The Dolphin Emulator: Nintendo Blocks Steam Release, Developers Pull the Plug

Aug 08, 2023

The Dolphin Emulator, known for allowing players to enjoy old Wii and GameCube games, has faced a setback in its plans to release on Steam. The developers recently released a blog post detailing the events that led to this decision and asserting their belief that they were in the right legally. It turns out that Nintendo’s legal team was not keen on having the emulator on the popular gaming platform, and Valve, understandably, did not want to engage in a potential conflict with a fellow gaming giant.

Contrary to online speculations, the Dolphin team clarified that Nintendo did not issue a DMCA takedown notice or take any legal action against them. However, Valve’s legal department did reach out to Nintendo to inquire about the emulator’s planned release on Steam. Word got back to the Dolphin team with a statement from Nintendo’s lawyers, which stated that the emulator would only be allowed on Steam if Nintendo approved it. “We specifically request that Dolphin’s ‘coming soon’ notice be removed and that you ensure the emulator does not release on the Steam store moving forward,” Nintendo’s letter to Valve read.

Rather than getting involved directly, Valve seemed to have put the responsibility on the Dolphin developers to obtain approval, although it was clear to all parties involved that this approval was unlikely to be granted. Given Nintendo’s past actions and the wording of the letter, the Dolphin team understood that it was best to cancel the Steam release. Fortunately, players can still download the Dolphin Emulator as a separate application for Windows, macOS, and Linux from the project’s official website. However, having the emulator on Steam could have greatly increased its legitimacy and expanded its audience.

In their blog post, the Dolphin team acknowledged Valve’s authority in running the Steam store and setting their own conditions for software inclusion. However, given Nintendo’s long-standing stance against emulation, the requirement for the team to obtain Nintendo’s approval for a Steam release was deemed impossible. Unfortunately, this means that the Steam release of the Dolphin Emulator will not be happening.

Although the Dolphin Emulator won’t be available on Steam, it remains a popular choice for players seeking to relive their favorite Wii and GameCube experiences on their PC. The dedicated community behind Dolphin continues to develop and improve the emulator, ensuring that players can enjoy these classic games with enhanced graphics and performance options.

The Dolphin team concluded their blog post by expressing their appreciation for the support they have received from the community. They remain committed to making the Dolphin Emulator the best it can be and encourage players to stay updated with their latest releases and developments through their official website.