![Dolphin](https://cdn.statically.io/img/images.timeextension.com/1417e224a2a83/dolphin.900x.jpg)
The team behind the Nintendo GameCube and Wii emulator Dolphin has published a progress report for the period of May to July, and it comes with a few exciting update announcements which you may have missed (as spotted by How-To-Geek!).
To start, let's talk about the custom driver support. As introduced in version 5.0-19611 (released two months ago), players can now switch out the system driver for a user-provided driver on Android devices (using libadrenotools). There's even support for unofficial open-source drivers too, like Freedreno Vulkan (or Turnip as it is also called). This is a custom driver for Adreno 600 GPUS that can fix many of the emulation issues that have been plaguing Adreno users in the past. All in all, great news for Android owners!
![Twilight Princess Turnip Dolphin](https://cdn.statically.io/img/images.timeextension.com/69ed2f47d3c93/twilight-princess-turnip-dolphin.900x.jpg)
![Twilight Princess Adreno Dolphin](https://cdn.statically.io/img/images.timeextension.com/a766776ac497e/twilight-princess-adreno-dolphin.900x.jpg)
In addition to the above, Dolphin's developers also gave fans of the Nintendo Wii's WiiConnect24 service some good news too, as highlighted in the recent roundup.
Though the WiiConnect24 online service was closed over 10 years ago in June 2013, fans have up to this point been able to use a fan-developed alternative RiiConnect24 with Dolphin to access some of its most popular features.
Now, with version 5.0-19724 of Dolphin, the "compatibility and stability" of WiiConnect24 have been greatly improved, via another method that uses WiiLink instead. Dolphin's developers are calling this "a WiiConnect24 revolution within Dolphin", with WiiLink's lead developer Sketch implementing support on both the client side (Dolphin) and the server side (WiiLink). As stated in the roundup, they will also continue to support RiiConnect24, but WiiLink will be the default service.
There are also various other improvements to Dolphin too that we should probably mention. These include a new file-size check for NAND memory checks that will ensure the NAND size is within the bounds of the Wii's specifications, an Android trigger detection fix, and support for more accurate PAL/NTSC color spaces.
For a full rundown of all the changes, you can find the latest Dolphin Progress Report here. All of these features have currently been rolled out, so you can download the most up-to-date version of the emulator and start taking advantage of them now.
[source dolphin-emu.org, via howtogeek.com]
Comments 6
I wish I had the knowledge to run these emulators properly. I have dolphin on my old laptop to try to run my games upscaled but even when I get it to work I can’t get it configured properly. More than anything though I would like a user friendly Wii U emulator just so I won’t lose access to Xenoblade Chronicles X forever. I already had to replace one dead Wii U…
Dolphin is one of the more difficult emulators to work with but it’s certainly not impossible. I guess I can’t really give you too much to go on here, but on the website itself there’s a directory of games and you can configure the emulator according to each game. You only need to do this once and it should be pretty easy to work out. Many games don’t even need this - but some of the harder to run ones do.
Stick with it, it’s well worth it.
@Darthmoogle Are you having trouble with a particular game? Let me know, as it's possible I've seen it before.
The latest versions of Dolphin are usually pretty good about just working, with no settings needing to be changed (aside from telling it where your games are, and mapping the controller buttons). But there are definitely exceptions, and the old laptop might add an issue or two of its own.
If you're playing just the GameCube games you'll have a good time with Dolphin, it's the Wii games that are the most complicated to work around as most doesn't support traditional game pad so you'll have to use alternatives which makes it even worst. The thing is if you want to play Skyward Sword just play the HD version on Yuzu, if you want to play Twilight Princess, Wii U or the GameCube versions are your only go to. If you want to play a few third party ports but don't want to deal with the force motion controls such as the case with Bully, Okami, Metal Slug Anthology, and Speed Racer which are fantastic games but force motion control ruins them then just get the PC, PS2, or PSP versions of those games for PCSX2 or PPSSPP or Steam.
Recreating WiiConnect24 is very cool, just like the efforts to get Dreamcast games back online. As others have said, it is tough to recreate the experience of the remote and sensor bar. I know it can be done, but it's a lot of work. I just recently reconnected my Wii to a CRT and have been really enjoying it. Mario Galaxy 2 still looks and feels great.
I use the official dolphin on android so little of the time that this probably won't make a difference. The original MMJR for is still the best version by miles. The motion support is a bit better on Official, but not enough to really make games fun and easy to play.
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