WashingtonDC
- Android app
- Not listed
- Free plan
- Yes
- Runs on
- Linux, Windows
Summary
washDC is an open-source SEGA Dreamcast emulator for Linux and Windows PCs with x86 processors. Formerly called WashingtonDC, it was created from scratch rather than built on another emulator. The project lists GDI, CHD, CDI, ELF and raw BIN game image formats, and requires BIOS and flash images to run. Controls include keyboard input and support for up to four gamepads. Remote GDB and the WashDbg debugger are available as TCP debugging options. The emulator is licensed under GNU GPL version 3 and is free. Wash Emulation describes itself as a one-person team and washDC as its only product to date. The project also publishes homebrew programs for examining Dreamcast behavior, including a test of PowerVR2 backface culling and another that checks how SH4 writes appear across PowerVR2 memory mirrors. A separate tool, gdisofs, mounts Dreamcast game images as read-only filesystems on Linux PCs. Project updates, a Discord link and an email contact are listed on the homepage.
Who it is for
washDC may suit Linux or Windows users interested in running Dreamcast games on an x86 PC. Its debugger options and hardware-focused test programs may also interest people examining emulator behavior.
What is good
- Open-source under GNU GPL version 3.
- Supports five listed game image formats.
- Keyboard controls and up to four gamepads.
- Remote GDB and WashDbg debugging options.
What to know first
- BIOS and flash images are mandatory.
- Supports Linux and Windows, not other listed platforms.
- Requires an x86 PC.
Verdict
washDC provides a free, open-source route to Dreamcast emulation on Linux and Windows. Before using it, account for its required BIOS and flash images and supported systems.
WashingtonDC plans and pricing
All plansCompared on Dreamcast emulators
- Free plan
- Yeswashemu.org
- Supported platforms
- Linux, Microsoft Windowswashemu.org
- Controller support
- Yeswashemu.org
- Graphics backends
- openglwashemu.org
- Dreamcast BIOS required
- Yeswashemu.org
Facts
- Product
- washDC is a low-level SEGA Dreamcast emulator for playing classic Dreamcast games on a modern x86 PC.washemu.org · 3 Oct 2026
- Former name
- washDC was formerly known as WashingtonDC.washemu.org · 3 Oct 2026
- Open source
- washDC is open-source under the GNU GPL version 3.washemu.org · 3 Oct 2026
- Development
- The maker says development began on October 14, 2016, and the emulator was made from scratch rather than based on previous emulators.washemu.org · 3 Oct 2026
- Maker
- Wash Emulation says it is a one-person team and washDC is its only product to date.washemu.org · 3 Oct 2026
- Windows support
- The maker says it continues to support Microsoft Windows.washemu.org · 3 Oct 2026
- Linux support
- The maker describes gdisofs, a separate tool, as a way to mount Dreamcast game images as read-only filesystems on Linux PCs.washemu.org · 3 Oct 2026
- Hardware tests
- The maker publishes homebrew programs used to investigate Dreamcast behavior and compare it against the emulator.washemu.org · 3 Oct 2026
- Graphics test
- The culltest hardware test validates the PowerVR2's backface culling behavior.washemu.org · 3 Oct 2026
- VRAM test
- The pvr2 mem test checks whether SH4 writes to PowerVR2 memory are reflected across its mirrors.washemu.org · 3 Oct 2026
- Reverse engineering tool
- gdisofs is a FUSE module for mounting SEGA Dreamcast games as read-only filesystems.washemu.org · 3 Oct 2026
- Updates
- The maker says project updates are provided in the site's blog section.washemu.org · 3 Oct 2026
- Contact and community
- The maker lists an email address and links to a Discord server from the official homepage.washemu.org · 3 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- washDC is a low-level SEGA Dreamcast emulator for playing classic Dreamcast games on a modern x86 PC.washemu.org · 3 Oct 2026
- License
- washDC is open-source under the GNU GPL version 3.washemu.org · 3 Oct 2026
- Origin
- The maker says washDC was made from scratch and is not based on previous emulators.washemu.org · 3 Oct 2026
- Product scope
- The maker says washDC is the only product Wash Emulation has made to date.washemu.org · 3 Oct 2026
- Source code
- The maker links to the official washDC source repository on GitLab.washemu.org · 3 Oct 2026
- Supported systems
- The project README describes WashingtonDC as an emulator for Linux and Microsoft Windows.github.com · 3 Oct 2026
- Game image formats
- The README lists GDI, CHD, CDI, ELF, and raw BIN as supported game image formats.github.com · 3 Oct 2026
- Firmware requirement
- The README states that BIOS and flash images are mandatory to run the emulator.github.com · 3 Oct 2026
- Controllers
- The README says the emulator supports up to four gamepads and keyboard controls.github.com · 3 Oct 2026
- Debugging
- The README lists remote GDB and WashDbg debugger options over TCP.github.com · 3 Oct 2026
- Community and contact
- The homepage links to Discord and lists [email protected] as an email contact.washemu.org · 3 Oct 2026
Company
- Founded
- 2016washemu.org · 28 Sept 2026
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Sources
- washemu.org· checked 3 Oct 2026
- washemu.org/articles/why_im_leaving_github.html· checked 3 Oct 2026
- washemu.org/blog/· checked 3 Oct 2026
- washemu.org/tests/· checked 3 Oct 2026
- washemu.org/tests/culltest/· checked 3 Oct 2026
- washemu.org/tests/pvr2_mem_test/· checked 3 Oct 2026
- washemu.org/tools/· checked 3 Oct 2026
- github.com/washingtondc-emu/washingtondc· checked 3 Oct 2026