Esoteric Devices Wiki

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====== Nintendo Wii ======

Nintendo's wildly successful followup to their GameCube. Releasing on November 19th, 2006 in North America, the Wii's PowerPC-based Broadway CPU, 64+24 MB of RAM, and maximum output resolution of 640x480 was not particularly powerful at the time of it's release, as Nintendo's competitors in the PS3 and Xbox 360 were both already in the HD 1080p era. Despite this, the Wii went on to be one of Nintendo's most successful consoles of all time, reaching a sales figure of 101.63 million - no doubt helped in part by the strength of the Wii's games library.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wii 

===== Operating Systems (IBM PowerPC Broadway) =====

=== Archii ===

>X11 tar has X.Org installed along with the OpenBox3 WM and Cwiid

A port of Arch Linux to the Wii. This version is minimalist, similar to Gentoo, but tar files for things like X11 are available.

https://jonimoose.net/archii/

https://bbs.archlinux.org/viewtopic.php?id=73947

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8hUSkOLWMZ8



=== Bricks-OS ===

>a microkernel based network distributed operating system

An OS that has been ported to several other game consoles. Of these ports, the Wii port is probably one of the most barebones ones, possessing just framebuffer and debugging support.

https://github.com/rickgaiser/bricks-os

https://code.google.com/archive/p/bricks-os/

https://web.archive.org/web/20090222060403/http://bricks-os.org/



=== Classic Mac OS x.x.x?? (DOSBox somehow) ===

>It's SLOW!!!!!!! Idea was flawless on other platforms, yet in DOSBox is struggling

A very slow and poor port, but it is noted to have loaded. The fact that it's in DOSBox is slightly confusing, but in theory it could run at a better speed?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M-LYK62iIEk



=== Console emulation (potential) ===

Whether these emulators support operating systems for these consoles is unknown; it must be looked into further. Consoles without meaningful OSes are not included.

https://www.gamebrew.org/wiki/List_of_Wii_homebrew_emulators

Atari 2600 – Wii2600, StellaWii

Atari Lynx – Mednafen, WiiHandy

Bandai WonderSwan (Color) – mednafen

Coleco ColecoVision - WiiColEm

Megazeux GCS – Megazeux git (has CHIP-8!)

https://github.com/AliceLR/megazeux https://www.digitalmzx.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=9709

NEC TurboGrafx-16 – Hugo-Wii 14Dec, WiiEngine 1.5b, mednafen

Nintendo 64 – Not64, Wii64 Beta 1.1, Wii64 Rice

Nintendo DS – DeSmuME Wii r185

Nintendo Entertainment System – FCE Ultra GX 3.2.6, mednafen, nestopia

Super Nintendo Entertaintament System – Snes9x GX 4.2.8, CATSFC

Nintendo Game Boy (Color) – Gnuboy GX 14/12, RIN Wii 16/12, VBA GX 2.2.5, mednafen

Nintendo Game Boy Advance – VBA GX 2.2.5, mGBA +enhanced, RIN, mednafen

Nintendo Virtual Boy - mednafen

Sega Genesis – Genesis Plus GX 1.6.0, mednafen

Sega Master System – Genesis Plus GX 1.6.0, SMSPlus 14Dec, mednafen

Sega Saturn – Yabause Wii r2649 Beta23

Sony PlayStation 1 – PCSX-Revolution rev50, WiiSX Beta 2.1, wiiSXR/SXRX



=== Debian 4 Etch/Xwhiite ===

>Don't use the 2009 method

One of the better ways to use Linux on a wii. The first link is the newest and best tutorial, which has been tried and tested by our team and can be confirmed as working. The older tutorials are linked only for posterity, and it is recommended to NOT use them.

https://gbatemp.net/threads/wii-linux-xwhiite-0-2-with-wi-fi-in-2020-tutorial.570945/ (BEST.)

http://www.gc-linux.org/wiki/WL:whiite-linux-installer

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2pvHvcq8qJ8



=== Debian 6 Upgrade ===

>have a working whiite-linux installation, follows steps 20 and 24+

While one can run Debian 6 on a Wii without a pre-existing install, it appears easier to re-purpose an existing install of xwhiite (above). 

http://riki.blinkenshell.org/wiilinux/6-diy.html

=== Debian 8?? ===

Some madman managed to get Debian 8 on their Wii, at least, according to the title. Hoping it's not a typo.

https://www.reddit.com/r/linuxmasterrace/comments/seamit/my_new_favourite_linux_box_debian_8_on_a_nintendo/
=== DosBOX 1.7 (Windows 3.1, 95, ME(?)) ===

By using DOSBox 1.7 on Wii, one can run a variety of Windows versions on the Wii, albeit with some graphical glitches. Outside of this however, all of these noted OSes will run in some capacity on the Wii. Note: There is a maintenance port of DOSBox that is patched up to SVN r-4301. Use this one over other DOSBox versions if possible, as it may improve the functionality of many programs, including Windows.

https://github.com/dborth/dosbox-wii

https://github.com/retro100/dosbox-wii (maintenance version)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v_EjnLwa8iw

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dTNGXMhTUnM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WcpJWSKp7VE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_n8Lyxo0qBk

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zy2cUsH3jJ4


=== Emulation Nest ===

This device runs an operating system which is known to emulate various devices with EOPs. See the  [[eop:operating_systems:conventional:amigaos|AmigaOS]], [[eop:operating_systems:conventional:classic_mac_os|Classic Mac OS]],  [[eop:operating_systems:conventional:dos|DOS]], [[eop:computing:computers:msxes|MSX]], and [[eop:computing:computers:nec_pc-9801_series|NEC PC-9801 series]] pages.


=== FreeBSD ===

>The result is not usable: You will not obtain a shell prompt

This was made as a mere proof of concept, and as of now it does not work as the OS crashes before fully loading. At best, this is just a mere oddity or experiment for FreeBSD devotees.

https://wiki.freebsd.org/Wii

https://github.com/rpaulo/wii

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tsh46zv3ckY

http://gugus69.free.fr/freebsd/wii/freebsd-wii.tar.xz

https://blog.cochard.me/2012/09/freebsd-kernel-for-nintendo-wii.html



=== GeeXboX ===

>free embedded Linux distribution which aims at turning your computer into a so called HTPC

An unofficial port of GeeXboX, which by the name, originates from the Microsoft Xbox. Despite it's "unofficial" nature, the port does work, and will turn a Wii into a Linux-powered media center of sorts.

https://fartersoft.com/geexboxforwii/



=== Linux (base kernel, old) ===

>Linux operating system kernel and assorted GNU userspace

The kernel sources that are used by the various distributions of Linux available for the Wii, plus several experimental branches on higher kernel versions.

https://wiibrew.org/wiki/Wii-Linux

https://sourceforge.net/projects/gc-linux/files/wii-linux/

https://github.com/neagix/wii-linux-ngx/tree/stable-v3.x

https://github.com/neagix/wii-linux-ngx/tree/experimental-v3.x

https://github.com/neagix/wii-linux-ngx/tree/experimental-v4.x



=== Linux (base kernel, recent) ===

>rebased patches for the purpose of running a modern Linux distribution on the Wii

More recent efforts of working on Wii Linux, coming with stable support on 3.x and experimental support on 4.x.

https://neagix.github.io/wii-linux-ngx/

https://github.com/neagix/wii-linux-ngx



=== PC emulation (potential) ===

Whether these emulators support operating systems for these computers is unknown; it must be looked into further. DOSBox was formerly in this list, but has been made into a separate entry, as OSes are possible. PCs without meaningful OSes are not included.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I_REoKdrlfo (past 36:09)

https://www.gamebrew.org/wiki/List_of_Wii_homebrew_emulators

Amstrad CPCs - wiituka 0.98.8, CrocoDS?

Apple II/e - wii apple 0.0.7

Atari 8-bits - WiiXL 0.1

Atari STs - hatari wii 0.0.8, AtaWii

CHIP-8 – Chippy

Commodore 64 - Frodo 2.4.1

Commodore Amigas - UAE wii v12

MSXs - BlueMSX wii 1.0.7, MiiSX 0.4, uMSX

NEC PC-9801s - Neko project II v0.83 beta 1

Sinclair ZX Spectrums - FBZX wii 1.5, Fuse snap3



=== Stock OS/Wii Menu ===

A classic stock OS, with interesting channels, fun little applications, and more.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ODcEtsIGjY



=== WiiShell ===

>a simulated UNIX shell for the Wii with an image viewer

This isn't an OS, but rather a sort of program that imitates an OS. In actuality, this is an SD card reader with a command line interface + image viewer.

https://www.gamebrew.org/wiki/WiiShell



=== WiiToo! ===

>minimal precompiled stage4 made to let you run Gentoo

The port of Gentoo to the wii, which exists in a precompiled but minimal state. Detailed installation instructions can be found on the Wiibrew wiki.

https://wiibrew.org/wiki/WiiToo!

https://web.archive.org/web/20160802041911/http://wiitoo.sourceforge.net/



===== Internet =====

=== Internet Channel ===

The classic Opera-based Wii internet browser found on many different Wiis. Not very capable nowadays, but it can still browse certain things.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1JtLai8Y8Xo



=== WiiBrowser ===

Doesn't correctly work. Some people have claimed in the YouTube comments that the 2nd most recent revision of this browser will work, but the wiki team has tested this and found it to not be the case.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HCMh8grKUKA

===== Other =====

=== Cubecraft ===

>This game uses the GameCube controller exclusively.

A Minecraft clone for the Wii, that also runs on the GameCube. May have an infinite world, but definitely has creative world + inventory.

https://github.com/camthesaxman/cubecraft


=== GXCraft ===

A simple clone of Minecraft Classic for the Wii. Requires the nunchuck!

https://github.com/gamax92/GXCraft

=== WiiCraft (learner) ===

>and only serves as a documentation

Yet another Minecraft clone which appears to be someone's learning project from a decade ago.

https://github.com/filiphsandstrom/WiiCraft

=== WiiCraft (v0.8.2a) ===

>now runs at a smooth(ish) 30fps almost all the time

While having the same name as the WiiCraft above, this is completely unrelated and a much more advanced project. The only issue is that the download links are broken.

https://wiicraft.blogspot.com/


=== WiiVoxelEngine aka WoxelCraft ===

>you can connect to a Minecraft Server 1.2.4 or 1.2.5.

Yet another Minecraft clone for the Wii. What's interesting about this one, is that it can actually play on official Minecraft Java servers of certain versions!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e4zTgiIqJGQ

https://github.com/kperdlich/wii-voxel-engine

https://gbatemp.net/threads/woxelcraft-voxel-engine-for-the-wii.443144/


===== Version & Revision Guide =====

For general information, see the [[eop:essays:game_console_revisions_overview|Game Console Revisions Overview]].

==== Versions ====

//There are three versions of this console, arranged chronologically.//



=== “Wii (original; RVL-001)” (2006-2011) ===
//RECOMMENDED OVERALL; BEST RELIABILITY; LOWEST PRICE//

Coming in many colors and containing many revisions, the RVL-001 possesses the most features, the most functionality, and is the most recognizable. On the front is the power, reset, and eject buttons, plus the disc drive, the SD card slot, and a sync button (the last two are normally covered with a plastic flap). The bottom has vents, plus a screw-on access to the clock battery (this is important later, for revisions). More importantly, the top has four GameCube controller ports, and two GameCube memory card slots; both of these are normally covered by separate plastic doors. Lastly, the back has 2 USB ports, a “sensor bar” port, an AV out plug, and the AC in. While reliability and detailed functionality varies by the internal revision, all RVL-001s are easy to mod, can play GameCube games, and have their button and logo labels oriented in a way which presumes upright use. Serial numbers begin with LU or LB.



=== “Wii Family Edition (RVL-101)” (2011-2014) ===

A cost-reducing variant of the Wii, the Family Edition does not actually lose many features compared to the RVL-001. For the most part, all inputs and outputs are the same. Only the GameCube ports (controller, mem) have been removed, and the console’s labels are now oriented in a way which presumes horizontal use. Furthermore, the software has been changed to restrict playing or launching any GameCube software. The excellent news is that, simple software modding can remove this restriction, and simple hardware modding can allow using GameCube peripherals again, as the pads for them still exist on RVL-101 boards. While it is easier to buy an RVL-001 for these features, just a bit of handiwork can turn the RVL-101 into a system effectively just as capable as the RVL-001. Serial numbers begin with KU or KB.



=== “Wii Mini (RVL-201)” (2013-2017) ===
//DO NOT PURCHASE//

Yet another cost-reducing variant of the Wii, and this time, a significant amount of features have been lost. Alongside the removal of the GameCube ports, Wii Mini systems don’t even have the pads for adding them again. They have also removed Wi-Fi connectivity, one USB port on the back, the SD card slot, and 480p out. In essence, these consoles require hardmodding or weird methods for them to have the capability to do anything. Visually, they’re red and black with a top loading drive. While internet access can be softmodded back in, and certain features like the SD slot can be soldered back in, these really won’t be worthwhile for anyone, except as mere happenstance. Serial numbers begin with HW.



==== Revisions ====

//There are three revisions within the Wii (original; RVL-001), and no revisions within the Wii Family Edition (RVL-101) and Wii Mini (RVL-201).//



=== Wii (original; RVL-001) revisions: ===

=== “RVL-CPU-01/20” (2006-200?) ===
//DO NOT PURCHASE//

The original launch model revisions of the RVL-001. Taking up the most space (6 layer), consuming the most power, and outputting slightly worse video than later revisions in two different ways, these are not really worth getting. Their only positive is that they’ll often have DVD support, which isn’t very relevant nowadays. To identify these (as for other board revisions), unscrew the Wii’s clock battery on the bottom, and look inside for “01” or “20”.



=== “RVL-CPU-30” (200?-2009) ===

While retaining the reduced video output of the 01 & 20s, this revision has a markedly lower power output and consumption. However, they still are 6 layers, and they did remove DVD support. Otherwise, these are an OK midpoint between the worst (01/20) and best (40/60) RVL-001 revisions. To identify these, look for the “30” inside the Wii after unscrewing the clock battery.



=== “RVL-CPU-40/60” (2010-2011) ===
//RECOMMENDED OVERALL; BEST RELIABILITY//

These boards were reduced to 4 layers, and have a low power consumption. Furthermore, two aspects of video quality improved. First, a small SDK/software-based 480p rendering bug was corrected, resulting in slightly superior pixel alignment in ALL software. Second, the video chip has been improved in an unknown way, which causes the component output itself to become noticeably clearer. These don’t have DVD support, but who cares? 60s consume slightly less power than the 40s. To identify these, look for the “40/60” inside the Wii after unscrewing the clock battery. Alongside this, ALL RVL-001 consoles in red, black, or blue are guaranteed to be of this revision, as they were made after Q4 2009/Q1 2010(?). White RVL-001 systems can also be a 40 or 60, but one must unscrew the clock battery to find this out, unlike the colored RVL-001 systems.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wii#Revisions

https://www.reddit.com/r/WiiHacks/comments/h8geiy/what_wii_should_you_get_a_complete_guide_on_the/

https://shmups.system11.org/viewtopic.php?p=1235894#p1235894 (revision component tips)

https://gbatemp.net/threads/wii-480p-video-bug-discovered.536599/ (480p software bug tips)

http://forums.modretro.com/index.php?threads/wii-board-revisions-guide.14059/

[[https://en-americas-support.nintendo.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/2650/~/what-is-the-difference-between-the-models-of-wii-consoles%3F]]