gamerawr! » Wii

Linux running natively on the Wii

Justin Nolan — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 05:45:35 +0000

The wheel are turning in the Wii scene. The gc-linux team has come out of a two year hibernation and has released a proof of concept Linux build for unmodified Wii’s with the Twilight hack. Don’t expect a fancy gui, but the concept has indeed been proven. Check out the Gamecube Linux page for more details and the down.

Wii homebrew: Tetris! (fully playable)

Justin Nolan — Sun, 24 Feb 2008 22:02:42 +0000

Just last week I posted about the Wii ELF loader and early homebrew. Those early demos had no input, so weren’t of much use. Programmer extraordinaire Auby now brings us the first fully playable wii homebrew, Tetris!

If you’ve got a copy of Zelda: TP, an SD to gamecube adapter, and a spare SD card, head over here to download and try it out yourself. Here are my abbreviated instructions:

1. Download the Twilight Hack, and follow these instructions to install on your SD card.
2. Download tetris.elf, and dd it to your SD card, as instructed here.
3. You’re now ready, so boot it the normal way and Tetris should load.

The current state of Wii homebrew

Justin Nolan — Sat, 16 Feb 2008 07:09:20 +0000

There have been a lot of Wii hacking developments this week. The Twilight Hack was released, which is the first exploit of it’s kind. It’s a classic gamesave exploit triggering a stack buffer overflow. This essentially allows us to hijack the system and run our own code. In it’s current state, the hack isn’t much more than a proof of concept and a promising sign of things to come. Since that release, two additional demos have seen the light of day. There is an unplayable pong game (no controls), and a more classic “hello world” app complete with demo-scene graphics:

This may not be anything to write home about just yet, but the cat is officially out of the bag. It’s only a matter of time before more usable homebrew hits, along with loaders, linux, and more. You can follow along at the WiiBrew Wiki, or I will keep you posted on the major developments here.

Super Smash Bros clip

Tarun Kunwar — Fri, 18 Jan 2008 19:50:06 +0000

This is the time I wish I had paid attention in Japanese…translation anyone?

It looks like they’re keeping the old game modes: (baseball / target practice). They should really add some other newrigional, (just made up a word), modes.

Quit pushing the date back dammit! By march we’ll be ass deep in homework.

Wii lightsaber

Tarun Kunwar — Sat, 24 Nov 2007 01:42:12 +0000

Patience young Padawan learners, the Wii lightsaber is no longer a figment of our imaginations! As always, be mindful of your thoughts.

Too bad this controller will be used for Lego Star Wars and not this…

Hey, if they can make a guitar for 360 and PS3, why not a lightsaber?

Super Mario Galaxy Gameplay

Tarun Kunwar — Sat, 25 Aug 2007 03:07:54 +0000

It’s a shame that everyone’s favorite hedgehog couldn’t keep up with his psilocybin eating Italian counterpart. Back in 94′, I thought for sure Sonic would turn out to be more popular, (what with the cartoons being voiced by Urkle and all).

I’m a tad bit bitter…

Here’s some fresh footage from the Leipzig Games Convention in Germany.

If ya axe me, Mario 64 still pwns them all.

E3 07: New Brunswick Pro Bowling Screens/Video (Wii)

Justin Nolan — Wed, 11 Jul 2007 02:54:25 +0000

August 14, 2007, keep your eye out for the above final box art on store shelves. Fresh off the press FTP, here are some new screens. The graphics might not be anything to write home about, but it looks like a much more precise sim than we are use to with Wii Sports. Bowling with the Wii-mote just feels so right. Now you will get more realistic physics and a career mode to work your way through.

See it in motion after the break (video)…

Resident Evil Umbrella Chronicles gameplay footage

Justin Nolan — Mon, 16 Apr 2007 15:30:15 +0000

Here’s some gameplay footage of Resident Evil Umbrella Chronicles for Wii. If you’re a fan of RE, shooters on rails, destructible objects, and zombies, this could very well be something to get excited about. I’m just not so sure I would prefer the Wiimote to a good old fashion light gun.

Mario and Sonic – Together at last

Justin Nolan — Wed, 28 Mar 2007 20:36:13 +0000

What do you two with two aging, rival franchises? Have them compete in the olympics! For the first time ever, Mario and Sonic will appear together in a video game. Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games (creative title, right?) will pit characters from both franchises against each other in the 2008 Olympics, competing in such events as the 100m dash, table tennis, and swimming. From the press release:

â€œMario and Sonic have been respectful rivals since the early days of video games,â€ says Shigeru Miyamoto, Senior Managing Director and General Manager, Entertainment Analysis and Development Division, Nintendo Co., Ltd.. â€œIn fact, for a long time they have been discussing the possibility of one day competing against each other. Now that they have been given the perfect opportunity to meet at the Olympic Games, we may finally learn who is actually faster, Mario or Sonic?â€

I didn’t even know this was a topic for debate. Has Miyamoto ever played a Sonic game?! I mean, I don’t think Mario is exactly known for his speed (unless you stick him in a go-kart). Regardless, I’m glad to see Nintedo and Sega working together–more for Sega’s sake than Nintendo’s. This is a title to watch for on Wii and DS.

Wii Loop Machine – crazy cool

Justin Nolan — Sat, 24 Mar 2007 00:25:23 +0000

Easily the sweetest Wiimote “hack” I’ve seen. The Amazing Rolo has created a full blown looping application for OSX + Wii controller. Just check out the video to see what this is capable off. Watch it all the way through to the end and your amazement will continue to build exponentially (or maybe I’m just a sucker for non-traditional instruments). The performance at the end shows you just what this is capable of. The software is already up for the task of live performances.

My most wanted feature: dual Wiimote action! That could be wicked difficult to master, but the possibilities would be endless.

More details and free download are at The Amazing Rolo.