Key Takeaways
- Dolphin, the open-source GameCube and Wii emulator, will arrive on Steam Early Access later this year, allowing users to play classic games with enhanced graphics and performance.
- The emulator will be free and feature support for 4K displays, modern controllers, online multiplayer, community mods, and more.
- Developers emphasize legal use, urging users to create disc images from their own game collections for use with the emulator.
- Steam Deck users and retro gaming enthusiasts will benefit from Dolphin as a valuable resource for accessing and preserving old games.
- The Steam version of Dolphin, set for release in Q2 2023, aims to simplify the process of running the emulator on Steam Deck, offering a significant advantage for users.
The popular open-source GameCube and Wii emulator, Dolphin, is set to arrive on Steam Early Access later this year.
The emulator allows users to play classic games like The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker and Super Mario Galaxy with enhanced graphics and performance compared to the original consoles.
Emulator Features
Dolphin will be available as a free download, supporting 4K displays, modern controllers, and built-in netplay for online multiplayer.
It also offers community mods, randomizers, custom level packs, save states, slow motion, and rapid fire options.
Although the emulator’s Steam page is live, the official release through Valve’s storefront is expected in the next few months.
Legal Considerations
The developers of Dolphin emphasize that the emulator does not come with any games and is designed to run legally acquired copies.
They discourage piracy and urge users to create disc images from their own game collections to use with the emulator.
Dolphin’s Steam page features multiple notices reminding users that the software is intended for legal use only.
With the discontinuation of the Wii U and 3DS eShops, making it impossible to digitally purchase many great games, emulators like Dolphin provide a valuable resource for retro gaming enthusiasts and preservationists.
Steam Deck Users and Retro Gaming Enthusiasts
Steam Deck users have recently enjoyed using emulators to access their old game collections with improved performance on the go.
Valve even unintentionally included the icon for a Switch emulator called Yuzu in one of its trailers for the handheld gaming device before quickly removing the reference.
With the discontinuation of the Wii U and 3DS eShops, making it impossible to digitally purchase many great games, emulators like Dolphin provide a valuable resource for retro gaming enthusiasts and preservationists.
Dolphin’s History and Future
Dolphin has a long history, with its first version appearing in 2003, only two years into the GameCube’s lifespan.
After a successful revival as an open-source project in 2007, the emulator gained Wii support and Linux and Mac clients, becoming one of the most stable emulators available.
The Steam version of Dolphin, scheduled for release in the second quarter of 2023, already has a store page where users can wishlist the emulator.
Developers will share more information about the Steam version’s features closer to launch.
If the Steam release simplifies the process of running Dolphin on Steam Deck, it will be a significant advantage for users.
