The Nintendo Wii turned the console gaming world on its head when it introduced the idea of bringing arcade style controllers into the living room. Being able to play golf, tennis, or fishing with innovative controllers which let you putt, lob and cast just as you would do in real life was a real game changer.
Of course that was then, and now the console is finding it difficult to compete with the latest in power titles on rival game systems. But Wii games are still a lotta fun, and there are those in the open source world who have decided that they shouldn’t be restricted to an ageing platform.
The result is the Dolphin Emulator, a freeware program which converts your Windows PC or Apple Mac into a Nintendo Wii, so you can play all your favorite Wii games like a boss. But what about the controllers we hear you ask? Well that’s taken care of too.
The Wiimote and Nunchuk controllers can be used via a Bluetooth USB dongle, and even the Sensor Bar is fully usable, since it doesn’t need to be connected to your computer at all. Just remember to fasten those wrist straps securely to prevent accidents, y’hear?
The neat thing about playing on a high resolution graphics system is you’ll enjoy the games at full speed and optimal resolution. Sure, the set up and configuration is a bit more klunky than just plugging in your Wii and loading a game, but remember that you’re gaming in full 1080p which is a step up from the original and then some.
The key thing to remember is this is open source software, which means you get a full support eco-system to fall back on if you need help in configuring and running the software. There’s a forum too, to exchange hints and tips. You’ll need a fast computer (2GHz minimum) and you’ll need to copy over your Wii games to a format that is readable by your computer platform.
Once you’re done (and it takes time) just load the game and off you go. The software will also let you play Gamecube games on your computer, and there’s a Linux version for the hardcore folk too. Enjoy!
Here’s a full list of the Dolphin emulator project links:
Dolphin Emulator: https://dolphin-emu.org/
Wiimote and Nunchuk: https://dolphin-emu.org/docs/
full speed: https://wiki.dolphin-emu.org/
copy over: https://wiki.dolphin-emu.org/
readable: https://forums.dolphin-emu.
https://youtu.be/0550ny7B0wA