Setting up Super Mario 64 on Wii Virtual Console in most circumstances requires softmodding a Wii to run homebrew, since
- the game can no longer be obtained through official means, and
- the version used for practice and typically for runs can only officially run on Wiis set to its own region, namely North America (NTSC-U).
This procedure splits into 3 parts, with guides linked for each. You will need an original-edition Wii (one with GameCube controller ports) to play SM64 on Wii VC.
Once set up, your Wii will work like this:
You'll be able to start Priiloader, by:
- holding the reset button during boot, or
- selecting Load Priiloader in the Homebrew Channel.
Priiloader is a menu that lets you start (without region restriction):
- the disc game (select "Launch Disc"),
- any Wii channel (select "Launch Title"),
- the Homebrew Channel.
SM64, both original for runs and practice mod for practice, will be installed as Wii channels, as usual for a Wii Virtual Console game, and so will be started like this.
(The system menu can be used as usual to start original SM64, but can fall foul of region locks or PAL/NTSC mismatch problems like audio stutter.)
The Homebrew Channel is a menu for running homebrew apps, including channel installation managers and (for other games) loaders.
(To avoid needing to ever use a Wii Remote rather than a GameCube controller, you will adjust Priiloader's settings to autoboot into the Homebrew Channel, rather than the default of the system menu.)
If you have already softmodded your Wii:
- If you didn't follow the guide below to do it, do follow it regardless (with no differences) to update your homebrew.
- If you did follow it, make sure Priiloader is up-to-date (we need Priiloader v0.10 or later to start games correctly) – if not then repeat that step.
The general softmodding process is the first step to using any Wii homebrew, and has been standardised for a decade. Homebrew is a path well trodden so the advice below can be relied on to not break the Wii.
wii.hacks.guide is the new recommended guide to follow for this. It's currently (Feb 2024) in a transitional period where it's harder to follow than it used to be, so I will give some tips here on which parts of the guide to follow.
The steps you should follow are:
- Hacking the Wii with an exploit (it's simplest to use Wilbrand (Web) or str2hax);
- Installing The Homebrew Channel + BootMii;
- Backing up the Wii's storage (this is optional – do it for safety, e.g. for a precious Wii, but it's unnecessary for disposable speedrunning Wiis);
- Installing Priiloader.
It is very useful to also go into Priiloader's Settings menu and set Autoboot to Homebrew Channel (then press "Save Settings"). This way, as well as booting into Priiloader if you hold the Reset button, the Wii will boot into The Homebrew Channel if you don't.
For the purposes of other Wii homebrew like USB Loader GX or Swiss Loader, you should also follow the guide on that website to install d2x cIOSes, since it's easy to forget they're missing when something bugs out. These aren't used for SM64.
SM64 practice is done using the Usamune Practice ROM; the full manual is here.
The installation process is described on the second page of the manual, under How to use the patcher. It requires you to source a ROM of the (unique) North American (NTSC-U) version of SM64, and then run the provided program to generate the practice mod in WAD format. WADs are containerised Wii channels, which can be installed using homebrew. Note that you will also need to source an original WAD of your preferred SM64 VC version, for actual runs.
The patching process is a bit cryptic and should be rebuilt to be more like the OoT one at some point.
To install SM64, you need WADs of the game, as well as the YAWMME homebrew app.
WADs:
- An orignal copy of SM64 VC for runs in WAD form (this can be any region but NA is used for most speedrunning purposes);
- The patched practice-mod copy of SM64 in WAD form, as generated in the previous step.
YAWMME is a WAD installer – download it here. It's actively maintained and so safer than older apps that do the same thing. As a homebrew app, you start it from The Homebrew Channel.
The Homebrew Channel detects apps on an SD card or USB flash drive if they are placed in the folder structure described here:
💾 SD Card or USB Drive
| ╸📁 apps
| ╸📁 AppName1
| ╸📄 boot.dol
| ╸📄 meta.xml
| ╸📄 icon.png
| ╸📁 AppName2
| ╸📄 boot.dol
| ╸📄 meta.xml
| ╸📄 icon.png
You would name the AppName1 folder to anything you want (say YAWMME) but you must keep the exact filenames for the files it contains as per the diagram, for any app you want to run, as well as the "apps" folder.
Copy the WADs to anywhere on the SD card or USB drive you're using. Then use YAWMME to install the WADs, which will thereafter show up in Priiloader (and you will no longer need the SD card/USB drive). Now, any time you want to start the games, follow the instructions in the Goal section above.
And that's everything * o *.
- For problems with homebrew and WAD installation, consult the Nintendo Homebrew Discord server linked here.
- For problems with the practice mod and patching, consult the SM64 Discord.
- If NTSC-U SM64 starts on a PAL Wii with the wrong frame-rate and audio stutter, then make sure you start it using Priiloader v0.10 or later. Older versions and the Wii system menu will not work. If you really want to make either of these work, you can change the Wii's Console Video Mode setting using the ARCME homebrew app, but then you must keep changing it each time you switch between an NTSC game and a PAL game.