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Guide: Using Real Wii Remotes in Dolphin

Tip: Sync Wiimote Button Hotkey

RetroDECK has a built-in hotkey for pressing the Dolphin Sync Wiimote button (Alt + W) if you get disconnected in Steam Input. It can also be accessed from some controller's radial menu systems.

Hardware Prerequisites

  • A Wii Sensor Bar alternative (wireless or wired).
  • A Linux compatible Bluetooth dongle or built-in Bluetooth adapter.

Mod: Wii bluetooth adapter to USB

For hardware mod enthusiasts, you can buy a Bluetooth adapter spare part from a Wii console and wire it as a USB Bluetooth adapter for better compatibility.

How to wire a Wii's Bluetooth Module to a PC USB Port

Information: Third Party Wii Remotes

Many third party Wii Remotes lack native Linux support, but several groups are working on it.

  • They may work with Bluetooth Passthrough mode in Dolphin.
  • They may or may not remember pairing with the Bluetooth adapter, requiring synchronization for each game.

Sources:

xwiimote github

xwiimote-ng github - Fork of xwiimote

Related Issues:

xwiimote: issue 66

xwiimote: issue 73

bluez: issue 94

Steam Deck Tips: Real Wii Remotes

  • Play docked, connected to a monitor/TV, with a separate Bluetooth dongle attached to the dock.
  • Set a sudo password for the Steam Deck.
  • Connect a keyboard/mouse to the dock while setting up.
  • Sit close to the Steam Deck when pairing the Wiimotes.

  • Configure Wiimotes in Desktop Mode first, then switch to Game Mode when everything is working.

    • Open Dolphin from the Configurator.
    • Make all the settings changes to connect the Wiimotes.
    • Launch a game from Desktop Mode directly in Dolphin.
    • If pairing works and the Wiimotes connect and control the game fine in Desktop Mode, it will work in Game Mode when launched from RetroDECK.

How-to: Use a Real Wii Remote - Method 1: Emulate Wii's Bluetooth Adapter

This method works only with the Official Wii Remote controller and is the easiest method.

Step 1: Open Dolphins Controller Settings

Open RetroDECK Configurator → Open Emulator → Dolphin → Options → Controller Settings.

Step 2: Change the Settings

Under Emulate the Wii's Bluetooth adapter:

  • Change the values of Wii Remote dropdown lists from Emulated Wii Remote to Real Wii Remote.
  • Enable the following checkboxes:
  • Connect Wii Remotes for Emulated Controllers
  • Continuous Scanning

Step 3: Syncing the Wiimotes

  • Connect the Wiimote by pressing the Sync Button when a game is launched.
  • Reconnect every time when launching a new game.
  • If everything works, re-pairing should be quick with the press of the A button without needing to press the Sync Button again.

Use a Real Wii Remote - Method 2: Bluetooth Passthrough

This method works with both 3rd party and official Wiimotes. It is more complex and has some downsides.

🛑 Warning 🛑

  • This method makes the Bluetooth adapter unusable for other devices while playing Wii games.
  • No other devices can connect to it except Wiimotes, meaning all other devices will disconnect.
  • It is recommended to have a backup input method like a wireless keyboard or a controller with a dongle/cable.

Source: Dolphin Wiki: Bluetooth_Passthrough

Step 1: Find Your Vendor and Product IDs

First you need to find our your Vendor ID Product ID for the Bluetooth adapter you want to use.

  1. Open a terminal window.
  2. Type lsusb.
  3. It will display all connected USB or BUS devices.

Example:

Bus 001 Device 003: ID 0bda:5650 Realtek Semiconductor Corp.
Bus 001 Device 004: ID 8087:0025 Intel Corp. Wireless-AC 9260 Bluetooth Adapter

ID 8087:0025 Intel Corp. Wireless-AC 9260 Bluetooth Adapter is the Bluetooth Adapter in this example. The ID 8087:0025 left value is the Vendor ID while the right is Product ID. In this example: Vendor ID is 8087 and Product ID is 0025.

Step 2: Create the rules file

You will need root privileges for this.

  1. Open a terminal and type the following command, replacing Vendor ID and Product ID respectively:
sudo echo 'SUBSYSTEM=="usb", ATTRS{idVendor}=="Vendor ID", ATTRS{idProduct}=="Product ID", TAG+="uaccess"' | sudo tee -a /etc/udev/rules.d/52-dolphin.rules > /dev/null

From the example above, the result should look like this:

sudo echo 'SUBSYSTEM=="usb", ATTRS{idVendor}=="8087", ATTRS{idProduct}=="0025", TAG+="uaccess"' | sudo tee -a /etc/udev/rules.d/52-dolphin.rules > /dev/null
  1. Reload udev rules with: sudo udevadm control --reload-rules.
  2. Take out and reinsert the Bluetooth adapter or reboot if a built-in was used.

Step 3: Enable Bluetooth Passthrough in Dolphin

Open RetroDECK Configurator → Open Emulator → Dolphin → Options → Controller Settings.

Change Bluetooth type:

  • From Emulate the Wii's Bluetooth adapter to Passthrough a Bluetooth Adapter

Enable the following checkboxes:

  • Connect Wii Remotes for Emulated Controllers
  • Continuous Scanning

Step 4: Syncing the Wiimotes

  • Connect the Wiimote when a game is launched.
  • Reconnect every time when launching a new game.
  • Press 1 and 2 together on the Wiimote or the Sync Button (under the backplate) when launching a game.
  • Sometimes, press the Sync Button on the Emulated Wii in the Dolphin Interface. RetroDECK has a built-in shortcut for this (Alt + W), accessible from the Steam Input Radial Menu system.

Extra: Troubleshooting and Tips

  • Sit close to the device during initial pairing.
  • Pairing may take a while, especially with third-party Wiimotes. Try multiple times with the Sync Button + Sync Wiimote.
  • To play with normal controllers again, change back to Emulate the Wii's Bluetooth adapter setting and Emulated Wii Remote.
  • If the udev rules created in Step 2 are incorrect and Dolphin cannot get Bluetooth access, it will display an error message and crash. Ensure the file in /etc/udev/rules.d/52-dolphin.rules and its content are correct.