Dolphin Emulator Black Screen With Audio

  • I have an issue using Reshade with OpenGL with Dolphin emulator. When i apply the shader effects with Reshade the screen turns to black but i can hear the audio playing. When i use the DX11 backened the effects apply without any problem (although in windowed, cause in fullscreen the emulator crashes).
  • Download dolphin!
  • LLE audio is quite demanding, and your system won't handle these two games at fullspeed under LLE, so the audio will stutter and sound pretty bad. You'll need a more powerful computer to run LLE perfectly. You could use the official 3.0 stable release and use the VBeam Trick though. The game will still be slow, but the audio might be acceptable.

Dolphin: Needs work: Generates sound but not video in RALibretro: 19: Wii: Dolphin: Needs work: Crashes RALib when testing: 20: Wii U: Untested: 21: PlayStation 2: Play PCSX2: Low compatibility with most commercial games; black screen with stuttering sound PCSX2 is still in an alpha state, does not yet expose memory. 22: Xbox: 26: DOS: Needs.

Supported Consoleslink

Console IDConsole NameStandalonesCoresRALib SupportNotes
1• Sega Genesis
• Mega Drive
Genesis Plus GX
Picodrive
Yes
2Nintendo 64Project64ParaLLEl N64
Mupen64Plus-Next
Yes
3• SNES
• Super Famicom
• Satellaview
• Sufami Turbo
RASnes9xSnes9x
Mesen-S
Yes
4Game BoyRAVBAGambatte
Gearboy
VBA-M
Yes• mGBA crashes when unloading the core because RALibretro doesn't implement the camera interface
5Game Boy AdvanceRAVBAmGBA
VBA-M
Beetle GBA
VBA Next
Yes
6Game Boy ColorRAVBAGambatte
Gearboy
VBA-M
Yes
7• NES
• Famicom
• Famicom Disk System
RANesMesen
FCEUmm
QuickNES
Yes
8• TurboGrafx-16
• PC Engine
• TurboGrafx-CD
• PC Engine CD
• SuperGrafx
Beetle PCE FAST
Beetle SuperGrafx
Yes• SuperGrafx games do not work on the Beetle PCE FAST core
9• Mega CD
• Sega CD
Genesis Plus GXYesAppears to still have unmapped RAM (Ecco 1+2)
10Sega 32XPicoDriveYes• Several games are problematic
11• Master System
• Mark III
RAMekaGenesis Plus GX
Gearsystem
Picodrive
Yes
12PlayStationBeetle PSX
Beetle PSX HW
PCSX ReARMed
SwanStation
Yes
13Atari LynxBeetle Lynx
Handy
Yes
14• Neo Geo Pocket
• Neo Geo Pocket Color
Beetle NeoPopYes
15Game GearRAMekaGenesis Plus GX
Gearsystem
Yes
17Atari JaguarVirtual JaguarYes• No savestate support
• Many issues with the emulation
18Nintendo DSDeSmuME
MelonDS
Yes• Limited Microphone Support
• No DSi support
23Magnavox Odyssey 2O2EMYes
24Pokemon MiniPokeMiniYes
25Atari 2600StellaYes
27ArcadeFinalBurn NeoYes• Needs Updated Board List
• Some boards may not be fully exposed
28Virtual BoyBeetle VBYes
29MSX/MSX2blueMSXYes• Hash relies on dsk file not being modified
• .DSK files appear to be unsupported if they also require a cartridge (typically a 'sound' cartridge, which was the case with SD Snatcher). There is a core option for this, but it doesn't seem to function properly.
33SG-1000RAMekaGenesis Plus GX
blueMSX
Yes
38Apple IIRAppleWinNo
39SaturnBeetle Saturn
Yabause
Yes
433DO Interactive MultiplayerOperaYes
44ColecoVisionRAMekablueMSXYes
45IntellivisionFreeIntVNeeds Work• Controls are much better than they were
• Crashes if game is reset
• Some crashes that might be related to Intellivoice
46VectrexVecXYes
47• PC-8001
• PC-8801
RAQUASI88QUASI88No• QUASI88 crashes RALib when loading core. Core writes over dsk file when emulator writes to dsk - this breaks hashing
• PC-88VA not supported
49PC-FXBeetle PC-FXYes
51Atari 7800ProSystemYes
53• WonderSwan
• WonderSwan Color
Beetle WonderSwanYes
63Watara SupervisionPotatorYes

Supported But Not Validatedlink

Console IDConsole NameStandalonesCoresRALib SupportNotes
56Neo Geo CDNeoCDAppears fully functional. Needs hashing method

Unsupported Consoleslink

Console IDConsole NameStandalonesCoresRALib SupportNotes
16GameCubeDolphinNeeds workGenerates sound but not video in RALibretro
19WiiDolphinNeeds workCrashes RALib when testing
20Wii UUntested
21PlayStation 2Play
PCSX2
Low compatibility with most commercial games; black screen with stuttering sound
PCSX2 is still in an alpha state, does not yet expose memory.
22Xbox
26DOSNeeds workNeeds a reliable hashing method
30Commodore 64viceNeeds Work• Cannot find save disk for games like Bard's Tale and Maniac Mansion
• Uncertain how core handles writing to disk - may affect hashing
• How to handle multi-disk games that come in a zip without an m3u?
31ZX81EightyOneNeeds Work• Memory not exposed.
32Oric
34Vic-20Needs WorkUntested with proper BIOS.
35AmigaP-UAENeeds Work• Seems to run fine if zips are loaded. Memory is not exposed.
36Atari STHatariNeeds Work• Memory not exposed. Games seem to run fine.
37Amstrad CPCCap32Needs Work• Memory is exposed
• Has 'machine gun' audio bug in several games depending on machine selected.
37Amstrad CPCCrocoDSNeeds Work• Memory is NOT exposed. Seems to run fine. Several games tested.
40DreamcastflycastNeeds WorkRuns too fast
Crashes when unloading core
41PlayStation PortablePPSSPPNeeds Work• Runs too fast, but speed seems to normalize when the PSP UI is brought up, or in one case, the in-game menu. Very few games seem to run normally so we might need a frame-limiter.
42Philips CD-IUntested
48PC-9800np2kaiNeeds Work• Memory is not exposed. Ran all 10 games tested.
50Atari 5200Atari800Needs Work• Appears to work fine, but the core itself is a bit of a headache. The BIOS has to be configured within the core (F1 > Emulator Configuration > System ROM settings).
• Couldn't figure out controls - does Joystick also need to be configured within the core?
• Currently allows loading arbitrary files from the internal menu, bypassing hashing. Can't be supported in hardcore unless that can somehow be blocked.
52Sharp X68Kpx68kUntested with proper BIOS
54Cassette Vision
55Super Cassette VisionCurrently only playable in MAME, which cannot be supported
57Fairchild Channel-FFreeChaF
FBNeo
FreeChaF exposes memory, but has some control issues
FBNeo appears fine
58FM Towns
59ZX SpectrumFUSE• Requires rcheevos memory map to leverage memory descriptors
• Requires ability to map keyboard to port 3 (RALibretro)
• Uncertain about save support; cannot seem to insert save disk
60Game & WatchgwDoesn't expose memory yet
61Nokia N-Gage
62Nintendo 3DSCitraCore doesn't load at all.
64Sharp X1X1 Millennium• Does not expose memory
• Crashes RALibretro
• Uncertain how core handles writing to disk/tape - may affect hashing
65TIC-80TIC-80Doesn't expose memory correctly (only see 8 bytes)
66Thomson TO8/TO8DTheodoreSeems to work. Uncertain how core handles writing to disk/tape - may affect hashing

Does Not Have Console IDlink

Console IDConsole NameStandalonesCoresRALib SupportNotes
PocketStationpockystationCore doesn't seem functional even in Retroarch
Sega PICOPicodriveCan't be controlled fully, needs controls related to turning pages in attached books
PC-6001
Zeebo
J2MEfreej2meUntested

RetroAchievements Emulator Requirements:link

  • If the emulator does not support a feature, the requirement is automatically met. This is primarily a set of guidelines to ensure the interaction between the emulator and the toolkit is consistent between emulators.
  • If the system is supported by RetroArch, explain why a standalone emulator is desirable. RetroArch support is preferred as it is usable by more players (i.e. not just Windows users), and adding support to RALibRetro for an additional core is much easier than overhauling an entire emulator.

Game Identificationlink

  • Hash method documented and approved
  • If emulator supports dynamic patching [i.e. ips], hash is calculated after applying patch
  • Hash ignores any persistent save data [SRAM]
  • Game can be properly identified (RA_OnLoadNewRom and/or RA_IdentifyROM + RA_ActivateGame)
  • Unidentified game provides some descriptor [typically filename] to unknown game dialog (RA_InstallSharedFunctions>RA_GetEstimatedGameTitle)
  • Unidentified game provides list of known games for console (RA_SetConsoleID - which is usually called by RAIntegration in the emulator registration)

Emulatorlink

  • DLL is downloaded if not available (RA_Init - new EmulatorID enum value may be needed in RA_Interface.h)
  • RetroAchievements menu is visible (RA_CreatePopupMenu) and functional (RA_InvokeDialog)
  • RetroAchievements menu updates when logging in/out (RA_InstallSharedFunctions>RA_RebuildMenu)
  • Login dialog displayed on first run or auto-login on future runs (RA_AttemptLogin)
  • Title includes logged in user (RA_UpdateAppTitle)
  • RALog.txt ends with 'Shutdown complete' after closing emulator (RA_Shutdown)
  • Full-window overlay can be displayed (RA_SetPaused)
  • Full-window overlay can be navigated (RA_NavigateOverlay)
  • Full-window overlay navigation uses player's custom controller bindings, not hard-coded inputs.
  • Closing the full-window overlay unpauses the emulator (RA_InstallSharedFunctions>RA_CauseUnpause)
  • Overlay is still functional when toggling full-screen mode (RA_UpdateHWnd)
  • Resetting the emulator disables any active popups/leaderboards (RA_OnReset)
  • Performance of emulator (without any debugging windows open) should not be noticeably different than the source emulator at 100% speed
  • Emulator must perform at intended framerate on a PC that could have been purchased at a retail store within the last four years.

Emulated Systemlink

  • Memory mapping method is documented and approved (RA_InstallMemoryBank)
  • Modifying memory affects the game (RA_InstallMemoryBank>pWriter)

Achievements/Leaderboards/Rich Presencelink

  • Achievements can be created
  • Achievements trigger (RA_InstallMemoryBank>pReader, RA_DoAchievementsFrame)
  • Achievement trigger displays notification
  • Achievement can pause emulator [Pause on Reset, Pause on Trigger] (RA_InstallSharedFunctions>RA_CausePause)
  • Achievements are not processed when emulator is paused [HitCount for true condition does not increment] (RA_DoAchievementsFrame not called when paused)
  • When using frame advance, achievements are only processed when the frame is advanced.
  • Changing the current game prompts the user to save modifications (RA_ConfirmLoadNewRom)
    • Choosing not to save modifications aborts changing the current game.
  • Closing the emulator prompts the user to save modifications (RA_ConfirmLoadNewRom)
    • Choosing not to save modifications aborts closing the emulator.
  • Closing the current game prompts the user to save modifications (RA_ConfirmLoadNewRom)
    • Choosing not to save modifications aborts closing the current game.
  • Closing the current game clears the list of achievements for the game (RA_ActivateGame(0))

Softcorelink

  • Save states can be created
  • Save states can be loaded
  • HitCounts persist with save state (RA_OnSaveState, RA_OnLoadState)
  • Speed may be adjusted above 100% [framerate higher than normal]
  • Speed may be adjusted below 100% [framerate lower than normal]
  • Fast-forward [removing frame limiter] is allowed
  • Rewind is allowed
  • Frame advance is allowed
    • Overlay should not be displayed when using frame advance (don't call RA_SetPaused)
  • Recording is allowed
  • Recording playback is allowed
  • Switching to Hardcore resets the emulator (RA_InstallSharedFunctions>RA_ResetEmulation)
  • Switching to Hardcore resets the emulator speed to 100%
  • Switching to Hardcore closes any emulator specific tools for viewing/modifying memory
  • Switching to Hardcore disables any enabled cheats

Hardcorelink

  • Save states can be created
  • Save states cannot be loaded [prompt to switch to softcore (RA_WarnDisableHardcore)]
  • Speed may be adjusted above 100%
  • Speed cannot be adjusted below 100%
  • Fast-forward is allowed
  • Rewind is not allowed
  • Frame advance is not allowed
  • Recording is allowed
  • Recording playback is not allowed
  • Switching to Softcore does not reset the emulator
  • Emulator specific tools for viewing/modifying memory are not allowed [prompt to switch to softcore optional]
  • Emulator specific tools for supporting cheats are not allowed [prompt to switch to softcore optional]
  • Ensure any features not allowed in hardcore are disabled both from menu items and hotkeys
Dolphin emulator black screen with audio on youtube

After approvallink

  • Version generated from git tag
  • Zip file needs to be built - should contain emulator, default Overlay directory, and any supplemental files needed by the emulator
  • Backend (to be done by the RAWeb team)
    • Add the emulator's console ID as a 'valid' console, so new achievements can be promoted to the Core set (RAWeb:lib/database/game.php>isValidConsoleId).
    • Add the emulator's enum (get the number from RAInterface.h and add it in RAWeb:src/Emulators.php)
    • dorequest.php>latestclient needs to map to LatestXXXVersion.html file when it receives either emulator ID or console ID.
    • Add link to the new system game list in RAWeb:lib/dynrenderer.php>RenderToolbar.
    • Add an entry for the emulator in RAWeb:public/reportissue.php, so people can choose it when opening tickets.
    • Upload zip file to the server
    • Create the LatestXXXVersion.html page.
    • Add a link to the zip file and show the latest emulator's version in RAWeb:public/download.php

Changeloglink

Last 10 changes on this page:

  • [2021-07-21 17:02] TheFetishMachine: Made small spelling changes, added MelonDS to supported DS cores, changed notes for DS, added J2ME
  • [2021-06-28 21:25] televandalist: Added Zeebo to the 'Does Not Have Console ID' list
  • [2021-06-25 23:05] televandalist: Added MSX2 to console ID 29 + added note about DSK files.
  • [2021-05-19 11:40] televandalist: Added PC-6001 to consoles with no console ID. Added note about PC-88VA for RAQUASI88
  • [2021-05-19 11:32] televandalist: Delete PC-6001 from list of consoles for RAQUASI88
  • [2021-04-26 07:56] Sanaki: Cleanups, new info, corrected core names, etc.
  • [2021-04-25 04:27] televandalist: Removed comment about incorrected memory addresses for PSP since that's been fixed in a new dll.
  • [2021-04-20 13:52] Jamiras: update atari 5200 assessment
  • [2021-04-03 09:31] Jamiras: add test results for Supervision, TO8, X1, and TIC-80
  • [2021-03-31 01:59] televandalist: Includes recent console ID additions. Moves Intellivision to the supported group. Adds New Emulator Checklist.

Dolphin is a dual core application that relies upon IPC (Instructions Per Clock) and clockspeed for performance. Additional cores will not make Dolphin go any faster, though an 'extra' core that Dolphin isn’t using may help slightly by keeping background tasks from using the same cores as Dolphin.

Accordingly, the perfect CPU for Dolphin has high IPC, a high clock rate, and four cores or more. With four cores, Dolphin has two cores for the main emulation threads, a third core for other tasks, and another core for the operating system and background tasks to run without taking resources from the emulator.

  • Intel: For the most part, newer is better when it comes to Intel processors. Within a single generation of processors, the difference between i5 and i7 (hyperthreading/extra core counts) don't affect Dolphin very much. Newer generations will give higher performance per clock, and K series processors will allow for overclocking to gain extra performance. Be wary of U and Y series processors, as their reduced clockspeeds often struggle with Dolphin's workload.

  • AMD: Dolphin's workload didn't match the strengths of AMD processors until the Ryzen line. As such, we can only recommend Ryzen or newer for Dolphin among AMD's line of processors.

Dolphin Emulator Black Screen With Audio And Sound

For more details, such as specific CPU recommendations, CPU comparisons, or what hardware you should purchase to get playable speeds on a specific game, please ask on our Hardware Forumbefore purchasing.

Dolphin Emulator Black Screen With Audio And Video

Note: For more information regarding CPU performance, please check out this handy benchmark that contains results from tons of users. It's important to remember that Dolphin is a console emulator with tons of optimizations and features. But, in the end, it does what the game instructs it to do. Some games only use features that are easy to emulate, and thus will run full-speed on just about any computer that supports Dolphin. Meanwhile, others struggle to run full speed at all times on even the most powerful of processors.