WiiKey upgradeable modchip offers more for modders

The Wii modchips are really coming on fast, with Wiinja and CycloWiz already drawing their own shares of fanboys and detractors, but the latest chip on the scene, "WiiKey," from the same kids responsible for the XenoGC modchip for GameCube, looks to be the best yet -- at least on paper. First off, the chip is upgradeable via DVD, meaning new functionality can be added, and future Wii software updates can't easily disable it for good. The even better news is that the chip supports NTSC Wii game imports from different regions, a first for a Wii modchip, and one of the most useful features to actual users. Of course, functions like compatibility with backups, mult-disc games and audio-fix GC titles are all included. No specific word about homebrew of the Wii or GC variety -- perhaps that's just a given -- but the creators stress that "More features are being worked on, and will either be included in the upcoming release or in a future upgrade that will follow the release shortly." Unfortunately, at the moment there's no actual picture of the chip, so the CycloWiz still has the upper hand on the "actually exists front." Supposedly shipping should begin February 7th, so we'll plan on checking in around then to see if this thing actually works as advertised.

[joe smith @ Feb 2nd 2007 5:44PM]

"backups" my ass.

[petsounds @ Feb 2nd 2007 5:49PM]

Nintendo made a poor choice by region-locking the Wii; it will only encourage more people to mod their Wii who would otherwise never consider a modchip.

[Igor @ Feb 2nd 2007 6:56PM]

Yup. I have no problems paying for my games, but I like being able to play some of the Japan-only releases, and it seems the only option is this mod chip then.

[SporkRocker @ Feb 2nd 2007 7:56PM]

The only thing this need is homebrew confirmation.

Upgrading via Dvd? First off kudos for using the dvd drive for something other than wii games. Now it just needs to be able to read non game dvd such as movie dvds or dvd's burned with avi, h264, mp4 and etc.

Also, I know I don't want to burn a dvd everytime I want to upgrade my firmware for the chip. Isn't there another alternative such as using the sd card or somehow using the usb ports to use a flash drive.

Til then, no mod chip for me.

[rp @ Feb 2nd 2007 8:26PM]

Yep, DVD-R is so very expensive, and the burn times on a 20mb update will be a real killer!

[ujaas @ Apr 4th 2007 11:08AM]

DVD - R is cheap

i just got 100 for $7

[SporkRocker @ Feb 2nd 2007 8:59PM]

DvD-r isn't expensive your right. I can't burn -r though.I don't want to burn my only dvd+r Taiyo Yudens (quality dvd's right there) And its not just that.

It's the utter waste of space for a 2-4mb update.. if you can do with a cd sure, but still there is still alot of room on it.

That's like throwing away a stack of paper just for that one piece of paper...

It's more sensible to use some re-writable media. I don't think a hyperbolic blockhead would understand. Just to use something and not throw it away once it's primary objective has been met...

[ShortFuse @ Feb 2nd 2007 11:37PM]

DVD-Rs are like 35 cents each now. Usually, a person that cheap is the type that will pirate games. Besides, what do you expect to burn those "backups" with anyway?

[Reece @ Feb 3rd 2007 12:41AM]

ShortFuse has it down, your going to pay somewheres around a half C-Note to mod your Wii, yet bitch about 2mb used on a DVD-R, concentrate your misplaced angst against companies who charge you full price for a game, but only utilize 1/2 or 1/4 of the DVD. When Blu-ray or HD-DVD games arrive, and they only use 1/4 of the disk, but charge full price, anger would then follow.

Keep on rockin' in the free world.

[SporkRocker @ Feb 3rd 2007 1:09AM]

Okay people, it's not about money. Don't know how it's twisting your balls so much. Me personally if there was a way to use my sd or flash card. I would prefer it that way. If I must I would waste a dvd.

Its like saying I would rather prefer Purified water over Tap water.

What my point was to get across is I would careless about the dvd. Was the homebrew.

What made peopel go apeshit was me mentioning it would be more practical or innovating to update via usb or sd [b]ALSO[/B].

[rawtoonz @ Feb 3rd 2007 2:43AM]

ever heard of a dvd-rw??

[Dopefish @ Feb 3rd 2007 3:22AM]

I think it's mainly just because your original post implied that you wouldn't buy the modchip simply because you didn't want to burn dvds ... and that really is pretty absurd.

[SporkRocker @ Feb 3rd 2007 11:09AM]

I guess mentioning homebrew had nothing to do with it, right? My decision that is, since I have to be DETAILED or people won't get IT and bite.

In my og post. I just mentioned as COMMENT this thing needs alternates routes doesn't have to require it. It wouldn't pain me to burn them, it would be more "sensible." I didn't know this would create a backlash of anal retortive crazies.

Now, I look like a prick because of losers didn't get me. This is still a great product, better on paper than the two other modchips. Just really needs homebrew. Oh I know you'll think, "Gosh, he is flipping his argument, oh golly, what we'll we have to do? Cry and Relliate?" No No, homebrew might also make a gateway to using alternatives.
"God I'm an ass. I love it."

[Chaz @ Feb 3rd 2007 5:20AM]

If they could somehow add DVD playback (for movies) to the Wii with this, I'd buy one.

[ShortFuse @ Feb 3rd 2007 6:37PM]

SporkRocker, the reason why it has to be updated via DVD+/-R is because there's really no other way. It's not to easy to create a hack. The modchip only affects the dvd-drive of the Wii. It doesn't read what's on the Wii's memory or the CPU. It can only intercept commands sent from/to the DVD-Drive. This way, it can read what's on the DVD and update itself. It can't read the SD card, or USB ports, or even use the wireless. I don't think you understand how complicated it really is even though it's so limited.

[J_Bourne @ Feb 4th 2007 1:03PM]

Of all the consoles around it looks like the wii is going to be the easiest to mod!

[Joseph @ Feb 5th 2007 5:27PM]

if your modchip is disabled from an update, how can you use the DVD drive to upgrade the firmware?

personally i want to play my *cough cough* home brew ROMz on virtual console.

[awally @ Feb 15th 2007 2:26PM]

Assuming the mod-chip has a basic program-disable function, the system won't be able to alter it at all. If an update is ever able to render the mod chip useless, it will only do so from the system's software/firmware.
This means that the link from the mod chip to the DVD drive would still be intact, and you would be able to perform a DVD upgrade to hopefully get around the system update.

At least, that's how it would make sense to me.

[Mikey @ Mar 7th 2007 6:02PM]

"The modchip only affects the dvd-drive of the Wii. It doesn't read what's on the Wii's memory or the CPU."

How about an upgrade DVD that contains software that can read the SD slot, ie. DVD/SD combination. That way, the upgrade DVD can be burned once, then used in conjunction with a SD card whenever you want to reflash the modchip. Ofcourse this would be reliant on getting Wii homebrew running...