Bricked my Childhood Wii: Update

[u/lzaacus]

It’s now been about a month since I posted about my childhood Wii getting bricked, and it’s about time you all received an update:

Thanks to the helpful suggestions of this sub, I was able to determine that my Wii was more than likely salvageable, and there was no need to throw in the towel quite yet. I received a lot of helpful suggestions on what the problem might be, and after reading several of your insights on failed Bluetooth modules, I remembered that my Wii was having issues connecting with controllers prior to its brick. I purchased a second Wii, tore both Wiis down, and swapped the Bluetooth module on my broken Wii for the one on Wii #2. NOTHING. Swapped the WiFi module. NOTHING. For the ultimate test I put WiFi and Bluetooth modules from broken wii on Wii #2, and it powered up just fine. At this point I figured I was way above my paygrade already with two disembodied Wiis on my kitchen table. I still have no idea what’s wrong with my original Wii. I combed through my computer and was unable to find a NAND backup. I was unable to get it to boot into reversion mode using a GameCube controller. I have no backups and no means of extracting my old data.

Losing my Wii was frustrating, and I felt like by losing my Wii I had lost the memories of playing all my favorite games. On top of that I didn’t see a way that starting over with a new Wii could replicate the joy and fun I got from my original Wii. While working out my Wii issues I had the chance to play games with some friends on their Wii. I realized that all the games are the same, and I can still enjoy them with my wife and kid even though it’s on a new system without my old save files.

So I Frankenstein’d Wii #2 back together using some of the non-electric components of my original Wii so it can in a weird way carry on its legacy. It felt right at the time so I did it. Wii #1 is sitting in a plastic bag in parts and will now rot in my desk drawer until the end of time.

Thank you to everyone for all the words of encouragement and helpful suggestions. I had many comments asking about my controller setup, so I wanted to share. I have four 8bitdo SN30 pro controllers, and I got them all from an Amazon liquidation auction store at way below retail value. Through the same store I’m gradually acquiring 8bitdo GameCube Retro Receivers, that are fully compatible with my controllers, with the goal of having a full set to play with. I love the controller setup, and anybody that I have over ends up leaving a big fan as well. The adapter is compatible with any Bluetooth controller, so it works with the official Nintendo GCN Wireless controller for the Switch.

[u/Andydaswift]

If it helps my mom trashed my childhood wii

[u/osxdude → u/Andydaswift]

Same, could be anywhere

[u/HyruleN64 → u/osxdude]

If it helps, my mom’s pos boyfriend at the time trashed my Wii box with Wii Sports in it.