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Dolphin
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Clinically Insane
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: yes
Status:
Offline
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I just thought you guys might be interested in learning about Dolphin. It started as a Nintendo Gamecube emulator for Windows, but since it has been open sourced it is also available now for Linux and OS X, and also emulates some Nintendo Wii games (including support for the Wii mote).
Because the Gamecube/Wii are PPC based, this emulator has to translate CPU instructions to PPC, and it basically does so by brute force in making use of multiple 64 bit CPU cores and fast processors (not really any GPU right now). Right now you need probably about a 3 Ghz processor for some games, but frame rates are increasing. The other caveat is that sound is not yet working for several games including the Zeldas, but they are working on that too.
The emulator is still undergoing heavy development, but it doesn't look like it will be too long before Wii and Gamecube games can be played on modern hardware:
http://dolphin-emu.com/
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Mac Elite
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: WI, United States
Status:
Offline
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Don't go sticking GameCube discs in your slot-loading drives though people. That would be bad.
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I'm on MacNN forums, but no longer have a Mac...
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Clinically Insane
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: yes
Status:
Offline
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Well, obviously like for any other emulator you are on your own as far as getting ISOs of the games you want to play 
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Mac Elite
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: WI, United States
Status:
Offline
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The PSX emulator let you run right from the disc. I assumed this was the same way... Is it not? Of course, an ISO would work just as well if not better I'm sure.
Oh, so would a PowerPC Mac run this thing faster then? Since no conversion of CPU instructions is theoretically necessary? I know you would still need a beast - I'm not planning on running it on my Mac, just curious.
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I'm on MacNN forums, but no longer have a Mac...
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Clinically Insane
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: yes
Status:
Offline
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Originally Posted by Mac User #001 
The PSX emulator let you run right from the disc. I assumed this was the same way... Is it not? Of course, an ISO would work just as well if not better I'm sure.
It may support that, I've never looked into this. ISOs seem to be the primary mode of operation though, since they are "obtained" that way... I'm sure it benefits performance too.
Oh, so would a PowerPC Mac run this thing faster then? Since no conversion of CPU instructions is theoretically necessary? I know you would still need a beast - I'm not planning on running it on my Mac, just curious.
It would, in theory. However, this started out as a Windows product, and by the time it is considered stable and fully compatible with most games PPC Macs will probably be a distant memory, if not so already. Plus, it would require an extensive developer effort for such a small user base. But yes, in theory PPC would eliminate the whole JIT layer and would yield the best overall results.
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Clinically Insane
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: San Diego, CA, USA
Status:
Offline
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Originally Posted by Mac User #001
Oh, so would a PowerPC Mac run this thing faster then? Since no conversion of CPU instructions is theoretically necessary? I know you would still need a beast - I'm not planning on running it on my Mac, just curious.
It could, but not unless it's programmed that way. In all likelihood, it's still emulating a PowerPC on the PowerPC.
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Chuck
___
"Instead of either 'multi-talented' or 'multitalented' use 'bisexual'."
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