hoFile

hoFile is a file format used primarily in the context of the Homebrew Channel for the Nintendo Wii and Wii U consoles. It serves as a container for game saves and other data associated with specific applications or games running through the Homebrew Channel. The "ho" prefix likely stands for "Homebrew". Essentially, hoFile allows for the organization and management of user-generated content or application-specific data in a structured manner on the console's storage.

These files are not natively recognized by the official Nintendo operating system. Their existence and purpose are tied to the unofficial software ecosystem that emerged for the Wii and Wii U platforms. Users often encounter hoFile when backing up or transferring game saves, cheat data, or configuration settings for homebrew applications. The structure of an hoFile can vary depending on the application that created it, but it generally encapsulates data in a way that the corresponding homebrew application can read and interpret. Understanding hoFile is important for users who actively engage with the homebrew scene on these consoles, as it dictates how their custom data is stored and accessed.