Datel’s FreeLoader software supposedly makes any Wii multi-region. Whilst this is a very good thing, there is very little information on just how effective the FreeLoader software is. So Tikipod decided to test his collection of GameCube games (and 1 US Wii game) to find out.

Test system:

• UK Wii Console - set to 60 Hz 4:3 screen mode
• Sony CRT TV (handles 60hz mode)
• RGB SCART lead
• COMPONENT lead - For CARNIVAL game test
• Wii FreeLoader - EURO version (£9.99 from Play.com)

Games tested and results: (GameCube unless otherwise indicated)

• PIKMIN (JAP) - Works fine
• PIKMIN 2 (JAP) - Doesn’t work
• PN03 (JAP) - Works but has squashed display
• SUPER MONKEYBALL (JAP) - Works fine
• METROID PRIME (US) - Works but with some pre-game menu issues (in game ok)
• ZELDA - WINDWAKER (US) - Doesn’t work
• ZELDA - WINDWAKER BONUS DISK - OCARINA OF TIME (US) - Doesn’t work
• RESIDENT EVIL 4 (US) - Works but has squashed display
• WAVERACE: BLUE STORM (JAP) - Works but with thin flickering band near the top of the screen. Gameplay unaffected but flickering band is annoying
• VIEWTIFUL JOE (JAP) - Works but with squashed display and playback issues with pre-menu movies
• DOBUTSO BANCHO (ANIMAL LEADER) - Works but has squashed display
• CARNIVAL (US - Wii Version) - Works but need to use COMPONENT lead otherwise the colours are all screwy (red and black)

As you can see, most of the games tested worked, but a number suffered some sort of issue. Tikipod didn’t test any JAP Wii games, as he didn’t have any available. According to one of the comments on the Play.com Freeloader product page Super Smash Brothers Brawl (US) works just fine so you can all rest easy.

Oh, and the recent reports that the latest Wii firmware update (called IOS37) disables FreeLoader is a hoax. However, with all the Wii firmware updates that Nintendo rolls out there’s no guarantee that FreeLoader won’t be disabled by one of them in the future.

Update 24th Mar 08: Carnival is a Wii game, so updated the post accordingly.

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Voice chat can make all the difference in an MMO. When I first started Guild Wars I played almost exclusively with pick-up groups, aka PUGs. (That’s random people brought together by their need to complete the same quest). In a Guild Wars PUG, communication is almost exclusively done through typing very short sentences (”pull shaman now!” “Ack, wait!” “Rez, plz…”) and drawing directions on the in-game map. I haven’t seen a group yet where someone doesn’t attempt to draw either a penis, boobs or a smiley face during the inevitable long walk from A to B.

All that changed when my friends bought the game. Voice communication is essential for a game like Guild Wars where quick reactions can make or break a battle. It’s far too easy to miss instructions as they whizz past on the screen.

Being the cheap-arses that we are, my team couldn’t be bothered to sign up for a dedicated team VoIP system. There were only four of us so we used Skype’s conference call feature. It has problems but it did the job. I can’t imagine ever going back to typing out tactical discussions. Less typing means I can spend more time on perfecting my penis-drawing skills reacting quickly in the heat of battle to save my fellow guildies. Continue Reading

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So, taking a break from the recent spate of negative posts… I found some nice space-saving DS Lite cases at GAME’s online store. They’re coming in very handy for my bag rammed with personal gadgets.

GAME call them mittens and they looked a bit dodgy in the shop but are actually really well-designed. The material feels like a thick sock, so keeps things reasonably protected. The mittens themselves are a few centimetres longer than a DS Lite - there’s no danger of your shiny finish being exposed to keys or other pointy hazards. Continue Reading

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