Wii key, US-NTSC Wii and updates

[Mr Ono]

I bought a Wii Key chipped NTSC-U Wii to allow me to play US and Jpn Wii games on the same Wii (I already have a PAL machine for PAL releases).

Are there issues with auto-updates from the game discs which could bork my Wii key? I've got Metroid Prime 3: Corruption coming and last thing I want is to screw up the machine once I put a disc in.

Are there issues in general with updating the Wii firmware and Wii key as this may affect whether the NTSC Wii is connected to the net.

Thanks

[smouty]

Always update from the net so you can be sure you get the correct region update.
The problems people have had is not keeping the Wii updated and then playing an incorrect region game containing an update. If your Wii is updated with the incorrect version (from an out of region game) it will brick it.

[Mr Ono]

Ah right.

So, as long as I keep my NTSC-U Wii updated with NTSC-U updates it should be OK? In which case, could I just not use the update on the MP3 disc?

What about when I need to play NTSC-J games?

[MattyD]

The bricking thing only occurs if you play an NTSC game with an update on a PAL machine, and possibly vice-versa. There's no issue between NTSC regions as they have identical firmware, including the char sets. That means you can play JPN games on a US machine but certain JPN games will not work on a PAL one because it doesn't have Japanese character support. There's also a problem with some NTSC games not outputting correctly because the PAL machine uses RGB whilst the NTSC ones don't.

[smouty]

You can use the update on the MP3 disk as long as it is the correct region.
As long as the console is up to date an NTSC-J game with an update will work as the update will be ignored.
The latest Wii update, 3.0U/J/E stops the Wiikey config disk from working so make sure you are happy with the Wiikey settings.

[Mr Ono]

Thanks guys.

I am keeping PAL and NTSC gaming on separate machines anyway, so it sounds like I won't brick my Wii unless I accidently put a PAL disc in the NTSC Wii.

[Fargo]

Got a wii-key today but my console will no longer read discs is my machine screwed completely or is there anything I can do?

[Mr Ono]

What did you do? Did you install it yourself.

Did you update the firmware first before playing an import game?

[Fargo]

Didn't install it myself, although I did update the Console before the chip was installed

[Mr Ono]

If it's not reading your original games then I'm not sure I can help.

Sorry.

[Fargo]

Feck looks like its bricked so, **** gonna have to invest in a bloody US Wii now, why the hell can't nintendo be more like microsoft and just release the games at around the same time in all regions.

[smouty]

Can you not have the wiikey removed? There is probably not much wrong if it won't read disks. It is still booting to the menu I presume without a disk inserted?

[Fargo]

Yeah it still boots just wont read disks.

[smouty]

It's a bad install. Have it re-done and you'll be fine.

[bootmonster]

sounds to me like you need to set the chip to your region, can it boot gamecube games? they shouldn't be affected by the region doodah.

If so, you need to get the latest version of the PAL wiikey set up disc, it region sets the chip, and bob's yer aunties husband!