How Does a Wii Key Memory Adapter Work?

Wii Modifications

• For a WiiKey memory adapter to work, the Wii console must be modified. One way to do this is to install a WiiKey modification chip. This small chip is fixed onto the Wii DVD drive's motherboard with wires or soldering. This takes some technical skill to install. Once installed, the WiiKey chip cannot be removed.

What's a WiiKey?

• A WiiKey mod chip is a device that allows the Nintendo Wii to run DVDs, homebrew or non-Nintendo brand games, and other media from the Wii. Without this modification chip, the Wii does not recognize anything other than official Nintendo-brand games. The chip overrides the recognition device and allows other media to be run on the Wii console.

What is a WiiKey Memory Adapter?

• A WiiKey memory adapter is an adapter for SD memory cards. The adapter is the same size as a Game Cube memory card. There are different brands of WiiKey memory adapters, such as Gecko and PEGA . Some adapters can accept full-size SD cards, mini SD cards or micro SC cards. Most SD card adapters will not support SD memory capacity of more than 2 GB.

What Does It Do?

• A WiiKey memory adapter does not function as a normal memory card. It does not allow Wii game data saves. (The only exception to this is the game "Animal Crossing," which does allow Game Cube memory card saves.) The adapter allows certain homebrew applications to load games and write game data on it. This adapter does not work without the WiiKey mod chip installed to the console first. It works in conjunction with the WiiKey chip software.

How Does It Work?

• According to OzModChips.com, a WiiKey memory adapter "can be used with a number of free supported applications such as 'SD Load', a great file launching program designed for developers to upload and run executable files." The adapter can also be used to back up Wii games from disks. Users run a WiiKey back-up utility program which will load the game "image" from the original game disk onto the SD card in the adapter. The program will break the image file into chunks and load it onto the SD card, which then has to be transferred to a PC so it can be copied to a back-up disk.

Support

• Wii system modifications can be tricky for those who are not familiar with electronics. WiiKey and other brands of modification chips require skill to install and then also to run the software. Users should have knowledge of file types, such as .iso, executable and bootable files. Support is not available on the official Wii tech support site, since these modifications are not sanctioned by Nintendo. However, unofficial support is available from other users of these products through user forums such as Wiinewz and Afterdawn (registration required).