TL;DR
Dolphin's Release 2512 adds two new frame-presentation modes (Rush and Smooth) to reduce input latency and improve frame pacing, a local-mode Broadband Adapter (BBA) for connecting multiple Dolphin instances, and initial RetroAchievements support on Android. The update also includes numerous game-specific patches to work around problematic behaviors in some titles.
What happened
Dolphin's December 22, 2025 progress report for Release 2512 introduces a set of features aimed at lowering latency and improving perceived smoothness. Author Billiard added Rush Frame Presentation, which aligns throttling to present frames as soon as possible after input is read, and Smooth Frame Presentation, which delays presentation by roughly 1–2 ms using recent frame timing as a heuristic to even out output. These can be combined with the existing Immediately Present XFB feature to further reduce latency, though that combination can break or produce poor pacing in certain games. The release also brings a local-mode Broadband Adapter for connecting multiple Dolphin instances on one machine (useful with services like Parsec), a batch of compatibility patches for games with troublesome XFB behavior, and an initial RetroAchievements implementation for Android that allows login and unlocking of achievements in supported GameCube titles while in-app menus are still being finished.
Why it matters
- Rush Frame Presentation can cut input-to-display latency, improving responsiveness in reaction-driven games.
- Smooth Frame Presentation addresses inconsistent frame pacing, making gameplay feel visually steadier on many titles.
- Local-mode BBA enables multiple Dolphin instances on a single PC to connect, aiding local multiplayer workflows and remote-play setups with tools like Parsec.
- RetroAchievements on Android brings core achievement unlocking to mobile users without waiting for full desktop parity.
Key facts
- Release 2512 blog posted Dec. 22, 2025 by MayImilae, OatmealDome, and JMC47.
- Two new presentation options added by developer Billiard: Rush Frame Presentation and Smooth Frame Presentation.
- Rush centers throttling around presenting frames immediately after input read; camera tests showed reductions roughly in the 8–14 ms range for some low‑frame‑rate examples.
- Smooth delays presentation by about 1–2 ms and uses prior frame times to regularize output, helping reduce visible jitter.
- Immediately Present XFB (an earlier feature) bypasses buffering to reduce latency but can break games that stitch or postprocess XFB copies.
- Rogue Squadron 2 exhibits intense flicker when Immediately Present XFB bypasses its XFB stitching; Dragon Ball Z: Budokai remains problematic even with smoothing.
- A new local-mode Broadband Adapter (BBA) allows multiple Dolphin instances on the same computer to connect (noted as useful with Parsec).
- RetroAchievements support arrived on Android in this release: the core experience allows login and unlocking in supported GameCube games; some in-app menus are incomplete.
What to watch next
- Further validation and external latency testing — the team said they sought more concrete data beyond initial camera tests.
- Progress toward parity and completion of the RetroAchievements in‑app UI on Android.
- Behavior of the Rush + Immediately Present XFB combination in more titles; some games still produce unacceptable output even with Smooth Frame Presentation.
Quick glossary
- XFB (External Frame Buffer): A representation of a rendered frame that some consoles/games use for copying, postprocessing, or presentation; manipulating XFB timing can affect latency and visuals.
- Throttling: The emulator's mechanism to pause execution so emulation proceeds at the same rate as the original hardware, preventing the game from running too fast on modern CPUs.
- BBA (Broadband Adapter): An accessory historically used with some consoles to enable networked play; emulators can simulate its behavior to reproduce original network features.
- VRR (Variable Refresh Rate): Display technology that allows a monitor to change refresh rate dynamically to better match frame output, reducing tearing and latency in some cases.
- RetroAchievements: A third‑party service that provides achievement systems for retro games by detecting in‑game events and unlocking corresponding badges or points.
Reader FAQ
Is RetroAchievements fully functional on Android now?
The core experience is available: you can log in and unlock achievements in supported GameCube games. Some in‑app menus are still incomplete.
What is the difference between Rush and Smooth Frame Presentation?
Rush shifts throttling to present frames as soon as possible after input is read to reduce latency; Smooth delays presentation slightly (about 1–2 ms) to regularize frame timing and reduce visible jitter.
Does Immediately Present XFB always reduce latency safely?
No. It can significantly lower latency but relies on games behaving in certain ways and can break or cause flicker in titles that stitch or CPU‑postprocess XFB copies.
What does local-mode BBA enable?
It allows multiple Dolphin instances on the same computer to connect to each other, which the report notes is useful for use with services like Parsec.
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 Report: Release 2512
- Dolphin Emulator now has better frame latency …
- Dolphin Android continuous scanning and updates overview
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