Dolphin games refuse to launch.

[CMYK]

I've imported my library of Wii games (.rvz format) and selected Dolphin as the emulator of choice. Metadata downloaded and everything appears proper.

However if I try to launch a Wii game, nothing happens. No window flashing on screen briefly, no error message, nothing. The only thing that does happen is Launchbox counts run time and play count. If I go into big box mode and try to launch a title, it will display the loading screen, then close back to the big box menu for the game title. I've tried changing the emulator to RetroArch in hopes of using the Dolphin core, but get the same results.

The PC itself runs standalone Dolphin just fine. Any ideas what could be causing this and how I fix it?

[JoeViking245]

5 minutes ago, CMYK said:

However if I try to launch a Wii game, nothing happens.

Can you (in LaunchBox) edit your Dolphin emulator and share a screenshot of

1. the main Details section
2. the Associated Platforms section

[CMYK]

forgive the poor quality, I am controlling my system through a remote since it doesn't have a keyboard of its own

[JoeViking245]

1 hour ago, CMYK said:

forgive the poor quality, I am controlling my system through a remote since it doesn't have a keyboard of its own

The quality is fine.  Unfortunately (only because it doesn't give an easy solution) that all looks good.

I presume that's the most recent release of Dolphin.  Usually, the Details screen will show what your local version is and have a Reinstall button (which isn't needing to be done).  Unless you're using an older version of LaunchBox before that became a thing.

Another assumption is that you don't have 2 installations of Dolphin on your system (i.e. your testing done outside of LaunchBox was using a different copy of Dolphin).

Which leads us to... (in LaunchBox) edit your Wii games and verify the game(s) Application Path (Launching section) is pointing to the games .rvz file.  Also double check in the Emulation section of the game(s) that Dolphin is selected as the emulator.

If all else fails, (though this should affect anything) remove from the emulators' Command-line Parameters everything between -b and -e.  Leaving it with -b -e.

A last grasping-at-stars thought is un-check Attempt to hide console window (your 1st screenshot).

 

[CMYK]

9 minutes ago, JoeViking245 said:

I presume that's the most recent release of Dolphin.  Usually, the Details screen will show what your local version is and have a Reinstall button (which isn't needing to be done).  Unless you're using an older version of LaunchBox before that became a thing.

Another assumption is that you don't have 2 installations of Dolphin on your system (i.e. your testing done outside of LaunchBox was using a different copy of Dolphin).

It should all be latest, I just installed Launchbox a couple of days ago. It's a fresh install of Windows on a brand new PC.

I misspoke when I said Dolphin worked outside of Launchbox, I realize I only ever tested the Dolphin core for RetroArch. After tracking down the Dolphin install that I downloaded through Launchbox, I am unable to open it, so I assume this isn't a Launchbox issue. Not sure why I can't launch the RetroArch core through Launchbox either though... possibly related?

Launchbox is correctly pointing to the rom files and correctly set to Dolphin. I assume its a non issue since my other roms work fine but maybe its worth mentioning just in case- all of my roms are on a samba network share. I did try your suggestion of changing the command-line params, as well as unchecking "attempt to hide console window" but still no dice

I'm going to try manually installing Dolphin and replacing the version in Launchbox > Emulators, and if that doesn't work then I'll head over to the Dolphin folks to see if they can help me out, maybe my odd hardware is causing an issue. I might also try reinstalling Launchbox.

I appreciate the replies, I'll be back if I can figure it out.

[JoeViking245]

5 minutes ago, CMYK said:

After tracking down the Dolphin install that I downloaded through Launchbox, I am unable to open it

Ahh.. yeah. That can be an issue.  

I say delete in place, then reinstall into the same location (/Emulators/Dolphin/).  This way you wouldn't have to change anything in LaunchBox.  Then see if you can double-click dolphin.exe and have it open.

Next, try a game.  [success]  Try it then through LaunchBox.  Even on the network, if it works in stand-alone Dolphin, it should work through LB.  If not, try copying a ROM onto the local drive, (change the app path for the game in LB) and try again.

[CMYK]

Reinstalling Dolphin didn't work, I did a quick search on what could cause that and most suggested reinstalling Visual C++

I could've sworn I'd already installed it, but after installing it indeed fixed the issue and now I feel silly 🤣

It all seems to be working perfectly now! Thanks