If you are a strict fan of original games, then you would probably be unfamiliar with console modding. However, if you are one of those who are keen on maximizing the uses of their console, then the following ideas might have entered your mind at one point or another. In truth though, there is really only one reason why people want to learn how to mod a Wii savings. By unlocking the Wii’s native capabilities, you can turn it into a virtual entertainment center, without needing to buy anything else.
So if you are sold on the idea of savings, and you want to learn how to mod a Wii, you have three options: you can buy a pre-modded or pre-unlocked Wii, you can search for a free mod guide online, or you can try to unlock it yourself using certain software. Among the three options, the first one is the most expensive. Meanwhile, the second option is the most dangerous for your console, and the third one is probably the safest, depending on your source and how closely you will follow instructions.
A pre-unlocked Wii means that it has either been installed with a mod chip, or an unlock software. If you want to try the pre-unlocked Wii, be prepared to shell out a lot of money. That is because you have to buy a new console altogether. And sometimes, it is worth almost the same or even more than the unmodified one (Does $700 – $800 sound ok with you?). But if you feel alright with the idea of having two consoles in your den, or if you have the foresight to buy a pre-unlocked Wii as your first console, then this idea has a lot of merit. Of course, you usually don’t have any warranty for this, so it’s a calculated risk.
If the extra amount of money does not sound good for you, you may try having a mod chip installed into your unit. A mod chip simply bypasses the security checks of the device, and isolates its functions to enable homebrews to be played. It costs around $40-$60, and unless you have some electronics experience, or you really know what you’re doing, you need a professional to install it for you. But similar to buying a pre-unlocked Wii, it ultimately means that your warranty is void, because tinkering has been done with your device. And to date, there are quite a few stories of gamers bricking their units altogether because of this method.
The safest by far is to buy unlocking software, or the so-called soft chip. In this case, the software itself is downloaded into an SD card, and the card is inserted into the console to install the software. It virtually does all the functions of the mod chip, without the need for any tinkering. In case of problems, it can also be uninstalled fairly easily. Therefore, it leaves the warranty intact. What’s more, it costs less than a mod chip – typically around $30-$35, and needs no professional assistance. Try this one out first if you want to see the benefits of modding, and then simply uninstall it as you please.