This is just going to be a quick guide to installing Dolphin, Mario Kart Wii, and the new mod "Retro Rewind". This allows for easy online play without a Wii/WiiU/NAND, along with adding every track from every other Mario Kart into the game. 

Step 1 - Downloads

You will need the following items, use the most recent FULL RELEASE downloads unless otherwise stated in thread post: 

A Mario Kart Wii rom. You will want the "Mario Kart Wii (USA) (En, Fr, Es).zip". Once unzipped, this will be either an .ISO file or a .wbfs file.

Dolphin Emulator, found here: https://dolphin-emu.org/

the new Mod Manager tool, Wheel Wizard, found here: https://github.com/patchzyy/WheelWizard/releases

Wheel Wizard will automatically download Retro Rewind for you. If by chance you would prefer doing this manually instead of through Wheel Wizard, retro rewinds latest release can be found here: https://wiki.tockdom.com/wiki/Retro_Rewind

The most recent patch as of the time of writing has not yet been uploaded to the wiki, if you are doing this manually, it may be worth joining the ZPL (creator of the mod) discord where he uploads links to the most recent patches. Wheel Wizard will automatically update this mod for you, so mod manager users do not need to worry about this. 

Step 2 - Filing and Organization

Once you have finished downloading the above items, place Dolphin where you want it to be. Doesn't matter really, just needs its own folder. 

Next, create a text file named "portable.txt" and two folders named "ISO" and "Wheel Wizard" or "Mod Manager" respectively within your Dolphin folder. It should look like this: 



The portable text file will ensure everything is kept local and out of roaming. The ISO folder is for the Mario Kart Wii rom, and the Mod Manager is for Wheel Wizard. Place the Rom and Mod Manager in the respective folders, and then launch dolphin once. 

Close dolphin.

Step 3 - Dolphin Set Up

Open Dolphin Once more.

Follow this guide: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fjcLjqVGkMU credit to Szyl
(Important note for Path settings: through following this guide, our Mario Kart Wii rom will be in the Dolphin/ISO folder, and thus this should be our path.)

OR

Go to Config. I will walk through any important settings, anything else is preference or default.

PATHS

- Our Mario Kart Wii rom is in the Dolphin/ISO pathway, and thus this should be our path

- Search Subfolders

ADVANCED

- Enable MMU

Go to Graphics

GENERAL

- Backend: Direct3D11

- Shader Compilation: Hybrid Ubershaders

ENHANCEMENT

Internal Resolution: Preference / Hardware specific, I use 1920x1584 1080p

- Per Pixel Lighting

- Arbitrary Mipmap Detection

Set up a controller you are comfortable with. This can be anything from KBM to a PS5 controller, or an authentic Wii controller with the MAYFLASH dolphin bar. I use KBM as it is easy and quick. 

Step 4 - Wheel Wizard Set Up

Open Wheel Wizard. 

Go to the Settings tab.

Set your location path settings. One to the emulator executable, one to the Mario Kart ISO file, and one to the dolphins "User" folder, which can be found either directly in your Dolphin folder, or in Roaming -> Dolphin Emulator if you did not set up portable mode. 

Go to the Home Tab. You should be prompted to install retro rewind. Install this and it will automatically route the download to the correct folders for you. If you are doing this manually, ALL of the retro rewind ZIP file should be extracted to the Dolphin -> User -> Load -> Riivolution folder. 

Once this is installed, you should simply be able to hit play on Wheel Wizard. This will launch the Emulator, Mario Kart Wii, and the Retro Rewind Mod. 

HOWEVER.

Before we start, we need to create a Mii. Underneath the "Play" button, you will see a little man with a moustache and hat. Hovering will show "Launch Mii Creator". Select this option.

This should launch the Mii creator. Once here, create a mii to your liking! Save and quit, and then "return to Wii menu" and close the emulator and Wheel Wizard. 

Step 5 - Retro Rewind

Re-Open Wheel Wizard

Click Play

NOTE: If you are getting an error in Wheel Wizard saying "No Servers", or for any reason cannot launch from Wheel Wizard, you can now launch Retro Rewind through dolphin as well. Simply right click on the Mario Kart Wii channel and hit "Start with Riivolution patches". Enable the Pack and if you are using other mods during solo play enable My Stuff. The No Servers error is due to a downage somewhere along the line, either with Retro Rewinds servers or the Wheel Wizard updater itself, and will not last long. Multiplayer games may not be available during these times.

Once you are in the game, create a License with your new Mii. From here, you can start playing the game. 

In order to play online, you will hit the "Retro WFC" channel at the bottom left, one player. For our room, we will be using the friends option to remove the worldwide random matchmaking. 

To join the room we are currently using, you will need to add one of the players in the game as a friend. To do this, go to friends, register a friend, and then enter the player yo wish to add's Friend Code. If you are new or are having trouble gaining access to the room, please ask for a friend code in thread and be patient as there may be a race in progress. 

I may not be playing, but just in case, my friend code is: 4595-6151-0105

From this point, you should be into the game. The rest is gameplay, which I will not be giving a tutorial for. Good luck racers!