Nintendo Wii Screwdriver: Tri-Wing or Tri-Point?

Author: Evan Gattuso

Nintendo uses Tri-point and JIS screws to secure the Nintendo Switch, Game Boy, and all Wii models:

The original Wii and Wii Family Edition require a Y1 Tri-point screwdriver and a JIS 00 screwdriver, or an official iFixit Phillips #00 screwdriver to remove the screws securing the case.
- You may need to use a 4 mm hex driver or a flex extension to extend the reach of the screwdriver bit and remove screws deep in the recesses of the case.
- One fixer was able to reach the screw by inserted a small wad of paper into the shaft of their driver so the tri-point bit stuck out far enough to engage the screw.
- If you use a fixed-blade screwdriver, make sure the shaft is long enough to reach the screws.
The Wii mini requires a JIS 0 screwdriver, or an official iFixit PH0 screwdriver to remove the screws on the case and hidden under the feet.

Important!

Be extra cautious with tri-point screws, as their point profiles are more likely to drive a driver tip out of the recess. These small screws are easy to strip, so follow iFixit’s screwdriver best practices to remove the screws as cleanly as possible. In general, use the largest driver size that fits snugly into the screw.

Note:

According to Jeff Suovanen, iFixit's Senior Technical Editor, you don't have to buy a new JIS screwdriver to remove JIS screws, "technically these are JIS screws, but iFixit designed their Phillips bits to remove JIS screws. You might find removing JIS screws with a non-iFixit Phillips screwdriver to be more challenging."

iFixit refers to the Y-type screw as a “tri-point,” but it is commonly called a “tri-wing” on Amazon and elsewhere on the internet. An actual tri-wing screw has three slotted "wings" and a small triangular hole in the center. The slots are offset and do not intersect the center of the fastener.

Tri-wing screw	Tri-point screw

You will need a JIS or an official iFixit Phillips screwdriver to remove fasteners on the outside and inside of the Wii. Nintendo uses JIS screws to secure the Wii, but you can use a Phillips screwdriver in a pinch. Be very careful not to strip the screws.

JIS screw	PH screw

Japanese Industrial Standard (JIS) screws do not provide a cam-out option and have 90-degree corners.
Phillips (PH) screws are designed to make a Phillips screwdriver cam out if too much torque is applied. This prevents damage to screws and screwdrivers or bits.
The inner cut on a PH has a radius. Forcing the radius into the JIS screwhead can damage the screw and strip it.

Note:

iFixit's Chief Tool Officer, Eric Essen, manufactured iFixit's Phillips bits with JIS screws in-mind, "we designed our PH bits sizes 000-1 to be cross-compatible with JIS screws without damaging them. PH2 will damage them. Other brands PH bits may damage them."

If you’re opening up the Wii Remote or the Wii Classic Controller, you will need a Y1 screwdriver to remove the fasteners inside the battery compartment.

Use a metal spudger or any other sturdy prying tool to remove the plastic screw covers around the console.

Warning!

Be sure to exercise caution when using this tool. With its great strength comes the potential to scratch or otherwise damage components that might be better served with plastic tools such as a spudger or plastic opening tool.

A pair of tweezers is useful for handling small, delicate components.

A spudger is versatile prying tool that can be used to pry open the Wii Remote, connectors, and other parts that need to be manipulated with with care.