Retro

Installing Dolphin: GameCube and Wii

Dolphin is the emulator for Nintendo GameCube and Wii. It’s open source, works on Windows, macOS, Linux and Android, and can display games at a much higher resolution than the original console.

Installation

  • Windows: download the latest version from dolphin-emu.org/download and extract the zip file. Start Dolphin.exe. If you get an error message about a missing DLL file, install the Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable.
  • macOS: download the dmg file and drag Dolphin to Applications.
  • Linux: via Flatpak.
flatpak install flathub org.DolphinEmu.dolphin-emu

Initial settings

  1. Under Config → Paths, set the folder with your games. Dolphin will search for games automatically.
  2. Under Graphics, choose the backend Vulkan (or Direct3D 12 on Windows).
  3. Set the internal resolution to 2x or 3x for a sharper image. A mini PC or laptop often doesn’t go beyond 2x.
  4. Connect your controller via Controllers. Xbox and PlayStation controllers work directly.

Dolphin doesn’t need a BIOS. You play games from disc images (.iso, .rvz or .gcz) that you’ve made yourself from your own discs.

Useful tips

  • Compression: the .rvz format makes images much smaller without quality loss. Dolphin can convert games itself (right-click on a game).
  • Stuttering the first time: set Shader Compilation (under Graphics) to Hybrid Ubershaders, so Dolphin doesn’t wait for shader compilation.
  • Wii Remote: use a Bluetooth adapter with a real Wiimote, or have a controller or keyboard emulate the Wiimote.
  • GameCube controller: with an official or third-party USB adapter you can play with your original controller.
  • Graphics patches: many games have community patches for widescreen, under Properties → Graphics Mods.
  • Save states are useful, but always save your game the normal way in the game itself as well.