How To Use Gamecube Controller On Wii Dolphin

Hands holding a Nintendo GameCube controller. — Tinxi/Shutterstock.com

Emulation is a great way to experience your favorite games, but without the original controller, it tin can feel inauthentic. Here'south how to prepare Nintendo's official peripherals in the Dolphin Wii and GameCube emulator for PC.

What You'll Need

To use a real Nintendo GameCube controller with Dolphin, here's what you'll need:

An official Nintendo GameCube Controller. While unofficial options piece of work, they are much worse in build quality. Additionally, you might detect that some controllers thatlook like GC pads but are actually Switch Pro Controllers.
A USB GameCube Controller Adapter. We recommend either Nintendo'south official adapter or the MayFlash Adapter for the best results. If the adapter is wired and works with the Switch or Wii U, chances are it'll work here, too.
Zadig. This is the awarding you'll need to get your Gamecube controller gear up properly with Dolphin. Download information technology for complimentary.
A Powered USB Hub (Optional). This isn't necessary if your laptop or desktop has free slots for both the USB cables, but is necessary if it doesn't. For vibration to work properly and to ensure the best performance, make sure that both adapter cords are plugged in and accept stable power.

To use an official Nintendo Wii Remote (Wiimote) with Dolphin, you'll need the following:

An official Nintendo Wii Remote, ideally with MotionPlus built-in. 3rd-party options are not guaranteed to piece of work with Dolphin, even if they work on the Wii.
A PC with a uniform Bluetooth adapter. Newer is better.
A powered Wii sensor bar. Yous tin can apply your original sensor bar plugged into a running Wii, a battery-powered Wireless sensor bar, or a USB sensor bar.

How to Set Upward a Real GameCube Controller in Dolphin

Kickoff, if y'all're using a non-official Adapter that offers a toggle between "Wii U" and "PC" modes, switch it to "Wii U." Dolphin has native support for the GameCube Controller Adapter once you accept installed the proper commuter, so feel free to ignore the PC mode unless you wish to use the controller in other applications. If yous're using an official Switch or Wii U adapter, skip this pace.

Plug in your adapter and open up Zadig. If you don't have 2 USB ports complimentary or you lot don't care for vibration, you don't need to plug in the white USB cable. Information technology is solely for providing power for vibration to the GameCube controllers.

Inside Zadig, click the "Options" menu and select "List All Devices."

Select "List All Devices" in Zadig's Options menu

Click the dropdown card at the top of the window, observe "WUP-028" in the list, and select information technology. This is your adapter!

Look at the "USB ID" field below the Driver box. Verify the USB ID displayed here is "0573 0337".

Warning: If the incorrect USB ID is displayed here, do not continue. Your adapter will not work and you might risk dissentious it by continuing.

If everything looks correct (similar the screencap below), click the box to the right of the orange pointer and select the "WinUSB" driver. Click the "Replace Driver" button to install the driver, and in one case that's done, you can close Zadig!

Replacing a driver in Zadig

Now that you've installed the replacement commuter, information technology'southward time to endeavour it out in Dolphin.

Get ahead and open up Dolphin Emulator, and click the "Controllers" button on the far correct of Dolphin'south built-in toolbar.

Nether the Port 1 dropdown box, click "GameCube Adapter For Wii U", and then click "Configure."

Note that Port 1 is the first port on the left side of the controller adapter. The port assignments in Dolphin correspond to the ones on the adapter.

Select the controller in the "Port 1" box

If you followed this guide properly, you should see the "Adapter Detected" window. Click"OK" to continue.

If it doesn't prove upwards, endeavor repeating the process with a different adapter or USB port.

Dolphin's Adapter Detected window

How to Set Up a Real Wiimote in Dolphin Emulator

As long equally your PC already has Bluetooth, setting upwardly a Wii Remote is much simpler than using a GameCube controller. Simply make certain that your sensor bar is plugged in and your Wii Remote'south batteries are charged. You should as well ensure your PC's Bluetooth is turned on.

First, click the "Controllers" push button on the far right of Dolphin's toolbar.

Now, click "Emulate the Wii's Bluetooth Adapter," if it is not already selected. Under the Dropdown for Wii Remote one, besides select "Existent Wii Remote."

Select "Emulate the Wii's Bluetooth Adapter" and select the Wii Remote

Now, simultaneously press the 1 and 2 buttons on your Wii remote. After almost 20 seconds or less, your Wii remote will connect to Dolphin. Once y'all've done this, shut the "Controller Settings" window, and click the "Config" button.

Click the "Wii" tab within the Config window, so adjust "Sensor Bar" position in accordance with your Sensor Bar placement. IR Sensitivity, Speaker Volume, and Rumble can as well exist adapted here, and work in the same way equally they do on an bodily Wii. Y'all are now ready to play your games!

Once you've finished playing, yous will need to manually remove a bombardment from your Wii Remote to ability it off. Unlike with the proper Wii console, Dolphin is not able to automatically turn off your Remote, and if you forget to do it yourself, it will continue using your bombardment until it runs dry.

Wii Remote Settings in Dolphin

What Virtually Passthrough or the DolphinBar?

In our testing, results with Dolphin'southward Bluetooth Passthrough solution and the DolphinBar are both finicky at best and require a swell deal of extra tweaking for very piddling extra in return. For people who aren't already ability users, we practise not recommend either of these solutions.

However, if you're interested in exploring Passthrough every bit an pick, the Dolphin Wiki page provides instructions. It offers an all-encompassing list of tested USB Bluetooth Adapters and a setup guide. Simply, due to the complexity of the process and the college likelihood that information technology but won't work at all, we have non included that in this guide.