Homebrew Discussion (WIP) Dolphin Emulator for the Switch by Jhiral

[Deleted User]

Wonder what are the chances of it running Rogue Squadron

Rogue Squadron is one of the more technicly impressive games under the hood. It'll get to it, but for now, I would imagine, it would need some time.

 

[Wolfy]

Oh baby, got SigPatches yesterday, now I just need Gamecube games and maybe an untethered CFW solution and I'm set

 

[mypetfrog]

So does this mean a Switch homebrew app version (nro) is imminent?

 

[DogParty]

So does this mean a Switch homebrew app version (nro) is imminent?

No. There would need to be OpenGL support in libnx/libtransistor to create a Dolphin nro.

 

[Jil.10]

So now is possible?

 

[Meepers55]

Looks like some great work! Still waiting for dock support tho.

 

[Wolfy]

So now is possible?

That nercropost basically like damn, check out Lakka for Switch which has a WIP Dolphin core outside the stable release.

Or follow this tutorial on running it through Arch for Linux on the Switch - https://gbatemp.net/threads/tutorial-install-dolphin-gc-emulator-on-switch.502323/

But remember not to bump old threads, died for a reason.

 

[christianrob90]

I'm hoping for support for AR codes

 

[Elliander]

No. There would need to be OpenGL support in libnx/libtransistor to create a Dolphin nro.

So... now that we have OpenGL support in libnx, that means this will be possible?

https://gbatemp.net/threads/libnx-1-4-0-adds-opengl-support.517605/

Personally, I really hope that it will be able to take advantage of the switch's Networking capabilities. Being able to play an old Pokemon game, and trade with another Switch, as an example. Or making a Gamecube emulator on one Switch talk to a Gameboy emulator on another to trade Pokemon between a ROM and Pokemon Stadium. Or perhaps playing Dissidia Final Fantasy (PSP) on one Switch against someone on another.

For the Wii games, I'm guessing the larger challenge would be to figure out how to get the Switch to use the wiimotes. Really, the sensor bar is just a series of lights so any USB powered bar can work, and the Wiimote can work on the Switch already with products that make the Switch think it's a USB controller, but for emulating Wii games we would really have to be able to have the motion controls working properly. (unless of course someone could apply what we saw in a ported game, where the Joycon's motion controls were able to pretend to be a Wiimote, but personally I like the feel of the Wiimotes better, and that solution would probably introduce issues with some Wii hardware)

Since the Switch is around as powerful as the Wii U, I am guessing it should be possible to eventually fully emulate a Wii game at playable speed, but I doubt we'd get Wii U games working. Though if we did, I am guessing we would first need a way to make it play on a TV and in the hand at the same time. Since some error messages can appear on both at once, I wonder if that would be possible, perhaps for playing 3DS games. Imagine if we could load up a 3DS emulated environment on the Switch? Or even use an actual emunand from a Gateway 3DS device inside SX OS?

 

[ciaomao]

We're in July already, come on.

--------------------- MERGED ---------------------------


Just don't let the Switch on a static screen for too long. Also, make sure you don't have maximum brightness for extra safety.

Brightness is a negligible factor.

 

[lordelan]

Since the Switch is around as powerful as the Wii U

That has nothing to do with it.
The Wii U has a PowerPC CPU which can run GC and Wii games natively. Nintendont is not an emulator.
And OpenGL support is just half the way down. We need a dynarec recompiler.

 

[jammybudga777]

So this was originally posted months ago.... And your title says wip. What progress has been made since the original post/tweet (Which seems more of a poc)

 

[Cencil]

So this was originally posted months ago.... And your title says wip. What progress has been made since the original post/tweet (Which seems more of a poc)

None. Don't expect a working GC emulator anytime soon. Hell we still don't even have full speed N64 yet without OCing.

 

[jammybudga777]

I don't expect anything tbh just pointing out this thread seems a waste an wrongly emplys things. I.e the developer has not said it's a wip or announced anything since the poc

 

[lordelan]

I don't expect anything tbh just pointing out this thread seems a waste an wrongly emplys things. I.e the developer has not said it's a wip or announced anything since the poc

OP isn't even the dev.

 

[jammybudga777]

I no his not. Which is why its annoying when people post nonsense without any proof or reason too

 

[ZachyCatGames]

That has nothing to do with it.
The Wii U has a PowerPC CPU which can run GC and Wii games natively. Nintendont is not an emulator.
And OpenGL support is just half the way down. We need a dynarec recompiler.

Dolphin already has a dynarec for aarch64 afaik

 

[Elliander]

That has nothing to do with it.
The Wii U has a PowerPC CPU which can run GC and Wii games natively. Nintendont is not an emulator.
And OpenGL support is just half the way down. We need a dynarec recompiler.

I know that the Wii U can run the games Naively, but regardless it is powerful so should be able to emulate pretty well. We're basically talking about Power PC emulation on Arm. Lakka already has Dreamcast games running at full speed, but then again the Dreamcast was slightly weaker than the PS2 which itself is weaker than the Dreamcast, so I guess we don't have the best comparison there.

hmm. Overall, you are right. We do need dynarec recompiler. The Switch, if using the same architecture, would easily run Wii and Wii U games, so obviously translating the code would improve things to playable levels.

For the networking capabilities though, at least, and getting all the other emulators to install as Homebrew in CFW with sound and networking support for multiplayer would still be nice.

 

[m4xw]

I know that the Wii U can run the games Naively, but regardless it is powerful so should be able to emulate pretty well. We're basically talking about Power PC emulation on Arm. Lakka already has Dreamcast games running at full speed, but then again the Dreamcast was slightly weaker than the PS2 which itself is weaker than the Dreamcast, so I guess we don't have the best comparison there.

hmm. Overall, you are right. We do need dynarec recompiler. The Switch, if using the same architecture, would easily run Wii and Wii U games, so obviously translating the code would improve things to playable levels.

For the networking capabilities though, at least, and getting all the other emulators to install as Homebrew in CFW with sound and networking support for multiplayer would still be nice.

Reicast isnt full speed on lakka and dolphin has a dynarec since day one and still runs like ass.
Stop dreaming

 

[lordelan]

Dolphin already has a dynarec for aarch64 afaik

You're right. Forgot about that. But that it's already there is rather a bad news than a good one since it doesn't run very well even with already having it.
Seems like Dolphin can - if ever - only be achieved by (big) optimization + dynarec + huge OC and even then it might not run any better.