Overview

The Wii is Nintendo's latest effort in the console market. Battling its way against two other consoles, the Wii presents itself as one of the best machines to be released with its innovation in playing games. rather than using standard buttons and joystick, it also incorporates motion sensing where gestures and movements play a big role when playing the game.

Machine Features

-Backwards Compatibility with all Gamecube titles (Must have Gamecube controller and Memory card to play).
-Mii Channel for creating Avatars of your ownself.
-Photo channel for moments to slideshow the pictures you've taken. A good party feature.
-The News and Weather channel for news all around the world and weather updates in major capitals.
-Wii Shop Channel for either buying more channels for the Wii or games from the 80s and 90s and of various consoles too.
-The Nintendo Channel for videos on games, and even demos for the Nintendo DS (The DS is sold seperately).
-Send messages to one Wii and another by using the virtual keyboard or the USB keyboard (Sold Seperately).
-Watch Netflix videos from US. (Have not been tested for Malaysia consoles).

Technical Specs

Processor
CPU: PowerPC based "Broadway" processor, made with a 90 nm SOI CMOS process, clocked at 729 MHz

GPU: ATI "Hollywood" GPU made with a 90 nm CMOS process,[33] clocked at 243 MHz

Ports and peripheral capabilities:
- Up to four Wii Remote controllers (connected wirelessly via Bluetooth).
- One SD memory card slot. (Supports up to 32GB)
- Two USB 2.0 ports.
- One Sensor Bar port.
- One accessory port on the bottom of the Wii Remote.
- Four Nintendo GameCube controller ports.
- Two Nintendo GameCube memory card ports.
- Mitsumi DMW-W004 WiFi 802.11b/g wireless module
- Compatible with optional USB 2.0 to Ethernet LAN adaptor.

Storage:
- 512 MB built-in flash memory.
- Expansion available via SD card memory, 2 GB maximum supported capacity.
- GameCube Memory Cards (for saving GCN games only).
- Slot-loading disc drive compatible with:
- 8 cm GameCube optical disc.
- 12 cm Wii Optical Disc.
- Mask ROM by Macronix.

Video:
- Up to 480p (PAL/NTSC) or 576i (PAL/SECAM), standard 4:3 and 16:9 anamorphic widescreen.
- Component (including Progressive scan), RGB SCART (PAL only), S-Video (NTSC only), composite output, or D-Terminal.

Audio:
Main: Stereo - Dolby Pro Logic II-capable.
Controller: Built-in speaker

Credits go to Zio and Signither.

Regions

Perhaps the only sad thing in the Wii is the part where region lock is a problem. Due to the region lock, there are 3 different machines released. US, PAL (Europe and Australia), and Japan.

While the machine is region locked, accessories are not. Remotes and Wii Fit board are known to be accessible by all consoles. Wii Fit boards however differ on the limit weight you can use it with.

Going Online with the Wii

In Malaysia, TMnet Streamyx works well with the Wii. Wireless broadbands such as P1 Wimax also work (Credits to Penman).

Official Wii in Malaysia

Malaysia's officially released Wii is the US region. Malaysia would also be home to a tremendous amount of US Wii titles.

The Malaysian US Wii is sold at RM950 at retail in shops and garage sales thread. It would normally come with a 3 months warranty by the official distributor of Nintendo products in Malaysia, MM Soft. The package would include:

-The Wii
-A Wii Remote and Nunchunck set
-AA Batteries for the Wii Remote
-A Sensor bar for the Wii Remote to communicate with
-A silicon cover for the Wii Remote
-AV Composite cables
-Malaysian adapter
-Wii Sports game
-Manuals and warranty card
-A stand for the Wii
-A disc for holding the Wii at the bottom.
-NEW! Wii Sports Resort
-NEW! A Motion Plus

It has just been recently launched and available that the official Wii in Malaysia is now in Black and White. These are also the new models that will include a unit of Motion Plus and Wii Sports Resort to provide more value to consumers.

Modifications

You are free to discuss about pimping out your Wii or presenting new technologies that can utilized with the Wii, like building a PS3 or 360 controller into a Wii controller or showing off your skins on the Wii. You can also talk about options that can be used to make the Wii region free (As with the case of not being able to certain titles from Japan).

However, piracy talks are not allowed in any way possible. Consider yourself warned. I will also not entertain any PM's on pirated talks. I stand firm on not discussing about piracy.

Here are some of the problems with illegally modified Wiis.

-Missing channels. With modifications, Shops can take away channels as they place. Some of the channels would already have been included, but when you realize its gone, it would mean they have stolen it away from you. Some would also would charge you just to put back the channels that already came with the Wii in the first place.
-Wii Shop Channel problems. If you're using another region's console (exp: Japan), buying a Virtual Console game from the US would be hazardous to the Wii. Even the servers would feel awkward trying to connect from a US server to a Japan server due to region locks.
-Game compatibility. Updates in the frimware of a modified console can render some games of the past to be ruined. You might not be able to boot up certain games of the past when it should be just essential in the first place.
-Ruining the Wii. Updating the firmware can also lead to the Wii getting itself bricked. Turned into a paper weight, you name it. A firmware from 1 region, updating another, would render the console useless.

For peace of mind, go for the Original.

18/10 update: Korean Modded Wiis (Or Tranvestite Wiis) now could not update to 4.2U firmware. Updating to that will give you an Error 003. You have been warned again. And I shall call modded Wii's Tranvestites from now on (No offence to them however). As as the latest date, 4.3U has been introduced. And again, its meant to curb piracy.(Credits to Dragonflyz for the info, and influence. )

Fake Peripherals

There have been reports that Wii Remotes and Nunchunks may appear to be fakes. Further details can be found below in this thread. Credits to Dragonflyz for the point out.

http://forum.lowyat.net/index.php?showtopic=939583

Where to get them?

Shops that carry official Wiis are scarce, but still available. However, since the official locally distributed one is no longer available, I would have to direct you to the other sellers that will sell a US one. Whatever it is, insist on an original and unmodified one.

Any inquiries, this thread will you out with that.


Other FAQs on the Wii (as at January 2014):

1. What versions of the Wii is available at the moment?
If you're lucky, you can still find the original locally distributed by MM Soft Malaysia one that should be sold for RM 500 and above. Or else, you are stuck with:
US Wiis with Mario Kart Wii / Wii Sports & Wii Sports Resort combo.
The Wii Mini with Mario Kart Wii included.

2. Is it worth it to buy the Wii now?
Considering that the WiiU has launched for a while now, and there are some amazing games in the Wii anyways, it really boils down to what your budget is. I would recommend to future proof yourself by investing in a WiiU. But if you are low on budget, the Wii or Wii Mini will work just fine.

3. What is the difference between the Wii and the Wii Mini?
- No internet on the Wii Mini. So, no online games possible.
- No Gamecube Controller, Memory Cards and Support in the Wii Mini.
- It's in Red. Where else are you getting a Red Wii anyways? (The New Super Mario Bros Wii version is no longer in production though)


This post has been edited by Kyoyagami: Jan 27 2014, 11:36 AM

Actually, it's not sold separately. Nintendo Channel for US Wii is a free download. Only thing is you need to use the Wii Shop to get it, and getting the Wii Shop to work is a trick of it's own. For Wii Shop to work, you need to set up your Wii location as either North America, Canada, Mexico or a country in Latin or South America. South America (particularly, Brazil) is recommended since it allows the "Brazil Hack" to work which allows one to buy WiiWare and Virtual Console games.

This post has been edited by RAMChYLD: May 15 2009, 09:51 PM

I actually meant the DS itself.

I was about to set a purchase on Wii and the shop owner told me that there are two hardware spec currently available in the market.

An older model would cost me about 700+ while the one that's newer and supposedly comes with better graphical resolution will cost way more. And the only way to differentiate this is the model number ending with the number (1). Can anyone confirm if this is true?

haha, he is trying to scam u. dun fall into it. i never heard of such thing b4. all wii are identical in term of graphical capabilities and there is no even different packages like ps3 and xbox360.

This post has been edited by bidfordun: May 18 2009, 05:08 PM

There are no 2 different hardware specs for Wii, only regions. The Wii can support up to 480p resolution, but you'll need to use a component cable which is sold seperetely (you'll get a composite cable along with the Wii).

Ahh okay thanks for confirming. Bad retailer always trying to cash out on inexperienced buyers.

Good thing you came here and checked it out with us.

In any case Wikipedia is a good place to start researching about Wii.

why not just ask me here? I'm almost expert also wat.

You're not always here 24/7 lah!

owh betul also.

Anyways, with E3 coming soon, Nintendo has been very very quiet. First party and 3rd party wise. So, early June, we will know for sure what's going to happen to the gaming world. Remember, 1st week of June will be important!

Yay im already counting the days !

OT: Seems like Nintendo not printing money anymore

Why? Just because of the slumping sales of wii in japan?

Better or not is up to you to decide, but it's true Wii is capable of 2 different resolution, 3 if you include 480p as mentioned by PM earlier.

I got my Wii in the mail today. Was playing all day long
Mine was distributed by the mm soft company
So if I want to buy games, I have to get US version?
Is it right? Any Us games?

This post has been edited by azrinarizz: May 19 2009, 09:54 PM

Hey guys! Just bought my wii! Played for hours and now I'm wondering if it's safe to connect my wii to the online store and play online mode throught my Korean wii?

Yup, you gotta get US games. For inquiries on the games itself, you may PM as you wish. Thanks.

PS: Because there's too many.

Plan to get 2nd hand games from the US. They are quite cheap
Ask my brother to help me get from the shop
I want Guitar Hero, RockBand, Mario! Ahh
If I use guitar hero world tour guitar. Can I play metallica?

This post has been edited by azrinarizz: May 20 2009, 09:01 PM

That depends on you. What you like is really something we don't know. give us a genre and we'll help out.

At the moment, the best according to reviews, is Klonoa Wii.

Klonoa sudah ada di wii? wiiware ke?

So I can use the world tour guitar on metallica right?
Cant find the answer on google. Any nice mario games?
When I was in america, people were talking about mario brawl

for guitar, yup possible.

mario games... Strikers Charged, Tennis, and I forgot lah. haha.

Seriously, give us a genre you like, then I'll help you out.

phoenix, klonoa reboot for the Wii. baru punya.

No one seem to see my MSG in the previous page..anyone can advice?

I wanna have one but RM1299 for US Wii?....why so damn expensive?

Because its unmodded and it includes taxes. that's why. Some of us here sell lesser than that. Not so low.

I'm going to get my Wii Guitar hero Metallica with bundle guitar this Saturday. Can't wait ROCK ON!

I heard there's a probability a GC disc would stuck in the machine if we're using the backward compatibility. Is that a common problem?

This is the first time I heard of this problem Can someone clarify this?

Never heard of it before also.

Good good. i guess that was just a rumor.

can wii online on WPA encryption?

Don't think so. I believe its WEP.

same like DS? damn.

MASTER! MASTER!


Guitar hero is coming end of 2009. Anyone knows the song list yet?

Post your friend code at the Metallica thread dude!

Yes the Wii support WPA encryption.

Wii Game of the Week!

EA SPORTS ACTIVE
-Ever wondered if the Wii Fit could've just been a little more technical rather than just being an on screen trainer that just evaluates you when you are done? Say no more, because health freaks, this is your answer.

EA Sports Active intends to provide a full workout experience unlike what the Wii Fit has offered. Coming with a resistant band and pads for your body, it really works to become a fitness trainer of your own. The training programs in the game are also very well implemented and is much better than what Wii Fit can offer. So, for those who have been disappointed with the Wii Fit's offering, this will give you a whole lot to do.

Recommended for:
-Gym nuts and Health freaks.
-Bodybuilders (As a complementary workout on resting days).
-Strength Trainers.
-People looking to get in shape.
-The Wii Fit folks.

Balance board is not a necessity with this game. It should be coming soon to Malaysia.

really? thanks

kyo lie

actually, you should try checking out Nintendo's site yourself. I remember they only take in WEP, but you should take a check.

I messed with the Wii system menu before and I remember seeing the WPA option in the Wi-Fi settings. But just to be sure......

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wii#Online_connectivity

Yup, WPA and WPA2 supported.

Ah cool2.

HELP!!! i borrow a wii from my sister bf and the AC Adapter exploded cause i didn't knew i have to plug into the power transformer converter 1st before i plug into the wall socket.. Now it's exploded & i didn't dare to touch it. There's a smells on that adapter too..

Please please some one please tell me did i just burn my sis whole wii?? Or it's just the adapter?? Do the wii still ok??

Thx u..

I think you just exploded the adapter. that's all. But you should bring it to shops to get it tested and checked.

Thx 4 replying Kyoyagami... but i still got a bit woli rite now.. i hv ask a few shops sum told me its juz the adapter sum told me its the whole wii..

Omg.. do u tink it's reli just the adapter?? Coz the adapter is direct to wii.. If not den i hv to buy a brand new wii to my sis

Its better not to speculate to give you false hope or just to comfort you, either way its better to take action and confirm the damage, rather than doing nothing about it whilst worrying.

Quit worrying and just hope for the best, take it to a reputable shop/someone to test out your wii with another adapter.

If its just the adapter, you might as well get one that supports our Malaysian 240v voltage, and say bye bye to the stepdown transformer.
In that sense, its a good thing.

1. where got nintendo wii specially shop?(a shop just sell nintendo product especially wii)

2. wii can online with streamyX or Wireless broadband like celcom wireless broadband?

At present, there are no physical shops that only cater directly to Wii products. However, me and Ooj from Blackmango Games cater specifically to Nintendo products, of DS and Wii areas. You may contact either of us for enquiries.

2. The Wii is good with Streamyx. my experiences of the ISP with the console has been good so far (This is however speaking before the line went haywire during February to April). I am unsure of Wireless Broadbands, but if the wireless broadband modem can set its own WEP and WPA config, there should be no problem for it to be used online.

P1 works perfectly during the good times... but I've terminated P1 already.

I'm planning to get myself a wii too...

and I went to 2 shops

one shop say they're selling the original one

the 2nd shop say they're selling modified version, and claim that this modified version can play new game while original wii cnt

which one is credible?

thx in advance

Me. I'm the most credible seller here and would never even dare say "Original Wii can't play new games". That's a major insult to my credentials. Every single games is backward and forward compatible, meaning old and new can still be played. The modified console shop is trying to scam you.

How much wii full set today.harvest Moon got or not.
Somebody offer me open box qt RM830.Fully Unlocked.
I donno it's worth or not.
Help pls
T

think for rm830 it is modded. get unmodded if u don't want to be bothered by 'because u modded it' problems

may i know wat is the current market price for modded US Wii and modded Jap Wii (which not convert to english)?
which type of the Wii console better? 1. with mod chip or 2. without mod chip but with homebrew software
which type of the console usually get from the market?

I thinking of getting Wii.....and wana know anyone know any reliable game shop in melaka (i'm from melaka)?????



p/s: information provided is appreciate...thanks~~

This post has been edited by gengen05: Jun 3 2009, 01:38 AM

How to play GC games on Wii with softmod? Just play like normal?

use Ge***os?

Err.. I'll stop asking cause I'm asking on PaiGe's behalf only I don't have a softmodded Wii

lol, be her hero then

I felt responsible after poisoning her getting some GC games Just wait for PaiGe to ask here lah

Haha.... i think i have to postponed my GC thingy first .... gundam.
Cos after seeing the price to play a GC game , im quite tight this month after spending thousands of ringgit to repair my car.

But 100% im getting it beginning next month.
Got the price from kkkoohh already.

Wii! Hi sifu's here...Just got a Wii couple of days back..Wanna to ask are there any significant differences for composite vs component cable thru a LCDTV when playing games?

Yes, and very significant if you ask me (I'm very picky on video quality). And remember to set your Wii to 480p display to fully utilize it. However a 480p is still 4:3, so image will at least suffer a bit when stretched to 16:9. And the quality of the cable also plays a part. Avoid Capdase's one as it has serious shielding problem, while many complains the other 3rd party broken down (I haven't had any problem with it so far) and the official one suppose to be very good (still waiting mine from the mail).

wookie...hmm means that i need to get a component cable for my Wii... I reckon it will be around RM150-180 original from Nintendo?

I got mine for a little more than RM100 from PA, Nintendo official.

i already got mine too (ori component cable)

RM100 from PA

p/s: selling 3rd party component cable :-w

This post has been edited by pikacu: Jun 5 2009, 03:17 PM

I sold mine already Not that it gave me any problem, but I have enough cables already

Hey guys! Thanks for the information..Wii-ll get it this weekend...

btw...what and where is "PA"?

This post has been edited by akchang: Jun 5 2009, 04:17 PM

Oh, play-asia.com, online store. I don't think you can find better price for component cables locally

Guys, you know where can I get cheap ori US version games?
I went to sungei wang and they seem to have very little games
Just finished my GH metallica. Waiting for GH 5

range is normally 130 to 180. You can inquire me, but I'm not available beginning today to facilitate orders.

usually which country region do u set for ur wii? can i download stuff frm the wii channel?

This post has been edited by akchang: Jun 7 2009, 02:06 AM

Sorry, Noob question.
I'm interested in Nintendo Wii.
But do all the game titles support motion sensor control?
How to play in those first person shooter and Fight Game??

motion control here i assume u don't meant the new motion plus add-on, just basic motion control. then the answer is not all, but most. Only if it make sense. for example if u playing a 2d fighthing game, speed is important, so having motion controls will not help. the keyword here is 'if it make sense, game will support motion control'

fps u just point to the tv, aim and shoot. to move around in the world u use the nunchuck analog stick. for 1st/3rd person fighting games is the same, but u use your remote and/or nunchuck to simulate fighting (implementation is different for different games)

y don't browse in youtube or such to see how various games r played. a video is worth a thousand words

This post has been edited by ramz: Jun 7 2009, 06:25 AM

anyone downloaded anything from the WiiWare ? I just bought 2000wii points and i wanted to put it into the SDCard,,possible?

i just downloaded a wiiware a few days ago. but it is not in my sd card. But i think with system update 4.0 you can easily transfer the game to your sd card. That was the main purpose of 4.0 i read.

yessir ramz,

got it...when i download the wiiware it asked me whether to put into console or sd card...hmm..new features frm v4.0

Wii can support 16:9 image output.


So set that with the 480p setting if you have a widescreen TV. Anyway, you can only get 480p output from component cable. Composite cable cannot output in 480p mode.

For me, I'm using a cap badak component cable (black horn brand), picture quite crisp although a bit of blurring when lots of motion. Using 480p 16:9 mode.

This post has been edited by RAMChYLD: Jun 10 2009, 01:23 AM

Yes, Wii can support 16:9, but the resolution stays the same, 640 x 480, meaning it will have to stretch no matter what.

not 640x480, but 720x480 @60Hz during 16:9 on Wii games

but if gc game, it will stay 640x480...

This post has been edited by pikacu: Jun 10 2009, 08:09 PM

After further checking I found out most my games all runs at 640 x 480 after 16:9 conversion. And it's also mentioned some games do run on 852 x 480 resolution after conversion, but only RE4 from my games runs on this resolution after 16:9. Just in case anyone wonder, 852 x 480 is native to certain plasma panels as well.

This post has been edited by gundamalpha: Jun 11 2009, 10:44 AM

I confirm gundam's view, the Wii's doesn't really outputs native 16:9 resolutions like 720x480.
The Wii outputs what's called an Anamorphic Widescreen. This means its actually cramming a 16:9 picture on a 4:3 output.

In other words, if your TV detects aspect ratios of the input it receives, it'll detect it as 4:3, but the screen you see will be in the wrong ratio(tall & skinny). So, you'll have to manually set it to fill your 16:9 TV in order to get the correct ratio.
That results in getting lower DPIs, hence the lower quality gundam was mentioning.

But, still there are games that can only output to 4:3 ratios so you'll get short and fat pictures, and there's also games able to output to true 16:9 ratios too.

PS. AFAIK all virtual console games to date are only 4:3 ratios, so you have to manually set your TV back to 4:3 when you've already set it to 16:9.

This post has been edited by Dragonflyz: Jun 11 2009, 11:00 AM

720x480 is my native tv reso as well

from what i checked, i got no fat-stretched screen on most of my wii games.. (my TV can switch between 16:9 and 4:3)

but it is differ case with my gamecube game..which i can see the obvious fat-stretched screen

Thx for the info Dragonflyz and gundamalpha

Hmm... mostly the Wii's games i play all the character r fat fat or short short one....i set it all 16:9 display via projector.

I think it depends on the games. I found that Animal Crossing: City Folk runs at 896x480 in widescreen mode. Because my screencaps in the game all come to that size.

This post has been edited by RAMChYLD: Jun 12 2009, 01:21 PM

Wii rumored gonna have pricecuts ($199) soon :blur: http://www.fudzilla.com/content/view/14207/39/

wow, this is great news, indeed, 150myr cheaper, at least, wow

Remember it's just a rumour. Nintendo loves to sell things at max profit, and they never sell consoles/ handhelds below cost price like Sony and MS.

hi all,

i wanna ask, is it worth for me to buy wii with wiikey ic on it? or it doesnt make any diff if i get standard wii.

i saw one guy in this forum selling wii for RM 7xx with this package, is it worth it to get it too?

NINTENDO Wii MODDED FULL ENGLISH VERSION PACKAGE

PACKAGE CONTENTS:
NINTENDO Wii New Year Fantastic OFFFER:
1) Nintendo Wii English SET 3.2U x 1(With FULL ENGLISH VERSION SYSTEM)
2) Original Wii Remote x 1
3) Original Wii Nunchuck x 1
4) Wii Censor Bar x 1
5) Wii Console Stand x 1
6) TV cable x 1
7) Manual and Box x 1
8) 240V Ori Adaptor x 1
9) Wiimote Ori Silicon x 1
10) AA Battery x 2

thanks

Basically, if you get mod Wii, you'll have limitations like risk bricking when you go online (if you can go online, many modded one cannot), not able to use Wii Shop, missing/broken channels etc. Although you gain advantage by getting a region free console. Think it over carefully before making your decision.

This post has been edited by RAMChYLD: Jun 16 2009, 09:20 AM

modded consoles are not factory default machines. So, when u buy a modded console, it comes with lot of issues (you can google them). These issues can be overcome. and some people take them as challenges to overcome them, and the rewards are
1. region free gaming,
2. Making your console do more then just gaming (you can google that too)
3. provide an avenue to steal.

so, if u don't have any ambition to be a wii engineer and just to enjoy gaming, or you are not a thief, then go for unmodded console.

sorry, can I know about point 2.? can play eg. DVD? thanks

U will need a softmod to do that (u may not even need the wiikey chip). I don't want to dwell in the details, but in a nutshell, its through Homebrew softmod. This, is another wii software engineering subject. i don't recommend u take this path if u just want to play games. coz people who take this path seems to spending more time here then playing games. but my personal view - don't abuse your wii on dvds, just get a dvd player. my rm80 dvd player is already 3yrs old and still ok.

how do you achieve full-screen for NGC games on Wii with 16x9 display? RE4 NGC has letterbox borders all around and looks horrible... yes i'm awared and have the Wii edition but i would like to know for the benefit of my other NGC games.

My LCD stretched it by default...can change to 4:3 too

Does GC RE4 come with 16:9 option?