Wii Firmware Update 4.0

Finally, after Miyamoto and Reggie hinted at a storage solution around E3 time last year, the expected firmware update has arrived that allows Wii Channels to be stored on an SD card. It integrates well into the existing Wii Menu and once accessed follows a similar format to the data maintenance screens. The new features allow access to channels stored on the SD card, letting you play them without having to copy them first to your Wii memory. Like this



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Wii Storage Solution?

It seems rumours of a hard drive for the Wii have been shot down by this translation from the Japanese press conference regarding Nintendo's solution to the storage problem facing many Wii owners.

Satoru Iwata said:
"We will make it so that, when there is not enough room on the Wii's internal memory, you will be able to purchase and download Virtual Console and WiiWare software directly from the Shopping Channel to an SD memory card. We will also make it so that you will need to go through just one process in order to transfer Virtual Console or WiiWare software stored on an SD card to the Wii console and then be able to play it. We would like to deal with this issue utilizing two methods. Since the updates to realize these new structures will require significant revisions to the Wii system, and these changes need to be made by taking care of a variety of different angles, this method will become effective beginning next spring. For some of you, this may be considered late. But please know that we really appreciate your cooperation and understanding. We are working hard so we can begin the service as soon as possible."

What I would hope this 'one process' means is that all games whether stored on your Wii or SD card show up as a channel available to play. If the game you select to play happens to be on the SD card the Wii would make room on its internal memory by moving a game/s to the SD card if necessary and then copying the game you want to play to the Wii and launching it all in a short space of time. If this isn't what is being described then this still seems like a bit of a half measure, especially considering how long we still have to wait. You still won't be playing VC or WiiWare titles directly from SD card or indeed any form of external storage. I can understand the piracy issues involved with doing that and lets face it with the R4 and similar cards on the DS and the 'Homebrew' channel on the Wii, Nintendo already have plenty to worry about there. I did think the solution would perhaps be more of a direct solution than what will be offered however.

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