Post by Stoney on Mar 28, 2009 21:37:35 GMT -5
1. What is this?
A week ago I discovered something amazing: a hacker named "Phantom Wings" has figured out how to load custom, fan-made textures into Brawl using nothing except an SD card and an Action Replay code.
2. Got any examples of these textures?
Sure.
3. Whoa. What else does this code do?
Well, in addition to the obvious use of new character costumes, this code also lets players edit bosses, items, assist trophies, and stages. Anything in Brawl that uses a texture is fair game.
The same code also lets players change the pictures for each character that are loaded at the character-select screen, as well as the small picture of the character shown next to their damage percentage during battle.
In some cases it can even change Final Smashes -- such as turning WarioMan into a Pigmask Colonel from Mother 3, or turning Palutena into a picture of Obama dual-wielding katanas.
4. This sounds awesome! What's the code? Up, down, left, right, a + start at the title screen?
Whoa there, chief. This code isn't like those -- its an Action Replay code, meaning it uses a special program to hack Brawl's data when you load the game (just like GameShark or Game Genie did for earlier consoles). You'll need the special Action Replay program to use it, and you'll also need both an SD card and a computer with an SD card slot to transfer the texture files over to your Wii.
Just so you know, this new method of loading custom textures is way, WAY easier than the previous method used by hackers, which required burning modified copies of Brawl to DVD and mucking around inside a Wii with a screwdriver and a soldering kit so it would play the DVD. Unfortunately, this new method still has its own (relatively minor) set of problems.
5. I'm almost afraid to ask, but...what do you mean by "problems"?
The only way to use Action Replay codes on the Wii right now is through Homebrew programs (i.e. programs coded by a single guy in their basement rather than released officially through Nintendo), and Nintendo passionately hates such programs. Their latest system update for the Wii software (version 4.0, released last week) makes it pretty much impossible for anyone to use Homebrew on their Wii, so if you updated last week you're out of luck and won't be able to do this stuff.
6. I was too lazy/paranoid to update. How do I get homebrew on my Wii?
That's an entirely different issue and requires a separate guide in itself, but in summary, you'll need a hacked save for Twilight Princess that will let you install a new channel into your Wii's system menu. This channel, the Homebrew Channel, will let you run Action Replay programs on your Wii.
Yes, it sounds iffy. No, it is not dangerous. The process has been thoroughly tested and poses no risk to your Wii or your data.
Wiibrew.org is a wiki site devoted to Wii homebrew and they have some very helpful step-by-step guides for the installation process, which may be different depending on what version of Nintendo's software your Wii is currently using. Check them out here:
wiibrew.org/wiki/Setting_up_your_Wii_for_Homebrew
7. I just installed the Homebrew Channel on my Wii. What's next?
You'll need two programs. The first is a Wii program called Gecko OS. This program was originally designed to let you play region-free games (a.k.a. imported games from Japan and elsewhere), but it lets you use codes as well. You can download it from Wiibrew here:
wiibrew.org/wiki/Gecko_OS
The second program you'll need is a PC program that will let you take a text file with a list of codes on it and turn it into another type of file that Gecko OS can read.
It sounds complicated, but it's not. The program basically lets you choose which codes you want to turn on or off, then puts those codes on your SD card for you. I've made a .ZIP file that includes both the program and a text file with the codes you'll need to use custom textures in Brawl. You can download it here:
www.mediafire.com/?sharekey=4aec70d1d0b3a4aee7ba8e3c6e11ce20e04e75f6e8ebb871
(mirror) www.filefactory.com/file/af77142/n/codemanager1_1_zip
8. I just downloaded the Code Manager program. What do I do with it?
Open it up, go to File, then select "Open TXT File" from the drop-down menu. Select the "Brawl Codes" text file in the window that pops up. You should now see the list of available codes, as well as little check boxes to turn them on or off. They should all be turned on by default, so you won't need to do anything there.
Click the button down at the bottom of the program's window that says "Export to GCT". The program will ask you to specify which drive of your computer contains your SD card. Choose the right one and click on "Store". When the program is finished, it will tell you "Codes stored!" You're finished with the program at this point, so you can exit it.
9.Okay. I've got Homebrew, Gecko OS, and a file with codes on my SD card. Gimme some textures.
Okay! There are three main groups creating custom textures right now: Kitty Corp, Stack Smash, and the Elite Smash Hackers.
Elite Smash Hackers do not release most of their textures to the public, but the ones they HAVE released can be found here: elitesmashhackers.wordpress.com/downloads/
Stack Smash has the largest selection of textures, and most of the professional-quality ones come from them. They give out new releases pretty much every day, too. The ENORMOUS list of their character textures (with pictures!) can be found at stacksmash.cultnet.net/?page_id=86, and the actual files themselves are on the site's FTP server at stacksmash.cultnet.net/STUFFZ/Characters/.
Kitty Corp is actually a forum containing a small but growing group of Brawl-hacking enthusiasts. They have a subforum dedicated to Brawl texture hacks, and some of what they put out is very good, but not all of their textures are guaranteed to be detailed and high-quality. Chances are that if there is a popular character you'd like to have a costume for in Brawl (like Shadow the Hedgehog) and Stack Smash doesn't have a texture for it, Kitty Corp will. HOWEVER, you must register at their forums in order to see them and access their files. (Luckily, registration is free.)
The Kitty Corp Texture Subforum: kittycorp.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=yourtexturehacks
A compilation of their textures can be found in this thread (but it hasn't been updated since Mar. 15th): kittycorp.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=yourtexturehacks&action=display&thread=278&page=1
10. Augh, I've got a billion .RAR and .ZIP files on my computer now with textures in them! Where do I put these things?
Don't panic! They'll all go on your SD card, but first you'll need to set up the proper folders to put them in since the Action Replay codes you'll be using will require this. It is recommended that before doing this, you save at least one file from Brawl onto your SD card (it doesn't matter if it's a snapshot, custom stage, or replay; any of them will do).
Download this file: www.mediafire.com/download.php?zmyjnmdjdyj. It's a starter pack that'll contain the proper file structure you'll need, plus one custom texture for each character (except Donkey and Diddy Kong). When you open it, you should see a folder titled "pf".
Put your SD card into your computer and open it. There should be a folder marked "private". Click on it.
Now open the following folders in order: "wii", "app", "RSBE". Copy and paste the "pf" folder here, next to the "al" (picture album), "st" (custom stage) and "re" (replay) folders.
Congratulations! At this point you should be able to load up the game using the Homebrew Channel and Gecko OS to see the textures that were included in that starter pack. They will replace each character's default costume: go check them out!
11. Okay, those are nice, but I wanted to put more textures on there!
That's not a question. Anyway, to add more textures beyond the first ones given to you in that starter pack, you'll need to return to the "pf" folder on your SD card, open it, and then open the "Fighter" folder. In here are individual folders for each character in the game. Some of them have weird names: for example, "Koopa" is Bowser's folder, and "Pikmin" is Olimar's. "Purin" is Jigglypuff's folder (Purin is her Japanese name) and "SZeroSuit" refers to, you guessed it, Zero Suit Samus. The Pokémon Trainer's folders are split into four, with one folder each for Squirtle, Ivysaur, and Charizard plus a fourth folder for the Trainer himself. All of the Pokémon's folders use their Japanese names.
When you put the new textures into their characters' respective folders, you'll need to rename the texture files. This is important because the Action Replay code will be temporarily replacing the texture files on the Brawl disc with these new texture files, so their names need to match up. You'll see that the files already in these folders are using the proper name format, which is "Fit[Character Name][Costume Number]". Example: Mario's default costume is "FitMario00". The costume numbers don't necessarily match up with the order of the costumes shown in the game when you cycle through them, although the character's default costume will always be number 00 no matter what. A guide for which costumes match up with which numbers can be found here: stacksmash.cultnet.net/STUFFZ/PAC%20LIST.txt
12. Okay! I've got textures loaded on my SD card and I just started Brawl with the Action Replay codes on by using Gecko OS. What'll I see?
Well, the textures won't show up on the Character-Select Screen; you'll instead see images of the costumes you've replaced. Choose the costumes you know you've replaced and start a match to see the custom textures.
13. I've got tons of custom textures replacing the costumes in Brawl, but it's getting hard to remember which costumes have been replaced while I'm on the Character-Select Screen. How do I change the costumes displayed there to reflect the new textures?
This is a bit of a time-consuming process and requires a separate guide all on its own, but if you're patient enough you'll be able to replace the picture on the character-select screen with images of the character that you've gotten through in-game snapshots. You'll be able to put the character in whatever pose you want, take a picture, transfer the picture to your computer with your SD card, cut out everything around the character using either Photoshop or the GIMP, and then use just the character's image on the Character-Select Screen. Optionally, you could just take pictures that other people have already made for this purpose and stick them on your SD card.
A guide to doing this, along with all the programs and tools you'll need to do it, can be downloaded here in the CSP Tools pack: www.mediafire.com/?rzpcc0xzzm9
The guide won't tell you how to convert Brawl snapshots into a format your computer can read. To do that, you'll need this program: www.mediafire.com/download.php?ntdndtmhivm. It's recommended you do not take snapshots in Brawl's Widescreen mode, since this program will squish them into a square shape if you do and will make everything look skinny.
Here’s a video tutorial on the whole process: www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xsloet8AuK0
14. Will the people I play against online be able to see these textures?
Short answer: No. Long answer: Yes, but only under VERY specific conditions. Your online opponents will not see the custom textures unless they are also using the Action Replay codes, have the exact same textures on their SD card, and have replaced the same color costume for their character as you have. Otherwise, they'll see Brawl's normal textures instead.
Likewise, you won't see other people's custom textures online unless you yourself have them on your SD card and you've both replaced the same color costume with it.
Using custom textures shouldn't cause you to disconnect from your online opponents. However, it is strongly recommended that you not use these textures in With Anyone mode regardless. Nintendo doesn't like that, and might ban you from Wi-Fi if you try it. With Friends should be safe, however.
15. Can I use these in the Subspace Emissary?
Only if you have all the necessary files. Most custom textures need only one file in order to work - this file ends in the extension ".pcs". In order to use custom textures in the SSE, you'll need a second file that ends in the extension ".pac". A ".pac" file is also required to put custom textures on any characters that can transform -- i.e. Wario, Bowser, Pokémon Trainer, Zelda, and Samus. If you don't have the ".pac" file with these characters, your texture data will be lost when they do their transformations and might cause your game to freeze, so most of the .RAR or .ZIP files with textures for those characters should include a ".pac" file as well.
Since you can't change costumes in the Subspace Emissary, you’ll only be able to use one custom texture for each character in that mode, and that texture will need to replace the character’s default costume.
16. What about other modes? Classic, All-Star, Boss Battles, etc.?
Again, only if each of the textures have a ".pac" file in addition to their main ".pcs" one. I've gotten my characters to use costumes that don't have ".pac" files before in these modes, but the game tends to switch them back to their normal costumes after a while. None of the CPU opponents will use textures that don't have accompanying ".pac" files.
There is a program called “lz77ex” which converts “.pcs” files into “.pac” files. It is included in the CSP Tools pack linked above, and you can also download it here: www.sendspace.com/file/1s2u2g. Just drag a PCS file into the program executable and let it do its work. It’ll give you a “.pcs.out” file; rename this as a “.pac” file.
A week ago I discovered something amazing: a hacker named "Phantom Wings" has figured out how to load custom, fan-made textures into Brawl using nothing except an SD card and an Action Replay code.
2. Got any examples of these textures?
Sure.
3. Whoa. What else does this code do?
Well, in addition to the obvious use of new character costumes, this code also lets players edit bosses, items, assist trophies, and stages. Anything in Brawl that uses a texture is fair game.
The same code also lets players change the pictures for each character that are loaded at the character-select screen, as well as the small picture of the character shown next to their damage percentage during battle.
In some cases it can even change Final Smashes -- such as turning WarioMan into a Pigmask Colonel from Mother 3, or turning Palutena into a picture of Obama dual-wielding katanas.
4. This sounds awesome! What's the code? Up, down, left, right, a + start at the title screen?
Whoa there, chief. This code isn't like those -- its an Action Replay code, meaning it uses a special program to hack Brawl's data when you load the game (just like GameShark or Game Genie did for earlier consoles). You'll need the special Action Replay program to use it, and you'll also need both an SD card and a computer with an SD card slot to transfer the texture files over to your Wii.
Just so you know, this new method of loading custom textures is way, WAY easier than the previous method used by hackers, which required burning modified copies of Brawl to DVD and mucking around inside a Wii with a screwdriver and a soldering kit so it would play the DVD. Unfortunately, this new method still has its own (relatively minor) set of problems.
5. I'm almost afraid to ask, but...what do you mean by "problems"?
The only way to use Action Replay codes on the Wii right now is through Homebrew programs (i.e. programs coded by a single guy in their basement rather than released officially through Nintendo), and Nintendo passionately hates such programs. Their latest system update for the Wii software (version 4.0, released last week) makes it pretty much impossible for anyone to use Homebrew on their Wii, so if you updated last week you're out of luck and won't be able to do this stuff.
6. I was too lazy/paranoid to update. How do I get homebrew on my Wii?
That's an entirely different issue and requires a separate guide in itself, but in summary, you'll need a hacked save for Twilight Princess that will let you install a new channel into your Wii's system menu. This channel, the Homebrew Channel, will let you run Action Replay programs on your Wii.
Yes, it sounds iffy. No, it is not dangerous. The process has been thoroughly tested and poses no risk to your Wii or your data.
Wiibrew.org is a wiki site devoted to Wii homebrew and they have some very helpful step-by-step guides for the installation process, which may be different depending on what version of Nintendo's software your Wii is currently using. Check them out here:
wiibrew.org/wiki/Setting_up_your_Wii_for_Homebrew
7. I just installed the Homebrew Channel on my Wii. What's next?
You'll need two programs. The first is a Wii program called Gecko OS. This program was originally designed to let you play region-free games (a.k.a. imported games from Japan and elsewhere), but it lets you use codes as well. You can download it from Wiibrew here:
wiibrew.org/wiki/Gecko_OS
The second program you'll need is a PC program that will let you take a text file with a list of codes on it and turn it into another type of file that Gecko OS can read.
It sounds complicated, but it's not. The program basically lets you choose which codes you want to turn on or off, then puts those codes on your SD card for you. I've made a .ZIP file that includes both the program and a text file with the codes you'll need to use custom textures in Brawl. You can download it here:
www.mediafire.com/?sharekey=4aec70d1d0b3a4aee7ba8e3c6e11ce20e04e75f6e8ebb871
(mirror) www.filefactory.com/file/af77142/n/codemanager1_1_zip
8. I just downloaded the Code Manager program. What do I do with it?
Open it up, go to File, then select "Open TXT File" from the drop-down menu. Select the "Brawl Codes" text file in the window that pops up. You should now see the list of available codes, as well as little check boxes to turn them on or off. They should all be turned on by default, so you won't need to do anything there.
Click the button down at the bottom of the program's window that says "Export to GCT". The program will ask you to specify which drive of your computer contains your SD card. Choose the right one and click on "Store". When the program is finished, it will tell you "Codes stored!" You're finished with the program at this point, so you can exit it.
9.Okay. I've got Homebrew, Gecko OS, and a file with codes on my SD card. Gimme some textures.
Okay! There are three main groups creating custom textures right now: Kitty Corp, Stack Smash, and the Elite Smash Hackers.
Elite Smash Hackers do not release most of their textures to the public, but the ones they HAVE released can be found here: elitesmashhackers.wordpress.com/downloads/
Stack Smash has the largest selection of textures, and most of the professional-quality ones come from them. They give out new releases pretty much every day, too. The ENORMOUS list of their character textures (with pictures!) can be found at stacksmash.cultnet.net/?page_id=86, and the actual files themselves are on the site's FTP server at stacksmash.cultnet.net/STUFFZ/Characters/.
Kitty Corp is actually a forum containing a small but growing group of Brawl-hacking enthusiasts. They have a subforum dedicated to Brawl texture hacks, and some of what they put out is very good, but not all of their textures are guaranteed to be detailed and high-quality. Chances are that if there is a popular character you'd like to have a costume for in Brawl (like Shadow the Hedgehog) and Stack Smash doesn't have a texture for it, Kitty Corp will. HOWEVER, you must register at their forums in order to see them and access their files. (Luckily, registration is free.)
The Kitty Corp Texture Subforum: kittycorp.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=yourtexturehacks
A compilation of their textures can be found in this thread (but it hasn't been updated since Mar. 15th): kittycorp.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=yourtexturehacks&action=display&thread=278&page=1
10. Augh, I've got a billion .RAR and .ZIP files on my computer now with textures in them! Where do I put these things?
Don't panic! They'll all go on your SD card, but first you'll need to set up the proper folders to put them in since the Action Replay codes you'll be using will require this. It is recommended that before doing this, you save at least one file from Brawl onto your SD card (it doesn't matter if it's a snapshot, custom stage, or replay; any of them will do).
Download this file: www.mediafire.com/download.php?zmyjnmdjdyj. It's a starter pack that'll contain the proper file structure you'll need, plus one custom texture for each character (except Donkey and Diddy Kong). When you open it, you should see a folder titled "pf".
Put your SD card into your computer and open it. There should be a folder marked "private". Click on it.
Now open the following folders in order: "wii", "app", "RSBE". Copy and paste the "pf" folder here, next to the "al" (picture album), "st" (custom stage) and "re" (replay) folders.
Congratulations! At this point you should be able to load up the game using the Homebrew Channel and Gecko OS to see the textures that were included in that starter pack. They will replace each character's default costume: go check them out!
11. Okay, those are nice, but I wanted to put more textures on there!
That's not a question. Anyway, to add more textures beyond the first ones given to you in that starter pack, you'll need to return to the "pf" folder on your SD card, open it, and then open the "Fighter" folder. In here are individual folders for each character in the game. Some of them have weird names: for example, "Koopa" is Bowser's folder, and "Pikmin" is Olimar's. "Purin" is Jigglypuff's folder (Purin is her Japanese name) and "SZeroSuit" refers to, you guessed it, Zero Suit Samus. The Pokémon Trainer's folders are split into four, with one folder each for Squirtle, Ivysaur, and Charizard plus a fourth folder for the Trainer himself. All of the Pokémon's folders use their Japanese names.
When you put the new textures into their characters' respective folders, you'll need to rename the texture files. This is important because the Action Replay code will be temporarily replacing the texture files on the Brawl disc with these new texture files, so their names need to match up. You'll see that the files already in these folders are using the proper name format, which is "Fit[Character Name][Costume Number]". Example: Mario's default costume is "FitMario00". The costume numbers don't necessarily match up with the order of the costumes shown in the game when you cycle through them, although the character's default costume will always be number 00 no matter what. A guide for which costumes match up with which numbers can be found here: stacksmash.cultnet.net/STUFFZ/PAC%20LIST.txt
12. Okay! I've got textures loaded on my SD card and I just started Brawl with the Action Replay codes on by using Gecko OS. What'll I see?
Well, the textures won't show up on the Character-Select Screen; you'll instead see images of the costumes you've replaced. Choose the costumes you know you've replaced and start a match to see the custom textures.
13. I've got tons of custom textures replacing the costumes in Brawl, but it's getting hard to remember which costumes have been replaced while I'm on the Character-Select Screen. How do I change the costumes displayed there to reflect the new textures?
This is a bit of a time-consuming process and requires a separate guide all on its own, but if you're patient enough you'll be able to replace the picture on the character-select screen with images of the character that you've gotten through in-game snapshots. You'll be able to put the character in whatever pose you want, take a picture, transfer the picture to your computer with your SD card, cut out everything around the character using either Photoshop or the GIMP, and then use just the character's image on the Character-Select Screen. Optionally, you could just take pictures that other people have already made for this purpose and stick them on your SD card.
A guide to doing this, along with all the programs and tools you'll need to do it, can be downloaded here in the CSP Tools pack: www.mediafire.com/?rzpcc0xzzm9
The guide won't tell you how to convert Brawl snapshots into a format your computer can read. To do that, you'll need this program: www.mediafire.com/download.php?ntdndtmhivm. It's recommended you do not take snapshots in Brawl's Widescreen mode, since this program will squish them into a square shape if you do and will make everything look skinny.
Here’s a video tutorial on the whole process: www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xsloet8AuK0
14. Will the people I play against online be able to see these textures?
Short answer: No. Long answer: Yes, but only under VERY specific conditions. Your online opponents will not see the custom textures unless they are also using the Action Replay codes, have the exact same textures on their SD card, and have replaced the same color costume for their character as you have. Otherwise, they'll see Brawl's normal textures instead.
Likewise, you won't see other people's custom textures online unless you yourself have them on your SD card and you've both replaced the same color costume with it.
Using custom textures shouldn't cause you to disconnect from your online opponents. However, it is strongly recommended that you not use these textures in With Anyone mode regardless. Nintendo doesn't like that, and might ban you from Wi-Fi if you try it. With Friends should be safe, however.
15. Can I use these in the Subspace Emissary?
Only if you have all the necessary files. Most custom textures need only one file in order to work - this file ends in the extension ".pcs". In order to use custom textures in the SSE, you'll need a second file that ends in the extension ".pac". A ".pac" file is also required to put custom textures on any characters that can transform -- i.e. Wario, Bowser, Pokémon Trainer, Zelda, and Samus. If you don't have the ".pac" file with these characters, your texture data will be lost when they do their transformations and might cause your game to freeze, so most of the .RAR or .ZIP files with textures for those characters should include a ".pac" file as well.
Since you can't change costumes in the Subspace Emissary, you’ll only be able to use one custom texture for each character in that mode, and that texture will need to replace the character’s default costume.
16. What about other modes? Classic, All-Star, Boss Battles, etc.?
Again, only if each of the textures have a ".pac" file in addition to their main ".pcs" one. I've gotten my characters to use costumes that don't have ".pac" files before in these modes, but the game tends to switch them back to their normal costumes after a while. None of the CPU opponents will use textures that don't have accompanying ".pac" files.
There is a program called “lz77ex” which converts “.pcs” files into “.pac” files. It is included in the CSP Tools pack linked above, and you can also download it here: www.sendspace.com/file/1s2u2g. Just drag a PCS file into the program executable and let it do its work. It’ll give you a “.pcs.out” file; rename this as a “.pac” file.
