BRCTR File

What are BRCTR files and how to open them

Are you having problems opening a BRCTR file or are you simply curious about its contents? We're here to explain the properties of these files and provide you with software that can open or handle your BRCTR files.

What is a BRCTR file?

A .BRCTR file is a Wii Binary Revolution Control file.

Wii Binary Revolution Control files store layout control data used by Nintendo's Wii games to dictate how user interface elements are arranged and animated in menus. They define which layout templates (BRLYT) and layout animations (BRLAN) go with UI screens including menus, backgrounds, buttons, and interfaces like lap counters or item windows. These files are written into the game data and are used at runtime by the Wii to render interface screens.

These files are produced by Nintendo during game development for titles such as Mario Kart Wii. They are packaged into the game filesystem inside archives (often U8 archives under "ctrl" directories in UI folders), and work together with BRLYT and BRLAN assets: BRCTR tells the game where and which layout template to use, and which animation files to trigger, so that menus display elements in correct places and animate properly.

The format begins with a 0x14-byte header. At offset 0 the ASCII magic "bctr" appears. Following this are fields for count of sub-headers (always 2), and offsets (as 16-bit unsigned integers) pointing into a Name Table for the main BRLYT filename, a BMG name, and a picture source BRLYT name. The signature bctr at offset 0 matches the recorded byte signature for these files.

How to open BRCTR files

Important: Different programs may use files with the BRCTR file extension for different purposes, so unless you are sure which format your BRCTR file is, you may need to try a few different programs.

We have not yet verified any programs for Windows that work with this specific file format. If you know one, please use the 'Suggest a program' link below. Thanks!

Last updated: August 24, 2026

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