Dolphin
- Android app
- Yes
- Free plan
- Yes
- Runs on
- Android, Linux, Mac, Windows
Summary
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.
Who it is for
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.
What is 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.
What to know first
- Does not support 32-bit operating systems.
- Some games can have defects, errors, or crashes.
- Development builds are less tested than stable releases.
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.
Dolphin plans and pricing
All plansCompared on multi-system emulators
- Free plan
- Yesdolphin-emu.org
Facts
- Purpose
- Dolphin emulates Nintendo GameCube and Wii consoles so users can play games for those systems on a PC.dolphin-emu.org · 28 Sept 2026
- Enhancements
- The project lists full HD (1080p), PC controller compatibility, turbo speed, and networked multiplayer as enhancements.dolphin-emu.org · 28 Sept 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.dolphin-emu.org · 28 Sept 2026
- Open source
- Dolphin is licensed under GPLv2+; distributing it requires releasing the source code and giving attribution.dolphin-emu.org · 28 Sept 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.dolphin-emu.org · 28 Sept 2026
- Downloads
- The download page lists builds for Windows x64 and ARM64, macOS for ARM and Intel, Android, and Linux Flatpak packages.dolphin-emu.org · 28 Sept 2026
- Release cadence
- Stable releases are created every few months, while development versions are published several times each day and are less tested.dolphin-emu.org · 28 Sept 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.dolphin-emu.org · 28 Sept 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.dolphin-emu.org · 28 Sept 2026
- Limitations
- The FAQ says Dolphin does not support 32-bit operating systems and that some games can have defects, errors, or crashes.dolphin-emu.org · 28 Sept 2026
- Affiliation
- The FAQ states that Dolphin is not affiliated with Nintendo.dolphin-emu.org · 28 Sept 2026
- Privacy
- The project provides a privacy policy on its official site.dolphin-emu.org · 28 Sept 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.dolphin-emu.org · 28 Sept 2026
Company
- Founded
- 2003dolphin-emu.org · 28 Sept 2026
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Sources
- dolphin-emu.org· checked 28 Sept 2026
- dolphin-emu.org/docs/faq/· checked 28 Sept 2026
- dolphin-emu.org/download/· checked 28 Sept 2026
- dolphin-emu.org/docs/privacy/· checked 28 Sept 2026
- dolphin-emu.org/blog/2026/09/24/dolphin-progress-report· checked 28 Sept 2026