List of Wii modchips

Wii modchips' are devices that allow owners of the Wii video game console to extend its capabilities. Commonly found amongst current Wii modchips is the ability play backup copies of games or to play back unlicenced software called homebrew.

List of mod chips

Chiip

A modchip created by Cadex, the first free Wii modchip to be released. The latest firmware, v0.9.1, supports features such as original game playback (Wii and GameCube), backups from the same and different regions (Wii and GameCube), Gamecube homebrew, DVR+R/DVD-R/DVD+RW ability without the need for bit-setting, DMS/D2A/D2B chipset ability. The firmware is designed to run on ATmega8L-8 and ATmega8-16 AVR chips.

Although the project claimed Open Source from the beginning and a code release has been announced1, so far no source code has been released. With none of the announced updates to the web site and project data in several months, the project is likely to be considered abandoned, even though its last version remains available and operational.

Availability: Available (Released in 2007)

CycloWiz

The 2nd modchip to be released. This chip is able to play not only backups of its own region, but it also partially supports playback of backups from a different region (PAL discs on an NTSC Wii). The CycloWiz's firmware can be updated via DVD, so more options will become available in the future.

Availability: Available (Released in February, 2007)

D2CKey

One of only 2 mod chips that work on a Wii with the d2c chipset. D2CKey mod chip is specially designed for the D2C drives and as such it will NOT work on other models of Wii. Due to the number and types of soldering that the D2CKey needs (over 30 fine solder points), the team behind it advise that only people with considerable soldering experience install the chip.

Availability: Available (Released in October, 2007)

OpenWii

The first GPL-licensed (as of 2.01) open source modchip. Written in C. Source released before binaries. OpenWii was the first open-source modchip to support firmware updates via DVD, as well as the first open source chip to support SUPER Mario Galaxy2. Currently (as of 11/28/07 and firmware revision 2.3) the chip does not support DVD9 (Dual-Layer) discs or the Gamecube audiofix.

Availability: Available

WiiFree

Another Open source modchip for PIC 12F629, 12F675, 12F683, 16F628, and 16F628A chips. It is written in JalV2 and the source code is always released with the binary. It has all the functions of a regular commercial modchips but it's free. To update WiiFree the chip needs to be reprogramed with a Pic Programmer. Development of WiiFree has been discontinued. The developers recommend using YAOSM for a comparable solution.

Availability: Available (but development discontinued)

WiiRez

Another drive chip for the Wii. The installation of this chip is moderately different as the chip is grounded on two points, and requires a separate wire to be soldered for the update function. Also, it requires ANOTHER wire to be installed if the user desires to play multi disk games. This is the first modchip to have a quick solder option, but require wires to be installed for multidisk functionality. The installation is difficult, and the functions are less than par.

Availability: Available

WiiD

The Wii Drive Modchip or simply WiiD shares many similarities with the commercial modchips that preceded it. The WiiD, like its competitors, can also have its internal firmware updated via DVD. The upgrade process is rather primitive where the only indication of a complete firmware flash is a disc read error (DRE) screen. The WiiD supports all Wii and GC backups of the same region of the console and as of firmware v02 has become region free with most titles.

Availability: Available (Released in March, 2007)

WiiKey

The WiiKey has the same features as the CycloWiz, except the WiiKey is a lot smaller. It is updated with a DVD. Setup disk version 1.2 enables the playing of certain ROMs (such as SNES) and homebrew, however this is achieved using the GameCube compatibility mode, as well as backing up GameCube and Wii games onto an SD card using an SD adapter. WiiKey is working on close to full support for playback of backups of different regions with a few exceptions (namely, Naruto Shippūden: Gekitou Ninja Taisen EX - Japanese version will only work on NTSC-J Wii consoles).It can also play SMG (Super Mario Galaxy) through an update.

Availability: Available (Released in February, 2007)

Wiinja

The first announced Modchip for the Wii. Supports playback of backup discs but only in the format of its own region. The Wiinja Deluxe, released on February 26, can upgrade and play imports.

  • Non Swap/Direct Boot
  • Boots Own Region Wii Backups Directly
  • Boots Own Region Gamecube Backups Directly
  • Boots All NTSC JAP/USA on NTSC Wii
  • Boots NTSC Backups/Originals on PAL Wii Partially
  • Boots PAL Backups/Originals on NTSC Wii Partially
  • Boots Directly Gamecube Original/Backups Imports Partially
  • Boots All Gamecube Import Backups by SWAP
  • Supports all the Wii Versions/Drive currently available
  • D2B Drive Support and Improved Read Method (No DRE)
  • AudioFix,Multidisc, Multigames & Viper Multigames
  • Easy Soldering & Remove / 5 Wires+Optional RESET
  • Support DVD-R/DVD+R & DVD+RW/DVD-RW without Booktype
  • Universal EUROPE/USA/JAPAN Wii Console Supported
  • Hardware Disable Option Using Pin3+SW2 (Poweron+Reset)
  • Stealth Mode
  • Recovery Mode for Bad Upgrade
  • Upgradeable by DVD/Internet

Availability: Available (Released in January, 2007)

Wiip

Open source, OpenWii AVR-based mod chip design. Gerber files available. 3 Note: All Wiip material is currently unvailable from official site as of September 17, 2007 with the explanation: "All content has been removed pending a copyright review."

Wiip2

In June 2007, Team Xecuter announced the "Wiip2" modchip to remedy several hardware related shortcomings of the original "Wiip" project. Their web site featured a thorough description, discussions and prototype pictures, however, by now all Wiip2-related material and forum threads as well as the pre-order possibility have been removed from their web site.

Availability: Unavailable

Wi-ic

The Wi-ic is capable of Wii and Gamecube backup play, supports multi-disc games, Gamecube import play with swapping, Gamecube homebrew play. Wii import and homebrew play is unconfirmed.

It has 5 wires that can be installed with a quick solder or gold-plated solder pads. Contains a failsafe update mechanism allowing it to recover from a failed update using the Disc Channel or Photo Channel which requires an extra wire to be soldered. An extra wire on the chip allows for a disabling of the chip to be used.

Availability: Available (Released in 2007)

yaosm

A free PIC-based modchip writtin in GCBasic. It started as a rewrite of the popular WiiFree and it was the first modchip to use automatic region configuration, as well as the first open source modchip to let users set the DVD Drive's speed via Setup Disc. It's always released with source code and precompiled hex files for a wide range of suitable PIC chips (12F629, 12F635, 12F675, 12F683, 16F627, 16F627A, 16F628, 16F628A, 16F630, 16F636, 16F639, 16F648A, 16F676 and 16F684.) From v2.0 beta supports audiofix for GameCube games, as well as Super Mario Galaxy backup and DVD-9

Availability: Available (Released in April 2007)

Yowii

A modchip for the Wii that can be reprogrammed with any precompiled hex file that supports the PIC 12F683. Since it isn't limited to a particular modchip hex, the feature list will be based on the hex the user decides to program it with. It does however come pre-programmed with Yaosm hex. Because the Yowii chip uses the larger PIC12F683, the full version of Yaosm fits on the chip without the need to remove features. It also supports the super mario galaxy fix (smg fix). It offers quick solder install or 5 wire install. The 5 wires are attached to a plug which then plugs into a connector on the chip. The same connector is also used for programming the chip and the wire is long enough to attach the chip externally.

Availability: Available

WiiJii PIC 12F629 Test Kit

A PIC-based kit made for easy Install into any project requireing a PIC 12F629. The Kit Includes a Pic 12F629 chip mounted on circuit board, an external header that gets wired in, and a JDM programer. Programming software is available on the site and works with any JDM programer that supports the 12F629.

Availability: Available (Released in May 2007)

Argon Wii

The InFeCtuS Argon Wii is based on an Actel FPGA and programmable through a JTAG. It has the same features as the D2CKEY, but is externally programmable. The Wii firmware, WIIKTUS, requires 13-wires for D2C hardware. InFeCtuS sell an USB JTAG interface for updates.

Availability: Available (Released in Dec 2007)

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