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Wii and GameCube Games on Dolphin: How to Download and Enjoy Them



How to Download Wii Games on Dolphin Emulator




If you have a powerful enough computer, you can play Wii and GameCube games using Dolphin emulator. This is a great way to play games when you don't have the Wii with you, make the games look even better than they do on a Wii, or even play games in 1080p! In this article, well show you which programs you need and explain step-by-step how to set them up for maximum gaming success. Time to play!


What is Dolphin Emulator?




Dolphin emulator is an open source software that allows you to play Wii and GameCube games on your PC. It supports the majority of games for both consoles, and it can run them in high definition with enhanced graphics and sound. You can also use various features that are not available on the original consoles, such as save states, cheats, online multiplayer, etc.




how to download wii games on dolphin emulator




Dolphin emulator is compatible with Windows 10 and Windows 11, Linux, macOS (10.15 Catalina and up), and Android (5.0 and above). You can download the latest version of Dolphin emulator from the official website. You can also check out the compatibility list to see how well your favorite games work on the emulator.


How to Install Dolphin Emulator on Your PC




Installing or upgrading process for Dolphin on Windows PC or Mac is pretty simple. Download the latest revision or version from the Download page and extract it into a new folder (preferably named after the revision) or to replace an existing Dolphin setup.


If you are using macOS, you may experience crashes or the Dolphin Updater will fail. This may be caused by Gatekeeper, because it moved Dolphin to a "quarantined" location for security. See issue 12105. This issue is fixed by 5.0-14529 . Before this revision, a temporary fix is to run two commands into Terminal:


sudo xattr -r -d com.apple.quarantine /path/to/Dolphin.app sudo xattr -r -d com.apple.quarantine /path/to/Dolphin\ Updater.app


If you are using Linux, you can install Dolphin from the Open Build Service, or from your distribution's repositories if available. You can also build Dolphin from source if you prefer.


How to rip Wii and GameCube discs for Dolphin Emulator


Dolphin Emulator compatibility list for Wii and GameCube games


How to play Wii games on PC with Dolphin Emulator


How to improve graphics and performance of Wii games on Dolphin Emulator


How to use Wii remote and nunchuck with Dolphin Emulator


How to install Homebrew Channel on Wii for Dolphin Emulator


How to fix common issues and errors with Dolphin Emulator


How to configure Dolphin Emulator settings for optimal gaming experience


How to use cheats and hacks on Wii games with Dolphin Emulator


How to play multiplayer and online games with Dolphin Emulator


How to backup and restore Wii game saves on Dolphin Emulator


How to transfer Wii games from SD card or USB drive to Dolphin Emulator


How to update Dolphin Emulator to the latest version


How to download and install custom textures and mods for Wii games on Dolphin Emulator


How to play GameCube games on PC with Dolphin Emulator


How to use GameCube controller and adapter with Dolphin Emulator


How to convert Wii ISO files to WBFS format for Dolphin Emulator


How to use motion controls and sensor bar with Dolphin Emulator


How to record and stream Wii games with Dolphin Emulator


How to run Dolphin Emulator on Android devices


How to play Wii U games on PC with Cemu emulator


How to use Wiimote speaker and rumble features with Dolphin Emulator


How to enable widescreen and 4K resolution for Wii games on Dolphin Emulator


How to download and install custom stages and characters for Super Smash Bros. Brawl on Dolphin Emulator


How to play Mario Kart Wii online with Wiimmfi server on Dolphin Emulator


How to use save states and screenshots with Dolphin Emulator


How to enable netplay and LAN play for Wii games on Dolphin Emulator


How to use Gecko codes and AR codes with Dolphin Emulator


How to download and install custom music and sound effects for Wii games on Dolphin Emulator


How to play The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword with mouse and keyboard on Dolphin Emulator


How to use shaders and filters with Dolphin Emulator


How to enable stereoscopic 3D and VR mode for Wii games on Dolphin Emulator


How to download and install custom models and skins for Wii games on Dolphin Emulator


How to play New Super Mario Bros. Wii co-op mode with Dolphin Emulator


How to use game patches and translations with Dolphin Emulator


How to enable achievements and leaderboards for Wii games on Dolphin Emulator


How to download and install custom scenarios and maps for Fire Emblem: Radiant Dawn on Dolphin Emulator


How to play Metroid Prime Trilogy with mouse and keyboard on Dolphin Emulator


How to use memory cards and SD cards with Dolphin Emulator


How to enable turbo mode and slow motion mode for Wii games on Dolphin Emulator


How to download and install custom voices and dialogues for Xenoblade Chronicles on Dolphin Emulator


How to play Animal Crossing: City Folk online with Wiimmfi server on Dolphin Emulator


How to use hotkeys and macros with Dolphin Emulator


How to enable EFB access and EFB copies for Wii games on Dolphin Emulator


How to download and install custom costumes and weapons for Monster Hunter Tri on Dolphin Emulator


How to Get Wii Games for Your Dolphin Emulator




There are two ways to get Wii games for your Dolphin emulator: ripping them from your console using Homebrew and CleanRip, or downloading them from online sources. The first method is legal and recommended, but it requires some technical steps. The second method is easier but illegal and risky, as you may download malware or viruses along with the games.


Ripping Wii Games from Your Console




To rip Wii games from your console, you will need a Wii with Homebrew Channel installed, an SD card or USB drive with enough space for a Wii disc (4.7 GB or 8.5 GB), and CleanRip[^6. CleanRip is a homebrew application that can rip Wii and GameCube games to an SD card or USB drive. You can download CleanRip from the official website and copy it to the apps folder on your SD card or USB drive. Then, insert the SD card or USB drive into your Wii and launch the Homebrew Channel. Select CleanRip from the list of applications and press A to start it.


CleanRip will ask you to insert a GameCube or Wii disc. Insert the disc that you want to rip and press A to continue. CleanRip will then ask you to select a device to save the game to. Choose your SD card or USB drive and press A to continue. CleanRip will then ask you to configure some settings, such as the chunk size, the file system, and the dual layer option. You can leave them as default or change them according to your preference. Press A to start ripping the game.


CleanRip will show you the progress and the estimated time remaining. Depending on the size of the game and the speed of your device, it may take from 30 minutes to 2 hours to rip a game. When the ripping is done, CleanRip will ask you to remove the disc and press any button to exit. You can then eject your SD card or USB drive from your Wii and insert it into your PC.


You should now have a file with the extension .iso or .gcm on your device. This is the game file that you can use with Dolphin emulator. You can rename it if you want, but do not change the extension. You can also compress it using a program like 7-Zip or WinRAR to save some space, but this may affect the loading speed of the game.


Downloading Wii Games from Online Sources




If you don't have a Wii console or you don't want to rip games from it, you can also download Wii games from online sources. However, this is illegal and not recommended, as you may violate the copyright laws and risk downloading malware or viruses along with the games.


If you still want to download Wii games from online sources, you will need to find a website that hosts Wii ROMs or ISOs. These are files that contain the data of Wii games. There are many websites that claim to offer Wii ROMs or ISOs, but not all of them are safe or reliable. Some of them may have broken links, fake downloads, pop-up ads, or malicious software.


One of the most popular and trusted websites for downloading Wii ROMs or ISOs is Vimm's Lair. This website has a large collection of Wii games that are verified and tested for quality and compatibility. You can browse the games by genre, rating, or alphabetically, or search for a specific game by name. To download a game, click on its title and then click on the Download button. You will need to enter a captcha code and wait for a few seconds before the download starts.


Another website that you can use to download Wii ROMs or ISOs is Portal Roms. This website has a huge database of games for various consoles, including Wii. You can browse the games by console, genre, region, or alphabetically, or search for a specific game by name. To download a game, click on its title and then click on the Download button. You will be redirected to another page where you can choose a download server and start the download.


Once you have downloaded a Wii ROM or ISO file from an online source, you can use it with Dolphin emulator as long as it is not corrupted or encrypted. You can also rename it if you want, but do not change the extension.


How to Play Wii Games on Dolphin Emulator




Now that you have Dolphin emulator installed on your PC and some Wii games ready to play, you can start playing them on your computer. Here are the steps to follow:


Loading and Running Wii Games on Dolphin Emulator




To load and run a Wii game on Dolphin emulator, you need to add it to your game list first. To do this, open Dolphin emulator and click on the Browse button at the top right corner of the window. This will open a file explorer where you can navigate to the folder where you saved your Wii games. Select one or more games that you want to add and click on Open.


The games that you added will appear in your game list on Dolphin emulator. You can see some information about each game, such as its title, cover art, rating, region, platform, etc. You can also right-click on any game and choose Properties to see more details, such as its file size, checksums, metadata, and settings. You can also edit some of these properties, such as the game name, the cover art, the emulation state, etc.


To run a Wii game on Dolphin emulator, simply double-click on it from your game list. Dolphin emulator will launch the game and show you the game screen. You can also right-click on any game and choose Play to start it.


To stop a Wii game on Dolphin emulator, press the Esc key on your keyboard or click on the Stop button at the top left corner of the window. Dolphin emulator will close the game and return you to your game list.


Configuring the Settings and Controls for Wii Games on Dolphin Emulator




Before you play a Wii game on Dolphin emulator, you may want to configure some settings and controls to improve your gaming experience. Dolphin emulator has many options that you can tweak to optimize the performance, graphics, sound, and input of your games. You can access these options by clicking on the Config button at the top left corner of the window.


The Config window has several tabs that correspond to different aspects of the emulator. Here are some of the most important settings that you may want to adjust:


  • General: This tab contains some basic settings, such as the language, the theme, the interface mode, etc. You can also enable or disable some features, such as dual core, idle skipping, cheats, etc.



  • Graphics: This tab contains settings related to the graphics of your games, such as the backend, the resolution, the aspect ratio, the anti-aliasing, etc. You can also enable or disable some enhancements, such as anisotropic filtering, scaled EFB copy, post-processing effects, etc.



  • Audio: This tab contains settings related to the sound of your games, such as the backend, the volume, the latency, etc. You can also enable or disable some features, such as audio stretching, DSP HLE emulation, audio dumping, etc.



  • Controllers: This tab contains settings related to the input of your games, such as the controller type, the controller profile, the controller mapping, etc. You can also configure different controllers for different platforms and players.



You can also access some advanced settings by clicking on the Advanced button at the bottom right corner of the Config window. These settings are not recommended for casual users and may cause instability or compatibility issues if changed incorrectly.


After you have configured your settings and controls for Wii games on Dolphin emulator, you can save them by clicking on OK or Apply. You can also reset them to default by clicking on Default.


Tips and Tricks for Playing Wii Games on Dolphin Emulator




Playing Wii games on Dolphin emulator can be a lot of fun and a great way to enjoy your favorite games in a new way. However, there are some tips and tricks that you can use to enhance your gaming experience even more. Here are some of them:


Using Save States




Save states are a feature that allows you to save and load your game progress at any point during gameplay. This is different from saving in-game using memory cards or save files. Save states are useful for skipping long cutscenes or dialogues, retrying difficult sections or bosses, or experimenting with different choices or outcomes.


To use save states on Dolphin emulator, you need to enable them first by going to Config > General > Enable Save States. Then, you can save your game state by pressing Shift + F1-F8 keys on your keyboard or clicking on Emulation > Save State > Slot 1-8. You can load your game state by pressing F1-F8 keys on your keyboard or clicking on Emulation > Load State > Slot 1-8.


You can also manage your save states by going to Tools > Manage Save States. Here you can rename, delete, import, or export your save states.


Using Cheats




Cheats are a feature that allows you to modify some aspects of your games using codes or patches. These can include things like infinite health or ammo, unlocking hidden items or levels, changing the game difficulty or speed, etc. Cheats can make your games more fun or challenging, depending on how you use them.


To use cheats on Dolphin emulator, you need to enable them first by going to Config > General > Enable Cheats. Then, you can add cheats to your games by going to Properties > AR Codes or Gecko Codes. Here you can see a list of available cheats for your game, or add your own cheats by clicking on Add or Edit. You can also download cheats from online databases by clicking on Download Codes.


After you have added cheats to your games, you can activate or deactivate them by checking or unchecking the boxes next to them. You can also apply patches to your games by going to Properties > Patches. Here you can see a list of available patches for your game, or add your own patches by clicking on Add or Edit.


Using Shaders




Shaders are a feature that allows you to apply various graphical effects to your games, such as bloom, motion blur, depth of field, etc. Shaders can enhance the appearance of your games and make them look more realistic or stylized, depending on your preference.


To use shaders on Dolphin emulator, you need to have a compatible graphics backend and a powerful GPU. You can check the compatibility of your graphics backend by going to Config > Graphics > General and looking at the Shader Compilation Mode option. If it is set to Synchronous or Synchronous (Ubershaders), then your graphics backend supports shaders. If it is set to Asynchronous (Ubershaders) or Asynchronous (Skip Drawing), then your graphics backend does not support shaders.


After you have confirmed that your graphics backend supports shaders, you can download shaders from online sources, such as the Dolphin forums or the Dolphin wiki. You can also create your own shaders using a program like ReShade or SweetFX. You can then copy the shader files to the Shaders folder in your Dolphin emulator directory.


To apply shaders to your games, you need to enable them first by going to Config > Graphics > Enhancements and checking the box next to Post-Processing Effect. Then, you can select a shader from the drop-down menu next to Post-Processing Effect Configuration. You can also customize the shader settings by clicking on the Edit button next to it.


Using Mods




Mods are a feature that allows you to modify some aspects of your games using custom files or programs. These can include things like new characters, levels, items, music, textures, etc. Mods can add new content or features to your games and make them more fun or diverse.


To use mods on Dolphin emulator, you need to have a compatible game and a mod manager. You can check the compatibility of your game by looking at its properties and seeing if it has an option for Custom Texture Format. If it does, then your game supports mods. If it does not, then your game does not support mods.


After you have confirmed that your game supports mods, you can download mods from online sources, such as GameBanana or Nexus Mods. You can also create your own mods using a program like BrawlBox or Wiimms ISO Tools. You can then copy the mod files to the Load folder in your Dolphin emulator directory.


To apply mods to your games, you need to enable them first by going to Config > General > Allow Mismatched Region Settings. Then, you can use a mod manager like Riivolution or Gecko OS to load and run the mods. You can also use Dolphin's built-in mod loader by going to Properties > Filesystem and right-clicking on any file and choosing Replace File.


Conclusion




Playing Wii games on Dolphin emulator is a great way to enjoy your favorite games on your PC with enhanced graphics and sound, and with various features that are not available on the original console. In this article, we have shown you how to download and install Dolphin emulator on your PC, how to get Wii games for your emulator, how to play Wii games on your emulator, and how to use some tips and tricks for playing Wii games on your emulator. We hope that this guide has been helpful and informative for you.


If you have any questions or comments about playing Wii games on Dolphin emulator, feel free to leave them below. We would love to hear from you and help you out. Happy gaming!


FAQs




Q: How do I update Dolphin emulator?




A: You can update Dolphin emulator by downloading the latest version from the official website and extracting it into a new folder or to replace an existing Dolphin setup. You can also use the Dolphin Updater app to check for updates and download them automatically. You can find the Dolphin Updater app in the same folder as the Dolphin emulator app.


Q: How do I transfer my Wii save files to Dolphin emulator?




A: You can transfer your Wii save files to Dolphin emulator by using a homebrew application called SaveGame Manager GX. This application can backup and restore your Wii save files to and from an SD card or USB drive. You can download SaveGame Manager GX from the official website and copy it to the apps folder on your SD card or USB drive. Then, insert the SD card or USB drive into your Wii and launch the Homebrew Channel. Select SaveGame Manager GX from the list of applications and press A to start it.


SaveGame Manager GX will show you a list of your Wii save files. You can select one or more save files that you want to backup and press A to continue. SaveGame Manager GX will ask you to select a device to save the backup to. Choose your SD card or USB drive and press A to continue. SaveGame Manager GX will then create a backup of your save files on your device.


You can then eject your SD card or USB drive from your Wii and insert it into your PC. You should see a folder named wiisaves on your device. This folder contains your backup save files. You can copy these files to the Wii folder in your Dolphin emulator directory. You may need to rename some of the files according to the game ID of your games.


Q: How do I use a real Wii remote with Dolphin emulator?




A: You can use a real Wii remote with Dolphin emulator by connecting it to your PC via Bluetooth. To do this, you need a Bluetooth adapter that supports the Toshiba Bluetooth stack or the Microsoft Bluetooth stack. You also need a sensor bar that can detect the infrared signals from your Wii remote. You can use a wireless sensor bar that runs on batteries, or a wired sensor bar that connects to a USB port.


To connect your Wii remote to your PC via Bluetooth, you need to pair it with your Bluetooth adapter first. To do this, go to Control Panel > Hardware and Sound > Devices and Printers and click on Add a device. Then, press the red sync button inside the battery compartment of your Wii remote. Your PC should detect your Wii remote and show it as Nintendo RVL-CNT-01 or Nintendo RVL-CNT-01-TR. Select it and click on Next. Your PC should pair with your Wii remote without asking for a PIN code.


To use your Wii remote with Dolphin emulator, you need to configure it as an input device first. To do this, go to Config > Controllers and select Real Wiimote as the controller type for the player that you want to use. Then, click on Refresh and press any button on your Wii remote. Dolphin emulator should detect your Wii remote and show it as Connected under Real Wiimotes.


You can also configure some settings for your Wii remote by clicking on Configure next to Real Wiimotes. Here you can enable or disable some features, such as speaker data, continuous scanning, rumble, etc.


Q: How do I fix graphical glitches or performance issues with Dolphin emulator?




A: If you encounter graphical glitches or performance issues with Dolphin emulator, you may need to adjust some settings or update some drivers to fix them. Here are some possible solutions:


  • Update your graphics card driver: Your graphics card driver is responsible for rendering the graphics of your games on your PC. If it is outdated or corrupted, it may cause graphical glitches or performance issues with Dolphin emulator. To update your graphics card driver, you need to find out the model and manufacturer of your graphics card first. You can do this by going to Device Manager > Display adapters and looking at the name of your graphics card. Then, you need to go to the official website of your graphics card manufacturer and download the latest driver for your graphics card model. After you have downloaded the driver, you need to install it on your PC and restart it.



  • Change your graphics backend: Your graphics backend is the software that communicates between Dolphin emulator and your graphics card driver. Different graphics backends may have different compatibility and performance with different games and graphics cards. To change your graphics backend, go to Config > Graphics > General and select one of the options from the Backend drop-down menu. The available options are Direct3D 11, Direct3D 12, OpenGL, Vulkan, and Software Renderer. The best option for you may depend on your graphics card model and your game. You can experiment with different backends and see which one works best for you.



  • Adjust your graphics settings: Your graphics settings are the options that affect the quality and performance of your games on Dolphin emulator. Some of these settings may cause graphical glitches or performance issues if they are set too high or too low. To adjust your graphics settings, go to Config > Graphics > Enhancements and Advanced and tweak the options according to your preference. You can also use the presets at the bottom of the window to quickly change the settings to low, medium, high, or extreme. The optimal settings for you may depend on your graphics card model and your game. You can experiment with different settings and see which ones work best for you.



Q: How do I play online multiplayer games with Dolphin emulator?




A: You can play online multiplayer games with Dolphin emulator by using a feature called Netplay. Netplay allows you to connect with other Dolphin users over the internet and play games together. To use Netplay, you need to have a stable internet connection, a compatible game, and the same version of Dolphin emulator as your partner.


To start a Netplay session, you need to either host or join a game. To host a game, go to Tools > Start Netplay and select Host. Then, choose a game from your game list and click on Host. Dolphin emulator will generate a room ID that you can share with your partner. To join a game, go to Tools > Start Netplay and select Join. Then, enter the room ID that your partner gave you and click on Connect.


After you have connected with your partner, you can configure some settings for your Netplay session, such as the nickname, the latency, the chat, etc. You can also assign controllers to different players by clicking on Configure Pads. When you are ready to play, click on Start or press Alt + R. Dolphin emulator will launch the game and show you the game screen.


To stop a Netplay session, press Esc or click on Stop. Dolphin emulator will close the game and return you to the Netplay window. You can also chat with your partner by typing in the chat box at the bottom of the window.



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