Update To Photo Channel (1.1)

As most have already found out, the update to the photo channel has been released. Unfortunately, this update will cause your Wii to lose its ability to play MP3 files. You do, however, gain the ability to play AAC files. I don’t personally know of anyone who uses the Photo Channel, but I’m sure there are plenty of people out there who do.

If you downloaded the update not knowing that you were going to lose your MP3 playback, there is a way to downgrade to version 1.0. Just follow the downgrade instructions at brought to you via Nintendo. If you bought your Wii with version 1.1 of the Photo Channel already installed (Dec. 07), your out of luck. You can’t rollback the photo channel on those Wii.

Going back to Photo Channel 1.0
If you updated to Photo Channel 1.1, but have decided you prefer Photo Channel 1.0 (for instance if you’d rather have MP3 compatibility instead of AAC), going back is easy. All you have to do is select the Wii button from the Wii menu, choose Data Management, and select “Channels.” Select the Photo Channel icon and confirm you wish to delete it. After that, Photo Channel 1.0 will automatically be available again from your Wii menu. If you ever change your mind, simply go back to the Wii Shop Channel and re-download Photo Channel 1.1!

Please note that Wii consoles that come with Photo Channel 1.1 pre-installed at the factory will not have the ability to delete that version and downgrade to Photo Channel 1.0 (these consoles became available at retail in December, 2007).

Virtual Console Games For 12-17-07

Here are this weeks Virtual Console releases.

Alien Storm
Developer: SEGA
Publisher: SEGA
Original System: Sega Genesis
Original Release Date: 1991
Genre: Action
Controller Options: Classic, Gamecube and Wii Remote
Wii Points: 800
ESRB Rating: E10+

A homicidal alien race is invading earth, and the only thing that stands between them and world domination are a special forces team known as the “Alien Busters” composed of Karen (absent in the Master System version), Garth (named “Gordon” in some versions) and Scooter (the robot, named “Slammer” in Master System version). In a similar format as other early Sega arcade games, each character has unlimited usage of various short-range attacks, i.e. punches, kicks. They also have the ability to use energy based attacks, such as a flamethrower or a special attack that destroys all the minor enemies on the screen at once, these use up the player’s energy bar, however. The game has 6 stages (8 in the Sega Genesis version) that take the characters from the city streets to the alien mothership.

Cybernator
Developer: NCS
Publisher: HUDSON SOFT
Original System: Super NES
Original Release Date: 1993
Genre: Adventure
Controller Options: Classic and Gamecube
Wii Points: 800
ESRB Rating: E10+

The game takes place in the future, during a time when Earth’s fossil fuels have begun to dwindle. There is a massive war taking place all over the earth for control of these resources, as well as for territorial rights on the moon. The two warring governments, the Axis and Federation, have the ability to go into space and create giant space stations and weapons of mass destruction.

Jake is the game’s protagonist. He is a soldier drafted into the Pacific States’ Marine Corp and pilots a Federation Assault Suit. The Suit has a humanoid shape, with arms, legs, torso, and head. It is equipped with a variety of weapons and other special accessories, giving it full land and minor air capabilities.

Jake and his platoon are tasked with destruction of Bildvorg, the most powerful mech of the Axis forces. The various missions in the game lead up to the completion of this objective.

Monster Lair
Developer: Westone
Publisher: HUDSON SOFT
Original System: TurboGrafx16
Original Release Date: 1990
Genre: Action, Shooter
Controller Options: Classic and Gamecube
Wii Points: 800
ESRB Rating: E

You play a green-haired boy hero (player 1) or a pink-haired girl hero (player 2) who must attack the invaders that attempt to collect weapons and use them to destroy the land. The game starts out like a simple platform game, but it’s just when Wonder Boy enters the skull further on that the game is transformed into a shoot ‘em up, so basically the gameplay consists of action and shooter scenes.