WiiU:Playing Game Backups

Once you have acquired backups of your games following this guide, a few different methods are available to play these backups. Some are on the original Wii U console, and others on a computer through emulation.

Method 1: Install on the Wii U

This method installs your backups directly onto the console's internal storage. It is also the most reliable method, with full compatibility due to running on the original hardware.

Requirements:

• A homebrewed Wii U
• The SD card from your Wii U with homebrew files
• Encrypted game data for each game
  • If the files are not in this format, check the Dumping Wii U Games page to learn to convert to it
• The latest version of WUP Installer GX2
  • The HBL_HBC file can be launched from the Homebrew Launcher, while the Channel file can be installed onto the Wii U home menu. This guide will use the HBL_HBC file, but the Channel can be installed using these same steps

Steps:

1. Take the SD card from the Wii U and place it in your computer
2. Extract the wiiu folder from the zip file to the root of the SD card
3. Create a folder called install, then copy the encrypted NUS files into a folder for each specific game within it
4. Remove the SD card from your computer and place it back into the console
5. Open the Homebrew Launcher, then launch WUP Installer GX2
6. Select each game to install, or choose "Select All" to choose all files
7. Click "Install", then press "OK" to continue
8. Select whether to install in USB or NAND storage, then wait for the titles to install

Once the installation for all titles finished, you can exit the app using the home menu. The newly installed games should now appear on the Wii U's home menu and can now be launched as a regular app.

Method 2: Play from SD on Wii U

This method utilizes the program Loadiine GX2, which enables you to play decrypted games directly from your SD card. It can run both Wii U games and games from different consoles, such as the Nintendo 64 or DS, as long as they are converted to the proper format using a programs like the Ultimate Wii U VC Injector. This program is very old and no longer actively maintained. While not recommended, it can still be used.

Requirements:

• A homebrewed Wii U
• A FAT32 SD card for your Wii U that fits your desired games
• Decrypted game data for each game
  • If the files are not in this format, check the Dumping Wii U Games page to learn to convert to it
• The latest version of Loadiine GX2

Steps:

1. Extract the wiiu folder from loadiine_gx2.zip to the root of your SD card
2. Create a folder within the wiiu folder, called games
   • If you have save files to use, create another folder called saves
3. Create a folder in the games folder with the name of the game and game ID written as Game Name [GAMEID]
4. Copy the code, content, and meta folders into the folder created in the last step
5. Remove the SD card from your computer and place it back into the console
6. Open the Homebrew Launcher, then launch Loadiine GX2

At this point, the games should appear inside of the app and should be ready to simply run. Loading times are longer than installing directly onto the console, but the games will take up no space in internal storage.

Method 3: Emulation on PC

This method involves using an emulator to read the dumped files in order to play them on your computer. While this method requires a more powerful machine, it has certain advantages over running natively on the console that make it a desirable method. This method requires either the WUD/WUX images or the decrypted game files. While there are other emulators available such as Decaf, this guide will use Cemu as it has the most compatibility.

Requirements:

• A computer
• The latest version of Cemu
• Decrypted game data for the desired games
  • If the files are not in this format, check the Dumping Wii U Games page to learn to convert to it
  • WUD/WUX images can be used, but are harder to get to work

Steps:

1. Extract the files from the zip file into the desired folder and run it, giving permissions.
2. Go through the first time setup. Set the folders to where you want games to be stored, or allow the defaults.
3. Choose to configure input controls. Select the Wii U Gamepad for the emulated controller, and choose your desired input method
4. Check the keyboard shortcuts and additional options, then continue
5. For decrypted game files:
   1. Click "File", then "Install game title, update, or DLC"
   2. Navigate to the location of your game, then open the meta folder and select the meta.xml file, then click to open
6. For WUD files:
   1. Open the keys.txt and add the three Wii U console keys, as well as the specific title key for the games you want to play. Save the file when done
      • These keys will not be provided here
   2. Click "File", then "Load"
   3. Navigate to the location of your game's WUD, then open it

If decrypted game files were used, Cemu will now install the game into the mlc0 folder designated at the initial setup, and the game can now be opened from Cemu. If a WUD file was used, the game should have launched if everything was done correctly.