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Carrying on the rich hacker tradition of picking up the slack for companies that are unwilling or unable to provide the functionality users need, a team of Wii coders have given the console what Nintendo could not: DVD playback. By installing a small, hidden channel on a system, this package blesses the console with a libdi file (DVD access library), and allows you to watch your favorite videos with the MPlayer application, an open source media player. The install file will run on modded and unmodded systems, and the software is also capable of playing media from SD cards (though it’s experimental right now). Finally Wii owners can join the ranks of, well… pretty much everyone else.

[Via TehSkeen; Thanks, brakken]

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Source: Joshua Topolsky

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Filed under: Gaming

Not that getting some hand-crafted ‘brew on the Wii was any great feat to begin with, but the kindhearted individuals over at WiiBrew have decided to make things even easier. The newly released Wii Pack Generator is, in its own words, a “web-based utility that allows you to select from the most recent, up to date, and high quality homebrew for your Nintendo Wii and create a custom pack.” Everything you select will be beautifully organized into a .zip or .exe file with the correct structure for easy extraction onto your SD card. Any remaining doubts you had about giving this a go just flew out the window (really, we saw it go down), so check the read link to conquer your fears and start really living.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

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Source: Darren Murph

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Filed under: Gaming

digg_url = ‘http://digg.com/nintendo/Engadget_Wii_MotionPlus_is_junk’;
So yeah, we got a chance to check out Nintendo’s new MotionPlus accessory. Wii Sports Resort is the only title announced right now that requires (or supports) MotionPlus, and we gave a couple of the games a run (like sword fighting and jet-skiing). Basically we’re a little at a loss as to how this does anything truly differently or more effectively than current controllers. We get that it’s got additional MEMS accelerometers that supposedly bring the relationship of motion and gameplay to a more 1:1 ratio, and for the motion types we tested, it did seem to work — but the experience and level of immersion felt basically the same. So what’s the deal? More after the break.

Continue reading Nintendo MotionPlus hands-on: blah.

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Source: Ryan Block

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With Nintendo’s official business out of the way, the motion sensing-minded folks at InvenSense are now free to brag about the technology behind the new Wii MotionPlus add-on, a press release we’re sure they’ve been itching to send out. The key bit of kit in the forthcoming accessory, it seems, is the IDG-600 multi-axis MEMS rate gyroscope, which InvenSense describes as a “truly disruptive technology” that boasts just the right combination of manufacturing and performance advantages to make it ideal for Nintendo’s purposes. InvenSense also says that it has already begun shipping to Nintendo in mass production quantities, which is certainly assuring, if unsurprising.

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Source: Donald Melanson

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We knew this one was coming, but we didn’t know the details. Nintendo busted out the new MotionPlus Wiimote add-on at its E3 keynote today. The device, which attaches to the rear of the controller, will be used to tighten up and refine motion sensing on the Wii, and its tweaks will be levied in a new game that the accessory comes paired with called Wii Sports Resort. The console-maker says the MotionPlus brings 1:1 sensing to the Wii, which will enable detailed control heretofore unseen on the system. We’re getting more info (and hopefully a hands-on with the little guy at some point) so stay tuned.

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Source: Joshua Topolsky

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Filed under: Gaming

The folks of WiiHD, in honor of the recent Quake release for Wii homebrew, have put together an easy-to-follow guide for getting the Wii homebrew channel up and running on your little white console — plus a pre-packaged zip file with some ready-to-go ‘brew if that’s the way you like it. You’ve really got zero excuse to hold off on homebrew with as purtiful and straightforward all these fine hackers have made the process, but if you’re still unconvinced, check out the Quake video after the break.Continue reading WiiHD’s homebrew guide: hacking doesn’t get much easier than this

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Source: Paul Miller

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Can Wii Fit, born of a best-selling gaming console, revolutionize exercise? Five testers weigh in.

Source: By SETH SCHIESEL

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Filed under: Gaming

digg_url = ‘http://digg.com/nintendo/Wii_homebrew_channel_video_released’; We’ve already seen some rudimentary Wii homebrew channel support, but this latest video released by homebrew developer Bushing steps things up considerably, with it turning what was once a curiosity into something that quite a few non-homebrew dabbling folks will likely be eager to get their hands on. As you can see after the break, the channel looks to be about as straightforward as can be, and it apparently includes built-in support for loading ELF and DOL homebrew executables via USBGecko and TCP/IP, in addition to support for loading ‘em off SD cards. Sadly, there’s no word on a release just yet, but we can’t imagine it being kept under wraps for too much longer.

[Via DCEmu, thanks Craig]

Continue reading Wii homebrew channel video released

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Source: Donald Melanson

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