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Wii Remote (Wiimote) & Nunchuck

The Wiimote, released on November 19, 2006, is the primary game controller for Nintendo's Wii home video game console. It features motion sensing technology, including an accelerometer and infrared sensor, allowing players to interact with games through physical gestures and pointing. The Wiimote has undergone several revisions, including the addition of Wii MotionPlus in 2009, which enhances the accuracy and precision of the motion sensing capabilities.

Steam Input Support

No

Linux Kernel Support

Yes, since 3.1 - hid-wiimote

Emulator usecase

Dolphin

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

RetroDECK: Sync Wiimote Button Hotkey

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

Steam Deck Tips: 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.

Dolphin: 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

How-to: Configure Dolphin - 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.

How-to: Configure Dolphin - 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.