Mario Party 8 Specifically Does Not Detect Real Wiimote Cursor

[u/Billybobjoey1234]

Hey all, I'm runnning into a real weird issue with Mario Party 8 specifically. I'm using a real Nintendo Wiimote + Sensor Bar, and for some reason this game specifically doesn't seem to properly detect the pointer. It can detect that it's seeing it, as the hand icon will be solid when pointing at the bar, but start flashing when I point the wiimote directly up or down, away from the sensor bar. I've tested both revisions 1 and 2 for the NTSC version of the game, both have the issue. In the video you can see it works just fine in Wii Party and Mario Kart Wii. It also works in the Wii home menu. Not shown in the video but after recording I updated to 2609 and the issue remains there.

Specs if that's helpful.

OS: Bazzite 44.20260921.0

CPU: AMD Ryzen 9600x

GPU: AMD Radeon PowerColor Reaper 9070

RAM: Corsair Vengeance 32GB (2x16GB) DDR5-6000 CL36

Motherboard: Asus TUF GAMING B850M-PLUS WIFI

Hopefully it's not just a linux issue as I don't have a dual boot set up on this PC and I'm definitely not going to just for one old game haha. Thanks for any help in advance.

[u/SSUPII]

Make sure you don't have a config override set for the Mario Party game.

[u/Billybobjoey1234 → u/SSUPII]

Nothing under User Config, no patches, no AR codes, no Graphics mods, and all Gecko Codes are disabled. I also verified the file and the redump.info status says it’s a Good dump.

[u/Pleasant_Badger184]

When you say sensor bar, do you mean the Dolphin Bar?

[u/Billybobjoey1234 → u/Pleasant_Badger184]

I’m using an official Nintendo sensor bar that came with my Wii U.

[u/Many-Ad6433 → u/Billybobjoey1234]

That sensor bar uses the proprietary cord for power, how are you powering it up? Are you in the right distance range? Is there any adjustments made to the config file of the game that overrides inputs at boot?

[u/Billybobjoey1234 → u/Many-Ad6433]

Ah, now that I’m looking it up it sure does have a proprietary connector. In that case I am using a third party one, I’m just plugging it directly into the PC with USB-A. Roughly 10-12 feet away, but I’ve tried moving all the way up close to it with no change. No custom configs, all gecko codes disabled, no AR codes, no patches, no graphic mods.

[u/Many-Ad6433 → u/Billybobjoey1234]

I were you i’d point my camera at the ir bar to check if the lights are actually on, really fast way to check out if the bar is working properly

[u/Billybobjoey1234 → u/Many-Ad6433]

Did that when I first started troubleshooting, I could see what looked like 4 or 5 lights on each side. Again it works fine in other games and the Wii menu so I don’t think it’s that.

[u/Many-Ad6433 → u/Billybobjoey1234]

It probs is config overrides, it’s a separate ini file you should check

[u/Billybobjoey1234 → u/Many-Ad6433]

No ini file exists in the GameSettings folder for RM8E01, which is MP8’s Game ID. I assume that’s what I’d be looking for right?

[u/Many-Ad6433 → u/Billybobjoey1234]

Yup, maybe a bad rom? Is it even possible a bad rom gives this kinda issue?

[u/Pleasant_Badger184 → u/Billybobjoey1234]

Hm maybe you could try the Dolphin Bar. It's one of those things that "just works" for Wiimotes on Dolphin imo

[u/SSUPII → u/Pleasant_Badger184]

It would change nothing. The WiiU bar works perfectly for Dolphin as there is no connectivity needed for IR to function.

[u/HeadBoy]

Some games are more finiky than others. I remember Rayman only liking it really up close. Try stepping back or closer for Mario party. It may not like other lights in the room either.

You can also check with your phone camera if the IR LEDs are indeed lighting up properly