Wii System Software
Encyclopedia
Wii system software is a set of updatable firmware
versions, and a software frontend on the Wii
video game console. Updates, which are downloaded via the system's Internet connection (WiiConnect24
), allow Nintendo
to add additional features and software. When a new update becomes available, Nintendo sends a message to connected systems notifying them of the available update.
Several game discs, both first-party and third-party games, have included system software updates so that players who are not connected to the Internet can still update their system. Additionally this can "force" an upgrade by requiring the player to perform the update, without which the new game cannot be played. Some online games (such as Super Smash Bros. Brawl
and Mario Kart Wii
) have come with specific extra updates, such as being able to receive posts from game-specific addresses, so, regardless of the version of the installed software, it will install an update. See the next section for a technical explanation on why this is.
processor to other Wii software (nicknamed Starlet by the Wii homebrew community, as it is physically located inside the graphics chip, the Hollywood, so it is a small part of Hollywood. The patent for the upcoming Wii U indicates a similar device which is simply named "Input/Output Processor"). These control input and output between the code running on the main processor (the PowerPC
"Broadway" processor) and the Wii's hardware features that did not exist on the GameCube
, which can only be accessed via the ARM.
When Nintendo
releases a new IOS version, except for unusual circumstances (for example security updates to block homebrew), the new IOS does not replace any IOS already installed. Instead, it gets installed in addition to any current IOS versions. All native Wii software (including games distributed on Nintendo optical discs, the System Menu itself, Virtual Console
games, WiiWare
, and Wii Channels), with the exception of certain homebrew applications, have the IOS version hardcoded into the software.
When the software is run, the IOS that is hardcoded gets loaded by the Wii, which then loads the software itself. If that IOS does not exist on the Wii, in the case of disc-based software, it gets installed automatically (after the user is prompted). With downloaded software, this should not theoretically happen, as the user cannot access the shop to download software unless the player has all the IOS versions that they require. However, if homebrew is used to forcefully install or run a piece of software when the required IOS does not exist, the user is brought back to the system menu.
Nintendo created this system so that new updates wouldn't unintentionally break compatibility with older games, but it does have the side effect that it uses up space on the Wii's internal NAND Flash memory. IOSes are referred to by their number, which can theoretically be between 0 and 254, although many numbers are skipped, presumably being development versions that were never completed.
and GameCube
), or interface with IOS running on the ARM architecture
processor (for Wii-specific hardware). The ARM processor does not have access to the screen, and therefore neither does IOS. This means that whilst a piece of software is running, everything seen on the screen comes from that software, and not from any operating system or firmware. This includes the home menu (a menu of uniform appearance that appears when the home button is pressed in any piece of official Wii software), and any error messages that might appear. Therefore, the version number reported by the Wii is actually only the version number of the System Menu. This is why some updates do not result in a change of the version number: the System Menu itself is not updated, only (for example) IOSes and channels. As a side effect, this means it is impossible for Nintendo to implement any functions that would affect the games themselves, for example an in-game system menu (similar to the Xbox 360
's in-game Dashboard or the PS3
's in-game XMB).
§ = Released as part of a system update so a separate download is not required.
Other gaming platforms from Nintendo:
Other gaming platforms from this generation
:
Firmware
In electronic systems and computing, firmware is a term often used to denote the fixed, usually rather small, programs and/or data structures that internally control various electronic devices...
versions, and a software frontend on the Wii
Wii
The Wii is a home video game console released by Nintendo on November 19, 2006. As a seventh-generation console, the Wii primarily competes with Microsoft's Xbox 360 and Sony's PlayStation 3. Nintendo states that its console targets a broader demographic than that of the two others...
video game console. Updates, which are downloaded via the system's Internet connection (WiiConnect24
WiiConnect24
WiiConnect24 is a feature of the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection for the Wii console. It was first announced at E3 2006 by Nintendo. It enables the user to remain connected to the Internet while the console is on standby...
), allow Nintendo
Nintendo
is a multinational corporation located in Kyoto, Japan. Founded on September 23, 1889 by Fusajiro Yamauchi, it produced handmade hanafuda cards. By 1963, the company had tried several small niche businesses, such as a cab company and a love hotel....
to add additional features and software. When a new update becomes available, Nintendo sends a message to connected systems notifying them of the available update.
Several game discs, both first-party and third-party games, have included system software updates so that players who are not connected to the Internet can still update their system. Additionally this can "force" an upgrade by requiring the player to perform the update, without which the new game cannot be played. Some online games (such as Super Smash Bros. Brawl
Super Smash Bros. Brawl
Super Smash Bros. Brawl, known in Japan as , often abbreviated as SSBB or simply as Brawl, is the third installment in the Super Smash Bros. series of crossover fighting games, developed by an ad hoc development team consisting of Sora, Game Arts and staff from other developers, and published by...
and Mario Kart Wii
Mario Kart Wii
is a racing video game developed by Nintendo Entertainment Analysis and Development and published by Nintendo for the Wii video game console. It is the sixth installment in the Mario Kart series and the second Mario Kart title to use the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection. The game was released worldwide...
) have come with specific extra updates, such as being able to receive posts from game-specific addresses, so, regardless of the version of the installed software, it will install an update. See the next section for a technical explanation on why this is.
IOS
The Wii's firmware is in the form of IOSs (thought by the Wii homebrew developers to stand for 'Input Output Systems' or 'Internal Operating Systems'), which run on a separate ARM architectureARM architecture
ARM is a 32-bit reduced instruction set computer instruction set architecture developed by ARM Holdings. It was named the Advanced RISC Machine, and before that, the Acorn RISC Machine. The ARM architecture is the most widely used 32-bit ISA in numbers produced...
processor to other Wii software (nicknamed Starlet by the Wii homebrew community, as it is physically located inside the graphics chip, the Hollywood, so it is a small part of Hollywood. The patent for the upcoming Wii U indicates a similar device which is simply named "Input/Output Processor"). These control input and output between the code running on the main processor (the PowerPC
PowerPC
PowerPC is a RISC architecture created by the 1991 Apple–IBM–Motorola alliance, known as AIM...
"Broadway" processor) and the Wii's hardware features that did not exist on the GameCube
Nintendo GameCube
The , officially abbreviated to NGC in Japan and GCN in other regions, is a sixth generation video game console released by Nintendo on September 15, 2001 in Japan, November 18, 2001 in North America, May 3, 2002 in Europe, and May 17, 2002 in Australia...
, which can only be accessed via the ARM.
When Nintendo
Nintendo
is a multinational corporation located in Kyoto, Japan. Founded on September 23, 1889 by Fusajiro Yamauchi, it produced handmade hanafuda cards. By 1963, the company had tried several small niche businesses, such as a cab company and a love hotel....
releases a new IOS version, except for unusual circumstances (for example security updates to block homebrew), the new IOS does not replace any IOS already installed. Instead, it gets installed in addition to any current IOS versions. All native Wii software (including games distributed on Nintendo optical discs, the System Menu itself, Virtual Console
Virtual console
A virtual console – also known as a virtual terminal – is a conceptual combination of the keyboard and display for a computer user interface. It is a feature of some operating systems such as UnixWare, Linux, and BSD, in which the system console of the computer can be used to switch between...
games, WiiWare
WiiWare
WiiWare is a service that allows Wii users to download games and applications specifically designed and developed for the Wii video game console made by Nintendo. These games and applications can only be purchased and downloaded from the Wii Shop Channel under the WiiWare section...
, and Wii Channels), with the exception of certain homebrew applications, have the IOS version hardcoded into the software.
When the software is run, the IOS that is hardcoded gets loaded by the Wii, which then loads the software itself. If that IOS does not exist on the Wii, in the case of disc-based software, it gets installed automatically (after the user is prompted). With downloaded software, this should not theoretically happen, as the user cannot access the shop to download software unless the player has all the IOS versions that they require. However, if homebrew is used to forcefully install or run a piece of software when the required IOS does not exist, the user is brought back to the system menu.
Nintendo created this system so that new updates wouldn't unintentionally break compatibility with older games, but it does have the side effect that it uses up space on the Wii's internal NAND Flash memory. IOSes are referred to by their number, which can theoretically be between 0 and 254, although many numbers are skipped, presumably being development versions that were never completed.
System Menu
The System Menu provides a graphical interface to the Wii's abilities. All games run directly on the Broadway processor, and either directly interface with the hardware (for the hardware common to the WiiWii
The Wii is a home video game console released by Nintendo on November 19, 2006. As a seventh-generation console, the Wii primarily competes with Microsoft's Xbox 360 and Sony's PlayStation 3. Nintendo states that its console targets a broader demographic than that of the two others...
and GameCube
Nintendo GameCube
The , officially abbreviated to NGC in Japan and GCN in other regions, is a sixth generation video game console released by Nintendo on September 15, 2001 in Japan, November 18, 2001 in North America, May 3, 2002 in Europe, and May 17, 2002 in Australia...
), or interface with IOS running on the ARM architecture
ARM architecture
ARM is a 32-bit reduced instruction set computer instruction set architecture developed by ARM Holdings. It was named the Advanced RISC Machine, and before that, the Acorn RISC Machine. The ARM architecture is the most widely used 32-bit ISA in numbers produced...
processor (for Wii-specific hardware). The ARM processor does not have access to the screen, and therefore neither does IOS. This means that whilst a piece of software is running, everything seen on the screen comes from that software, and not from any operating system or firmware. This includes the home menu (a menu of uniform appearance that appears when the home button is pressed in any piece of official Wii software), and any error messages that might appear. Therefore, the version number reported by the Wii is actually only the version number of the System Menu. This is why some updates do not result in a change of the version number: the System Menu itself is not updated, only (for example) IOSes and channels. As a side effect, this means it is impossible for Nintendo to implement any functions that would affect the games themselves, for example an in-game system menu (similar to the Xbox 360
Xbox 360
The Xbox 360 is the second video game console produced by Microsoft and the successor to the Xbox. The Xbox 360 competes with Sony's PlayStation 3 and Nintendo's Wii as part of the seventh generation of video game consoles...
's in-game Dashboard or the PS3
PlayStation 3
The is the third home video game console produced by Sony Computer Entertainment and the successor to the PlayStation 2 as part of the PlayStation series. The PlayStation 3 competes with Microsoft's Xbox 360 and Nintendo's Wii as part of the seventh generation of video game consoles...
's in-game XMB).
Wii System Update releases
This is a list of features included in Wii's System Updates.| System Menu Version | Date Released | Region | Channel updated and description of update |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4.3 | September 7, 2010 |      |
|
| June 21, 2010 | |
Homebrew Channel The Homebrew Channel is a freeware homebrew application loader that was developed to provide a way of easily running unofficial software on the Wii console. Once installed, it appears as a standard Wii Channel on the Wii Menu. When launched, it displays a list of applications found on an SD card or... and DVDX, title IDs HAXX, DVDX, JODI, DISC, and DISK. |
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| 4.2 | September 28, 2009 | |
Homebrew Channel The Homebrew Channel is a freeware homebrew application loader that was developed to provide a way of easily running unofficial software on the Wii console. Once installed, it appears as a standard Wii Channel on the Wii Menu. When launched, it displays a list of applications found on an SD card or... versions 1.0.4 and older and blocks Bannerbomb v1 Brick (electronics) When used in reference to consumer electronics, "brick" describes a device that cannot function in any capacity . This usage derives from the fact that some electronic devices are vaguely brick-shaped, and so those which do not function are useful only as actual bricks. The term can also be used... consoles, rendering the console inoperable if the process was interrupted while it was being written, or if one of the first blocks of the Wii's memory was bad. |
| 4.1 | |||
| July 30, 2009 | |
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| July 15, 2009 | |
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| July 3, 2009 | |
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| 4.0 | March 25, 2009 | |
Twilight hack The Twilight hack is the name given to the exploit found by Team Twiizers of in The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess that permits homebrew developers and everyday users to run unofficial homebrew software from a Secure Digital card inserted into the slot on the front of the Wii... (including 0.1beta2) . |
| 3.5 | March 3, 2009 | |
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| 3.4 | November 17, 2008 | |
Twilight hack The Twilight hack is the name given to the exploit found by Team Twiizers of in The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess that permits homebrew developers and everyday users to run unofficial homebrew software from a Secure Digital card inserted into the slot on the front of the Wii... check now detected 0.1beta1. |
| 3.3 | November 12, 2008 | |
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| October 23, 2008 | |
Wii Shop Channel The Wii Shop Channel is an online shop for the Wii video game console that allows users to download Virtual Console and WiiWare games, and new channels. Downloading may require redeeming Wii Points. The channel launched with Wii on November 19, 2006... updated by adding "View compatible controllers" module in the details section of a game and a classification summary on games. |
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| July 22, 2008 | |
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| June 17, 2008 | |
Wii Freeloader Wii Freeloader is a bootdisc developed by Datel to circumvent regional lockout on the Wii video game console. It allows the playing of games from other regions, but does not allow the use of DVD±R, commonly used for backups, copies or homebrew. It can be used in combination with a modchip to allow... from running. |
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| 3.2 | March 21, 2008 | |
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| March 20, 2008 | |
Wii Shop Channel The Wii Shop Channel is an online shop for the Wii video game console that allows users to download Virtual Console and WiiWare games, and new channels. Downloading may require redeeming Wii Points. The channel launched with Wii on November 19, 2006... updated to support WiiWare WiiWare WiiWare is a service that allows Wii users to download games and applications specifically designed and developed for the Wii video game console made by Nintendo. These games and applications can only be purchased and downloaded from the Wii Shop Channel under the WiiWare section... game downloads |
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| February 25, 2008 | |
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| 3.1 | January 30, 2008 | |
Check Mii Out Channel The Check Mii Out Channel, known as the in Europe, Oceania and Japan and Miirame in Spanish-speaking countries in Latin America, is a channel for the Nintendo Wii that allows players to share their digital avatars, called Miis, and enter them into popularity contests. It was released worldwide at... updated with the following features:
|
| December 10, 2007 | |
Wii Shop Channel The Wii Shop Channel is an online shop for the Wii video game console that allows users to download Virtual Console and WiiWare games, and new channels. Downloading may require redeeming Wii Points. The channel launched with Wii on November 19, 2006... updated to include the ability to give gifts. Included a new channel icon and start screen for the Wii Shop Channel |
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| October 10, 2007 | |
Wii Shop Channel The Wii Shop Channel is an online shop for the Wii video game console that allows users to download Virtual Console and WiiWare games, and new channels. Downloading may require redeeming Wii Points. The channel launched with Wii on November 19, 2006... updated |
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| 3.0 | August 6, 2007 | |
AOSS AOSS is a system by Buffalo Technology which allows a secure wireless connection to be set up with the push of a button. Recent AirStation residential gateways incorporate a button on the unit to let the user initiate this procedure... networking support Modchip A modchip is a small electronic device used to modify or disable built-in restrictions and limitations of computers, specifically videogame consoles... s and other devices no longer work (such as the GameCube Nintendo GameCube The , officially abbreviated to NGC in Japan and GCN in other regions, is a sixth generation video game console released by Nintendo on September 15, 2001 in Japan, November 18, 2001 in North America, May 3, 2002 in Europe, and May 17, 2002 in Australia... FreeLoader bootdisk from Datel Datel Datel is a UK-based electronics and game console peripherals manufacturer. The company is best known for producing a wide range of hardware and peripherals for home computers in the 1980s, for example replacement keyboards for the ZX Spectrum, the PlusD disk interface and the Action Replay series... )
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| 2.2 | April 11, 2007 | |
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| 2.1 | January 26, 2007 | |
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| January 10, 2007 | |
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| 2.0 | December 19, 2006 | Europe |
Secure Digital Secure Digital is a non-volatile memory card format developed by the SD Card Association for use in portable devices. The SD technology is used by more than 400 brands across dozens of product categories and more than 8,000 models, and is considered the de-facto industry standard.Secure Digital... |
| November 30, 2006 | |
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| 1.0 | November 19, 2006 | |
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Wii Channel releases and updates
This is a list of the updates and releases of Wii Channels.§ = Released as part of a system update so a separate download is not required.
| Date Released | Region | Download | Channel updated and description of update |
|---|---|---|---|
| March 16, 2011 |  |
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| March 9, 2011 | |
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| October 18, 2010 | |
Netflix Netflix, Inc., is an American provider of on-demand internet streaming media in the United States, Canada, and Latin America and flat rate DVD-by-mail in the United States. The company was established in 1997 and is headquartered in Los Gatos, California... Channel released. |
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| November 18, 2009 |
BBC iPlayer BBC iPlayer, commonly shortened to iPlayer, is an internet television and radio service, developed by the BBC to extend its former RealPlayer-based and other streamed video clip content to include whole TV shows.... Channel released:
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| October 20, 2009 | |
§ |
Wii Shop Channel The Wii Shop Channel is an online shop for the Wii video game console that allows users to download Virtual Console and WiiWare games, and new channels. Downloading may require redeeming Wii Points. The channel launched with Wii on November 19, 2006... updated:
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| September 9, 2009 | |
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| September 1, 2009 | |
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| September 14, 2009 | |
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| July 15, 2009 | |
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| May 26, 2009 | |
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| May 1, 2009 | |
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| December 5, 2008 | |
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| December 2, 2008 | |
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| November 18, 2008 | |
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| November 18, 2008 | |
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| July 23, 2008 | |
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| June 26, 2008 | |
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| April 27, 2008 | |
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| April 24, 2008 | |
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| April 11, 2008 | |
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| April 10, 2008 | |
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| March 4, 2008 | |
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| January 30, 2008 | |
Check Mii Out Channel The Check Mii Out Channel, known as the in Europe, Oceania and Japan and Miirame in Spanish-speaking countries in Latin America, is a channel for the Nintendo Wii that allows players to share their digital avatars, called Miis, and enter them into popularity contests. It was released worldwide at... updated:
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| December 20, 2007 | |
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| 10 December 2007 | |
§ |
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| May 21, 2008 | |
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| May 8, 2008 | |
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| April 25, 2008 | |
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| December 1, 2007 | |
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| May 30, 2008 | |
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| May 7, 2008 | |
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| November 27, 2007 | |
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| November 12, 2007 | |
Check Mii Out Channel The Check Mii Out Channel, known as the in Europe, Oceania and Japan and Miirame in Spanish-speaking countries in Latin America, is a channel for the Nintendo Wii that allows players to share their digital avatars, called Miis, and enter them into popularity contests. It was released worldwide at... released. |
|
| October 10, 2007 | |
§ |
Everybody Votes Channel The Everybody Votes Channel is the Wii Menu channel that allows users to vote in simple opinion polls and compare and contrast opinions with those of friends, family and voters across the globe.... : Updated to improve efficiency and voting detail. |
| August 10, 2007 | |
Metroid Prime 3: Corruption Metroid Prime 3: Corruption is a first-person action-adventure game developed by Retro Studios and published by Nintendo for the Wii video game console. It is the tenth game in the Metroid series, and the final entry in the Metroid Prime trilogy—excluding two spin-off titles. It was released in... released.
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| August 6, 2007 | |
§ |
Wii Shop Channel The Wii Shop Channel is an online shop for the Wii video game console that allows users to download Virtual Console and WiiWare games, and new channels. Downloading may require redeeming Wii Points. The channel launched with Wii on November 19, 2006... : Search function on Virtual Console has been enhanced. |
| April 11, 2007 | |
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| February 13, 2007 | |
Everybody Votes Channel The Everybody Votes Channel is the Wii Menu channel that allows users to vote in simple opinion polls and compare and contrast opinions with those of friends, family and voters across the globe.... released. |
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| January 26, 2007 | |
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| December 22, 2006 | |
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| December 19, 2006 | |
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See also
- Nintendo Wi-Fi ConnectionNintendo Wi-Fi ConnectionThe is an online multiplayer gaming service run by Nintendo to provide free online play in compatible Nintendo DS, Nintendo 3DS and Wii games. The service includes the company's Wii Shop Channel, DSi Shop, and Nintendo eShop game download services...
- WiiConnect24WiiConnect24WiiConnect24 is a feature of the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection for the Wii console. It was first announced at E3 2006 by Nintendo. It enables the user to remain connected to the Internet while the console is on standby...
- Wii Shop ChannelWii Shop ChannelThe Wii Shop Channel is an online shop for the Wii video game console that allows users to download Virtual Console and WiiWare games, and new channels. Downloading may require redeeming Wii Points. The channel launched with Wii on November 19, 2006...
Other gaming platforms from Nintendo:
- Nintendo 3DS system softwareNintendo 3DS system softwareNintendo 3DS system software is a set of updatable firmware versions and software frontend on the Nintendo 3DS video game console. Updates, which are downloaded via the system's Internet connection allow Nintendo to add and remove features and software....
- Nintendo DSi system softwareNintendo DSi System SoftwareNintendo DSi system software is a set of updatable firmware versions, and a software frontend on the Nintendo DSi video game console. Updates, which are downloaded via the system's Internet connection, allow Nintendo to add and remove features and software....
Other gaming platforms from this generation
History of video game consoles (seventh generation)
In the history of video games, the seventh generation of consoles is the current generation , and includes consoles released since late by Nintendo, Microsoft, and Sony...
:
- PlayStation 3 system softwarePlayStation 3 system softwareThe PlayStation 3 system software is the updateable software and operating system of the PlayStation 3. The process of updating is almost identical to that of the PSP...
- PlayStation Portable system softwarePlayStation Portable system softwarePlayStation Portable System Software is the official, updatable firmware for the PlayStation Portable. Updates add new functionality as well as security patches to prevent homebrew applications and plugins being run on the system. Updates can be obtained in four ways:*Direct download to the PSP...
- Xbox 360 system softwareXbox 360 System SoftwareXbox 360 system software , is the updatable software and operating system for the Xbox 360. It resides on a 16 MB file system and has access to a maximum of 32 MB of the system's memory. While the System Software updates may sometimes provide updates to the system's firmware, it is unlikely that...