US Wii

Posted by weswebb (154 days ago)

Hello,

Now that the Wii has been out for some time in HK, can people please answer my questions before I buy one?

1. If I buy the Japanese version can I change the settings in order to use US Wii Internet services such as the Virtual Console, or US Wii 'Channels'?

2. Will Japanese controllers/accessories work on a US Wii?

3. If I do buy a US Wii would I need an American credit card to pay for games on Virtual Console?

4. What's the going rate for a modified US Wii with a HK plug?

I appreciate any and all help on this, especially from people who have ACTUALLY bought a modified US Wii. Also if anyone is selling theirs PM me with details and your price as well...

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by axptguy38 (154 days ago)

"4. What's the going rate for a modified US Wii with a HK plug?"

It's not really modified AFAIK. I have seen them at the WCCC for like 2500 honkies. Not sure what they've done with the PSU since US Wiis are 120V

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by omaharrison (153 days ago)

If you modify a japanese version, I think all the menues stay in Japanese but you can play all games, even pirated copies. Just know that if you conecet a modified wii to the web (Q 3- virtual console) be aware that they did something that downloads to the console and locks it from using the web and maybe even playing games-so I heard.
However, if you are interested in buying an authentic american wii, I know of reliable shop that sells it for around 2750 hkd plus 35 hkd for the adapter so you could use it in HK.

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by DaHKGKid (141 days ago)

Just went through the whole process myself. Dont get hung up on buying the Jap version chipped for multi region. Just go out and buy US version for 3280 including Wii Sports. Jap controllers are same as US version. Menus will be english and you wont get burned when you hit the Wii server for upgrades to your firmware. Face it, the console itself in cheap, controllers you can buy outside but not for much less and for games, this console wont have you out buying every game under the sun because all the games keep you playing for months of fun. I bought mine at Micro Planet for above price included adaptor just before CNY.

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by len2 (134 days ago)

tsk tsk tsk still thinking Japanese Wiis do not have English menus or they need to be "modded"...still thinking Nintendo is really going to go through the expense of producing chips with different language versions when they can easily "lock" languages instead. Electronics 101 and $0 should get you where you want to go, if you bought a Japanese Wii and want to have it in English.

(I am based in Shanghai)

Posted by Mark_Larsen (133 days ago)

Len2 nailed it. I too bought a japanese Wii here in Shanghai, change the power converter (japanese wii comes with a 110v one, whereas china uses 220v), got a solder, open her up, change the settings and got myself English menus. The best part is that I paid 2500rmb for the Wii, 2 controllers (with both nunchucks), adapter, 2 guns, and 12 games. A WARNING NOTE I had to do the Japanese-English modification myself as no Chinese guy knew how to do it or even know it was possible. Still the whole process took me less than 10 minutes.

(I am based in Shanghai)

Posted by scott_od (101 days ago)

Mark would you mind explaining how you did the mod or sending me a link to somewhere that can give an explanation.

(I am based in Guangzhou)

Posted by luke_perry2 (58 days ago)

Got the English mod a month ago and works like a charm, but I wasn't sure about the connection so I paid 100rmb for it...that's all.

(I am based in Bahrain)

Posted by scott_od (57 days ago)

What exactly needs to be done for the mod - the details seem to be very vague here

(I am based in Guangzhou)

Posted by TXcowboy (56 days ago)

I got mine modded from Japanese to English no problem. I did it myself and learned from someone from the inside (Nintendo). You can change it to any language but only one language at the time.

(I am based in Shanghai)

Posted by scott_od (54 days ago)

Everybody keeps on saying that it has been done without any problem etc, etc, but still without the detail!

TXcowboy, Mark_Larsen, len2 - anybody care to explain how to mod a japanese wii in order to have english language?

(I am based in Guangzhou)

Posted by mark_larsen2 (54 days ago)

If you open your Wii you void the guarantee, and I also believe is not exactly legal.

It can be done, but you will have to do you own research. I doubt people are going to tell you exactly how is done, specially when people are charging money for it.

One thing is giving advice and another is providing tools to do something potentially illegal.

The solution is out there, and is easy to find. Good luck!

Just a thought...

(I am based in Unspecified)

Posted by Michael1977 (50 days ago)

Japanese Wii can also be modded to German language

(I am based in Shanghai)

Posted by luke_perry2 (13 days ago)

I got my Wii in English but recently changed to German language. Is there any way to modify the languages without opening the box? Or is there any way to have 2 languages to select at same time?

I can change language no problem opening the box, but I want a cleaner solution..any ideas?

(I am based in Bahrain)

Posted by axptguy38 (13 days ago)

"If you open your Wii you void the guarantee, and I also believe is not exactly legal."

"One thing is giving advice and another is providing tools to do something potentially illegal."

You void the warranty but it is perfectly legal. You own the thing after all. If you want to crack it open it is your business. Just like if you want to modify your new car.

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by TXcowboy (12 days ago)

Some country configuration allows multilanguage (such as US) but I've never seen one with English and German. This said, how many times do you need to change the language?

(I am based in Shanghai)

Posted by newheathcareadvisor2u (1 hr ago)

I've got the Chinese/English one! Is on pin 37. I think is for Singapore or something like that, but once you adjust the pin you can change languages between Chinese simplified and English via software, on the control panel.

No idea about German...

(I am based in Shanghai)