Nintendo Wii Hacks

Since its release, users have been looking to hack the Nintendo Wii to perform functions not intended or implemented by Nintendo. For every console, there is a community of dedicated hackers and homebrewers, and the Wii is no exception. This page contains links to some Wii hacks and online communities interested in hacking the Wii for homebrew purposes.

Types of Homebrew

Loaders - Launch other homebrew applications
PC utilities - Manage homebrew from the PC
Emulators - Emulate other game consoles
Games - Original games
Media - Media players for music, video and DVDs
Operating systems - Linux and other systemsWiiBrew: Homebrew applications

Hacking the Wii

Wii hacks fall into two categories: hardware and software. Hardware hacks include simple cosmetic modifications to the Wii console and controllers. A Star Wars mod added fiber-optic stars and a general space theme to the console shell, and changed the color of the LED light from standard blue to red.YouTube: Custom Star Wars Nintendo Wii.WMV Several modders have created zappers that incorporate the Wiimote for shooting at the TV screen. A man named Johnny Chung Lee even created a whiteboard system using his computer and the Wiimote.Low-Cost Multi-touch Whiteboard using the Wiimote

The Nintendo Wii has a DVD drive, but the factory-installed firmware does not support DVD playback. This was like a gauntlet thrown down to challenge hackers, who quickly found a way to unlock the drive and watch movies on the console.Lifehacker: Hack Your Wii for Homebrew Apps and DVD Playback (August 19, 2008) Another challenge was Nintendo's declaration that the Wii would not support memory cards larger than 2GB. It wasn't long before hackers had found a way to trick the Wii into believing a 4GB card was only 2GB.PS3 News: Nintendo Wii Hack Discovered for 4GB SD (non-SDHC) Cards

Creative Hacks for Wii

In April 2009, PC World reported that Danish scientists had found a way to use the Wii remote controller, or Wiimote, to control the actions of a robotic lawnmower known as a "Casmobot." The motions of the lawnmower are controlled by using the Wiimote's accelerometer.PC World: Wii Hack Makes Light Work of Mowing the Grass (April 3, 2009)

In February 2009, media reports said a Boston musician and Princeton graduate hacked his Nintendo Wii to allow his Wiimote controller to function as a modified wireless foot pedal. Rob Morris' hack allows him to move his guitar and "change the sound on the fly."Boston.com: His Guitars Got Game (February 6, 2009)