Wii soft modding

[Bernie]

SO, yeah.  I have been messing with my Wii lately, seeing as how I will be getting a Wii U soon.  I soft modded it yesterday, and installed a bunch of apps.  Emulation on this thing is awesome.  WiiMednafen is bad ass.  Who else here has done this?  Any tips for a newbie to this?    I gotta head to work, but I will update more as I play with it more.

[bob]

I love my Wii emulation.  I mean, how else can I play Stadium Events???   

Seriously though, i have a wii that is solely for emulation.  I didn't want any new games to wipe out the homebrew channel with system updates.

[Bernie]

Its pretty sweet.  I'm running in the latest firmware, 4.3.  I can't wait to get home so I can mess with it more.

[Opethian]

I havent mess with the homebrew channel since SSBB came out. Maybe I should update and check out the new emulators. Back then only the gamecube controller worked for most of the emulators.

[Burnt Lasagna]

The Wii has an outstanding homebrew scene! I'd go as far as saying it's the reason to own a Wii.
Seeing as how you already have WiiMednafen, I'd recommend...

Genesis Plus GX

http://code.google.com/p/genplus-gx/

This is an enhanced port of Genesis Plus. It's capable of emulating the Genesis / Mega Drive, Sega/Mega CD, Master System, Game Gear & SG-1000 (including all unlicensed or pirate known dumps), also supporting backwards compatibility modes when available.

It is, quite frankly, the most accurate 8-16bit Sega emulator ever written.

Snes9x GX

http://code.google.com/p/snes9x-gx/

A Super Nintendo emulator based on Snes9x, ported to the Wii and GameCube. The GUI is powered by libwiigui.

FCE Ultra GX

FCE Ultra GX is an NES emulator based on FCEUX. With it you can play NES games on your Wii/GameCube. The GUI is powered by libwiigui.

RetroArch Wii


http://wiibrew.org/wiki/RetroArch_Wii

RetroArch is a modular multi-system emulator system that is designed to be fast, lightweight and portable. This Wii port can run cores for a large number of systems, including CPS1, CPS2, and NEOGEO.
The following emulators/games have been ported to RetroArch and are included in the Wii release of RetroArch:

    Final Burn Alpha Cores (CPS1 - CPS2 - NeoGeo) [version 0.2.97.26]
    FCEUmm (Nintendo Entertainment System) [recent SVN version]
    Gambatte (Game Boy | Super Game Boy | Game Boy Color) [version 0.5.0 WIP]
    Genesis Plus GX (Sega SG-1000 | Master System | Game Gear | Genesis/Mega Drive | Sega CD) [version 1.7.0]
    SNES9x Next (Super Nintendo/Super Famicom)
    VBA Next (Game Boy Advance)
    Prboom (for playing Doom 1/Doom 2/Ultimate Doom/Final Doom)
    Mednafen PCE Fast (PC Engine/PC Engine CD/Turbografx 16)
    Mednafen Wonderswan (WonderSwan/WonderSwan Color/WonderSwan Crystal)

Aside from emulation, I'd recommend installing a CIOS for running Wii games off a USB HDD,
d2x-cios

http://code.google.com/p/d2x-cios/

This is a custom IOS for the Wii console, i.e. an IOS modified to add some new features not available in the official IOS.
This custom IOS has been made to be used ONLY with homebrew software.
The d2x cIOS is an enhanced version of the cIOSX rev21 by Waninkoko.

Also a Custom MIOS for running Gamecube games off a USB HDD,
DIOS MIOS

http://code.google.com/p/diosmios/

DIOS MIOS (Lite) - Play your Nintendo GameCube games on Wii from an USB device or SD card

and finally a loader for actoully loading the Wii/GC games.
USB Loader GX

https://sourceforge.net/projects/usbloadergx/

This is a program to be loaded on a Wii console. The main purpose of this program is to load Wii games from a USB hard drive, but it includes much more than that.

Make sure you know what your doing first before installing CIOS/DIOS MIOS, since you could brick the Wii if you're stupid about it.

[Bernie]

Thanks BL!  I have a few of those emulators, but I'll grab the others.  I don't think I'll be playing from the hard drive.  Wii games are cheap enough that I can just buy em, and I have a GameCube.  Emulation was my main goal. 

[Burnt Lasagna]

I don't think I'll be playing from the hard drive.  Wii games are cheap enough that I can just buy em, and I have a GameCube.  Emulation was my main goal. 

I wasn't recommending piracy.
I use it because it's a nice means of backing up your collection onto one drive and it's very convenient. 

[PikachuWarrior]

I soft-modded my wii as well. I'm finally using it again. Playing Xenoblade Chronicles on a flash drive (I have the game sealed).

[magnuslee]

Thanks burnt lasagna. I wanted to learn more about soft modding a wii. Those links you suggested seem like good starting off points.

[Bernie]

https://sites.google.com/site/completesg/

Use this for the initial soft modding to get the homebrew channel and a couple other things.  Its pretty straight forward.  I did it in about 15 minutes the first time I tried.  I also have some app packs I can share if yA want.  Once you install the HB channel, the apps are pretty easy.  Homebrew browser is an awesome one to install as well.

[roflmao]

Thanks for that site, Bernie.  Now I have a reason to pick up a Wii.

[CGQuarterly]

I actually just soft-modded mine last night.  It's OK. I prefer my modded Xbox as it looks better on an HDTV.  The fact that the Wii only outputs 480p is a real downer.

Chris

[PCEngineHell]

How fast are the emus running on this Bernie? Fast enough that it would be worth ditching my Mame/Nebula box in favor of a Wii? HD TV ability is not important, as I use my emu box on my SD CRT tv anyway, so if this could surpass my current box I may be interested in doing this too.

[Bernie]

How fast are the emus running on this Bernie? Fast enough that it would be worth ditching my Mame/Nebula box in favor of a Wii? HD TV ability is not important, as I use my emu box on my SD CRT tv anyway, so if this could surpass my current box I may be interested in doing this too.

Everything I have ran, including CD games for the Turbo, have ran at full speed with zero issues. 

[Burnt Lasagna]

Fast enough that it would be worth ditching my Mame/Nebula box in favor of a Wii?

MAME is definitely not one of the Wii's strong point's.
8-16bit hardware is the most bullet proof on the Wii (especially Genesis Plus GX and Wiimednafen).
The Wii can also still output in 240p component video, which looks fantastic on a CRT TV.

[TR0N]

Since,nintendo has stated there done with the wii i wouldn't mind having this done to mine.

[Frank_fjs]

Why wait? I've had my Wii soft modded since the beginning and have never missed out on any official Nintendo crap. In fact having it soft modded is the only thing that keeps me using my Wii.

[TR0N]

Why wait? I've had my Wii soft modded since the beginning and have never missed out on any official Nintendo crap. In fact having it soft modded is the only thing that keeps me using my Wii.

Got plans to get a wii u still i need it legit for a transfer.

[SignOfZeta]

I really need to do this, I guess. What are the down sides? What happens to my Wiiware and VC stuff?

What exactly lacks with MAME? Can it run early games like Ms Pacman and Joust with perfect sound? That would be good enough. Does it run tate? I'd fucking love Ms Pac Man tate on my JVC monitor in 240p...

[Frank_fjs]

Soft modding your Wii (if done properly) doesn't restrict a single thing. Wiiware, VC, all the official channels etc all remain intact.

SDL Mame is a bit hit and miss but not too bad overall. Haven't tried the games you mentioned but it runs all my favourite games just fine.

[Bernie]

My Wiiware and VC all still function like they should.  It basically just adds the Homebrew Channel, and everything runs from there.

[Burnt Lasagna]

What exactly lacks with MAME? Can it run early games like Ms Pacman and Joust with perfect sound? That would be good enough. Does it run tate? I'd fucking love Ms Pac Man tate on my JVC monitor in 240p...

I've never tried those games, but I'd imagine they would work.
The only games I've tried are "Cannon Dancer" and "The Cliffhanger - Edward Randy" and they seemed to run perfectly...from what I remember.

Though, as Frank said, it's hit or miss. I know there were plans of doing an improved port of MAME to RetroArch Wii, but that has yet to materialize.
Also SDL MAME is dead now, in favor of just MAME Wii.
http://wiibrew.org/wiki/MAME_Wii

Got plans to get a wii u still i need it legit for a transfer.

From what I hear, it doesn't matter whether it's hacked or not. Nintendo just doesn't give a crap.

[Bernie]

Here is BL's Dracula X dub/translation running on the Wii via Mednafen.  Pretty smooth.    Be nice, I am playing with one damn hand and holding this camera with the other.  

       

[CGQuarterly]

Here is BL's Dracula X dub/translation running on the Wii via Mednafen.  Pretty smooth.    Be nice, I am playing with one damn hand and holding this camera with the other. 

Dude, show that game some respect and play it in 4:3.

Chris

[Bernie]

Here is BL's Dracula X dub/translation running on the Wii via Mednafen.  Pretty smooth.    Be nice, I am playing with one damn hand and holding this camera with the other. 

Dude, show that game some respect and play it in 4:3.

Chris

No. 

I wasn't playing it, to actually be playing it.  Mainly just showing that it ran smoothly, as have all CD games I've tested.

[SignOfZeta]

Yeah. The component 240p and perfect emulation are kind of irrelevant if the image is all jacked up in wide mode on an LCD.

[Bernie]

Yeah. The component 240p and perfect emulation are kind of irrelevant if the image is all jacked up in wide mode on an LCD.

Again...  I was only testing it to show it..  Thats all.

[sirhcman]

Yeah. The component 240p and perfect emulation are kind of irrelevant if the image is all jacked up in wide mode on an LCD.

Simple fix to change to 4:3 ar

[Raizen1984]

I actually just soft-modded mine last night.  It's OK. I prefer my modded Xbox as it looks better on an HDTV.  The fact that the Wii only outputs 480p is a real downer.

Chris

The reason why the Wii is such a promising emulation box is because it can output in 240p resolution, which is ideal for SD displays.  With component cables, it is nearly the same as pure RGB.  I guess if you like your old games upscaled and filtered for HD displays, this isn't for you.

Anyway, thanks to that guide Bernie posted, I softmodded my Wii today and I'm incredibly impressed.  The NES, SNES, and Genesis emulators are phenomenal, and WiiMednafen runs PC Engine games very well!  I can't seem to get the games to load in RetroArch Wii for some reason, but that's my only gripe.

I really should have done this sooner.

[SignOfZeta]

The Wii would look fucking amazing on my JVC BM-H1900SU. I just need three RCA to BNC adapters...

...and a WiiU, since the Wii is my main Netflix player in the upstairs game room and the JVC is in the basement with the arcade stuff.

[CGQuarterly]

I actually just soft-modded mine last night.  It's OK. I prefer my modded Xbox as it looks better on an HDTV.  The fact that the Wii only outputs 480p is a real downer.

Chris

The reason why the Wii is such a promising emulation box is because it can output in 240p resolution, which is ideal for SD displays.  With component cables, it is nearly the same as pure RGB.  I guess if you like your old games upscaled and filtered for HD displays, this isn't for you.

Anyway, thanks to that guide Bernie posted, I softmodded my Wii today and I'm incredibly impressed.  The NES, SNES, and Genesis emulators are phenomenal, and WiiMednafen runs PC Engine games very well!  I can't seem to get the games to load in RetroArch Wii for some reason, but that's my only gripe.

I really should have done this sooner.

Actually, I like my old games played via analog RGB on my Sony BVM, which is how I play them.  The point (for me) of emulation is to recreate that as best as I can on the HDTV in my living room.  That requires a system that is capable of displaying in the tv's native resolution.  I don't see the point in setting up a dedicated tube TV for gaming just to use it with emulators.  But that's just me.  Sounds like the Wii would have been awesome about 10 years ago when component-enabled tube TVs were the height of living room technology.

Again, that's just the modded Wii as it applies (or doesn't apply) to my specific situation.

Chris

[Frank_fjs]

WiiMednafen runs PC Engine games very well!  I can't seem to get the games to load in RetroArch Wii for some reason

I was pleasantly surprised by the PCE emulation in Mednafen too, very happy that CD games run smoothly. I had previously been using HugoWii which has loads of little problems that always annoyed me so I'm glad this thread popped up and inspired me to give Mednafen a go.

I couldn't get anything going in RetroArch either but I didn't really try very hard. I was put off my the front end and the fact that it made a mess of my roms folder by unzipping anything I tried to load.

[TR0N]

Soft modding your Wii (if done properly) doesn't restrict a single thing. Wiiware, VC, all the official channels etc all remain intact.

SDL Mame is a bit hit and miss but not too bad overall. Haven't tried the games you mentioned but it runs all my favourite games just fine.

Good to know then doesn't soft-modding allow imports to be played as well ?

[Frank_fjs]

Re imports, AFAIK yes it does but I haven't tried it myself. The USB loader programs have options for loading imports. I can play images of Wii games from any region just fine but have never tried with a real copy of a game.

[munchiaz]

I used to have my wii modded back when tatsunoko Vs. Capcom was released (before it was announced for the states) I only had it modded at that time to play that game. Now that i have a Wii u, i softmod it. Thanks for making this thread

[munchiaz]

So im trying to install the backup loader and im running into some issues. according to the guide that was posted, i followed all the steps but there is a step that doesn't seem to be working for me. After you choose all the cIOS setting, the guide states to press the home button to add the cIOS to the batch. This step does not work for me. When i go to continue the process and download the data i get an error that reads "net_init failed Init Network failed: 0116 Failed to get NUS object tmd.5661"

Not sure what this means? But if any of you guys could help that would be awesome

[Frank_fjs]

Sounds like it's trying to download the file via an internet connection and the connection isn't working. Is your Wii online? If not, you will need to download the wad from your PC and transfer to your Wii SD card.

[munchiaz]

Sounds like it's trying to download the file via an internet connection and the connection isn't working. Is your Wii online? If not, you will need to download the wad from your PC and transfer to your Wii SD card.

My Wii is online. I used it to initially get the letterbomb software. Not sure why its having internet issues

[Bernie]

I can't believe just how accurate the emulation is on this machine.  I've ran Turbo CD, Sega CD, SNES, Genesis, NES, and all with no issues at all.  Did a small amount of play in Lunar Eternal Blue a bit ago, and running the intro to Popful Mail now, both Sega CD titles.

[munchiaz]

I can't believe just how accurate the emulation is on this machine.  I've ran Turbo CD, Sega CD, SNES, Genesis, NES, and all with no issues at all.  Did a small amount of play in Lunar Eternal Blue a bit ago, and running the intro to Popful Mail now, both Sega CD titles. 

Is there a guide on getting these emulators on the wii ?

[Bernie]

I can't believe just how accurate the emulation is on this machine.  I've ran Turbo CD, Sega CD, SNES, Genesis, NES, and all with no issues at all.  Did a small amount of play in Lunar Eternal Blue a bit ago, and running the intro to Popful Mail now, both Sega CD titles. 

Is there a guide on getting these emulators on the wii ?

Once you have done this https://sites.google.com/site/completesg/before-you-begin, its just a matter of setting up your SD card.  Make sure you have the homebrew channel installed, and I will put together a file for you to copy to your SD card.  It will contain all the emulators and apps you need.

[TR0N]

I can't believe just how accurate the emulation is on this machine.  I've ran Turbo CD, Sega CD, SNES, Genesis, NES, and all with no issues at all.  Did a small amount of play in Lunar Eternal Blue a bit ago, and running the intro to Popful Mail now, both Sega CD titles. 

Is there a guide on getting these emulators on the wii ?

Once you have done this https://sites.google.com/site/completesg/before-you-begin, its just a matter of setting up your SD card.  Make sure you have the homebrew channel installed, and I will put together a file for you to copy to your SD card.  It will contain all the emulators and apps you need. 

I could use one as well heck having emulators on mine would be sweet.

[Bernie]

Wanna be clear on this.  The contents of the SD card, will only contain apps and emulators.  No game roms or iso images will be included.    The most important app on the card is going to be HomeBrew Browser.  Thats a must have.

[TR0N]

Wanna be clear on this.  The contents of the SD card, will only contain apps and emulators.  No game roms or iso images will be included.    The most important app on the card is going to be HomeBrew Browser.  Thats a must have.

Ahh good to know then i like softmod mine mostly so i can use the sega-cd emu.I got a itch to play snatcher again,mostly because i don't know if i'll ever buy the game again.

[Bernie]

Well, I am finally at the point where I am satisfied with what I've done, and call it DONE!  lol     I formatted an external HD, and have all of my Turbo CD and Sea CD games there, along with all my roms for emulators from the 8-16 bit era.  Just finished installing a few of my Wii games to the HD as well, usinng a USB Loader, and the results are fanastic!  Thanks for the suggestion BL, its certainly a winner.    I also installed a Wad Manager so I could install some VC stuffs.  Anyway, I love it!!

[Mishran]

Gotta bump this thread cause I finally got around to soft modding my Wii. I haven't messed around with it alot yet, but it was super simple and quick. Installed a few emus and some roms on a USB stick. Works like a charm. Gotta thank ya Bernie for bringing this to my attention. I've been using the Wiimote/Nunchuk to play the games since I don't have an alternative at the moment. How well does the Wii classic pad work for this? Might just pick one up used if I can it.

[mac]

Gotta bump this thread cause I finally got around to soft modding my Wii. I haven't messed around with it alot yet, but it was super simple and quick. Installed a few emus and some roms on a USB stick. Works like a charm. Gotta thank ya Bernie for bringing this to my attention. I've been using the Wiimote/Nunchuk to play the games since I don't have an alternative at the moment. How well does the Wii classic pad work for this? Might just pick one up used if I can it.

The Classic controller is great for Snes and Genesis stuff. Prefer the Wii mote for Nes or TG16.

[KnightWarrior]

I can't get Drac X to run

I tried it with WiiMednafen, it said the file was to big

Where do I put the systm3.0 ROM at??

I put mine in SD/:WiiMednafen

Thanks for the help

[esadajr]

I can't get Drac X to run

I tried it with WiiMednafen, it said the file was to big

Where do I put the systm3.0 ROM at??

I put mine in SD/:WiiMednafen

Thanks for the help

Just copy your syscard3.pce (rename the file if you haven't done so) to the wiimednafen folder.

As per the game, I suggest using Cue+Bin. If you have it in another format, use Daemon Tools to mount the game and IMGBurn to create the Cue+Bin. Open the Cue file from within wiimednafen. Should run fine from the SD or from a USB.

[KnightWarrior]

Got it..

In the English version I can't get X-X!V''Q to work