This has likely been answered before, but so far I haven't had much luck in locating the information in a summarized form. My apologies if this is already out there somewhere and I missed it, I haven't been reading the forums as often as I would like.
I currently have a Wiikey 2, 1.9g, 3.3u firmware. It works fine for playing my backups though I haven't backed up/played any newer releases in awhile. I'm seeing tons of information about soft mods, homebrews, downgrades, etc, but to be honest I'm completely confused and not sure it's anything I need to bother learning. So then, my questions:
1. Does the Wiikey 2 still work as far as playing backups of games released in the last year or so? I believe 1.9s is the latest firmware but that's at least a year old. I seem to remember reading that certain games (Animal Crossing) don't get along well with the Wiikey.
2. Are there backups you can play via soft mods that you cannot via the Wiikey?
3. And the reverse of #2 above... Are there backups you can play via the Wiikey but not via soft mods?
Basically just trying to find out if there's a reason or advantage to delving into the world of soft mods when I already have a Wiikey. Any thoughts or comments appreciated.
1) You've heard wrong. Modchips are better than softmodding. 1.9s is for wiikey 1 though, not wiikey 2. But regardless of the chip, modchips are better than the softmod.
2) No
3) Yes but the list is quite short. There are some games though that need a little effort to make them work.
Long story short: If you have a working modchip and dont care about homebrew then dont worry about it.
I concur with penguin98, however I wouldn't go as far to say that one is better than the other. I use both and here are my reasons.
modchip = running backups straight from the disc channel with 100% compatibility (or close enough). Also if you have a modchip then you can install the Homebrew Channel with a burned copy of Zelda instead of hunting down an original
Softmod = The term "softmod" has been used interchangeably with HBC (Homebrew) and that is not the correct way to use it. Softmod as I define it is using software to accomplish what using a modchip would allow you to do. In this case we are only talking about the backup loader, and just to be perfectly honest, if this was around back in the day I wouldn't be using a wiikey right now. Just no reason really.
HBC = Homebrew channel. The is where all the fun stuff is. Google homebrew if you need a detailed description but really its just home made software for the wii. From this channel (if you have it loaded using the Zelda method) you can launch custom programs and also it can be used to install channels and stuff from the wii shop channel (if you know where to find it on the web for download). You can install different wii operating systems and menus and even change the default boot screen if you like. You don't need a modchip to install the homebrew channel but it helps because you won't have to go hunt down a specific version of the game Zelda: Twilight version. You can just use a burned copy.
Excellent info, thank you, just what I was looking for. Agree about the misconception between softmod and homebrew... homebrew is what I've reading a lot about and the source of the confusion. I'll probably dig into it at some point but for now will just smile and keep feeding the Wiikey!
ahhh at last. this is the thread i was looking for. i too have fallen off the face of the earth and have returned to see all this talk about homebrew, downgrading, and softmods.
i have a NTSCwii with wiikey. i believe the wiikey is version 1.9s and the wii's firmware has not been updated since SSBB. i plan to update my wii by either internet connection or from an update inside a recent wii game (of the same region as my wii). after doing so, will i be able to....
1. continue playing my older wii backups as well as newer games(both backups and original copies)?
2. can i continue to buy and play games from the wiishop channel?
3. will i still be able to go online(both online gaming and web browsing?)
i am not interested in using homebrew or playing other region games. i would also like to avoid using wii update manager, brickblocker, or any of those update/code removal programs.
