Wii Homebrew Channel updated to work on Wii U

By: Muhammad Qasim Hassan

  |   December 12th, 2012   |  

Uncategorized

Hackers get Wii Homebrew Channel working on Wii U. Exploit could enable the hacking of new console, though still plenty of work to be done to get there.

It has not even been a full month since Nintendo launched its first-ever HD console, though it has been out there long enough for the Wii hacking community to sink their teeth deeply into the system and explore the potential loopholes that could be exploited.

According to dhewg, one of the contributors to the Wii Homebrew Channel, the hacking outfit has updated the software to make it function on the Wii U.

In his post on the HackMii site, the hacker claimed that updated Homebrew Channel will work on the new Nintendo console just as it works on its predecessor, Wii.

“We have a new release with a new version of The Homebrew Channel; this will install on both Wii consoles, and inside the virtual Wii sandbox inside the Wii U. The currently used IOS exploit is courtesy of tueidj,” dhewg claimed.

He did, however, add that the Homebrew Channel works only on the Wii mode within the Wii U and not in the full Wii U mode at the moment because of the technical limitations of the Wii mode.

However, the hacker believes that this is a promising start and the hacking community will continue to build on it successfully crack open the new console.

“Please note that this is not running in full Wii U mode; running this on a Wii U will probably work just like on a Wii. Also, due to technical limitations of the virtual Wii mode, BootMii will not work on a Wii U. If we are able to resolve this, we will make a new release with BootMii support,” said dhewg.

If and once the Homebrew Channel is perfected for the Wii U, it will make it possible to install and run unofficial software on the console, something that is strongly discouraged by Nintendo.

The company has in fact made it quite clear that running unauthorised software on its console, particularly the Homebrew Channel, will void the warranty and thus the user will no longer remain protected by warranty from defect in the console, system file corruption and physical damage.

The hacking outfit contributing to the Homebrew Channel are interested in hacking the Nintendo consoles only and have in fact taken strict measures in the past to ensure that their software does not open up the gateway to piracy.

Once again, the updated Homebrew Channel for Wii U will be tested before being made public to ensure that it does not allow piracy of licensed content.

Regardless of the intention of the hackers behind the Homebrew Channel, Nintendo will not be too happy to learn about the progress that the hacking outfit has made in cracking open Wii U in less than a month of its launch.