Makkun
Smash Journeyman
Have you ever thought it would be awesome to play Melee online? It's something you've wanted for some time, isn't it? Well, it's finally here. With the Dolphin Emulator, you can play Melee with anyone in the world. You just need to download everything in this list and follow our instructions.
Videos
Stages - How stressful each will be on your computer
The biggest problem we're facing is the CPU requirements; you need a decent CPU for even the least resource-demanding stages. The demands vary by stage and number of players, so I've tested the stages to help show which have the lowest hit on the CPU using Dolphin build 3.0-305.
Mushroom Kingdom II
Mushroom Kingdom
Battlefield
Past Stages: Dream Land
Final Destination
Past Stages: Yoshi's Island
Past Stages: Kongo Jungle
Fourside
Pokemon Stadium
Flat Zone
Yoshi's Story
Rainbow Cruise
Icicle Mountain
Lylat System Corneria
Kongo Jungle
Planet Zebes Brinstar Depths
Planet Zebes Kraid
Mute City
Fountain of Dreams
Big Blue
Lylat System Venom
**The stages are ordered from easiest on your CPU to hardest; green, yellow, then red.
FAQ
- Dolphin build 3.0-815 (Win32 | x64) - This is the newest version. We've modded in a few imporovements to netplay.
- Dolphin build 3.0-305 (Win32 | x64 | Mac - This is an old build. If you have problems with our build, use this one.
- Memory Card file - You and your opponent need to use the exact same memory card file state each time you play. We recommend you use this one. Extract the .rar file and place MemoryCardA.USA.raw in your User/GC folder and overwrite the existing file. Make sure to keep a backup. You need to revert back to this original memory card state each time you reconnect with an opponent.
- Melee version converter - Chain Ace created this version converter for Melee. It is only necessary if you cannot find Melee version 1.02 (our recommended version) but you have a different version available.
This is, perhaps, the most important part of playing Melee online with Dolphin's netplay function. Netplay is extremely sensitive, so you MUST follow these instructions carefully and follow them exactly, otherwise you're likely to face a desync.
Whatever settings you use, make sure your opponent also uses!!! - Not using the same exact settings will more than likely cause a desync (this excludes graphic enhancements such as resolution and anti-aliasing).
In the General Config tab, you may select either Single Core or Dual Core. Dual Core mode is easier on your CPU (helps to achieve full game speeds) but there are still a few bugs we're still trying to fix.
We've fixed Dolphin's netplay to allow the use of DSP HLE without desyncing. However, the more accurate DSP LLE sound emulation requires files dumped from a homebrewed Wii console. If you use DSP LLE, make sure to check "DSP LLE on Thread" and set it to "DSP LLE recompiler".
This is pretty straightforward. Make sure a Memory Card is active in Slot A, and more importantly, make sure a "Standard Controller" is selected for as many players as you plan on having in the game.
When setting your graphics, it is wise for you and your opponent to use the same Backend. In most cases with Melee, OpenGL will run faster than DirectX. If you're experiencing any issues, try DX9. The "Display" and "Other" sections are preference and will not affect synchronization.
The Enhancements tab comes to personal preference. Setting these options too high may cause slowdown on your computer. Only go as high as your computer can handle. This is one case where your settings can differ from your opponent's without risking a desync.
In the graphics Hacks tab, it is wise for you and your opponent to check "Skip EFB Access from CPU". Also make sure you've set "EFB Copies" to "Texture". This should be the default setting.
Whatever settings you use, make sure your opponent also uses!!! - Not using the same exact settings will more than likely cause a desync (this excludes graphic enhancements such as resolution and anti-aliasing).
In the General Config tab, you may select either Single Core or Dual Core. Dual Core mode is easier on your CPU (helps to achieve full game speeds) but there are still a few bugs we're still trying to fix.
We've fixed Dolphin's netplay to allow the use of DSP HLE without desyncing. However, the more accurate DSP LLE sound emulation requires files dumped from a homebrewed Wii console. If you use DSP LLE, make sure to check "DSP LLE on Thread" and set it to "DSP LLE recompiler".
This is pretty straightforward. Make sure a Memory Card is active in Slot A, and more importantly, make sure a "Standard Controller" is selected for as many players as you plan on having in the game.
When setting your graphics, it is wise for you and your opponent to use the same Backend. In most cases with Melee, OpenGL will run faster than DirectX. If you're experiencing any issues, try DX9. The "Display" and "Other" sections are preference and will not affect synchronization.
The Enhancements tab comes to personal preference. Setting these options too high may cause slowdown on your computer. Only go as high as your computer can handle. This is one case where your settings can differ from your opponent's without risking a desync.
In the graphics Hacks tab, it is wise for you and your opponent to check "Skip EFB Access from CPU". Also make sure you've set "EFB Copies" to "Texture". This should be the default setting.
Videos
Desync Stress Test - An early test to see just how much stress Dolphin netplay can take before desyncing. Even with all items on Very High the game never desyncs.
Our 30FPS speedup code in action - Video and code by NMN. This code modifies the Gamecube's timing codes, thus saving on processing power. It allows players with lower-end computers to play Single Core mode more easily. It also keeps sound and music normal!!
AMAZING 40-minute session on LiveStream (JMC vs KnitePhox) - This is amazing because it proves you can play seamless, desyncless matches over long periods of time!
*Falco vs Yoshi (Makkun vs JMC)
*Link vs Yoshi (Makkun vs JMC)
*These videos may contain audio/video desync. This has nothing to do with actual in-game lag and is only a result of the recording software, FRAPS giving us problems. In-game lag is generally anywhere from 4-8 frames depending on how high we set Dolphin's input buffer.
Our 30FPS speedup code in action - Video and code by NMN. This code modifies the Gamecube's timing codes, thus saving on processing power. It allows players with lower-end computers to play Single Core mode more easily. It also keeps sound and music normal!!
AMAZING 40-minute session on LiveStream (JMC vs KnitePhox) - This is amazing because it proves you can play seamless, desyncless matches over long periods of time!
*Falco vs Yoshi (Makkun vs JMC)
*Link vs Yoshi (Makkun vs JMC)
*These videos may contain audio/video desync. This has nothing to do with actual in-game lag and is only a result of the recording software, FRAPS giving us problems. In-game lag is generally anywhere from 4-8 frames depending on how high we set Dolphin's input buffer.
Stages - How stressful each will be on your computer
The biggest problem we're facing is the CPU requirements; you need a decent CPU for even the least resource-demanding stages. The demands vary by stage and number of players, so I've tested the stages to help show which have the lowest hit on the CPU using Dolphin build 3.0-305.
Mushroom Kingdom II
Mushroom Kingdom
Battlefield
Past Stages: Dream Land
Final Destination
Past Stages: Yoshi's Island
Past Stages: Kongo Jungle
Fourside
Pokemon Stadium
Flat Zone
Yoshi's Story
Rainbow Cruise
Icicle Mountain
Lylat System Corneria
Kongo Jungle
Planet Zebes Brinstar Depths
Planet Zebes Kraid
Mute City
Fountain of Dreams
Big Blue
Lylat System Venom
**The stages are ordered from easiest on your CPU to hardest; green, yellow, then red.
FAQ
Q: What does "desync" mean?
A: Desyncing is when the game's state on your screen is different than that of your opponent's, effectively "breaking" the game. For example, if you use Game & Watch's side-B "Judgement" move and get a '9' on your screen, you will probably kill your opponent (if the attack connected). However, if something went wrong and on your opponent's screen he/she got a different number, the two game states would be different and thus the game would break.
Q: How do I know if the game desynced?
A: The easiest way to tell is if your opponent starts killing himself for no reason, or if he seems to be fighting invisible ninjas. If you ask your opponent about it, he will probably say you were doing the same thing on his screen.
Q: Why is my game desyncing?
A: There are (few) unexplained desyncs, but in most cases it means somebody set something up wrong. You and your opponent must have the exact same Dolphin build, Dolphin settings, Melee version, and memory card file. Even the slightest mistake can cause the game to desync.
Changelog:
October 19, 2012 - Thread posted. Added *disclaimer to some videos that contain audio/video desync unrelated to in-game lag. Added descriptions to videos on YouTube.
October 21, 2012 - Added second post "Play Testers". Created team email melee.netplay@gmail.com. Added a "Download Links" section.
October 22, 2012 - Added amazing footage of JMC and KnitePhox testing Melee netplay, a 40-minute video of seamless, desyncless netplay. Cleaned up the OP.
October 24, 2012 - Re-wrote entire OP. Added brand new custom Dolphin builds to assist Melee netplay.
November 15, 2012 - Huge gap since last thread update, real life has been a pain. New build 815 has settings sync, a true 30 FPS hack with working audio, and a dual-core fix.
A: Desyncing is when the game's state on your screen is different than that of your opponent's, effectively "breaking" the game. For example, if you use Game & Watch's side-B "Judgement" move and get a '9' on your screen, you will probably kill your opponent (if the attack connected). However, if something went wrong and on your opponent's screen he/she got a different number, the two game states would be different and thus the game would break.
Q: How do I know if the game desynced?
A: The easiest way to tell is if your opponent starts killing himself for no reason, or if he seems to be fighting invisible ninjas. If you ask your opponent about it, he will probably say you were doing the same thing on his screen.
Q: Why is my game desyncing?
A: There are (few) unexplained desyncs, but in most cases it means somebody set something up wrong. You and your opponent must have the exact same Dolphin build, Dolphin settings, Melee version, and memory card file. Even the slightest mistake can cause the game to desync.
Changelog:
October 19, 2012 - Thread posted. Added *disclaimer to some videos that contain audio/video desync unrelated to in-game lag. Added descriptions to videos on YouTube.
October 21, 2012 - Added second post "Play Testers". Created team email melee.netplay@gmail.com. Added a "Download Links" section.
October 22, 2012 - Added amazing footage of JMC and KnitePhox testing Melee netplay, a 40-minute video of seamless, desyncless netplay. Cleaned up the OP.
October 24, 2012 - Re-wrote entire OP. Added brand new custom Dolphin builds to assist Melee netplay.
November 15, 2012 - Huge gap since last thread update, real life has been a pain. New build 815 has settings sync, a true 30 FPS hack with working audio, and a dual-core fix.