Make Your Wii Region Free With the USB Gecko

Are you a Wii gamer who wants to play games that have been released in other regions without risking the chance of bricking your console? Or are you desperately seeking a replacement for that Datel Freeloader so you can update your firmware? Well look no further! The Wii USB Gecko is your answer to region-free gaming!

The USB Gecko released “Gecko OS,” previously called “Gecko Region Free,” for Wii gaming without the console region restriction. With the Gecko OS, you can play games from other regions on your very own console. The Gecko OS is also constantly updated, so that you are able to play the hottest new releases or to iron out the bugs. The USB Gecko is not a Datel clone either – it was created solely with the homebrew libogc library and decrypts through hardware instead of software.

Here’s a quick walkthrough guide that you can follow to set up your Wii USB Gecko to make your console ready for region-free gaming.

1. Install ‘The Homebrew Channel’ on your Wii console.
2. After installation, turn your console off.

At your Computer…

3. Access your SD card and open the “Apps” folder. Create the folder if it is not in the SD card.
4. Transfer the “Gecko OS” directory into the “Apps” folder.

At your Console…

5. Turn on your Wii.
6. Insert the SD card.
7. Go to ‘The Homebrew Channel’ and click the [Start] button.
8. Select [Config Menu] and apply your preferred settings. Click [Return to Menu] after you set-up your configuration.
9. Lastly, select [Launch Game].

Congratulations! Your Wii is now ready for ready for region-free gaming!

For your convenience – and gaming pleasure – the Gecko OS includes a Wii Remote Debugger, coined as ‘WiiRD,’ which is a full-on package for the ultimate Wii experience. You can manage your memory, develop your own tools or software, access and develop codes, and take screen shots of your gameplay with ease! The WiiRD database already has a full list of NTSC and PAL codes and is updated daily. All support is handled at the USB Gecko forum, so you’re never left in the dark after you set up your Wii USB Gecko!

Buy the USB Gecko for £24.95 here

Newest Wii Firmware Incompatible with the Wii Freeloader

The Wii Freeloader makes it possible to play all kinds of import games from all over the world on the Nintendo Wii; however, the most recent update of the Wii system’s firmware (available via download from Nintendo) has been found to be incompatible with the Wii Freeloader. While the Wii Freeloader is designed to disable parts / elements of most Wii firmware updates which could affect it, the version 3.3 Wii Firmware which was released on 17/06/2008 prevents the Wii Freeloader from operating correctly.

For users of the Wii Freeloader, the easiest solution to keep the Wii Freeloader working is not to download and install the Wii Firmware 3.3 update. The Wii Freeloader is still compatible with all other versions of the Wii Firmware as indicated in its instruction packaging. Any kind of Wii Firmware from version 3.2 and below will run the Wii Freeloader perfectly so that you will be able to play games from any region without being blocked by the region controls on the Wii.

Most users of the Wii Freeloader will not be affected, and will be able to continue using their Wii Freeloader normally, so long as they do not download and install the 3.3 path to upgrade their Wii console’s firmware.

Also, keep in mind that when using the Wii Freeloader, the Wii Freeloader should be used for all games – not just import games. Some regional games will attempt to install additional firmware updates, and this can cause problems with compatibility. However, if you run all of your games through the Wii Freeloader, 99% of these attempted firmware changes will be caught and prevented. By using the Wii Freeloader for all of the games that you put into your Wii, and by not upgrading to the Wii firmware version 3.3, you can continue to make fine use of your Wii Freeloader.

Wii Freeloader UK PAL Euro Instructions

The Wii Freeloader (£9.99) is a fantastic disc for playing import USA/JAP games on your UK Wii, but there are a few instructions you must follow to get it to work. See this guide for a step-by-step tutorial on how to play imported games on your Wii:


Loading a Game

1. If the Game that you wish to play is from an NTSC region then you may need to first set the display setting to 60 Hz. This setting is found in the Tools Menu on your console.
2. Insert the FreeLoader for Wii™ disk and it will automatically load and run.
3. Multiple colour bars on the screen will indicate that FreeLoader for Wii™ is in operation. The colour bars will appear twice then the drive will stop.
4. Eject the Freeloader disk and now insert the NTSC game that you want to play.
5. The Game will play as normal.

Console/Firmware upgrades on Game Discs


Most games have an upgrade program which is loaded before the game application itself. The purpose of the upgrade program is to update your console, where necessary, with new firmware modules. When loading a game from another region on your console this upgrade program may have unpredictable results if loaded.

FreeLoader for Wii™ will automatically prevent this upgrade program from being loaded and will only load the main game application.

A number of games will not function unless the upgrade program has first been loaded and so FreeLoader has an alternate. See below for the selective alternative load method guide for these games.


Alternative method: For Games which require a firmware update

1. Insert the FreeLoader for Wii™ disk and it will automatically load and run.
2. Multiple colour bars on the screen will indicate that FreeLoader for Wii™ is in operation. The colour bars will appear twice then the drive will stop.
3. Eject the Freeloader disk and then RE-INSERT / RE-LOAD the Freeloader disk once more.
4. The multiple colour bars will appear twice more and the drive will again stop.
5. Only after the Freeloader disc has been separately loaded twice, eject the Freeloader disc and now insert the Game Disc that you want to play. The Game will play as normal and this time the upgrade program will be selectively loaded.

CAUTION: Please be aware that allowing the upgrade program to run may, in a number of cases, still cause unwanted effects.

Since any game updates can create unwanted results or even incompatibility with Freeloader, it is recommended that all new games, even ones from your own region, are loaded via Freeloader’s alternative selective upgrade method.


Online Upgrades: A Warning

FreeLoader for Wii™ works with all current versions of Wii firmware at the time of its release (11/03/08).

No guarantee can be given of compatibility with future firmware releases so if Online Updates are performed on your console this may prevent Freeloader from functioning correctly.

We recommend that you consider the benefits of any Online Upgrade against the possible loss of compatibility with freeloader and its functions.


Has this helped you out? Let us know by leaving a comment!

Wii Freeloader Arriving Middle of March: Play All Import Games on Wii for £10.99

Datel have done it again: With the Wii Freeloader, play import Wii games on any Wii console. This means you can play USA Wii games on a UK Wii, Japanese games on a USA Wii or UK games on a Japanese Wii; any combination of regions you can think of, the Wii Freeloader will handle. Datel were previously rumoured to be working on it, but we're now (very) happy to announce it will be arriving in the second week of March at the low price of £10.99 - and it's available for pre-order now.

The confirmed release date is great news as the Wii is not yet known for it's vast library of games, and that number is diminished even further when you realise not every game is released in each region. Instead of waiting months for a UK release, you could play the USA Super Smash Brothers Brawl on your UK Wii right now. Even the hotly touted Wii Mario Kart is expected to debut in America long before it hits UK shores and we'll finally have access to the wide range of quirky Wii Japanese games that developers wouldn't dream of bringing over here.

Best of all, as no modificiation is required so it doesn't invalidate your warranty - and usage couldn't be easier! Just insert the Freeloader before the imported game you want to play, wait for the screen to load and then eject and swap for the intended game. It even works for Gamecube games as well, which opens up a huge back catalogue for the machine.

Region specific discs are a thing of the past as well with the new Wii Freeloader, all these Wii/Gamecube functions are performed from the one disc so no matter which Wii console you own, all you need is the Wii Freeloader. Are you as excited as we are? Leave a comment!

Pre-order it here for £10.99