Team Cyclops, the people behind the CycloWiz modchip for Nintendo's Wii videogame console, have just released the first upgrade for their upgradeable modchip. The upgrade includes a special version of GCOS that allows users to run Gamecube Multi Game discs. This special version is fully compatible with the old Viper format.

As for which switch to use, Team Cyclops says that "any toggle switch should do the job, as well as push buttons that don't need to be held." The next batch of CycloWiz modchips will also include a switch so users won't need to buy one separately. Here are a few more notes from Team Cyclops regarding the upgrade:

• If you turn off your console during the welcome screen or switch test screens, make sure it is in deep sleep mode for at lest 10 seconds, it won't recognise discs until you do it. If you have any doubts, unplug the console for 10 seconds.
• If you get stuck in a Programming - Verifying loop for more than 10 cycles, it is likely that there is an installation problem with the S wire. You have to turn off the console to fix this, but make sure you never turn it off before trying at least a dozen cycles. We got two reports of this behaviour and it was fixed both times.
• Make sure the switch pads are not in contact with any metal part of the Wii, including shielding. If there is such a short circuit, the fuse next to the X point can blow and drive won't spin or eject anymore until you fix the fuse.

Better late than never, apparently. A little less than a month ago, TeamCyclops, the brains behind the CycloWiz modchip for the Nintendo Wii, added a DVD upgradability feature for their chip. A few days later, the team promised hopeful Wii owners that they would be featuring a demo to show off how this update would be done. Fast forward to today, and we introduce readers to this video demonstrating what appears to be the CycloWiz DVD upgradability in the works. Watch and see (via whackawookie over at Youtube):

Unfortunately, we're unsure of how the whole process took place, given the lack of any verbal instructions. Future Cyclowiz owners may want to sit down and view this video to give them an idea of how to run the DVD update -  one of the past milestones this modchip has already overcome. Just be careful of the chip version you're making ready to purchase, and you're all set.

TeamCyclops' modchip for Wii">CycloWiz, modchip for Wii">TeamCyclops has recently announced in their official site that a number of CycloWiz units from the latest batch that they've released have an issue that disables the modchip's functionality. They say that due to a problem at the PCB factory, the A, B, and C points of the CycloWiz ended up connected together. They say that unfortunately some of the defective units were already shipped to customers.

They urge customers to verify that they do not have one of the defective CycloWiz modchips before they install it. An identification guide is offered at their official site. We suggest that you go look for it there, but this image below should be helpful.

TeamCyclops offers free replacement of defective units through their retailer network. They also offer free replacements with D2B chipset support for people who have a D2B console and a CycloWiz from an earlier batch that doesn't support the D2B chipset.

Buy: [CycloWiz]

Modchips and console security updates, like the international arms race, is one that never ends. And for a short while, it seemed that chip developers faced another Nintendo hurdle by way of the infamous GC2-D2B model Wii. As we said, "For a short while." Divineo is now accepting pre-orders for a D2B-capable TeamCyclops' modchip for Wii">CycloWiz chip for a price of US$ 39.99, although we'll have to see if this really is the case.

And in other news, we bring an update on the Wiikey mod chip. The dev team has pushed its the release date to between February 16 and 20, and is now capable of running on D2B Wii units. As for the updated specs:

• Direct boot of Wii backups (like originals)
• Direct boot of GC backups (like originals)
• Direct boot of homebrew in GC mode
• Supports all currently available console and drive versions (including the D2B chipset)
• True sophisticated upgradability via DVD/disc (future proof, expect cool features to come)
• Direct boot of different NTSC region Wii games on USA and JAP consoles
• Partial support for different region NTSC games on PAL consoles
• Supports different region GC games (partially without swapping)
• Supports multi-disc games for BOTH Wii and Gamecube
• Supports DVD-R / TRUE DVD+R and +RW support (no bitsetting required)
• Improved read settings for recordable media
• Built-in audio fix (for games using streaming, no patch required)
• Supports full-size 4GB DVD for Gamecube homebrew
• Stealth mode
• 512 byte EEPROM to store configuration
• 4 wires & quick solder interface
• Unique disc backup application via SD-card
• Compact design, best quality components, rock solid high speed controller
• Professional ESD packing

Keep checking back for updates (on price tag perhaps?) on this potential hot-sell, along with any word on the other two chips expected to break the D2B barrier soon, The Wiinja and the Wiip.

Buy: [CycloWiz]
Buy: [WiiKey]

Remember the Wiikey guys? They're the modders who came up with the first and only upgradable modchip for the Wii. This same modchip will begin shipping today, or so they promised. Well, they can keep the title "first ever" but they can't claim that their babies are the only one of its kind on the market anymore.

TeamCyclops just announced through its own website that CycloWiz, modchip for Wii">TeamCyclops' modchip for Wii">CycloWiz, modchip for Wii">TeamCyclops' modchip for Wii">CycloWiz has been upgraded as well to have a DVD upgradability feature. And to rub it in more, the team mentioned that its modchip is shipping already. As in now. At first glance, one may think that CycloWiz is superior to Wiikey, but one has to take into consideration that the latter is the only chip with support for Wii imports.

We're guessing TeamCyclops has something more up its sleeves, especially now that there are reports circulating about the new Wii models being incompatible with these modchips. Now, we wonder whatever happened to the Wiinja kids...

Buy: [CycloWiz]

MaxConsole has a review (first ever for a Wii Modchip) out for CycloWiz, modchip for Wii">TeamCyclops' CycloWiz for the Wii. Their verdict? While the Modchip still doesn't allow you to run Wii imports or Wii homebrew, from the words they've used and the exclamation points that dot the review, it's pretty much an understatement to say that they're impressed with the modchip.

Here are their words: "We probably already have a winner in the Wii modchip competition that just started!"

MaxConsole think that the positives that come with the modchip far outnumber the drawbacks. The upsides to this modchip include: Wii and GC backups work exactly like original discs, it has support for GC imports and homebrew, it's easy to install, and it works with multi-disc games.

For their complete review, feel free to use our "Read" link below.

Buy: [CycloWiz]

While we're still speculating on whether Team Ninja's modchip for the Wii is the real deal, in comes this news bit on something equally interesting. Teamcyclops has just announced the upcoming release of its very own mod chip which, much like its Wiinja counterpart, allows the console to play GameCube and Wii backups.

As for the other details surrounding this chip:

• Quicksolder (no wires required)
• Plays Wii Backups
• Plays GC Backups
• Play GC Homebrew
• Play GC Imports (swap needed)
• Built-in Audiofix (GC games using streaming are working flawlessly, no patch needed)
• DVD-R / DVD+R support
• Optional chip disable wire
• Stealth even when chip is enabled
• Multi-purpose LED
  

Further reports say that this chip may be shipping in by next week, though there has not been any news on a set price. The team's site isn't up yet though, so we're going to have to file this under rumor for now. We advise the hopefuls to keep track of this development in case any further news turns up. For now, take you pick on similar announcements in the past...

Buy: [CycloWiz]