The latest 3.3 firmware download has rendered the device useless, and in doing so has made users' games disc little more than expensive drinks coasters.

One gamer told website Digital Spy that having spent money buying imported games, "this firmware update has now stopped me from playing any of them."

"I am furious with Nintendo for forcing me to stop playing games I have spent a lot of money on," they said. "Surely this is not the way they should be treating loyal followers of the Wii."

This has lead to Datel to issue a statement on its website .

"Please note, due to circumstances beyond our control Wii Freeloader is not compatible with latest version Wii firmware 3.3 and higher, just released (released as an online update 17/06/2008)."