Datel dump Wii Freeloader following Nintendo clampdown on imports

Following on from the news that a new firmware update issued by Nintendo for its Wii console renders Datel's Freeloader boot disc useless, the company has now removed the product from its website. Last week, it was revealed that the optional Wii firmware update was a part of Nintendo's clampdown on gamers from Europe who currently buy cheaper games from the US and Japan. Of course, Ninty wants Europeans to pay premium prices for games, so it has also been taking measures to do a mandatory install of the update on all consoles that land with them for repair.

There's absolutely no point in Datel continuing to sell the product and a statement on its website reads:
Please note, due to circumstances beyond our control Wii Freeloader is not compatible with latest version Wii firmware 3.3 and higher, just released (released as an online update 17/06/2008).


You can continue to use Wii Freeloader perfectly with any Wii console running firmware 3.2 and below. If you upgrade to Wii firmware 3.3 or higher this WILL disable the Freeloader function and it will stop working for all future use on all import games.

You can still grab the Freeloader from other sites, but what's the point? It's game over, for now.

UPDATE :: Wii hacked