View source for Dolphin (emulator)

{{short description|Nintendo GameCube and Wii emulation software}}
{{other uses|Dolphin (disambiguation)}}
{{Good article}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2017}}
{{Infobox software
| name = Dolphin
| logo = Dolphin_Emulator_Logo_Refresh.svg
| logo_size = 150px
| logo_alt = 
| screenshot = Dolphin Emulator Main and About Windows.png
| caption = Dolphin main and about windows
| screenshot_size = 
| screenshot_alt = 
| collapsible = 
| author = <nowiki>F|RES</nowiki>, Henrik Rydgård (ector)<ref name="hrydgard">{{cite web|url=http://henrikrydgard.com/pages/projects|title=Projects|last=Rydgård|first=Henrik|access-date=9 June 2017|archive-date=29 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201029111528/https://henrikrydgard.com/pages/projects|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="EmuKing_PPSSPP">{{cite web|url=https://emulationking.com/ppsspp/|title=PPSSPP|work=Emulation King|date=25 August 2016 |access-date=9 June 2017|archive-date=3 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200703173358/https://emulationking.com/ppsspp/|url-status=live}}</ref>
| developer = Dolphin Emulator Project [https://github.com/dolphin-emu/dolphin/graphs/contributors]
| released = {{Start date and age|2003|9|22|df=yes}}
| discontinued = 
| latest release version = {{wikidata|property|preferred|references|edit|Q1236429|P348|P548=Q2804309}}
| latest release date = {{Start date and age|{{wikidata|qualifier|preferred|single|Q1236429|P348|P548=Q2804309|P577}}}}
| latest preview version = 
| latest preview date = <!-- {{Start date and age|2022|08|06}} -->
| repo = {{URL|github.com/dolphin-emu/dolphin}}
| qid = Q1236429
| programming language = [[C++]] and [[C (programming language)|C]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://github.com/dolphin-emu/dolphin|title=Dolphin on github.com|date=9 November 2019|via=GitHub|access-date=13 July 2014|archive-date=8 February 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150208031756/https://github.com/dolphin-emu/dolphin|url-status=live}}</ref> (GUI: originally in [[wxWidgets]], ported to [[Qt5]] in 2018)<ref name="port to Qt (1)"/><ref name="port to Qt (2)"/><ref name="port to Qt (3)"/>
| operating system = [[Windows 10]] or later, [[macOS Catalina]] 10.15 or later, [[Linux]], [[Android 5.0]] or later (only 64-bit), [[Xbox One]], [[Xbox Series X and Series S]]<ref name="Dolphin FAQ"/><ref name="TC_OpenSource"/><ref name="xbox">{{Cite magazine|title=The best GameCube and Wii emulator now has a standalone Xbox version|url=https://www.gamesradar.com/the-best-gamecube-and-wii-emulator-now-has-a-standalone-xbox-version//|access-date=2023-05-09|magazine=Games Radar|language=en-us}}</ref>
| platform = {{plainlist|
* [[x86-64]]<ref name="obituary-32bit"/>
* [[ARM64]]<ref name="remove-armv7-support"/>
}}
| size = 
| language = 
| language count = 24<!-- English + those on Transifex that are more than 50% complete. -->
| language footnote = <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.transifex.com/projects/p/dolphin-emu/|title=Dolphin Emulator|work=transifex.com|access-date=19 January 2015|archive-date=19 January 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150119090610/https://www.transifex.com/projects/p/dolphin-emu/|url-status=live}}</ref>
| genre = [[Video game console emulator]]
| license = 2015:{{efn|name="gpl-2-or-later-version"|Since 4.0-6349}} [[GNU General Public License|GPL-2.0-or-later]]<ref name="relicense"/><ref name="GOL_Vulkan"/><br />2008:{{efn|name="gpl-2-only-versions"|From 2.0 to 4.0-6341}} [[GNU General Public License|GPL-2.0-only]]<br />2003: Proprietary
| website = {{URL|https://dolphin-emu.org}}
| standard = 
| AsOf = 
}}
{{System requirements
| useminandrec = yes
| platform1 = Personal Computer<ref name="Dolphin FAQ">{{cite web |title=Dolphin FAQ |url=https://dolphin-emu.org/docs/faq/ |work=Dolphin Emulator Project |access-date=10 June 2022 |archive-date=9 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220609060147/https://dolphin-emu.org/docs/faq/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name='sysreq'>{{cite web |title=Dolphin Emulator |url=https://dolphin-emu.org/docs/guides/performance-guide/#System_Requirements |website=Dolphin Emulator |access-date=10 June 2022 |language=en-us |archive-date=9 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220609060146/https://dolphin-emu.org/docs/guides/performance-guide/#System_Requirements |url-status=live }}</ref>
| os1 = {{ubl|[[Windows 10]] 64-bit or higher|[[macOS Catalina]] 10.15 or higher<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://github.com/dolphin-emu/dolphin/pull/11361|title=update min macos version to 10.15 #11361|website=GitHub|access-date=3 February 2023|archive-date=3 February 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230203195935/https://github.com/dolphin-emu/dolphin/pull/11361|url-status=live}}</ref>|Modern 64-bit [[desktop Linux]]}}
| cpu1 = [[x86-64]] CPU<ref name="obituary-32bit"/> with SSE2 support.<ref name="Dolphin FAQ"/>
{{----}}
[[AArch64]]<ref name="remove-armv7-support"/>
| cpu1rec = Intel: [[List of Intel Core i5 microprocessors#"Haswell" (quad-core, 22 nm)|Intel Core i5-4670K]] or equivalent.
AMD: Any Ryzen CPU or newer.<ref name="Dolphin FAQ"/>
{{----}}
[[Qualcomm Snapdragon|Snapdragon]] [[List of Qualcomm Snapdragon systems-on-chip#Snapdragon 835, 850, 7c, 8c, 8cx, 8cx Gen 2 and Microsoft SQ1|8cx]] or equivalent<ref name="Windows-on-ARM64">{{Cite web|url=https://dolphin-emu.org/blog/2020/02/07/dolphin-progress-report-dec-2019-and-jan-2020/#50-11409-platform-support-for-windows-on-arm64-and-50-11455-dolphinqt-support-compiling-on-arm64-by-stenzek|title=Dolphin Progress Report: December 2019 and January 2020|website=Dolphin Emulator Project|date=7 February 2020 |access-date=8 February 2020|archive-date=8 February 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200208041425/https://dolphin-emu.org/blog/2020/02/07/dolphin-progress-report-dec-2019-and-jan-2020/#50-11409-platform-support-for-windows-on-arm64-and-50-11455-dolphinqt-support-compiling-on-arm64-by-stenzek|url-status=live}}</ref>
| memory1 = 2 [[Gigabyte|GB]] [[RAM]] or more<ref name="Dolphin FAQ"/>
| gpu1 = [[Pixel Shader 3.0]], and [[Direct3D]] 10 or [[OpenGL]] 3 support<ref name='sysreq'/>
| gpu1rec = Modern Direct3D 11.1, OpenGL 4.4, or Vulkan [[GPU]]<ref name="Dolphin FAQ"/>
| input1 = Any PC input device – mouse and keyboard by default for Wii, mouse by default for GameCube
| input1rec = Original Nintendo [[GameCube controller]] with [[GameCube controller#Use on subsequent consoles|USB adapter]]<ref name="PCGamer_GC-controllers"/>
{{----}}
Original Nintendo [[Wii Remote]] via DolphinBar<ref>{{cite web|url=https://dolphin-emu.org/blog/2014/08/23/dolphinbar-review/|title=Hardware Review: Mayflash DolphinBar|date=23 August 2014|work=Dolphin Emulator Project|access-date=2 July 2017|archive-date=10 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170810040805/https://dolphin-emu.org/blog/2014/08/23/dolphinbar-review/|url-status=live}}</ref>
| platform2 = [[Android (operating system)|Android]]
| os2 = Android 5.0<ref>{{cite web|url=https://github.com/dolphin-emu/dolphin/pull/2501|title=Android 5.0 required for new builds|work=Dolphin Emulator Project|access-date=10 June 2015|archive-date=15 February 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190215225948/https://github.com/dolphin-emu/dolphin/pull/2501|url-status=live}}</ref>
| os2rec = Android 10<ref>{{cite web|url=https://github.com/dolphin-emu/dolphin/pull/7864|title=Bumps compile API to 29 (Q) and removes deprecated calls and unnecessary casts|work=Dolphin Emulator Project|access-date=8 February 2020|archive-date=30 November 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191130145343/https://github.com/dolphin-emu/dolphin/pull/7864|url-status=live}}</ref>
| memory2 = 1 [[Gigabyte|GB]] [[RAM]]
| memory2rec = 4 [[Gigabyte|GB]] [[RAM]]
| cpu2 = [[AArch64]]<ref name="remove-armv7-support"/>
| cpu2rec = [[Qualcomm Snapdragon|Snapdragon]] [[List of Qualcomm Snapdragon systems-on-chip#Snapdragon 835|835]] or equivalent<ref name="Sarkar">{{cite web|url=http://www.polygon.com/2017/4/11/15260850/samsung-galaxy-s8-dolphin-emulator-gamecube|title=GameCube emulator Dolphin runs very well on Samsung Galaxy S8|last=Sarkar|first=Samit|date=11 April 2017|work=[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]]|access-date=13 April 2017|archive-date=13 April 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170413225659/http://www.polygon.com/2017/4/11/15260850/samsung-galaxy-s8-dolphin-emulator-gamecube|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Ganos">{{cite web|url=http://nintendowire.com/news/2017/04/11/gamecube-emulation-running-perfectly-galaxy-s8/|title=GameCube emulation running perfectly on Galaxy S8|last=Ganos|first=Jason|date=11 April 2017|work=Nintendo Wire|access-date=13 April 2017|archive-date=13 April 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170413235028/http://nintendowire.com/news/2017/04/11/gamecube-emulation-running-perfectly-galaxy-s8/|url-status=live}}</ref>
| gpu2 = OpenGL ES 3.0<ref>{{cite web|url=https://dolphin-emu.org/blog/2013/09/26/dolphin-emulator-and-opengl-drivers-hall-fameshame/|title=Dolphin Emulator and OpenGL drivers – Hall of Fame/Shame|work=Dolphin Emulator Project|access-date=2 July 2017|date=26 September 2013|archive-date=3 July 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170703114557/https://dolphin-emu.org/blog/2013/09/26/dolphin-emulator-and-opengl-drivers-hall-fameshame/|url-status=live}}</ref>
| gpu2rec = [[Adreno|Adreno 540]] or equivalent<ref name="Sarkar"/><ref name="Ganos"/> with OpenGL ES 3.2 and Vulkan support<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.androidpolice.com/2016/10/01/dolphin-emulator-adds-vulkan-support-android/|title=Dolphin emulator adds Vulkan support for Android|last=Davenport|first=Corbin|date=1 October 2016|work=Android Police|access-date=2 July 2017|archive-date=19 July 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170719211527/http://www.androidpolice.com/2016/10/01/dolphin-emulator-adds-vulkan-support-android/|url-status=live}}</ref>
}}

'''Dolphin''' is a [[free and open-source]] [[video game console emulator]] of [[GameCube]] and [[Wii]]<ref name="PCGamer_Ethics"/> that runs on [[Windows]], [[Linux]], [[macOS]], [[Android (operating system)|Android]], [[Xbox One]], [[Xbox Series X and Series S]].<ref name="TC_OpenSource"/><ref name="xbox"/>

It had its [[#Origins (2003–2006)|inaugural release in 2003]] as [[freeware]] for Windows. Dolphin was the first GameCube emulator that could successfully run commercial games. After troubled development in the first years, Dolphin became [[free and open-source software]] and subsequently gained support for Wii emulation. Soon after, the emulator was ported to Linux<ref name="E64-FOSS"/> and macOS.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://osxdaily.com/2010/12/02/gamecube-wii-emulator-for-mac/|title=Dolphin: the Gamecube & Wii Emulator for Mac|last=Chan|first=Matt|date=2 December 2010|work=OSXDaily|access-date=16 July 2017|archive-date=9 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201109014714/https://osxdaily.com/2010/12/02/gamecube-wii-emulator-for-mac/|url-status=live}}</ref> As mobile hardware became more powerful over the years, [[#Drop of legacy technologies, accuracy improvements, and 5.0 release (2013–2016)|running Dolphin on Android]] became a viable option.

Dolphin has been well received in the IT and video gaming media for its high compatibility, steady development progress, the number of [[#Features|available features]], and the ability to play games with [[#Graphical improvements|graphical improvements]] over the original platforms.

== Development ==
=== Origins (2003–2006) ===
Dolphin was first released on 22 September 2003<ref>{{cite web |url= https://dolphin-emu.org/blog/2013/09/22/dolphin-40-release-announcement/ |title= Dolphin 4.0 Release Announcement |work= Dolphin Emulator Project |date= 22 September 2013 |access-date= 9 March 2016 |archive-date= 12 November 2020 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20201112030103/https://dolphin-emu.org/blog/2013/09/22/dolphin-40-release-announcement/ |url-status= live }}</ref> by Henrik Rydgård (ector) and F|RES as an experimental GameCube emulator that could boot up and run commercial games. Audio was not yet emulated, and the overall performance quality was very poor. Many games crashed on start-up or barely ran at all; average speed was from 2 to 20 [[Framerate|frames per second]] (FPS). Its name refers to the development code name for the GameCube.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/1999/05/05/say-hello-to-project-dolphin|title=Say Hello to Project Dolphin|website=[[IGN]]|access-date=27 January 2008|date=4 May 1999|archive-date=12 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112012100/https://www.ign.com/articles/1999/05/05/say-hello-to-project-dolphin|url-status=live}}</ref>

Dolphin was officially discontinued temporarily in December 2004, with the developers releasing version 1.01 as the final version of the emulator.<ref>{{cite web |last=Zackheim |first=Ben |url=http://www.joystiq.com/2004/12/21/dolphin-emulator-final-build-available/ |title=Dolphin emulator final build available |website=Joystiq |date=21 December 2004 |access-date=25 November 2012 |archive-date=12 October 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121012220012/http://www.joystiq.com/2004/12/21/dolphin-emulator-final-build-available/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The developers later revived the project in October 2005.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.emulation64.com/view/314/Dolphin-Final-103-BETA-Released/|title=Dolphin Final 1.03 BETA Released|date=27 October 2005|work=The Emulation64 Network|access-date=28 May 2017|archive-date=8 January 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190108052218/http://www.emulation64.com/view/314/Dolphin-Final-103-BETA-Released/|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Open source, Wii emulation, and 2.0 release (2008–2010) ===
Dolphin became an open-source project on 13 July 2008<ref name="E64-FOSS">{{cite web|url=http://www.emulation64.com/view/1701/ANNOUNCE-Dolphin-Now-Open-Source-/|title=ANNOUNCE: Dolphin Now Open Source|date=13 July 2008|work=The Emulation64 Network|access-date=28 May 2017|archive-date=20 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200920020707/http://www.emulation64.com/view/1701/ANNOUNCE-Dolphin-Now-Open-Source-/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="turbocharge">{{cite web|url=http://www.pcgamer.com/how-gamecubewii-emulator-dolphin-got-a-turbocharge/|title=How GameCube/Wii emulator Dolphin got a turbocharge|work=PC Gamer|date=9 October 2014 |access-date=10 July 2015|archive-date=12 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112034534/https://www.pcgamer.com/how-gamecubewii-emulator-dolphin-got-a-turbocharge/|url-status=live|last1=Fenlon |first1=Wes }}</ref> when the developers released the source code publicly on a [[Apache Subversion|SVN]] repository on [[Google Code]] under the [[Gnu General Public License|GPL-2.0-only]] license.<ref name="E64-FOSS"/> At this point, the emulator had basic Wii emulation implemented, limited [[Linux]] compatibility and a new [[graphical user interface|GUI]] using [[wxWidgets]].<ref name="E64-FOSS"/> The preview builds and unofficial SVN builds were released with their revision number (e.g., RXXXX) rather than version numbers (e.g., 1.03).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.emulation64.com/view/1744/Dolphin-SVN-build-1943-GamecubeNintendo-Wii-Emulator-for-Windows-/|title=Dolphin SVN build 1943 – GameCube/Nintendo Wii Emulator for Windows|date=24 January 2009|work=The Emulation64 Network|access-date=28 May 2017|archive-date=14 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180814232629/http://www.emulation64.com/view/1744/Dolphin-SVN-build-1943-GamecubeNintendo-Wii-Emulator-for-Windows-/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.emulation64.com/view/1752/Dolphin-SVN-build-2018-GamecubeNintendo-Wii-Emulator-for-Windows-/|title=Dolphin SVN build 2018 – GameCube/Nintendo Wii Emulator for Windows|date=26 January 2009|work=The Emulation64 Network|access-date=28 May 2017|archive-date=14 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180814200956/http://www.emulation64.com/view/1752/Dolphin-SVN-build-2018-GamecubeNintendo-Wii-Emulator-for-Windows-/|url-status=live}}</ref> As with previous builds, differences between consecutive builds are typically minor.<ref name="Updates">{{cite web |title=Commits – dolphin-emu |url=https://github.com/dolphin-emu/dolphin/commits/master/ |work=Dolphin Emulator Project |access-date=29 December 2015 |archive-date=2 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210102170517/https://github.com/dolphin-emu/dolphin/commits/master |url-status=live }}</ref>

[[File:Wii-gamecube-compatibility.jpg|thumb|200px|left|The Wii's close [[Instruction set architecture|architectural relation]] to GameCube made it backwards-compatible]]
By February 2009, the software was able to successfully boot and run the official Wii System Menu v1.0. Shortly after, almost all versions of the [[Wii system software]] became bootable.<ref name="Wii System Menu">{{cite web|url=http://www.pro-linux.de/news/1/23697/nintendo-emulator-dolphin-in-version-50-freigegeben.html|title=Nintendo-Emulator Dolphin in Version 5.0 freigegeben|work=Pro-Linux|last=Lindner|first=Mirko|date=28 June 2016|publisher=Baader&Lindner GbR|language=de|access-date=25 July 2017|archive-date=18 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200918172153/https://www.pro-linux.de/news/1/23697/nintendo-emulator-dolphin-in-version-50-freigegeben.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

By April 2009, most commercial games, GameCube and Wii alike, could be fully played, albeit with minor problems and errors, with a large number of games running with few or no defects. Adjustments to the emulator had allowed users to play select games at full speed for the first time, audio was dramatically improved, and the graphical capabilities were made more consistent aside from minor problems.<ref name="SSBB Demo">{{cite web |title=Super Smash Bros. Brawl on Dolphin the Wii Emulator (720p HD) – News |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eXEwDsssA94 |date=18 March 2009 |website=[[YouTube]] |access-date=28 July 2009 |archive-date=3 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210103160126/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eXEwDsssA94 |url-status=live }}</ref>

By late October 2009, several new features were incorporated into the emulator, such as automatic frame-skipping, which increased the performance of the emulator, as well as increased stability of the emulator overall.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.emucr.com/2009/08/dolphin-bi-weekly-unofficial-svn-build_15.html|title=Dolphin Bi-Weekly Unofficial SVN build 3972|date=15 August 2009|work=EmuCR|access-date=2 July 2017|archive-date=7 November 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171107003111/http://www.emucr.com/2009/08/dolphin-bi-weekly-unofficial-svn-build_15.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Also improved was the Netplay feature of the emulator, which allowed players to play multiplayer GameCube and Wii games online with friends, as long as the game did not require a [[Wii Remote]]. The emulator's [[Graphical user interface|GUI]] was also reworked to make it more user-friendly, and the [[Direct3D]] plug-in received further work.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.emucr.com/2009/10/dolphin-bi-weekly-unofficial-svn-build.html|title=Dolphin Bi-Weekly Unofficial SVN build 4460|work=EmuCR|access-date=2 July 2017|date=27 October 2009|archive-date=10 July 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170710001443/http://www.emucr.com/2009/10/dolphin-bi-weekly-unofficial-svn-build.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

On 12 April 2010 Dolphin 2.0 was released.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.dolphin-emu.com/news.php |title=Official 2.0 Dolphin Emulator Announcement |work=Dolphin Emulator Project |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100518100032/http://www.dolphin-emu.com/news.php |archive-date=18 May 2010}}</ref><ref name="TC_OpenSource">{{cite web|url=https://techcrunch.com/2010/04/12/dolphin-the-wii-and-gamecube-emulator-has-its-first-post-open-source-release-its-really-good/|title=Dolphin, the Wii and GameCube emulator, has its first post-open source release. It's really good.|last=Deleon|first=Nicholas|date=12 April 2010|work=[[TechCrunch]]|access-date=6 June 2017|archive-date=23 June 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180623013217/https://techcrunch.com/2010/04/12/dolphin-the-wii-and-gamecube-emulator-has-its-first-post-open-source-release-its-really-good/|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== 3.0 and 3.5 releases (2010–2012) ===
By the end of November 2010, the developers had fixed most of the sound issues such as crackling, added compatibility with more games, and increased the overall emulation speed and accuracy.{{Citation needed|date=July 2017}}

In June 2011, version 3.0 was released.<ref name="Dolphin 3.0 release">{{cite web|url=http://www.qj.net/wii/news/dolphin-emulator-svn-r7613-released.html|title=Dolphin v3.0 now available|last=F.|first=Ryan|date=24 June 2011|work=QuickJump Gaming Network|publisher=Keebali Media|access-date=6 June 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110627064405/http://www.qj.net/wii/news/dolphin-emulator-svn-r7613-released.html|archive-date=2011-06-27|url-status=dead}}</ref> Strange user interface behavior, crashes, graphical glitches and other various issues were fixed. The release notes state that the majority of games "run perfectly or with minor bugs."<ref name="Dolphin 3.0 release"/> The release featured redesigned configuration windows, an improved LLE sound engine, new translations, added support for the Wii Remote speaker, EFB format change emulation, graphics debugger and audio dumping among several other new features. The 3.0 release removed the [[Plug-in (computing)|plug-in interface]] in order to "allow for a much better integration with the other parts of Dolphin." The developers also added a [[Direct3D|Direct3D 11]] video back-end and an [[XAudio2]] audio back-end.<ref name="Dolphin 3.0 release"/>

On 25 December 2012, version 3.5 of Dolphin was released, featuring support for emulating the [[GameCube accessories#Modem and Broadband adapters|GameCube Broadband Adapter]] and [[GameCube accessories#Microphone|Microphone]] accessories. It introduced a FreeBSD port, free replacement for the [[Digital signal processor|DSP]] [[firmware]], and the WBFS file format.<ref name="3.5">{{cite web |url=https://forums.dolphin-emu.org/Thread-dolphin-3-5-release-announcement |title=Dolphin 3.5 Release Announcement |website=Forums.dolphin-emu.org |access-date=22 September 2013 |archive-date=31 December 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121231133528/http://forums.dolphin-emu.org/Thread-dolphin-3-5-release-announcement |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://wiiuhax.com/released-dolphin-emulator-v3-5/|title=[Released] Dolphin Emulator v3.5|last=Rasputin|first=Gregory|date=31 December 2012|work=WiiUHaX|access-date=6 June 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171107025422/https://wiiuhax.com/released-dolphin-emulator-v3-5/|archive-date=7 November 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref>

=== Port to Android and 4.0 release (2013) ===
On 6 April 2013, the Dolphin development team released the first builds for [[Google]]'s [[Android (operating system)|Android]] mobile operating system.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.androidpolice.com/2013/04/09/new-app-dolphin-gamecube-and-wii-emulator-arrives-in-google-play-as-a-very-buggy-pre-alpha/|title=[New App] Dolphin GameCube And Wii Emulator Arrives In Google Play As A (Very Buggy) Pre-Alpha|work=Android Police|date=9 April 2013 |access-date=10 July 2015|archive-date=24 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201124155733/https://www.androidpolice.com/2013/04/09/new-app-dolphin-gamecube-and-wii-emulator-arrives-in-google-play-as-a-very-buggy-pre-alpha/|url-status=live}}</ref> As of September 2013, only a handful of devices contained the hardware to support [[OpenGL ES#OpenGL ES 3.0|OpenGL ES 3.0]], with Google officially supporting the standard in software since July 2014 with the introduction of [[Android 4.3#Android 4.3 Jelly Bean (API level 18)|Android 4.3 Jelly Bean]]. Games ran at an average of one frame per second. The developer has cited the [[Samsung Galaxy S4]] as one of the first phones capable of playing games at higher speeds, but even it would have considerable performance limitations.

On 22 September 2013, version 4.0 of Dolphin was released, featuring back-end improvements to OpenGL rendering and OpenAL audio, broader controller support, networking enhancements, and performance tweaks for macOS and Linux builds.<ref name="4.0">{{cite web |url= https://dolphin-emu.org/blog/2013/09/22/dolphin-40-release-announcement/ |title= Dolphin 4.0 Release Announcement |work= Dolphin Emulator Project |date= 22 September 2013 |access-date= 22 September 2013 |archive-date= 12 November 2020 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20201112030103/https://dolphin-emu.org/blog/2013/09/22/dolphin-40-release-announcement/ |url-status= live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.phoronix.com/scan.php?page=news_item&px=MTQ2NzE |title=Dolphin Emulator 4.0 Released For GameCube, Wii |website=Phoronix |access-date=23 September 2013 |archive-date=3 February 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190203201824/https://www.phoronix.com/scan.php?page=news_item&px=MTQ2NzE |url-status=live }}</ref> Months later, versions 4.0.1<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.emulation64.com/view/2402/Dolphin-401/|title=Dolphin 4.0.1|date=4 November 2013|work=The Emulation64 Network|access-date=28 May 2017|archive-date=7 November 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171107031806/http://www.emulation64.com/view/2402/Dolphin-401/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="4.0.1">{{cite web |url=https://dolphin-emu.org/blog/2013/10/21/dolphin-401-release-announcement/ |title=Dolphin 4.0.1 Release Announcement |work=Dolphin Emulator Project |date=21 October 2013 |access-date=21 October 2013 |archive-date=12 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112012128/https://dolphin-emu.org/blog/2013/10/21/dolphin-401-release-announcement/ |url-status=live }}</ref> and 4.0.2<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.emulation64.com/view/2408/Dolphin-402/|title=Dolphin 4.0.2|date=5 December 2013|work=The Emulation64 Network|access-date=28 May 2017|archive-date=7 November 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171107031416/http://www.emulation64.com/view/2408/Dolphin-402/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="4.0.2">{{cite web |url=https://dolphin-emu.org/blog/2013/11/30/dolphin-402-release-announcement/ |title=Dolphin 4.0.2 Release Announcement |work=Dolphin Emulator Project |date=30 November 2013 |access-date=30 November 2013 |archive-date=12 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112042710/https://dolphin-emu.org/blog/2013/11/30/dolphin-402-release-announcement/ |url-status=live }}</ref> were released, fixing minor bugs.

=== Drop of legacy technologies, accuracy improvements, and 5.0 release (2013–2016) ===
On 12 October 2013 (4.0-155), Direct3D&nbsp;9 support was removed from the project, leaving Direct3D&nbsp;11 and OpenGL as the two remaining video back-ends. The Dolphin Team explained this, stating that the plug-in was "inherently flawed" and that trying to evade its several flaws "wasted time and slowed development."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://dolphin-emu.org/blog/2013/10/12/d3d9-why-its-not-part-dolphins-future/|title=D3D9: Why It's Not a Part of Dolphin's Future|website=Dolphin Emulator Project|date=12 October 2013 |access-date=13 July 2014|archive-date=12 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112003027/https://dolphin-emu.org/blog/2013/10/12/d3d9-why-its-not-part-dolphins-future/|url-status=live}}</ref>

On 19 May 2014, the Dolphin Team announced that [[IA-32|32-bit]] support for [[Microsoft Windows|Windows]] and [[Linux]] would be dropped.<ref name="obituary-32bit">{{cite web|url=https://dolphin-emu.org/blog/2014/05/19/obituary-32bit/|title=Obituary for 32-bit|date=19 May 2014|work=Dolphin Emulator Project|access-date=13 July 2014|archive-date=22 December 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201222144606/https://dolphin-emu.org/blog/2014/05/19/obituary-32bit/|url-status=live}}</ref> The Dolphin Team stated that it was becoming increasingly difficult to maintain the 32-bit builds, and that the 32-bit releases simply offered an inferior experience compared to their [[x86-64|64-bit]] counterparts. Furthermore, the vast majority of their users were already using 64-bit CPUs, and most users of 32-bit builds were 64-bit compatible yet were using 32-bit by mistake. The combination of these factors made 32-bit support unnecessary. 32-bit Android builds suffered from similar issues, but ARMv7 support<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.legitreviews.com/steady-improvements-dolphin-emulator-open-games-nintendo-android-devices-pcs_154619|title=Steady Improvements to Dolphin Emulator Open More Games from Nintendo to Android Devices, PCs|work=Legit Reviews|date=2 December 2014 |access-date=10 July 2015|archive-date=7 November 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171107010737/http://www.legitreviews.com/steady-improvements-dolphin-emulator-open-games-nintendo-android-devices-pcs_154619|url-status=live}}</ref> remained for another year until the [[AArch64]] JIT was ready and devices were available.<ref name="remove-armv7-support">{{cite web|url=https://dolphin-emu.org/blog/2015/07/01/dolphin-progress-report-june-2015/#40-6676-remove-armv7-support-by-sonicadvance1|title=June 2015 Progress Report – Remove ARMv7 Support|work=Dolphin Emulator Project|date=July 2015 |access-date=7 July 2015|archive-date=8 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108132938/https://dolphin-emu.org/blog/2015/07/01/dolphin-progress-report-june-2015/#40-6676-remove-armv7-support-by-sonicadvance1|url-status=live}}</ref>

[[File:GBPlayer Usage.jpg|left|thumb|Game Boy Advance–GameCube linking is among the features emulated by Dolphin 5.0]]
Throughout 2014, several features were implemented into Dolphin, including disc loading emulation, native support for GameCube controllers,<ref name="PCGamer_GC-controllers">{{cite web|url=http://www.pcgamer.com/dolphin-emulator-now-has-native-gamecube-controller-support-thanks-to-nintendos-wii-u-adapter/|title=Dolphin now has native GameCube controller support with Wii U adapter|work=PC Gamer|date=14 January 2015 |access-date=10 July 2015|archive-date=8 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108091712/https://www.pcgamer.com/dolphin-emulator-now-has-native-gamecube-controller-support-thanks-to-nintendos-wii-u-adapter/|url-status=live|last1=Fenlon |first1=Wes }}</ref> perfect audio emulation,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://dolphin-emu.org/blog/2014/11/12/the-rise-of-hle-audio/|title=The Rise of HLE Audio|work=Dolphin Emulator Project|date=12 November 2014|access-date=11 January 2015|archive-date=12 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112013925/https://dolphin-emu.org/blog/2014/11/12/the-rise-of-hle-audio/|url-status=live}}</ref> and bug fixes for problems which had been present since the emulator's earliest days.<ref name="best-changes-2014"/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://dolphin-emu.org/blog/2014/12/17/best-bug-fixes-2014/|title=Best Bug Fixes of 2014|work=Dolphin Emulator Project|date=17 December 2014 |access-date=10 July 2015|archive-date=11 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201111220410/https://dolphin-emu.org/blog/2014/12/17/best-bug-fixes-2014/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="best-features-2014">{{cite web|url=https://dolphin-emu.org/blog/2014/12/19/best-new-features-2014/|title=Best New Features of 2014|work=Dolphin Emulator Project|date=19 December 2014 |access-date=10 July 2015|archive-date=12 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112024848/https://dolphin-emu.org/blog/2014/12/19/best-new-features-2014/|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Memory management unit]] (MMU) improvements allowed many games to boot and work properly for the first time.<ref name="best-changes-2014">{{cite web|url=https://dolphin-emu.org/blog/2014/12/23/best-core-changes-2014/|title=Best Core Changes of 2014|work=Dolphin Emulator Project|date=23 December 2014 |access-date=11 January 2015|archive-date=24 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201124232626/https://dolphin-emu.org/blog/2014/12/23/best-core-changes-2014/|url-status=live}}</ref> Improvements towards the emulator also allowed for it to run well on [[Android (operating system)|Android]] using the [[Tegra|Nvidia Tegra]] processor, albeit with minor difficulties.<ref name="Kotaku_Shield"/>

In coordination with the developers of the ''[[VBA-M]]'' [[Game Boy Advance]] emulator, support for [[GameCube – Game Boy Advance link cable|linking GameCube and Game Boy Advance games]] was implemented into Dolphin in March 2015.<ref name="Kotaku_Shield">{{cite web|url=http://kotaku.com/gamecube-games-now-running-on-one-android-device-1715286270|title=GameCube Games Now Running On One Android Device|last=Plunkett|first=Luke|date=1 July 2015|work=[[Kotaku]]|publisher=[[Gizmodo Media Group]]|access-date=16 July 2017|archive-date=3 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210103154932/https://kotaku.com/gamecube-games-now-running-on-one-android-device-1715286270|url-status=live}}</ref>

On 25 May 2015&nbsp;– the Dolphin Development team announced that they had successfully [[Software relicensing|re-licensed]] the code base from "GPL-2.0-only" to "GPL-2.0-or-later" in order to improve [[license compatibility]] with other [[Free and open-source software|Free and open-source]] projects and be able to share and exchange code with them.<ref name="relicense">{{cite web |url=https://dolphin-emu.org/blog/2015/05/25/relicensing-dolphin/ |title=Relicensing Dolphin: The long road to GPLv2+ |work=Dolphin Emulator Project |author=JMC47 |author2=MaJoR |date=25 May 2015 |access-date=28 May 2015 |archive-date=14 December 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201214152911/https://dolphin-emu.org/blog/2015/05/25/relicensing-dolphin/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="GOL_Vulkan"/><ref name="PCGamer_Ethics"/>

In August 2015, the Dolphin developers announced further improvements with audio<ref>{{cite web|url=http://kotaku.com/it-s-a-little-technical-but-this-post-by-the-dolphin-t-1725223257|title=The New Era of HLE Audio|last=Plunkett|first=Luke|work=[[Kotaku]]|publisher=[[Gizmodo Media Group]]|date=19 August 2015|access-date=16 July 2017|archive-date=24 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200924134523/https://kotaku.com/it-s-a-little-technical-but-this-post-by-the-dolphin-t-1725223257|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://dolphin-emu.org/blog/2015/08/19/new-era-hle-audio/|title=The New Era of HLE Audio|work=Dolphin Emulator Project|date=19 August 2015|access-date=16 July 2017|archive-date=8 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108115817/https://dolphin-emu.org/blog/2015/08/19/new-era-hle-audio/|url-status=live}}</ref> and throughout December 2015 the Dolphin project fixed audio issues on TR Wii Remotes.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=https://dolphin-emu.org/blog/2016/01/02/dolphin-progress-report-december-2015/|title=Dolphin Emulator progress report december 2015|work=Dolphin Emulator Project|date=2 January 2016 |access-date=4 March 2016|archive-date=8 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108175504/https://dolphin-emu.org/blog/2016/01/02/dolphin-progress-report-december-2015/|url-status=live}}</ref> Two months later, in February 2016, a [[Direct3D 12]] back-end was mainlined after months of development.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pcgamer.com/dolphin-emulator-sees-big-speed-improvements-with-directx-12-support/|title=Dolphin emulator sees big speed improvements with DirectX 12 support|work=[[PC Gamer]]|date=16 February 2016 |access-date=26 May 2017|archive-date=8 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108125932/https://www.pcgamer.com/dolphin-emulator-sees-big-speed-improvements-with-directx-12-support/|url-status=live|last1=Porter |first1=Matt }}</ref>

On 24 June 2016, version 5.0 of Dolphin was released, making various fixes and additions to the emulator.<ref name="5.0">{{cite web|url=http://www.shacknews.com/article/95504/dolphin-emulator-launches-version-50-becoming-most-accurate-and-efficient-release-to-date|title=Dolphin emulator launches version 5.0, becoming most accurate and efficient release to date|last=Perez|first=Daniel|date=24 June 2016|work=[[Shacknews]]|access-date=25 July 2017|archive-date=3 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210103153533/https://www.shacknews.com/article/95504/dolphin-emulator-launches-version-50-becoming-most-accurate-and-efficient-release-to-date|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.phoronix.com/scan.php?page=news_item&px=Dolphin-5.0-Released|title=Dolpin 5.0 Emulator Released, Now Requires OpenGL 3 & 64-bit|work=Phoronix|access-date=27 May 2018|archive-date=29 December 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201229205754/https://www.phoronix.com/scan.php?page=news_item|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Post-5.0 developments (2016–2022) ===
Development of a [[Vulkan (API)|Vulkan-based]] graphics renderer began in June 2016.<ref name="GOL_Vulkan">{{cite web|url=https://www.gamingonlinux.com/articles/dolphin-the-gamecube-and-wii-emulator-is-working-on-a-vulkan-backend.7509|title=Dolphin, the GameCube and Wii emulator is working on a Vulkan backend|last=Dawe|first=Liam|date=27 June 2016|work=GamingOnLinux|access-date=28 May 2017|archive-date=11 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210511165055/https://www.gamingonlinux.com/articles/dolphin-the-gamecube-and-wii-emulator-is-working-on-a-vulkan-backend.7509|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.phoronix.com/scan.php?page=news_item&px=Vulkan-For-Dolphin|title=Dolphin Emulator Is Working On A Vulkan Backend|work=Phoronix|access-date=27 May 2018|archive-date=29 December 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201229205754/https://www.phoronix.com/scan.php?page=news_item|url-status=live}}</ref> After a month, the developer announced that it is "now feature-complete" and that it's "time for clean-ups/bug-fixing/performance work."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gamingonlinux.com/articles/vulkan-backend-for-the-dolphin-emulator-is-now-feature-complete.7711|title=Vulkan backend for the Dolphin emulator is now feature complete|last=Dawe|first=Liam|date=23 July 2016|work=GamingOnLinux|access-date=28 May 2017|archive-date=11 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210511165036/https://www.gamingonlinux.com/articles/vulkan-backend-for-the-dolphin-emulator-is-now-feature-complete.7711|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.phoronix.com/scan.php?page=news_item&px=Dolphin-Vulkan-Feature-Complete|title=Dolphin Emulator's Vulkan Back-End Is Now Feature Complete|work=Phoronix|access-date=27 May 2018|archive-date=29 December 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201229205754/https://www.phoronix.com/scan.php?page=news_item|url-status=live}}</ref> Development of the renderer was still done in a dedicated [[Branch (software)|branch]] for the next few months until the code was finally merged in October 2016.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.phoronix.com/scan.php?page=news_item&px=Dolphin-Vulkan-Lands|title=Dolphin GameCube/Wii Emulator Lands Its Vulkan Backend|date=1 October 2016|work=[[Phoronix]]|access-date=28 May 2017|archive-date=29 December 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201229205754/https://www.phoronix.com/scan.php?page=news_item|url-status=live}}</ref>

In September 2016, Dolphin's developers announced the emulator was now able to boot all official GameCube titles. The last title to be supported for boot-up, ''[[Star Wars: The Clone Wars (2002 video game)|Star Wars: The Clone Wars]]'', had been particularly difficult to emulate due to the game's use of the [[memory management unit]].<ref>{{cite web|last1=Frank|first1=Allegra|title=Dolphin emulator can now boot up entire GameCube library|url=http://www.polygon.com/2016/9/6/12817668/dolphin-emulator-gamecube-games|website=[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]]|publisher=[[Vox Media]]|access-date=7 September 2016|date=6 September 2016|archive-date=10 December 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201210140821/https://www.polygon.com/2016/9/6/12817668/dolphin-emulator-gamecube-games|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pcgamer.com/dolphin-emulator-can-now-boot-every-single-official-gamecube-game/|title=Dolphin emulator can now boot every single official GameCube game|work=[[PC Gamer]]|date=6 September 2016 |access-date=26 May 2017|archive-date=8 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108134734/https://www.pcgamer.com/dolphin-emulator-can-now-boot-every-single-official-gamecube-game/|url-status=live|last1=Donnelly |first1=Joe }}</ref> [[Triforce (arcade system board)|Triforce]] emulation was removed due to lack of maintenance.<ref name="progress-report-august-2016">{{Cite web|url=https://dolphin-emu.org/blog/2016/09/01/dolphin-progress-report-august-2016/|title=Dolphin Emulator|work=Dolphin Emulator Project|date=September 2016 |access-date=16 September 2016|archive-date=8 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108111745/https://dolphin-emu.org/blog/2016/09/01/dolphin-progress-report-august-2016/|url-status=live}}</ref>

In March 2017, support was added for the [[Wii Shop Channel]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2017/03/this-wii-emulator-lets-you-buy-actual-games-from-nintendos-shop-channel/|title=This Wii emulator lets you buy actual games from Nintendo's Shop Channel|last=Orland|first=Kyle|date=21 March 2017|work=[[Ars Technica]]|access-date=26 March 2017|archive-date=12 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112010949/https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2017/03/this-wii-emulator-lets-you-buy-actual-games-from-nintendos-shop-channel/|url-status=live}}</ref>

Two experimental features, both of which never reached maturity, were removed in May 2017: The [[#Drop of legacy technologies, accuracy improvements, and 5.0 release (2013–2016)|Direct3D 12 renderer]] – which found a suitable replacement in the Vulkan back-end – and the alternative CPU emulator [[Just-in-time compiler|JIT]]&nbsp;[[Intermediate language|IL]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://dolphin-emu.org/blog/2017/06/03/dolphin-progress-report-may-2017/|title=Dolphin Progress Report: May 2017|work=Dolphin Emulator Project|date=3 June 2017 |access-date=4 June 2017|archive-date=24 December 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201224075401/https://dolphin-emu.org/blog/2017/06/03/dolphin-progress-report-may-2017/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.phoronix.com/scan.php?page=news_item&px=Dolphin-May-2017-Recap|title=Dolphin Emulator Drops D3D12 Backend, Focuses On Vulkan|work=[[Phoronix]]|access-date=4 June 2017|archive-date=29 December 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201229205754/https://www.phoronix.com/scan.php?page=news_item|url-status=live}}</ref>

Continuing this year's earlier work on graphics performance-related matters, Dolphin developers implemented a solution for the long-standing problem known as [[shader]] compilation stuttering.<ref name="GOL_Ubershaders">{{cite web|url=https://www.gamingonlinux.com/articles/the-gamecube-and-wii-emulator-dolphin-implements-ubershaders-to-solve-stuttering.10068/|title=The GameCube and Wii emulator, Dolphin, implements "Ubershaders" to solve stuttering|date=30 July 2017|work=GamingOnLinux|access-date=6 August 2017|archive-date=11 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210511165029/https://www.gamingonlinux.com/articles/the-gamecube-and-wii-emulator-dolphin-implements-ubershaders-to-solve-stuttering.10068/|url-status=live}}</ref> The stuttering is caused by the emulator waiting for the graphics driver to compile shaders required for new environments or objects. The solution that the ''Ubershaders'' – in development since 2015<ref>{{cite web|title=Ubershaders: A Ridiculous Solution to an Impossible Problem|url=https://dolphin-emu.org/blog/2017/07/30/ubershaders/|website=Dolphin Emulator Project|access-date=1 August 2017|date=30 July 2017|archive-date=21 December 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201221140722/https://dolphin-emu.org/blog/2017/07/30/ubershaders/|url-status=live}}</ref> – present to the problem was to emulate the Wii's and GameCube's rendering pipeline by way of an [[Interpreter (computing)|interpreter]] running on the host system's [[graphics processor]] itself until a specialized shader has been compiled and can be used for future frames, at a lower cost to performance.<ref name="GOL_Ubershaders"/>

18 August 2017 marks the culmination of work started in late 2016 when the [[cross-platform]] [[MMORPG]] ''[[Dragon Quest X]]'' was added to the list of playable games just two months before support for the online functionality of the Wii version was dropped.<ref name=DQX>{{cite web|title=Emulating Dragon Quest X Online|url=https://dolphin-emu.org/blog/2017/08/23/emulating-dqx-online/|website=Dolphin Emulator Project|access-date=15 December 2017|date=23 August 2017|archive-date=12 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112031208/https://dolphin-emu.org/blog/2017/08/23/emulating-dqx-online/|url-status=live}}</ref> The addition relied on a number of features that had been previously added to the emulator simply for the sake of accuracy, such as support for the [[Wii Shop Channel]]. Support for Wii File System, an encrypted [[file system]] that was originally designed for the [[Wii U]], was also added after a rigorous amount of [[reverse engineering]].<ref name=DQX />

In the first half of 2018 Dolphin's developers deprecated the [[wxWidgets]] [[GUI toolkit]] and replaced it with one based on [[Qt (software)|Qt]] because the original GUI toolkit's limitations stood in the way of implementing new features.<ref name="port to Qt (1)">{{cite web|url=https://dolphin-emu.org/blog/2017/06/03/dolphin-progress-report-may-2017/#qt-ie-patootie|title=Dolphin Progress Report: May 2017 – Qt-ie Patootie|work=Dolphin Emulator Project|date=3 June 2017 |access-date=4 June 2017|archive-date=24 December 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201224075401/https://dolphin-emu.org/blog/2017/06/03/dolphin-progress-report-may-2017/#qt-ie-patootie|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="port to Qt (2)">{{cite web|url=https://dolphin-emu.org/blog/2018/05/02/legend-dolphin-lens-between-worlds/#epilogue-tldr|title=The Legend of Dolphin: A Lens Between Worlds|work=Dolphin Emulator Project|date=2 May 2018 |access-date=12 May 2018|archive-date=9 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201109005054/https://dolphin-emu.org/blog/2018/05/02/legend-dolphin-lens-between-worlds/#epilogue-tldr|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="port to Qt (3)">{{cite web |title=Dolphin Emulator - Dolphin Progress Report_ January 2018 |date=3 February 2018 |url=https://dolphin-emu.org/blog/2018/02/03/dolphin-progress-report-january-2018/#irresistibly-qt |access-date=14 May 2019 |archive-date=9 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201109041540/https://dolphin-emu.org/blog/2018/02/03/dolphin-progress-report-january-2018/#irresistibly-qt |url-status=live }}</ref> Among the other newly introduced features were ''Asynchronous Shader Compilation'' similar to [[#Ishiiruka|Ishiiruka]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://dolphin-emu.org/blog/2018/04/02/dolphin-progress-report-february-and-march-2018/#presenting-a-change-to-shader-generation|title=Dolphin Progress Report: February and March 2018 – Presenting a Change to Shader Generation|work=Dolphin Emulator Project|date=2 April 2018 |access-date=24 July 2018|archive-date=9 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201109023500/https://dolphin-emu.org/blog/2018/04/02/dolphin-progress-report-february-and-march-2018/#presenting-a-change-to-shader-generation|url-status=live}}</ref> an auto-update feature,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://dolphin-emu.org/blog/2018/06/03/dolphin-progress-report-april-and-may-2018/#50-7088-enable-auto-updater-by-default-by-spycrab0-and-delroth|title=Dolphin Progress Report: April and May 2018 – Enable Auto-Updater by Default|work=Dolphin Emulator Project|date=3 June 2018 |access-date=24 July 2018|archive-date=9 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201109023152/https://dolphin-emu.org/blog/2018/06/03/dolphin-progress-report-april-and-may-2018/#50-7088-enable-auto-updater-by-default-by-spycrab0-and-delroth|url-status=live}}</ref> and integration with [[Discord (software)|Discord]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://dolphin-emu.org/blog/2018/07/06/dolphin-progress-report-june-2018/#50-8232-discord-rich-presence-support-by-yourwaifu|title=Dolphin Progress Report: June 2018|work=Dolphin Emulator Project|date=6 July 2018 |access-date=24 July 2018|archive-date=9 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201109123842/https://dolphin-emu.org/blog/2018/07/06/dolphin-progress-report-june-2018/#50-8232-discord-rich-presence-support-by-yourwaifu|url-status=live}}</ref>

In the summer of 2018 Dolphin's Vulkan renderer was brought to macOS via [[MoltenVK]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://iphoneparadise.com/2018/06/03/dolphin-will-be-getting-vulkan-support-on-macos-using-moltenvk/|title=Dolphin will be getting Vulkan support on macOS using MoltenVK|website=iPhone Paradise|access-date=27 December 2018|archive-date=28 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181228035600/http://iphoneparadise.com/2018/06/03/dolphin-will-be-getting-vulkan-support-on-macos-using-moltenvk/|url-status=dead}}</ref> and the Android version was brought back to [[Google Play]] with monthly updates.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.androidauthority.com/dolphin-android-emulator-892267/|title=The Dolphin Android emulator for GameCube/Wii is back on the Play Store|website=Android Authority|date=3 August 2018 |access-date=27 December 2018|archive-date=27 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201127202706/https://www.androidauthority.com/dolphin-android-emulator-892267/|url-status=live}}</ref> In April 2019, Dolphin added 3 new features; unification of common video backends, a NetPlay Server browser, and [[Wii MotionPlus]] emulation. The Direct3D 12 renderer was also brought back.

During the time-frame between November 2019 and January 2020, support for [[Windows RT#Successors|Windows 10 on ARM]] was added. According to the developers, "[i]t turned out to be quite easy" because support for AArch64 hardware has already been present as part of the Android port.<ref name="Windows-on-ARM64"/>

In the May and June Progress Report for 2020 the Dolphin team unveiled a new compression format, based upon the WIA format and using [[zstd]], called RVZ.<ref>{{cite web |title=Add support for the WIA and RVZ disc image formats by JosJuice · Pull Request #8538 · dolphin-emu/dolphin |url=https://github.com/dolphin-emu/dolphin/pull/8538#issuecomment-628153044 |website=GitHub |access-date=23 August 2020 |language=en |archive-date=3 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210103140249/https://github.com/dolphin-emu/dolphin/pull/8538#issuecomment-628153044 |url-status=live }}</ref> The article claims that RVZ, compared to the NKit format, properly emulates load times.<ref name='mayjune2020progressreport'>{{cite web |title=Dolphin Emulator |url=https://dolphin-emu.org/blog/2020/07/05/dolphin-progress-report-may-and-june-2020/#cuthere |website=Dolphin Emulator |date=5 July 2020 |access-date=23 August 2020 |language=en-us |archive-date=21 December 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201221161940/https://dolphin-emu.org/blog/2020/07/05/dolphin-progress-report-may-and-june-2020/#cuthere |url-status=live }}</ref> Additionally, the article claims that RVZ approaches or excels the file sizes of "scrubbed" WIA and GCZ disk images while remaining lossless.<ref name='mayjune2020progressreport'/>

In the December 2020 and January 2021 Progress Report, the Dolphin team reported that support had been added for emulating [[Nintendo DS]] Connectivity with various Wii titles. The article stated that this development would not lead to Dolphin and DS interoperability, either with physical hardware or with another emulator.<ref name=":1" /> This new emulation fixed a crash present in ''[[Driver: San Francisco]]'' and other games that attempt to initiate DS communications.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|title=Dolphin Emulator|url=https://dolphin-emu.org/blog/2021/02/11/dolphin-progress-report-december-2020-and-january-2021/|access-date=2021-02-27|website=Dolphin Emulator|date=11 February 2021 |language=en-us|archive-date=25 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210225195018/https://dolphin-emu.org/blog/2021/02/11/dolphin-progress-report-december-2020-and-january-2021/|url-status=live}}</ref>

In May 2021, Dolphin added support for [[macOS]] on ARM64, which had been a heavily requested feature following the announcement of the [[Mac transition to Apple Silicon]].<ref name="Temptations of the Apple">{{Cite web |date=24 May 2021 |title=Dolphin Emulator - Temptations of the Apple |url=https://dolphin-emu.org/blog/2021/05/24/temptation-of-the-apple-dolphin-on-macos-m1/ |website=Dolphin Emulator |language=en-us |access-date=9 June 2022 |archive-date=9 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220609192306/https://dolphin-emu.org/blog/2021/05/24/temptation-of-the-apple-dolphin-on-macos-m1/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In July 2021, the Dolphin team announced the integration of the [[mGBA]] emulator into Dolphin, allowing a Game Boy Advance emulator to run within Dolphin simultaneously to simulate [[GameCube – Game Boy Advance link cable|GameCube-GBA connectivity]]. In addition to supporting transfer of data to and from emulated GBA titles, up to four Game Boy Advance instances can be simultaneously active in Dolphin at once, making multiplayer in games that require the GBA such as ''[[The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords Adventures]]'' and ''[[Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles (video game)|Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles]]'' viable within Dolphin locally and via netplay.<ref name="Integrated GBA">{{Cite web|title=mGBA Integration: Introducing the Integrated GBA|url=https://dolphin-emu.org/blog/2021/07/21/integrated-gba/|access-date=2021-07-21|website=Dolphin Emulator|date=21 July 2021 |language=en-us|archive-date=21 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210721160550/https://dolphin-emu.org/blog/2021/07/21/integrated-gba/|url-status=live}}</ref>

In June 2022, the Dolphin developers announced that subsequent versions would not run on [[Windows 7]], [[Windows 8]] and [[Windows 8.1]], citing that less than 2% of users and none of the developers still used these operating systems, making developing and testing on them difficult, and that the newest versions of the emulator's dependencies such as [[Qt (software)|Qt]] no longer supported them.<ref name="End of Windows 7 support">{{Cite web|title=Dolphin Emulator - Leaving a Legend: Saying Goodbye to Windows 7|url=https://dolphin-emu.org/blog/2022/06/09/leaving-a-legend/|website=Dolphin Emulator|date=9 June 2022|language=en-us|access-date=9 June 2022|archive-date=9 June 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220609060002/https://dolphin-emu.org/blog/2022/06/09/leaving-a-legend/|url-status=live}}</ref> In July 2022, Dolphin developers released a graphics mod infrastructure, allowing users to make graphical changes while a game's images are being rendered.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bailey |first=Dustin |date=2022-07-07 |title=Wii and GameCube games can look better than ever thanks to Dolphin emulator upgrades |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/wii-and-gamecube-games-can-look-better-than-ever-thanks-to-dolphin-emulator-upgrades/ |access-date=2022-07-18 |website=gamesradar |language=en |archive-date=18 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220718204027/https://www.gamesradar.com/wii-and-gamecube-games-can-look-better-than-ever-thanks-to-dolphin-emulator-upgrades/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In September 2022, the [[macOS]] version added a native [[Metal (API)|Metal]] graphics backend, which featured improved performance over the [[Vulkan]] backend running via [[MoltenVK]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-09-13 |title=Dolphin Progress Report: July and August 2022 |url=https://dolphin-emu.org/blog/2022/09/13/dolphin-progress-report-july-and-august-2022/ |access-date=2022-09-18 |website=Dolphin Emulator |language=en-us |archive-date=15 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220915133430/https://dolphin-emu.org/blog/2022/09/13/dolphin-progress-report-july-and-august-2022/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Cancelled Steam release and objections from Nintendo (2023) ===
In March 2023, the Dolphin developers announced that they would be releasing a version of the emulator on the [[Steam (service)|Steam]] platform, in "early access", by Q2 2023. On the Steam page there were no depictions of officially licensed Wii or GameCube games, no specific mention of Nintendo by the Dolphin developers and a statement that "this app does not come with games". The Dolphin developers touted that the Steam version would have better integration into Steam UI which followed the Dolphin developers receiving a [[Steam Deck]] ahead of its release.<ref>{{unbulleted list |{{Cite web |date=2023-03-28 |title=Random: The GameCube & Wii Emulator Dolphin Is Coming To Steam In Q2 2023 |url=https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2023/03/random-the-gamecube-and-wii-emulator-dolphin-is-coming-to-steam-in-q2-2023 |access-date=2023-05-27 |website=Nintendo Life |language=en-GB}}|{{Cite web |date=2023-03-28 |title=Steam Is Getting A GameCube And Nintendo Wii Emulator |url=https://kotaku.com/nintendo-gamecube-wii-dolphin-emulator-steam-deck-1850274803 |access-date=2023-05-27 |website=Kotaku |language=en}}|{{Cite news |author1=Wes Fenlon |date=2023-03-28 |title=GameCube and Wii emulator Dolphin is coming to Steam this year |language=en |work=PC Gamer |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/gamecube-and-wii-emulator-dolphin-is-coming-to-steam-this-year/ |access-date=2023-05-27}}|{{Cite web |title=Dolphin is releasing its Gamecube and Wii emulator on Steam |url=https://www.engadget.com/dolphin-is-releasing-its-gamecube-and-wii-emulator-on-steam-193356400.html |access-date=2023-05-27 |website=Engadget |date=29 March 2023 |language=en-US}}|{{Cite web |last=Welsh |first=Oli |date=2023-03-28 |title=GameCube and Wii emulator Dolphin is coming to Steam |url=https://www.polygon.com/23659845/dolphin-emulator-gamecube-wii-steam-release-date |access-date=2023-05-27 |website=Polygon |language=en-US}}|{{Cite web |title=GameCube and Wii Dolphin Emulator Coming To Steam |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/gamecube-and-wii-dolphin-emulator-coming-to-steam/1100-6512745/ |access-date=2023-05-27 |website=GameSpot |language=en-US}}}}</ref> In May 2023, they announced that the Steam release would be indefinitely postponed due to a cease and desist citing the [[DMCA]] from Nintendo sent to Valve. Project treasurer Pierre Bourdon, who was named in the email, stated that the presence of an [[AES-128]] key used to encrypt Wii game discs in the emulator's source code may have allowed Nintendo to take down the Steam release.<ref name="takedownpcgamer">{{Cite news |author1=Wes Fenlon |date=2023-05-26 |title=Nintendo sends Valve DMCA notice to block Steam release of Wii emulator Dolphin |language=en |work=PC Gamer |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/nintendo-sends-valve-dmca-notice-to-block-steam-release-of-wii-emulator-dolphin/ |access-date=2023-05-29}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.theverge.com/2023/5/28/23740749/nintendo-wii-dolphin-emulator-steam-pc-gaming |title=Dolphin says Nintendo blocked a Steam release of its Wii and GameCube emulator |date=May 28, 2023 |last=Davis |first=Wes |work=[[The Verge]] |access-date=May 29, 2023}}</ref> A spokesperson for Nintendo stated to Kotaku that Dolphin "illegally circumvents Nintendo's protection measures" and that "illegal emulators or illegal copies of games harms development and ultimately stifles innovation". YouTuber and video game developer Dimitris Giannakis stated on his ''Modern Vintage Gamer'' channel that he found evidence, in 2020, of a user named "Littlemac123" warning about the presence of the keys in the [[RetroArch]] Core source code.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Doolan |first=Liam |date=2023-05-29 |title=Dolphin Emulator Steam Release "Indefinitely Postponed" |url=https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2023/05/dolphin-emulator-steam-release-indefinitely-postponed |access-date=2023-05-29 |website=Nintendo Life |language=en-GB}}</ref>

On July 20, 2023, the Dolphin developers announced that the planned Steam release for the emulator has been cancelled due to legal objections from Nintendo.<ref name="commonkey1">{{Cite web |date=2023-07-20 |title=What Happened to Dolphin on Steam? |url=https://dolphin-emu.org/blog/2023/07/20/what-happened-to-dolphin-on-steam/ |access-date=2023-07-26 |website=Dolphin Emulator |language=en-us}}</ref><ref name="Hollister">{{Cite web |last=Hollister |first=Sean |date=2023-07-20 |title=Dolphin emulator gives up on Steam — but won't remove Wii decryption key |url=https://www.theverge.com/2023/7/20/22302205/dolphin-emulator-steam-legal-argument |access-date=2023-07-26 |website=The Verge |language=en-US}}</ref> They clarified in a blog post that Nintendo did not issue a DMCA notice but was actually contacted by Valve who sought Nintendo's approval prior to allowing Dolphin to be released on Steam. They also announced that they would not remove the decryption key following legal consultation over its use, arguing that the presence of the AES key used by the Wii to decrypt retail games falls under the reverse engineering exemption in 17 U.S.C. § 1201(f), which allows for interoperability, and has mentioned how the key in question has become common knowledge since its discovery.<ref name="commonkey1"/> As a result, google searches for the emulator [[streisand effect|have surged]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://somegadgetguy.com/2023/05/27/an-open-letter-to-nintendo-about-emulators-youre-doing-it-wrong/ |title=An open letter to Nintendo about emulators: you're doing it wrong |date=2023-05-27 |author=Juan Carlos Bagnell}}</ref>

=== Rolling release cycle (2024–ongoing) ===
On July 2, 2024, the developers announced that Dolphin was moving to a [[rolling release]] cycle going forward. This means there will be no version 6.0, but instead more frequent smaller updates. The first release using this new cadence is Dolphin 2407.<ref>{{Cite web |last=MayImilae |date=2024-07-02 |title=Dolphin Releases Announcement |url=https://dolphin-emu.org/blog/2024/07/02/dolphin-releases-announcement/ |access-date=2024-07-02 |website=Dolphin Emulator |language=en-us}}</ref> Later that month, Dolphin added support for RetroAchievements on GameCube games.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Fenlon |first=Wes |date=2024-07-15 |title=Dolphin emulator launches RetroAchievements support for more than 100 classic GameCube games, crashing its servers in the process |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/software/dolphin-emulator-launches-retroachievements-support-for-more-than-100-classic-gamecube-games-crashing-its-servers-in-the-process/ |access-date=2024-07-16 |work=PC Gamer |language=en}}</ref> On June 4, 2025, Dolphin added support for [[Wii Speak]] emulation and game requested [[anisotropic filtering]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-06-04 |title=Dolphin Progress Report: Release 2506 |url=https://dolphin-emu.org/blog/2025/06/04/dolphin-progress-report-release-2506/ |access-date=2025-06-30 |website=Dolphin Emulator |language=en-us}}</ref>

== Features ==
[[File:Calonnec classiquewiimote.JPG|right|thumb|Peripherals connected to the Bluetooth-enabled Wii Remotes also work with Dolphin]]
Features of Dolphin include the ability to start games regardless of [[regional lockout|region]], record [[tool-assisted speedrun]]s,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://kotaku.com/nintendo-emulator-developer-passes-away-1700484468|title=Nintendo Emulator Developer Passes Away|author=Patrick Klepek|publisher=[[Gizmodo Media Group]]|work=Kotaku|date=27 April 2015 |access-date=21 July 2015|archive-date=8 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108120424/http://kotaku.com/nintendo-emulator-developer-passes-away-1700484468|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://totalgamingnetwork.com/content.php?3142-Dolphin-Emulator-Contributor-Rachel-Bryk-Passes-Away|title=Dolphin Emulator Contributor Rachel Bryk Passes Away|work=Total Gaming Network|access-date=21 July 2015|archive-date=7 November 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171107011359/http://totalgamingnetwork.com/content.php?3142-Dolphin-Emulator-Contributor-Rachel-Bryk-Passes-Away|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://dolphin-emu.org/blog/2015/04/25/commemoration-rachel-bryk/|title=A Commemoration for Rachel Bryk|work=Dolphin Emulator Project|date=25 April 2015 |access-date=21 July 2015|archive-date=24 December 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201224034022/https://dolphin-emu.org/blog/2015/04/25/commemoration-rachel-bryk/|url-status=live}}</ref> and the use of [[Cheating in video games#Memory editing software|cheat codes]] with [[Action Replay]] and Gecko. Functions of the original [[GameCube controller]]s and [[Wii Remote]]s can be mapped to PC controllers.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://wiki.dolphin-emu.org/index.php?title=Configuring_Controllers|title=Configuring Controllers|work=Dolphin Emulator Project|access-date=1 November 2014|archive-date=23 December 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201223184613/https://wiki.dolphin-emu.org/index.php?title=Configuring_Controllers|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="map controls">{{cite web|url=http://www.giga.de/konsolen/gamecube/specials/der-gamecube-emulator-mit-dolphin-alte-klassiker-am-pc-und-auf-android-zocken/|title=Der Gamecube-Emulator: Mit Dolphin alte Klassiker am PC und auf Android zocken|work=GIGA|language=de|access-date=10 July 2015|archive-date=21 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201021081836/https://www.giga.de/konsolen/gamecube/specials/der-gamecube-emulator-mit-dolphin-alte-klassiker-am-pc-und-auf-android-zocken/|url-status=live}}</ref> The emulator allows for the use of real GameCube controllers through the use of a [[GameCube controller#Use on subsequent consoles|USB adapter]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://kotaku.com/5866481/how-to-play-wii-games-in-high-definition-on-your-pc|title=How To Play Wii Games In High Definition, On Your PC|last=Plunkett|first=Luke|date=9 December 2011|work=[[Kotaku]]|publisher=[[Gizmodo Media Group]]|access-date=16 July 2017|archive-date=23 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181123150941/https://kotaku.com/5866481/how-to-play-wii-games-in-high-definition-on-your-pc|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="PCGamer_GC-controllers"/> and Wii Remotes through [[Bluetooth]] connection.<ref name="pc-magazin.de">{{cite web
 |url          = https://www.pc-magazin.de/ratgeber/systemvoraussetzungen-206263.html
 |title        = Wii-Spiele und -Steuerung auf dem PC in HD mit "Dolphin"
 |last         = Retting
 |first        = Georg
 |date         = 17 November 2011
 |work         = PC Magazin
 |publisher    = Weka Media Publishing GmbH
 |language     = de
 |access-date  = 1 November 2014
 |page         = 2
 |archive-date = 20 October 2020
 |archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20201020154702/https://www.pc-magazin.de/ratgeber/systemvoraussetzungen-206263.html
 |url-status   = live
}}</ref> Controller expansions are also supported, including the [[Wii MotionPlus]] adapter, [[Wii Remote#Nunchuk|Nunchuk]], [[Classic Controller]], Guitar, Drums, and Turntable.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ubuntuhandbook.org/index.php/2013/10/install-dolphin-emulator-ubuntu-13-10-linux-mint-16/|title=Install Dolphin Emulator 4.0 in Ubuntu 13.10 or Linux Mint 16|work=UbuntuHandbook|access-date=16 July 2017|archive-date=27 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201027174021/http://ubuntuhandbook.org/index.php/2013/10/install-dolphin-emulator-ubuntu-13-10-linux-mint-16/|url-status=live}}</ref>

Two kinds of network play are supported by Dolphin: Emulated local multiplayer<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.smashladder.com/blogs/view/26m0/2016-06-02/dolphin-5-0-and-netplay-everything-you-should-know|title=Dolphin 5.0 and Netplay: Everything You Should Know|last=Salvato|first=Dan|date=2 June 2016|access-date=16 July 2017|archive-date=8 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108145727/https://www.smashladder.com/blogs/view/26m0/2016-06-02/dolphin-5-0-and-netplay-everything-you-should-know|url-status=live}}</ref> and [[Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection]].<ref name="Ars_MarioKart" /> The first only works among Dolphin users. It applies to games that by default have no online option. The second kind is for online gameplay for [[List of Wii Wi-Fi Connection games|WFC supported Wii games]] with other Dolphin users as well as real Wii users.<ref name="4.0" /><ref>{{cite web |url=https://dolphin-emu.org/docs/guides/wii-network-guide/ |title=Official Dolphin Emulator Website – Wii Network Guide |work=Dolphin Emulator Project |access-date=22 September 2013 |archive-date=22 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201122010406/https://dolphin-emu.org/docs/guides/wii-network-guide/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Ars_MarioKart" />

Game progress can be saved on virtual [[GameCube Memory Card]]s, emulated [[Wii#Memory storage|Wii flash memory]], and [[save state]]s. Dolphin features a Memory Card Manager which allows transfer of save files to and from virtual GameCube memory cards.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://dolphin-emu.org/blog/2014/12/19/best-new-features-2014/#ability-to-use-a-folder-as-a-memory-card-by-lpfaint99|title=Best New Features of 2014: Ability to use a folder as a Memory Card|work=Dolphin Emulator Project|date=19 December 2014 |access-date=10 July 2015|archive-date=12 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112024848/https://dolphin-emu.org/blog/2014/12/19/best-new-features-2014/#ability-to-use-a-folder-as-a-memory-card-by-lpfaint99|url-status=live}}</ref>

In conjunction with an integrated [[Game Boy Advance]] emulator, Dolphin supports [[Nintendo GameCube – Game Boy Advance link cable|linking GameCube and Game Boy Advance titles]].<ref name="Integrated GBA"/>

=== Independent of Wii controllers ===
Dolphin does not require Wii Remotes or Nunchuks for all games. For example, ''[[New Super Mario Bros. Wii]]'' requires Wii Remote, or Wii Remote + Nunchuk for the Wii hardware console, but any controller can be used to play the game from Dolphin.

=== Graphical improvements ===
[[File:Anti-aliasing demo.svg|thumb|right|150px|Demonstration of anti-aliasing using simple shapes]]
Like many other console emulators on PC, Dolphin supports arbitrary resolutions,<ref name="best-features-2014"/><ref name="Eurogamer"/><ref name="1up"/> whereas the GameCube and Wii only support up to [[480p]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2017-03-17-wii-emulator-is-so-accurate-you-can-buy-games-from-the-wii-shop-channel|title=Wii emulator so accurate you can buy games from the Wii Shop Channel|last=Matulef|first=Jeffrey|date=17 March 2017|work=[[Eurogamer]]|access-date=25 July 2017|archive-date=12 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112021322/https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2017-03-17-wii-emulator-is-so-accurate-you-can-buy-games-from-the-wii-shop-channel|url-status=live}}</ref>

Dolphin can load customized [[Texture mapping|texture maps]].<ref name="PCGamer_Ethics">{{cite web|url=http://www.pcgamer.com/the-ethics-of-emulation-how-creators-the-community-and-the-law-view-console-emulators/|title=The ethics of emulation: how creators, the community, and the law view console emulators|first=Wes|last=Fenlon|work=[[PC Gamer]]|publisher=[[Future US]]|date=28 March 2017|access-date=26 May 2017|archive-date=21 December 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201221183056/https://www.pcgamer.com/the-ethics-of-emulation-how-creators-the-community-and-the-law-view-console-emulators/|url-status=live}}</ref> These can also be of higher resolution than the original textures.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamesaktuell.de/The-Legend-of-Zelda-Twilight-Princess-Wii-138421/News-eng/Zelda-Twilight-Princess-with-Re-Texture-Pack-Dolphin-821930/|title=Zelda: Twilight Princess with Re-Texture Pack (Dolphin)|date=26 April 2011|work=GamesAktuell.de|access-date=7 January 2015|archive-date=4 May 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160504033252/http://www.gamesaktuell.de/The-Legend-of-Zelda-Twilight-Princess-Wii-138421/News-eng/Zelda-Twilight-Princess-with-Re-Texture-Pack-Dolphin-821930/|url-status=live}}</ref> The emulator also has the ability to export a game's textures in order for graphic artists to modify them.

Dolphin can output [[stereoscopic 3D]] graphics on any platform Dolphin runs. Special hardware such as [[Nvidia 3D Vision]] is also supported. The ability to play games in stereoscopic 3D is a feature the original consoles never had,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://dolphin-emu.org/blog/2015/01/01/dolphin-progress-report-december-2014/#40-4889-enable-3d-stereoscopy-by-armada651|title=Dolphin Progress Report: December 2014 – Enable 3D Stereoscopy by Armada651|work=Dolphin Emulator Project|date=January 2015 |access-date=7 January 2015|archive-date=8 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108142641/https://dolphin-emu.org/blog/2015/01/01/dolphin-progress-report-december-2014/#40-4889-enable-3d-stereoscopy-by-armada651|url-status=live}}</ref> although Nintendo did originally plan to release a stereoscopic 3D add-on screen for the GameCube.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://iwataasks.nintendo.com/interviews/#/3ds/how-nintendo-3ds-made/0/2|title=And That's How the Nintendo 3DS Was Made|work=Iwata Asks|publisher=Nintendo|date=2011|quote=[…] Nintendo GameCube system actually had 3D-compatible circuitry built in. […] Nintendo GameCube could display 3D images if you attached a special LCD, but that special liquid crystal was really expensive back then.|access-date=12 April 2017|archive-date=25 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150725233103/http://iwataasks.nintendo.com/interviews/#/3ds/how-nintendo-3ds-made/0/2|url-status=live}}</ref>

Additional features to further enhance the graphics quality are also available. Dolphin supports [[spatial anti-aliasing]], [[anisotropic filtering]], post-processing pixel [[shader]]s, and a [[widescreen]] hack for forcing widescreen output on games that do not support it natively.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.emulation64.com/guides/20/4/dolphin-emulator.html|title=Dolphin Emulator|work=The Emulation64 Network|access-date=1 November 2014|archive-date=14 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200814223030/http://www.emulation64.com/guides/20/4/dolphin-emulator.html/|url-status=live}}</ref> Games can also achieve higher-than-intended [[Framerate|frames per second]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pcgamer.com/super-mario-sunshine-reaches-60fps-with-new-dolphin-hacks/|title=Super Mario Sunshine reaches 60fps with new Dolphin hacks|work=[[PC Gamer]]|date=9 February 2015 |access-date=26 May 2017|archive-date=8 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108141006/https://www.pcgamer.com/super-mario-sunshine-reaches-60fps-with-new-dolphin-hacks/|url-status=live|last1=Savage |first1=Phil }}</ref>

== Reception ==
The Dolphin emulator has been well received by the gaming community, with the program's ability to run games at a higher resolution than the GameCube and Wii's native 480p resolution receiving particular praise from the gaming community.<ref name="Kotaku">{{cite web |title=How Your Wii Games Would Look In 720p |url=http://kotaku.com/5187762/how-your-wii-games-would-look-in-720p |date=27 March 2009 |first=Luke |last=Plunkett |work=[[Kotaku]] |publisher=[[Gizmodo Media Group]] |access-date=28 July 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006085700/http://kotaku.com/5187762/how-your-wii-games-would-look-in-720p |archive-date=6 October 2014 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="Eurogamer">{{cite web |last=Purchese |first=Robert |url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/wii-emulator-runs-mario-in-720p-article |title=Wii emulator runs Mario Galaxy in 720p News |website=Eurogamer.net |date=6 July 2009 |access-date=25 November 2012 |archive-date=17 February 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190217201038/https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/wii-emulator-runs-mario-in-720p-article |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="1up">{{cite web |last=Pereira |first=Chris |url=http://www.1up.com/news/super-mario-galaxy-720p |title=See What Super Mario Galaxy Looks Like in 720p |website=1up.com |access-date=2012-11-25 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121011072554/http://www.1up.com/news/super-mario-galaxy-720p |archive-date=11 October 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.engadget.com/2009/03/31/emulator-runs-wii-games-in-720p-while-we-wonder-what-might-have/|title=Emulator runs Wii games in 720p while we wonder what might have been|work=[[Engadget]]|date=31 March 2009 |access-date=12 July 2017|archive-date=17 February 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190217142343/https://www.engadget.com/2009/03/31/emulator-runs-wii-games-in-720p-while-we-wonder-what-might-have/|url-status=live}}</ref> ''[[PC Gamer]]'' editor Wes Fenlon called it "one of the only emulators to make many games better" and praised it for continually "making major, sometimes huge improvements to compatibility and performance".<ref name="turbocharge"/> ''Wololo.net'' praised the system's high compatibility.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://wololo.net/2016/06/25/gamecube-wii-emulator-dolphin-5-0-released/|title=GameCube & Wii emulator Dolphin 5.0 released|date=25 June 2016|work=Wololo.net|access-date=2 July 2017|archive-date=25 February 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200225154031/http://wololo.net/2016/06/25/gamecube-wii-emulator-dolphin-5-0-released|url-status=live}}</ref>

Dolphin has been used by some people as a tool to mitigate certain shortcomings for gamers; in 2012, business owner and father Mike Hoye, who had been playing ''[[The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker]]'' with his daughter and realized that the game referred to the main character as a male individual regardless of the inputted name, changed all of the game's cutscene dialogue text to refer to a girl instead of a boy by editing it through a hex editor, testing out the game's ISO using Dolphin.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2012/11/i-am-no-man-for-zelda-playing-daughter-dad-gives-link-a-sex-change/|title="I am no man": For Zelda-playing daughter, dad gives Link a sex change|work=[[Ars Technica]]|date=8 November 2012 |access-date=26 May 2017|archive-date=12 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112043155/https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2012/11/i-am-no-man-for-zelda-playing-daughter-dad-gives-link-a-sex-change/|url-status=live}}</ref> The emulator's Netplay feature has been described by ArsTechnica to be serving as an alternative to the discontinued [[Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection]].<ref name="Ars_MarioKart">{{cite web|url=https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2014/02/the-day-the-mario-kart-died-nintendos-killswitch-and-the-future-of-online-consoles/|title=The day the Mario Kart died: Nintendo's kill switch and the future of online consoles|work=[[Ars Technica]]|date=27 February 2014 |access-date=26 May 2017|archive-date=12 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112023607/https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2014/02/the-day-the-mario-kart-died-nintendos-killswitch-and-the-future-of-online-consoles/|url-status=live}}</ref>

{{As of|March 2017}}, Dolphin has approximately {{val|50,000}} daily active users, according to Dolphin's [[Opt-in email|opt-in]] [[Web analytics|analytics]].<ref name="PCGamer_Ethics"/>

== Variants & forks ==
=== Dolphin Triforce ===
[[File:Triforce arcade.svg|150px|Logo of the Triforce arcade system|alt=Logo of the Triforce arcade system|thumb]]
A version of Dolphin made to emulate the [[Triforce (arcade system board)|Triforce arcade system]] titled '''''Dolphin Triforce''''' was in development by the Dolphin team, but was eventually disabled after development priorities shifted and the feature became unmaintained.<ref name="progress-report-august-2016"/> Downloads of Dolphin Triforce are still available from the website<ref>{{cite web|url=https://dolphin-emu.org/download/list/Triforce/|title=Downloads – Triforce branch|work=Dolphin Emulator Project|access-date=28 May 2017|archive-date=12 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112024503/https://dolphin-emu.org/download/list/Triforce/|url-status=live}}</ref> and the source code is available from GitHub in a dedicated repository.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://github.com/waddlesplash/dolphin/tree/triforce|title=Triforce source code branch|work=Waddlesplash|publisher=GitHub|access-date=6 June 2017|archive-date=3 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210103155416/https://github.com/waddlesplash/dolphin/tree/triforce|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Dolphin VR ===
Dolphin VR is a [[Third-party software component|third-party project]] aimed to extend Dolphin with the ability to play games "in [[virtual reality]] with accurate life-size scale, full FOV [field of view], a 3D HUD, independent aiming, and the ability to look around."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://dolphinvr.wordpress.com/|title=Dolphin VR – A GameCube and Wii Emulator with VR Support|access-date=11 March 2017|archive-date=21 December 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201221052759/https://dolphinvr.wordpress.com/|url-status=live}}</ref> [[HTC Vive]] and [[Oculus Rift]] are supported.<ref name="PCGamer_VR"/>

[[PC Gamer]] tested a few games with Dolphin VR. ''[[Metroid Prime]]'' and ''[[F-Zero GX]]'' received especially high praise with one editor feeling "childlike wonder when playing Metroid Prime in VR" and another stating that "F-Zero [is] the thing that sold me on Dolphin VR".<ref name="PCGamer_VR">{{cite web|url=http://www.pcgamer.com/nintendo-games-can-work-shockingly-well-in-dolphin-vr/|title=Nintendo games can work shockingly well in Dolphin VR|work=[[PC Gamer]]|date=8 February 2017 |access-date=26 May 2017|archive-date=11 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201111171527/https://www.pcgamer.com/nintendo-games-can-work-shockingly-well-in-dolphin-vr/|url-status=live|last1=Fenlon |first1=Wes }}</ref>

The latest release is 5.0<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2016/07/03/metroid-prime-in-cybervisors-with-dolphin-vr-emulator/|title=Play Metroid Prime in VR with Dolphin emulator|last=Donnelly|first=Joe|date=13 July 2016|work=Rock, Paper, Shotgun|access-date=31 July 2017|archive-date=8 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108162521/https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2016/07/03/metroid-prime-in-cybervisors-with-dolphin-vr-emulator/|url-status=live}}</ref> and the source code is hosted on [[GitHub]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://github.com/CarlKenner/dolphin|title=Dolphin VR|work=[[GitHub]]|access-date=27 May 2017|archive-date=26 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201126192251/https://github.com/CarlKenner/dolphin|url-status=live}}</ref>

==== License incompatibility ====
The [[Free Software Foundation]] maintains the position that GPL software cannot be combined with Oculus SDK's license.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gnu.org/licenses/license-list.en.html#OculusRiftSDK|title=Various Licenses and Comments about Them|work=[[GNU Project]]|publisher=Free Software Foundation|access-date=15 December 2017|archive-date=20 July 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170720140022/https://www.gnu.org/licenses/license-list.en.html#OculusRiftSDK|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== DolphiniOS ===
[[File:DolphiniOS Logo.png | thumb | right | alt=A dolphin logo next to the text DolphiniOS | DolphiniOS logo since 2019]] DolphiniOS is a [[third-party software component|third-party]] [[fork (software development)|fork]]<ref name="dolphinios-ver-1-1-0">{{Cite web |url=https://oatmealdome.me/blog/dolphinios-ver-1-1-0/ |title=DolphiniOS ver. 1.1.0 |date=25 December 2019 |access-date=8 February 2020 |archive-date=27 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201127065046/https://oatmealdome.me/blog/dolphinios-ver-1-1-0/ |url-status=live }}</ref> of Dolphin for [[Apple iOS]].<ref name="dolphinios-release">{{Cite web |url=https://oatmealdome.me/blog/dolphinios-release/ |title=DolphiniOS release |date=15 December 2019 |access-date=8 February 2020 |archive-date=24 December 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201224201405/https://oatmealdome.me/blog/dolphinios-release/ |url-status=live }}</ref> It is not available on the [[App Store (iOS)|App Store]], instead being distributed through a [[Cydia]] repository for [[iOS Jailbreaking|jailbroken]] devices, an ''[[AltStore]]'' and a ''SideStore'' repository, or an [[.ipa|IPA]] package for [[sideload]]ing.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://oatmealdome.me/blog/dolphinios-ver-2-2-0/|title=DolphiOS ver. 2.2.0|author=OatmealDome|access-date=6 May 2020|date=4 May 2020|archive-date=24 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201124173147/https://oatmealdome.me/blog/dolphinios-ver-2-2-0/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="dolphinios-notebookcheck">{{Cite web |url=https://www.notebookcheck.net/DolphiniOS-is-a-promising-GameCube-and-Wii-emulator-for-iOS.447274.0.html |title=DolphiniOS is a promising GameCube and Wii emulator for iOS |date=16 December 2019 |access-date=4 April 2020 |archive-date=22 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200922234559/https://www.notebookcheck.net/DolphiniOS-is-a-promising-GameCube-and-Wii-emulator-for-iOS.447274.0.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

DolphiniOS used to be monetized by having beta releases be available earlier to [[Patreon]]s; their Patreon program has been paused {{as of|2020|10|6|lc=y}} and they claim that they are now permanently discontinuing this practice.<ref name='futureofdolphinios'>{{cite web |title=The Future of DolphiniOS |url=https://oatmealdome.me/blog/the-future-of-dolphinios/ |website=oatmealdome.me |date=6 October 2020 |access-date=10 October 2020 |archive-date=24 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201124170319/https://oatmealdome.me/blog/the-future-of-dolphinios/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Along with this they also announced that the project would be going on hiatus due to the lead developer going on break.<ref name='futureofdolphinios'/><ref>{{cite tweet |user=OatmealDome |number=1313314426393702400 |date=6 October 2020 |title=I will be taking a break from the Internet for the foreseeable future so I can spend time dealing with some personal issues.}}</ref>

The first pre-release version went public on 9 December 2019<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://piunikaweb.com/2019/12/09/dolphinios-gamecube-wii-iphone-ipad-jailbreak/ |title=&#91;Stable release&#93; Say hello to DolphiniOS emulator, play GameCube/Wii games on jailbroken iPhone/IPad |date=9 December 2019 |access-date=4 April 2020 |archive-date=3 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210103173901/https://piunikaweb.com/2019/12/09/dolphinios-gamecube-wii-iphone-ipad-jailbreak/ |url-status=live }}</ref> with the 1.0 release following a week later.<ref name="dolphinios-notebookcheck"/> Version 2.0 has been released only a month later on 9 January 2020. The 2.0 version supports physical controllers, among other new features.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://oatmealdome.me/blog/dolphinios-ver-2-0-0/ |title=DolphiniOS ver. 2.0.0 |date=9 January 2020 |access-date=4 April 2020 |archive-date=27 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201127184338/https://oatmealdome.me/blog/dolphinios-ver-2-0-0/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
Version 3.0 was released on the 20 June 2020.<ref name='iosv3release'>{{cite web |title=DolphiniOS ver. 3.0.0 |url=https://oatmealdome.me/blog/dolphinios-ver-3-0-0/ |website=oatmealdome.me |date=20 June 2020 |access-date=23 August 2020 |archive-date=12 December 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201212185628/https://oatmealdome.me/blog/dolphinios-ver-3-0-0/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Notable new features include the ability to display your games in a grid, the ability to update the Wii System Menu like on the desktop version of Dolphin, the ability to install WAD files to the Wii NAND and the ability to change disc while the emulator is running.<ref name='iosv3release'/> Versions 3.1.1 and 3.2.0 beta 1 have been released since the hiatus announcement. Rumble and motion control support was added for [[DualShock 4]]s and DolphiniOS now functions properly for users of the Odyssey jailbreak.<ref>{{Cite web|last=OatmealDome|title=DolphiniOS ver. 3.2.0 beta 1|url=https://oatmealdome.me/blog/dolphinios-ver-3-2-0-beta-1/|access-date=2021-02-27|website=oatmealdome.me|date=7 December 2020 |language=en-US|archive-date=17 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210217212013/https://oatmealdome.me/blog/dolphinios-ver-3-2-0-beta-1/|url-status=live}}</ref>

A writer from Wololo.net wrote regarding the performance of DolphiniOS: "On my iPad Pro 10.5-inch (A10X), ''[[Mario Kart Wii]]'' works pretty well and playing through the first two tracks of the Mushroom Cup provided excellent results!"<ref>{{cite web |title=Emulation News: RetroArch 1.8.2 with OpenGL 1 driver for the PSVita paving way for HW-accelerated cores, manual content scanning & more; DolphiniOS 1.1.0 is out with notable performance improvements, motion control support among other features! |url=https://wololo.net/2019/12/26/emulation-news-retroarch-1-8-2-with-opengl-1-driver-for-the-psvita-paving-way-for-hw-accelerated-cores-manual-content-scanning-more-dolphinios-1-1-0-is-out-with-notable-performance-improvemen/ |website=Wololo.net |access-date=9 June 2021 |date=2019-12-26 |archive-date=9 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210609224555/https://wololo.net/2019/12/26/emulation-news-retroarch-1-8-2-with-opengl-1-driver-for-the-psvita-paving-way-for-hw-accelerated-cores-manual-content-scanning-more-dolphinios-1-1-0-is-out-with-notable-performance-improvemen/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

The source code is hosted on [[GitHub]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://github.com/oatmealdome/dolphin/tree/ios-jb|title=DolphiniOS|work=[[GitHub]]|access-date=8 February 2020|archive-date=12 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112020414/https://github.com/OatmealDome/dolphin/tree/ios-jb|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Ishiiruka ===
[[File:Ishiiruka Dolphin logo.png|150px|Logo for Ishiiruka|alt=Logo for Ishiiruka|thumb]]
In reaction to the [[#Drop of legacy technologies, accuracy improvements, and 5.0 release (2013–2016)|removal of Direct3D 9 support]], Dolphin developer Tino created an unofficial [[Fork (software development)|fork]] called ''Ishiiruka'' on 18 October 2013.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://forums.dolphin-emu.org/Thread-unofficial-ishiiruka-dolphin-custom-version|title=[UNOFFICIAL] Ishiiruka-Dolphin Custom Version|author=Tino|access-date=11 March 2017|archive-date=21 December 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201221083813/https://forums.dolphin-emu.org/Thread-unofficial-ishiiruka-dolphin-custom-version|url-status=live}}</ref> The name is Japanese for [[Dall's porpoise]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://jlearn.net/Dictionary/Browse/2166500-ishiiruka-%E3%81%84%E3%81%97%E3%81%84%E3%82%8B%E3%81%8B-%E3%81%84%E3%81%97%E6%B5%B7%E8%B1%9A|title=The definition of ishiiruka (いしいるか, いし海豚)|work=JLearn.net|access-date=31 July 2017|archive-date=31 July 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170731123644/http://jlearn.net/Dictionary/Browse/2166500-ishiiruka-%E3%81%84%E3%81%97%E3%81%84%E3%82%8B%E3%81%8B-%E3%81%84%E3%81%97%E6%B5%B7%E8%B1%9A|url-status=live}}</ref> Although the focus is Windows with Direct3D 9 and 11 support,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.emucr.com/2015/04/ishiiruka-dolphin-custom-version.html|title=Ishiiruka-Dolphin Custom Version (2015/04/06)|work=EmuCR|access-date=11 March 2017|archive-date=25 March 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200325182658/http://www.emucr.com/2015/04/ishiiruka-dolphin-custom-version.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Linux versions also exist.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://software.opensuse.org/package/ishiiruka-dolphin|title=Ishiiruka Linux builds|access-date=11 March 2017|archive-date=28 February 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190228124330/https://software.opensuse.org/package/ishiiruka-dolphin|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.reddit.com/r/smashbros/comments/5rykrv/ive_made_a_script_for_installing_faster_melee_on/|title=I've made a script for installing Faster Melee on Linux. Help me test it!|date=4 February 2017 |access-date=11 March 2017|archive-date=12 March 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170312064149/https://www.reddit.com/r/smashbros/comments/5rykrv/ive_made_a_script_for_installing_faster_melee_on/|url-status=live}}</ref>

The fork attempts to remedy performance problems present in Dolphin such as microstuttering due to [[shader]] compilation,<ref name="DF-Retro_MetroidPrime">{{cite web|url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/digitalfoundry-2016-introducing-df-retro|title=DF Retro: Metroid Prime – First Person Action Redefined|last=Linneman|first=John|work=[[Eurogamer]]|series=Digital Foundry Retro|publisher=Gamer Network|date=30 October 2016|access-date=30 July 2017|quote=what is the best way to play Metroid Prime today? […] I actually think in this case emulation is a pretty good option. Yes, I'm talking about Dolphin here which has come a long way – with games like Metroid Prime benefiting greatly in the process now. It's not yet flawless, mind you, but the benefits kind of outweigh any of the smaller issues that you might encounter. And, of course, while the standard version of Dolphin certainly gets the job done, I'm actually playing the game here using an unofficial Ishiiruka version of Dolphin which adds a ton of unique features that allow you to push the visuals beyond what you can achieve using standard Dolphin. For instance, you can add lots of cool additional enhancements like depth of field, ambient occlusion, various types of color correction and a whole lot more […]. It's also worth noting that this version of Dolphin helps avoid the shader compilation stutters that plagued the official release of the emulator and it leads to a much more fluid experience. All around and as you can see the end results are pretty much excellent the game is sharper and cleaner than ever before.|archive-date=8 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108172557/https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/digitalfoundry-2016-introducing-df-retro|url-status=live}}</ref> however, it relies on asynchronous shader compilation to achieve this, which is not a full solution and in some cases results in pop in.<ref>{{cite web |title=Asynchronous Shader Compilation |url=https://dolphin-emu.org/blog/2017/07/30/ubershaders/#asynchronous-shader-compilation |website=dolphin-emu.org/blog/ |date=30 July 2017 |access-date=24 July 2022 |archive-date=21 December 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201221140722/https://dolphin-emu.org/blog/2017/07/30/ubershaders/#asynchronous-shader-compilation |url-status=live }}</ref> Ishiiruka serves as base for the canonical client of the ''[[Super Smash Bros. Melee]]'' [[netplay]] communities ''Faster Melee''<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.reddit.com/r/SSBM/comments/5k9tum/faster_melee_v44_is_out/|title=Faster Melee v4.4 is out!|date=25 December 2016 |access-date=11 March 2017|archive-date=12 March 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170312063415/https://www.reddit.com/r/SSBM/comments/5k9tum/faster_melee_v44_is_out/|url-status=live}}</ref> and ''SmashLadder''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.smashladder.com/download/dolphin/fm|title=SmashLadder Faster Melee Download|access-date=11 March 2017|archive-date=22 March 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170322141757/https://www.smashladder.com/download/dolphin/fm|url-status=live}}</ref>

John Linneman of [[Eurogamer]] talks in the October 2016 ''[[Metroid Prime]]'' episode of their ''Digital Foundry Retro'' video series about Ishiiruka. He compares playing ''Metroid Prime'' via Ishiiruka to playing it on original hardware, Wii and GameCube, and [[Upstream (software development)|upstream]] Dolphin. Linneman argues that "the benefits [of emulation] kind of outweigh any of the smaller issues that you might encounter". He continues to point out features of Ishiiruka that "allow you to push the visuals beyond what you can achieve using standard Dolphin. For instance, you can add lots of cool additional enhancements like [[depth of field]], [[ambient occlusion]], various types of [[color correction]] and a whole lot more […]. It's also worth noting that this version of Dolphin helps avoid the shader compilation stutters that plagued the official release of the emulator and it leads to a much more fluid experience."<ref name="DF-Retro_MetroidPrime"/>

As with Dolphin, development is hosted on [[GitHub]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://github.com/Tinob/Ishiiruka|title=Ishiiruka|work=[[GitHub]]|access-date=11 March 2017|archive-date=24 December 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201224140737/https://github.com/Tinob/Ishiiruka|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== PrimeHack ===
PrimeHack is a version of Dolphin created by shiiion that has been modified to play ''[[Metroid Prime: Trilogy]]'' on PC with keyboard and mouse controls.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.dsogaming.com/news/you-can-now-play-the-metroid-prime-games-on-the-pc-with-mouse-and-keyboard-and-better-fov/|title=You can now play the Metroid Prime games on the PC with mouse and keyboard, and better FOV|first=John|last=Papadopoulos|date=7 August 2019|access-date=9 November 2019|archive-date=11 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201111175637/https://www.dsogaming.com/news/you-can-now-play-the-metroid-prime-games-on-the-pc-with-mouse-and-keyboard-and-better-fov/|url-status=live}}</ref> Two variants exist of PrimeHack – one is based on [[#Ishiiruka|Ishiiruka]],<ref name="PrimeHack-Ishiiruka">{{Cite web|url=https://github.com/shiiion/Ishiiruka|title=shiiion/Ishiiruka on GitHub|date=8 November 2019|via=GitHub|access-date=9 November 2019|archive-date=3 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210103155629/https://github.com/shiiion/Ishiiruka|url-status=live}}</ref> the other one on Dolphin proper.<ref name="PrimeHack-Dolphin">{{Cite web|url=https://github.com/shiiion/dolphin|title=Dolphin fork intended to give Metroid Prime Trilogy mouselook controls: shiiion/dolphin|date=8 November 2019|via=GitHub|access-date=9 November 2019|archive-date=28 December 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201228012049/https://github.com/shiiion/dolphin|url-status=live}}</ref> The latter is as of October 2019 the focus of development<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://discordapp.com/channels/385203116968116224/385205962828546048/637299059438125086|title=PrimeHack and PrimeHack Updater notice|quote=I'm happy to announce that PrimeHack is now offered on the Mainline Branch of Dolphin (aka latest, non ishiiruka). […] From now on we shall focus our updates onto the Mainline branch. This doesn't mean Ishiiruka has been abandoned, and it will still be supported. However it will no longer be our priority.|author=SirMangler|website=Discord|access-date=9 November 2019|archive-date=9 November 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191109223814/https://discordapp.com/channels/385203116968116224/385205962828546048/637299059438125086|url-status=live}}</ref> after it laid dormant between February and October 2019.

The source code is hosted on GitHub.<ref name="PrimeHack-Ishiiruka" /><ref name="PrimeHack-Dolphin" />

== See also ==
* [[List of video game console emulators]]
* [[Cemu]] – Wii U emulator
* [[Citra (emulator)|Citra]] – Nintendo 3DS emulator
* [[Yuzu (emulator)|Yuzu]] - Nintendo Switch emulator
* [[PCSX2]] – Another [[sixth generation console]] emulator (PlayStation 2)
* [[PPSSPP]] – PlayStation Portable emulator by Dolphin co-founder Henrik Rydgård
* [[VisualBoyAdvance]] – Game Boy Advance emulator compatible with Dolphin's Link Cable emulation
{{clear}}

== Notes ==
{{reflist|group=lower-alpha}}

== References ==
{{Reflist|30em}}

== External links ==
* {{Official website|https://dolphin-emu.org}}

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