Wii system software

The Wii system software is a discontinued set of updatable firmware versions and a software frontend on the Wii home video game console. Updates, which can be downloaded over the Internet or read from a game disc, allowed Nintendo to add additional features and software, as well as to patch security vulnerabilities used by users to load homebrew software. When a new update became available, Nintendo sent a message to the Wii Message Board of Internet-connected systems notifying them of the available update.

Wii system software
DeveloperNintendo
Written inC, C++ / PPC
OS familyNintendo proprietary
Working stateDiscontinued
Source modelClosed source
Initial release1.0 / November 19, 2006 (2006-11-19)
Latest release4.3 / September 7, 2010 (2010-09-07)[1]
Available inChinese (Simplified), Chinese (Traditional), Dutch, English (United Kingdom), English (United States), French (Canada), French (France), German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Spanish (Latin America), Spanish (Spain)
Update methodDirect Download
Game Disc
PlatformsWii, Wii U
Succeeded byWii U system software

Most game discs, including first-party and third-party games, include system software updates[2][3] so that systems that are not connected to the Internet can still receive updates. The system menu will not start such games if their updates have not been installed, so this has the consequence of forcing users to install updates in order to play these games.[2] Some games, such as online games like Super Smash Bros. Brawl and Mario Kart Wii, contain specific extra updates, such as the ability to receive Wii Message Board posts from game-specific addresses; therefore, these games always require that an update be installed before their first time running on a given console.

Technology

IOS
Not to be confused with Apple iOS or Cisco IOS.

The Wii's firmware is in the form of IOSes, thought by the Wii homebrew developers to stand for "Input Output Systems" or "Internal Operating Systems".[4] IOS runs on a separate ARM926EJ-S processor, unofficially nicknamed Starlet. The patent for the Wii U shows a similar device which is simply named "Input/Output Processor".[5] IOS controls I/O between the code running on the main Broadway processor and the various Wii that does not also exist on the GameCube.[6][7]

Except for bug fixes, new IOS versions do not replace existing IOS versions. Instead, Wii consoles have multiple IOS versions installed. All native Wii software (including games distributed on Nintendo optical discs, the System Menu itself, Virtual Console games, WiiWare, and Wii Channels), with the exception of certain homebrew applications, have the IOS version hardcoded into the software.

When the software is run, the IOS that is hardcoded gets loaded by the Wii, which then loads the software itself. If that IOS does not exist on the Wii, in the case of disc-based software, it gets installed automatically (after the user is prompted). With downloaded software, this should not theoretically happen, as the user cannot access the shop to download software unless the player has all the IOS versions that they require. However, if homebrew is used to forcefully install or run a piece of software when the required IOS does not exist, the user is brought back to the system menu.

Nintendo created this system so that new updates would not unintentionally break compatibility with older games, but it does have the side effect that it uses up space on the Wii's internal NAND Flash memory. IOSes are referred to by their number, which can theoretically be between 0 and 254, although many numbers are skipped, presumably being development versions that were never completed.

Only one IOS version can run at any given time. The only time an IOS is not running is when the Wii enters GameCube backward compatibility mode, during which the Wii runs a variant of IOS specifically for GameCube games, MIOS, which contains a modified version of the GameCube's IPL. Custom IOSes, called cIOSes, can be installed with homebrew. The main purpose of cIOS is to allow homebrew users to use other homebrew apps such as USB Loader GX (allows games stored in the WBFS file format to be ran from a USB stick).[8][9]

User interface

The system provides a graphical interface to the Wii's abilities. All games run directly on the Broadway processor, and either directly interface with the hardware (for the hardware common to the Wii and GameCube), or interface with IOS running on the ARM architecture processor (for Wii-specific hardware). The ARM processor does not have access to the screen, and therefore neither does IOS. This means that while a piece of software is running, everything seen on the screen comes from that software, and not from any operating system or firmware. Therefore, the version number reported by the Wii is actually only the version number of the System Menu. This is why some updates do not result in a change of the version number: the System Menu itself is not updated, only (for example) IOSes and channels. As a side effect, this means it is impossible for Nintendo to implement any functions that would affect the games themselves, for example an in-game system menu (similar to the Xbox 360's in-game Dashboard or the PlayStation 3's in-game XMB).[10]

The Wii Menu (known internally as the System Menu) is the name of the user interface for the Wii game console, and it is the first thing to be seen when the system boots up. Similar to many other video game consoles, the Wii is not only about games. For example, it is possible to install applications such as Netflix to stream media (without requiring a disc) on the Wii. The Wii Menu let users access both game and no-game functions through built-in applications called Channels, which are designed to represent television channels. There are six primary channels: the Disc Channel, Mii Channel, Photo Channel, Wii Shop Channel, Forecast Channel and News Channel, although the latter two were not initially included and only became available via system updates. Some of the functions provided by these Channels on the Wii used to be limited to a computer, such as a full-featured web browser and digital photo viewer. Users can also use Channels to create and share cartoon-like digital avatars called Miis and download new games and Channels directly from the Wii Shop Channel.[11] New Channels include for example the Everybody Votes Channel and the Internet Channel. Separate Channels are graphically displayed in a grid and can be navigated using the pointer capability of the Wii Remote.[12] Users can also rearrange these Channels if they are not satisfied with how the Channels are originally organized on the menu.[13]

Network features

The Wii system supports wireless connectivity with the Nintendo DS handheld console with no additional accessories. This connectivity allows players to use the Nintendo DS microphone and touch screen as inputs for Wii games. Pokémon Battle Revolution is the first example Nintendo has given of a game using Nintendo DS-Wii connectivity. Nintendo later released the Nintendo Channel for the Wii allowing its users to download game demos or additional data to their Nintendo DS.

Like many other video game consoles, the Wii console is able to connect to the Internet, although this is not required for the Wii system itself to function. Each Wii has its own unique 16-digit Wii Code for use with Wii's non-game features. With Internet connection enabled users are able to access the established Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection service. Wireless encryption by WEP, WPA (TKIP/RC4) and WPA2 (CCMP/AES) is supported.[14] AOSS support was added in System Menu version 3.0.[15] As with the Nintendo DS, Nintendo does not charge for playing via the service;[16][17] the 12-digit Friend Code system controls how players connect to one another. The service has a few features for the console, including the Virtual Console, WiiConnect24 and several Channels. The Wii console can also communicate and connect with other Wii systems through a self-generated wireless LAN, enabling local wireless multiplayer on different television sets. The system also implements console-based software, including the Wii Message Board. One can connect to the Internet with third-party devices as well.[18][19]

The Wii console also includes a web browser known as the Internet Channel, which is a version of the Opera 9 browser with menus. It is meant to be a convenient way to access the web on the television screen, although it is far from offering a comfortable user interface compared with modern Internet browsers. A virtual keyboard pops up when needed for input, and the Wii Remote acts like a mouse, making it possible to click anywhere on the screen and navigate through web links. However, the browser cannot always handle all the features of most normal web pages, although it does support Adobe Flash, thus capable of playing Flash games.[20] Some third-party services such as the online BBC iPlayer were also available on the Wii via the Internet Channel browser, although BBC iPlayer was later relaunched as the separate BBC iPlayer Channel on the Wii.[21] In addition, Internet access including the Internet Channel and system updates may be restricted by the parental controls feature of the Wii.[19]

Backward compatibility

The original designs of the Nintendo Wii console, more specifically the Wii models made pre-2011 were fully backward compatible with GameCube devices including game discs, memory cards and controllers. This was because the Wii hardware had ports for both GameCube memory cards, and peripherals and its slot-loading drive was able to accept and read the previous console's discs. GameCube games work with the Wii without any additional configuration, but a GameCube controller is required to play GameCube titles; neither the Wii Remote or the Classic Controller functions in this capacity. The Wii supports progressive-scan output in 480p-enabled GameCube titles. Peripherals can be connected via a set of four GameCube controller sockets and two Memory Card slots (concealed by removable flip-open panels).[22] The console retains connectivity with the Game Boy Advance and e-Reader through the Game Boy Advance Cable, which is used in the same manner as with the GameCube; however, this feature can only be accessed on select GameCube titles which previously utilized it.

There are also a few limitations in the backward compatibility. For example, online and LAN features of certain GameCube games were not available since the Wii does not have serial ports for the Nintendo GameCube Broadband Adapter and Modem Adapter.[23] The Wii uses a proprietary port for video output, and is incompatible with all Nintendo GameCube audio/video cables (composite video, S-Video, component video and RGB SCART). The console also lacks the GameCube footprint and high-speed port needed for Game Boy Player support.[24] Furthermore, only GameCube functions were available and only compatible memory cards and controllers could be used when playing a GameCube game. This is due to the fact that the Wii's internal memory would not save GameCube data.

Because of the original device's backward compatibility with earlier Nintendo products players can enjoy a massive selection of older games on the console in addition to hundreds of newer Wii game titles. However, South Korean units lack GameCube backward compatibility.[25][26] Also, the redesigned Wii Family Edition and Wii Mini, launched in 2011 and 2013 respectively, had this compatibility stripped out.[25] Nevertheless, there is another service called Virtual Console which allow users to download older games from prior Nintendo platforms (namely the Nintendo Entertainment System, Super NES and Nintendo 64) onto their Wii console, as well as games from non-Nintendo platforms such as the Genesis and TurboGrafx-16.

List of additional Channels

This is a list of new Wii Channels released beyond the four initial Channels (i.e. Disc Channel, Mii Channel, Photo Channel and Wii Shop Channel) included in the original consoles. The News Channel and the Forecast Channel were released as part of system updates so separate downloads were not required. As of January 30, 2019, all channels listed below have been discontinued with the exception of the Wii Fit Channel and the Internet Channel.

Additional Wii Channels
New channels added Regions Download Released Discontinued
Amazon Instant Video Channel Y 2013-01-17 January 17, 2013 January 30, 2019
BBC iPlayer Channel Y 2009-11-18 November 18, 2009 February 10, 2015
Check Mii Out Channel Y 2007-11-12 November 12, 2007 June 28, 2013
Crunchyroll Channel Y October 15, 2015 May 5, 2017
Daigasso! Band Brothers DX Speaker Channel Y 2008-06-26 June 26, 2008 Permanent channel
Demae Channel Y 2009-05-26 May 26, 2009 March 31, 2017
Digicam Print Channel Y 2008-07-23 July 23, 2008 June 28, 2013
Everybody Votes Channel[27] Y 2007-02-13 February 13, 2007 June 28, 2013
Forecast Channel N 2006-12-19 December 19, 2006 June 28, 2013
Hulu Plus Channel Y 2012-02-16 February 16, 2012 January 30, 2019
Internet Channel[28] Y 2007-04-11 April 11, 2007 Permanent channel
Mario Kart Channel N 2008-04-10 April 10, 2008 - April 27, 2008 Reduced functionality after May 20, 2014
Metroid Prime 3 Preview Channel Y 2007-08-10 August 10, 2007 2008
Netflix Channel Y 2010-10-18 October 18, 2010 - January 9, 2012 January 30, 2019
News Channel N 2007-01-26 January 26, 2007 June 28, 2013
Nintendo Channel Y 2007-11-27 November 27, 2007 - May 30, 2008 June 28, 2013
Television Friend Channel Y 2008-03-04 March 4, 2008 July 24, 2011
Today and Tomorrow Channel Y 2008-12-02 December 2, 2008 - September 9, 2009 Permanent channel, no longer obtainable
Wii Fit Channel N (except ) 2007-12-01 December 1, 2007 - May 21, 2008 Permanent channel
Wii no Ma Y 2009-05-01 May 1, 2009 April 30, 2012
Wii Speak Channel Y 2008-12-05 December 5, 2008 May 20, 2014
YouTube Channel Y 2012-11-15 November 15, 2012 - December 10, 2012 June 30, 2017

See also

Other gaming platforms from Nintendo:

Other gaming platforms from the next generation:

Other gaming platforms from this generation:

References
  1. System Menu Update History
  2. "Guitar Hero 5 Forces Mandatory Wii System Update". 5Frets.com. 2 September 2009. Archived from the original on 5 September 2009.
  3. Jones, Steven E.; Thiruvathukal, George K. (24 February 2012). "Channeling the System: Access, Distribution, and Transmission". Codename Revolution: The Nintendo Wii Platform. Platform Studies. MIT Press. p. 100. ISBN 978-0-262-01680-3.
  4. Bushing (2009-06-30). "IOS: history, build process". HackMii.
  5. active 20110190052, assigned to Nintendo Co Ltd
  6. "Hardware/Starlet". Wiibrew. Archived from the original on 16 May 2020. Retrieved 14 June 2020.
  7. "IOS". Wiibrew. Archived from the original on 3 March 2020. Retrieved 21 June 2020.
  8. RiiConnect24. "cIOS". Wii Guide. Retrieved 2020-12-26.
  9. RiiConnect24. "USB Loader GX". Wii Guide. Retrieved 2020-12-26.
  10. marcan (2009-02-28). "Why the Wii will never get any better". HackMii.
  11. "Wii For Dummies", by Kyle Orland, p3-4
  12. "WII Game Creation for Teens", by Michael Duggan, p36
  13. Wii Menu: Rearranging Channels
  14. "Choosing a Wireless Router". Nintendo. Retrieved December 13, 2006.
  15. Harris, Craig (August 8, 2007). "Overlooked Wii 3.0 Update Function". IGN. Retrieved November 16, 2012.
  16. "Nintendo hopes Wii spells wiinner". USA Today. August 15, 2006. Retrieved August 16, 2006.
  17. Johnson, Stephen (July 18, 2006). "Secret Wii Details Revealed". The Feed. G4. Retrieved July 20, 2006.
  18. "Nyko Net Connect". Game Informer. 178: 44. February 2008.
  19. "WII Game Creation for Teens", by Michael Duggan, p38
  20. "Codename Revolution: The Nintendo Wii Platform", by Steven E. Jones, George K. Thiruvathuka, p119-120
  21. "BBC iPlayer launches Wii channel". BBC. November 13, 2009. Retrieved December 26, 2009.
  22. "Wii: The Total Story". IGN. Archived from the original on December 18, 2006. Retrieved November 20, 2006.CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  23. Why Are Current Consoles Not Backward Compatible?
  24. Falcone, John (December 12, 2006). "Which of my older video games will work on the new consoles?". CNET. Retrieved September 13, 2012.
  25. "New slim Wii announced, won't play GameCube games". Destructoid. Destructoid. Retrieved August 17, 2011.
  26. 김민규 기자 (April 14, 2008). "한국판 Wii, 타 국가게임 '사용불가'" (in Korean). GameSpot. Archived from the original on June 18, 2008. Retrieved September 25, 2008.
  27. "Everybody Votes Channel now available". N-Sider.com. 2007-02-14. Retrieved 2009-01-20.
  28. "Final Internet Channel now available". N-Sider.com. 2007-04-11. Retrieved 2009-01-20.
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