GameCube & Wii

GameCube & Wii setup — Dolphin native core, system folder, HD textures, and configuration

Provenance supports GameCube and Wii emulation through Dolphin, a native core (not RetroArch-based). Dolphin brings excellent compatibility and advanced features like HD texture support, custom system configurations, and Wii NAND emulation.

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Basics

Detail	GameCube	Wii
Core	Dolphin (native)	Dolphin (native)
BIOS required	No (built-in HLE)	No (built-in HLE)
ROM formats	.iso, .gcm, .gcz, .ciso	.iso, .wbfs, .gcz, .ciso
Max players	4	4
Controller	Physical controller recommended	Physical controller recommended

A physical controller is strongly recommended for GameCube and Wii games. On-screen controls work but many games benefit from analog sticks and shoulder buttons.

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Dolphin Folder Structure

Dolphin uses its own native folder structure (not RetroArch's). Access via the Web Server or Files app:

Dolphin/
├── Config/           # Dolphin configuration files
├── GameSettings/     # Per-game INI overrides
├── GC/               # GameCube system data
│   ├── USA/          # Region-specific memory cards
│   ├── EUR/
│   └── JAP/
├── Wii/              # Wii NAND (virtual internal storage)
│   └── title/        # Installed Wii channels and saves
├── Load/
│   └── Textures/     # HD texture packs (per game ID)
├── Maps/             # Symbol maps for debugging
├── ResourcePacks/    # Custom resource packs
├── Shaders/          # Custom shader files
└── StateSaves/       # Dolphin save states

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HD Texture Packs

Dolphin supports custom HD textures for both GameCube and Wii games:

Installing Texture Packs

1. Download a texture pack for your game

2. Start the Web Server (tap + or Settings → Import/Export)

3. Navigate to:

   Dolphin/Load/Textures/[GameID]/

4. Upload the texture files into the game-specific folder

5. Launch the game — textures load automatically

Finding the Game ID

Each GameCube/Wii game has a unique 6-character ID (e.g., GALE01 for Super Smash Bros. Melee). You can find it:

• In the game info within Provenance (long-press → Game Info)

• On GameTDB — search your game

Finding Texture Packs

• Dolphin Forums - Custom Textures — Community texture pack projects

• GitHub — Search for "[game name] dolphin texture pack"

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Wii NAND

Some Wii games require or benefit from NAND data (virtual internal storage):

• Wii System Menu — Can be installed for accessing system settings

• Save data — Some games store saves in NAND rather than the virtual memory card

• Wii Channels — Can be installed for games that require them

The NAND is stored in the Dolphin/Wii/ folder and is managed automatically by the core.

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GameCube Memory Cards

Dolphin emulates GameCube memory cards automatically:

• Virtual memory cards are stored in Dolphin/GC/[Region]/

• Each region (USA, EUR, JAP) has its own memory card

• Save data persists across play sessions

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Performance

GameCube and Wii are demanding to emulate:

Device	GameCube	Wii
iPhone 15 Pro / Pro Max	Good	Fair-Good
iPad Pro (M-series)	Good	Good
iPhone 14 Pro / 13 Pro	Fair	Fair
Older devices	Poor	Poor

Optimization Tips

1. Use a modern device — M-series or A16+ chips handle Dolphin best

2. Close background apps — GameCube/Wii emulation needs all available resources

3. Skip EFB access — Improves performance in some games (Dolphin settings)

4. Lower internal resolution — Reduces GPU load

5. Disable V-Sync if experiencing stuttering

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Wii Motion Controls

Wii games that require motion controls have limited support through device sensors:

• Pointer — Touch screen simulates the Wii Remote pointer

• Accelerometer/Gyroscope — Device sensors can simulate Wii Remote motion

• Physical controller — Map Wii Remote buttons to a standard controller

Games that rely heavily on Wii Remote motion (Wii Sports, Skyward Sword) may not play well. Games with Classic Controller support (Smash Bros. Brawl, Mario Kart Wii) work best with a standard controller.

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Known Quirks

Some games have audio stuttering

Dolphin is demanding on CPU. If audio stutters, try closing background apps, lowering resolution, or enabling audio stretching in Dolphin settings.

Game crashes on boot

Some games may need specific Dolphin settings. Check the Dolphin Wiki for game-specific compatibility notes and recommended settings.

Wii Remote games don't work with my controller

Not all Wii games support Classic Controller input. Check if the game supports Classic Controller or GameCube controller — those map most naturally to standard Bluetooth controllers.

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