Dolphin is a free and open source video game console emulator for GameCube and Wii, which can run on Windows, Linux, macOS and Android.
Dolphin Emulator hopefully just released version 2409, fixing graphical bugs, bringing new features, improving performance and addressing compatibility issues.
Table of Contents
What is Dolphin Emulator?
Dolphin Emulator is an open source software that lets you play Nintendo Wii and GameCube games on your PC or mobile.
It was first released in 2003 as freeware for Windows. It was the first GameCube emulator that could successfully run commercial games.
After troubled development in the early years, Dolphin became free and open source, and later supported emulation for the Wii.
It later released a version for Linux and macOS operating systems, and as mobile hardware became more powerful over the years, it also released a version for Android.
Dolphin has been well received by video game players for its high compatibility, steady development progress, number of features available, and the ability to play games with graphical improvements over its original platforms.
If you know how to use Dolphin Emulator, you can play classic GameCube and Nintendo Wii games on your PC or even your smartphone.
From where to download Dolphin Emulator
Dolphin Emulator is an open source program, which means that anyone can download it for free and contribute its source code.
Visit the official website of Dolphin Emulator to download Dolphin for your operating system. You can choose between the stable version or the trial version (development version).
The trial version gives you access to the latest new features and updates, but not everything is guaranteed to work properly.
How to get ROM for Dolphin Emulator
You will need your own ROMs in ISO format to play GameCube and Wii games. If you have a physical copy of a game, you can rip the CD to your computer. Another option is to download ROMs from torrent sites (not always a legal method).
Not all games are compatible with Dolphin Emulator. The Dolphin Wiki contains information regarding compatibility issues as well as various improvements.
How to use Dolphin Emulator on PC
Before starting, it is recommended to put all your ROMS in a single folder.
Step 1: Open Dolphin Emulator and select Config.
Step 2 : Select the Paths tab.
Step 3 : Select Add.
Step 4 : Select the folder containing your games.
Step 5 : Close the Configuration window and select Refresh. Your games will appear in the main menu.
Step 6 : Double click on the game you want to play to launch Dolphin Emulator.
To save your game, go to Emulation > Save State in the Dolphin main menu. Select Load State to load an already saved game.
Variations & forks
Dolphin Triforce
Dolphin Triforce is a fork of Dolphin that was originally created by Dolphin itself to emulate the Arcade Triforce system, but was eventually disabled after its developers changed priorities and did not maintain it. Dolphin Triforce downloads still are available from the website and the source code is available from GitHub in a dedicated repository.
Dolphin VR
The Dolphin VR is a third-party developer project that aims to extend Dolphin with the ability to play games "in virtual reality with accurate life-size scale, full FOV (field of view), and the ability to look around you." Supports HTC Vive and Oculus Rift.
The latest version is 5.0 and the source code is hosted on GitHub.
DolphinOS
The DolphinOS is a third-party developer fork of Dolphin for Apple iOS. It is not available in the App Store, but is distributed through a Cydia repository for jailbroken devices, an AltStore repository, or an IPA package for sideloading.
The first version was released on December 9, 2019, and version 3.0 released on June 20, 2020 was also the last, as the project was stopped. Versions 3.1.1 and 3.2.0 beta 1 have been released since the hiatus announcement. The source code is hosted on GitHub.
Ishiiruka
In reaction to the removal of Direct3D 9 support, Dolphin developer Tino created an unofficial fork called Ishiiruka on October 18, 2013. If you're wondering about the name we're telling you it's Japanese. Although the focus is on Windows with Direct3D 9 and 11 support, there are also Linux versions.
As with Dolphin, development is hosted on GitHub.
PrimeHack
PrimeHack is a version of Dolphin created by shiiion that has been modified to play Metroid Prime: Trilogy (a 2009 action game collection), on PC with keyboard and mouse controls. There are two variants of PrimeHack, one based on Ishiiruka, and the other based on Dolphin.
The latter has been at the center of development since October 2019 after being dormant between February and October 2019. The source code hosted on GitHub.
