BREFT File

What are BREFT files and how to open them

Are you having problems opening a BREFT 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 BREFT files.

What is a BREFT file?

A .BREFT file is a Wii Effects Textures file.

Wii Effects Textures (.BREFT) files store graphic and texture data used for special visual effects in Nintendo Wii games, particularly effects like smoke, fire, lighting, or particle visuals. They are paired with control files (.BREFF), where .BREFT holds the actual texture or image data while .BREFF defines how those effects behave and render.

These files are typically created during the game development or asset building process for Wii titles. They are stored in the "effect" folder within game archives (for example .SZS files in Mario Kart Wii). Game modding tools like BrawlBox, SZS Modifier, and others can extract, preview, and edit .BREFT files by replacing or modifying their textures for effects.

Each .BREFT file begins with a 32-byte header, then contains the image (and optional palette) data. The header includes metadata such as the width and height of the image in pixels; the size of the image data; the image format and palette format; number of palette entries; size of the palette; number of mipmaps; and offsets to the image and palette data.

Image data formats supported include grayscale (I4, I8), intensity+alpha formats (IA4, IA8), color formats (RGB565, RGB5A3, RGBA8), palette-indexed styles (C4, C8, C14x2), and the compressed CMPR format (~S3TC style).

The file starts with the ASCII signature "REFT" at offset 0, which identifies it as a BREFT file.

How to open BREFT files

We have identified one BREFT opener that is compatible with this specific type of BREFT file.

Programs that open Wii Effects Textures files

Last updated: August 5, 2026

Various apps that use files with this extension

These apps are known to open certain types of BREFT files. Remember, different programs may use BREFT files for different purposes, so you may need to try out a few of them to be able to open your specific file.

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