subject: Its A Mod Chip World! [print this page] No Nintendo Wii game console seems complete without a mod chip installation and with todays latest mod chip innovations its easier than ever to buy and install your own Wii modification chip. The question isnt if you can do it (anybody can) but rather can you do it right? Making sure you have the right mod chip for your exact Wii model is essential to getting the most out of your Wii and your mod chip investment.
First, how can you tell your Nintendo Wiis make and model? If you search online you will find any number of websites that will give you an exact identification of your chipset based on your serial number. Its very important to identify your Wiis chipset, because certain mod chips only work with certain chipsets so make sure to check your serial number online. That said, here is a basic breakdown of chipsets and their serial numbers for Wii game consoles:
Youll notice that the latest D2E chipsets have epoxy coating over the chip leads. If you have a epoxy coated D2E chipset your mod chip options are limited as the epoxy was placed on the motherboard by Nintendo with the express intention of preventing mod chip installation. Certain mod chip installation specialists can remove the epoxy for you to install the proper mod chip, which is highly recommended.
Now that you know which mod chip you can use its time to pick the one you want. Below we list the various Wii mod chips with a short description of each.
Wiikey:
Released February 2007, was one of the first DVD-upgradeable modchips to be released for the Wii. It is a first-generation chip, and can only be installed on systems with chipset revisions of D2B and older (including systems with cut IC legs). Easy to install, no wires needed, just make sure you dont have a D2B with pins Cut, the only definate way to check is to open up your console.
WiiKey 2:
The second-generation Wiikey model, released October 2008. It is compatible with DMS, D2A, D2B, D2C, D2C-2 and D2E chipsets, a huge upgrade over the original Wiikey's compatibility. It uses a 5-6 wire installation. These wii modchips were brought to us from the same team behind the original WiiKey, and so you know these will be a quality chip with great support. These mod chips have been designed to hit the mainstream market with a great price and full features, if you're in the market for a wii chip for your Wii console, WiiKey 2 Wii Mod is one of the best options out there. These Wii Mod chips are compatible with ALL Wii Consoles
D2Pro:
The new D2Pro9 is compatible with the newer D2C2 drive chips as of late May 2008. Solderless clip is available. A third version D2Pro9 v3 has just been released as of late July 2008 to support D2E chipsets.
WASP:
This is a Very Reliable Wii Mod chip, Not sensitive to length of wires/power supply issues etc, Great Wii mod, Great Value Wii Mod for the Money. Once Installed you Wii will play all backups and Imports.
Drivekey:
It will work in any Wii console new or old and is 100% no solder application - no wires - no soldering - no epoxy glue removal - no fuss, unlike previous no solder Wii mod chips, all you have to do is clip in the ribbons and youre done. Once installed your Wii will play all backups and Imports. Drivekey sits on the bus between the Wii motherboard and the DVD drive. It transparently monitors all data transmitted. When a backup disc is inserted DriveKey emulates an original game disc by transmitting and patching necessary data.
Wasabi DX:
It has never been easier to install a Wii mod chip. Simply connect the chip to your drive on one side and connect the board to the wii chip with the supplied cable on the other side using the connectors, and start playing! Exactly the same as the Drivekey installation. Wasabi V2 and V3 have been known to most installers as the most solid chips on the market. Wasabi DX is no exception and features a thicker PCB.
There you have it. You now know everything there is to know about which mod chip you need to purchase to self-modify your Nintendo Wii!
