WiiKey

The WiiKey is a modchip for the Wii video game console. When installed, it allows the console to run Wii and Nintendo GameCube backups as well as various homebrew applications. The WiiKey was made publicly available in February 2007 and is one of the most popular modchips for the Wii.

The WiiKey has had negative experiences with customers due to the creators failing to release a promised update on schedule. However, on September 26, 2007, the official firmware update was released on the WiiKey website. This update contains several new features such as DVD9 compatibility and a working audio fix for certain GameCube games that experienced incompatibility previously.

While the programmers for several other modchips were able to create an update for Super Mario Galaxy in a matter of hours, the programmers for Wiikey have taken significantly longer. The firmware update was released on November 1, 2007. Since then, numerous users have reported that the 1.9g beta update has gradually impaired their Wii's ability to read backups and originals, in some cases leading to complete inoperability of the console.
Though the majority are still in perfect working order.

On January 31, 2008, WiiNewz reported that the WiiKey Team is currently working on a fix for original copies of Super Smash Brothers Brawl, which does not run on WiiKey systems. They are also working on a dual layer disc dumper.

On February 3, 2008, a single layer backup version of Super Smash Brothers Brawl was released, which solved the problem that the Wiikey had with running the game. However this release contains only the multi-player mode, with the game crashing should the single play mode or a cinematic be started.

On February 4, 2008, a dual layer backup version of Super Smash Brothers Brawl was released. Within hours it popped up on many wii related forums that the game is compatible with the Wiikey, complete with videos showing the insertion, and booting of the discs.

There are still reports of errors with the WiiKey and Brawl and in some cases Super Mario Galaxy.

WiiKey Website

In early January 2008, the official Wiikey website was taken offline, and has remained offline since then. This has led many to believe that the modchip was abandoned by the development team. It has been reported that the team stated they were forced to take the site offline as a result of multiple hackers targeting the site, and it became unmaintainable. Development on the WiiKey has supposedly continued, however.

Features

* Direct boot of NTSC Wii imports on NTSC consoles (no patch needed)
* Direct boot of PAL Wii imports on PAL consoles (no patch needed)
* Direct boot of PAL Wii imports on NTSC consoles (no patch needed, partial compatibility)
* Direct boot of NTSC Wii imports on PAL consoles (no patch needed, partial compatibility)
* Direct boot of Wii backups
* Direct boot of Nintendo GameCube backups
* Direct boot of homebrew in GameCube mode
* Supports all currently available console/drive versions
* Supports D2B chip sets
* Update mechanism via DVD
* Direct boot of different NTSC region Wii games/backups on US and JDM consoles
* Partial support for NTSC region Wii games/backups on PAL consoles
* Boots different region GC games/backups (partially without swapping)
* Supports multi-disc games for both Wii and GameCube
* Supports DVD-R / true and +RW support
* Improved read settings for recordable media
* Built-in audio fix
* Supports full size 4GB discs for GameCube homebrew
* Stealth mode
* 512 byte EEPROM to store configuration
* Quick-solder interface - no wires required
* Unique disc backup application via SD card
* Compact design
* Professional ESD packing
* Recovery mode - Can recover from a bad flash

Firmware version 1.9b changelog

* Working audiofix
* Dual layer support (no bitsetting required)
* Improved media support (all supported chipsets)
* Full Gamecube regionfree (no-swap/video setup)
* Various "smaller" improvements/fixes
* Workaround for FW 3.0 gameid limitation
* "On the fly" settings for gc games (by holding buttons)

Firmware version 1.9g (beta) changelog
Defeats the Super Mario Galaxy copy protection. Super Smash Brothers Brawl also has this type of protection.

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See Also

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