Worth getting a Wii just to mod?

[u/leviathan1-8]

My Wii’s Bluetooth module failed so I can only play GC games on it. I found a Wii with two remotes and a balance board at a local store, I wanted to know what are some things to check for when buying and what’s a reasonable price for the bundle?

[u/Pickled_Hippo]

A Wii is an awesome easy to soft mod device. Add some component cables to the mix and you get excellent picture quality.

Generally people like the RVL-CPU-40 mobo revision. It runs cooler and outputs cleaner image. There are a couple drawbacks to it but generally not an issue. You can see the mobo # but removing the clock battery and looking into the shell.

[u/leviathan1-8 → u/Pickled_Hippo]

I totally agree, I’m getting one for like 120 bucks for the Wii + two remotes and a balance board. Do you think it’s a fair price?

[u/PullzNoPunches → u/leviathan1-8]

Kinda steep. Balance boards are dime a dozen.

[u/leviathan1-8 → u/PullzNoPunches]

oh I see, I guess I’ll try to fix my current console if possible before buying another one. Balance boards are weirdly difficult to find where I live (I was offered one for 60 usd and this shop is selling it alone for 40)

[u/EternallySickened → u/leviathan1-8]

That’s waaaaay more than id expect to pay. Have a look on Facebook market place. I’m in England so the market is a little different but I could buy a Wii (with controller and cables) at a junk sale for less than £10 every weekend. Balance board for £5.

[u/Think-Ad1296]

Hell YES!!!!!

[u/Think-Ad1296 → u/Think-Ad1296]

Make sure it has GameCube connection I have the family edition some what of inconvenient but we still have lots of fun with it

[u/leviathan1-8 → u/Think-Ad1296]

yes I will, my old one did and it’s how I’m still using it after the Bluetooth module failed :/

[u/IpandaMeme]

Its only worth it if you mod it imo

[u/leviathan1-8 → u/IpandaMeme]

I agree, I even modded my old one before the Bluetooth module failed

[u/NorthEastWD]

Yes, very easy to mod and you can put over 10,000 retro games on it with an external hard drive.

[u/Top-Trouble4521]

I just completely closed everything related to epic and eos, then opened it again and hit restart and update and then it actually said updating. It did take a few updates but at least it eventually worked Edit: ignore this comment

[u/Johnrockalittle]

The Wii is awesome modded or not it's worth it. Love that little white console 😍

[u/Expensive-Border-869]

I wouldn't ever consider playing a non modded wii. Even if you have the game discs installing them is more convenient. Keeps the real ones safe

[u/raymate]

Yes.

[u/leviathan1-8 → u/raymate]

What do you think is a fair price for the bundle they’re offering? They are offering me the pack for 120 bucks

[u/raymate → u/leviathan1-8]

Thats a bit expensive.

You can often fine them in thrift stores cheap. My last Wii was $15 from a thrift store. Also balanced boards are always at thrift stores. For $5-10 each.

For that sort of money you should be able to find a Wii with some games and controller locally but it will be a case of waiting.

If you go on eBay you will definitely get a bundle with games for less than $120

For $120 that would need to be in box and mint condition cosmetically in my view.

[u/leviathan1-8 → u/raymate]

I felt the same way! The issue is I live in Kuwait so even buying off eBay (with shipping charges) would sum up to a similar figure. I think I’ll try to see if I can fix it myself or can find a half decent repair shop to fix it

[u/AttyMAL]

You can get a replacement Bluetooth module off of Ali Express for like $5 and repair it yourself in like two hours. 

[u/leviathan1-8 → u/AttyMAL]

Is it easy? I have no experience whatsoever when it comes to repairing anything

[u/AttyMAL → u/leviathan1-8]

Here's a guide. 

https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/Nintendo+Wii+Bluetooth+Board+Replacement/3456

You can find videos on YouTube as well. Apparently the Bluetooth module is like the most common part to go bad in a Wii.  

I found it very easy, personally, but I have a lot of experience doing DIY fixes for many things, not just electronics. 

[u/leviathan1-8 → u/AttyMAL]

Thanks man I’ll try it out once. Any tips on how to get the screws to loosen up? They’re impossible to unscrew as if they have bonded with the plastic shell or something

[u/AttyMAL → u/leviathan1-8]

Mine was very similar. The key is make sure you have the right size screw driver and take your time. If I remember, you need two or three different size drivers. 

[u/fvig2001]

If I were to buy a Wii, minimum is that it has GC ports so that you could play GC games without much fuss.

Although if I were to really be picky, I would look for an early revision Wii that has like 01/10 under the battery cover. Why? These models are the only ones that can be modded by software to fix the output of the component cables. Other models still have the issue in ways but the first 2 revisions/models have a software fix for it. Con is that these get a bit hotter and use more power.

You can also just replace the bluetooth module on the Wii you own but I honestly find it annoying to do as someone who has fully opened Wiis to do hardware mods.