.BFRES File Extension

Wii U Model File

Developer Nintendo
Popularity
4.3  |  4 Votes
Category Game Files
Format Binary

What is a BFRES file?

A BFRES file is an archive that a Nintendo Wii U game uses to store game assets. It typically contains an in-game character or item model, as well as related textures and animations. Large BFRES files are often compressed using Yaz0 compression and saved as .SZS files.

More Information

Many Wii U games, but most notably Mario Kart 8, store game models, textures, and animations in BFRES files. Different varieties of BFRES files exist, but all store some combination of:

  • Model data
  • Texture data
  • Skeleton animations
  • Shader parameters
  • Color animations
  • Texture SRT animations
  • Texture pattern animations
  • Bone visibility animations
  • Material visibility animations
  • Shape animations
  • Scene animations
  • Embedded files

Most Wii U players will never encounter a BFRES file. However, Wii U modders and other enthusiasts sometimes extract BFRES files from Wii U games, modify the BFRES files' included assets, and then re-import the files into the game they came from.

NOTE: The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild stores 3D models in .SBFRES files, which are compressed BFRES files.

How to open a BFRES file

A variety of fan-made utilities allow Wii U players to open BFRES files. For example, you can open BFRES files and edit the assets they contain in Switch-Toolbox (Windows).

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Programs that open or reference BFRES files

Windows
Updated May 6, 2021

Verified by FileInfo.com

The FileInfo.com team has independently researched the Wii U Model file format and Windows apps listed on this page. Our goal is 100% accuracy and we only publish information about file types that we have verified.

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