[TUTORIAL] Mario Kart Wii online and mods in 2026: Riivolution, CTGP, Retro Rewind and Newer SMBW

Step-by-step Wii tutorials: mod your Wii, install the Homebrew Channel, cIOS and a USB Loader, back up and unbrick your console.
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[TUTORIAL] Mario Kart Wii online and mods in 2026: Riivolution, CTGP, Retro Rewind and Newer SMBW

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Automatically translated from French.

[TUTO] Mario Kart Wii en ligne et mods en 2026 : Riivolution, CTGP, Retro Rewind et Newer SMBW

Mario Kart Wii can still be played online in 2026, along with hundreds of new tracks: here is how to install CTGP, Retro Rewind and Newer Super Mario Bros.
These mods never modify your disc: Riivolution applies the changes at launch, from the SD card. So you need your own disc of the game, and a Wii with the Homebrew Channel (hacking your Wii in 2026).


Riivolution: how it works

Riivolution (1.06, on the Open Shop Channel; 1.07 for the Wii mini) reads the XML files in the folder sd:/riivolution/. At launch, it shows each mod's options: set them to Enable, then Launch. It works on Wii and on vWii.


Mario Kart Wii online: why it still works

Nintendo shut down its Wi-Fi servers in 2014. Two community services have taken over: Wiimmfi, the oldest, and newer servers such as Retro WFC. The mods below connect to them directly. For the original game, Priiloader, USB Loader GX or WiiFlow can apply the Wiimmfi patch (“Private Server” option).


CTGP Revolution

The historic mod, still updated (version from 5 October 2026): hundreds of tracks, ghost leaderboards, and online play on Wiimmfi. It requires 1 GB free on the SD card, and launches from the Homebrew Channel with your disc. Download and instructions on the official site, chadsoft.co.uk.


Retro Rewind

The rising mod: 209 retro tracks (from older Mario Kart games) and 132 custom tracks, version 6.13.1 (8 October 2026), for PAL, US and Japanese discs.
  • On Wii: with Riivolution. Keep only the file RetroRewind6.xml in sd:/riivolution/ (delete the old ones), saves go in sd:/RetroRewind6/.
  • On Wii U: a channel for Aroma.
  • On PC: the launcher Wheel Wizard (2.5.9) installs and updates the mod for Dolphin, from the image of your disc.
Warning: Retro Rewind plays online on its own server, Retro WFC. An active Wiimmfi patch prevents the connection.


Newer Super Mario Bros. Wii

The most famous Mario mod: a complete game, with new worlds and levels. Version 1.30, about 560 MB to copy to the SD card (formatted as FAT, 570 MB free). You need the New Super Mario Bros. Wii disc. It does not work on the Wii mini. The save is stored on the console, not on the SD card.


In the Dolphin emulator

Dolphin has Riivolution built in: right-click the game, Start with Riivolution Patches…, then Open Riivolution XML… to choose the mod's file. The button Save as Preset… keeps it for next time.


The most common errors
  • Riivolution shows no mods: the XML is not in sd:/riivolution/, or the card is not FAT32.
  • The game starts without the mod: the option is not set to Enable.
  • “Insert a disc”: most of these mods require the original disc; burned discs cannot be read without a modchip.
  • Error 23904 online: outdated Wiimmfi patch. Update Priiloader or your loader.
  • Retro Rewind does not connect: disable the Wiimmfi patch.
To launch your games from a hard drive, see playing from a USB hard drive.


Sources and official guides: Riivolution · CTGP Revolution · Wheel Wizard (Retro Rewind) · Newer Super Mario Bros. Wii · Playing online (Wii guide)

Tgames provides no games, BIOS or keys: only use backups of your own games and your own console. Got a question? Reply to this topic.
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