Dolphin (emulator)
Dolphin is a free and open-source video game console emulator for GameCube and Wii that runs on Windows, Linux, macOS, Android, Xbox One, Xbox Series X and Series S.
Dolphin 5.0 running on Windows 10 | |||||
| Original author(s) | F|RES, Henrik Rydgård (ector) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Developer(s) | Dolphin Emulator Project | ||||
| Initial release | 22 September 2003 | ||||
| Stable release | |||||
| Preview release |
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| Repository | github | ||||
| Written in | C++ and C (GUI: originally in wxWidgets, ported to Qt5 in 2018) | ||||
| 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 | ||||
| Platform | |||||
| Available in | 24 languages | ||||
| Type | Video game console emulator | ||||
| License | 2015: GPL-2.0-or-later 2008: GPL-2.0-only 2003: Proprietary | ||||
| Website | dolphin-emu | ||||
| Minimum | Recommended | |
|---|---|---|
| Personal Computer | ||
| Operating system |
| |
| CPU | x86-64 CPU with SSE2 support.
AArch64 | Intel: Intel Core i5-4670K or equivalent.
AMD: Any Ryzen CPU or newer. Snapdragon 8cx or equivalent |
| Memory | 2 GB RAM or more | |
| Graphics hardware | Pixel Shader 3.0, and Direct3D 10 or OpenGL 3 support | Modern Direct3D 11.1, OpenGL 4.4, or Vulkan GPU |
| Input device(s) | Any PC input device – mouse and keyboard by default for Wii, mouse by default for GameCube | Original Nintendo GameCube controller with USB adapter
Original Nintendo Wii Remote via DolphinBar |
| Android | ||
| Operating system | Android 5.0 | Android 10 |
| CPU | AArch64 | Snapdragon 835 or equivalent |
| Memory | 1 GB RAM | 4 GB RAM |
| Graphics hardware | OpenGL ES 3.0 | Adreno 540 or equivalent with OpenGL ES 3.2 and Vulkan support |
It had its 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 and macOS. As mobile hardware got more powerful over the years, 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 available features, and the ability to play games with graphical improvements over the original consoles.