Where Does Dolphin Save Games?
Dolphin is a popular emulator that allows users to play games from various consoles on their computers. One of the most frequently asked questions by Dolphin users is where the emulator saves their game progress. In this article, we will explore the different locations where Dolphin saves games and how to access them.
1. Default Save Location
By default, Dolphin saves game progress in a folder called “User” within the Dolphin directory. The location of the Dolphin directory varies depending on the operating system. For Windows users, the Dolphin directory is typically located in the “Documents” folder. On Mac OS, it is located in the “Documents” folder as well, while Linux users can find it in the home directory.
Within the “User” folder, Dolphin creates a subfolder for each game that you play. The name of the subfolder corresponds to the game’s ID or title. For example, if you are playing “Super Mario Sunshine,” Dolphin will create a folder named “GMSD01” within the “User” folder to save your progress.
Inside each game folder, Dolphin saves several files that contain your game progress. The most important file is the “memory card” file, which stores your saved games. Dolphin emulates memory cards for each game, just like the original console would. You can think of these memory card files as virtual memory cards that Dolphin uses to save your progress.
2. Changing the Save Location
If you want to change where Dolphin saves your game progress, you can do so by modifying the emulator’s settings. To access the settings, open Dolphin and click on the “Config” button in the main window. From there, select “Paths” and then click on the “Open” button next to “Memory Card A.”
This will open a file explorer window where you can choose a new location for Dolphin to save your game progress. You can select any folder on your computer, but it is recommended to choose a location that is easy to remember and access.
After selecting a new location, click on the “Create” button to create a new memory card file in the selected folder. Dolphin will now save your game progress in the new location.
3. Backing Up Your Saved Games
It is always a good idea to back up your saved games in case something goes wrong with your computer or Dolphin. To back up your saved games, simply copy the game’s folder from the “User” directory to another location on your computer or an external hard drive.
You can also use cloud storage services like Google Drive or Dropbox to back up your saved games. Simply copy the game’s folder to the cloud storage folder on your computer, and it will automatically sync with the cloud.
4. Transferring Saved Games to Another Computer
If you want to transfer your saved games to another computer, you can do so by copying the game’s folder from the “User” directory on your current computer to the “User” directory on the new computer. Make sure to copy all of the files within the game folder, including the memory card file.
Alternatively, you can use cloud storage services to transfer your saved games between computers. Simply upload the game’s folder to the cloud storage service on your current computer, and then download it on the new computer.
Conclusion
Dolphin saves game progress in a folder called “User” within the emulator directory. Each game has its own subfolder within the “User” directory, where Dolphin saves several files that contain your progress. You can change where Dolphin saves your game progress by modifying the emulator’s settings, and it is always a good idea to back up your saved games in case something goes wrong with your computer or Dolphin. Transferring saved games to another computer is also possible by copying the game’s folder or using cloud storage services. By understanding where Dolphin saves your game progress, you can ensure that your progress is always safe and accessible.
