WiiWare: My Pokémon Ranch Platinum Version (English - USA) Update Patch 1.0.0

Contents:

1) Intro
2) Installation Guide
2.1) Disclaimers
2.2) Downloading & Applying the Patch to My Pokémon Ranch
3) Connecting to the Nintendo DS
3.1) Cartridge Methods
3.2) ROM File Methods
4) Call for Translators
5) Contact
6) History
7) Credits

1) Intro:

My Pokémon Ranch is a game released for the Nintendo Wii in 2008 as a downloadable WiiWare title.
It was developed by Ambrella and published by Nintendo.

The game acts as a playground/sandbox for interacting and watching various different Pokémon on a Ranch, as well as storing them.
Players can move Pokémon around, have Pokémon play with toys, take photos of them, or have them interact with one another.
Each day, Hayley brings a new Pokémon to add to the Ranch.

The original version of My Pokémon Ranch has the capability of connecting to the Nintendo DS mainline Pokémon games of that era, Pokémon Diamond & Pokémon Pearl.
This connectivity allows them to transfer Pokémon to and from My Pokémon Ranch, allowing it be used for additional box storage, not dissimilar to Pokémon Box: Ruby & Sapphire on the Nintendo GameCube.

After certain capacity milestones have been reached, the player can be rewarded with special event Pokémon, such as Phione or Mew.
On November 5, 2008, an update to My Pokémon Ranch was released in Japan that allowed it to connect to Pokémon Platinum.

Not only did this update boast additional connectivity, but it also included an increased storage capacity, support for (at this time) Platinum-specific Pokémon forms, new toys and ranches to visit, new music, new Pokémon interactions, updated Platinum-related encounter information and more.

Unfortunately, this update was never officially released outside of Japan, so international players were unable to enjoy the full My Pokémon Ranch experience...

...Until now.

Introducing the My Pokémon Ranch: Platinum Version English fan localization patch!

 

 

2) Installation Guide:
 

2.1) Disclaimers:
This patch is a non-profit fan project that is not associated with Nintendo, Game Freak, The Pokémon Company, or Ambrella Co. Ltd.
Please make sure you read these instructions carefully! This guide does not take any responsibility for user error or damaged consoles.

This guide requires the USA version of My Pokémon Ranch as a base to apply a patch. The patched version, like the original USA version, only supports connecting to English copies of Pokémon Diamond, Pearl, and Platinum (other languages may be supported in a future update).
Included in the patch is the ability to receive guest visitors to the ranch via WiiLink, which may come at a later date.
A modded Wii console is required to be able to install this patch. For information on how to Homebrew your Wii, see the guides on wii.hacks.guide.

Installing this patch will upgrade any existing USA My Pokémon Ranch saves to work with the Platinum version of the game. This format change is irreversible, so it is recommended to back up your save file. To do this, you can use SaveGame Manager GX.
 

This patch can connect to Pokémon Diamond, Pearl, and Platinum (English) versions. However, due to signature changes in the data sent to the cartridges, special methods are required to connect to the cartridges going forward for all versions. They can be found in the Connecting to the Nintendo DS section.

2.2) Downloading & Applying the Patch to My Pokémon Ranch:

Two different base WAD files are options to apply the patch to: the original USA release, and the updated USA release, which fixed a typo. These must have the correct SHA-1 hashes, listed below. You can verify you have the correct hash using a tool such as this one.

0f318003a97a99858c2ab4ef5da70f588bc90969 (Original USA)

7a7e059bcb5f91bbdcaf68e98540b86e7df62542 (Updated USA v256)

To patch your WAD:

1. Download the applicable patch file for your base WAD (Included in the above zip) and save it to a convenient location on your computer.
2. We recommend using Rom Patcher JS to patch your game. Upload the .wad file as the ROM file, and the file from the first step as the Patch file. Click Apply patch, and save the patched .wad file your browser downloaded to your SD card or USB Drive.
3. Use YAWM ModMii Edition to install the patched My Pokémon Ranch WAD file. Follow this guide from wii.hacks.guide for more details.
4. Open My Pokémon Ranch on the Wii Menu and launch the game. If everything was done correctly, the game should boot up without any issues. If updating from an existing Ranch, Hayley will have a new introduction sequence acknowledging the update.

3) Connecting to the Nintendo DS:

Now that we have installed the My Pokémon Ranch WAD, the next step is to patch or trick Pokémon Diamond, Pearl, and Platinum to connect to it. This is required because the DS does a digital signature check on the secondary ROM file the Wii sends, ensuring it’s signed by Nintendo. Because the patch has made changes to the secondary ROM, it is no longer properly signed by Nintendo, and so the signature check has to be removed.

There are various methods available in order to patch your game.

3.1) Cartridge Methods:

If you would like to use a physical copy of Pokémon Diamond, Pearl, or Platinum, you can use the MPR Connect app. This is not guaranteed to work with counterfeit copies of the game.

TWiLight Menu++ (3DS HOME Menu):

1. If you have not done so, follow these instructions to install TWiLight Menu++ onto your modded 3DS system.
2. Download mpr-connect.nds from this GitHub link and save it to the roms/nds folder on your 3DS SD card.
3. Launch the patched My Pokémon Ranch game on your Wii, and initiate a connection to the DS from the main menu.
4. From the HOME Menu, launch TWiLight Menu++.
5. Navigate to the MPR Connect application, then press A to boot it up.
6. Insert a cartridge of Pokémon Diamond, Pearl, or Platinum into the cartridge slot.
7. Press Start, and this should prompt the system to start a connection search to the Wii.
8. If everything was done correctly, you should be now able to deposit and withdraw Pokémon on My Pokémon Ranch!

TWiLight Menu++ (DSi Menu / Unlaunch):

1. If you have not done so, follow these instructions to install TWiLight Menu++ onto your modded DSi system.
2. Download mpr-connect.nds from this GitHub link and save it to the roms/nds folder on your DSi SD card.
3. Launch the patched My Pokémon Ranch game on your Wii, and initiate a connection to the DS from the main menu.
4. From the DSi Menu, launch TWiLight Menu++.
5. Navigate to the MPR Connect application, then press A to boot it up.
6. Insert a cartridge of Pokémon Diamond, Pearl, or Platinum into the cartridge slot.
7. Press Start, and this should prompt the system to start a connection search to the Wii.
8. If everything was done correctly, you should be now able to deposit and withdraw Pokémon on My Pokémon Ranch!

Flashcard and Cartridge Swap:

If you have a Slot-1 DS flashcard (R4, etc.), this can also be used to run MPR Connect on a DS Lite or DS Phat console. This method will not work on DSi or 3DS/2DS consoles, unless your flashcard is a DSpico.

1. Download mpr-connect.nds from this GitHub link and save it onto your flashcard’s microSD card.
2. Launch the patched My Pokémon Ranch game on your Wii, and initiate a connection to the DS from the main menu.
3. Boot your flashcard on your DS, navigate to MPR Connect, and launch it.
4. While MPR Connect is running, eject your flashcard from your DS and replace it with your Pokémon cartridge.
5. Press Start, and this should prompt the system to start a connection search to the Wii.
6. If everything was done correctly, you should be now able to deposit and withdraw Pokémon on My Pokémon Ranch!

Wii DS ROM Sender:

If you don’t have a flashcard or DSi/3DS system, or simply do not want to mod your system, Wii DS ROM Sender can be used to send MPR Connect to your DS over DS Download Play.

To set up Wii DS ROM Sender:

1. Download Wii DS ROM Sender from this GitHub link and extract the contents of the zip file onto the root of your Wii’s SD Card.
2. Save a copy of DS Download Station - Volume 1 (USA) onto your SD Card’s root as haxxstation.nds. The SHA-1 of this ROM must be: f18b55f3e1259c03e10d0ecb549693b42905ceb5.
3. Download mpr-connect.nds from this GitHub link.
4. If it does not exist already, create the folder srl on the root of your SD card, and copy mpr-connect.nds into it.
5. Insert the SD Card back into your Wii.

Then, to use it to run MPR Connect:

1. Boot up your Wii and use the Homebrew Channel to launch Wii DS ROM Sender.
2. Select mpr-connect.nds as the ROM to send, and begin sending it.
3. Insert a cartridge of Pokémon Diamond, Pearl, or Platinum into the DS cartridge slot and boot up your DS (it is important to do this before downloading the ROM from the Wii).
4. Launch the DS Download Play app. If you are using a 3DS/2DS, it will ask you if you want to download Nintendo DS or Nintendo 3DS titles. Select Nintendo DS. The option to download from the Wii should appear.
5. The DS should download the HaxxStation ROM and start running it. Select the title in the list and download MPR Connect from the Wii (a dummy name will be shown in its place).
6. The MPR Connect splash screen should appear on the DS. At this point, return to the Wii Menu, launch the patched My Pokémon Ranch game, and initiate a connection to the DS from the main menu.
7. Press Start on the DS, and this should prompt the system to start a connection search to the Wii.
8. If everything was done correctly, you should be now able to deposit and withdraw Pokémon on My Pokémon Ranch!

3.2) ROM File Methods:

Backups of ROM files of Pokémon Diamond, Pearl or Platinum that are launched via a flashcard or TWiLight Menu++ can also be used if you'd prefer to play from those.
We recommend using nds-bootstrap or pico-loader to load the game in order to guarantee connectivity with the Wii.

Patching:

The ROM file can be patched to remove the signature check. We recommend you use a ROM with one of the SHA-1 hashes below. You can verify this using a tool such as this one.
 

Pokémon Diamond:
a46233d8b79a69ea87aa295a0efad5237d02841e (USA Rev 5)
66d2fbfb0dbc1f86a3d726971196989b950092bc (EUR English Rev 5)

Pokémon Pearl:
99083bf15ec7c6b81b4ba241ee10abd9e80999ac (USA Rev 5)
b5652db288c75417de159d93d297689c885dbbd1 (EUR English Rev 5)

Pokémon Platinum:
ce81046eda7d232513069519cb2085349896dec7 (USA Rev 0)
0862ec35b24de5c7e2dcb88c9eea0873110d755c (USA Rev 1)
8d15cd443d4e83e20493c79d3f9dc408c4f51ae0 (EUR English Rev 10)

To patch your ROM:

1. Download the applicable patch for your ROM (included in the above zip) and save it to a convenient location on your computer.
2. We recommend using Rom Patcher JS to patch your game. Upload the .nds file as the ROM file, and the file from the first step as the Patch file. Click Apply patch, and save the patched .nds file to your SD card you use with your flashcard or DSi/3DS system.
3. If everything was done correctly, you should be now able to deposit and withdraw Pokémon on My Pokémon Ranch using the ROM file you have patched!

AR Codes:

AR cheat codes may be used to remove the signature check. This method working is dependent upon the ROM loading software, and is not guaranteed. Patching the ROM file is recommended over this, if available.

Pokémon Diamond/Pearl:
5230F824 E24DDE12
0230F820 E3A00001
0230F824 E12FFF1E
D2000000 00000000

Pokémon Platinum:
5230ED00 E24DDE12
0230ECFC E3A00001
0230ED00 E12FFF1E
D2000000 00000000

 

4) Call for Translators:

This release only includes a patch for the USA version of the game, and not the European version. The USA version only has English text in-game. The European version also has French, German, Italian and Spanish.

To release a European patch, we are asking for translators to help us. If you are fluent in French, German, Italian or Spanish, are interested in volunteering, are able to actively test your work, and understand what a “variable” is, please reach out to us via Discord.

 

5) Contact:

If you would like to contact us, visit our website at pokewii.net to join our Discord or contact us by email.

 

6) History:

Development on this patch began in early 2023, but was envisioned even earlier in 2020 when working on a translation patch for the Pokémon Mystery Dungeon WiiWare games.
The first big hurdle of this patch was reverse engineering a custom variant of the proprietary compression format (called ASH) which is used in this game. When that was figured out, the project began development shortly after.

Localizing this patch was the easy part. The hard part, by far, was getting non-Japanese copies of the game working with this patch. Not only does the game perform a series of checks to make sure it’s connected to the right version, English Platinum and Japanese Platinum are very different, and lots of small things had to be fixed. This project was struggling to devise a solution to the signature issue, and often months went by without it being worked on. Many of the people who tried to reverse engineer this were scratching their heads.

Several times during the development process, we had considered just releasing the game as-is, essentially giving up on Platinum connectivity.
But, we persevered, and thanks to the help of several people, we were able to get a nice solution.

Thank you for all the support. After 3 and a half years of development, we are excited to finally have it finished.

- The Platinum Patch Team

 

7) Credits:

- Abel5498               Beta Testing
- Absol                  Special Thanks
- Antonio231102          Development Support, Beta Testing
- Bloombuds              Special Thanks
- Bob A Linx             Beta Testing
- Bubblblobb             Special Thanks
- Conanac                ASH Compression Tools
- Darkshade              Project Management, Title Screen, English Translation
- Droomish               English Trailer Voiceover
- Fillo                  Development Support, Spanish Translation
- Finn                   Special Thanks
- Friendsxix             Special Thanks
- Funaoe24               Special Thanks
- Garhoogin              Technical Tools & Scripts
- Gensarde               Reverse Engineering
- idkwhereisthisname     Italian Translation
- JaneRandom             Special Thanks
- Jonko                  Reverse Engineering
- Joshiki                Special Thanks
- Larsenv                Development Support, Mod Compilation Script
- Le gamer 66            French Translation
- Le JARB                French Translation
- Lyn                    Special Thanks
- Maple                  Special Thanks
- Matthack               Special Thanks
- Mow                    Platinum Support Coordination
- Mutty                  Italian Translation
- Netcutae               Special Thanks
- NWPlayer123            Technical Tools & Scripts
- Pistonfish             German Translation
- Prayag                 Special Thanks
- Psi-Hate               Reverse Engineering
- RETIRE                 Reverse Engineering
- Rush2802               Beta Testing
- Ryuzac                 English Translation
- scj643                 Special Thanks
- SirToastyToes          Beta Testing, English Trailer, Ranch Evangelist
- Soulo                  Beta Testing
- Specialagentape        Special Thanks
- Speedy77               Beta Testing
- St4tch                 Special Thanks
- Starlightfish          Beta Testing
- The12thGripper         Special Thanks
- Valentino              Beta Testing
- Vanny                  Beta Testing
- Venusupreme            Special Thanks
- Voidkrieger            Beta Testing
- wertercatt             Development Support
- wowjinxy               Reverse Engineering
- Zazsona                Reverse Engineering, PKHeX Support