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Dolphin

Dolphin is free, open-source software for playing Nintendo GameCube and Wii games on a PC, with versions for Android, Linux, macOS, and Windows.

Place
#20 of 54
Score
6.6
Dolphin's website

What Dolphin is

Dolphin is free, open-source software for playing Nintendo GameCube and Wii games on a PC, with versions for Android, Linux, macOS, and Windows. It emulates those consoles and lists full HD (1080p), PC controller compatibility, turbo speed, and networked multiplayer among its enhancements. Dolphin’s FAQ describes compatibility as high across most GameCube and Wii titles, though some games can have issues. The project uses the GPLv2+ license; distributors must release source code and provide attribution. It supports 64-bit operating systems only: Windows 10 or newer, macOS 11 Big Sur or newer, Linux, and Android 7.0 or newer. Stable releases arrive every few months, while development versions are published several times a day and are less tested. The FAQ recommends at least 2 GB of RAM and GPU support for DirectX 11.1 and OpenGL 4.4. Community help is available through Discord, forums, a wiki, and GitHub; bug reports go to the issue tracker. Dolphin states that it is not affiliated with Nintendo.

Good

  • Free plan; no paid plans are listed.
  • Available for Windows, macOS, Linux, and Android.
  • Includes networked multiplayer and PC controller compatibility.
  • Open-source under the GPLv2+ license.

Watch out

  • Does not support 32-bit operating systems.
  • Some games can have defects, errors, or crashes.
  • Development builds are less tested than stable releases.

Who it suits

Dolphin suits people who want to play GameCube or Wii titles on a 64-bit PC or Android device. It may also suit users who want controller support, networked multiplayer, or the option to review its open-source code.

Verdict

Dolphin covers GameCube and Wii emulation across several desktop systems and Android, with networked multiplayer and other listed enhancements. Check the system requirements and compatibility notes before choosing it, since 32-bit systems are unsupported and some games may have issues.

Plans and prices

From Dolphin's own pricing page, checked 28 Sep 2026.

All about pricing
PlanPriceWhat it gives you
Dolphin EmulatorFreeNo paid plans or pricing listed on the official pages opened

The facts

Each one read from Dolphin's own pages, with the date it was checked.

What it does

Affiliation
The FAQ states that Dolphin is not affiliated with Nintendo.checked 28 Sep 2026
Community and support
The official site links users to community Discord, forums, a wiki, and GitHub, and directs bug reports to its issue tracker.checked 28 Sep 2026
Compatibility
The FAQ describes Dolphin as having high compatibility across the majority of GameCube and Wii titles, while noting that some games have issues.checked 28 Sep 2026
Downloads
The download page lists builds for Windows x64 and ARM64, macOS for ARM and Intel, Android, and Linux Flatpak packages.checked 28 Sep 2026
Enhancements
The project lists full HD (1080p), PC controller compatibility, turbo speed, and networked multiplayer as enhancements.checked 28 Sep 2026
Hardware guidance
The FAQ recommends at least 2 GB of RAM and says GPU support for DirectX 11.1 and OpenGL 4.4 is important.checked 28 Sep 2026
Limitations
The FAQ says Dolphin does not support 32-bit operating systems and that some games can have defects, errors, or crashes.checked 28 Sep 2026
Open source
Dolphin is licensed under GPLv2+; distributing it requires releasing the source code and giving attribution.checked 28 Sep 2026
Privacy
The project provides a privacy policy on its official site.checked 28 Sep 2026
Purpose
Dolphin emulates Nintendo GameCube and Wii consoles so users can play games for those systems on a PC.checked 28 Sep 2026
Recent security incident
A September 2026 progress report says a vulnerability briefly allowed a generic cryptominer attack to compromise the macOS buildbot, and says no builds were compromised.checked 28 Sep 2026
Release cadence
Stable releases are created every few months, while development versions are published several times each day and are less tested.checked 28 Sep 2026
Supported systems
The FAQ lists Windows 10 or newer, macOS 11 Big Sur or newer, Linux, and Android 7.0 or newer, and requires 64-bit operating systems.checked 28 Sep 2026

The company

Founded
2003checked 28 Sep 2026

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