GameCube Main Menu

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Revision as of 15:59, 10 November 2015 by MayImilae (talk | contribs) (→‎Accessing the Menu: Making sure everyone knows that it requires IPL.bin)
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GameCube Main Menu
GameCubeSystemMenu.png
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 4Stars4.pngEdit rating: GameCube Main Menu
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, you must first dump a copy of IPL.bin from your console; then disable "Skip BIOS", load any GameCube game, and hold A as the GameCube logo animates. Unlike the Wii Menu, there is no way to directly 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.

Missing Music/Incorrect Audio

Despite the fixes 4.0-7286 made to the DSP HLE sound by more accurately emulating Zelda ucode, 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

Audio

Config Setting Notes
DSP Emulator Engine LLE HLE is still inaccurate

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.

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5.0-21270 (current)
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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
4.0-7286 Windows 8.1 Intel Core i5-3210M @ 2.5GHz NVIDIA GeForce 610M It's so nice and not startling to not hear screeching under HLE! Too bad the sounds aren't perfect but hey, progress! Wildgoosespeeder

Gameplay Videos