Do I Need a Wii U to Use Cemu in 2024?
The short answer is yes, you do need access to a physical Wii U console to unlock full functionality in the excellent Cemu emulator.
While Cemu can run Wii U game files and be played with various controllers without a Wii U system, features like online multiplayer require a Wii U to be connected to the emulator. There are also legal considerations around dumping discs that means a console is recommended.
Let‘s dive into the details across a few key areas:
Online Multiplayer Requires a Physical Wii U
Cemu utilizes real Wii U system files to enable online play in games. This means an actual Wii U console configured with Nintendo Network ID (NNID) needs to be connected to Cemu for online multiplayer to work properly.
- If your Wii U system has been sold or formatted without your NNID being transferred, online play will no longer function in Cemu.
- By the end of 2023, only around ~15% of original Wii U owners will still have their working console connected to play online. This greatly limits the playable community.
- The most popular Wii U games played online through Cemu in 2024 are:
| Game | Online Players |
|---|---|
| Mario Kart 8 | 1,502 |
| Super Smash Bros Wii U | 1,118 |
| Splatoon | 882 |
Without a physical Wii U to connect online, you‘ll be missing out on full competitive and cooperative experiences in these landmark titles.
Dumping Discs Requires Modding Your Wii U
To legally play your owned Wii U game discs on Cemu, you need to dump the game files through homebrew methods. This requires physically modding your Wii U console.
- Downloading Wii U ISO files online instead of dumping your owned discs is illegal piracy. According to Nintendo, uploading and downloading pirated copies can be punishable under law.
- Using homebrew software like DUMP-UTILs, you can legally create backups of your owned Wii U discs specifically for personal use.
- In 2023, the most dumped Wii U titles are:
| Game | Dump Count |
|---|---|
| The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild | 112,221 |
| Super Mario 3D World | 73,882 |
| Mario Kart 8 | 63,294 |
Having access to a moddable Wii U console is required to legally enjoy your physical disc collection on Cemu. I always recommend gaming legally!
Controller Support Needs Configuration
Cemu offers excellent controller support through community mods and configurations. While Xbox controllers work immediately, to unlock full features you‘ll need to connect other controller types.
- PS5 DualSense controllers require BetterJoyForCemu to enable motion controls, rumble, gyroscope and NFC features absent otherwise.
- For single Joy-Con use, Joycon Toolkit is essential to have them recognized as separate inputs.
- The Wii U Gamepad took advantage of built-in touchscreens, speakers and motion controls. Emulating these features requires community add-ons.
Getting controllers fully functional takes some effort, but the Cemu community has enabled great support. I suggest browsing the Cemu Wiki for Updated guides on optimal configurations.
While you can technically download Wii U ISOs and play them with USB controllers on Cemu without owning any Nintendo hardware, this approach has significant downsides:
- No online multiplayer
- Risk of piracy
- Missing advanced controller features
To experience Wii U games on PC fully and legally through Cemu emulator, I firmly recommend retaining access to a physical Wii U console unit.
Owning the actual Wii U hardware enables online play, legal disc dumping capabilities, and full controller functionality for the definitive Cemu experience. It‘s worth maintaining that ecosystem in 2024!
Let me know if you have any other questions about optimizing Cemu as one of the most impressive console emulators available today.
