irixith wrote:Unfortunately, while the USB port exists, there is no way to get code to run from it without having another injection point (the precious SD card). There is no way to get online, as the USB ethernet adapter does not function -- even all of the online configuration is stripped out of the Wii Mini System Menu. There are no games that read data through the USB port. Without some hardware level solution, it will remain unhackable.
AFAIK, the Homebrew use to be installable from a DVD. They haven't made an updated image for it in ages, but you can still download the old one to install then update. So that being the case, all you would need is a mod chip for the Wii Mini, then you could install the HBC via DVD.
But, let's assume a mod chip comes out for the Mini, and you install the HBC no problem, would you still miss the SD card slot? I haven't yet modified my Wii, so I don't know. With the HBC and all the utilities available, is there a way to transfer saves via the USB port?