Controller Configuration

Setting up GameCube and Wii controllers in Dolphin

Dolphin supports a wide variety of input devices for both GameCube and Wii emulation. This guide covers how to configure controllers and input mapping.

Accessing Controller Settings

1. Open Controllers

   Navigate to Controllers in the main menu bar, or click Options > Controller Settings

2. Select Console

   Choose between GameCube Controllers or Wii Remotes tabs

GameCube Controllers

Controller Types

For each of the 4 GameCube controller ports, you can select:

Standard Controller

Emulated GameCube controller using keyboard, mouse, or gamepad input.

GBA

Emulate a Game Boy Advance connected via link cable (requires GBA BIOS).

Steering Wheel

Emulated steering wheel for racing games.

DK Bongos

Emulated DK Bongos for Donkey Konga and Donkey Kong Jungle Beat.

None

No controller connected to this port.

GameCube Adapter for Wii U

Dolphin supports the official GameCube Controller Adapter for Wii U:

1. Connect Adapter

   Connect the adapter to your computer via USB

2. Select Adapter Mode

   In the GameCube Controllers tab, select GameCube Adapter for Wii U from the dropdown

3. Configure Ports

   Click Configure to enable/disable specific ports and set rumble settings

On Windows, you may need to install drivers. On Linux, you may need to set up udev rules for proper access.

Configuring Standard Controller

1. Select Standard Controller

   Set a port to Standard Controller

2. Click Configure

   Click the Configure button next to the port

3. Select Device

   Choose your input device from the Device dropdown

4. Map Buttons

   Click each button field and press the corresponding button on your controller

Button Mapping

Map the following GameCube controller inputs:

Buttons

• A, B, X, Y
• Start
• Z (shoulder)
• L (left trigger)
• R (right trigger)

D-Pad

• Up, Down, Left, Right

Analog Stick

• Main Stick (X/Y axes)
• C-Stick (X/Y axes)

Analog Triggers

• L-Analog and R-Analog (pressure-sensitive)

For triggers, you can set both digital and analog inputs. The digital input activates when the trigger is fully pressed.

Advanced Input Settings

Dead Zone

Adjust the dead zone for analog sticks to prevent drift:

• Lower values: More sensitive
• Higher values: Less sensitive to small movements

Radius

Set the radius of analog stick movement (useful for non-circular stick inputs).

Input Expressions

Dolphin supports complex input expressions for advanced mapping:

`A` | `B`         // A or B button
`X` & `Y`         // Both X and Y pressed
!`Start`         // Inverts Start button
`Axis X` * 1.5   // Multiply axis by 1.5

Wii Remotes

Wii Remote Types

For each of the 4 Wii Remote slots plus Balance Board:

Emulated Wii Remote

Use keyboard, mouse, or controller to emulate a Wii Remote.

Real Wii Remote

Connect an actual Wii Remote via Bluetooth.

None

No Wii Remote connected.

Emulated Wii Remote Configuration

1. Select Emulated

   Set a slot to Emulated Wii Remote

2. Click Configure

   Click the Configure button

3. Select Extension

   Choose an extension from the Extension dropdown:

   • None
   • Nunchuk
   • Classic Controller
   • Guitar
   • Drums
   • Turntable
   • uDraw Tablet
   • Drawsome Tablet
   • Tattoo Assist
4. Map Inputs

   Map buttons, motion controls, and extension inputs

Wii Remote Inputs

Buttons

• A, B, 1, 2
• Plus (+) and Minus (-)
• Home

D-Pad

• Up, Down, Left, Right

Motion Controls

• Shake (X, Y, Z)
• Tilt (Forward, Backward, Left, Right)
• Swing (Up, Down, Left, Right, Forward, Backward)
• Point (IR Pointer X/Y)

For pointer controls, you can use a mouse, touchscreen, or analog stick to emulate the IR sensor.

Nunchuk Extension

When Nunchuk is selected as an extension:

• Buttons: C and Z
• Analog Stick: Control stick with X/Y axes
• Motion: Shake and tilt controls

Classic Controller Extension

The Classic Controller adds:

• Buttons: A, B, X, Y, L, R, ZL, ZR, Plus, Minus, Home
• D-Pad: Up, Down, Left, Right
• Analog Sticks: Left Stick and Right Stick (X/Y axes)
• Analog Triggers: L and R (pressure-sensitive)

Motion Control Configuration

Mouse

Use mouse movement for pointer and tilt controls. Suitable for most games.

Gamepad

Use right analog stick or gyro sensor (if available) for motion controls.

Keyboard

Bind specific keys to motion directions (less precise but functional).

Real Wii Remote Connection

To use a real Wii Remote via Bluetooth:

1. Enable Bluetooth

   Ensure Bluetooth is enabled on your computer

2. Select Real Wii Remote

   Set a slot to Real Wii Remote

3. Press Sync

   Click Refresh in Dolphin, then press the sync button (red button under battery cover) on your Wii Remote

4. Pair

   The Wii Remote should appear and connect automatically

Real Wii Remote support requires Bluetooth passthrough mode or compatible Bluetooth adapter. Windows users may need special drivers.

Continuous Scanning

Enable Continuous Scanning in Wii settings to keep searching for Wii Remotes during gameplay. This allows Wii Remotes to reconnect if they disconnect.

Hotkeys

Dolphin supports customizable hotkeys for common emulator functions:

Configuring Hotkeys

1. Open Hotkey Settings

   Click the Hotkeys tab in Controller Settings

2. Select Device

   Choose your input device from the dropdown

3. Map Hotkeys

   Click each hotkey field and press the desired key combination

Available Hotkeys

General

• Open
• Play/Pause
• Stop
• Reset
• Toggle Fullscreen
• Take Screenshot
• Exit

Save States

• Save State to Slot 1-10
• Load State from Slot 1-10
• Select Previous/Next Save Slot
• Save to Selected Slot
• Load from Selected Slot
• Undo Load State
• Undo Save State

Graphics

• Toggle EFB Copies
• Toggle Fog
• Toggle Anisotropic Filtering
• Increase/Decrease IR
• Toggle Aspect Ratio
• Toggle Wireframe Mode

Frame Advance

• Frame Advance
• Increase/Decrease Emulation Speed

Controller Profiles

Save and load controller configurations as profiles:

1. Configure Controller

   Set up your controller mapping as desired

2. Save Profile

   Click Profile > Save and enter a name

3. Load Profile

   Select your profile from Profile > Load to quickly apply settings

Profiles are stored in:

• Windows: Documents\Dolphin Emulator\Config\Profiles
• Linux: ~/.dolphin-emu/Config/Profiles
• macOS: ~/Library/Application Support/Dolphin/Config/Profiles

Background Input

Enable Background Input in the Interface settings to allow controller input when Dolphin is not the active window.

Rumble

If your controller supports force feedback:

1. Ensure rumble is supported by your controller
2. Check Enable Rumble in the controller configuration
3. Adjust rumble strength if available

Some controllers require specific drivers or software to enable rumble support.