Homebrew is user made software. Homebrew software enables much more extended functionality than originally intended by the developers and creators, such as play music, backup game saves, play homebrew games (the legal ones, of course).

To run homebrew on the Nintendo Wii, you must first install a program to run code that enables the functionality of homebrew (links will be provided further down), as well as a storage device to save these programs onto from your computer and read them from the Wii.

• The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess
  Required to run the hacked gamesave code to enable homebrew. An existing gamesave is required
• An SD Card Formatted to FAT16
  This is the only way to make it readable both by your computer and by your Wii. Can be done easily in Windows, read more here
• SD Card reader
  For your computer to put the code and applications on to the SD card.
• A Wii
  Obviously
• Twilight Hack Ver. 3a Available [1][2][3]
  The program that makes it all possible

To start, first you must identify which version of TP you have so you use the proper homebrew "installer". Look on the inside ring of your TP disc to find a serial number, match it up using the data below to help.


Serial Number       File
RVL-RZDP-0A-0 JPN 	 rzdp0.bin
RVL-RZDJ-0A-0 JPN 	 rzdj0.bin
RVL-RZDE-0A-0 JPN 	 rzde0.bin
RVL-RZDE-0A-0 USA 	 rzde0.bin
RVL-RZDE-0A-2 USA 	 rzde2.bin



Once you have that figured out, and formatted your SD Card properly, make a new folder on the SD Card with the path shown below:

/private/wii/title/RZDx/ (Replace "RZDx" with RZDE, RZDP or RZDJ as appropriate based on the file you will be using)

Take the appropriate .bin file and place it in this folder, then rename it "data.bin"

Then take whatever application you want to run and copy it to the root directory of the SD card. Rename this as "boot.elf".

Now, put the SD card into your Wii and turn it on. Go to

Wii Options --> Data Management --> Save Data --> Wii

Find your Zelda save, click on it, click "Erase" (Yes, you will lose your saved data. Either back the data up to another SD card or another save file).

Open the SD card and select the "Twilight Hack" save. The icon will say "Wiibrew Loader". Copy this file, then return to the main screen.

Boot up The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess, Load file A, and either walk backwards or talk to the man standing in front of you.

This should then boot into your homebrew application that you placed in the root directory earlier.

As I stated above, you can run various applications (such as a media player), run a Linux kernel, play ported homebrew games (see the list here), extract and save your Miis, or backup save game files (including Gamecube ones).

While there are plenty of sites that provide great downloads for Wiibrew, I am not going to risk violating Neoseekers Rules and Regulations regarding emulation and ROMs that could also be found on these sites.
However:
Here is a great selection of free applications from the WiiBrew Wiki, or see the list here

How do I format an SD card to FAT16?
It is quite simple actually, in Windows XP/Vista, you just select the drive and select format. You will be presented with several options. FAT and FAT32 sound like what we are trying to get. In these newer versions of Windows, FAT means FAT16. FAT16 was the compression that was used on the older systems (such as DOS or Win95/98).

Where can I download Wii Games or other ROMs for this?
I cannot tell you. As per the Forumwide Rules: subclause 19, the discussion of warez, ROMs, or any other illegal activities is strictly prohibited. Please do not inquire, or give help to those who inquire about such devices.

Will this mod my Wii, will it void the warranty?
A valid question indeed. No this will leave your Wii unmodded and untampered with, thus NOT voiding the warranty in any way.

Myself (Deathsythe), Neoseeker, Neo Era Media and any of its affiliated companies; take no responsibility for any harm that may come to your console or peripherals.

Gamecube Saver: Copies Gamecube saves (as .GCI files) to and from your Gamecube memory card and your SD card.
Homebrew Channel: Installs the Wii Homebrew Channel onto the System Menu. Ten minute limit. (this is going to be BIG after Beta)
Mii Extractor: Extracts your Mii's from your Wii to an SD card.
Mii Installer: Installs Miis from your SD card.
Proof Of Concept Linux: mini-distro is a small Linux OS for the Wii, based on GC Linux. USB Keyboard functionality has been added.
Save Extractor" Dumps saves from your Wii's Memory to an SD card.
Rebooter: Reboots the Wii back into regular mode.
Wii Homebrew Launcher: A good Wii menu-style launcher for .elf files.
Wii Midia: A basic media player.
WiiPaint: Draw on the Wii.

Asteroids: Asteroids Port (very primitive, but works)
Ballion:Destroy blocks with a ball. Wiimote or Gamecube controller can be used. Sound and better graphics
Chess: A simple port of a basic chess game
Minesweeper: Minesweeper port
Snake: A basic Snake port
Tetris: A good Tetris port

Hard to say. Everything is still relatively new, but if it takes off the way DS homebrew or PSP homebrew did; it would definitely be worth it.

All in all: Maybe not right now, but there definitely is potential, so keep an eye on the Wii-homebrew scene and it might be worth the investment in the (near) future.

quote Andrew5

Is Twilight Princess the only game you can hack? And would I have to buy anything?

As of right now only TP works, but they may figure out ways to use other games in the future.

quote twilightprince

Will this do any harm to my console? lol

No, no harm whatsoever. It won't even void the warranty.




Thanks for the praise monkey_ninjas316, I try

quote NeoRez

Okay, I did the part where I make a folder in private,wii, title, then made a folder called RZDE. Then I put in an rzde0.bin file in the folder right? I get confused after that.

Also, what is a root directory?

Its pretty much step by step from the first post, there really isn't really much else to explain.

A root directory would be the default directory of the SD card. For example J:\\.

quote Barmy Brat

Just a few questions. Firstly, how do you actually play homebrew games? Is it like, just get the file and burn it to a DVD or what?

Secondly, do you need to do the whole process of booting your TP Hack every time you want to use homebrew, or do those "Homebrew Launchers" you listed bypass that step?

Finally, what exactly is the scope for piracy with homebrew? Not as if I want to do it (<3), I'm just curious whether it really makes it as simple as burn -> play.

quote NeoRez

Also, on the twilight hack, I talk to the guy, then this black screen of death pops up. Then I have to plug the wii's power cable out to turn the wii off. What did I do wrong?

Once you talk to the man it should boot to your homebrew application. Check your paths and all the steps again.

Not to my knowledge.

Why, is the guide not simple enough?


If so, what can I do to improve it?

quote Barmy Brat

... Make your own video of it?

Perhaps.

quote NeoRez

I put that RZDE file in, renamed to data.bin.

Now, if I wanted to play tetris on it, how would I set it up?

Take the Tetris ELF file and rename it to "boot.elf" and place it into the root directory (just the letter drive path of the SD card (ex- F:\\ or J:\\)

Put it in the Wii and boot the Wii up, copy the data.bin file to the console and boot up TP. When you load the data.bin file that you just moved, it should launch the homebrew application after you turn and speak to the man behind you (if not immediately).

I hope that helps a bit.

If you think about it - as I said before, Wii games are generally bigger than what can be held on a single 2Gb SD Card. Emulation of older games (purchasable on the VC) is more what I feel is in store next.

NeoRez, are you sure that you are using the correct data.bin file? Check the table in the first post against your serial number on your TP disc.

@Sakuraba Neku,

You should be able to do that without having any kind of homebrew programs. That is just file management.

@twilightprince,

I haven't used that before, but what exactly is happening? Is it booting at all?

As far as I know, at this point only 2GB works properly.


@Sakuraba Neku & Neorez
I really don't know what to tell you. You must have screwed up a step somewhere along the way, or aren't using the proper files.

Unfortunately true. If you are serious about homebrew, I would highly advise against updating.

Looks like we will have to wait for the WiiBrew channel to get out of beta.

Stay tuned for updates loyal readers