Wii Homebrew

[Joyrex-J9]

I figured that now homebrew on the Wii is (relatively) easily achievable and there is a starting trickle of emus and apps released, it was time for a thread focused on Wii homebrew to prevent it cluttering up other threads.

No piracy or yarr talk please...

EDIT: Updated on 8th Aug 2011

Intro

Everything you need to know is covered in the guide (below) but the main thing you will need is to do is install the Homebrew channel.

Getting started

- GAF's Wii Homebrew Tutorial - The father of all Wii Homebrew guides. USE THIS!

- WiiBrew.org - Primary source of information and downloads

Emulators

- SNES - Snes9x GX

- Megadrive - Genesis Plus

- NES - FCE Ultra GX

- Sega Master System - SMSPlus

- PC Engine - Hugo Wii or WiiEngine

Decent Games or Ports

- Quake - Excellent port of Quake, with proper wiimote motion controls (you'll need the proper Quake PAK files to play)

- WiiDoom - Good port of Doom for the Wii

- ScummVM - Play those Lucasarts classics

Details of new 4.3 exploit here (8th Aug 2011)

http://www.rllmukforum.com/index.php?showtopic=183976&view=findpost&p=8067777

[Blu3Flame]

http://wiibrew.org/index.php?title=Homebre...cko_Region_Free

Homebrew alternative to Datel's Freeloader.

[Joyrex-J9]

Anyone got thoughts on the best version of SNES9X emu to try?

There appears to be a stupid "maze" of versions and unoffical hacks out there... is there one that;

- is in english

- works with the classic controller

- runs from the SD card

??

[MDK]

There's no SDK yet is there, so no homebrew.

[LewieP]

There's no SDK yet is there, so no homebrew.

Er...There is homebrew.

[MDK]

I don't give a shit about ports. There's some serious potential for new stuff with the Wii (like it needs to be stated) and it's only likely to start when there's some proper software libraries. That's when it gets interesting.

I see there's a simple graphics library and some Wiimote demos, so maybe this thread isn't totally premature. Seriously, this is like the only thing I'm ever gonna buy a Wii for.

[GGSolid]

http://wiibrew.org/index.php?title=Homebre...cko_Region_Free

Homebrew alternative to Datel's Freeloader.

I'm at work so I cant check that out Does it run through the Twilight Hack?

[Blu3Flame]

Yes it does.

[GGSolid]

Yes it does.

That's great news! I'm always worried that at some point I wont be able to play NMH again and it does put me off importing more games.

[bcass]

No piracy or yarr talk please...

I'll kick things off with a couple obvious links

• Running apps via the Twilight Princess savefile hack
  
• SNES Emulation
  
• ScummVM
  

There's something of an oxymoron going on there isn't there? Unofficial emulation is all about piracy. Even more pertinent in this case where you're using a console to emulate systems (illegally, for free) that Nintendo are emulating and a have a revenue stream from . Doesn't bother me at all, it just seems a bit blinkered to first say 'No piracy or yarr talk' first.

[LewieP]

It is perfectly legal to back up your own Snes games any play them on any format you can.

It is perfectly moral (imo since it's obviously subjective) to play Snes games you already own cartridge on another format. Regardless, there is nothing illegal about emulators in and of themselves, it's just that they can be used in conjunction with someone committing copyright infringement. Just like a photocopier, CD burner or even a pencil.

[Alex W.]

It is perfectly legal to back up your own Snes games any play them on any format you can.

Actually that varies widely. For example, unauthorised duplication is not permitted under Fair Use, or is banned by newer legislation, in many regions.

[bcass]

It is perfectly legal to back up your own Snes games any play them on any format you can.

It is perfectly moral (imo since it's obviously subjective) to play Snes games you already own cartridge on another format. Regardless, there is nothing illegal about emulators in and of themselves, it's just that they can be used in conjunction with someone committing copyright infringement. Just like a photocopier, CD burner or even a pencil.

Sure, but in the context of this thread, and this forum (and the internet), it's a bit like the murderer standing over the dead body with a bloody knife in his hands telling you that he can also use the knife to slice a loaf of bread.

[milko]

Sure, but in the context of etc and so on, piracy clearly means the downloading of current games, as distinct from emulating old things that aren't available new in the shops any more.

[Alex W.]

Sure, but in the context of etc and so on, piracy clearly means the downloading of current games, as distinct from emulating old things that aren't available new in the shops any more.

Except, they are available to download off the Wii Store. You could still go out and legitimately spend money on them.

[milko]

Except, they are available to download off the Wii Store. You could still go out and legitimately spend money on them.

Presumably the thread starter intends people to discuss the stuff that isn't on the VC here. I mean, it appears to be plain as day to me frankly, so I don't know if I'm just being unusually perceptive/unusually naive/watching some trolling.

[Alex W.]

I think in all honesty saying we're not going to discuss y'arr here is rather a token effort. It's emulation, pirating old games goes hand in hand. Of course, we shouldn't discuss Wii games piracy, but AFAIK that doesn't exist yet.

[roadkill]

I don't give a shit about ports. There's some serious potential for new stuff with the Wii (like it needs to be stated) and it's only likely to start when there's some proper software libraries. That's when it gets interesting.

True. In fact I think too many emulators actually diminish this, since why bother writing another homebrew game if everyone's playing on emulators?

The Wii is hardly an ideal emulation machine anyway. It's underpowered and it's controls are unconventional enough to be a problem. Proper original small games on it would be great, but I'm suspecting highly unlikely to materialise.

[matt!]

I think in all honesty saying we're not going to discuss y'arr here is rather a token effort. It's emulation, pirating old games goes hand in hand. Of course, we shouldn't discuss Wii games piracy, but AFAIK that doesn't exist yet.

It does exist, but I agree we shouldn't discuss it. Anyway...

I've been playing Fate of Atlantis on ScummVM. Is there an easier way of booting stuff than loading Zelda up each time?

[LewieP]

It does exist, but I agree we shouldn't discuss it. Anyway...

I've been playing Fate of Atlantis on ScummVM. Is there an easier way of booting stuff than loading Zelda up each time?

Not yet, but I expect it'll be on the way shortly.

[Dandy_Sephy]

There's no SDK yet is there, so no homebrew.

(most?)Homebrew apps run under the GC emulation don't they? Which means no sd cards, classic controllers or wiimotes. Or usb.

[bcass]

If you watch the installation video, the apps are run through the Wii version of Zelda, not the GameCube version.

[Floppy]

If you watch the installation video, the apps are run through the Wii version of Zelda, not the GameCube version.

A question about the Twilight Hack - do you have to delete your own LoZ:TP save game in order to get the hack working?

[bcass]

By the looks of the video, yes you do. You'd have to backup your save onto another SD card first if you don't want to lose it.

[GGSolid]

Just got it all working and it really is fantabulous

[Floppy]

By the looks of the video, yes you do. You'd have to backup your save onto another SD card first if you don't want to lose it.

D'oh, had forgotten that you can use SD cards to back-up Wii gamesaves. Thanks.

[mwaawm]

I had two copies of chronotrigger sat in the loft one of which had a knackered save needing the battery replaced so I traded it years ago and Im guessing my other working copy will also have wiped its save by now (havent played it other than through Zsnes on my PC for years). Id love to play this on the living room TV again but from what I recall Snes9x was always pretty inferior to Zsnes, Im wondering if theres any chance of anyone porting that anytime soon.

[Dandy_Sephy]

If you watch the installation video, the apps are run through the Wii version of Zelda, not the GameCube version.

Aside from the fact that wouldn't necessarily make a difference (the hack could always put the machine into GC mode), I see the emulation is no longer reliant on using gamecube apps. That's just me not doing any recent research

[luth714]

Is there any danger with bricking your Wii with this?

I've got Scumm on my DS and would love to play them on the Wii - considering how everyone else is shlocking any old nonsense on to the Wii, its surprising that Lucasarts/ Sierra haven't just cranked out a disc of ports.

Looks like I best crack on and finish off the Twilight Princess then...then I can delete that save and have a go at this.

[GGSolid]

The region free hack is really good. I haven't used my Freeloader since. What I'd really like though is one to play import GCN games...