TL;DR
Dolphin 2512 introduces two new frame-presentation modes — Rush Frame Presentation and Smooth Frame Presentation — to reduce input latency and improve frame pacing. The release also brings a local-mode Broadband Adapter and initial RetroAchievements support to the Android build.
What happened
Dolphin's December 22, 2025 Progress Report for Release 2512 rolled out several changes focused on presentation and compatibility. The update adds two presentation-related options: Rush Frame Presentation, a new throttling mode that times emulation stalls to present frames as soon as possible after input is read, and Smooth Frame Presentation, which delays presentation by roughly 1–2 ms to stabilize frame timing. These options are intended to reduce click-to-photon latency while avoiding the frame-pacing problems that can arise when bypassing the XFB pipeline. The release also includes a new local-mode Broadband Adapter (BBA) for connecting multiple Dolphin instances on the same machine — suitable for use with remote services such as Parsec — and delivers RetroAchievements login and unlock functionality to the Android client in an initial form. The report notes many game-specific patches to handle titles that previously interfered with emulation.
Why it matters
- Lower input latency can make timing-sensitive games feel closer to original hardware
- Smoother frame presentation helps titles that struggle with pacing on console or in emulation
- Local BBA mode enables multiplayer setups on a single host and can aid remote-play scenarios
- Android RetroAchievements support brings achievement tracking to mobile Dolphin users
Key facts
- Release date: Progress Report published Dec. 22, 2025; blog authors listed as MayImilae, OatmealDome, JMC47
- New options introduced: Rush Frame Presentation and Smooth Frame Presentation (change referenced 2509-493 by Billiard)
- Rush centers emulation throttling around presenting frames quickly after input is read to reduce latency
- Smooth delays presentation by about 1–2 ms using past frame times to create steadier output
- Dolphin already has an Immediately Present XFB feature that can cut latency but may break or degrade some games
- Combination of Rush and Immediately Present XFB can further reduce latency but risks poor frame pacing in some titles
- Local-mode BBA added to allow multiple Dolphin instances on the same computer to connect, useful with tools like Parsec
- RetroAchievements: Android build now supports logging in and unlocking achievements for supported GameCube titles; in-app UI is incomplete
- Numerous patches included to work around games that cause emulation issues
What to watch next
- External latency verification and detailed test results — not confirmed in the source
- Completion and parity of the Android RetroAchievements in-app UI
- Compatibility reports for titles known to manipulate the XFB pipeline (some titles may still flicker or misrender)
Quick glossary
- XFB (External Frame Buffer): A part of the GameCube/Wii rendering pipeline where rendered frames can be copied out for effects or presentation; bypassing it can change latency and frame behavior.
- Frame presentation: The act of sending a rendered image (frame) from the emulator to the display device for viewing.
- Throttling / Framelimiter: Mechanisms that pause emulation execution to keep virtual hardware running at the original system's intended speed.
- Broadband Adapter (BBA): An accessory originally used for network play on GameCube hardware; in emulation, it can be implemented to enable networked multiplayer functions.
- RetroAchievements: A community-driven achievement system for emulated games that tracks in-game accomplishments and unlocks awards across supported titles.
Reader FAQ
Does Rush Frame Presentation always reduce input latency?
Rush Frame Presentation is designed to reduce click-to-photon latency by timing throttling around input, but actual gains vary by game and host system performance.
Will Immediately Present XFB work for every game?
No. Immediately Present XFB can break or produce visual garbage in games that alter or stitch XFB copies, and it may harm frame pacing in titles that rely on the XFB pipeline.
Is RetroAchievements on Android feature-complete?
Not confirmed in the source.
Can the local BBA connect Dolphin instances across different computers over a network?
The release describes a local mode for allowing multiple Dolphin instances on the same computer to connect; cross-computer behavior is not confirmed in the source.
Blog 2025 December 22 Dolphin Progress Report: Release 2512 Dolphin Progress Report: Release 2512 Written by MayImilae, OatmealDome, JMC47 on Dec. 22, 2025 / Last update on Dec. 22, 2025…
Sources
- Dolphin Progress Release 2512
- Dolphin Emulator now has better frame latency …
- Dolphin emulator update gives you GameCube …
- Dolphin Android continuous scanning and updates overview
Related posts
- How Nintendo’s infamously bad Power Glove helped shape modern VR
- Ask HN: Readers Share Their Favorite Podcasts of 2025 — Picks and Notes
- The Best PS5 Games of 2025 — Sony’s Standouts Despite Fewer Exclusives