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

Comments on Seven tricks for your Nintendo Wii

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  • 1 Posted by prabhjot_1992 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 8:18PM EDT Report Abuse

    please alex, tell us how we can BUY a wii first of all (this holiday season)! I am desperatly waiting for your blog about it. Also sent u a mail!

  • 2 Posted by therez0 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 10:05PM EDT Report Abuse

    Think that Wii isn't able to play DVD movies? You would be wrong. Using the Homebrew Channel and an app downloaded to the SD card, your Wii can play full DVDs with menus. Although, since this is a Homebrew app, theres no guarantee that it will play all DVDs without error; also certain DVDs with heavier copyright protection will take longer to load, or may not play at all (I'm looking at you Casino Royale (2006)).

  • 3 Posted by akash4587 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 2:48PM EDT Report Abuse

    The Wii is awesome Akash is the best person

  • 4 Posted by brian_k323457 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:13PM EDT Report Abuse

    Why did he put only 3 tricks for the wii when he said 7 tricks?

  • 5 Posted by konichek1962 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:53PM EDT Report Abuse

    What is the app downloaded to the SD card that allows your Wii to play full DVDs with menus? That would make the Wii a pretty good value...

  • 8 Posted by shendow_x on Thu Sep 3, 2009 9:19PM EDT Report Abuse

    Wow all this I knew, and only some of them I did.

  • 9 Posted by pvukovic1 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 8:22PM EDT Report Abuse

    #4 - click the link at the bottom of the article to see the other 'tricks'. Its just a summary. However they excluded the : Run the Nintendo over with your car and dump a bucket of oil based paint on it,light the results on fire, then put a sign on it that says 'free run-over ninentendo wii' trick.

  • 10 Posted by marcelina_gomes82 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 7:05PM EDT Report Abuse

    yeah Brian_k323457 I'm with you on that Kept scrolling down to see check the rest....but nothing was their.

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