Region-free play for Wii in the works

Angus Kidman
Tuesday, 19 December 2006 06:00

Your IT - Entertainment

Console enhancement company Datel is working to develop software which removes the region coding from Wii games, making it possible to play imported games on the popular (albeit slightly dangerous) new Nintendo console.

Like most earlier console systems and the majority of commercial DVDs, the Wii uses a region-coding system, making it possible to (for instance) release games in Japan that won't work on consoles elsewhere in the world, or stagger releases in different regions.

That's desirable from a purely corporate point of view, but annoying for gamers keen to get their hands on the latest product, or wanting to go on a games shopping spree while traveller.

Datel, which already sells FreeLoader software to allow imported titles to run on the older GameCube console, hinted in a web site post that a similar product for the Wii is in the pipeline.

"All we can say at present is watch this space – we're working on it, and if it's possible, you’ll be the first to know," the message on the company's CodeJunkies site read.

The legality of such software remains a thorny issue. In Australia, systems which break region coding are deemed legal, since region coding itself is deemed to be an impediment to competition. However, hacking into the Nintendo firmware might be deemed a breach of the DMCA in the US and similar copyright legislation worldwide, since it also contains code designed to block pirated software.