Hardware How to use an out of region gamepad on your Wii U

[WiiUGamepadRegion]

I discovered a few days ago it is possible to bypass the region lock on the Wii U's gamepad. Searching for about an hour turned up "it's impossible" or "wait until someone figures out how to hack the gamepad's firmware." I guess nobody noticed? Figured it was worth sharing here so that anybody else trying to do this doesn't run into a wall.

Quoting myself from the Retro Game Boards Wii U Appreciation and Collecting Thread cause I can't post links apparently.

If you try to sync it the proper way, using the button on the system, it’ll sync but you’ll get an error about the Wii U Gamepad needing an update. Dead end.

But, if you have a hacked Wii U, you can install “System Config Tool,” an app intended for debug Wii Us. In there you can break a lot of things on your Wii U so be careful but under “Wii U GamePad (DRC) Settings” you can sync gamepads. Doesn’t seem like it’d be very useful but if you sync an out of region gamepad in here, you won’t get prompted about a gamepad update and can bypass the region lock entirely.

That's all you need to do. I have a JP region gamepad synced and working with my US region Wii U, but there's no reason to think it won't work for any region gamepad with any region Wii U.

 

[zantzue]

Thank you for posting this information. I didn't know this application. I found a tutorial on how to use it here http://anus.trade/sysconf/Remote.html.

 

[Kurremkarmerruk]

I discovered a few days ago it is possible to bypass the region lock on the Wii U's gamepad. Searching for about an hour turned up "it's impossible" or "wait until someone figures out how to hack the gamepad's firmware." I guess nobody noticed? Figured it was worth sharing here so that anybody else trying to do this doesn't run into a wall.

Quoting myself from the Retro Game Boards Wii U Appreciation and Collecting Thread cause I can't post links apparently.


That's all you need to do. I have a JP region gamepad synced and working with my US region Wii U, but there's no reason to think it won't work for any region gamepad with any region Wii U.

Thanks for the info! Does it continue to work after you turn off/ turn on the machine or you need to resynch them every time you boot?

Do you know if there is a possibility to flash the US firmware to the JP gamepad?

 

[WiiUGamepadRegion]

Thanks for the info! Does it continue to work after you turn off/ turn on the machine or you need to resynch them every time you boot?

Do you know if there is a possibility to flash the US firmware to the JP gamepad?

Yeah it continues to be sync'd after you turn things off so you don't need to resync.

AFAIK no Wii U Gamepad firmware hacks exist at this time. When I was looking back in July people speculated that someday, maybe, it could possibly happen.

 

[Kurremkarmerruk]

Yeah it continues to be sync'd after you turn things off so you don't need to resync.

AFAIK no Wii U Gamepad firmware hacks exist at this time. When I was looking back in July people speculated that someday, maybe, it could possibly happen.

Thanks for your answer! I will try it as soon I have the system with me (i'm not at home for a few more months :-/ )

 

[LovelyFire21]

Hi! Noob here! xd I want to sync my gamepad (from USA version), but i can't because it says that my gamepad it's not from EUR version, it's from USA version. So, now i want to put my Wii U to Region Free to play with that gamepad but I don't know how to install the aplication: "System Config. Tool" I searched from Google and i cannot find the true path to download this aplic and make it work, if someone can PLEASE explain me how to install this, I would be in debt with her/him.
Thanks and please, see my post! TnT

 

[MODRZEW82]

From my side also request for tutorial - I have usa version of wii u and want to unlock region of my gamepad in case of replace wii u unit to EUR. Link is very unclear for noob, help please

 

[Madridi]

Wow this is amazing! I just tried it and indeed does work!

Cool find OP

 

[Skule]

The link to the tutorial doesnt work, and i cant find the system config tool. I also have a Japanese replacement gamepad to replace the one which my kids has managed to lose somewhere, but i shopped at ebay and didnt specify the region i belong to North euroipe. The gamepad has now arrived, and it comes from Japan. Afaik. region is hardwired and they regulate region management in the upgrade process. Now it makes perfect sense to sort the problem by not upgrading, but the System Config Tool cannot be found? Im assuming that the program is loade by the use of SD mem card formatted to fat32, but that doesnt work if i dont have thepTool.
WiiUGamepadRegion hast been seen since last year, so i dare ask if you can help us.

 

[zantzue]

The link to the tutorial doesnt work, and i cant find the system config tool. I also have a Japanese replacement gamepad to replace the one which my kids has managed to lose somewhere, but i shopped at ebay and didnt specify the region i belong to North euroipe. The gamepad has now arrived, and it comes from Japan. Afaik. region is hardwired and they regulate region management in the upgrade process. Now it makes perfect sense to sort the problem by not upgrading, but the System Config Tool cannot be found? Im assuming that the program is loade by the use of SD mem card formatted to fat32, but that doesnt work if i dont have thepTool.
WiiUGamepadRegion hast been seen since last year, so i dare ask if you can help us.

You're right. The site is down buuuut I copied the content one year ago.

 

[zantzue]

Here's a -snip-. I've never used it. I've just taken it from a website I trust (elotrolado.net). I found a tutorial in Spanish and it says that it should be installed on rednand only. Don't install it on sysnand. Be careful what you do...

 

[kikogear1]

Here's a -snip-. I've never used it. I've just taken it from a website I trust (elotrolado.net). I found a tutorial in Spanish and it says that it should be installed on rednand only. Don't install it on sysnand. Be careful what you do...

Thank you

 

[gaga24]

I have question. What do you think, will system config tool work with Haxchi or Coldboot Haxchi?
Did anyone try?

 

[godreborn]

I have question. What do you think, will system config tool work with Haxchi or Coldboot Haxchi?
Did anyone try?

it works, yes.

 

[gaga24]

Did anyone try to sync gamepads from different version? My console is EUR, and i have JAP gamepad as second gamepad.

 

[huma_dawii]

Does the GamePad region matters even if you make your Wii U Region free?

 

[godreborn]

Does the GamePad region matters even if you make your Wii U Region free?

I'm pretty sure that yes, it still matters. it's the only controller that's region locked.

 

[ChenXiong]

Hi bros. I got read the System config tool installation. But it use the Rednand and WUP installer 1.0 to install it.

But now, can i use the Mocha CFW (boot from wiiuexploit.xyz) and WUP installer 1.3 GX to install it.? Since this is the newest hack way.

 

[LLS]

Do anyone get this different region's gamepad working?

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Wow this is amazing! I just tried it and indeed does work!

Cool find OP

Maybe you can share how you did it? Thank you.

 

[yuyuyup]

Since this is bumped, it's cool to learn this is an actual good use for rednand which I never bothered to eliminate from my SD. Laziness wins out once again