Feel free to tell me about any corrections that need to be made or anything I should add.
Also don't use this as a matchmaking thread.
Dolphin netplay also requires a very good processor to get good fps.
Initial Setup (Do this for each Dolphin)
First you'll want to get a fresh copy of Dolphin 3.0.
http://dolphin-emu.org/download.html
While it is entirely possible to use your current Dolphin installation, there are several reasons why it is better to do this listed in the FAQ.
After extraction, Open Dolphin and go to Config.
Under General, uncheck Enable Dual Core (speedup).
Under Audio, uncheck Enable Audio Throttle.
Under Gamecube, set the ports you will be using to Standard Controller.
For example, for two players you would set Port 1 and Port 2 to Standard Controller. Make sure you do this on all Dolphins that are going to be netplaying.
Go to Paths, and click the Add... button. Find the folder that contains your Wii ISOs. When you hit OK, your main Dolphin window should fill up with your games.
After doing these general settings, go back to Config > Audio and do either of the following:
Go to Config > Gamecube.
Also extremely important: all Dolphins engaging in netplay should use the exact same save files, or desyncing will occur. Any changes to one save file must also happen to the other.
When you're done with all of this, feel free to go into GCPad Configuration and set up your controller (It's best to set up Pad 1).
You also have some freedom with your Graphics settings. Make sure, however, that you can easily get full speed on your settings so that netplay will be smooth.
Netplay: How to Host
If you're going to host, make sure your firewall is configured correctly and that your ports are properly forwarded
if you are using a router. Google will be your best friend here.
To host, go to Tools > Start Netplay > Host. (You should also change your nickname at this time)
Select the game you want to play and click Host.
After someone joins you can click Start and a window will pop up and you can start playing your game.
Some things to consider as Host:
1. Buffer. You want to have the lowest buffer possible. If everyone normally gets full speed but can't during netplay, try increasing your buffer. While doing this may improve performance, it increases input lag. The better the connection, the lower the buffer you can use. The ? button will give you an estimate on the buffer you should use, but you should play around with it and try to get the lowest buffer possible while still getting full speed.
2. Configure Pads. This is really only necessary if you have multiple people on one dolphin. Basically the column will determine which GCPad profile will be used from that Dolphin. The dropbox lets you choose what slot that controller will take up.
Netplay: How to Join
To Join, go to Tools > Start Netplay. (You should also change your nickname at this time)
In Address, use the host's IP address.
If the host changed the port, change yours to match theirs.
Click the Connect button and wait for the host to start the game.
FAQ/Troubleshooting
Q. Why should I use a fresh installation of Dolphin instead of the one I already have?
A. There are several reasons why you would want to do this.
A. Note that netplay requires even more processing power than using the same settings in single player. First you'll want to try increasing the buffer and seeing if your framerate improves. If you're really, really desperate, you may get better frames by experimenting with different revisions or by overclocking. Other than that there's not much you can do other than getting faster internet/computer. Having a high ping or having a lag spike will also lower fps.
Q. The game says that my Wiimote isn't connected or doesn't recognize my Wiimote even though it works in singleplayer!
A. As of Dolphin 3.0, Wiimote support has not been implemented. Only games that use Gamecube controllers will work.
Q. The person I'm playing with seems to be moving around strangely but he says that I'm the one moving weirdly. What happened?
A. This is a desync. Basically what both of you are seeing are two different games. The only fix is for the host to Stop then restart the game. This happens often with lag or using different versions of the same game or from having different saves. Try to make sure all of your settings are the same. This is also inevitable with any random occuring events in Dolphin.
Q. When I try to join the host, it says "Game not found."
A. You need to add the directory containing your ISOs in your Config.
Q. Can I connect to Nintendo Wi-Fi Connect?
A. No.
Q. Is there like a master server list of all the Dolphin servers?
A. No, and there probably aren't many open Dolphin servers anyway.
Q. Can I really not use Dual Core/Audio Throttle/DSP-HLE with audio?
A. Well, it might run, and it might even seem to work correctly, but I'm guessing the developers said to use this settings for a reason, and so that is what I recommend in this guide. You could try messing around with them, but if you encounter problems, change the settings back.
Q. My friend says he's hosting, but I can't connect!
A. If you're using the right IP address and Port, then the host hasn't set up his network correctly.
Q. We have netplay working but my controller doesn't work!
A. You need to make sure the right number of controllers are enabled for each dolphin.
Q. How well does the netplay on Dolphin run?
A. It runs quite well actually. Provided you have fast systems and really nice internet, 60fps smooth gameplay should be entirely possible. Realistically, you should expect input delay and occasional lag spikes. Here is a video I took of netplay.
Also don't use this as a matchmaking thread.
Dolphin netplay also requires a very good processor to get good fps.
Initial Setup (Do this for each Dolphin)
First you'll want to get a fresh copy of Dolphin 3.0.
http://dolphin-emu.org/download.html
While it is entirely possible to use your current Dolphin installation, there are several reasons why it is better to do this listed in the FAQ.
After extraction, Open Dolphin and go to Config.
Under General, uncheck Enable Dual Core (speedup).
Under Audio, uncheck Enable Audio Throttle.
Under Gamecube, set the ports you will be using to Standard Controller.
For example, for two players you would set Port 1 and Port 2 to Standard Controller. Make sure you do this on all Dolphins that are going to be netplaying.
Go to Paths, and click the Add... button. Find the folder that contains your Wii ISOs. When you hit OK, your main Dolphin window should fill up with your games.
After doing these general settings, go back to Config > Audio and do either of the following:
- If you are using DSP HLE emulation, change Audio Backend to No audio output. (In my experience leaving it on works alright. It's even what I use in my videos, but the GUI recommends that you turn it off).
- If you are using DSP LLE emulation, then go ahead and install it like usual.
Go to Config > Gamecube.
- If you do not want to use a save, make sure both Slot A and Slot B have <Nothing>
- If you want to use a previous save file, leave Slot A at Memory Card.
Also extremely important: all Dolphins engaging in netplay should use the exact same save files, or desyncing will occur. Any changes to one save file must also happen to the other.
When you're done with all of this, feel free to go into GCPad Configuration and set up your controller (It's best to set up Pad 1).
You also have some freedom with your Graphics settings. Make sure, however, that you can easily get full speed on your settings so that netplay will be smooth.
Netplay: How to Host
If you're going to host, make sure your firewall is configured correctly and that your ports are properly forwarded
if you are using a router. Google will be your best friend here.
To host, go to Tools > Start Netplay > Host. (You should also change your nickname at this time)
Select the game you want to play and click Host.
After someone joins you can click Start and a window will pop up and you can start playing your game.
Some things to consider as Host:
1. Buffer. You want to have the lowest buffer possible. If everyone normally gets full speed but can't during netplay, try increasing your buffer. While doing this may improve performance, it increases input lag. The better the connection, the lower the buffer you can use. The ? button will give you an estimate on the buffer you should use, but you should play around with it and try to get the lowest buffer possible while still getting full speed.
2. Configure Pads. This is really only necessary if you have multiple people on one dolphin. Basically the column will determine which GCPad profile will be used from that Dolphin. The dropbox lets you choose what slot that controller will take up.
Netplay: How to Join
To Join, go to Tools > Start Netplay. (You should also change your nickname at this time)
In Address, use the host's IP address.
If the host changed the port, change yours to match theirs.
Click the Connect button and wait for the host to start the game.
FAQ/Troubleshooting
Q. Why should I use a fresh installation of Dolphin instead of the one I already have?
A. There are several reasons why you would want to do this.
- The settings that are 'best' for netplay on your computer are not necessarily the 'best' settings for playing single player games.
- If your game save is altered while playing in Singleplayer, it tends to lead to many desync problems in Multiplayer.
- You can change settings, test new revisions, and save as much as you want on your other Dolphin without worrying about not being able to netplay later.
A. Note that netplay requires even more processing power than using the same settings in single player. First you'll want to try increasing the buffer and seeing if your framerate improves. If you're really, really desperate, you may get better frames by experimenting with different revisions or by overclocking. Other than that there's not much you can do other than getting faster internet/computer. Having a high ping or having a lag spike will also lower fps.
Q. The game says that my Wiimote isn't connected or doesn't recognize my Wiimote even though it works in singleplayer!
A. As of Dolphin 3.0, Wiimote support has not been implemented. Only games that use Gamecube controllers will work.
Q. The person I'm playing with seems to be moving around strangely but he says that I'm the one moving weirdly. What happened?
A. This is a desync. Basically what both of you are seeing are two different games. The only fix is for the host to Stop then restart the game. This happens often with lag or using different versions of the same game or from having different saves. Try to make sure all of your settings are the same. This is also inevitable with any random occuring events in Dolphin.
Q. When I try to join the host, it says "Game not found."
A. You need to add the directory containing your ISOs in your Config.
Q. Can I connect to Nintendo Wi-Fi Connect?
A. No.
Q. Is there like a master server list of all the Dolphin servers?
A. No, and there probably aren't many open Dolphin servers anyway.
Q. Can I really not use Dual Core/Audio Throttle/DSP-HLE with audio?
A. Well, it might run, and it might even seem to work correctly, but I'm guessing the developers said to use this settings for a reason, and so that is what I recommend in this guide. You could try messing around with them, but if you encounter problems, change the settings back.
Q. My friend says he's hosting, but I can't connect!
A. If you're using the right IP address and Port, then the host hasn't set up his network correctly.
Q. We have netplay working but my controller doesn't work!
A. You need to make sure the right number of controllers are enabled for each dolphin.
Q. How well does the netplay on Dolphin run?
A. It runs quite well actually. Provided you have fast systems and really nice internet, 60fps smooth gameplay should be entirely possible. Realistically, you should expect input delay and occasional lag spikes. Here is a video I took of netplay.
CPU: Intel i5 2500k @ 4.3GHZ, 1.3V
CPU Cooler: Coolermaster Hyper 212 Plus
MOBO: MSI P67A-G43 (B3)
GPU: HIS 6870 1GB
RAM: 2x2GB DDR3 1600 G.Skill RipjawsX
PSU: Antec TruePower New 650w
CPU Cooler: Coolermaster Hyper 212 Plus
MOBO: MSI P67A-G43 (B3)
GPU: HIS 6870 1GB
RAM: 2x2GB DDR3 1600 G.Skill RipjawsX
PSU: Antec TruePower New 650w
Stuck at low 20's sometimes 30 fps, so it's all slomo unfortunately. Guess it's just my friends internet.
