Nintendo has launched firmware updates for both the Wii home console and for the DS family of handhelds, saying only that they improve the performance of the devices, but users are reporting that the updates are also designed to eliminate the use of flash carts and homebrew software.
Nintendo has long been worried about the fact that both its gaming platforms have been affected by a growing piracy phenomenon and has taken steps to limit its impact, both by suing those who sell flash carts and by pushing out firmware update 4.3 for the
Wii.
The list of flash cart that are affected by the most recent update includes: Acekard 2i, Supercard DSTwo, M3i Zero, iPlayer and DSTTi.
It seems that the
most popular cart, the Hyper R4i still works, however, so Nintendo might put out a new small update soon to also block it.
On the Wii the latest firmware warns users frankly that “if your Wii console includes unauthorized modifications this update may detect and remove unauthorized content causing immediate or delayed inoperability of your console.”
Those who use flash carts and modified consoles have the options of now upgrading their system in order to continue to pirate content but most Nintendo made titles will ask the player to update the software on their devices before they can be enjoyed.
The arms race between homebrew users and pirates on one side and gaming companies on the other side will continue, with the first group breaking protections just as fast as manufacturers can add them to their devices.
Recently Sony has also launched a new firmware version,
numbered 3.42, for the PlayStation 3 home console, designed to make it impervious to the mod chips that have been sold all over the world and which allows unauthorized content to be run on the device, which was until recently considered piracy free.
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