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How to Convert Game Files in Dolphin Emulator

Use Dolphin’s Convert File menu or dolphin-tool to change supported GameCube and Wii disc images. Learn which formats Dolphin creates and when conversion is unnecessary.
WorldDolphin Emulator Length2 min Posted Quest giverVGSources Team
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Dolphin converts supported GameCube and Wii disc images from its game list: add the folder containing the file, right-click the game, select Convert File, choose an output format and destination, then start the conversion. You do not need to convert an RVZ just to play it in Dolphin; RVZ is already supported.

Convert a game image in Dolphin’s interface

  1. Add the folder containing your disc image to Dolphin’s game paths, then let the game list update.

  2. Find the title in the game list and right-click it.

  3. Select Convert File.

  4. Choose the destination and output format, then start the conversion.

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    Wigearss 1024MB(16344 Blocks) Memory Card for Gamecube and Wii Console Game Cube NGC GC (Orange)
    • Essential accessory for saving game data that you worked so hard to achieve.
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    • Only Wii consoles with model number RVL-001 and Gamecube consoles are compatible.

Dolphin’s official game-ripping guide describes this action for converting to RVZ and for consolidating multipart ISO files into one ISO.

Choose the right output format

Format Best fit What to know
RVZ Playing in Dolphin while keeping a compressed disc image Dolphin supports RVZ directly. It is intended for Dolphin and can save space compared with an uncompressed image.
ISO/GCM Use as an uncompressed image or an intermediate for another application Useful when another tool expects an ISO. It does not provide the space savings of a compressed container.
GCZ or WIA Other formats supported by Dolphin’s converter Dolphin can create these formats; choose one when a compatible workflow specifically calls for it.
WBFS or CISO Some Wii-loader or hardware workflows Dolphin’s FAQ describes these as lossy formats because they remove unused disc information. They are not documented output choices for Dolphin’s converter, so use a separate tool when creating them.

Dolphin’s FAQ covers supported image formats and the distinction between these formats. If your only goal is to play a game in Dolphin, keep the RVZ rather than converting it.

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Convert with dolphin-tool from a command line

Dolphin’s repository documents a dedicated dolphin-tool convert command. Its supported output formats are iso, gcz, wia and rvz; RVZ is the default. A basic command specifies the input, output and format:

dolphin-tool convert -i INPUT -o OUTPUT -f FORMAT

For example, this documented RVZ-oriented configuration converts an ISO using zstd compression, level 5 and a 131072-byte block size:

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Rank #3
Mcbazel 1024MB(16344 Blocks) Memory Card for Gamecube and Wii Console
  • Essential accessory for saving game data that you worked so hard to achieve.
  • Real 16344 blocks non-compress. Eight 128MB parts, pressing the button on the card to switch.
  • High speed and efficient product. Easy to use.
  • Only Wii consoles with model number RVL001 and Gamecube consoles are compatible.
  • Made by Third Party, NOT official item.
dolphin-tool convert -i input.iso -o output.rvz -f rvz -c zstd -l 5 -b 131072

The command-line options include scrubbing unused data (-s or --scrub), setting the block size (-b or --block_size), choosing compression (-c or --compression) and setting the compression level (-l or --compression_level). The repository README documents zstd, bzip, lzma and lzma2 compression options and suggests zstd, level 5 and a 131072-byte block size for RVZ. Consult the Dolphin repository README for the command’s current options.

Convert RVZ to WBFS for a Wii-loader workflow

Dolphin’s converter does not list WBFS as an output format. To create a WBFS image from an RVZ, convert the RVZ to ISO in Dolphin first, then use a Wii-specific manager to convert that ISO to WBFS. The WBFS step is external to Dolphin; it is relevant when a Wii loader or compatible hardware workflow requires that format, not for Dolphin playback.

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When conversion is—and is not—needed

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