Nintendo Wii

[SKYLVIA]

Hey guys,

Im planning on buying a Wii, but a few games i want are only released in japan, and the system isnt region free.

Ive done abit of research on the WiiKey, and apparently a new model Wii has been released which disallows modding, so apparently id need to get one with a serial number of under LAH 1016.

Another issue that is really confusing me is the firmware updates. Apparently some NTSC games automatically update firmware on your Wii when you try to play them, and can sometimes brick your console.

Now, im not too sure which games automatically update the system firmware, but if there NTSC i would need a modchip to get it to work and update, so i wouldnt be able to update the firmware before modding the console... which would then void my warranty if it were to brick itself.

Im not 100% sure i have all the correct info here, but in need of a someone who knows there stuff about Wii and the WiiKey.

Can anyone help please?

Cheers

Edited September 16, 2007 by SKYLVIA

[readyGO]

I have been researching wiikey at the moment aswell... I am planning on letting these guys do the install of the chip..

http://wii.mod-store.com.au/

On the features it says "Sophisticated (true) update mechanism via DVD (future proof, expect cool features to come)" So I'm not too sure about the updates wrecking your wii.. Maybe give them a call and ask, and then let me know

[MaTBoY]

The Wiikey does seem like the chip to get. I'm going to order one myself pretty soon.

With the games though....

I think you'll have problems if you get original software from overseas

Which sucks.. and it's kind like nintendo condoning piracy, because a back up is the only way to play other region games sometimes.

check out these places. Hopefully you'll find more info there that will help you guys out

http://psx-scene.com/forums/

http://forums.maxconsole.net/forumdisplay.php?f=111

[inark]

ok.

Wiikey is the best of the bunch.

there are a number of forums which tell u which ones to watch out for that can brick your Wii however if you get the games from places like www.consolefreakz.com most the time he will put the patch on the disk itself or let you know what to do etc.

I play a number of NTSC games on my Wii and have never had a problem... as for updating, your Wii can do everything that any other Wii can do once its chipped. I can shop online, do manual updates and use all the same functions as well as play globally released games.

Yes some games do run an update as soon as you load em but they ask you first... you can stop it if you dont want it to but then you wont be able to run the game. This happens with games from all regions, i bought medal of honorvanguard and that made me update before i could pay it. But like i said, if your running NTSC etc games you are best to check on the modding forums and see if anyone has run that particular game on a PAL machine etc first.

[SKYLVIA]

I have been researching wiikey at the moment aswell... I am planning on letting these guys do the install of the chip..

http://wii.mod-store.com.au/

On the features it says "Sophisticated (true) update mechanism via DVD (future proof, expect cool features to come)" So I'm not too sure about the updates wrecking your wii.. Maybe give them a call and ask, and then let me know

I just called Mark at the Goal Coast location, as i dont have a Wii yet i asked if they do pre-modded brand new Wii's, they sell em for $480 with WiiKey, i also asked about the latest firmware and he said hes not sure what the firmware is out of the box but they can upgrade it to the latest so even if you get prompted to upgrade the firmware and accept, it wont brick the console.

Even though im in Canberra, im seriously thinking about getting one shipped down.

[inark]

$480 is a bit much these days considering theyre like $299 new from most stores these days... (just the std package, no games etc)

To mod a Wii shouldnt cost more then $100... so i dont know where that extra $80 is going... unless they supply a blingy case with it and an extra controller or something.

[SKYLVIA]

$299?

everywhere ive looked in canberra theyre around $380, maybe abit less...

thats the pack that comes with wiisports or whatever...

Edited September 17, 2007 by SKYLVIA

[kralster]

umm they are still 399 unless stores are discounting them. And that includes the wii sports package. There is no way to get the console on it's own unless you buy a unit from japan.

[inark]

i meant the std package... one controller blah blah.

my wife said she saw them advertised for 299 from somewhere... will have to ask her wtf shes on about. Unless she saw em advertised at EB... which means you would probably have to trade stuff in... but she would neglect to read that bit lol Well i dont feel so pissed off now...

But why would they still be 399? theyve been out for almost a year and that was the release price.

my mate got one prechipped for $450 and that was 5 months ago from the local market

[Beer Baron]

they are still around the $400 mark here.

[inark]

checked with my wife... and yes... it was the EB games that just opened in our area... so no doubt its 299 if you trade in your PS2 and 50 original games

[readyGO]

I just called Mark at the Goal Coast location, as i dont have a Wii yet i asked if they do pre-modded brand new Wii's, they sell em for $480 with WiiKey, i also asked about the latest firmware and he said hes not sure what the firmware is out of the box but they can upgrade it to the latest so even if you get prompted to upgrade the firmware and accept, it wont brick the console.

Even though im in Canberra, im seriously thinking about getting one shipped down.

Thanks for that.. my main concern is the updates screwing up the wii.. I can justify spending $480 through them if it is reliable.. the extra $100 is a small price to pay

[SKYLVIA]

Thanks for that.. my main concern is the updates screwing up the wii.. I can justify spending $480 through them if it is reliable.. the extra $100 is a small price to pay

Exactly, Id rather pay an extra $100 then have a $400 paper weight...

[MaTBoY]

maybe she meant the xbox or something, they're still 380 at best price, and you can't get them without wii sports unless it's imported from japan.