Last week, Datel’s Wii Freeloader finally arrived on my doorstep. Even with no real solid evidence of the product actually working at the time, I took the risk and ordered it from their official website, hoping it’ll allow what I’ve been wanting to do ever since I first bought Nintendo’s latest console — play imported titles and unreleased games in my area…

So to get right to the point, the Wii Freeloader does indeed fulfill 100% of everything Datel promised it would do. The disc was tested on my own US Wii console running on ver. 3.1U. The latest firmware update, 3.2U, also works according to other users of the product.

Operation of the disc is rather simple. Just insert the Wii Freeloader into your console, wait for two blurry lines to display horizontally, pull out the disc, swap it for the import game of your choice, and you’re good to go.

Now in the case of the just-released Smash Bros. Brawl title, you’ll have to insert the Freeloader in twice. Such instructions are done to bypass the game update included on the disc. Once that’s done you’ll never have to put in the disc twice, only once.

Next concern of mine was the matter of wi-fi performance. I’m happy to report that I was able to connect online with no problems whatsoever. To demonstrate, I’ve uploaded two videos which show a lag-free experience while playing the JPN copy of Smash Bros. Brawl on a US console:


[Click to play]

[Click to play]

So there you have it. Solid proof that the Wii Freeloader does what it proclaims to do — with no expensive modications made to your console. The size is as small as a GameCube disc if you’re curious.

If you’re after Wii import games, unreleased in your own area or simply because you just don’t have the patience to wait for the game to be localized, then give this product a try. However, if you’re worried about future firmware updates that may prevent your Freeloader to ever work again, then that’s a whole different matter. Do the research online and find out if the latest firmware will or not. Datel did promise to release a new update of Wii Freeloader if such an issue were to occur.

Last note, since we are on the subject of Brawl, I thought maybe I’d share my Friend Code on here. If you’re interested in exchanging FC’s, email me or leave yours in the comment section below…

  • -[FC: 5370-0239-9421]-