Wii U - Nintendo DS – Virtual Console Inject Guide

I TAKE NO RESPONSIBILITY IF THE GAME YOU EDIT BRICKS YOUR Wii U WHEN YOU INSTALL IT ONTO YOUR Wii U!
FOLLOW THIS GUIDE AT YOU OWN RISK!

Most of these tools and software are designed to only work on a Windows Operating System.

Your Wii U must be setup to run the custom firmware. I recommend following this guide: https://wiiu.guide/​

Spoiler: Required files and software.

You will need the following files and software installed:
- "Wii U NDS Inject" files
- Nintendo DS ROM (.nds)
- Wii U Common Key (.bin) or (ASCII Text)
- Notepad++
- Paint.net
- 7-zip

To extract the "Wii U - NDS - VC Inject.zip" files, right click on the file and select: 7-Zip > Extract to "Wii U NDS Inject\"

A folder called "Wii U NDS Inject" will have been created which contains these folders:

Make sure the extensions for the files are NOT hidden! To confirm this, search and open "File Explorer Options".

Click “View”, locate “Hide extensions for known file types” in the "Advanced setting:" and make sure it is unticked.

Since the Nintendo DS is a region free device, it means you can inject any Nintendo DS (.nds) rom you like, regardless of the Game ID inside the game. However, some games will run the game in the required language that is based on the language that has been set in the BIOS. This option was mainly used in European releases, but there are American and Japan releases that do this as well.

The Wii U is setup in a similar way to the original Nintendo DS, and will use the required language that is set in the Wii U settings:
- Japanese = Japanese
- English = English
- French = French
- German = German
- Spanish = Spanish
- Italian = Italian
- Dutch = English
- Portuguese = English
- Russian = English

I would recommend checking https://www.advanscene.com/ for more information about the required games, including the languages the game supports (it doesn’t tell you the method of how it loads the language, but you can easily find out by using the DS Emulator).

Beware that not all Nintendo DS roms are going to work, or require a certain game for the rom to be injected into. A compatibility list can be found here, which will give you an idea on what has been tested.

ROM hacks are also compatible (providing the unmodified ROMs don’t have issues). I would advise that if there is an "Official Wii U - Nintendo DS" release, then inject the ROM hack into that version.

Spoiler: Converting the Wii U Common Key.

If you have found Wii U Common Key as plain ASCII text instead of a ".bin" file, then paste that key into a Hex Editor (there should be 16 bytes) and save the file as "ckey.bin".

Spoiler: Download the required Wii U Nintendo DS game.

1. Open folder: FunKiiUNETThingy (V1.2)
2. Double click: FunKiiUNETThingy.exe
   
3. In the textbox below the That Key Site URL text, enter the name of the website that contains a list of the Wii U Title Keys. Due to copyright reasons, you will have to find the website yourself.
   
   
4. Click Download / Update titlekeys json files button.
   
5. Click Load/Reload Data from titlekeys json button. A list of titles you can download should appear!
   
6. In the Search textbox, enter the Nintendo DS game you want to download (click here to see a list of Nintendo DS games that were released on the Wii U). Then click the Search button to find the game.
   
   Note: If you want to find the Japanese version of the Nintendo DS game, you may have to enter the required Japanese characters. For example, to find the Japanese version of Metroid Prime Hunters, you must enter: メトロイドプライム ハンターズ
   
7. Double click on the Nintendo DS game that you want to download (it's recommended you download the game for your Wii U's Region, otherwise the Electronics Manual will not open if the region doesn’t match). This will add the title to the Title Queue list.
   
8. Click the DOWNLOAD button to download the game. Check the Download Progress to view the current progress (it will take around 5 minutes to download).
   
9. Once the title has finished downloading, the name will disappear from the Title Queue list.
   
10. Close FunKiiUNETThingy.
11. Open folder: FunKiiUNETThingy (V1.2) > install
    The game you downloaded should have been saved in that folder. Double click on that folder.
    
12. The required encrypted files for the Nintendo DS game you downloaded should be in that folder.
    

Spoiler: Decrypting the game files.

1. Open folder: CDecrypt
2. Copy the Wii U Common Key.bin into the CDecrypt folder.
3. Rename the Wii U Common Key.bin file to: ckey.bin
   
4. Copy all of the four files from the CDecrypt folder into the folder with the game you downloaded (the one with which has the encrypted files).
   
5. Open: CDecrypt.bat
6. A Command Prompt will pop up to show the progress of the files being extracted. Once the files have been extracted, press any key to close the Command Prompt.
   
7. In the same folder, three new folders will have been created (code, content, and meta).
   
8. Copy the whole Nintendo DS game folder that contains the three new folders to the following folder: PhacoxsInjector > nds
   
9. Inside the game folder you just copied, you can delete all of the files, leaving only the code, content, and meta folders.
   

Spoiler: Change the Emulator Settings.

This section will involve inserting a modified configuration.json file. Two new screen settings have been added.

Nintendo DS Layout (Version 2) - The Nintendo DS background has removed, and the screens made larger on the TV.

Touch Screen on TV - The Touch Screen is on the TV, while the Top Screen is on the Wii U GamePad.

1. Open folder: NDS Files
   
2. Copy the strings folder.
3. Open folder: PhacoxsInjector > nds > *NDS Game Name > content > 0010 > data
   
4. Paste the strings folder in this location, replacing all the files in the process. The new Screen Setting names have been updated.
5. Open folder: PhacoxsInjector > nds > *NDS Game Name > content
   
6. Delete: configuration_cafe.json
7. Metroid Prime Hunters also has a .precomp file. Since the other injects won't use this, this file can also be deleted.
   
8. Back in the NDS Files folder, copy the required .json file. The one with sideways in the title is best used for games that require to hold the Nintendo DS in a vertical position (like Planet Puzzle League) by default. Otherwise use the one with original in the title.
   
9. Back in the 0010 folder, paste the .json file into this location.
10. Rename the file to: configuration_cafe.json
    
11. Open configuration_cafe.json with Notepad++.
12. Go to line: 600
    
13. At line 604 is the Brightness setting. Feel free to change this if necessary. The original releases have this set to 80, but I personally like to set this to 100.
14. At line 607 is the Fold on Pause setting. If you set this to true, when you press the Home Button or ZL/ZR Button, the emulator will emulate Folding / Opening the Nintendo DS. Set this to true for games like Zelda: Phantom Hourglass and Hotel Dusk will need to use this feature to solve some puzzles. Otherwise, set this to false.
15. Save the changes: File > Save

Spoiler: Modify the parameters of the game.

1. Open folder: PhacoxsInjector > nds > *NDS Game Name > content > 0010 > data > scripts
   
2. Open params.lua in Notepad++.
   
3. At line 7, replace the 4 letter Title ID with the following: AAAA
   
4. Save the changes: File > Save

When you open the Original Manual, it will load a 404 HTTP Not Found webpage.

To explain what is going on, Nintendo have decided to not include the Original Manual for the game you download. Instead, you have to be Online to view the Original Manual (in .pdf format) on the Web Browser. The one that you view depends the following settings:

• The language your Wii U is set to.
• The platformId that is set in the params.lua file.
• The titleID that is set in the params.lua file.
• The regionId that is set in the params.lua file.

The game is using the following url that is stored in the vcmenus.lua file to obtain the required Original Manual:

https://m1.nintendo.net/docvc/" .. platformId .. "/" .. regionId .. "/" .. titleId .."/" .. titleId .. "_" .. language_suffix .. ".pdf

What's neat about this is you can view these Original Manuals on your own Web Browser if you know the game's Title ID. Below are a few examples:
- Mario Kart DS - NTR-AMCE-USA [English]: http://m1.nintendo.net/docvc/NTR/USA/AMCE/AMCE_E.pdf
- Advance Wars: Dual Strike - NTR-AWRP-EUR [French]: http://m1.nintendo.net/docvc/NTR/EUR/AWRP/AWRP_F.pdf
- Sawaru Made in Wario - NTR-AZWJ-JPN [Japanese]: http://m1.nintendo.net/docvc/NTR/JPN/AZWJ/AZWJ_J.pdf
- Monster Tale - NTR-BIHE-USA [English]: http://m1.nintendo.net/docvc/NTR/USA/BIHE/BIHE_E.pdf

Spoiler: Modify the Meta file.

1. Open folder: PhacoxsInjector > nds > *NDS Game Name > meta
   
2. Open meta.xml file in Notepad++.
3. Go to line: 96
   
4. Enter Nintendo for each Publisher (there are 12 in total for the required languages).
   
5. Go to line: 35
   
6. These are the Age Rating settings for the game. I think these are used to prevent the game from being played if the Parental Controls are activated. I just copy the required settings from a game that has a Suitable for Everyone rating (the settings below are used from the European version of WarioWare: Touched!).
   
7. Save the changes: File > Save

Spoiler: The Electronic Manual that is being used.

• In the meta folder is a file called Manual.bfma. This is the Electronic Manual that can be opened on the Home Menu Screen by pressing the Home button. The interesting thing about this manual is it is the same for each Wii U Virtual Console Nintendo DS release. The manual doesn’t even mention the game you have downloaded, and even uses screenshots from the New Super Bros. DS game. It basically tells you the functions of the emulator, so you might as well leave this is.
• It is important that you use the correct Manual.bfma file for your Wii U's region. Using one that is required for a different region will just give an error message when you tey and open it.
  

Spoiler: Take a screenshot of the title screen.

1. Place the Nintendo DS ROM (.nds) into the following folder: desmume-0.9.11-win32 > Roms
   
2. Open folder: desmume-0.9.11-win32
   
   
3. Open: DeSmuME_0.9.11_x86.exe
   
   
4. Open: Config > Control Config
5. Map the required buttons to a Controller / Keyboard. When you have finished, click OK.
   
6. Click: Config > Firmware Settings
7. Adjust the required firmware settings. The language option is important as some games will load the required language based on this setting. When you have finished, click OK.
   
8. Click: File > Open ROM…
9. Open the required Nintendo DS ROM (.nds) that you placed in the following folder: desmume-0.9.11-win32 > Roms
   
10. Reach the required part of the game where the title screen is. Don’t forget you can click the Pause Emulation button to pause the game.
    
    
11. To take a screenshot, click: File > Quick Screenshot
12. The screenshot can be fold in this folder:
    
13. Close DeSmuME
14. Open the screenshot (.png) in paint.net
    
15. Click: Image > Canvas Size
16. Change Height to: 192
17. Change Anchor dropdown to Top Left if the title is on the Top Screen. If the title is on the Touch Screen, then select Bottom Left.
    
    
18. Click OK.
19. Click OK to save changes.
    
20. If the title screen needs to be displayed vertically, click Image > Rotate 90° Counter-Clockwise and save the changes.
    
21. Close Paint.net
22. The title screen has been updated.
    

Spoiler: Injecting the Nintendo DS ROM.

1. Go to the following folder: NUS Packer > input > content > 0010
   
   
2. If you download the “Metroid Prime Hunters” game, you will notice a file called:
   MP_HUNTERSAMHP01_0123456789012345678901234567890123456789_0.precomp
   This file is not needed and can be deleted.
   
   
3. Right click on the “rom.zip” file and click on: 7-Zip > Extract Here
   A file ending with “.nds” or “.srl” should appear in the folder.
   
   
   
   You can confirm this is a Nintendo DS rom by opening it using the “DeSmuME” emulator.
   
   
4. Copy the Nintendo ROM (.nds) you want to inject into the following folder: NUS Packer > input > content > 0010
5. Make a note of the file name from the “.nds” or “.srl” file that you extracted from the “rom.zip” file.
6. Deleted the “.nds” or “.srl” file that you extracted from the “rom.zip” file.
7. Rename the Nintendo ROM (.nds) with the same file name as the file you deleted (including the file extension).
   
   
8. Go the following folder: DS Scene ROM Tool (V1.0)
9. Open the “DS-Scene Rom Tool.exe” file.
10. Click on: File > Open File…
11. Open the required Nintendo DS ROM (.nds) that you placed in the following folder: desmume-0.9.11-win32 > Roms
12. Locate the "Game serial" and make a note of 5th, 6th, 7th, and 8th letters. So in this example, it would be: BIHE
    It may also be worth making a note of the game's title and publisher.
    
    
13. Close the "DS-Scene Rom Tool" file.
14. Rename the last 4 letters with the new ones. So in this example, it would be: WUP-N-BIHE.srl
    
    
15. Left click and hold the mouse button on the “.srl” or “.nds” file. Then drag and drop (let go of the left mouse button) the file into the “rom.zip” file.
    Let the computer copy and compress the file into the "rom.zip" file.
    
    
16. Delete the “.srl” or “.nds” file that is in the “0010” folder.
    
    
17. Double click on the “rom.zip” file.
18. Right click on the file that isn't going to be used and click the "Delete" option. In this example, the file to delete will be: WUP-N-DAPP.srl
    This should leave one file in the "rom.zip" file.
    
    

Spoiler: Packing the Injected Files.

1. Go to the following folder: NUS Packer
2. Right click on “NUSPacker.bat” file and click “Edit”.
3. Replace the Insert-WiiU-Key with the Wii U Common Key. Just open the the “Wii U Common Key (.bin)” in a Hex Editor and copy and paste the hex bytes (make sure there are no spaces).
   
   
4. Click: File > Save
5. Close the "NUSPacker.bat" file.
6. Double Click on the “NUSPacker.bat” file.
   
   
7. A "Command Prompt" will appear to pack the data. Once the data has finished being packed, press any key.
   
   
8. All the packed files are stored in the following folder: NUS Packer > output
   
   
9. Make a new folder and name it something suitable. I would suggest putting the “Title ID” in.
10. Cut and paste all the files from the “output” folder to the new folder you created.
    
    

Spoiler: Installing the game on the Wii U.

1. Now you are ready to install the game onto you Wii U. I myself use “WUP Installer Mod Y”. Simply copy the folder to the “install” folder.
2. Install onto the Wii U.

Spoiler: Screenshot of the inject game on the Wii U

The game Icon.

The Bootscreen on the Wii U Gamepad.

The game being displayed on the TV (the Top Screen).

The game being displayed on the Wii U Gamepad (the Touch Screen).

The Screen Settings menu.

Trying to load an Original Manual.

The game in the Data Management.

Spoiler: FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions).

Question:
Do I need to use Rednand on the Mocha Custom Firmware?
Answer:
These injects will work perfectly fine with Mocha Custom Firmware without Rednand.

Question:
My game shows up as a corrupt title.
Answer:
It appears that you have not signed the Icon or Bootscreens. Make sure you add the extra data to then end of the files and use TGAVerify as stated in the guide.

Question:
When I launch the game, it comes up with an "Update is required" message and won't let me play the game.
Answer:
This is an issue with the title ID that you have used. Just use a different one, making sure it does not conflict with any of your other games.

Question:
My game shows up correctly on the Wii U menu, but it crashes when I launch the game.
Answer:
This may be issues with the title ID you used. Try a different one, making sure it does not conflict with any of your other games.

Question:
My game launches fine but the game itself doesn't work at all / has issues.
Answer:
Your game may not be compatible with the Virtual Console Emulator. Check this compatibility list to see if your will work correctly.

Question:
The custom inject seems to split the "Software" and "Save" files in the Game Data Management (Wii U Settings), instead of merging them together. Have I done something wrong?
Answer:
No, you have not done anything wrong. I'm not sure why this happens, but when you change the Title ID, the Wii U won't keep them merged for any custom injects. This seems to occur with the Homebrew Channel that is installed as well. You just have to remember that for custom injects, the "Software" and "Save" files are stored separately.

Question:
Can I take a screenshot of the game and upload it to Miiverse?
Answer:
As long as you changed the "Title ID", Miiverse will detect the game is not supported on Miiverse and won't let you upload a screenshot of the game.

 

[Charix]

What if the game we want isn't on Funkii U? I searched for it but I can't find it.

 

[Enscripture]

Hey, guys I found out how to fullscreen the DS games!
Open configuration_cafe.json with Notepad++

Scroll down to VCM_LAYOUT_9_EXPLANATION

Change "size": "928 696" to "1280 720"
Change "position": "176 12" to "0 0"

Change "size": "640 480" to "854 480"
Change "position": "106 0" to "0 0"

And then in the Wii U Screen Settings puck the "Upper Screen on TV" and it'll stretch to full screen on the TV and Gamepad

 

[Manuel_R]

Hello, i have been trying to do this, but I might be too inexperienced on the matter.

It seems i have a problem with the "Wii U Common Key", i got it from a "Pastebin" site and downloaded it as a .txt (it starts with D7... so i think is the one), this tutorial says that it must be on a .bin extension so i naively just renamed the file and the extension, then i did what the tutorial said and put the CDecrypt files, along with the renamed "ckey.bin",inside the game i downloaded from the "Funkii" app (I downloaded Yoshi's Island DS, because i want to inject Pkmn: Heart Gold Ver.). When I run the ".bat"file, it show an error on cmd that says: "Ckey is wrong length Press any key to continue..." and I dont know what exactly it means, i dont know if i got the right key, or if i have to convert the file from ".txt" to ".bin" and if that's the case, I don't know how.

If you can find the time to help this noob it will be highly apreciatted .

 

[XC-3730C]

Is there a list of DS games compatible with this tutorial?

 

[SPOOKYTIME]

The Wii U NDS injection zip is corrupt. wiiuicon.pdn is also missing from the archive.

 

[RadioShadow]

Is there a list of DS games compatible with this tutorial?

One can be found here, although not all of it is correct: https://wiki.gbatemp.net/wiki/WiiU_VC_NDS_injection
I tried to figure how to get editing permissions, but that was more hassle than it was worth, so I gave up. For example, Sonic Rush and Adventures does work in Metroid Prime DS.

The Wii U NDS injection zip is corrupt. wiiuicon.pdn is also missing from the archive.

It shouldn't be, but I will take a look when I get home. I can always re-upload it.

Hello, i have been trying to do this, but I might be too inexperienced on the matter.

It seems i have a problem with the "Wii U Common Key", i got it from a "Pastebin" site and downloaded it as a .txt (it starts with D7... so i think is the one), this tutorial says that it must be on a .bin extension so i naively just renamed the file and the extension, then i did what the tutorial said and put the CDecrypt files, along with the renamed "ckey.bin",inside the game i downloaded from the "Funkii" app (I downloaded Yoshi's Island DS, because i want to inject Pkmn: Heart Gold Ver.). When I run the ".bat"file, it show an error on cmd that says: "Ckey is wrong length Press any key to continue..." and I dont know what exactly it means, i dont know if i got the right key, or if i have to convert the file from ".txt" to ".bin" and if that's the case, I don't know how.

If you can find the time to help this noob it will be highly apreciatted .

The only thing I can think of is you have a bad common key or haven't entered a correct one. Once my new Wii U is hacked (had two failed on me for faulty nand chips...), I'll remind myself how this works.

 

[timelyenigma]

I'm having a similar issue to Manuel up above. I have the Wii U Common Key, but what do I do with it now? How do I create the bin file?

 

[SPOOKYTIME]

I'm having a similar issue to Manuel up above. I have the Wii U Common Key, but what do I do with it now? How do I create the bin file?

To make a .bin for the common key, go to the hex editor, type the common key into the editor, and save it as ckey.bin.

 

[timelyenigma]

To make a .bin for the common key, go to the hex editor, type the common key into the editor, and save it as ckey.bin.

Worked! Thank you so much.

 

[Manuel_R]

To make a .bin for the common key, go to the hex editor, type the common key into the editor, and save it as ckey.bin.

Oh thanks @SPOOKYTIME , i left the topic a while ago cuz i gave up, but now with your answer I'm on an Injecting spree jajaja. Also thanks to @RadioShadow for such a complete tutorial.

 

[Krokauff]

Hello,

Just wondering if this is still the most current and best method for NDS injections on the Wii U? I see the post was originally from a while ago, but has more recent comments.

I only ask because I'm pretty late to the Wii U Homebrew party. Just getting into all this recently, I tend to find a lot of Wii U Homebrew methods that now seem to be out of date or no longer relevant. Many of these sources have not been updated with newer information in quite some time. Sifting through these has been a bit challenging to find the most accurate information. I thought I'd just double check if anyone was up on any new developments.

Perhaps someone can confirm the following for me as well if they have a moment:
From what I've gathered, currently the preferred method for loading game back-ups in general is to create a VC injection version of the game and install it using WUP installer?

Anyway, any help much appreciated

 

[Alarod]

It only took 2 years to fit this into my little brain.

 

[armachillo]

Hello,

Just wondering if this is still the most current and best method for NDS injections on the Wii U? I see the post was originally from a while ago, but has more recent comments.

I only ask because I'm pretty late to the Wii U Homebrew party. Just getting into all this recently, I tend to find a lot of Wii U Homebrew methods that now seem to be out of date or no longer relevant. Many of these sources have not been updated with newer information in quite some time. Sifting through these has been a bit challenging to find the most accurate information. I thought I'd just double check if anyone was up on any new developments.

Perhaps someone can confirm the following for me as well if they have a moment:
From what I've gathered, currently the preferred method for loading game back-ups in general is to create a VC injection version of the game and install it using WUP installer?

Anyway, any help much appreciated

Me too!!!!

 

[Sarcose]

Quick question, has the python script been tested with the latest version of Python? I was trying to make this work on my laptop before said laptop corrupted (unrelated) and I recall having an issue with the script being deprecated by the latest Python version, and I had to hunt around for the solution. (obviously since my laptop is messed up and I'm starting from scratch, I can't provide that solution here, but if I run into this again and figure it out I'll post an update)

Update: After a lot of tinkering I learned that indeed, the latest Python breaks gui.py for FunkiiU for some reason. The code has been discontinued. There is another python based GUI called FunKiiU Frontend - however, this one has problems identifying all currently viable title key URLs. Finally I got the .NET-based frontend, FunKiiUNETTThingy, to work by using the titlekey URL that includes "web.archive.org" in its url, based on the current list as of this update (3/6/2020). As this is a brand new account I cannot post links to these utilities, apologies - they're easily googleable, though.

I apologize for necroing this thread and I know many have moved on in the homebrew scene, but for those of us latecomers to the Wii U scene this is still the simplest means to inject NDS games on our consoles. OP if you're still paying attention to this thread an update to the OP might be warranted.

 

[RadioShadow]

@Sarcose
Thanks for the information for the FunKiiU. Two of my Wii Us both ended up with Nand Flash errors and became paper weights. Plus having to transfer my account was not fun. SO it sort of killed my mood in updating this guide.

On the bright side, my currently Wii U has been soft modded, so I can finally put NDS Injects on! Really want to play some Sonic Rush! Hopefully I can update the guide.

 

[UserMCSkull]

Hello, whenever I open FunKii and try to double click this appears

My files also look different for some reason, what do I do? Thank you in advance

 

[UserMCSkull]

Link didn't seem to work: https://imgur.com/gallery/LwgJKkc/comment/1921726511

 

[RadioShadow]

@UserMCSkull
Sorry for the late response. The latest update of Python is not compatible with FunKii anymore. Thankfully there is a Windows version that does the same job

I have provided an updated link on the guide. I have taken the required photos, and will hopefully update the guide soon.

 

[UserMCSkull]

@RadioShadow Hello, thank you for updating

 

[UserMCSkull]

Hi I'm having trouble finding the title key website, I understand that you're not allowed to say it's name due to copyright, but could you give a hint asto what it is or dm me it on my Discord (UserMCSkull#2878)

Thank you in advance!

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