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*Note* There's always a very, very small chance you may brick your Wii. (In other words, break it beyond repair.) This has never happened to me or anyone that I know. Follow the instructions in this tutorial carefully, and nothing should go wrong. However, if something like that happens, neither I nor anyone who helped in creating the tools in this tutorial will be held responsible. If you have any doubts about running hacks on your Wii, don't do it.
1. Popular Homebrew Loading Options
In order to use Brawl hacks such as textures, models hacks, or PSAs, you first have to have some method of loading Homebrew. All of these methods require an SD Card. To see if your SD Card is compatible, check here: http://wiibrew.org/wiki/SD/SDHC_Card_Compatibility_Tests. If you already have Homebrew installed, skip to #2.
*Note* If your Wii has been updated to version 4.3, one of the methods below WILL NOT WORK. In order to check what System Menu you are on, go to Options > Wii Settings and check in the top right corner of the screen. It should say "Ver. _._U", "Ver. _._E", or "Ver. _._J", depending on which region you are in.
A. Homebrew Channel
The Homebrew Channel (HBC) is the most popular way to load Homebrew. It's a channel that you can install to your Wii. (Unlike other methods, you don't have to run this each time you want to load Homebrew. Once you run it, it's installed on your Wii until you uninstall it. You can uninstall it like any other channel on your Wii.) This is the recommended method for most people to use.
1. Go to this site: http://bootmii.org/download/ and download the latest version of the HackMii Installer. The latest version of HackMii (0.7) WILL WORK with Wii System Menu 4.3.
2. Extract it to your computer using a program like WinRAR (http://www.rarlab.com/download.htm).
3. Back up all of the data on your SD Card to your computer by cutting and pasting all of the files to somewhere on your computer.
4. Format your SD Card using the instructions below.
Quote from: WiiBrew
Windows
1. Open up My Computer.
2. Right-click on the drive that contains the SD card and select Format....
3. Under File system make sure you select FAT.
4. Click "Start" and let the process finalize.
5. After the formatting is finished proceed to the next step.
Mac OS
1. Open up Disk Utility
2. Find your SD card in the navigation.
3. Go to the Erase tab.
4. Change the Volume Format to MS-DOS (FAT).
5. Click "Erase" and let the process finalize.
6. After the formatting is finished proceed to the next step.
Linux
1. Open up a terminal.
2. Execute the command "mkfs.vfat /dev/<location of your SD card>".
3. Caution not to reformat your hard disk. Think hard before formatting /dev/sda1, for example.
4. After the formatting is finished proceed to the next step.
1. Open up My Computer.
2. Right-click on the drive that contains the SD card and select Format....
3. Under File system make sure you select FAT.
4. Click "Start" and let the process finalize.
5. After the formatting is finished proceed to the next step.
Mac OS
1. Open up Disk Utility
2. Find your SD card in the navigation.
3. Go to the Erase tab.
4. Change the Volume Format to MS-DOS (FAT).
5. Click "Erase" and let the process finalize.
6. After the formatting is finished proceed to the next step.
Linux
1. Open up a terminal.
2. Execute the command "mkfs.vfat /dev/<location of your SD card>".
3. Caution not to reformat your hard disk. Think hard before formatting /dev/sda1, for example.
4. After the formatting is finished proceed to the next step.
5A. If you are on System Menu 4.3, see step 5B. If you are on Wii System Menu 3.0 - 4.2, go to http://bannerbomb.qoid.us/ and download the version of Bannerbomb for your System Menu. Extract it to your computer.
5B. If you are System Menu 4.3, use Smash Stack instead. Download this file: http://wiibrew.org/w/images/4/4e/Smashstack.zip and extract it to your computer. Move ALL of your custom stages from Brawl onto your SD Card and then from there, back them up to your computer.
6. Copy the "private" folder from whichever tool you used and put it on the root of your blank SD Card. (Ex. X:\private, where X is the letter of the drive your SD Card uses.
7. Copy the "boot.elf" file from your HackMii installer folder and put it on the root of your SD Card.
8. Your SD Card should look like this (Image from WiiBrew):
.9. Turn on your Wii, but don't put your SD Card in yet.
10A. If you used BannerBomb and you are on System Menu 3.0 - 4.1, go to Options > Data Management > Wii > Channels > SD Card. If you are on 4.2, go to the SD Card menu from the Wii menu. Put in your SD Card and select "Yes" when a pop up appears asking to load boot.dol/elf.
10B. Put your SD Card into the Wii, launch Brawl through the Disc Channel, and go to the Stage Builder.
11. When the HackMii installer shows you what can/can’t be installed, hit continue. Go to Homebrew Channel > Install the Homebrew Channel. Hit “Yes.”
12. You can install DVDX and BootMii if you want, but those are optional and not needed for Brawl hacking.
13. Exit the HackMii Installer, take out your SD Card, and delete everything off of your SD Card. (You don't need any of that stuff anymore.)
14. Create a new folder on your SD Card called "apps".
15. Place the folder(s) for the Homebrew app(s) you want to run inside of that folder.
16. Make sure that the .dol or .elf file for the Homebrew you want to run is named "boot.dol" or "boot.elf".
B. BannerBomb
This method only works with System Menu 3.0 - 4.2. You must load BannerBomb every time you want to load hacks. However, this does not install anything on your Wii.
1. Go to http://bannerbomb.qoid.us/ and download the file for your System Menu.
2. Extract it to your computer using a program like WinRAR (http://www.rarlab.com/download.htm).
3. Format your SD Card using the instructions above.
4. Copy the private folder and move it to the root of your blank SD Card.
5. Put the boot.dol/.elf that you want to run on the root of your SD Card.
6. Your SD Card should look like the picture above.
7. If you are on System Menu 3.0 - 4.1, go to Options > Data Management > Wii > Channels > SD Card. If you are on 4.2, go to the SD Card menu from the Wii menu. Put in your SD Card and select "Yes" when a pop up appears asking to load boot.dol/elf.
C. Smash Stack
This method WILL work with ANY System Menu, including 4.3. Like BannerBomb, you will have to run this every time you want to load Homebrew. It does not install anything on your Wii. You will need the Brawl disc for this, but you probably already have it if you want to use Brawl hacks.
1. Download Smash Stack from here: http://wiibrew.org/w/images/4/4e/Smashstack.zip.
2. Extract it to your computer using a program like WinRAR (http://www.rarlab.com/download.htm).
3. Format your SD Card using the instructions above.
4. Move ALL of the custom stages from Brawl onto your SD Card and then back them up onto your computer.
5. Copy the "private" folder from the Smash Stack folder and put it on the root of your blank SD Card.
6. Put the boot.dol/.elf that you want to run on the root of your SD Card.
7. Your SD Card should look like the picture above.
8. Put the SD Card in your Wii, load Brawl though the Disc Channel, and go to the Stage Builder.
2. Homebrew Applications
Once you have some form of Homebrew loading set up, you'll need some Homebrew apps to use. The Homebrew listed below are some of the most useful ones for Brawl hacking.
A. Gecko OS
This will allow you to load codes for most any Wii game. It is definitely needed if you plan on using the File Patch Code, a popular method of loading Brawl hacks. You can either use this or Riivolution to load files.
1. Download Gecko OS here: http://wiird.l0nk.org/projectfiles/Gecko1931.zip.
2. Extract the file to your computer.
3. Go to Gecko1931 > Gecko1931 > HBC > Gecko1931.
4A. If you are using the Homebrew Channel, copy the last "Gecko1931" folder and paste it into your "apps" folder.
4B. If you are using any other method, copy the "boot.elf" file out of the "Gecko1931" folder and paste it into the root of your SD Card.
5. Create a folder on the root of your SD Card called "codes".
6. Download the Code Manager here: http://www.mediafire.com/?e2dzz7zdmcds252.
7. Extract it somewhere on your computer. I've included a basic .txt file for using the File Patch code. (NTSC-U only though. PAL and NTSC-J users will have to create their own, sorry.)
8. Open the Code Manager. Look to where it says "Game ID". Fill this in with the ID of the game you are making the codes list for. (Ex. Brawl's ID is RSBE01 for NTSC-U, RSBP01 for PAL, and RSBJ01 for NTSC-J) Go to where it says "Game Name" and type in the name of the game.
9. Find the codes that you want to use. A couple of good sites to check out are http://geckocodes.org/ and http://board.gscentral.org/forum.php.
10. To add a code, click on "Add a code/comment/category" and type in a name for the code. It should appear in bold. Click on it, then copy and paste the code into where it says "Code contents". Make sure to click "Store modifications" after you paste in the code.
11. When you are done adding codes, go to File > Save as TXT File. Then, make sure your SD Card is in the computer and click "Export to GCT". Select the drive for your SD Card and click on "Store".
Important Codes for Loading Brawl Hacks
B. Riivolution
This app works like the File Patch code, but it can be used for any game and any file. The only downside is that it is a little more complicated than the File Patch code. You can either use this or the File Patch code to load files for Brawl.
*Note* For Riivolution, ALL files must be named EXACTLY as they are on the ISO. (Ex. For the file "mu_menumain_en.pac", you must remove the "_en" to use it with the File Patch code, but you must keep it to use it with Riivolution.
1. Download the latest version of Riivolution from here: http://rvlution.net/riivolution.zip.
2. Extract it to somewhere on your computer.
3. Download the File Patch XML for Brawl here: http://rvlution.net/riivolution/images/5/5c/SSBBfiles.xml. (This is so that you can place files where they would go if you were using the File Patch code, since most people provide instructions based on that.)
4. Copy the "riivolution" folder out of the "apps" folder on your computer and paste it into the "apps" folder on your SD Card.
5. Create a folder on the root of your SD Card called "riivolution" and copy and paste the File Patch XML into there.
6. If you want to use codes along with Riivolution, follow the steps below. (Skip to step 14 if you've already followed the instructions for Gecko OS above.)
7. Create a folder on the root of your SD Card called "codes".
8. Download the Code Manager here: http://www.mediafire.com/?e2dzz7zdmcds252.
9. Extract it somewhere on your computer.
10. Open the Code Manager. Look to where it says "Game ID". Fill this in with the ID of the game you are making the codes list for. (Ex. Brawl's ID is RSBE01 for NTSC-U, RSBP01 for PAL, and RSBJ01 for NTSC-J) Go to where it says "Game Name" and type in the name of the game.
11. Find the codes that you want to use. A couple of good sites to check out are http://geckocodes.org/ and http://board.gscentral.org/forum.php.
12. To add a code, click on "Add a code/comment/category" and type in a name for the code. It should appear in bold. Click on it, then copy and paste the code into where it says "Code contents". Make sure to click "Store modifications" after you paste in the code.
13. When you are done adding codes, go to File > Save as TXT File. Then, make sure your SD Card is in the computer and click "Export to GCT". Select the drive for your SD Card and click on "Store".
14. Go to here: http://www.mediafire.com/?sharekey=6124ef087d03b5a9819d3eb78bf1479d79557004672710560cf82e11d2b2bd8465b36d064e4faac5a2a7740380de0aff and download the file for your disc region.
15. Extract it onto your computer and move both files to the "riivolution" folder on the root of your SD Card.
C. Homebrew Browser
This app is useful for finding, downloading, and updating Homebrew easily on your SD Card. It only works with the Homebrew Channel.
1. Download the Homebrew Browser here: http://www.codemii.com/wiihomebrew/homebrew_browser_v0.3.8.zip.
2. Extract the file to your computer.
3. Copy the "homebrew_browser" folder and paste it into the "apps" folder on your SD Card.
3. Downloading and Using Brawl Hacks
Now that you have Homebrew set up and an app to load files with, you'll need files to load. Where can you find files? Right here of course! Look around the forums and BrawlVault to find hacks that you like and download them to your computer. All files must be named correctly in order for them to work. Look at the lists below for where to put the files and what to name them. This list works for both the File Patch code and Riivolution, as long as you used the File Patch XML for Riivolution. (Replace the (X)'s in the file locations with the proper SD drive location and disc region.
Characters
Characters belong in the following location:
(X):\private\wii\app\RSB(X)\pf\Fighter\(Character Name)\
Here are the names for each character:
Character Colors by File Number:
The transforming characters (Zero Suit Samus/Samus, Wario/Wario Man, Bowser/Giga Bowser, Pokemon Trainer/Squirtle/Ivysaur/Charizard) all need .pac files along with .pcs files for textures to work correctly.
Stages
Normal stages belong in the following location:
(X):\private\wii\app\RSB(X)\pf\stage\melee\
SSE stages (NOT MODEL SWAPPED STAGES, only the actual SSE stages) belong in:
(X):\private\wii\app\RSB(X)\pf\stage\adventure\
You'll know if a stage is an actual SSE stage because it's file name will be a bunch of numbers. (Ex. 420101.pac)
Stage Names:
Music
Music only works with File Patch code versions over 3.1 (and Riivolution of course).
Songs belong in:
(X):\private\wii\app\RSB(X)\pf\sound\strm\
A full list of songs and what to name them can be found here: http://www.mediafire.com/?jgmd833x1l0bpjn.
(Not made by me, but I forgot who made it... Sorry!)
*Note* If your music sounds like static, or the song cuts off randomly and a new song starts, or the song doesn't sound like it should, first try defragmenting your SD Card. If that doesn't work, back up everything on your SD Card and then format it.
Sound Effects
Sound effects can ONLY be used with Riivolution. The most stable File Patch Code (3.5.1) DOES NOT support sound effects.
The file "smashbros_sound.brsar" is the file used for sound effects in game, such as character/announcer voices. This file is often edited for completely new characters. It belongs in:
(X):\private\wii\app\RSB(X)\pf\sound\
Menus
Most hacks for the menus are in the mu_menumain.pac, sc_selcharacter.pac, and sc_selmap.pac files.
The mu_menumain.pac file belongs in:
(X):\private\wii\app\RSB(X)\pfmenu2\ (Not a typo. Create a new folder in your RSBE folder called "pfmenu2" for the mu_menumain.pac.)
The other files above belong in:
(X):\private\wii\app\RSB(X)\pf\menu2\
System Files
The system files that are most commonly edited are common3.pac and common5.pac
All of the common_.pac files belong in:
(X):\private\wii\app\RSB(X)\pf\system\
Strap Loaders
This is the screen that appears before the opening movie which reminds you to wear the wrist strap/don’t hit people. It’s very popular to edit. It belongs in:
(X):\private\wii\app\RSB(X)\pf\menu\strap\
Rel Files
These files allow you to replace a stage in Brawl with a stage that uses a different Brawl stage as a base. For example, if somebody created a stage based off of Final Destination, you could use a rel file to load it over Hanenbow instead. They belong in:
(X):\private\wii\app\RSB(X)\pf\module\
For help in naming or creating rel files, visit this page: http://ssbbcustom.wikia.com/wiki/Module_files.
4. Making Brawl Hacks
Ok, so you have Homebrew installed and know how to load Brawl hacks. Now, you can learn how to make them.
Making Textures
1. Download BrawlBox, an essential tool for anyone who wants to make any type of Brawl hack. The latest version can be found here: http://brawltools.googlecode.com/files/BrawlBox%20v0.63d.zip.
2. Extract BrawlBox to somewhere on your computer.
3. You will need Brawl's original files to base your hacks off of. All of the files except for the movies can be found here: http://www.mediafire.com/?sharekey=bf68243dc4c908b28d78a0e5552916095d6170349cac00195be6ba49b5870170.
4. Download whatever files you need. They are located in the same way they are placed on the SD Card. (Ex. If you want to download Captain Falcon's main file, go to Data Partition > fighter > captain > FitCaptain00.pac.)
5. Open the file in BrawlBox. If you want to make a simple texture hack, right click on where it says "TextureData[0]" and click on "Export All". Create a folder wherever you want to export the textures to and click Ok.
6. Open the textures in an image editor (Ex. Paint.NET, downloadable here: http://www.dotpdn.com/downloads/pdn.html, or GIMP, downloadable here: http://www.gimp.org/downloads/) and edit them as you wish. Save the edited files over the original files.
7. Open the original file in BrawlBox, right click "TextureData[0]" and click on "Replace All". Find the folder where you have all of your edited files and click Ok.
8. Click on the + sign next to "ModelData[0]" and then the + sign next to "3DModels(NW4R)". Right click the MDL0 (Ex. FitCaptain00) and click on "Preview". If you can't see anything, try zooming out by pulling the mouse wheel backwards. To move around, hold the right mouse button and move the mouse. You'll be able to see what your texture looks like on the character/stage. Exit the preview when you are done looking.
9. Go to File > Save As and save the finished file to wherever you want. If you are making characters, make sure to save as a .pcs file (.pac is optional, unless you are making a texture for one of the transforming characters listed above). If you are making stages, make sure to save as a .pac file.
CSPs (Character Selection Portraits)
If you download a character and you receive a picture file along with it, this is what it is supposed to be used for. CSPs are the pictures of the character that appear on the Character Selection Screen. Note that these are completely optional and don't have to be used along with the character. Here's how to put them into the game.
1. Download the original common5.pac from the link above and open it in BrawlBox.
2. Expand (Click the + button next to) "sc_selcharacter_en" and then "char_bust_tex_lz77".
3. Each of the "MiscData[_]" files contain the CSPs for a different character. Expand the MiscData and then expand the "Textures(NW4R)" within them. Click on each TEX0 file to see the original CSPs for that character.
4. Expand each of the MiscDatas until you find the character you want. Choose the color that you have the file set over and then right click the TEX0. Click on "Replace", and then find the image that came with the downloaded file (or your own image if you are making CSPs). When you are done, save the common5.pac file and put it in your SD Card.
5. If you are using an sc_selcharacter.pac file (Ex. A custom CSS), you'll have to do the following steps for your CSPs to appear.
6. Open your common5.pac in BrawlBox. Expand "sc_selcharacter_en" and right click on "char_bust_tex_lz77". Click "Export" and save it to your computer.
7. Now open up the sc_selcharacter.pac file you downloaded in BrawlBox. Expand it and find "char_bust_tex_lz77". Right click it and hit "Replace". Find the "char_bust_tex_lz77" you exported from your common5.pac.
8. Save the sc_selcharacter.pac file and put it on your SD Card.
5. Downgrading Your Wii
Warning: The following tutorials are the most likely parts of this guide to cause permanent damage to your Wii if not followed properly. Make sure to follow all instructions carefully and if you have any doubts whatsoever, don't do it.
DO NOT UPDATE YOUR WII. I repeat: Do NOT update your Wii! The most recent updates (4.2 and 4.3) have done NOTHING to improve the Wii. Their only purpose was to try to wipe out Homebrew. As such, certain Homebrew applications may not work if you update your Wii.
If you have updated your Wii and a certain Homebrew app doesn't work, downgrade to a more stable version using these tutorials (The tutorials don't only work for the menu versions specified, but it's recommended that you use the tutorial that corresponds with your system menu.):
3.3 or 3.4 to 3.2
I believe this one came from somewhere on GBATemp, but I have not been able to relocate the source, so I'm not sure who to credit. Just note, I did not make the downgrade tutorial.
4.2 or above to 4.1
6. What to Do If a Game/Channel Requires a Wii System Update
"I just bought [insert name of new game here]! And it says I HAVE to update my Wii! I HAVE to play it!"
or
"I want to go on the Wii Shop Channel, but it says I have to update my Wii!"
^^^ If either (or both) of the above are you, follow this section carefully, and you'll be able to play the game/use the channel without having to update your Wii.
A. Disc Updates for System Menus 4.0 and Above
If you have a Wii on versions 4.0 - 4.3, use the Preloader app to patch the system to skip disc update checks easily. This first tutorial only fixes DISC updates. If you want to access the Wii Shop Channel, use the third tutorial below.
1. Download the most recent version of the Preloader (.30) here: http://www.mediafire.com/?fwxo3qs7nym2353.
2. Launch the app through one of the methods explained above. If you're using the Homebrew Channel, rename the .dol file "boot.dol" and place it in a folder called "Preloader" in the "apps" folder of your SD Card. (In other words, your SD Card should look like apps > Preloader > boot.dol)
3. Follow the instructions in the Readme. (Press + to install the Preloader.) Once it's finished installing, you can delete these files off of your SD Card.
4. Use the information found here to create a hacks.ini file. Copy and paste the codes for your system menu into Notepad, then when saving, change "Save as type" to "All files", then name the file "hacks.ini". Place it in the root of your SD Card.
5. Turn on the Wii. The Preloader should launch automatically. Enable the hacks that you want. It is extremely important to enable the "Skip Disc Update Check" if you want it.
6. Once that it is finished, you can delete the Preloader off of your Wii by running the install tool again and hitting - instead of +. You can also leave the Preloader if you want to keep it there. Now, whenever you try to play a game that has a system update on it, it should skip the check, allowing you to play the game without updating your Wii.
7. If the game doesn't seem to be working correctly (refuses to load), run Gecko OS with the disc in the Wii. If the game requires a certain IOS to play, Gecko OS will alert you to that and install it for you. This will not update your entire Wii system menu, but rather just the IOS that is needed.
B. Disc Updates for System Menus Below 4.0
If you are on a system menu below 4.0 and have bought a new game that requires a system update, follow this tutorial.
1. Download the 3.3/3.4 to 3.2 downgrade file located here http://www.mediafire.com/?4u6o82c4aqke5od.
2. If you are not on system menu 3.2, follow the readme instructions and downgrade to it. Make sure that all of the files in the "Put onto SD Card" are on your SD Card.
3. Load the Starfall app and read the instructions carefully. (Press B + 1, not B + 2)
4. Make sure to apply the "Skip Disc Update Check" patch.
5. After it's done, you can remove these files from your SD Card.
6. If a certain game doesn't seem to be working correctly (refuses to load), run Gecko OS with the disc in the Wii. If the game requires a certain IOS to play, Gecko OS will alert you to that and install it for you. This will not update your entire Wii system menu, but rather just the IOS that is needed.
C. Wii Shop Channel Updates for All System Menus
This tutorial will show you how to update your Wii Shop Channel so that it can be accessed without updating the entire system.
1. Download the latest version of WiiSCU (0.25) here: http://www.mediafire.com/?833v8xzdo5497fg.
2. Extract the folder and place it in the "apps" folder of your SD Card if you're using the Homebrew Channel. (Make sure that your SD Card looks like apps > WiiSCU > boot.dol/icon.png/meta.xml)
3. Run WiiSCU and select the Wii Shop Channel.
4. When it's finished, you can delete the file off of your SD Card.
Done. Now please people, STOP UPDATING THE WII JUST BECAUSE A GAME/CHANNEL WANTS YOU TO. These are very simple workarounds for that.
6. Other Tutorials
Here are some links to other useful tutorials. These are probably more in depth or easier to understand than parts of this post. I've attempted to put them in a relative order from easiest to hardest. If you think there's a good tutorial that I should add to this list, please tell me.
Easy Tutorials
These tutorials are easily understandable, even to people who don't know very much about the topic.
How to Install BrawlBox on a Mac/Linux
Texture Hacking Guide
Riivolution Guide
Stage Guide
BCSM-GUI (Tool for Making BRSTMs)
Custom CSS/SSS
Animation Principles
Model Swapping, Glitch Fixing, and Bone Hexing
Automatic Polygon Deleter
Making THP'S (Brawl's Movie Files)
How to Make Practice Stage Based Stages Work with Final Destination
2D Stages
How to Fix Multiple MDL0 Headers in One BRRES
Advanced Tutorials
You might need a little prior knowledge to understand parts of these tutorials, but they are extremely useful to more experienced hackers.
MK64's Vertex Hacking Method Without Patching
Texture Formats
MDL0's From Other Games
PSA Guide
Animation Tutorials
Das Donkey Vertex Box 2.0 English Tutorial
GFX Swapping, Vertex Hex Swapping, and Dual Colored Eyes
Advanced Vertex Hacking
Well, that's all for now. If you need me to add or clarify anything, please tell me. Thanks for reading!
)
and he's a ninja! (Awesome smilies.)
's box. 
< You'd understand if you watched Tankmen and Tankmen Infinity. 
