https://sites.google.com/site/completesg/
Here is a good place to start. You can actually successfully softmod Wiis on System Menu 4.3U, E, and J now if I recall correctly using something called Letterbomb. All you need is to go to the site (
http://please.hackmii.com/), enter your Wii's MAC address, copy the zip it gives you to the root of your Wii's SD card and the message will show up in your messages on the Wii menu.
After that you basically follow that guide to the letter. It also outlines any risks you run, but the process is practically idiot proof. Anyone can do it. It also outlines how to set up backup launchers for burned discs, or how to set up your console to USB load games from a hard drive, which I recommend because it not only loads faster in most cases, but it saves you from burning games if that's your thing. Theoretically owning game should make the backup launching through USB loading or burning legal. Theoretically.
Also quick note, the Trucha bug installer has a part where it asks you if you're going to use it for piracy or not. Say no. If you say yes, it doesn't install it and it's necessary to do all of the stuff required. The guy goes on an anti-piracy tirade and while I like to support the developers it's really annoying when he's setting up something that is blatantly used for piracy and then he blatantly restricts you from using it. It's stupid and a waste of time.
On Dolphin, Dolphin doesn't require a ridiculous PC to run games at 640x480 in a window, but once you want to start raising the resolution the requirements get a little crazy, but I've done it. Using a gamepad is a great solution for a game like Xenoblade with Dolphin since the game uses the Classic Controller as a method for input. If you do the softmod there's also a savegame manager app that converts Dolphin Wii game saves so that you can use them on a Wii if I remember correctly. So the saves are transferrable.