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What Is the Master Lock on Wii?

The Nintendo Wii's master lock, also known as the parental controls, prevents children from playing games with questionable content and viewing Internet channels without parent permission. Parents can set up the parameters of the master lock according to their preferences. The master lock is controlled by a PIN, which is created when setting up the lock.

About
- The Entertainment Software Ratings Board, or ESRB, reviews video games based on a variety of elements, including violence, themes and language, and provides a rating for the game. The game ratings, which are similar to the ratings given to movies, provide a quick overview of the appropriateness of games for children. This tool is used by parents to help determine a game's suitability. Nintendo designed the Wii with parental controls that block games with certain ratings so that kids can't play them without entering the PIN. Parents can also set the parental controls so that Wii channels that use the Internet are blocked.
PIN
- When enabling the parental controls on the Wii, you're prompted to create a PIN, or Personal Identification Number, that will be stored in the Wii. The four-digit code unlocks the Wii to play restricted games and access Internet content. In addition to needing the PIN to play certain games and browse Internet channels, you must enter the PIN whenever you make changes to the parental controls. When creating the PIN, you also input a security question for retrieval in the event you forget it. To create a PIN and security question, select "Parental Controls" in the "Wii System Settings" menu. You are prompted to create a PIN before you can change any settings.
Restrictions
- Once you create the PIN and the security question, the "Parental Controls" screen allows you to decide the highest ESRB rating you want your Wii to play. Your options are "eC," suitable for ages 3 and older; "E," for ages 6 and older; "E10+," for ages 10 and older; "T," for ages 13 and older; "M," for 17 and older; or "Allow all video content." In "Other Settings," you can put restrictions on the Internet browser, the "News" channel, the ability to send and receive messages and the use of Wii points. If your child attempts to use anything that you restrict, she is prompted to enter the PIN.
Considerations
- Write down your PIN and the answer to your security question and place it in a secure area in case you forget both. If you can't recall your PIN or the security question and you can't access that information, note the eight-digit confirmation code that appears on the screen. Contact Nintendo's customer service with that code number to reset the PIN on your Wii.

Nintendo Wii