Overview
This release introduces experimental GameCube and Wii support via the Dolphin emulator core. This is the most demanding core to run on Switch (Horizon) to date, so instability is expected — especially in this initial release. A compatibility list is being compiled to track how well games are running.
CREATE THE FOLDER TO PUT YOUR DUMPS
- sdmc:/tico/roms/gc
- sdmc:/tico/roms/wii
⚠️ Important — Boost Mode
The Dolphin core enables boost mode by default (1785 MHz CPU / 768 MHz GPU). This is within safe limits, but please monitor your device temperature and signals. We are not responsible for any hardware damage.
You can override these values using sys-clk to run at lower clocks. Note that some titles may not behave correctly at reduced clocks — Luigi's Mansion, for example, did not start past the first cutscene at lower values.
General
- Experimental tab — A new Experimental tab has been added to Settings. Dolphin must be enabled from here before it appears in the Tico interface.
- Dolphin core — Adds GameCube and Wii support. Cores are distributed independently and can be installed or updated from the Settings screen.
GameCube — Tested Games
| Game | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Luigi's Mansion | ✅ Runs well | Menu may be sluggish. Early scenes stutter during shader compilation. Requires higher clocks to boot. |
| The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker | ⚠️ Demanding | Playable with slowdowns in open areas. Indoor areas and interactions run smoothly. Requires higher clocks. |
| The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess | ✅ Runs well | Minor slowdowns in large areas. Stable overall. |
| Mario Kart: Double Dash!! | ✅ Runs well | Initial stutter from shader compilation on early scenes. |
| Eternal Darkness | ⚠️ Mixed | First nightmare scene is very laggy. Subsequent cutscenes and gameplay are playable. |
| Sonic Riders | ✅ Runs well | No slowdowns observed. |
| Super Smash Bros. Melee | ✅ Runs well | Stutter when loading stages for the first time due to shader compilation. |
| Star Fox Adventures | ✅ Runs well | Slow menu. Early scenes stutter during shader compilation. |
| Need for Speed Underground 2 | ⚠️ Partial | Buggy intros (possibly related to hacks). Race starts are slow but playable. |
| FIFA Street 2 | ✅ Runs well | Buggy intros (possibly related to hacks). Fully playable in-game. |
Wii — Tested Games
| Game | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Rayman Origins | ✅ Runs well | No issues observed. |
| Muramasa: The Demon Blade | ✅ Runs well | No issues observed. |
| MadWorld | ✅ Runs OK | Playable with minor issues. |
| Rhythm Heaven Fever | ✅ Fully playable | No issues observed. |
| Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 | ❌ Crashes | Crashes during the first level loading screen. Tested with EUR ROM. |
Sega Saturn
- Simulated BIOS / skip Saturn BIOS option added to Yabasanshiro core settings
Others cores
- Fixes and updates will be rolled out throughout the week — grab them anytime from the Updater in Settings.
Known Issues
- Dolphin instability is expected in this alpha. Crashes and performance issues are normal, particularly on first run before shaders are cached.
- If a game crashes on launch, simply run it again — it will start correctly on the next attempt.