tigerspew says:

Hi all,

My housemate is in Japan right now and wants to buy a Wii from there, bring it back to Aus and get a WiiKey installed to he can play Aus games etc. Is this a viable option? Is a power adapter required? what other things need to be considered? Would major games such as mario party bought in japan have english language included?

Thanks in advance for your help. pat

08/06/2007 Sydney

dsreaper says:

It would work as a lot of seller do this from Hong Kong.
The main issue would be to watch out for PAL game updates, if applied to an NTSC console it will harm it. Simply update via the net instead of a game cd and you're fine.

I don't believe another power adapter is needed, just a converter I dare say, does anyone else know that for sure?

As for the language probably not, that's 1 reason games take so long to come out because they recode the languages.
...Now Japanese anime different story haha.

Hope that was some help

08/06/2007 Gold Coast, Queensland

ozmodchps says:

dsreaper said:
just a converter I dare say, does anyone else know that for sure?

My PSP has a Jap plug, you dont really need an adapter, wast of $10 really. Just get some plyers and bend the plugs nice and slowly

You can't change the language on the menu at all...

PAL to NTSC-J compatibility is pretty bad
check out this link - wiki.gbatemp.net/

08/07/2007 Melbourne

obv says:

i dont think u will be able to change the language of jap games to english..

but why would u purchase japs games anyway? especially if you are going to get a wiikey installed?

I have modified a couple of NTSC units with wiikeys, with no issues (customers havent come back with negative feedback)

08/07/2007 modchip / wiikey installs - MELB CBD

hamzie says:

yes he will
i got japanese wii and i had to buy a transformer which is comptatible wid the wii

08/07/2007 Fox River State Penitentiary

tigerspew says:

Thanks for the help - ive read up about updates etc to make sure it updates online and not from disks from other regions..

Hamzie, where did you get a transformer from? and how much was it?

Ozmodchps - > what are you refering to in regards to compatibility? Can someone elaborate a little more on this? i checked the wiki, and am not 100% sure i understand what its referring too.

If i have a Japan console, and a WiiKey, and want to play PAL games, do i have to convert the iso's to NTSC-J??? i thought the WiiKey meant you could play different regions?

obv -> the reason would buy japanese games is if there are cool games only realesed in japan.

08/08/2007 Sydney

monolocco says:

obv said: i dont think u will be able to change the language of jap games to english..

but why would u purchase japs games anyway? especially if you are going to get a wiikey installed?

I have modified a couple of NTSC units with wiikeys, with no issues (customers havent come back with negative feedback)

I agree... y wud u wanna buy japanese games!?!?! Y wud u even wanna buy a japanese wii, if in the end ur gonna be playing it here ?? Doesnt seem u have put too much thought into this....

For startes...

The power conversion is diff (i know u can buy a power converter but then that will be costin u more cash.. unless u have money to throw around...) Also it will be best to have the same wattage console for the country because even though its converting the power it still putting some stresss on ur console and maybe something cud happen... Ive seen it happen on overseas electrical things

Secondly... all this will be in japanese u will not be able to make them into english.. Also the compatability of PAL games and NTSC-USA to NTSC - Japan is pretty poor... to have an idea of this go here wiki.gbatemp.net/

This will tell u the compatability of games to different region wii consoles.

And last but not least.... U can buy a console from

08/08/2007 Sydney

monolocco says:

continued..

here and u wont have to spend anymore cash on buyin extras like power converter. and u can put a wiikey also from here. and most games will work on ur wii console PAL (all games will always work) NTSC-USA most do work... (NTSC-JAPAN some work but thats what the wiikey update is supposed to be for.. well from rumours anyways that this new update is supposed makes Japan games work on the wii) Well so ive been hearing.
Plus if ur worried about updates or compatability theres always programs to change that or get rid of updates or change the Region
SO as u can see ur mates is going through a hell of trouble to get the wii from japan where he can get it from here and have everything done here....

Hope this helps ur mate...

08/08/2007 Sydney

tigerspew says:

thanks again to people for answers...

to answer the question of why get one from japan? because it costs $200-$240 australian due to the current exchange rate.

why would you want japanese games? Because we both love japanese culture and the werid and wonderful stuff you can get there that never gets the light of day in other countries.

But the 1 thing im trying to get total clarification on - Your saying the compatibility of PAL games to NTSC japan is poor...

but doesnt a WiiKey allow you to play a PAL game on an NTSC japan concole? Or are you saying, yes wiikey does that, but currently not very well?

Do you still have to region patch the iso's when you have a wiikey? this is all a bit different from xbox modding which im familiar with

08/08/2007 Sydney

mywiisites says:

here is the region Patcher Compatibility List from wiki wiki.gbatemp.net/

08/08/2007 geelong

monolocco says:

mywiisites said: here is the region Patcher Compatibility List from wiki wiki.gbatemp.net/

LOL i gave him that link already above LMAO i guess his either too lazy to read or too lazy to go to the site

Dude search here on this site theres lots of threads that answer all these questions... im just repeatin myself over n over again..

Yes compatability of Japan games on PAL machine is poor
but not for USA or PAL of course.

And whats the point of getting wii games from japan... lol well for starters do u know to speak japanese it doesnt seem like it so.... wat is the point of japanese games my question remain asked lol u cant read what theyre saying so it wud for most games a waste of money n time to get them....

Like i said before... if its PAL game u dont have to region patch, if its USA most of the times u dont have to ... i still have to come accross a game u do.. and as for Japan games also the same thing.

Just be patient and wait for the game to come on PAL if it dont work on JAPAN or USA regions... because which ever wii console u get.. either be Japanese or PAL you will always have problems with compatabilty of games..

08/08/2007 Sydney

ShadowFan1 says:

what in gods name is a wiikey?

08/08/2007 Blood Gultch Blue Base

monolocco says:

ShadowFan1 said: what in gods name is a wiikey?

Im not answering lame questions.....
if u really wanna know go and do a google search...

08/08/2007 Sydney

mywiisites says:

ShadowFan1 said: what in gods name is a wiikey?

google it .
its a mod chip

08/08/2007 geelong

monolocco says:

Hey lee i saw ur video on ur wii crashin.... how did u get it replaced if it had a wiikey?? or did u not have it then?

08/08/2007 Sydney

Speedoponi says:

the wiikey allows you to play other region games to a certain extent....not all games work....and a majority of japanese games won't work on the PAL console even with the wiikey installed (and vice versa) !

with that in mind, the only way to play games are basically buying japanese games and paying for postage to australia.

buying a NTSC console is just a waste of money and ur best bet is that you'll be spending another $399 on buying a PAL console. To save all the hassel just buy a PAL console to start with !!!

08/08/2007 Sydney

mywiisites says:

monolocco said: Hey lee i saw ur video on ur wii crashin.... how did u get it replaced if it had a wiikey?? or did u not have it then?

i didnt have it then .
i only got it because nintendo would not help me with another problem so i told them that i was getting a mod chip and they could get stuffed.

08/08/2007 geelong

monolocco says:

Speedoponi said: the wiikey allows you to play other region games to a certain extent....not all games work....and a majority of japanese games won't work on the PAL console even with the wiikey installed (and vice versa) !

with that in mind, the only way to play games are basically buying japanese games and paying for postage to australia.

buying a NTSC console is just a waste of money and ur best bet is that you'll be spending another $399 on buying a PAL console. To save all the hassel just buy a PAL console to start with !!!

ummm didnt i just say that lol.... it sounds im being repeated

08/08/2007 Sydney

Speedoponi says:

tigerspew said: thanks again to people for answers...

to answer the question of why get one from japan? because it costs $200-$240 australian due to the current exchange rate.

why would you want japanese games? Because we both love japanese culture and the werid and wonderful stuff you can get there that never gets the light of day in other countries.

But the 1 thing im trying to get total clarification on - Your saying the compatibility of PAL games to NTSC japan is poor...

but doesnt a WiiKey allow you to play a PAL game on an NTSC japan concole? Or are you saying, yes wiikey does that, but currently not very well?

Do you still have to region patch the iso's when you have a wiikey? this is all a bit different from xbox modding which im familiar with

yeah well the guy still doesn't seem to understand !

08/08/2007 Sydney

deltron_0 says:

I have an NTSC wii and I don't see the hassle. I get some games sooner and the price ends up being a little cheaper in most cases. The system itself cost me no more than a PAL console.

The best solution would have been to make the wii region free in the first place. Any drive chip you use now, will not give 100% compatibility with other region games.

08/08/2007 Adelaide, South Australia

ppduck says:

Hi,

i m using my jap Wii and Wiikey mod chip on......
i think i made a good choice, since it is cheaper than Aust Verion of Wii, and also... more games available and release faster than Australia......
for example, u can play Bleach, Naruto, Dragon Quest Sword.... which u will never be able to play in Australia Wii ...... even though with your modchip installed.
Get it in Jap and u will have no regret....
the only issue is... the OS / interface which displayed in japanese..... but it is very easy to understand..... if any question, u can email me......
U have to buy a step down transformer when you buy a Jap Wii and Playing in Australia as Jap Wii is 110V and Aust is 240V.....that cost you around 30AUd.. and u can get it in Dicksmith..... but i got mine in jap.. so which is only
1500yen in yodobashi......
the only problem is Warranty... which is not a great deal since you will mod you Wii anyway......
the support of Wii PAL, i would say not too good...(still quite a few games can play on jap Wii, they are raving rabbit, harry porter etc..) but most of the PAL version games will release in Jap NTSC or USA NTSC, so it is not a big concern.....
if you want to stick with teh english games, then u can play on the NTSC USA version..... (some are not compatible)
Go ahead and get it..... fully support your decision....
Enjoy....

ppduck

08/09/2007 Sydney, NSW

jac33au says:

owning a wii is as much about pride as playing the games. I think you get a PAL or US NTSC wii. Not a jap one. Where is the pride when your mates come over and cant even read what your doing, and full support will come eventually. How silly will you look still playing your jap wii in japanese when everyone else is playing the same jap games on english wii's cause they didnt cheap out.

08/09/2007 Hervey Bay, Queensland

tigerspew says:

jac33au said: owning a wii is as much about pride as playing the games. I think you get a PAL or US NTSC wii. Not a jap one. Where is the pride when your mates come over and cant even read what your doing, and full support will come eventually. How silly will you look still playing your jap wii in japanese when everyone else is playing the same jap games on english wii's cause they didnt cheap out.

umm pride? in not reading english???... im not sure what your on about, but reading a few basic nintendo menus in japanese isnt going to hurt my gaming ego... bah what do i care, this console is for my friend anyhow, just doing the research for him



thanks ppduck for answering my original Q's/

08/09/2007 Sydney

desi says:  

jac33au said: owning a wii is as much about pride as playing the games. I think you get a PAL or US NTSC wii. Not a jap one. Where is the pride when your mates come over and cant even read what your doing, and full support will come eventually. How silly will you look still playing your jap wii in japanese when everyone else is playing the same jap games on english wii's cause they didnt cheap out.

A hell of a lot of games are only released in Japan.

A hell of a lot.

As in, for every Japanese game that gets released outside Japan, there are tens of others that do not.

08/09/2007 I'm in your profile, deleting your spams for Great Justice.

RerunWii says:

desi said:

jac33au said: owning a wii is as much about pride as playing the games. I think you get a PAL or US NTSC wii. Not a jap one. Where is the pride when your mates come over and cant even read what your doing, and full support will come eventually. How silly will you look still playing your jap wii in japanese when everyone else is playing the same jap games on english wii's cause they didnt cheap out.

A hell of a lot of games are only released in Japan.

A hell of a lot.

As in, for every Japanese game that gets released outside Japan, there are tens of others that do not.

Damned right TS, good ones too, the one's that give you brain numbing seizures...

08/09/2007 The land of Prosperity...ok Brisbane