There is word recently on TehSkeen that a software tool has been developed for the Nintendo Wii that allows gamers to play back-up copies of Nintendo Wii games. The claims were backed up by video that was reposted on YouTube:

If one is skeptical about the mere screen capture of what is going on, a video of someone physically entering the disc into the system and doing the same thing (albeit, with a lower quality) is here:

Additional information is available on TehSkeen. Here’s a sample:

It’s time for another exclusive video from TehSkeen. This time our feature presentation is a demonstration of the work in progress Nintendo Wii Backup Loader coded by the infamous and often controversial hacking guru Waninkoko. Yeah, read the first sentence again if you’re at a loss for words.

The ISO Loader works like this. You create a legal backup of a game you own, convert the ISO file with a special program then burn it. After this, you copy over the ISO Loader to the Homebrew Channel and run it. It will boot the legal backup. Pretty simple. Oh, and no modchip is required. However, it does require you to have Waninkoko’s Custom IOS installed.

This is a unprecedented moment in Nintendo Wii hacking history as is probably going to cause a massive movement in the scene. Too bad Nintendo didn’t take Bushing’s advice on blocking the method of doing this. Maybe they will now? Of course, this sort of thing isn’t condoned by the “general” homebrew scene and when it’s released will ultimately lead to some turmoil.

TehSkeen doesn’t support piracy. We don’t index releases, we don’t spread torrents, we don’t run contests to dump VC/Wiiware games. Heck, we don’t host any tools to inject WAD files with. Waninkoko’s motivation for creating the ISO Loader is unknown, but it is illegal and morally wrong to use it for booting illegal copies of games you don’t own.

The last paragraph has pretty much been a staple disclaimer for any kind of console video-game backups. It dates clear back to when NES emulators for the PC were programmed and dumping the information off of the cartridge into ROM files were the standard ways to make backup copies of legitimately paid for games. One of the more infamous disclaimers was basically (paraphrased as there is frequent variations of this particular one) ‘if you do not legitimately own the game for the respective ROM, you must delete the ROM within 24 hours.’

While some are arguing that this is merely fair use and an extension of the practice of backing up PC games, people like the reporter from GIzmondo have quickly called the news as “the Holy Grail of Wii piracy”

Is there cause for concern over the possibility that Nintendo would do everything in its power to stop such technology? Nintendo has already legally pursued companies importing R4 chips for the Nintendo DS in Japan just two months ago. It’s unclear whether or not they would go after a non-profit entity though.

Whichever side a person is on, those who watch what is going on with Nintendo Wii hacking have almost unanimously agreed that what has happened will have a huge impact for Nintendo Wii fans. It is pretty much only the beginning of things to come, but what they are is, naturally, yet to be seen.

For those of you looking to get the most of your fancy new Wii or PS3, Video 9 offers a free video conversion program that allows you to convert .AVI, .MOV, .MPEG, .MWV, .DVX, and other types of video format files in one easy to use interface for playback on your gaming console.

Simple, free, and easy to use, Video 9 allows you get the most from your downloaded video content by allowing you to play it from the relative comfort of your living room using whichever gaming console you desire.

So how does it all work? I’ve compiled a series of screenshots and instructions for you take a look at and follow to get you started.

1. Download Video 9

There is are PS3 and Wii titled versions of Video 9 but, each will convert video files for either gaming console so it really doesn’t matter which one you use.

2. Install
3. Run
4. Converting Video
a) Find the titles you wish to convert.

b) Select the the type of gaming console you wish to convert the video file for playback on.

c) Click the “start” tab

d) In the “Library” menu tab, select the video file and the gaming console you wish to send it to after connecting it to your PC.

So as you can see, Video 9 is a pretty straightforward and easy program to use. I recommend you check it out and take a look for yourself.

DOWNLOAD VIDEO 9
digg_url = ‘http://digg.com/gaming_news/GUIDE_Video_9_free_video_conversion_tool_for_your_Wii_or_PS3′;

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Watch The Simpsons, The Office, Jackass, South Park, Lost, X-Men, and More On-Demand For Free

SOULXTC: “walkin’ the streets of P2P”

There’s no need for pesky emulators or nintendo download packages, simply select the game from the scrollbar on the left hand side of your browser and then get ready to “lock and load.”

There are tons of games to choose from, so go ahead and start playing.

For those of you that don’t have an Xbox or a Playstation 2, or for those looking for a quick workplace gaming escape, this is a perfect fix for a lazy afternoon..

The only real requirement to play the nintendo games is that you need Java 1.5.0 or higher and that’s it. It makes for a nice site to be able to play your favorite old school games from either work, school, or home. If you can’t get the The Virtual Nintendo Entertainment System to work correctly, update your version of Java and try FireFox if IE does not work.

Gaming Forums
Stop by the Zeropaid gaming forums

Below is a screenshot of vNES. Notice the homepage details games available on the left-hand side of the screen , and a brief game control description on the right.

The Virtual Nintendo Entertainment System with 395 Games!

Here are some screenshots of a few of my favorite games (Paperboy not included).

Then there’s good ol’ RC Pro Am.

…and of course everyone’s favorite, The Legend of Zelda. Is it just me or does that darn soundtrack still bring back memories?

In any event check it out, it’s a quick and easy way to “veg out” on some old school classics no matter where you’re at.

CHECK OUT vNES

BELOW IS A LIST OF ALL THE AVAILABLE GAMES
10-Yard Fight
1942
1943 – The Battle Of Midway
3D Battles Of World Runner
8 Eyes
A Boy & His Blob
Addams Family, The
Addams Family – Pugsley’s Scavenger Hunt
Adv. Dungeons & Dragons – Dragon Strike
Adv. Dungeons & Dragons – Heros of the Lance
Adv. Dungeons & Dragons – Pool of Radiance
Adventure Island
Adventure Island II
Adventure Island III
Adventures Of Lolo
All-Pro Basketball
Alpha Mission
Al Unser Jr.’s Turbo Racing
Amagon
American Gladiators
Anticipation
Arkanoid
Astyanax
Athena
Attack Of The Killer Tomatoes
Balloon Fight
Baseball
Baseball Stars
Baseball Stars 2
Batman
Batman Returns
Battleship
Battletoads
Bionic Commando
Bomberman 24K
Bomberman II
Bonk’s Adventure
Bubble Bobble
Bubble Bobble Part 2
Bucky O’Hare
Bugs Bunny Birthday Blowout
Bugs Bunny Crazy Castle
BurgerTime
Casino Kid
Casino Kid 2
Castelian
CastleVania
CastleVania 2: Simon’s Quest
Chessmaster, The
Chip ‘n Dale Rescue Rangers
Chip ‘n Dale Rescue Rangers 2
Clu Clu Land
Contra
Contra Force
Darkwing Duck
Deja Vu
Devil World
Dick Tracy
Donkey Kong
Donkey Kong Jr.
Donkey Kong Jr. Math
Donkey Kong 3
Double Dragon
Double Dragon 2
Double Dragon 3
Dr. Mario
Dragon Power
Dragon Warrior
Dragon Warrior 2
Dragon’s Lair
DuckTales
DuckTales 2
ExciteBike
Faxanadu
Felix The Cat
Final Fantasy
Friday The 13th
Galaga
Ghostbusters
Ghostbusters 2
Ghoul School
Goal!
Goal! Two
Godzilla – Monster of Monsters
Golf
Gradius
Gun.Smoke
Gyruss
Ice Climber
Ice Hockey
Ikari Warriors
Ikari Warriors 2
Ikari Warriors 3
Image Fight
Ironman Stewart’s Super Off-Road
Jackal
James Bond Jr.
Jaws
Joust
Jurassic Park
Kabuki Quantum Fighter
Kid Icarus
King’s Knight
Kirby’s Adventure
Kiwi Kraze
Knight Rider
Kung Fu
Legend Of Kage
Legend Of Zelda
Legend Of Zelda 2: Adventure Of Link
Legendary Wings
Lemmings
Lifeforce
Little Mermaid
Little Nemo: The Dream Master
Little Samson
Lode Runner
M.C. Kids
Mach Rider
Magic Of Scheherazade
Maniac Mansion
Marble Madness
Mario Brothers
Mario Is Missing
Mario’s Time Machine
Mega Man
Mega Man 2
Mega Man 3
Mega Man 4
Mega Man 5
Mega Man 6
Metal Gear
Metroid
Mickey Mousecapade
Micro Machines
Mighty Bomb Jack
Mighty Final Fight
Milon’s Secret Castle
Millipede
Mission Impossible
Monopoly
Monster In My Pocket
Monster Party
Ms. Pac-Man
Ninja Gaiden
Ninja Gaiden 2: Dark Sword of Chaos
Ninja Gaiden 3: Ancient Ship of Doom
Nobunaga’s Ambition
Nobunaga’s Ambition 2
Overlord
Pac-Man
Paperboy
Paperboy 2
Pinball
Pinball Quest
Pipe Dream
Popeye
Power Blade
Power Blade 2
Prince Of Persia
Princess Tomato in Salad Kingdom
Pro Wrestling
Q*Bert
Raid on Bungeling Bay
R.B.I. Baseball
R.B.I. Baseball 2
R.B.I. Baseball 3
R.C. Pro-Am
Rad Racer
Rescue – Embassy Mission
RoboCop
RoboCop 2
Rollerball
Rush’n Attack
Rygar
Seicross
Shatterhand
Side Pocket
Simpsons – Bart Vs. Space Mutants
Simpsons – Bart Vs. The World
Simpsons – Bartman Meets Radioactive Man
Slalom
Snake Rattle’n Roll
Snake’s Revenge
Snoopy’s Silly Sports Spectacular
Soccer
Solstice
Spider-Man – Return of The Sinister 6
Spy Hunter
Strider
Star Trek – 25th Anniversary
Star Trek – The Next Generation
StarTropics
Super C
Super Mario Brothers
Super Mario Brothers 2
Super Mario Brothers 3
Super Spike V’Ball
Superman
Tecmo Baseball
Tecmo Bowl
Tecmo Cup – Soccer Game
Tecmo NBA Basketball
Tecmo Super Bowl
Tecmo World Wrestling
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 2
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Tournament
Tennis
Tiger-Heli
Times of Lore
Tiny Toon Adventures
Top Gun
Top Players’ Tennis
Totally Rad
Touch Down Fever
Toxic Crusaders
Track & Field
Track & Field 2
Treasure Master
Twin Cobra
Ufouria
Ultima – Exodus
Ultima – Quest of The Avatar
Ultima – Warriors of Destiny
Uninvited
Urban Champion
Vegas Dream
Vice – Project Doom
Volleyball
Wacky Races
Wall Street Kid
Wheel of Fortune – Starring Vanna White
Where in Time is Carmen Sandiego?
Who Framed Roger Rabbit?
Widget
Wrecking Crew
Wurm
WWF – King of The Ring
WWF – Wrestlemania
WWF – Wrestlemania Challenge
Xenophobe
Xevious
Yo! Noid
Yoshi
Yoshi’s Cookie
Zanac
Zombie Nation

The Wii Hardware

- Nintendo Wii’s ‘Broadway’ CPU operates at 729MHZ with a maximum bandwith of 1.9gbyte/sec.
- Nintendo Wii’s ‘HollyWood’ GPU is clocked at 243MHZ, the internal memory of it includes 3mb of embedded graphics memory and 24megabytes of high speed main memory.
- 64megabytes of GDDR3 (MEM2) as the external main memory. Just like the internal memory, it can be accessed from the CPU and GPU with a maximum bandwidth of 4gbytes/sec and can also store programs in the MEM2.
- The GPU of the Wii is identical to the GC’s but it is on average 1.5X faster.

Wii’s Optical Disc Drive

- Opitcal Disc Drive (ODD) supports single and dual layer Wii disks, discs eject with software or button and the maximum read speed is the equivalent of DVDx6.
- Two main disc types supported the single sided 12cm single sided 4.7gb and the double sided 8.51 GB. Nintendo GC discs also supported. Some of the capacity of the discs are used by the system and games can not use full disc space.
- Inserting a disc will start the Wii console, even if it was already in an off state. Pressing the eject button will change the console to an on state to take out the disc also.

General Overview

- An optional wired LAN adapter that connects to a USB port is in the pipeline for users who do not possess a wireless LAN set-up currently.
- Internal non-removable 512MB flash memory used to storage game save data and downloadable content thus eliminating the Need for a memory card.
- Both Wii discs and Gamecube discs can be played via an intelligent mode swap. When running in GC mode, the Wii’s CPU and GPU will lower to the respective speeds of the GC and some of the MEM2 functions as ARAM.
- Software development environment is an upgrade to the ‘Dolphin SDK’ used with the GC; the same libraries are used so developers can get up to scratch easily as well as the possibility of ports being easier.
- The following interfaces are included with the Wii; SD card slot, Wireless controller, two USB 2.0 ports, wireless LAN, 4x GC controller ports, 2x GC memory card slots and an AV multi output jack (only an analog jack).
- Supports Wii disks (one sided 12cm) and GC discs (one sided 8cm) and console auto switches depends on what disk is inserted
- More than just the Nunchaku is planned as an extension. GC peripherals such as DK bongos can be used in both Wii and GC modes.
- Three power status, on, off and unplugged. To prevent mistaken turn offs, the power button must be held for about a second.

While Nintendo has not made any formal announcements about the launch date for the Wii, most of the industry has expected the machine to hit retail at approximately the same time as Sony’s PlayStation 3 (which is set for November 17). Now, industry observers – and insiders – say they expect the system to be available in October, with late September a dark horse candidate.

Want more video game news and commentary? Click Mario Morris.

Indeed, the company appears to be already manufacturing final retail units of the Wii, according to a June 21st analyst’s note from P.J. McNealy of American Technology Research. That would give it a significant head start over Sony (Charts), which has yet to begin final manufacturing of the PlayStation 3. Microsoft’s first Xbox 360 did not roll off the assembly line last year until 69 days before the on sale date of Nov. 22. (That late start in production is the root cause behind last holiday’s shortages.)

“October is a reasonable timeframe,” wrote McNealy.

Between the fourth quarter of 2006 and March 31, 2007, Nintendo expects to ship 6 million Wii systems worldwide, the company said.
Photos: Nintendo’s Wii controller

While the device lacks the same level of gaming power offered by Microsoft’s Xbox 360 and Sony’s PlayStation 3, its unique controller has prompted gamers to mark it as a contender.

Nintendo first demonstrated the Wii controller to the gaming community this month in Los Angeles at E3, the Electronic Entertainment Expo.