I bought my jap wii 2 years ago at RM 850 brand new. For those with different region than US, what you need to do is install Homebrew channel, then use loader such as Gecko OS or Neogamma to load the game. Make sure you enable NTSC in the settings before running the game. Also, you can use Firmware upgrader 4.0 then 4.1 to upgrade the firmware. Never use direct upgrade from Nintendo if your console is moded. If you do not have homebrew channel, then look for bannerbomb to install homebrew.

Another tips to recover from brick, make sure you install BootMii into NAND2 (your wii first boot sector). When you start your machine, it'll show bootmii screen first. To go into your normal wii startup screen, just copy out BootMii folder from your SDCard then delete the folder. There's tons of info on this topic in internet. To summarize what you need is as below:

For virgin wii:

1. Do not upgrade to 4.2 as Nintendo block homebrew channel with this version.
2. Use bannerbomb to install homebrew channel first (+ bootmii if you want to recover from accidental brick).
3. If you are still on ver 3.x firmware, use Firmware Upgrader 4.0 first then run Firmware Upgrader 4.1. This will install all the required IOS. Also look for cIOS 249 rev 14 (latest version).
3. Download Gecko OS and Neogamma and copy into your SD card apps folder.
4. Configure your Gecko OS or Neogamma to enable NTSC 60 which will let you load US games.

Done. It's best to backup your original disc into computer, use brick blocker to prevent firmware update. As long as your have all the necessary IOS version than your game should load. Gecko OS will warn you which version of IOS is needed.

This post has been edited by pierreye: Oct 9 2009, 09:05 AM

Well, if your machine is same region, then no problem to boot direct. Those wish to save few hundred buck buying other region machine will have to go through the above pain. It's an one time job.

Homebrew should be OK here. As long as we don't teach piracy. Homebrew can run emulator mah... I hate console that is region lock. Sometimes make life difficult as certain game is not release to other region. Actually NTSC is always 60hz. Only PAL is running at 50hz. I thought Bootmii is universal to all machine? No?

I think Boot2 is like Boot Loader for PC. Anyway, I get all my info from wiibrew.

This post has been edited by pierreye: Oct 9 2009, 04:37 PM

Have anyone try AnyRegion Changer v1.1b? Currently I'm on 4.1 firmware so not sure if I should try. As far as I know, it'll try to install ver 3.2 firmware. This software will allow you to change Jap version to US NTSC version so you will see English menu and able to run US game directly.

There's pro and con. Some game wouldn't even load using gecko. Also, you'll get news in US instead of Japanese.

Do you encounter any problem if you let US region game to do system update on JP to US firmware Wii?

Actually the older version of wii is better as you can install BootMii in boot2. I just perform the region change for wii from jp to us version. Now I can boot game directly for US version without running Gecko.

I prefer to play '80 and '90s arcade game on MAME emulator with proper joystick with 8 buttons. This is the way I remember spending countless coin the machine. Virtual Console is a no go for me. More like playing NES game.

If you are a noob in wii hacking better find a shop or friend that had done it before. It's quite a delicate operation and if you screw up the process, you can kiss your wii bye bye.

This post has been edited by pierreye: Nov 4 2009, 11:57 AM

PAL version wii in my book is no no. Even tougher to run US game compare to Jap Wii unless you fully convert the region the US region.

Jap ver no problem with region change and firmware 4.2u. Just don't do the direct update from nintendo. Anyway, there is no real advantage upgrading 4.1 to 4.2 except if you need the wii shop channel which can be updated independently without going to 4.2 (look for wiiscu).

And fail as the modder found another hole to get back to the homebrew game.

Get eneloop rechargeable battery. My Sanyo Ni-Mh will discharge if not play for more than 2 weeks but eneloop retain the battery charge much better.

search garage sales or bulk order section. Normally davis or transit do carry the battery.

Instead of wii zapper, get those third party wii gun where the trigger is like normal gun and pull the "Button". The feeling is quite similar to light gun. I use one to play RE: DC, just like playing arcade house of the dead. You can hold the nunchuck on the other hand and much more flexible than wii zapper.

On modding note, don't get Korean version. It's a known nightmare to mod and don't upgrade to 4.2 system menu.

This post has been edited by pierreye: Jan 24 2010, 12:19 AM

Then I must be the weird one. Cause I add on tuning management chip into my wife commonrail diesel engine to boost extra 25% torque and hp. Don't waste your time with non-turbo car as chip tuning for normal petrol car is less then 5%. All my pc is overclock and I only buy those chip with best overclocking potential. Modding doesn't mean piracy. It's to squeeze more performance/feature from your machine so you get better deal for your money.

This post has been edited by pierreye: Jan 24 2010, 08:56 AM

modding is consider a hobby for me. You must invest time in researching how to squeeze the extra performance you want. If you just a newbie trying to mod to play pirate game, then watch out on bricking your wii. My only advice to newbie that want to mod, DON'T get Korean machine. Period.

This post has been edited by pierreye: Jan 24 2010, 09:21 AM

Get Eneloop. It's only rm2 more than sanyo ni-mh. If don't play your wii everyday, you will appreciate Eneloop slower discharge. My Sanyo Ni-Mh after 2 years will discharge completely after 1 month.

If you got kids, watch out on modded wii. If they accidentally click update firmware than you can kiss your Korean console goodbye. Luckily mine is first generation Jap Wii so I can backup the NAND and using BootMii to reverse any damage done. My 6 years old son once click on the upgrade firmware from Nintendo message. Luckily I'm around and quickly reset the console. Now I turn off WiiConnect24 so no more mail from Nintendo.

This post has been edited by pierreye: Feb 10 2010, 04:50 PM

Spending that amount on a modchip is insane. Nothing a softmod can't do.