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Freeloader future bleak

Freeloader future bleak

A user's correspondence with Datel has shown that the future of the Freeloader disc remains bleak. Nintendo blocked the Freeloader with firmware update 3.3 and since then haven't looked back.

"Unfortunately at this early stage we're unsure when, if ever, we will be able to release a new version of Freeloader that will run on consoles updated with the v3.3 firmware. No refund or exchange is available (outside of the terms and conditions of the returns policy offered by your point of purchase) since the Freeloader continues to be fully compatible with Wii firmware 3.2 and below".

For shame, for shame. When approached for comment, Nintendo's president Satoru Iwata simply said:

"I've done things I ain't proud of, and the things I am proud of are disgusting".

Particularly popular in Europe, the Freeloader is a means of playing imported games, which are cheaper and often available much earlier if bought from the US.

Posts

Recoil
Why, for the love of god, WHY is it so important for Nintendo that people only play games from their own region? It's like they're playing culture police or something! Their customers shouldn't have to feel like they're committing a crime just because they like games that often only end up being released in Japan.

WiiNinja
All the more reason to get a Wii from Japan.

Nova
It has to do with release dates and such. Nintendo doesn't want countries to start importing games before they release in that country so they can control the market or something. It would probably make more sense if you work for Nintendo. Ugg that quote makes Iwata sound like a sleazeball.

Master Foot
I agree that region locking is stupid. Things like copyright laws, currency values, and cultural differences are all hindrances with respect to import games. But when it comes to games like FF International and KH Final Mix (yes I went there again!) there's just no excuse! Actually, KH Chain of Memories is FINALLY coming to the PS2 soon. I'm sorry to say this, but if Nintendo, Sony and MS want to put console hackers out of business, then they should open up the console and encourage worldwide releases of games, but that's in an ideal world.

Jonny
For people with homebrew who haven't updated to 3.4 (October 23rd update), you can regionfree any video game, gamecube or Wii. Even channels can be regionfree'd. I never saw this disc even being useful in general, what with a little elbow grease setting up homebrew and getting a free file to regionfree things.

Diddy Kong Lover
That can't be right at all. Oh sure games might be cheaper in America, but let's face it the last REAL game to come to America before Europe was Brawl, now since the dollar tanked Europe gets everything first starting with Mario Kart, Mega Man 2, Vectorman, I could go on.

Nintendoof
No comment. Not even this one.

Wii Rox
C'mon DKL, more things come out in America first than in Europe.

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