Using US/110V Wii in India - Voltage Conversion

If you plan to use USA Wii in India, most important thing to note is the AC power voltage, which in India is 220V compared to half i.e. 110V. Never plug in a USA power adaptor into an Indian power socket as it will burn the power adaptor. 

So ensure that either you have a universal (110V to 220/240V range) Wii power adaptor like the onces available in many shops and online through Amazon and other internet shopping sites. convertor or a 220V version adaptor. 

One option is to use a voltage convertor (220V to 110V) which are used to power US appliances in India. 

Another point to note is the difference between a voltage convertor and a socket/plug adaptor. Socket/plug adaptors as shown below do not convert the voltage they just change the pin type.  Below ones can be used if you have a 220V input compatible power adaptor.

If you just use these with a US Wii power adaptor in India then also the power adaptor will go bad and you will not be able to use Wii.

You need one of the following options. to connect a USA Wii power adaptor.

Rest Later. Have a good day.

- Neeraj

Where to buy Nintendo Wii in India? Few options listed.

As of now mid of Feb 2009, official launch of Nintendo Wii has not happened in India. I hope that happens soon. I see many inquires on net and otherwise, on where to buy a Wii in India so thought of summarizing some options here.  

All of the systems available in India are imported, brought into India by friends and family members or in so called grey market. These come from various countries and are so country locked mostly unless hacked and modded. 

Issue with country specific systems is that you need to check the voltage compatibility and also need to get games from the same country. The accessories like Remote/Controller and Nunchuk can be purchased from any country and are region free.

In Bangalore I saw systems available in Landmark in The Forum Mall last month and all these were imported from Dubai and appeard to be European region machines. 

Reliance digital also carries few machines ones in a while so you can check for availability in your region. They mostly have USA versions for which we need to pay extra for 220V power adaptor (Nintendo sells machines with AC voltage adaptors meant for specific country (no universal power adaptor). So need to invest in 220V to 110 V convertor along with the console.

Online Ebay India has many listing for consoles mostly USA versions again and few Asian PAL versions some time. Recently few Australian and Korean versions have also appeared (priced any where from ~ Rs17000 onwards. Ebay India prices for consoles have come down by couple of thosand rupees recently but please check for sellers reputation and feedback before placing any order on Ebay.

JJ Mehta, the Mumbai Photo store which also sells through Internet (search google for a link) carries USA versions and sells for Rs21990 and 220V adaptor an extra Rs2000. This is on an expensive side. 

If you are bringing a system from USA/Canada, please ensure that you but a good quality 220V to 110V convertor and DO NOT directly connect a USA version console into an Indian power socket. 

Best wishes.

Update 19 Feb 2009.

Last years press release had listed HCL Infosystems (same company of HCL computers fame) as one of the two distributors for Wii in India. Also HCL's website lists them as Nintendo's official partner in India. I had not seen any Wii's through official channels in India so far, so requested a response from HCL. In email response they confirmed that "Yes Nintendo Wii is available for sales in India through HCL retail channel partners." But they did not confirm when these will be available off the shelf but one can give it a try contacting HCL dealers and requesting for a quote.

Some reference links 

http://www.moneycontrol.com/india/news/pressmarket/hcl-infosystems-reports-cons-revenuers-3140cr/382121

http://www.hclinfosystems.in/pro_digi.htm

- Neeraj

Wii Sports Tennis - Score Update

Managed to play for some more time.. My current score has crossed 2050 now.  At these levels it becomes more difficult to beat the Wii game's internal players. 

I will also be getting a second set of remotes soon, so will be able to play with others as well. 

Wii Sports Scores

I will be posting my Wii Sports gaming progress here and possibly some clips here soon.. Individuals from India playing Wii sports can also add their high scores and comments here.

I started playing Wii Sports around mid of December 2008. Here is a snapshot of my game score (1576) as on 15th Jan 2009. My current ranking score in Wii Sports Tennis is 1850.

Have a good day. 

Nintendo - Wii - Not around yet in India

Even after launch annouced in India in September 2008, Wii's are no where to be seen in India through official channel. It appears that Christmas and Holiday season demand in US, Europe and other markets did not allow Nintendo to have enough units for an Indian launch. Most units are being imported into India from various countries and are being sold through some electronics stores and also ebay India (mostly USA versions).

The kind of experience Wii gaming offers, I believe that there is a large market of the product in India. Is Nintendo listening?

- Neeraj