GameCube Main Menu

GameCube Main Menu
Developer(s)	Nintendo
Platform(s)	GameCube
Release date(s)	JP September 14, 2001 NA November 18, 2001 EU May 3, 2002 AUS May 17, 2002
Genre(s)	Utility
Mode(s)	Single-player, Multiplayer (4)
Input methods	GameCube Controller
Compatibility	4 Playable
See also...	Dolphin Forum thread Open Issues Search Google Search Wikipedia

The GameCube's Main Menu, commonly known as the GameCube BIOS, is the Initial Program Loader (IPL) of the GameCube and its top level interface, allowing the player to load discs, change settings, and manage up to two memory cards at once. To access these features, the player must either hold A on controller 1, have no disc inserted, or have the lid open as the GameCube logo animates.

Dolphin does not include the GameCube Main Menu by default, and it doesn't need it; it is able to launch games straight from the Dolphin GUI. However, the GameCube Main Menu is fully functional and even capable of launching games.

Problems

Accessing the Menu

To access the menu: disable "Skip BIOS", load any GameCube game, and hold A as the GameCube logo animates. Unlike the Wii Menu, there is no direct boot to the menu.

To change discs, right click on any game in the game list and select "Change Disc", or use File > Change Disc.

Flickering/Stretchy Menu

The start up animation and menu will stretch and distort unless XFB is enabled, either virtual or real will correct for this issue.

Stretchy and flickers

What should display

Missing Music/Incorrect Audio

Despite the fixes 4.0-7286 made to the DSP HLE sound by more accurately emulating Zelda μCode, music and effects in the IPL are still missing or distorted. Needs DSP LLE for proper audio.

Savestates/GameINIs/Cheats Do Not Work

Due to how Dolphin works, Dolphin only recognizes the first thing loaded as the game that is being played. For example, if you load Super Smash Bros. Melee from the Game List, and then change disc and load Super Mario Sunshine, the game settings from the GameINI, cheats, and even any savestates you make will be for Melee and not Sunshine. There is no solution at this time, although Action Replay would allow you to use Action Replay cheat codes only, but only what is available on-disc or on the memory card.

Template:SScreeching AudioTemplate:/s

Needs DSP LLE to prevent screeching audio. Fixed DSP HLE to be more tolerable starting with 4.0-7286.

Compatibility

Only configuration options for the best compatibility where they deviate from defaults are listed.

General

Config	Setting	Notes
Skip GC BIOS	Off	Load any GameCube game and hold A as the GameCube logo animates as it is the only way to access this menu

Version Compatibility

The graph below charts the compatibility with GameCube Main Menu since Dolphin's 2.0 release, listing revisions only where a compatibility change occurred.

2.0

3.0

4.0-7286

Δ

5.0-21453 (current)

Δ

Δ

Δ

Δ

Δ

2.0 (r5384)

Compatibility can be assumed to align with the indicated revisions. However, compatibility may extend to prior revisions or compatibility gaps may exist within ranges indicated as compatible due to limited testing. Please update as appropriate.

Testing

This title has been tested on the environments listed below:

Test Entries
Revision	OS	CPU	GPU	Result	Tester
4.0-6180	Windows 8.1	AMD A8-5500 @ 3.2GHz	AMD Radeon HD 7400m	Works fine with said recommended settings. Good for the proper GameCube feeling to your Dolphin Emulator.	JMTestinTest
4.0-6247	Windows 8.1	Intel Core i5-3210M @ 2.5GHz	NVIDIA GeForce 610M	FPS: 60 VPS: 60 Works fine under recommended settings. Slightly slower frame rates when managing my virtual memory cards. Screen Position settings do not work.	Wildgoosespeeder

Gameplay Videos

GC Main Menu on Dolphin