Wii Archives

AppWizard

May 10, 2025

PC gaming remains undefeated: Nintendo now says it has the right to brick your Switch if it thinks you’re pirating games or modifying the console

Nintendo has updated its online user agreement, allowing the company to make a console "permanently unusable" if a user violates the agreement. The revised End User License Agreement (EULA) includes extensive restrictions on actions such as publishing, modifying, or distributing Nintendo Account Services, as well as using unauthorized copies. The EULA also places responsibility on legal guardians for minors and emphasizes that users do not own their games outright but merely license them. Concerns about backward compatibility and potential service discontinuation for the upcoming Switch 2 have emerged, alongside a growing preference among gamers for more control over their gaming experiences.

BetaBeacon

May 1, 2025

Why does retro gaming and emulation matter so much?

The author's family primarily played Nintendo and Microsoft games, with limited exposure to Sony consoles. They missed out on playing some Nintendo consoles and games, but now they can easily access a variety of games on their phone. The author has recently become a father and their child is not interested in gaming controllers, only in how they feel or make noise.

AppWizard

April 5, 2025

Nintendo should have cribbed from Valve on how to make a good handheld tech demo

The Nintendo Switch 2 Direct introduced a feature called Welcome Tour, which is priced at 990 yen (approximately £5), though there are speculations it may cost more. The feature has been described as a "glorified tech demo" or a "digital manual." In contrast, Valve's Aperture Desk Job is a free tech demo for the Steam Deck that effectively showcases its functionalities while incorporating humor and narrative elements from the Portal universe. It takes about half an hour to complete and has received positive reviews for its engaging gameplay and clever references. Many players find it both entertaining and educational. In comparison, the Welcome Tour has been criticized for its generic presentation and lack of creativity, highlighting a disparity between Nintendo's past successes and its current offerings.

BetaBeacon

April 4, 2025

Nintendo made its own Switch emulator… for the Nintendo Switch 2

The Nintendo Switch 2 will use emulation to achieve backwards compatibility with original Switch games.

BetaBeacon

March 30, 2025

I tested game emulators on the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra, but found a better option instead

The Vulkan API is the future of Android gaming and provides a performance boost for modern mobile GPUs. The Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite is currently the best chip for emulation, offering steady frame rates across games and emulators.

BetaBeacon

March 22, 2025

This overkill Android Game Boy is better than my memories of the real thing

The AYANEO Pocket DMG is a luxury, Game Boy-styled handheld device that offers a classic vertical format for enjoying retro games.

AppWizard

March 11, 2025

Nintendo is the only company in games that doesn’t have to worry about PC

Nintendo has established a unique position in the gaming industry by focusing on its legacy and the joy it brings to players, rather than competing directly with advancements in PC gaming. The success of the Nintendo Switch has reinforced its status as a leading gaming company, akin to Disney in the film industry. Nintendo's characters, like Mario, have become iconic and are recognized across generations, contributing to the company's sustained success. The company has produced influential games that have shaped the industry, and its characters are integrated into everyday life through various merchandise and experiences. Nintendo prioritizes creating engaging gameplay over cutting-edge hardware, as demonstrated by the innovative motion controls of the Wii. The company's commitment to its unique vision and individuality has allowed it to thrive without conforming to industry trends, maintaining strong consumer loyalty and anticipation for future releases.

Winsage

March 11, 2025

You Can Now Run Windows NT on a Nintendo Wii

A new workaround allows users to run Windows NT on a Nintendo Wii by downloading necessary binaries, extracting them onto an SD card, and partitioning the disk. After installing the Flipper interrupt controller in the Hardware Abstraction Layer, users can utilize various input options, including GameCube and N64 controllers, an N64 mouse, and an N64 Randnet keyboard, as well as standard USB keyboards and mice through Vegas USB controllers. However, network support is not currently available.