diff --git a/builder/vmware/iso/builder.go b/builder/vmware/iso/builder.go
index 693d97e9b..da8ecd5c8 100644
--- a/builder/vmware/iso/builder.go
+++ b/builder/vmware/iso/builder.go
@@ -40,6 +40,7 @@ type config struct {
 	ISOChecksum     string   `mapstructure:"iso_checksum"`
 	ISOChecksumType string   `mapstructure:"iso_checksum_type"`
 	ISOUrls         []string `mapstructure:"iso_urls"`
+	Version         string   `mapstructure:"version"`
 	VMName          string   `mapstructure:"vm_name"`
 	BootCommand     []string `mapstructure:"boot_command"`
 	SkipCompaction  bool     `mapstructure:"skip_compaction"`
@@ -110,6 +111,10 @@ func (b *Builder) Prepare(raws ...interface{}) ([]string, error) {
 		b.config.VMName = fmt.Sprintf("packer-%s", b.config.PackerBuildName)
 	}
 
+	if b.config.Version == "" {
+		b.config.Version = "9"
+	}
+
 	if b.config.RemoteUser == "" {
 		b.config.RemoteUser = "root"
 	}
diff --git a/builder/vmware/iso/builder_test.go b/builder/vmware/iso/builder_test.go
index f3c1dfd59..b6c0cfd81 100644
--- a/builder/vmware/iso/builder_test.go
+++ b/builder/vmware/iso/builder_test.go
@@ -134,6 +134,10 @@ func TestBuilderPrepare_Defaults(t *testing.T) {
 		t.Errorf("bad output dir: %s", b.config.OutputDir)
 	}
 
+	if b.config.Version != "9" {
+		t.Errorf("bad Version: %s", b.config.Version)
+	}
+
 	if b.config.SSHWaitTimeout != (20 * time.Minute) {
 		t.Errorf("bad wait timeout: %s", b.config.SSHWaitTimeout)
 	}
diff --git a/builder/vmware/iso/step_create_vmx.go b/builder/vmware/iso/step_create_vmx.go
index 8544a1405..e490e639b 100644
--- a/builder/vmware/iso/step_create_vmx.go
+++ b/builder/vmware/iso/step_create_vmx.go
@@ -15,6 +15,7 @@ type vmxTemplateData struct {
 	GuestOS  string
 	DiskName string
 	ISOPath  string
+	Version  string
 }
 
 // This step creates the VMX file for the VM.
@@ -41,6 +42,7 @@ func (s *stepCreateVMX) Run(state multistep.StateBag) multistep.StepAction {
 		Name:     config.VMName,
 		GuestOS:  config.GuestOSType,
 		DiskName: config.DiskName,
+		Version:  config.Version,
 		ISOPath:  isoPath,
 	}
 
@@ -180,7 +182,7 @@ tools.upgrade.policy = "upgradeAtPowerCycle"
 usb.pciSlotNumber = "32"
 usb.present = "FALSE"
 virtualHW.productCompatibility = "hosted"
-virtualHW.version = "9"
+virtualHW.version = "{{ .Version }}"
 vmci0.id = "1861462627"
 vmci0.pciSlotNumber = "35"
 vmci0.present = "TRUE"
diff --git a/website/source/docs/builders/vmware-iso.html.markdown b/website/source/docs/builders/vmware-iso.html.markdown
index 6029ff052..2ac5599f0 100644
--- a/website/source/docs/builders/vmware-iso.html.markdown
+++ b/website/source/docs/builders/vmware-iso.html.markdown
@@ -218,6 +218,8 @@ each category, the available options are alphabetized and described.
   `tools_upload_flavor`. By default the upload path is set to
   `{{.Flavor}}.iso`.
 
+* `version` (string) - The [vmx hardware version](http://kb.vmware.com/selfservice/microsites/search.do?language=en_US&cmd=displayKC&externalId=1003746) for the new virtual machine.  Only the default value has been tested, any other value is expiermental.  Default value is '9'.
+
 * `vm_name` (string) - This is the name of the VMX file for the new virtual
   machine, without the file extension. By default this is "packer-BUILDNAME",
   where "BUILDNAME" is the name of the build.
@@ -334,6 +336,7 @@ these variables isn't required, however.
 * `GuestOS` - The VMware-valid guest OS type.
 * `DiskName` - The filename (without the suffix) of the main virtual disk.
 * `ISOPath` - The path to the ISO to use for the OS installation.
+* `Version` - The Hardware version VMWare will execute this vm under.  Also known as the `virtualhw.version`.
 
 ## Building on a Remote vSphere Hypervisor