The Homebrew Channel, a self-updating application created by hacking group Team Twiizers, allows users to easily load and use non-Nintendo-authorized applications, including emulators for Atari and other classic gaming consoles, different media players and other utilities that allow the Wii to function as a media center and DVD player. After installation, the channel is accessible from the Wii Menu just like any other Wii channel.
“Despite all of the anti-reverse-engineering tricks we put into our last installment of the HackMii Installer, Nintendo managed to find the IOS exploit we used to install The Homebrew Channel and fix it sometime within the last two years,” the group explained in a post on the Hackmii forum. “There never was a Wii system update for this, the fixed IOS versions can only be found on a Wii U.”
It added, “They also blocked our old title ID. Consequently, 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.”
The reason Nintendo opposes Homebrew is threefold: one, opening up the box to rogue and unmanaged applications is a potential security risk, allowing for a third-party unmanaged vector for malware. Two, while those in the Homebrew community adamantly deny using the hack to run pirated games, the fact of the matter remains that the heck can indeed be exploited for such a purpose. And third, unauthorized apps simply take money out of the Japanese gaming giant’s pocket.
The new hack runs from inside Wii virtual mode rather than making use of the full Wii U environment, but the additional functionality and connected user interface opens up fresh vistas for new apps. And Team Twiizers are actively working on the impasse.
“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. (See if you can find any differences, we can all try to hack the Wii U together from inside Wii mode!),” it said.