
4.1 2009-07-1515 July 2009 United States Europe Australia
  • A bug is fixed whereby if a Virtual Console/WiiWare game was to be played from the SD card, followed by Wii Sports Resort being played, the game would re-play the "how to use MotionPlus" video that normally only plays once the game has started.
  • The Japanese update also gave the Nintendo Channel a visual makeover.[10]
2009-07-033 July 2009 Japan
2009-07-3030 July 2009 South Korea
4.0 2009-03-2525 March 2009 United States Japan Europe Australia South Korea
  • Many users have reported random freezing since applying the update, but has appeared to have been solved as well by deleting the Photo Channel 1.1 and reverting it to 1.0 before downloading the update (also Nintendo has not acknowledged the problem yet).[11]
  • Update includes SD Card Menu to "move" files and channels between the Wii console and SD card[12]
  • Adds the ability to download Virtual Console and WiiWare games directly to the SD card from the Wii Shop Channel, and play them directly from the card. Though the Wii doesn't actually play it directly from SD-card. It rather copies it to the internal 512MB NAND-Flash before execution and deletes it automatically when loading a different game from the SD card.[13][14]
  • Wii Shop Channel supports classic arcade games[15]
  • Ability to save and access Wii Channels from the SD card[14]
  • SDHC card (up to 32 GB) support for System Menu, Wii Speak Channel, Shop Channel, and Photo Channel. Other features may not support SDHC cards.[15]
  • Deletes every version of the Twilight hack (including 0.1beta2) [14]. Another exploit, BannerBomb, was later released by another member of the homebrew community that works on System Menu versions 3.0 to 4.1, using an exploit in the System Menu itself.[16]
  • Patches IOS16, which was the last official IOS with the signing bug [14]
  • Fixed the bug that was used in the Homebrew Channel installer (so all existing IOS-versions were updated) [14][17]. Another bug has since been found and is utilised in Homebrew Channel 1.0.2 and newer (within the HackMii installer)[18]
  • Added IOS38, IOS53, IOS55, IOS60, and IOS61 [17]
  • System Menu runs on IOS60
3.5 2009-03-033 March 2009 South Korea
  • Update includes IOS52 (used by menu) and IOS254 (a copy of IOS9, to block PatchMii) [19]
  • Update also changes all 4X IOS versions of (IOS40 IOS41 IOS43 IOS45 IOS46) [19]
3.4 2008-11-1717 November 2008 United States Japan Europe Australia
  • USB keyboard support in Mii Channel.[20]
  • Enhanced parental controls.
  • Dramatically increased SD transfer speeds[21][22]
  • Improved disc reading [22]
  • New IOS50 and IOS254.[23]
  • System Menu now runs on IOS50.[23]
  • IOS254 was added to remove "PatchMii Core".[24]
  • Patched to resist Twilight Hack 0.1beta1.[24]
3.3 2008-11-1212 November 2008 United States Australia Europe
  • Nintendo Channel updated providing a behind-the-scenes enhancement to the Nintendo Channel.
3.3 2008-10-2322 October 2008 United States Australia Europe
  • Wii Shop Channel updated by adding "View compatible controllers" module in the details section of a game and a classification summary on games.
  • Remaining IOS (those that were not patched by the 16 June 2008 update) were patched to prevent the installation of fake-signed content.[25]
3.3 2008-03-2022 July 2008 United States Japan Europe
  • Photo Channel updated to 1.1-A.
  • Provided support for the Digicam Print Channel in Japan.
3.3 2008-03-2017 June 2008 United States Australia Europe
  • Mii Channel updated to allow users to move a Mii from the Mii Plaza to Mii Parade.
  • Also added "Internet Channel" typing features. (Example: hitting the " - " (minus) button now acts as a backspace when naming new Miis.)
  • IOS30 and IOS31 were patched to prevent fake-signed content such as the Wii Freeloader from running.[26][27]
  • The Menu's check for modified save files only checks for and removes the Twilight hack.[28]
3.2 2008-03-2121 March 2008 United States Japan Europe
  • IOS37 (the first IOS with the signing bug fixed) released. At this point it doesn't do anything, though.[29]
3.2 2008-03-2020 March 2008 United States Japan Europe
3.2 2008-02-2525 February 2008 United States Japan Europe
  • Disc Channel updated to display "Wii System Update" if the game currently inserted into the Wii contains a Wii Menu/Channel update.
  • The Wii LED light will glow if information is received while playing a game.[31]
3.1 2008-01-3030 January 2008 United States Japan Europe
  • Check Mii Out Channel updated with the following features:
    • The ability to view up to 500 Miis after clicking "Popular" in the Posting Plaza.
    • A new button on the Posting Plaza that allows you to view Miis that you have designed and posted.
    • The ability to view Miis created by a specific Mii Artisan from his or her profile screen in the Posting Plaza.
    • The addition of Parental Controls. As with all other parental controls on Wii, if activated, a PIN code will be required to use the channel.
3.1 2007-10-1010 December 2007 United States Japan Europe
  • Wii Shop Channel updated to include the ability to give gifts. Included a new channel icon and start screen for the Wii Shop Channel[32]
  • Provided support for the Photo Channel 1.1[33]
3.1 2007-10-1010 October 2007 United States Japan Europe
3.0 2007-08-066 August 2007 United States Japan Europe
  • Corrected some stability issues when using the LAN adapter and added AOSS networking support[35]
  • Certain modchips and other devices no longer work (such as the GameCube FreeLoader bootdisk from Datel)
  • Wii Shop Channel updated
  • Altered the Wii Menu design to include a digital clock with the current time[36]
  • The area around the Wii Message Board button will now flash when a new message arrives[36]
  • Wii Message Board:
    • Adds the ability to rearrange the order of the user's Wii Friends in the address book
    • Adds the ability for the user to access the Wii Friends registration screen by pressing the A Button on blank spot in the address book
    • Envelope message icons will now appear on the calendar only on the dates when a message is received
    • User message sending history will now be displayed in Today's Accomplishments
    • Users can now scroll the message text by pressing the B button on the message screen[36]
2.2 2007-04-1111 April 2007 United States Japan Europe
  • Provided support for the Internet Channel: Final Version[37]
  • Resolved connection issues that affected a small number of users who connected online through a specific Internet Service Provider and supplied router
2.1 2007-01-2626 January 2007 United States Japan Europe
2.1 2007-01-1010 January 2007 Europe
  • Fixed bug with RGB SCART output(Not available in Australia)[citation needed]
2.0 2006-12-1919 December 2006 United States Japan Europe
2.0 2006-11-3030 November 2006 United States Japan
  • Blocked Wii Shop Channel hacks by blocking DNS redirection[40]
2.0 2006-11-1919 November 2006 United States Japan
  • Altered the Wii Menu design
  • Users can now write and read data on an SD card[36]
  • Addition of country settings option and system update option in settings menu[36]
  • Users can now arrange all channels (except the Disc Channel) on the Wii menu by holding A and B at the same time[36]
  • Ability to set parental controls to restrict online activities and only let particular rated games to be played[36]
1.0 2006-11-1919 November 2006 United States Japan
  • No Weather or News Channels are available. Updates were only able through the update options in the internet settings.
  • Channels launched faster. Pressing 'A' on a channel immediately went to a black screen with the channel's preview music playing.

Wii Channel releases and updates

This is a list of the updates and releases of Wii Channels.

§ = Released as part of a system update so a separate download is not required.

Date Released Region Download Channel updated and description of update
2009-10-2018 November 2009 United Kingdom Green tickY
  • BBC iPlayer released:
    • Customers in the UK given access to BBC iPlayer
2009-10-2020 October 2009 Europe Australia United States Red XN§
  • Wii Shop Channel updated:
    • For customers to retrieve 500 points towards one NES game for the purchase of the Internet Channel.[41]
    • Launch of "Connection Ambassador Promotion." (Europe & Australia only)
2009-09-099 September 2009 Europe Australia South Korea Green tickY
2009-09-011 September 2009 United States Australia Europe Japan Green tickY
  • Internet Channel updated:
    • Browser now uses Adobe Flash Lite 3.1 (this corresponds to Adobe Flash version 8).
    • This channel is now a free download.
    • Updated version uses fewer blocks.
    • For users that had downloaded this channel for 500 Wii points, they will be compensated to download a free non-import NES game of their choice from the Wii Shop Channel starting October 20, 2009 and ending December 31, 2009.
2009-09-1414 September 2009 United States Green tickY
  • Nintendo Channel updated:
    • Updated version uses fewer blocks on both the channel and data file.
    • Users can now do recommendations on registered games inserted in their Nintendo DS Lite or DSi system via download.
    • Users can bookmark their favorite games.
    • Videos can be set for either high or normal quality.
    • Users can view recommendations from other users.
    • Users can view records of Wii software they've played and recommended.
2009-07-1515 July 2009 Japan Green tickY
2009-05-2626 May 2009 Japan Green tickY
2009-05-011 May 2009 Japan Green tickY
2008-12-055 December 2008 United States Australia Europe Green tickY
2008-12-022 December 2008 Japan Green tickY
2008-11-1818 November 2008 Australia Europe Green tickY
2008-11-1212 November 2008 United States Green tickY
2008-07-2323 July 2008 Japan Green tickY
2008-06-2626 June 2008 Japan Green tickY
2008-04-2727 April 2008 United States Red XN
2008-04-2424 April 2008 Australia Red XN
2008-04-1111 April 2008 Europe Red XN
2008-04-1010 April 2008 Japan Red XN
2008-03-044 March 2008 Japan Green tickY
2008-01-3030 January 2008 United States Japan Europe Green tickY
  • Check Mii Out Channel updated:
    • In the Posting Plaza, users can now easily find all the Miis they have posted, without the need to enter codes.
    • When viewing a Mii Artisan’s profile, a user can now find all Miis posted by that Artisan.
    • If the judging of a contest is cancelled and returned to later, any Miis selected previously for the contest will be retained.
    • Parental Controls are now supported in the channel. If a user chooses to block the “exchange of user generated content” from the Parental Controls menu in Wii Settings, users will be prompted to enter the Parental Controls PIN in order to enter the channel.
    • The main menu of the channel has a ticker, that warns that the content of the channel may offend.
    • When viewing Miis in the Posting Plaza under the “Popular” category, 500 of the most popular Miis over the past two weeks can now be viewed, instead of 50.
    • When using the Mii search feature, the Miis Entry Number is retained on the Entry Number screen. If the Mii searched for is not found, re-entry of the number is not necessary, making it easier to modify the search.
2007-12-1020 December 2007 Europe Red XN
  • News Channel updated to have an increased number of news feeds to the Channel, sourced from a larger number of news resources and agencies.[42]
2007-12-1010 December 2007 United States Japan Europe Green tickY
  • Photo Channel updated to v1.1, MP3 support is replaced with AAC (M4A file format) and added the ability to use an image as the channel icon and start screen (This is an optional update).
2008-05-2121 May 2008 United States Red XN
2008-05-088 May 2008 Australia Red XN
2008-04-2525 April 2008 Europe Red XN
2007-12-011 December 2007 Japan Green tickY
2008-05-3030 May 2008 Australia Europe Green tickY
2008-05-077 May 2008 United States Green tickY
2007-11-2727 November 2007 Japan Green tickY
2007-11-1212 November 2007 United States Japan Europe Green tickY
2007-10-1010 October 2007 United States Japan Europe Green tickY
2007-08-1010 August 2007 United States Europe Green tickY
  • Metroid Prime 3 Preview Channel released in US (released in PAL regions on 15 October 2007).
    • The channel had preview videos of gameplay and had also allowed the user to view promotional artwork by moving the Wii Remote pointer across the screen while holding the "A" button.
    • As of the games release, the features of this channel have been removed, replaced with a message suggesting that the channel be deleted.
2007-08-066 August 2007 Australia United States Japan Europe Red XN§
  • Forecast Channel: weather forecast for your selected region will now be displayed on the Forecast Channel icon in the Wii Menu.[44]
  • News Channel, Headline news will now be displayed on the News Channel icon in the Wii Menu.[44]
  • Wii Shop Channel search function on Virtual Console has been enhanced.[44]
2007-04-1111 April 2007 United States Japan Europe Australia Green tickY
2007-02-1313 February 2007 Australia United States Japan Europe Green tickY
2007-01-2626 January 2007 United States Japan Australia Europe Red XN§
2006-12-2222 December 2006 United States Australia Japan Europe Green tickY
2006-12-1919 December 2006 Australia United States Japan Europe Red XN§

See also

References

  1. ^ a b "Guitar Hero 5 Forces Mandatory Wii System Update". 5Frets.com. Retrieved 2009-09-02.
  2. ^ IOS: history, build process
  3. ^ Why the Wii will never get any better
  4. ^ a b Wii Menu 4.2: a lack of imagination
  5. ^ a b System Menu 4.2 - WiiBrew
  6. ^ Error 003 - GBAtemp.net
  7. ^ Wii System Menu 4.2 – reporting problems (updated 10/2/09) - Wii Technical Questions - Nintendo's Tech Support Forums
  8. ^ Wii firmware casualties "small" - Nintendo News | Wii | Eurogamer
  9. ^ a b http://wii.marcansoft.com/wiimpersonator/reports/EUR/20090929-033807.log
  10. ^ System Menu 4.1 - WiiBrew
  11. ^ 4.0 update causing crashes. - Wii Technical Questions - Nintendo's Tech Support Forums
  12. ^ "Customer Service | Wii — SD Card Menu". Nintendo. Retrieved 2009-03-26.
  13. ^ | Nintendo - Customer Service | Wii - SD Card Menu
  14. ^ a b c d e marcan. "System Menu 4.0 Rundown". Hackmii.com. Retrieved 2009-03-26.
  15. ^ a b "Customer Service | Wii — Wii System Menu and Feature Updates". Nintendo. Retrieved 2009-03-26.
  16. ^ bannerbomb
  17. ^ a b http://wii.marcansoft.com/wiimpersonator/reports/USA/20090325-100218.log
  18. ^ BootMii.org
  19. ^ a b http://wii.marcansoft.com/wiimpersonator/reports/KOR/20090303-163948.log
  20. ^ Mahoney, John (2008-11-18). "Wii Homebrew: Newest System Menu 3.4 Wii Update Kills Homebrew Again". Gizmodo.com. Retrieved 2009-01-20.
  21. ^ Trackback URI (2008-11-18). "Wii SD transfer speeds increase dramatically with new update". Thetanooki.com. Retrieved 2009-03-26. {{cite web}}: Text "Comments RSS" ignored (help)
  22. ^ a b "Ｗｉｉ本体を更新する方法は？ 更新するとなにが変わるの？ : Ｑ＆Ａ — Ｗｉｉ". Nintendo.co.jp. Retrieved 2009-01-20.
  23. ^ a b "System Menu 3.4". WiiBrew. Retrieved 2009-01-20.
  24. ^ a b "System Menu 3.4". WiiBrew. Retrieved 2009-01-20.
  25. ^ "Wiibrew: Wii System Updates". Retrieved 2008-10-23.
  26. ^ "Wii Update 3.3 Kills Freeloader Too? [Update]". Kotaku. Retrieved 2008-06-17.
  27. ^ ""16 June Wii Update"". HackMii. Retrieved 2008-06-18.
  28. ^ ""Twilight Hack v0.1beta1"". HackMii. Retrieved 2008-08-11.
  29. ^ "IOS37". WiiBrew. Retrieved 2009-03-26.
  30. ^ "Wii Shop Channel prepares Wiis for WiiWare". GoNintendo. 2008-03-20. Retrieved 2009-03-26.
  31. ^ "Wii System Update: Wii Menu 3.2 Now Available". Gaming Bits. 2008-02-25. Retrieved 2009-03-26.
  32. ^ "Wii Shop Channel gift-giving coming today (updated)". N-Sider.com. 2007-12-10. Retrieved 2009-01-20.
  33. ^ "nintendo.com.au — News from Nintendo". Nintendo. Retrieved 2009-01-20.
  34. ^ "New Wii firmware update, brings Internet Channel perks". N-Sider.com. 2007-10-10. Retrieved 2009-01-20.
  35. ^ "Craig Harris: Just One Guy — Overlooked Wii 3.0 Update Function". Blogs.ign.com. 2007-08-08. Retrieved 2009-01-20.
  36. ^ a b c d e f g [1][dead link]
  37. ^ a b "Final Internet Channel now available". N-Sider.com. 2007-04-11. Retrieved 2009-01-20.
  38. ^ "News Channel goes live". N-Sider.com. 2007-01-26. Retrieved 2009-01-20.
  39. ^ "Forecast Channel launches worldwide". N-Sider.com. 2006-12-19. Retrieved 2009-01-20.
  40. ^ "Yesterday's "useless" update actually plugged Shop hole". N-Sider.com. 2006-11-30. Retrieved 2009-01-20.
  41. ^ "Wii Shop Channel launches new promotion". aussie-nintendo. 2009-10-20. Retrieved 2009-10-21.
  42. ^ "Blog Archive » Wii News Channel updated- What are you waiting for?". GoNintendo. 2007-12-20. Retrieved 2009-01-20.
  43. ^ [2][dead link]
  44. ^ a b c "Customer Service | Wii — Wii System Menu and Feature Updates". Nintendo. Retrieved 2009-01-20.
  45. ^ "Everybody Votes Channel now available". N-Sider.com. 2007-02-14. Retrieved 2009-01-20.
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