Getting started with Pretendo for Cemu

The video goes over the basics of getting started with Pretendo and setting up Cemu to play games online. While using this guide, be sure to check out the links to the written guides below. In general, this video is meant to supplement the directions provided within the official guides, not replace them.
Links:
- Pretendo website: pretendo.network/
- Good Vibes Gaming Pretendo video: • Pretendo in 2024 - 3DS...
- Aroma setup: wiiu.hacks.guide/#/aroma/gett...
- Pretendo Wii U setup: pretendo.network/docs/install...
- Pretendo Cemu setup: pretendo.network/docs/install...
- Dumpling GitHub page: github.com/dumpling-app/dumpling
- Pretendo Network Dumps: pretendo.network/docs/network...
Extra details for anyone who has already added an account to Cemu:
While copying the sys and usr folders as shown in the video, there's always the potential that previous account info may be overwritten by mistake.
If you'd like to avoid this:
1. Navigate to your Cemu folder's MLC path - usr - save - system - act folder. Here, you should see one or more folders named with long numbers (e.g., 80000001).
2. Navigate to your Wii U SD card's Online Files folder - [profile name] - mlc01 - usr - save - system - act folder.
3. Rename the folder here so that it's named something different from any of the folders in your Cemu act folder.
4. Copy that specific folder to your Cemu act folder. (You shouldn't get any message about replacing files.)
5. If open, close and restart Cemu. Then, go to Options - General Settings - Accounts, select the new account from the dropdown menu, and check for any messages about missing files.
Note that (even if you don't complete this extra step) copying the sys and usr folders as shown in the video shouldn't affect your games' save data. However, it might inadvertently reassign your old account's save data to your new account.
Chapters
00:00 Intro
00:26 Wii U and 3DS Server shutdown
01:42 What is Pretendo?
04:32 How would you set up Pretendo on Wii U?
07:35 Backing up Online Files for Cemu
09:26 How would you set up Pretendo on Cemu?
12:43 What's it like to use Pretendo on Cemu?
17:07 Final Thoughts

[@GameXData]

After this video went live, Pretendo updated their site to also include adding Pretendo accounts to Wii U consoles without installing custom firmware. (Check the Wii U Setup guide linked in the description.) The new method may be more convenient for anyone not looking to modify their hardware. However, since the Wii U's past the end of its life, most people will likely benefit from installing custom firmware for reasons outside Pretendo.

[@veghesther3204]

BUT UNTIL they do this so I don't have to HACK the 3DS I won't attempt it.

[@Maxim67459]

i dont even have a wii u

[@Vallelel]

I played a few Splatoon matches yesterday for the first time since 2015. I totally forgot how fun the game is, so thank god people are preserving the online mode. And I LOOOVE that they also brought Miiverse back to life! It was such a unique and fun experience back in the day, I wish nintendo had kept it with the switch

[@SMDylanYT2]

This does work on Cemu very well which makes me happy. I do wonder what will happen with the Splatoon 1 rotations since the last official one is in less than a week.

[@GameXData]

I'm curious too. Based on the Pretendo team also working on custom Splat Fest implementation, I'm hoping it's a solved problem, but it'd suck to only have access to most maps in private matches.

[@kylespevak6781]

Is there no way to use Pretendo with Cemu unless I have a Wii U to get the necessary files? I'd love to play online, but I have had a Wii U since the launch years

[@igzibi1]

excellent video! Just small update for aroma users : you cannot safely dump to SD card from Aroma, so just use some USB stick (fat32) and dump files there. Much easier then rebooting outside of aroma and going to app via browser.

[@IrenicCherri]

I don't have my Wii U anymore so this makes me sad knowing I need my files

[@KarmaticFluff]

You can look up fake online files and they work all the same

[@fatojanota1]

@@KarmaticFluff can you please send a link for these files?

[@Cartrigger]

Very informative, even though I have all of this set up already

[@XYZZ.Z]

I get stuck after the launch buttun where the Wii U sign is on the bottom right

[@kirbydreamlandtherealgodof5071]

Just wondering before I do anything, do I need an actual Wii U to use pretendo online on cemu for a computer because I don’t have a Wii U anymore sadly

[@Austinfdp]

yeah u need the pretendo account from wii u sadly.. we have to find someone with a hacked wii u to do it

[@Absolute_Hunter202]

@@Austinfdp what if you know someone that has a hacked wii u, made a pretendo account, and upload it/send it for you to download it and having it on cemu?

[@Austinfdp]

@@Absolute_Hunter202 that what u need someone with it to use your account to get into the online with cemu.

[@Austinfdp]

@@Absolute_Hunter202 or just use a random one if u don’t trust them

[@axmasher_onyt]

Whenever I select the Pretendo Network selection when I boot Splatoon 1 its just stuck on the loading screen. I am using version 288 which is the latest. Does anyone know what to do for fixing it?

[@GameXData]

It could just be that the server is a bit crowded at the moment. Over the past few days, a ton of folks have switched over to Pretendo. I'm using the same version of Splatoon and have had to retry a few times to get a spot in a queue. Edit: It's also worth noting that if you get an error that reads 118-0521, that's definitely a server capacity issue. For other error codes, you can take them to Pretendo's Discord for specific details.

[@Cat-egoryExtensions]

I've been trying to play Splatoon and so far I got the active check from pretendo but whenever I actually boot the game I just get sent to the ink load screen for eternity. Is there anything I should try deleting? I got the online files from my friend who gave me the dump. Splatoon was from USB Helper. I don't really know much about homebrew and things like this just really about drag file into emulator and play.

[@GameXData]

I can't really comment on any issues you might be experiencing due to the online files or USB Helper game. However, the Splatoon lobbies have been a lot more busy since the official servers went offline. Assuming that your files are good, you might just need to back out and re-enter the queue until you get in. It's sometimes taken me two or three attempts to make it through.

[@DarkRunner_]

Thank you soo much everything connects, but i cannot start splatoon on the pretendo servers, any suggestions?

[@GameXData]

On Cemu, the main thing to double check is that you have Pretendo as your connection and Pretendo ID selected in the account settings. Afterwards, you should have the message saying you have a valid account ready to connect. It might be worth double-checking that and then trying again to connect to a Splatoon Regular Battle queue. If it still doesn't work after you've verified everything again, it might be a random glitch and be worthwhile to set it down for a few hours and try again later. (I've had that happen a couple times.) Otherwise, make sure the connection to Pretendo on your Wii U is working as intended. If it's also not working there, that might be an account issue that's worthwhile to bring up on the Pretendo Discord.

[@DarkRunner_]

@@GameXData thank you so much ill give this a go

[@hotshot-07]

I want to play splatoon on my steam deck but don’t have a Wii U. I do have a launch day 3DS that I have not hacked. I’m wondering if the Nintendo network ID will work for splatoon. If not is there any way to play without buying a Wii U and Splatoon?

[@GameXData]

In general, if you want to play a Wii U game, you should buy a Wii U and a copy of the game. Currently, original hardware is necessary to play online with Cemu.

[@rezpectionxd7653]

Hey is this the same for cemu on emudeck for steamdeck i cant seem to find the files u are showing in ur video

[@GameXData]

Sort of. EmuDeck messes with file structure quite a bit. So, all of the steps and files need to go in the same folders, but you might need to dig a bit more to find where the folders are located. On my Steam Deck, EmuDeck put the mlc01 folder in Emulation>roms>wiiu

[@gonebutyea]

Would buying a used Wii U allow me to setup Pretendo? Like, would I have to worry about the original account owner or can I make my own account on it to use and dump, despite servers going down? Thanks for the video and straightfowardness of it.

[@GameXData]

I'd highly recommend you do! You can actually add multiple different accounts to a Wii U and the only interaction between the accounts would be seeing the Mii for those accounts on startup. You'd also always have the option of resetting the device altogether. Even with game servers down, system and game updates still work as usual.

[@itsyaboi3951]

Cemu keeps crashing😕

[@FlameLibra]

hi man I followed the tutorial to the letter but when I start splatoon I have an infinite loading plus I tested Mario Kart 8 and when I go to multiplayer there is an infinite loading on connection to the Nintendo network that is normal ?

[@GameXData]

It might be an issue where the servers are just busy and you'll need to exit and try again. Usually, long loading is followed by an error code but not always. Since the official servers went down, Pretendo has seen a huge uptick in traffic, and it seems like they're still working to smooth things out. Of course, if you want to double check it's not an issue on your end, start Splatoon on your Wii U. If you're able to see Miiverse messages in Inkopolis, your connection's fine. Once that's checked, you could try re-dumping and re-copying your online files for Cemu and triple check you have Pretendo selected for your connection setting. After you've done that, it's without a doubt a server issue.

[@FlameLibra]

@@GameXData yeah, I think it's just a server problem

[@Mrbunbun92]

Could deleting an account from the wii u it was made in affect it's data to play online on cemu? I'm planning to make an account on a friends wii u and i'm not sure if it's necesary for the account to remain created in said wii u, in order for it to work online or if it's possible to remove it after being connected online on cemu. Also, could there be a chance that someone on pretendo could create a workaround for online connectivity on cemu without the need of a Wii u, since these consoles aren't bound to last infinitely, or is the plan to leave the entire online play be limited as if the accounts where IPv4s?

[@GameXData]

Once you've exported the files, removing an account from a Wii U shouldn't impact your access using Cemu. Any sort of online service not involving a Wii U would likely need to be developed on Cemu's end. Pretendo is primarily a service to continue online functionality on original hardware. It's possible they'll create something different in the future, but removing Wii Us from the equation seems antithetical to their project goals.

[@Mrbunbun92]

@@GameXData thanks a ton for the answer, got the idea much better now, truly thanks :D

[@pablopablo3046]

Getting stuck on the inital loading screen sadly :(

[@GameXData]

Is it the loading screen of a game or your Wii U?

[@lxherne2341]

does pokemon bank still work after online shut down or the bank shut down

[@GameXData]

It should still work. I was able to access it on my 3DS a few days ago. Although, the server connection seemed to take a bit longer than usual.

[@lxherne2341]

Thanks @@GameXData

[@joserospalomares3832]

WTF? I need a Wii U for use the combo CEMU-Pretendo on PC? I don't have this console...

[@GameXData]

On the bright side, it's a great time to get into the system. Having official hardware will also allow you to play a ton of games with a ton of features that'll be missing from or more awkward with Cemu for the near future.

[@jonarbucklehastakenovermylife]

Is it possible to connect to Pretendo if you haven't owned a Wii U/thus have no Wii U account and such? Cause the whole reason I got Cemu was to play Splatoon 1 since my family didn't exactly have 300 dollars to drop on a Wii U for just one game lol. Regardless, even though it doesn't apply to me, this is a very well made video!

[@GameXData]

Glad you liked the video! Unfortunately, to connect to online servers via Cemu right now you need access to a Wii U to dump specific account info and certificates. If a Wii U's out of your budget, you'll need to wait until someone figures out a workaround (if that ever happens) or find a friend willing to let you add your Pretendo account to their system to dump the files.

[@jonarbucklehastakenovermylife]

@@GameXData Alrighty, thank you anyways! (And especially thank you for such a quick reply!) Have a good day/night :D

[@xLinne]

@@GameXData i have the same problem as shadowy bliss, would it work if someone else made a fresh account on another console and then sent me that account info?

[@GameXData]

That's something you could do. Although, I'd recommend only doing so with someone you know personally. Even for something as low risk as this, it's important to be cautious about allowing strangers to log into your accounts.

[@xLinne]

@@GameXData tysm for the info and for caring about your viewers safety on the internet!

[@bence3461]

I thought we don't need the dump files anymore, this sck. Lets hope pretendo can make an alternative way to play online without the dump files.

[@GameXData]

The file dumps include certificates specific to identifying your account on the network. To work around it, they'd likely need to reinvent the authentication system or find a way to mimic the Wii U's account setup process. However, it's important to note that original hardware is Pretendo's main focus. Cemu support is just an extra bonus.

[@bence3461]

​@@GameXData Ah I see, its pretty sad to hear that, I mean its sad because people who just want to play 1 game like me, for that reason it not worth to buy the console. I can play most of the Wii U games I'm interested in on my switch, but ty for answering my question. ^^

[@vais2811]

i wish i had wii u

[@user-ry2ve9xd7m]

Can you set pretendo up without a Wii u😊

[@user-ry2ve9xd7m]

I don't have one but I have cemi

[@user-ry2ve9xd7m]

*cemu*

[@GameXData]

No

[@shadowpupzz]

welp this sucks Cemu.. i don't got a wii u : / good video.

[@Hanekoma.]

Hate that if i'd want to play this stuff i'd have to buy another gamepad since the screen on the one i have died. i aint doin that

[@GameXData]

You could always repair the screen yourself: www.ifixit.com/Guide/Wii+U+GamePad+LCD+Display+Replacement/57152

[@crazysnipercatt0]

You should try Vanilla, it emulates a gamepad with a PC

[@ElmoLovesYou2]

it's lame what they need for hardware copy of certs=( useless for cemu players -> they can generate it with fingerPrint of system by itself - or possibility to buy account on Pretendo site for play online

[@sodor6553]

Jesus loves you

[@ziresmando00]

He loves you too

[@gnewhall4116]

Jesus loves the Wii U!

[@EthanCobalt-oz2ob]

​@@gnewhall4116no

[@hossammoah]

This is completely unrelated to the video?

[@Τουκάνος]

I don’t have wii u 🗿 in this case, it’s easier for me to buy Splatun 3 on the switch along with a subscription

[@Benn3557]

Splatoon 3 is imo the worst splatoon

[@Τουκάνος]

@@Benn3557 maybe because there is little new in the game compared to the second part?

[@user-ry2ve9xd7m]

@@Τουκάνος splatoon 3 has a nicer campaign to all the newer players

[@user-ry2ve9xd7m]

Than the first two games