First Wii Mod Chip Shipping Out

Via Ars Technica's Opposable Thumbs blog, and their commentary on the device, a review of the first Wii mod chip at the MaxConsole site. The review offers step-by-step instructions for putting it in place, and then rates the resulting options opened up by the device. Most interestingly the chip is apparently updateable via a DVD, allowing for new functionality to be released for as time goes on. At $50 and with just a little soldering to get in place, the Wii CycloWhiz sounds like a great deal for anyone looking to do some outside-the-box thinking with Nintendo's console.

Custer's Revenge

[cdrguru]

The first two words about "unauthorized" games on any platform needs to be this. If you haven't seen Custer's Revenge, you need to understand that this was a completely unauthorized independently developed game for the Atari 2600. It sold out before the Atari lawyers managed to get a TRO stopping sales of the game, it was that popular.

Of course, it was an incredibly lame game. But, it was the first game that really showed what people wanted on a video game - naked women. And men with huge penises.

If it wasn't pulled by Atari the morning it appeared on store shelves, it probably would have been blocked by local or state action. And might have stopped sales of the game console itself. Things are a little bit looser now, but still there is the opportunity for an independent developer to release something so utterly vile as to enrage people.

Because of this manufacturers are pretty careful to make it very, very difficult to release such unauthorized games. This of course means the primary purpose of such mod chips isn't to allow anything except piracy.

Re:Custer's Revenge

[Daemonstar]

of course means the primary purpose of such mod chips isn't to allow anything except piracy.

Yes, allowing the Wii to play backup discs will enable piracy, but the intention is to play backups (insert comparisons to guns for murder, CD-R/DVD-R drives for piracy, etc.)

Similar example in a computer repair department: Instead of plugging the monitor in and out every time we work on a different PC, we attach a VGA extension cable to it and use that. Eventually, the pins get bent or the cable gets snafu'd and the monitor has a red tint to it. If the extension cable weren't there, we'd be out a monitor. Instead, we just replace the cable and all is well. Same thing. Instead of potentionally destroying my $40-$60 game, I can use a backup. When it gets to where the drive can't read it anymore, simply make another copy. The original is always safe. I do this with all my CD's and software (either making copies or shoving ISO's on the file server).

I agree it does have the potential for abuse, but so do a lot of things, even the Wii without a modchip [wiihaveaproblem.com]. :)

Re:But if it's updatable via DVD...

[HappySqurriel]

I could just be paranoid but what I would be afraid of is people posting 'images' of games that actually bricked your system...

You really only have to be successful with a couple hundred/thousand systems before word gets out and the average consumer will be afraid to install a mod-chip and download games.

The two faces of Slashdot game coverage

[Dorceon]

Face 1: Games are getting uncreative. There are too many Maddens and not enough Shadows of the Colossi. Down with EA!
Face 2: Yay, modchips! Now we don't have to pay for games!
Madden's margins are so fat it can afford to lose 10% of all sales to piracy much more easily than more creative fare that needs those sales to live, especially when it weeds the competition out of the industry. To paraphrase, a rising tide lifts all ships, but a hurricane sinks the small ones first.