Today's hottest game video: Wii modchip
by Zack Stern 
{ Jan 28th 2007 at 12:00AM }
Today's most-watched YouTube game video just shows some guy inserting and mounting discs in a Spanish-language Wii. Boring? Yes. But the M. Night Shyamalan-worthy twist is that these aren't ordinary discs; they're homemade burns. And the Wii? It's been modded to play "backups" with the Wiinja chip. Are you freaked out yet? (Seriously, that idea is free, MNS.)While piracy is bad, mkay, we expect that the mod will let a Wii play games from any region, something that excites us alpha gamers.
And yes, there could be a second Wii connected to the TV in the video. Why do you always have to be so cynical? (You know who you are.) Just enjoy the video after the break, and hope the chip makes it into the wild.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Peter S. @ Jan 28th 2007 12:19AM
Only thing is, the modder said that this chip will NOT allow for ALL-region playback. Too bad 90% of people who buy this will use it because they're too damn cheap to buy games.
Number Six @ Jan 28th 2007 12:43AM
Here's what I don't get: How are they even burning the discs? I put a Wii disc in my DVD-ROM and it hangs up my whole computer. How are they reading them to get any data ripped?
It's probably best not to explain in detail, as I'm sure the 'stiq wouldn't want to promote piracy. I just don't recall hearing anything about Wii disc protection being broken.
noid_80 @ Jan 28th 2007 12:49AM
If people didnt copy games I beleive we would see more games because companies would see higher profits. I just wish they would lower the prices a bit. I myself feel robbed sometime when I buy games. They are either to short or just suck. Retalers wont let you take them back so I always end up selling it at a lose.
oobey @ Jan 28th 2007 1:00AM
I bet there's a second Wii connected to the TV in the video!
Just kidding. :)
Nutman @ Jan 28th 2007 1:33AM
@ #2
Wii games have been up on torrent sites and the net for a month or two. And it's looking like this modchip is the real deal.
TravistyOJ @ Jan 28th 2007 1:41AM
#2, not really sure, but I have seen a lot of Wii dumping hacks out there on the USEnets, so I think it's legit.
You know this was only a matter of time. Personally, I dont think modchips hurt console makers that much, considering how few people actually go through the trouble of voiding the warranty and doing a solder job. It's those simple disc smapping methods that get a bigger following.
PyrosNine @ Jan 29th 2007 4:58PM
The Wii depicted doesn't look to be on. I see no light.
Zegim @ Jan 28th 2007 1:46AM
Oh, too early to have piracy already.
geminate @ Jan 28th 2007 2:07AM
It seems weird that at 2:16 (remaining) you can see the Zelda disc placed on top of the Wii. It's hard to tell if the gold disc was placed on top of it. The blue disc definitely was not placed on top. Then at 1:04 (remaining) you can see a new disc pulled from below that is also Zelda. Why would they put in Zelda second if they plan to actually play Zelda at the end? Also, at 1:03 (remaining) the Zelda disc goes out of view. The angle of the Zelda disc and the poor quality of the video could easily be hiding the fact that a real Zelda disc was actually inserted into the Wii.
Anyways, I will still buy my games. HOWEVER, if this is real, I hope someone can use what they've learned to make a mod to add homebrew channels including a Dreamcast emulator!
Pedro @ Jan 28th 2007 2:11AM
I posted a video on disproving the first Wii hack.. This one is too easy to break down, it's not worth my time to make a video, so I’m just going to post it on here since my own website is under construction.
Honestly the chip in the picture is a “555 chip”. I remember it from high school.
http://www1.istockphoto.com/file_thumbview_approve/495075/2/istockphoto_495075_ic_chip_8_pin.jpg
Also, why would a custom fabricated modchip have 3 extra prong if the install only uses 5 wires? Noticed the schematics have weird numbers for soldering locations.
Then you can clearly see a VHS tape in the TV’s VHS slot. Witch can be playing a play back of original wii games being loaded. Im sure he timed video actions. Ether by the us of a stop watch or just hours of practice and retakes.
On one of the videos he disconnects the Wii's AV cord, and the Screen goes black. Where’s the wrong data here you may ask? Well first he doesn’t remove the port.. He just wiggles it till the Screen goes black. Witch it should not do. Usually (99%) goes blue screen. also most TV’s would tell you what input it is running on when there is no signal. like TV/av1 or av2.
This isn’t real. The guy is out to scam people out pre-orders. Damn fucking scammers.
Pedro Blandino
Sensai @ Jan 28th 2007 2:11AM
At number 5:
The Wii's upside down. Look at the bottom.
This took less time then I thought it would...I figured it'd be April by the time any of this happened for the Wii. I was incorrect, apparently.
Sensai @ Jan 28th 2007 2:16AM
I lied. It's not upside down...
And after reading Pedro's post and combining it with my 'I thought this would be done by April' bit, along with #2's spiel about how he hadn't heard about this...this video does look somewhat fake.
Capt. Castellanos @ Jan 28th 2007 2:29AM
at #10.
why'd you have to go and ruin all the fun.
why couldn't you just let us believe...
my hopes and dreams come crashing down...
oh well.
Bipedal @ Jan 28th 2007 2:42AM
I don't know whether i like this or not. In other news Windows Vista of voice recognition Sucks balls. I had to say this like four times for every five words. Lame.
Daniel @ Jan 28th 2007 2:52AM
#10: My first thoughts were that it might be a Microchip PIC12 or a Atmel ATtiny microcontroller. These both come in 8-pin packages.
On the other hand, I'd be surprised if any console's security would be weak enough that one could get around it with just one of those. They're pretty slow compared to the hardware in the Wii, and don't have much memory to work with.
I suppose if they made the same mistake that Microsoft did with the Xbox and left a debug connector on the board, then this could interface to that, but I can't imagine that happening again. I agree that it's likely a fake.
Sam @ Jan 28th 2007 3:11AM
#10, you have no idea what you are talking about.
The chip in the picture is NOT a 555 timer, it is most likely some sort of cheap programmable pic. the familliar shape is what is called a DIP8 package and is very standard among a number of devices. this is the reason for the three extra legs, and also the "weird numbers" on the install diagram are refering to the pin number that they correspond to on the chip.
As for #15 saying that something like this is probably too simple for such an application, I have an almost identical chip in my PSone. I don't know how realistic it would be for something like the wii though.
As for the video, there is really no way to say whether it is real or not.
Derick @ Jan 30th 2007 8:37PM
At the very beginning of the video, isn't the Wiininja box propped up against anothe Wii?
That places another Wii in the area.
And the fact that he never moves the wii remote on screen (which would dis-prove it being a tape) is wierd. Why doesn't he go into the disc channel when he loads the disc instead of moving his camera closer?
I'm thinking fake. Scams are bad...m'kay?
Jason @ Jan 28th 2007 4:16AM
@2
A program which dumps your wii disc to an iso file was released a while ago, here: http://www.destructoid.com/new-app-unscrambles-wii-games-into-isos-28782.phtml
here is some more technical info on the makeup of a wii disc
http://www.ingenieria-inversa.cl/?p=9
you can backup the discs for use with a modded wii
ssuk @ Jan 28th 2007 6:24AM
@16: Thanks for beating me to that. Pedro needs to go actually pass an electronic's course methinks.
t_m @ Jan 28th 2007 7:03AM
As someone living abroad the ONLY way I can play english games on a Wii is to hope a region-free mod-chip comes out.
And if Nintendo forces me to buy a region free modchip then they'd better believe that i'm gonna download enough games to make up for the wasted money!
All I want to do is go down to the shops, buy a Wii , buy a few english games off the net and play them. I sure wish Reggie would explain why they've made that impossible to do.
Well over 10% of the world's population lives in a foreign country.. and as the world gets smaller that figure is sure to skyrocket.. region codes simply force such people into piracy.
region-free mod-chip please!!
(but i hope it doesn't kill online capabilites like the xbox ones did..)
Dansk @ Jan 28th 2007 8:00AM
"Well over 10% of the world's population lives in a foreign country.."
WTF!?!?
Slaziman @ Jan 28th 2007 8:20AM
t_m are you fucking retarded? 10% of the world lives in a foreign country... hmmm... WTF?
Krimson @ Jan 28th 2007 8:38AM
He might be wrong, but you look like asses calling him t_m out. He(?) means that 10% lives abroad from their mother country, not that 10% live outside America.
And the chip is 100% real, its like 360 hacks, its just affecting the disc drive to trick it into authenticating the games.
t_m @ Jan 28th 2007 8:43AM
ok, using smaller words this time, over 10% of the world's population live and/or work abroad. (eg: not in their country of origin).
Example for those that still can't get it:
Person A was born in England but lives in Hong Kong.
Person B was born in the USA but works in Dubai.
Person C was born in Canada but works in Tokyo.
I was born in the UK and work in Tokyo, and I can tell you that every single expat I know uses bittorrent to download things because the region coding makes it impossible for them to easily and legaly get hold of stuff in their language. And this isn't just youngsters, this is 50 year old high-ranking executives.
t_m @ Jan 28th 2007 8:45AM
PS.. of course i don't mean "outside america". YOu'd have to be pretty egotistical to think that everyone on this blog was from your home country, there is a world OUTSIDE america, although i getthe impression this is thought of as a myth by a number of people.
dave @ Nov 24th 2007 6:07AM
t-m,
i saw your comments on joystiq. I too am an expat. I REALLY need to get the modded wii. No luck while in the states. Do you know where they do it in Tokyo? Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Krimson @ Jan 28th 2007 8:55AM
More info on chip (I'm pretty sure this link is completely legal): http://forums.xbox-scene.com/index.php?showtopic=582258
Thryon @ Jan 28th 2007 9:16AM
I have finaly gone and purchased a Wii. I am now the proud owner of a Wii60. I will play then post my opinion later. For now, I want to set this up, and see what all the hype is about. Let's see if the Wii can keep me entertained an wanting more as the Xbox 360 has done since launch day.
Jim @ Jan 28th 2007 9:44AM
a) Definition of a GOOD LEGAL modchip (*)
1. Lets you play games from any region!
2. Lets you execute non-signed code (aka Linux etc.)
b) Definition of a BAD ILLEGAL modchip (*)
1. Does nothing exciting except plays illegal copies of games.
The Wiinja sadly falls in the b) definition - it will only play games from the same region AFAIK.
* in my book at least.
Mikeo @ Jan 28th 2007 10:21AM
But most people on Joystiq seemed to be more interested in Nin's... err... welfare, which they had enough of it already (the Wii's even profiting.)
Too bad the 2 new systems have almost forgettable online that you'd dare to mod them in a blink and disable updates. XBLive bans starting with Halo 3 might be a good one.
SonicRift @ Jan 28th 2007 9:32PM
From what I read on a Digg headline, it takes around 50 hours to rip a Wii disc.
One of my friends asked me yesterday why we couldn't just copy a game her friend had to play it on mine, and I had to explain copy protection to her. It was... pretty hilarious. The Wii's definitely bringing in a new audience.
And Pedro, none of the 4 TV's in my house go to blue at loss of video input. I have a VCR that does though.
None of the TV's at work do either. Every TV I work with goes to black. And we're always hard swapping AV connections. Mostly talking Toshiba's and Sony's, if that makes a difference... But 99%? I must live in Exceptionville.
Thryon @ Jan 28th 2007 11:28AM
Update on my new Wii. The system is nice. I can see why people would like it, but for solo play, Wii Sports cannot keep your interest long. In my opinion, the boxing controls are very slow and out of sync (maybe my setup is not optimised yet???), but I found that only about 1 out of every 3 punches swung registered. And as for golf, I can take 10 practice swings and be spot on, but when I take the first real swing, I go over and slice it....ah well...it is a party box...I expected a smuch. I may go and rent Wario Moves.....dang if it does not feel a bit hollow since I got no acheivements for my 501ft home run!!!
BB @ Jan 28th 2007 11:29AM
"While piracy is bad, mkay, we expect that the mod will let a Wii play games from any region, something that excites us alpha gamers."
False, the developers of the chip clearly state on their website that it will not play games from different regions. You guys should fix this article to show that information.
melloncollie @ Jan 28th 2007 1:37PM
@3
Oh, come on. Lay off of that. 1% of everyone who plays games is a pirate. I don't see how that would affect the game industry so much.
@30
It must've been that Zack didn't read all of the way through for this mod chip nd he assumed, since most modchips unlock regions, that that's what this one could do.
GoonieGooGoo @ Jan 28th 2007 12:27PM
Why is this a surprise to anyone?? The Wii is basically an enhanced GAMECUBE that uses DVDs.....so in essence....its probably going to be the easiest system to hack due to the age of its components.
Nintendo makes uber profit from the hardware sales anyway.....Has there been a price breakdown of the Wii Components??
Factor in that the Sensor bar is basically 2 LEDs and that the Wiimote/Nunchuk are not exactly new technology and that a GAMECUBE is worth less than 50$....it would be interesting to know.
Justin Hopewell @ Jan 28th 2007 1:02PM
I don't think its fake. And if it is, I don't discount the possibility of someone else making one in the near future.
-justin
evilplushie @ Jan 28th 2007 1:17PM
#23
50 yr old high-ranking executives are able to download bittorrents of stuff in their own language but aren't able to buy things in their own language online, like say through places like discountdvd.com, amazon, playasia, etc etc?
uh...you sure those are executives?
GoonieGooGoo @ Jan 28th 2007 1:20PM
@23
Get a SLINGBOX.....you will not be disappointed.
Fatass of Kickassness @ Jan 28th 2007 1:28PM
This is so fake it isn't funny!
And its easy to tell, too. Anyone who doesn't think this is fake... should go to 3:29 and watch the guy put the disk in. Before the disk even makes CONTACT with Wii itself, the disk icon comes up.
Its a prerecording; a fake.
WamBam @ Jan 28th 2007 1:38PM
Regional lockout is so archaic and primarily exists so that companies can control prices in different markets. For this reason, I think it actually supports piracy whereas if companies supported region free games, then I bet there would be a huge market for people all over the world wiling to pay 5 - 10% more for imported products.
I fully support modchips for this reason alone. I have no problem giving Nintendo, Sony or anyone else my money for a legal copy of a game I happen to buy elsewhere. Sure, pirates are going to use these devices to but pirates are going to do their thing regardless of the barriers put in front of them.
Mr Khan @ Jan 28th 2007 2:25PM
@ Thyron
Dude, 501 ft is not much of a home run
Get 640 ft, knock it out of the park, then talk to me
(either way, individual runs aren't what matters, its your total accumulated home runs, and their combined distance)
Otherwise, As per those who think the 360 is unmoddable, you have to think, the only thing you would lose point blank is player v. player Online, because, with a modded 360, you wouldn't need XBLA, you'd have ROMs and MAMEs, you wouldn't need downloads per se either, as you could acquire them from your PC
vegard @ Jan 28th 2007 2:44PM
@33
sounds exactly like an executive to me:)
deaftly @ Jan 28th 2007 2:57PM
rip wii
fishamaphone @ Jan 28th 2007 2:59PM
On executives:
I happen to be living (studying) in a country that isn't my place of origin... I don't know about Asia, but the vast majority of European DVD players either come unlocked for both region 1 and 2, or are easily unlockable if you look up how to do it online.
On hacking the Wii:
Someone show me any kind of definite method to get the machine to read a disc recorded in the wrong direction, and I'll believe they've hacked the Wii. If they can't do that, then they need to have bought a whole glassmaster, and that runs in the 10's of thousands of dollars, and wouldn't be worth it anyway.
In fact, there should be a new rule for hacking Wii: show how you recorded the disc so that the Wii was able to read it, or shut the hell up.
jaysins @ Jan 28th 2007 3:20PM
@ Mr.Khan
Loosing online is not a big deal with the wii right now where as the 360 it's huge. Not only would you loose player vs player (which is extremely important to many of us) but the ability to download movies from their online service and we would miss out on some of the newer features coming out for the 360 like IPTV, probably bigger hard drive and whatever else it is they plan on adding in future updates which in the past has included some very cool things, upscaling dvd player, the cam etc. That's reason enough for a lot of us to stay away from modding our system where the wii doesn't have such online capabilities. I hope all you wii users get a region free mod because I think we as consumers deserve as much and it would probably be good for nintendo in the long run as people will spend more money on import games. However, if the chip does allow for the downloading and playing of games it could be very bad for the future of the wii. It could very well make publishers less likely to port or come out with exclusives for the system. I remember it getting pretty bad with the dreamcast. Publishers might start to pull away from an unsecure platform. Let's hope it is the former chip and not that latter like another poster stated.
Tramd @ Feb 1st 2007 8:41PM
Finally, this is what i've been waiting for with my wii. Really needed the homebrew scene to start rolling out and this looks like a good start. My wii has been collecting dust for a month now. Ever since i beat zelda i dont see any other games worth buying. Hopefully soon i wont have to :D
mushiking @ Jan 28th 2007 4:08PM
@10
not sure if this particular one, but there a mod chip out there now that works. i've seen people posting about it on other boards.
Kris @ Jan 29th 2007 5:33AM
@ 38 Mr Khan - "As per those who think the 360 is unmoddable, you have to think, the only thing you would lose point blank is player v. player Online, because, with a modded 360, you wouldn't need XBLA, you'd have ROMs and MAMEs"
This nis not possible. Modded 360's only run backups. No one has been able to make the system run any unsigned code yet so no chance of running emulators. Also unlike the original xbox modding your 360 doesn't stop you playing online.
Fatass of Kickassness @ Jan 28th 2007 8:15PM
Hello? Anyone there? People are still thinking this is real in the slightest! Read my post (#35).
nojok3 @ Jan 28th 2007 8:30PM
Pedro I just wanted to say that my tv doesn't show what input it is on. But I agree with what you said