Seven tricks for your Nintendo Wii

Tue Oct 21, 2008 3:56PM EDT

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You didn't think your Nintendo Wii was a one-trick, Wii Sports playing pony, did you? Techradar.com compiled a list of seven tricks that can squeeze more out of your Nintendo Wii. Here are my personal favorites:

1. Email a chum's Wii: You'll need to have a record of those damnably unmemorable friend codes for anyone you want to mail, but once you do it's simple: just drop a message to w[friendcode]@wii.com. For instance, w1234567891011@wii.com.

6. Fix stubborn Wiimotes: If you're having trouble getting a new or borrowed Wiimote to synch with your console, there's a way to make the Wii completely forget about all the remotes it's paired with so that you can start afresh. Turn the Wii off and unplug it from the wall. Wait 30 seconds, then plug it in and turn it on again. When the Health & Safety warning pops up, open the flap on the front of the Wii, then press and hold down the red SYNC button for 15 seconds. And that's it - all the synced controllers will be forgotten. Then pair all your Wiimotes with the console using the standard method.

7. Use your Wiimotes with your PC: Yep, the Wiimote uses standard Bluetooth wireless tech to talk to the console - which means it can also work with a PC. So your Wii controller can double up as a remote control for movie watching, or you can even play any game with it. You'll need either built-in Bluetooth support or a USB adaptor in your PC, plus free app GlovePIE to get it working. There's a little bit of faff involved, but the instructions at the GlovePIE site will talk you through it. You can also download pre-made profiles for specific games.

Of course, I have a few tricks up my sleeve that I like to use with my Wii.

Turn the Wii into a YouTube machine: Here's an obvious one that I just don't see enough people using. Using the Wii's Opera-powered Internet Channel (which you have to purchase from the Wii Shop for 500 points), you can simply browse to YouTube.com to watch your favorite video moments on your big-screen TV.  Additionally, you can plug in any USB keyboard or the Logitech Cordless Wii Keyboard to make Internet browsing and YouTube oogling a complete breeze. Boom goes the dynamite!

Utilize the homebrew channel: This one takes a little bit more trickery than the others. Using your copy of The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess, you can install a freeware "homebrew" channel that allows you to run unofficial software on your Nintendo Wii. There are emulators, games, media players, and more—the potential is limitless. However, the legality of this is hotly debated, and your warranty may be voided, so proceed with caution.

Want more out of your Wii? Head over to Techradar.com to see the full list. Have any secret tips of your own? Fire away in the comments below.

Techradar.com - 7 Wii tricks Nintendo doesn't tell you

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  • 46 Posted by ecoffey74 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:51PM EDT Report Abuse

    kool I have a wii and I really can't do any of these tricks they r 2 difficukt

  • 47 Posted by jayson_60120 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:29PM EDT Report Abuse

    wow, people are still playing Wii? That's cool for Nintendo. What a joke that system is.

  • 49 Posted by johnchua1120 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:38PM EDT Report Abuse

    You can also play dvd's on the Wii by putting a movie on an SD Card, then putting it in your Wii, then going to the Photo Channel and selecting SD Card,and then it will detect a movie and play it (you have to click on it).

  • 51 Posted by zombie.society on Thu Sep 3, 2009 11:01PM EDT Report Abuse

    Wow, I literally walked into a store last summer and bought one. I can't believe so many people still don't know how to find a Wii.

  • 52 Posted by jamiederyke on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:28PM EDT Report Abuse

    maybe i'm an idiot, but i'm only counting FIVE tips here, NOT 7....

  • 53 Posted by missnicolec on Thu Sep 3, 2009 7:22PM EDT Report Abuse

    I got mine at Circuit City with no problem. The day I decided to buy one, I was able to.

  • 55 Posted by breath_of_intensity on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:12PM EDT Report Abuse

    If you don't have a sensor bar, light two candles and set them on the corners of your tv (on top).

  • 57 Posted by beexpressed on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:04PM EDT Report Abuse

    Hello! Read to the END of the article where it gives you a link for the seven tips.

  • 58 Posted by h.carolyn@sbcglobal.net on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:15PM EDT Report Abuse

    Go to gamestop they always have them in stock. Dont get the warranty they offer tho. Comes with one and they will fix it with no questions asked even after the warrenty. Learned that today. If you dont want to waste time just call one that is close to where u live.

  • 59 Posted by thxmike@att.net on Thu Sep 3, 2009 10:08PM EDT Report Abuse

    Wii's are available at Walmart and GameStop. Ask your local store which days they receive shipments and then check those days. Accessories are least expensive at Target. There are several free game sites dedicated to Opera enviroment. I can play games online or you can download them to your pc and then burn the disk and then play the game off of your wii. These games are not comercial quality games, but are still fun, and better yet FREE! Nintendos marketing scheme was to release the majority of their machines during the winter holiday season. The Wiis will soon floood the market again. Have Fun!

  • 60 Posted by z_counts on Thu Sep 3, 2009 11:02PM EDT Report Abuse

    Last year, I stood in line for 4 hours at Best Buy. Just go in, ask when their next shipment is, and show up at least 3 hours early. I guarantee you'll get one. Other then that, eBay?

  • 61 Posted by jd_tech2326 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:31PM EDT Report Abuse

    Wanna play DVD's? You mean to tell me that most of the folks that own these nintendo Wii's don't have DVD players? I fail to see the need for a game console that plays dvd's. Isn't the whole point of it being a game console to play games?........Rediculously redundant.

  • 62 Posted by darquan_223 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:36PM EDT Report Abuse

    "Utilize the homebrew channel:" I don't know why this was included in an official Yahoo article. Piracy is illegal and shouldn't be promoted in any way. Even though the writer warns about the legality of this option I just have to wonder why even mention it if it's not legal and could lead to potential problems? The Wii is still awesome even without this exploit and I'm personally offended that this info was included in an article on Yahoo. People who pirate are the reason PC gamers are getting screwed by SecuRom.

  • 63 Posted by cheezefestvideos on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:22PM EDT Report Abuse

    Some of these are obvious and dangerous. The worst one is homebrew channel! Do not use that! It will mess up your Wii and Nintendo wont fix it@

  • 64 Posted by cheezefestvideos on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:22PM EDT Report Abuse

    Some of these are obvious and dangerous. The worst one is homebrew channel! Do not use that! It will mess up your Wii and Nintendo wont fix it@

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