Hardware WODE Wii Modchip

[kahsajara]

Ok so i dont own a Wii yet and im looking into getting one and some sort of modifier

I don't know anything about the mod/hacking scene for the Wii so I want as minimal fuss possible:

No to soldering
Easy to update IF updates need to be
Easy installation as possible (No messing around unscrewing and things)

I've looked at the WODE Wii Modchip on the ozmodchips site and i see it hasn't been released yet.

Is anyone else looking forward to this mod chip?
It seems too easy. Dock your Wii onto this modchip, hire a game out from the video store, copy it to a usb drive and its yours forever. And it lets you use your Wii online as if it was unmodded.

Is this the right choice for me?

 

[Kwartel]

don't use a modchip, but look at the SOFTMOD guides here around!!! It's totaly free and sometimes it even works better!!!

 

[Fun_Zephyr]

You still need to open up the Wii to install the WODE. It also has the external stand that you utilise.

This is straight from the makers themselves:

***********

WODE will include a Flatmod type mainboard that attaches (solderless) to the Wii drive cable similar to other available chips. It also comes with it's own vertical stand that harnesses a slave board with built-in LCD, USB, and SD slot. The SD card is used to house the powerful Linux-based WODE software.
WODE is compatible with WII DMS, D2B, D2A, D2C, D2C2, D3, D3-2 boards.
The OS is LINUX and allow to manage WIFi connection and many others features, like a Mini Computer.

*************

However, I am still really looking forward to it. Yes, you can soft mod and have the same result but in my opinion there are higher risks involved with soft modding. I have read MANY posts stating they have brikcked or semi bricked wii's trying to soft mod. I do not see the same result with a mod chip.

I prefer the safety of a hard mod over a soft mod but everyone is different and it comes down to a pesonal preference.

I wll be getting on in OzModChips first batch of release. I will keep the Wii Key v2 in the Wii and install this. Should I need to use discs the Wii Key will run and I will use WODE for USB only (I will disable the discs reading feture as it is slower reading than the wii Key - though I should not need discs again in theory)

If you do not wish to soft mod and do not want to open the Wii then pay someone to open it up. I have aleays used solderless chips and found them extremely easy to install.

But again - I am really looking forward to having my games on HDD rather than Disc - it will make things so much easier and convenient. It will also make testing games heaps easier without having to burn a disc every time.

 

[kahsajara]

"WODE is compatible with WII DMS, D2B, D2A, D2C, D2C2, D3, D3-2 boards."

I have no idea what all those boards are but im guessing i dont need them. I never heard of soft mod b4 and im guessing the term "bricked" means either they will stop your Wii from accessing internet play or your Wii has turned into a door stop?

If thats the case i still like the idea of WODE and its easy copy games to usb feature.

The reason i dont want to open up the Wii myself is because i did this with NDS Lite (case replacement) and screws lost their head grip, tried to solder a working L button (Didnt work, tried again) which resulted in 2 blank white screens.

Though if it is as simple as opening it up and connecting a cable...

 

[illinialex24]

It means WODE is the only one that will work with the D3-2 Wii Drive, the one that doesn't work due even if you are soft or hardmodded.

 

[Kwartel]

Don't listen to Fun_Zephyr, when you softmod right and you have common sense, there is a chance of 0.1% you brick your Wii! When you only wan't USBLoader for games, it's almost impossible to brick

 

[Fun_Zephyr]

@kwartel - I NEVER said to not soft mod. What I said is that it is a PERSONAL preference. I also stated a FACT that I have read far more threads stating I have Bricked or semi bricked my Wii when trying to soft mod compared to Hard Mod.

As kwartel stated - A soft mod could easily be done by following all the instructions with all the right download files etc. I could personally quiet easily do this but I would much prefer to stay hard moded and not have to wait for someone to release a hack in order for me to update the Wii. I also like the simplicity of being able to copy a game 1:1 without having to modify the ISO file in any way to get it to work.

Unfortunately hard mods lost the ability to play other region games when updated to 4.2 so if you like other region gaming then a hard mod is quite likely not for you. It doe snto bother me to have other region games so a hard mod also is best for me.

It does not bother me either way whether people soft mod or hard mod. There are great advantages and disadvantages to both ways. I PERSONALLY find that the advantages of a hard mode out weigh that of a soft mod - BUT that is only my opinion. WODE brings hard mods closer to soft mode cababilitites on a number of ways but it still falls short in others.

Again - it is a personal preference and I, like many others, personally prefer the route of a Hard Mod and kwartel, like many others prefer to soft mod.

Each to their own and by no means or in any way have I tried telling you to go one way or the other.

 

[Opium]

I will be reviewing the WODE for GBAtemp. I'll post some pictures and impressions when it arrives, which'll be in the first batch released.

It certainly looks like interesting hardware. I look forward to giving it a whirl.

 

[r9delta]

However, I am still really looking forward to it. Yes, you can soft mod and have the same result but in my opinion there are higher risks involved with soft modding. I have read MANY posts stating they have brikcked or semi bricked wii's trying to soft mod. I do not see the same result with a mod chip.

Funny enough a number of people on this site that have bricked or rather at least semi-bricked their Wii also stating having a chip...and I imagine a lot of that comes from the fact that if their Wii is chipped they're under the impression that it's somehow invincible. Generally though if you're not a moron and you keep up with the scene somewhat you'll be fine soft-modding. Of course though, it's not for everyone.

I'm somewhat interested in WODE myself...mostly for the GC loading capabilities I've seen as there really is no draw for me otherwise.

 

[kahsajara]

Im guessing soft mod lets you play games u've downloaded from the net. My internet is too slow so theres no way i can download 3gb games.

The WODE a video shop = free games
I wonder if its still possible to copy the games if they were scratched

Am i right so far?

Im looking forward to that review OPIUM

 

[bazamuffin]

It means WODE is the only one that will work with the D3-2 Wii Drive, the one that doesn't work due even if you are soft or hardmodded.

Not true, the Wiikey fusion works with D3-2 drives also and is a bit cheaper than WODE. Also, I don't think current softmod guides have been checked/updated for compatibility with the D3-2 drives, so be careful.

There is no 'docking' mod for the Wii, you are going to have to open it up if you want a no-solder option. If you can handle a screw-driver, then you can do it. Just find a tutorial for opening up and reassembling, read it 2-3 times and keep the screws in an ice-cube tray in the sequence you removed them in. It makes reassembly much easier

 

[velocity37]

Im guessing soft mod lets you play games u've downloaded from the net. My internet is too slow so theres no way i can download 3gb games.

The WODE a video shop = free games
I wonder if its still possible to copy the games if they were scratched

Am i right so far?

Im looking forward to that review OPIUM

With a softmod, you can also copy games. Most people opt for using a USB loader. With that, you can hook up a USB hard drive, then dump games from the disk drive to the hard drive. If you rent every game from your store, you could have something like this.

Games don't have to be pristine to be copied, but if they are too scuffed up you might get an error.

 

[illinialex24]

It means WODE is the only one that will work with the D3-2 Wii Drive, the one that doesn't work due even if you are soft or hardmodded.

Not true, the Wiikey fusion works with D3-2 drives also and is a bit cheaper than WODE. Also, I don't think current softmod guides have been checked/updated for compatibility with the D3-2 drives, so be careful.

There is no 'docking' mod for the Wii, you are going to have to open it up if you want a no-solder option. If you can handle a screw-driver, then you can do it. Just find a tutorial for opening up and reassembling, read it 2-3 times and keep the screws in an ice-cube tray in the sequence you removed them in. It makes reassembly much easier

Nice, I read the Wiikey fusion stuff but I thought it had built in random crap for D3-2, didn't seem to be able to support disc drive loading.

 

[bazamuffin]

Ive read it doesn't just have SD capability but some disc loading as well. Slightly off topic, but Ive also read that new Wiis with D3-2's have a drive lock so you can't install older drives

 

[illinialex24]

Oh that would be painful. So you really need a Wiikey fusion or WODE for them? Or USB loading

 

[bazamuffin]

USB Loading is the way forward I agree. Some people have to have disc loading, same as some softmodders have to have disc channel loading (curse you cIOSCORPS!). Its not essential, but they have to have it

 

[illinialex24]

Discs are quite a useful medium I must say.

 

[darkflyer]

I'm considering getting a WODE too but recent delays in production are a bit of a worry. Can anyone shed some light on why it's taking so long to release.

Cheers

 

[dlxro]

I'd like to comment on this, I think softmod is a bit annoying. I mean you have to check each time if there's an update for the loaders, or if the loader can't read the games as good as a chip. Just check the amount of things you have to do just to play the new mario game. Chips you just install and play, without worrying about nintendo updates, well that depends on the modchip, ie.(wiikey team) they abandon their customers.

 

[nikeymikey]

I'd like to comment on this, I think softmod is a bit annoying. I mean you have to check each time if there's an update for the loaders, or if the loader can't read the games as good as a chip. Just check the amount of things you have to do just to play the new mario game. Chips you just install and play, without worrying about nintendo updates, well that depends on the modchip, ie.(wiikey team) they abandon their customers.

I am a softmodder, i have a huge collection of games (400+) and every single one works just fine my 1TB USB HDD (Config USB loader). Most loaders have an auto update feature that can check for new versions and download straight to your wii, then simply require a restart.

As for the new mario bros game,If you are loading from USB, you dont need to do anything as the loaders do it all for you on the fly. The fix for this was released before the game was even in the shops. Well to play from USB it was anyway and a backup disc fix came soon after.

Many people have bricked their wii while having a chip installed because they have installed an update from a region different to their wii. THIS CAN BE FIXED MOST OF THE TIME BY USING A SOFTMOD!!!!!!

Back on topic, i am interested in WODE simply because of GameCube loading from usb, which is currently not possible with a softmod. If it works and works well then for some people that is the next holy grail!!!