Wii

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Wii console with controller, image credit Evan-Amos/Wikimedia Commons

The Wii is a home video game console released by Nintendo on November 19, 2006. The system is famous for its motion control system, which was sometimes divisive amongst gamers but extremely popular with the general public. Despite being dismissed as a "gimmick" by some, the machine hosts some of the most critically acclaimed games of its generation.

Models

Early Wii models were fully backward compatible with Gamecube software and featured Gamecube controller ports on the top. Nintendo later dropped this functionality in order to save money.

At the end of the consoles lifespan, Nintendo launched the Wii Mini. This is a seriously hobbled version of the console with no networking capabilities and is limited to composite video output only.

Models tested

PAL launch model. Black PAL model with GCVideo (on OSSC Pro/Morph) Black PAL model with Retro GEM (on OSSC Pro/Morph)

General Observations

When using a scaler, use at minimum a component video cable with your Wii. Other types of cable do not support progressive scan output mode, which is essential for decent results. Most Wii software supports 480p mode with just a handful of exceptions.

Be sure to enable 480p mode in the systems settings no matter what kind of cable you use.

External HDMI dongles vary in quality but even the better ones can only typically match the quality output by the component cable. Internal HDMI mods can go much further and fix some of the consoles inherent limitations (see Wii image sharpness issues below).

Unlike the GameCube, most PAL Wii titles also support 480p 60hz output mode, meaning the PAL library is not crippled in the same way it was on the GameCube.

It is strongly recommended to take the time to jailbreak your Wii console. This can be done to all model consoles on all firmware revisions. Jailbreaking the console will allow for its internal storage (NAND flash memory) to be backed up, allowing it to be replaced if/when it fails. It also allows for homebrew software to be installed that can mitigate or fix other issues with the consoles video output. A comprehensive guide on how to do that can be found here.

Use of a Wii U console to play Wii games via backwards compatibility is not recommended as the Wii U has its own severe picture quality issues when running Wii software, that cannot be circumvented through homebrew or other means.

Wii image sharpness issues

Image illustrating how various factors affect the image sharpness on the Wii. Image credit WobblingPixels

The Wii applies a softening filter to its video output. The reason it does this is unclear, it may have been added as a form of anti-aliasing, or to stop interlace content from flickering and perhaps accidentally applied to progressive content too. Even if you prefer a softer look to your image, it's usually better to start with a sharply scaled image and apply different settings on your scaler.

There are three concepts that affect image sharpness, "480p bug fix", "Deflicker Filter" and "force framebuffer resolution".

480p bug fix

To enable this setting (disable the default and restore sharpness) you can use homebrew software which supports this functionality to launch your game, such as USB Loader GX. Installing Priiloader can also fix the problem on the Wii system menu (but ONLY on the system menu). However these fixes only work on RVL-001 model Wii consoles (the consoles with GameCube compatibility).

You can also install a HDMI modification to your console, this will fix the issue on all revision Wii consoles without the need to install homebrew.

Deflicker Filter

The deflicker filter can also be disabled using homebrew to launch your game such as USB Loader GX.

Force Framebuffer Resolution

Many Wii games render at a different horizontal resolution than is natively output by the console. Forcing the games horizontal output resolution to match the output render resolution results in a sharper image, but will likely cause the game to have an incorrect aspect ratio. This will require correction using an external scaler or display controls.

This setting can also be enabled by using homebrew software which supports this functionality to launch your game, such as USB Loader GX.

The video linked here goes into these settings in more depth and also discusses why you may prefer 4:3 aspect ratio in Wii games.

XRGB-2 Specific Settings

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XRGB-3 Specific Settings

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XRGB-Mini Specific Settings

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OSSC Specific Settings

To avoid picture blackouts, connect the Wii directly to the OSSC via the component video inputs, do not use an external transcoder. No special settings are required on the OSSC.

OSSC Pro Specific Settings

As with the Morph 4K below, best results will be observed using a HDMI modded console if possible. If this is not available, connect using a component cable.

Follow the instructions/guidelines below for the Morph 4K, ignoring any steps that reference GameID.

Morph 4K Specific Settings

For best results, use a HDMI modded Wii console. If this is not available, connect using a component cable and the analogue bridge or secondary scaler.

HDMI Compatible Devices:

GCVideo

Note: GCVideo must be on firmware 3.1. WiiHDMI and ElectronAVE ship with 3.1. If your WiiDual is using an older version of GCVideo, you can grab 3.1 firmware from here. For more details on GCVideo settings, see the README in the GitHub.

  1. Connect a GC controller to controller port 1 on the Wii.
  2. Power on the Wii, then press and hold the button combo L+R+X+Y to open the GCVideo menu.
  3. Use Up+Down on directional pad and X+Y buttons (Back & Forward) to set the values below.
  4. When finished, select Store Settings to save and then Exit.
Output Settings:
Allow 480p Mode On
Enhanced DVI Mode On
Display as 16:9 Off [or On] *
View All Modes:
240p Linedoubler: Off
288p Linedoubler: Off
480i Linedoubler: Off
576i Linedoubler: Off
Advanced Settings:
Chroma Interpolation Off [or On] **
Fix Resolution Off
Regenerate CSync Off
Digital Color Format YC422 [or YC444 / RGB-F / RGB-L] **
Report 240p as 480i Off
* Open Wii Settings > Screen > Widescreen Settings and change it to Standard (4:3). If you prefer 16:9 (Display as 16:9 = On), then set Widescreen Settings to Widescreen (16:9).
** Wii natively uses YCbCr 4:2:2 (Digital Color Format = YC422). If you prefer to use YC444 / RGB-F / RGB-L, then Chroma Interpolation must be On.