Dear readers. In my last post for a week (I’m visiting the big smoke - Auckland), I wish I could bring you some good news. Unfortunately I have to give you some "I told you so" news that skeptics like Newsy and I had been predicting since the announcement of Datel’s Wii Freeloader.

Sure, the disc is allowing owners to play Super Smash Bros. Brawl (US) months before its PAL release. But what about future games, and what if Nintendo chooses to "break" Freeloader like they did with the earlier version (which was for GameCube games only)?

When Freeloader Wii was first announced a few weeks ago, I immediately emailed Codejunkies and this morning received a generic email reply with the following FAQs:

Q. What if Nintendo release a firmware update which affects the usage of the Wii Freeloader ?

A. 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.

Q. A number of games will not function unless the upgrade program has first been loaded from the game disc how will my console be affected by allowing an upgrade program to run on my EUR console from a USA game disc for example ?

A. The freeloader can allow for the upgrade program from a game disc to be selectivity loaded so that only updates which will not affect the usage of the console are loaded, we do recommend before you load any game which requires the usage of an upgrade program to check the FAQ section which is due to be added to our website in the near future.

Q. Is the product compatible with any released Wii games ?

A. If a game does not require the usage of an upgrade program before the game is loaded you should not experience any problems in using the game. If a game requires the usage of an upgrade program from the game disc the freeloader can allow for the upgrade program from a game disc to be selectivity loaded so that only updates which will not affect the usage of the console are loaded, we do recommend before you load any game which requires the usage of an upgrade program to check the FAQ section which is due to be added to our website in the near future.

I have only included questions and answers of interest above. The rest of the FAQs in the email appear below. Needless to say, this is not the magic bullet that some were hoping for. This is a massive blow to PAL Wii owners. Datel have been quoted as saying that future Wii firmware updates would not break the functionality of the Freeloader, but this information is contradicatory to that. Furthermore, they appear to be keeping quiet on this as I was not able to find these FAQs on their website. Frankly I find the original claims misleading - sure, the disc can disable firmware updates, but if these are required to play future games, then you will be left stuck in the past playing old games only.

I will make my return next week after the dust has settled - have a safe and enjoyable Easter break.

Q. When will the product be released ?

A. The product is now available for despatch.

Q. Is the freeloader compatible with the Wii firmware version 3.2 and any versions prior to this version ?

A. The Wii Freeloader works with all current versions of the firmware at the time of its release been v3.2 or below.

Q. Can imported games be played online ?

A. We are not aware of any problems in playing imported games online.

Q. Can the Wii Freeloader be used on the a modified console ?

A. We are not aware of any problems in using the Wii Freeloader on modified consoles.

Q. Is there any problems in saving any region of game on any region of console for example saving a USA game on a EUR console ?

A. We are not aware of any problems in saving any region of game on any region of console.