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How to Play Wii Homebrew Games

Nintendo Wii users can download free games and emulators if they are using a "homebrew" version of the Wii. Homebrew is the term for games and applications that are available from a third party and not from Nintendo. Emulators are versions of other gaming systems, like the original Nintendo, that allow for the playing of those system's games on your Wii. In order to download homebrew games, a user must modify the software on his Wii. The file that modifies your Wii is called "Twilight Hack," and this hack is designed to work exclusively with the "Twilight Princess" Wii game. If you do not have this game, you can rent a copy. The modification of software on a Nintendo Wii always carries the risk of damaging your console and voiding any warranties.

Things You'll Need

Empty 2 GB SD card and card reader
"Twilight Princess": Wii Game (rented copy is acceptable)
Twilight Hack
Homebrew Channel and Browser

Instructions

- 1
  Download the Twilight Hack and Homebrew Channel and Browser software to your computer.
- 2
  Load your SD card into your computer's SD card reader. Click "Open folder to view files."
- 3
  Unzip the Twilight Hack ZIP file to your SD card's main folder. Do the same with both Homebrew channel download.
- 4
  Create a new folder within the main directory of your SD card. Name it "apps."
- 5
  Unzip the homebrew browser to your newly created apps folder.
- 6
  Insert your SD card into your Wii's SD card reader.
- 7
  Take your "Twilight Princess" Wii game and find the code on the data side of the disc. Note if the digits in the code end with "0A-0" or "0A-2." The Twilight hack is designed to work specifically with this game.
- 8
  Put the "Twilight Princess" Wii game into your Wii console. Open a new game and play for a few seconds. Save your game and exit.
- 9
  Navigate to "Data Management" from the Wii home screen.
- 10
  Delete the existing save file for "Twilight Princess" and copy over the appropriate hack file from the SD card. If your game CD's code ended in A0, copy the "TwilightHack0" file. If your game's CD code ended in A2, copy "TwilightHack2."
- 11
  Begin to play "Twilight Princess" again. When prompted to open a saved file, open the one you just transferred from the SD card. Wait for the game to load.
- 12
  Walk backwards within the game. This will automatically begin the installation process for the Homebrew Channel. Follow the instructions on your screen. This will install and start up the Homebrew Browser.
- 13
  Use your Homebrew Browser to download emulators and games. The Homebrew Browser is an interface much like the Wii shop, except all games and applications are free.
- 14
  Download games and applications from the Wii Homebrew Browser at your leisure. Open these games as you would any other game and have fun playing them.

Nintendo Wii