Forecast Channel

Forecast Channel
Developer: Nintendo Publisher: Nintendo Platform: Wii Released internationally: December 19, 2006 This game has hidden development-related text. This game has unused text. This game has regional differences. This game has revisional differences. This game has a prerelease article

This game is defunct. Do note the game no longer works at all without modifications. This is most likely due to the game's servers being shut down. As a result, further official developments with the game are unlikely to happen.

The Forecast Channel was a channel made to check your latest local weather forecast, and also allowed you to see worldwide forecasts by spinning the Earth until it explodes!

This channel was discontinued on June 28, 2013. However, it is possible to restore some functionality by installing a RiiConnect24-patched version of this channel.

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Prerelease Info

Unused Text

In the second version of the Forecast Channel, there were some error messages that were never used.

You must perform a Wii system update to
use WiiConnect24. Refer to your Wii
Operations Manual for details.

File Path

There's a file path present in banner.rso.lz7 in 00000005.app:

c:\home\wii\proj\album\Weather\build\rso\banner\bin\RVL\Final\banner.plf

Regional Differences

Weather Icons

In TPLWeather.tpl.LZ, you can find different weather icons. Although these were visible in both Japanese and international regions, these were used for the corresponding regions. The main difference is that the Japanese weather icons have a more cartoonish look and the international weather icons have a more photorealistic look. Also, the international versions have some additional icons.

Japan	International

Japan	International

Japan	International

Japan	International

Japan	International

Japan	International

Also, the Japanese version uses this arrow sign in some of the weather forecasts, usually to show there will be a different weather forecast in a few hours.

UV Index and Miscellaneous

In weather_layout.arc.LZ, there are a couple of interesting things...

Japan	International

life_b_UV.tpl is on the left, and life_b_UVWW.tpl is on the right.

The Japanese one was changed to reflect its layout.

life_a_laundry.tpl contains this image.

The Japanese version had a laundry check feature, while the international versions did not have one.

life_c_pollen.tpl contains this image.

Just like the laundry check feature, the Japanese version had a pollen count feature, while the international versions didn't for some reason.

Numbers

In TPLCommon.tpl.LZ, there are some symbols and numbers that are different between the Japanese and international versions.

Japan
International

Clock

In the Japanese and European versions of the channel, there's a clock in the top left corner of the screen while using the channel, however they look different depending on the region.

Japan
Europe

Layouts

In Japan, there's a 7-Day Forecast. Internationally, there's only a 5-Day Forecast.

Japan	International

The 6-Hour Forecast has many differences.

Japan	International

Ultimately, the panel with the extra weather information such as the wind speed is also very different.

Japan	International

Loading Screen

In the Japanese version of the channel, the loading screen has all of the weather icons on it. In the international versions of the channel, the loading screen has only the sun weather icon and there are six of them. The background is also a little bit different between both versions.

Japan	International

Revisional Differences

Errors

The error messages were changed when the Channel was updated.

First Version	Second Version
There is a problem with the Wii System Memory. You cannot use WiiConnect24. Return to the Wii Menu and follow the on-screen instructions.	There is a problem with the Wii System Memory. WiiConnect24 cannot be used.

First Version	Second Version
WiiConnect24 is currently turned off. Confirm your settings under Wii Options.	WiiConnect24 Standby Connection is currently turned off, so this channel cannot be used.

First Version	Second Version
WiiConnect24 cannot be used because your Wii console cannot connect to the Internet. Confirm Internet settings under Wii Options.	Unable to connect to the Internet. WiiConnect24 cannot be used. Check your connection settings. See the Wii Operations Manual for details.

First Version	Second Version
There is a problem with WiiConnect24 communication, so it is temporarily disabled. Please try again later.	The WiiConnect24 service is currently unavailable. Please try again later.

Also, some more error codes (starting with FORE) were added.

Oddities

If you go on the globe, then check the weather in the Japan country, it will still use the Japanese icons even on international versions and vice versa.

Internal Project Name

According to internal file names with wtr and Weather, the internal name of the software is Weather and/or possibly Weather for Revolution. Go figure.