Wii homebrew

Wii homebrew refers to the use of Nintendo's Wii game console to run homebrew software that has not been authorized by Nintendo. It achieves this by defeating the Wii's copy protection and code signing measures. In more general terms, Wii Homebrew refers to the use of the Wii's hardware, accessories and software for purposes outside those intended by the manufacturer.

Original efforts focused on using the Wii Remote as a pointing device on other operating systems, and running web-based games in the built-in web browser. Subsequent development in game exploits, such as the "Twilight hack", "Smash Stack", "Indiana Pwns", "Yu-Gi-OWNED", "bathaxx", and "Return of the Jodi", made installing the "Homebrew Channel" possible. There were also some exploits that did not require a game, namely "Bannerbomb" and its later incarnation "LetterBomb".

Software

The architecture of the Wii is based on the Nintendo GameCube hardware. Because of this, most of the homebrew development tools used for the Nintendo GameCube can be used for Wii development. The Wii contains a GameCube compatibility mode, so most GameCube homebrew will run unmodified, albeit at a slower clock rate than Wii applications. In addition, code running in GameCube mode cannot access hardware unique to the Wii, such as the Wii Remote and the Wii's USB ports. A homebrew application, the Homebrew Channel, is used to execute unofficial code that has not been approved by Nintendo, such as applications, games, emulators, media players, etc.