Dolphin Emulator: How to Add Games

Do you love playing Nintendo games? Then you probably landed in the right place.

In this article, we will show you how you add games to Dolphin. This method is applicable on both Windows as well as Mac OS X. Make sure to read the article to add games to the Dolphin emulator.

In This Article show

What is Dolphin?

Dolphin is a free emulator which is available to download on Windows as well as macOS. This emulator will help you to play games of Nintendo GameCube, Nintendo Wii, and Nintendo Wii U. Additionally, the Dolphin emulator will allow you to enhance the performance including the graphics quality so that you can play games on full HD 1080 resolution without any fuss.

Moreover, you can also play offline and multiplayer games with PC controllers smoothly to enjoy a two-player experience.

How Dolphine emulator Works?

The method used for playing games using Dolphin on PC is pretty simple. Just like any other emulator, you need to download the game. ISO format because that’s the format Dolphin supports. We are basically running console games on PC, so hardware associated with GameCube, Wii, and Wii U is unique hardware, Dolphin emulator is designed in such a way that it can run console games on your PC only if the game file format has. ISO file.

On the other side, if you do have a CD of any game then you can rip the CD to your computer. Another method to get games is to download torrent files. ISO format from game websites. Mind you, not all games run on the Dolphin emulator but it says the emulator is capable to run games anywhere from five to 20 years older.

Steps to Add Games on Dolphin Emulator

Before following the steps, we recommend you place all the games under a single folder. Here’s how to add games on the Dolphin emulator:

Step 1: Download and install the Dolphin emulator.

Step 2: Open the Dolphin emulator and select Config.

Step 3: Select Path tab > Add > and select the folder which contains all of your games.

Step 4: Now, just close the Configuration window and select Refresh, you will get see games on the main menu.

Step 5: Double click on the game that plays.

Step 6: To save the game, visit Emulation > Save State in the Dolphine menu and select Load State.

Closing the Dolphin emulator before saving the game will lose progress.

How to Set up Controllers for Dolphin Emulator

If you have a controller, you can use it to play games on the Dolphine emulator. A controller like PC gamepads, Xbox 360, Xbox One controllers, PlayStation 3/4 can also work. You can also use a GameCube controller. Here’s how to set the controller settings if you want to play games using your keyboard.

Step 1: Select Controller located on the main menu.

Step 2: Controller Configuration window will open, select Port 1 under GameCube Controller, select the type of controller that you will go to use.

Step 3: Just start mapping the kets accordingly and select OK.

To save controller settings, you need to enter Profile and select Save,

Step 4: Select Wiimote 1 under Wiimotes and select the type of controller you want to use, then select Configure.

You can use a gamepad or keyboard to play games but motion control will not work.

Step 5: Once you finish configuring Wii remote, set the Sensor Bar Position > Enable Speaker Data < OK.

How to set Dolphin emulator Game Configuration

Custom settings can be done for each game, here’s how to add cheats in the games:

Step 1: Do a right-click on the Dolphin emulator and select Properties.

Step 2: Choose to select the AR Code tab.

Step 3: Tick the boxes to enable the cheats.

How to set Graphics setting for games?

You might know that there are no such options available to change the graphics settings when it comes to console gaming. But the Dolphin emulator will allow you to do that, here we will set the settings on the emulator and not in the game. Here’s how to do that:

Step 1: Select the Graphics option located on the main menu.

Step 2: Under the General tab, select the graphics card and select the box located next to the Backend. Set the screen on Full-screen resolution and keep the Aspect Ratio on auto.

Additionally, you can add more enhancement by clicking on the Enhancement tab > set Anti-Aliasing to 4X MSAA to smooth the jagged edges of 3D graphics and select Disable Fog to improve long-distance rendering.

Final Thoughts

Dolphine emulator is best to play those nostalgic retro games, but most of the players have switched to AAA and competitive games. But if you want to enjoy those old 90’s games Dolphin emulator has your back.

That’s it for now, hope this helps! We are glad to know your thoughts in the comment section below. Till then, stay tuned for more info.