Jailbroken Wiis gain access to a revived digital storefront

[Daniel Sims]

In brief: Nintendo shut down the Wii's digital store in 2019, making many exclusive games inaccessible. If modders complete work on Rii Shop, Wiis running custom firmware will regain the ability to browse the store and download all of its software at no cost. It's unclear whether Nintendo can shut the project down.

An unofficial version of the Wii Shop, where Wii owners once bought and downloaded digital software, recently entered public beta. Many critical functions, including downloading games and apps, don't work yet, but the venture aims to revive the store's entire catalog.

A video demonstration shows that browsing the Rii Shop, formerly called LaunchShop, looks nearly identical to the official Wii store. The interface, store listings, and iconic Wii Shop music are all unchanged. Users can browse general-purpose apps like streaming services in the Wii Channels section and digital Wii titles in the WiiWare selection. However, Virtual Console, where Nintendo sold hundreds of classic titles, isn't yet available.

All downloads will be free once they become functional. Users will still "purchase" games and apps with Wii points, but no actual monetary transactions will occur.

Wii owners could no longer buy digital content on the console after 2019. Although they can still re-download previously purchased items, that functionality will eventually disappear, making Rii Shop likely one of the last methods for new users to acquire Wii-exclusive digital-only titles. Nintendo also phased out new purchases on the Wii U and 3DS but will continue allowing users to re-download existing purchases indefinitely.

Nintendo is notorious for its legal assaults on those offering pirated copies of its games, so the company certainly won't take kindly to Rii Shop. However, hacked Nintendo consoles have long enjoyed easy access to unofficial digital distribution channels like homebrew catalogs. It's unknown whether Nintendo can easily shut down an unofficial Wii Shop.

The company blocked an unofficial store for digital 3DS software in 2018. However, Nintendo was still actively selling 3DS games then, and the homebrew app pulled downloads from Nintendo's servers. Conversely, Wii Shop purchases have been unavailable for years, and it isn't clear whether Rii Shop uses Nintendo's servers.

Trying the Rii Shop beta requires jailbreaking a Wii – a slightly complex process. Then, download the necessary Rii Shop files from the developer's Discord server onto an SD card and insert the card into the Wii. The app should appear as a channel on the main menu screen.

Permalink to story.

https://www.techspot.com/news/101571-jailbroken-wiis-gain-access-revived-digital-storefront.html

 

[3volv3d]

Well, I may just keep mine after all

 

[Kehkou]

You can't "jailbreak" a Wii; that's Iphones. Among the Wii homebrew community, the proper term is 'modding' or 'hacking' a console (applies to 3DS and Wii U mods also).

 

[HeeeF]

You can't "jailbreak" a Wii; that's Iphones. Among the Wii homebrew community, the proper term is 'modding' or 'hacking' a console (applies to 3DS and Wii U mods also).

Tomato, tomato. Potato, potato.

 

[Kehkou]

Tomato, tomato. Potato, potato.

No, Tomato. It's a completely different process. That's like of I called filling my gas tank "jailbreaking" the car.

 

[HeeeF]

No, Tomato. It's a completely different process. That's like of I called filling my gas tank "jailbreaking" the car.

Jailbreaking
Gatekeeping a word is weird. iOS exploits may be the origin of the term, but its use is widespread.

 

[Kehkou]

Jailbreaking
Gatekeeping a word is weird. iOS exploits may be the origin of the term, but its use is widespread.

I have no idea what that means, but that's the first time I've heard that word applied to a console, and I've been heavily involved with the Nintendo homebrew scene since 2007.

The Wii's IOSs are not really exploited anymore, like Trucha; now various other sighax are used instead.

 

[toooooot]

Blessed are the hands of a man who made it possible.
Raise the skull and bone flag lads!

 

[thepikachugamer]

> If modders complete work on Rii Shop...
And so only 12 days later after the public beta releases. Shut down.

 

[ZedRM]

You can't "jailbreak" a Wii; that's Iphones. Among the Wii homebrew community, the proper term is 'modding' or 'hacking' a console (applies to 3DS and Wii U mods also).

Correct. Softmodding is the best of those methods.

 

[ZedRM]

Jailbreaking
Gatekeeping a word is weird. iOS exploits may be the origin of the term, but its use is widespread.

No, pointing out incorrect usage of a word is perfectly acceptable. One does not "jail-break" a game system because it is not locked to a cell-phone network. One mods, or modifies, a game system.

Jail-breaking applies only to devices that are locked to a specific cellular communications network.

 

[HeeeF]

No, pointing out incorrect usage of a word is perfectly acceptable. One does not "jail-break" a game system because it is not locked to a cell-phone network. One mods, or modifies, a game system.

Jail-breaking applies only to devices that are locked to a specific cellular communications network.

Right... so iPhone jailbreaking isn't jailbreaking per your definition. This is just a silly game of semantics, let it go.

 

[ZedRM]

Right... so iPhone jailbreaking isn't jailbreaking per your definition. This is just a silly game of semantics, let it go.

Your conclusion is incorrect. In the early days of iPhone, when the term "jail-breaking" was coined, they were locked to specific cell service networks. In the USA, that was AT&T. "Jail-breaking" said iPhones allowed for use on networks other than AT&T. That is the history and proper use of the term.

So again, this is not "gate-keeping" a word, but instead correction of the improper use of a term. In other words, if you want to use a term, make sure you understand the context.

 

[HeeeF]

Your conclusion is incorrect. In the early days of iPhone, when the term "jail-breaking" was coined, they were locked to specific cell service networks. In the USA, that was AT&T. "Jail-breaking" said iPhones allowed for use on networks other than AT&T. That is the history and proper use of the term.

So again, this is not "gate-keeping" a word, but instead correction of the improper use of a term. In other words, if you want to use a term, make sure you understand the context.

Congrats on the appointment Mr Word Police, I'm sure you'll make a damn fine Constable.

 

[ZedRM]

Congrats on the appointment Mr Word Police, I'm sure you'll make a damn fine Constable.

You started this by criticizing @Kehkou above. You can't complain when someone corrects your mistake.