Sunday, February 24, 2008

Wiibrew chainloader and Twilight Hack

Everything you need to know about the latest wii loader can be found on wii brew's wiki:
http://wiibrew.org/index.php?title=Twilight_Hack

The Twilight Hack works by employing a lengthly character name for the horse in the game ('Epona') in order to facilitate a stack smash. This gets triggered when talking to the man next to you when you start the savegame as he loads the name to use it in his dialog or upon entering the next zone when the game loads the horse for you to ride.


Nice work guys!

Homebrew is starting to trickle out. We have a wii mode MP3 player and a Wii SNES Emulator released recently. More to come soon, I'm sure...

All made possible by dumping ram. Kids, don't try this at home

Sunday, December 30, 2007

Wii Hacked - First Homebrew Demo

Even better than Hello World, the hackers at 24c3 have figured out how to run their own code on the Wii. By using what they call a 'tweaser' method, they were able to launch the Wii in Gamecube mode then trick the chips into dumping their contents. After rummaging through the dumps they were able to pull out the encryption keys and used a hole in Lego Star Wars cd to boot their own code. The app they demo in the video shows output coming from the Wii-Mote, proving that it is running in Wii mode and not in Gamecube mode.Previously all homebrew was done in GC mode where memory and hardware was limited. Now with access to the Wii mode, homebrew developers can begin to write apps that take advantage of all the hardware, including wiimote, Wifi, Bluetooth, etc.



There are no additional details on when the information will be released so others may write their own apps from the wii. The next step is to get libraries built or obtain an sdk so more apps can begin to get ported to the Wii. It sounds like lots of work still needs to be done before we will see any useful applications come from the Wii homebrew scene, but 2008 is going to be a good year for wii hackers! Stay tuned@!


Read more:

viaWiiNintendo.net

Interview with the hacker who cracked the Wii

--
UPDATE:

Additional Information from xiaNaix @ PSX-Scene:

* They got the wii keys, and we could use them without hacking our wii again.
* This hack requires a drive modchip to execute the code.
* There is not any tool to sign the code, but it’s coming soon.
* They are working to access to the SD thought EXI.
* There is not any stack homebrew for bluetooth
* A linux port for Wii will be released easily.

Head Tracking - VR using Wiimote

Johnny Chung Lee demo's his Head Tracking Virtual Reality system using the Wiimote.

Watch the video:

Sunday, December 23, 2007

Wii Browser SDK - Javascript API Supports 4 Wiimotes

I came across this on Ajaxian. It looks like opera has opened up the Wii Internet Channel to developers. You can now use Javascript to poll data from all 4 wiimotes.

The Wii Remote data is accessed through the opera.wiiremote object. This object offers a single method opera.wiiremote.update(n) which is used to obtain the status of an individual Wii Remote. The method expects a single parameter; the Wii Remote number. The number is zero-based, so it starts at 0 for the first remote, and ends at 3 for the fourth remote. The method returns a KpadStatus object, which has several properties that give information about the remote. [source]

There is good info and examples here:
http://hullbreachonline.com/wii/sdk.html

Developers: If you create something using this new API, send me the link, and I will add it to the Wii Portal

Saturday, November 24, 2007

Wii Maintenance Mode

Has anyone figured out what this does yet?

Hello,

You may be already aware of this, but the Wii has a maintenance mode that can be accessed by pushing the + and - buttons and then pushing A at start up. I just got a reply from Nintendo about an Inquiry. Feel free to post it. Here is the message unedited:

Message(#6851-000631-3638\6313638)

Hello,

At this time, the “Maintenance Mode” you discovered has no functionality for consumers. If at some future point a consumer application for this mode is made available, it will be revealed on our website (www.nintendo.com).

Even though it appears—with the exception of the Wii Message Board—that everything functions normally in this mode, we do not recommend using it at this time.

Sincerely,
Nintendo of America Inc.

Saturday, November 10, 2007

Wii-Mote Driver for OSX Leopard

I don't have Leopard to try it out. Can anyone else answer his question?

Hi!

Just reading your page & curious to know if your app runs on Leopard?
http://wiihacks.blogspot.com/2006/11/wiimote-driver-for-osx-rvl-cnt-01.html

I have managed to connect the Wiimote as a 'remote control' in System Preferences, but as yet no additional control. Does your system allow for moving the mouse yet? I bought a battery-powered Sensor Bar, so ought to be good to go!

Looking forward to hearing from you!

-Guy


Wednesday, October 10, 2007

Homebrew Wii Blaster Mod

Check out this video submitted by: susieq50510 of a guy who built his own gun housing for the wiimote:




Thanks John M. for sending this in!

Friday, August 24, 2007

Control music on your PC with the Wiimote


This app allows users to use their Wiimote to control iTunes, Winamp, Windows Media Player, and Napster.
It offers many functions, such as Play/Pause, Next/Prev track, Volume Up/Down. Any function can be mapped to any button. Plus the motion sensing is used. Shake the Wiimote to the right to go to Next Track.

Take a look and download the application here



Thanks Mike!

Sunday, August 19, 2007

DVD Player For Wii Beta 1.0

The Wii Scene may not be slowing down after all. Team Symbiote have released a BETA of their DVD player Application for Wii.

Instructions:
-Burn with clone CD
-Boot in modded wii with homebrew based mod programmed with YOASM 1.8

When menu comes up then the hit “z” to unmount, change disc to DVD movie and hit “start” to play.
More infor can be found at Nintendo-Scene and PSX-Scene Forums

Sunday, August 05, 2007

Sad times for Wii modders - Wii Hacking State of the Union

The pirates are doing what they do, as you can read about on many other news sites, but not much else has happened in the world of Wii Hacks, As you know, this site and it's affiliates do not condone or endorse piracy which is why I've been hesitant to post much on all of the wii modchips that have been released. If the modchips enabled some kind of Wii homebrew, it would be a different story, but it is clear that the main purpose of the Wii modchips being sold is to play copied games, something we will not stand behind. I still believe that you should be able to make a backup copy of the games you own for your own personal use, but it is becoming increasingly harder to do this, especially in the US and other counties that are enforcing their laws on circumventing copy protection to make backups.

It's a sad day to wake up and read things like this in regards to a Wii modder who's house was raided last week:
"I have NOTHING of any worth anymore, other than a computer monitor, and my car. Because of what happened I'm not allowed to see my girlfriend and our 4 month old daughter, and last night, I slept in my car and my girlfriend sent me a text message telling me it felt like someone was taking me away from her. They took my life away. I would like to formally thank Microsoft and Nintendo for cracking down on the little guy with a soldering iron in his garage, rather than going after the people that are responsible for the bootlegs being available." - Read the Full Story on how this guy was raided for installing modchips. And read more on how Nintendo is supporting these raids along with Team Xecuters response (giving up on modchips). And the comments by the Digg community.

So anyway, this why you haven't seen updates here lately. Homebrew on the wii (not gc mode) is still not possible and Nintendo has still not released any information on a homebrew sdk, or some way for a regular person to create some kind of content for the wii.

On the Gamecube side, there have been a few good releases such as GC Forth, a programming language for the Gamecube by Roger Levy. It's in alpha / beta stages now, and free, but soon will turn into a commercial product with documentation and demonstrations. Something to keep an eye on.

It still amazes me that Wii's are completely sold out everywhere around here, and that there still is not a game that supports some kind of internet multiplayer or community. It's almost coming to the 1 year anniversary of the Wii, and I'm still waiting for some good games. My Wii sits and waits, all of my Wii-motes except one with dead batteries. Waiting and hoping that some day there will be new fun and interesting things to do on it. (UPDATE: I take it back, I got Resident Evil 4 for the Wii and it's been a lot of fun)

Meanwhile your friend liquidice is hard at work hacking the iphone to do home control, play games, run ssh, and all sorts of neat tricks. Keeps me busy until something fun comes out for the Wii. Keep this page bookmarked, if anything happens with regards to Wii homebrew or some official homebrew developers kit from Nintendo it will be posted here.



Also, The wiimote articles here, are getting TONS of hits. In fact, this site is #1 in google when you search for 'wii hacks' or just about anything having to do with a wiimote. It's amazing, and I thank you all for your comments and support. I continue to update the Wii Portal with new Wii-friendly webpages. If you have a site you would like to see added to the wii portal, or you have news on a cool Wii hack that has not been posted here yet, find my email on the right column and, email it to me.

Monday, May 28, 2007

Datel Wii Drive Doctor - Retail USB Serial Tool

http://uk.codejunkies.com/news_revie...3&i =9102&s=8



Quote:
The trouble with most games consoles, is you can't modify the game code when it's running. Sure, you can use tools such as Datel's own Action Replay game enhancers to input all sorts of cheats and enhancements, but there's no straightforward way for amateur programmers and techie tinkerers to get inside the game, investigating how it works and trying out modifications and tweaks you've programmed yourself. Thankfully, if you're a Wii owner Datel has come to the rescue with Drive Doctor, the ultimate aid for the hardcore tinkerer and amateur programmer. With Drive Doctor for your Nintendo Wii, you can gain a unique insight into the under-the-bonnet operation of your console, examining, analysing and altering the Wii drive's memory...

With Drive Doctor in place, you can connect your Wii to your PC using the supplied USB 2.0 cable. You can then review its innermost operations, watching your Wii software in action through Drive Doctor's PC application. You can even add data of your own, all from your PC. Drive Doctor’s memory and command views give you a unique insight into the innermost workings of your Wii’s drive memory, and even lets you make on-the-fly adjustments. You can read status, write data, send control commands, report the drive status and more. By injecting your own code into the data stream, you can create your own effects and experiment with modifying the program. It’s fun! And as the Wii home brew scene grows and prospers, the device will also come in handy for playing freely-downloadable software straight from your console.

Fitting Drive Doctor requires a little soldering, so make sure you have your precision soldering iron handy. Full fitting instructions are supplied. It’s a fairly simple task, requiring you to connect just five wires. After that, the unit just clips to the back of your console. It remains in place even when not in use - just unplug your USB cable and you can use your Wii in the usual way. It's styled to match the console, and completely unintrusive when not in use.


I have to hand it to Datel for bringing console modding to the mainstream. It will be great to be able to go into the local videogame store to buy all of this stuff instead of ordering it from shady internet sites.


Region Free Wii DVD Player for Wii Homebrewers

WiiVision has posted about his upcoming app that will boot the wii into gamecube linux and allow it to play dvd movies.

Support currently includes:
- 4.7G DVD Media (-r, +r, +rw, and of course "originals")
- Region Free
- Multi-Language Subtitle Support

Controls:
Toggle menu: B
Play/Pause: Start
SlowMotion: A
Goto Disc Root: Y
Goto First Chapter: X
FF: R Trigger
RW: L Trigger
Next Chapter: C-Stick Right
Previous Chapter: C-Stick Left

DVD Menus Navigation: D-Pad
DVD Menus Select: Start

Eject the disc at anytime: L+R Trigger Combo


Great work so far! It's good to see the GC homebrew scene still brewing up releases.

Read More

Friday, May 04, 2007

WAB Determined to hack the Wii

I've got to hand it to them, this is some pretty hardcore hacking going on at WAB and Team Infectus. The idea as it has been discussed is, you run the wii with probes attached to the memory. Then you apply an external power source and turn off the wii. Now everything that was in memory stays in memory and you can read it out and see if there is anything useful. Looks like they've got logic analyzers and their own homebrew circuits attached to try and figure out a way into this thing. God luck guys!


To follow their progress, check out the forum post here.

Wednesday, May 02, 2007

Wii NAND Dumped.., yup, it's encrypted

Over the last few weeks, several groups have been dumping chips on the wii motherboard to see what they can find. After dumping one of the Wii's memory chips they realized that everything is encrypted and not very useful. They are not going to give up easily, now they are going after the RAM to see what data is stored in memory unencrypted.

The play-by-play can be found on websites such as WiiNewz Forums or TehSkeen, as well as OpenWii Forum.


WAB - Wii Hacking In Action:


Wii-mote Door Opener

While not pracitcal, and definitely not secure, some clever engineers have hooked up a wiimote to their electronic lock, and can now open their door with the flick of the wiimote.

Check out their Video on YouTube:


The translation of the original site can be found here.