US or EU Wii?

[danholo]

I really want an answer to this question and I don't want to look for it in the forest of all Wii threads. This might also provide useful to others who might have the same dilemma.

For all, or no, purposes I'd like to get a US version of the Wii. One of the main reasons being that I have a US Gamecube and thus all my GC games are US versions. The other one is that the Virtual Console might have those games available that were released in the US but not in UK or the rest of Europe. Or how does the Virtual Console work anyway? Would I have to get an American account for the VC? What pros are for the versions? What problems might the importing a US Wii pose? RGB and picture issues (60hz) etc don't seem to be a problem anymore seeing as the Component connection will be the prominent one in use in the future although I would be getting an RGB connection initially. Also, I don't like using a swap system so if the US will be getting a better selection of games, as always, I'd go with that.

Until next year when a new batch of Wiis will be available.

[Kotatsu Neko]

Absolyutely go for a US Wii. Aside from shipping charges for the system itself, and possible customs charges there are no downsides at all. The US Virtual Console gets new games before Europe, they're cheaper, and they're all 60hz. (many EU VC games are 50hz). You can buy US VC points through Nintendo Points cards, or using a credit card online through the Wii.

You'll also by and large get Wii games much earlier than in Europe, and pay much less for them too.

So yeah, no downsides at all, US Wii all the way.

[danholo]

What about power? I guess I just get a European PSU like I did for the GC. Don't tell me it's the same one!

edit: According to the "Virtual Console Archive" more VC games have been released in the EU then in the US. Even some "essentials" (read: games worth while) like Castlevania 4 for the SNES and R-Type for the PC Engine!

[Kotatsu Neko]

I use a cheap (?10) step down from Maplin. The Wii doesn't need much juice, so is happy with a really small step down.

[danholo]

I don't know what Maplin is. I guess it's some kind of electronics store. I have a pretty hefty converter.

[MarioMark]

Plus all the US Wii VC games run in Pro Scan or atleast that's what my TV tells me when I'm running the NES version of Zelda.

[danholo]

Plus all the US Wii VC games run in Pro Scan or atleast that's what my TV tells me when I'm running the NES version of Zelda.

Europeans are getting the shaft again for no reason at all?

[Shotski]

Europeans are getting the shaft again for no reason at all?

Nintendo hates europe always has always will but we keep comeing back like the peverbial batterd wife. the only thing we only ever got out of it was the proper looking snes and not the dog of an american console. Without all the good bits inside of course.

[Billionaire Boy]

I do not have component on my tv unfortunately. I have an american gamecube, and ps2 and this is the way i want to go.

but

if anyone can help, a simple yes or no would be enough. does an NTSC-Wii support RGB? can i use the rgb cable on it? i'm hearing no, and this is a major dissapointment for me as i don't want to spend ?200 on a console that will provide the best graphics ive ever had and then be forced to run it through s-video, as i did with a gamecube and it ruined my enjoyment of some of the games if im honest.


cheers!

[Kevvy Metal]

I do not have component on my tv unfortunately. I have an american gamecube, and ps2 and this is the way i want to go.

but

if anyone can help, a simple yes or no would be enough. does an NTSC-Wii support RGB? can i use the rgb cable on it? i'm hearing no, and this is a major dissapointment for me as i don't want to spend ?200 on a console that will provide the best graphics ive ever had and then be forced to run it through s-video, as i did with a gamecube and it ruined my enjoyment of some of the games if im honest.


cheers!

No you cannot use the PAL RGB cable on the USA Wii.

The USA Wii outputs composite, s-video and component.
The PAL Wii outputs composite, RGB and component.

Just the way it goes dude.

It was the same(ish) with the Gamecube.
The US GC didnot output RGB. unless a very expensive modded cable was used.



Most HDTV's got component inputs so thats what i'll use.

[Lyris]

I was totally sure the US Wii would be fine with RGB but I've been proven wrong. The video output chip in there should support all formats but it seems that Nintendo's AV output port is the weakest link.

If it's still possible to enable/disable RGB mode (like it was on the GameCube Component Cable to hack it into an RGB SCART one) It *should* (repeat should) be possible to modify a US/Japanese console to output RGB SCART by drawing the info directly from the chip itself, bypassing Nintendo's own output port. But that will of course involve soldering directly onto the chip and also probably adding a switch to toggle between RGB and Y/Pb/Pr (component) mode.

Who wants to try it first? ....

[Mr Fujisawa]

the only downside with the us wii is borrowing games off friend or taking games to friends houses, u cant do that if theyre on pal.

also, u wont get any nintendo vip points which now look to be useful if u can swap them for wii points. thats the one thing ill miss.

also, impulse buying a game is gone.

[Kotatsu Neko]

the only downside with the us wii is borrowing games off friend or taking games to friends houses, u cant do that if theyre on pal.

also, u wont get any nintendo vip points which now look to be useful if u can swap them for wii points. thats the one thing ill miss.

also, impulse buying a game is gone.

Yes but US VC and Wii games are so much cheaper the star points stuff doesn't really count for much.

[FreelancePolice]

good point well made, any idea when the NTSC wii's will be in plentiful supply? I'm hoping late January early february but you never know

[Lyris]

the only downside with the us wii is borrowing games off friend or taking games to friends houses, u cant do that if theyre on pal.

Works the other way too, in the past I've felt relieved that certain friends won't be able to borrow my games and get them scratched up

In the GameCube days I just took my Cube over to whoever's house we needed it at ... same with the Wii, it's not exactly bulky.