Hackers claim to have cracked Wii U: Nintendo deny pirate games have hit the system

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nintendo-wii-u.jpgPirated Wii U games may be Nintendo’s latest headache, after a hacking group has claimed to have cracked the new console’s security measures.

WiiKey, the team behind a modification chip that allowed the original Wii to play pirated games, have stated that they’ve managed to do the same for the Wii U with their new WiikeU product.

The WiiKeU is an optical drive emulator that allows players to rip Wii and Wii U games to a USB device, playing them directly off the USB without the need for the original game discs.

“Yes, its real – we have now completely reversed the WiiU drive authentication disk encryption, file system, and everything else needed for this next generation K3y,” the group says.

However, Nintendo have disputed the claims.

“Nintendo is aware that a hacking group claims to have compromised Wii U security,” a spokesperson told Eurogamer.

“However, we have no reports of illegal Wii U games nor unauthorised applications playable on the system while in Wii U mode.

“Nintendo continuously monitors all threats to its products’ security and will use technology and will take the necessary legal steps to prevent the facilitation of piracy.”

Nintendo’s Wii U is already struggling to inspire massive sales, meaning that Nintendo need software sales from existing Wii U customers to be as high as possible. The WiiKeU could eat up some of those potential profits if it does indeed work.

Gerald Lynch
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