Play NES & SNES Games on Wii - Retro Gaming Guide
Emulating Classic Nintendo Games on Your Wii
For those wishing to experience beloved games from previous generations on their current console, the Nintendo Wii provides an excellent environment for emulation of older Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) and Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES) games. This guide details the process.
Why Emulate on Wii?
A passion for retro gaming combined with a desire to maximize the utility of existing hardware drives many to explore emulation. Consider our previous guide detailing how to configure your Wii for playing classic 1980s and 90s point-and-click adventure games as a related example.
We found the setup process for playing classic Nintendo titles on the Wii to be surprisingly straightforward. With a little effort, you too can enjoy your favorite retro games.
Getting Started
The following steps will guide you through setting up your Wii to play older Nintendo games. Expect to be enjoying your favorite titles within approximately one hour.
This process allows you to revisit cherished gaming experiences without needing to acquire original cartridges or hardware.
Essential Requirements
This guide details the necessary components for setting up classic game emulation on a modified Nintendo Wii. Review the following list carefully, and then consult the accompanying notes for further clarification.
- A Nintendo Wii console that has been modified to support homebrew applications.
- A Wiimote and/or a GameCube controller for input.
- A copy of FCE Ultra GX, an emulator designed for Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) games.
- A copy of SNES9x GX, an emulator specifically for Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES) games.
- At least one ROM file for each emulator, representing the games you wish to play.
Initially, a Wii console capable of running homebrew software is a prerequisite. Although previous guides have demonstrated Wii modification for homebrew, newer versions of the Wii system software necessitate alternative soft-modding procedures. Therefore, consulting a comprehensive softmod guide is highly recommended to ensure the appropriate technique is applied to your specific Wii model. Installing the Homebrew Browser during this process is also crucial.
Furthermore, the standard Wiimote functions effectively for NES emulation, as its sideways orientation closely resembles the form factor of an NES controller. However, the Wiimote is less suitable for SNES games due to the challenging positioning required to access the X and Y buttons.
For optimal SNES emulation, utilizing either the Wii Classic Controller (which mirrors the SNES button layout perfectly) or a GameCube controller is strongly advised. The GameCube controller’s button arrangement is slightly different from the SNES controller, but remains intuitive enough for seamless gameplay.
Lastly, game ROMs are essential for functionality—without them, the emulator setup will be incomplete. The initial section of this guide will cover resources for locating these ROM files.
Finding Game ROMs
For enthusiasts with a history of enjoying classic video games, a collection of ROMs is often already available, prepared for use with the latest emulators. However, even for those starting fresh, locating these files is remarkably straightforward. A simple search for "emulator ROMs" will quickly yield numerous results.
Several websites specialize in archiving and distributing retro gaming ROMs, covering a wide range of consoles from the Atari to the Playstation. It is recommended to download a selection of ROMs to verify the functionality of your emulator setup before continuing.
ROM Resources
The following sites offer extensive catalogs of retro game ROMs:
- EmuParadise:
- NES ROMs
- SNES ROMs
- CoolROM:
- NES ROMs
- SNES ROMs
- DopeROMs:
- NES ROMs
- SNES ROMs
Having acquired a few ROMs for testing purposes, the next step involves setting up and configuring the necessary emulators. We will begin by focusing on establishing NES emulation.
Testing with readily available ROMs ensures a smooth and efficient setup process. This proactive approach helps identify and resolve any potential compatibility issues early on.
Installing and Configuring Your NES Emulator
The initial step involves obtaining the NES emulator and transferring files to your Wii’s SD card—the designated location for all your homebrew software and game ROMs.
Installing the Emulator
Begin by ejecting the SD card from your Wii and connecting it to an SD card reader on your computer. Subsequently, download a copy of FCE Ultra GX—a refined port of the FCEUX NES emulator specifically for the Wii.
For this guide, we will utilize the latest version, FCE Ultra GX 3.3.4.zip. (While downloading, consider also acquiring the Cheats file and the Channel Installer file for later use within this tutorial.)
The .ZIP archive contains the following folders:
- /apps/
- /fceugx/
Simply extract the entire archive to the root directory of your SD card—this will place all files in their correct locations. After extraction, the /fceugx/ folder will be visible in the SD card’s root. Open it and navigate to /fceugx/roms/. This is where FCE Ultra GX searches for your games. Take this opportunity to populate it with test ROMs. Ensure you are copying NES ROMs (.NES files), and not SNES ROMs (.SMC files).
Launching and Learning the Emulator
With the emulator software and ROM files loaded, it’s time to test the installation. Safely eject your SD card from your computer and reinsert it into your Wii.
Access the Homebrew Channel and locate the FCE Ultra GX entry:
Launching the application will immediately present the ROM selection screen, displaying all ROMs found within the /fceugx/roms/ directory.
The settings menu allows customization of various aspects of FCE Ultra GX’s operation, affecting both the menu system and the emulator’s interaction with games. Key sub-menus include:
- Saving & Loading: This section manages default folders for ROMs, saved games, and cheat files.
- Menu: Adjust the appearance and functionality of the FCE Ultra GX menu, including background music and Wiimote orientation.
- Network: FCE Ultra GX supports loading ROMs from network shares, providing access to extensive ROM collections without permanent SD card storage.
- Game Genie: Enables the use of the Game Genie ROM for loading classic Game Genie codes.
Regarding the Game Genie, while it can be set up for nostalgic purposes, there’s limited reason to use it for cheats in NES ROMs, as cheat files are easily utilized with the emulator (detailed later).
After exploring the menus and making desired adjustments, it’s time to test a game. Let’s use Super Mario Bros. 2:
The familiar wavy hills, iconic protagonist, and magical realm confirm the game functions as expected. Sound effects and soundtracks are often challenging to emulate accurately, so successful audio reproduction is a positive sign.
While the game is playable at this point, FCE Ultra GX offers numerous settings and features worth exploring. Press the Home button on the Wiimote (or Left on the GameCube controller’s right analog stick) during gameplay to access the in-game menu:
The in-game menu provides a wealth of useful features unavailable on the original NES.
- Save: Save your game at any point, regardless of whether the game natively supports saving. The emulator creates a snapshot of the game state.
- Load: Load previously saved game states.
- Game Settings: Modify button mapping, adjust video output, configure controllers (simulating 2 or 4 NES controllers, or the NES Zapper), and toggle cheats.
- Reset: Functions identically to the reset button on the original NES console.
- Main Menu: Returns to the ROM selection menu.
Cheat Codes
We’ve referenced cheat codes in previous sections, and you’re likely curious about their implementation. Who wouldn’t want assistance with challenging sections of Super Mario Bros. 2?
To utilize cheats, you need appropriately formatted .CHT files corresponding to the game. Fortunately, the FCE Ultra GX creator has provided a collection of cheat files, available for download.
Two crucial steps are required: First, extract the cheat files to your Wii SD card’s /fceugx/cheats/ directory. Second, ensure the .CHT filename exactly matches the .NES filename in the /roms/ directory. Rename files as needed to achieve this consistency.
Launch a game with a corresponding cheat code and, once in the game, access the in-game menu (Home button on the Wiimote). Select Game Settings, then Cheats, to reveal a list of available cheat codes:
In Super Mario Bros. 2, you’ll find cheats for infinite health, infinite lives, and character-specific abilities like allowing Princess Peach to float.
Cheat codes are enjoyable, but can be unpredictable. Alternate codes exist, and enabling multiple codes may cause conflicts. Experimentation is encouraged.
Channel Installation
Having installed the emulator, games, and cheat codes, a final refinement is possible. To enable faster access, install a channel for the emulator—a shortcut on the Wii’s main system menu:
Download the Channel Installer from the FCE Ultra GX download page and extract its contents to the root of your SD card. Launch the Homebrew Channel and then run the FCE Ultra GX Channel Installer. A new channel, complete with a launch animation, will be added to your Wii’s main interface.
Installing and Configuring Your SNES Emulator
For this stage of the guide, your Nintendo Wii’s SD card will once again be necessary. It may be challenging to step away from the NES emulator explored in the previous section, but doing so is essential to install even more retro gaming options.
Installing the Emulator: First, obtain a copy of the emulator itself from the Snes9xGX download directory. We will utilize the latest version, Snes9x GX 4.3.2, for the purposes of this tutorial. While you are in the download directory, we also suggest downloading the Cheat Files archive and the Channel Installer, should you wish to follow along with the cheats and Wii menu shortcut portions of the guide later.
Within the .ZIP file, you will discover the following folders:
/apps/
/snes9xgx/
Proceed to extract the archive directly to the root of your Wii’s SD card. Once the extraction process is complete, examine the /snes9xgx/ folder located on the root of the SD card. You will find a similar folder structure to that of the NES emulator: dedicated folders for cheats, ROMs, and saved games.
Now, select your test ROMs and place them into the /roms/ directory.
Launching and Learning the Emulator: With the emulator installed and ROM files transferred to the SD card, it’s time to eject the SD card to begin testing.
Navigate back to the Homebrew Menu and locate Snes9x GX. Click the shortcut to launch the application.
You might observe that the interface appears remarkably similar to the blue version of the red FCE Ultra GX menu previously used. This is not accidental. The Wii port of Snes9x is managed by the same developer as the Wii port of FCE Ultra GX, and both utilize the same icon/GUI library, designed for nearly identical menu layouts to enhance usability.
Despite this similarity, we will thoroughly review all the major menus, both for those exclusively using the SNES emulator and to highlight the SNES-specific features.
Here are the key sub-menus:
- Saving & Loading: This menu allows you to modify the default folders for ROMs, saved games, and cheat files.
- Menu: Customize the appearance and functionality of the Snes9x GX menu here, including disabling background music and adjusting the Wiimote orientation.
- Network: Snes9x GX also supports loading ROMs from network shares.
Unlike the main settings menu for the FCE Ultra GX, there is no Game Genie entry in the settings menu for the Snes9x GX. However, cheat codes are still supported; more details on that will follow.
After exploring the menus and making any desired adjustments, it's time to test your first game. Select one from your list. We will use The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past for this demonstration:
As our character, Alfon, responds to a maiden’s plea amidst a storm, and the guards of Hyrule question a young child’s late-night wanderings, the experience remains as captivating as ever. Similar to our NES test with Super Mario Bros. 2, the sound quality is flawless. We have been disappointed by other SNES emulators regarding sound playback, so we are pleased with this emulator’s performance.
While you could immediately begin playing, the emulator offers a range of useful features accessible through its in-game menu.
At any point during gameplay, press the Home button on the Wiimote (or the Left button on the GameCube controller’s right analog stick) to access the emulator’s in-game menu.
Similar to FCE Ultra GX, you can perform various actions, including:
- Save: Save your game at any time using the snapshot feature, regardless of whether the game supports saving natively. This feature is invaluable for navigating challenging dungeons in A Link to the Past.
- Load: Load previously saved states.
- Game Settings: Adjust button mapping, video output, and controllers. The SNES emulator offers settings for 2 and 4 SNES controllers, the SNES mouse (for games like Mario Paint), and the SuperScope and Justifier (two different light guns).
- Reset: Functions like the reset button on the original SNES console.
- Main Menu: Returns you to the original game ROM selection menu.
Cheat Codes: Having reviewed the NES section, you are familiar with emulation cheat codes. These are implemented in Snes9x GX.
If you haven’t already, download the cheat code pack from the Snes9x GX download page. Extract it to the root of your SD card, ensuring all .CHT files are placed in the /snes9xgx/cheats/ folder. As with the NES emulator, the .CHT file names must perfectly match the .SMC SNES ROMs – the order of matching doesn’t matter, only that they correspond.
Once the cheat codes are copied and the file names match, accessing them is simple: open the in-game menu (using the Home button), navigate to Game Settings, and select Cheats:
Infinite rupees and infinite bombs? Consider it done. However, we offer the same caution as with the NES emulator: enabling too many cheat codes can lead to unexpected issues. If you encounter problems, start with essential cheats and add them one by one.
Channel Installation: Frequent trips to the Homebrew menu to launch emulators can be inconvenient. Furthermore, you may not want children accessing the Homebrew menu. Installing a custom channel for your SNES emulator resolves this issue.
If you haven’t already, download the Channel Installer from the downloads page. Extract the archive’s contents to the root of your SD card, then run the installer from the Homebrew menu. This will create a custom channel with unique graphics and a sleek startup animation.
That concludes the installation and configuration process. Install the emulators, transfer ROMs and cheat codes, and install a channel for quick access to your favorite games.
The next time friends suggest MarioKart Wii, you can confidently counter with, “Actually, we’re playing The Secret of Mana… with multiplayer support.” Perhaps their surprise at experiencing such a classic title will distract them from noticing you’ve claimed the first player controller.