Netplay Setup Guide

Step 1: Download the Emulator

Download and extract either link listed here

Dolphin-MPN for Windows: https://github.com/MarioPartyNetplay/Dolphin-MPN/releases/latest/download/DolphinMPN-windows-x86_64.zip
Dolphin-MPN for macOS: https://github.com/MarioPartyNetplay/Dolphin-MPN/releases/latest/download/DolphinMPN-macOS-x86_64.dmg
Dolphin-MPN for Linux/Steam Deck: https://github.com/MarioPartyNetplay/Dolphin-MPN/releases/latest/download/DolphinMPN-flatpak-linux-x86_64.flatpak
Please note the macOS build runs under Rosetta 2 on Apple Silicon machines. While Apple Silicon compilation would be nice it breaks netplay.

This download contains our custom netplay build, which includes 100% saves, optimized netplay settings, game-enhancing codes and more.

Step 2: Gather Your Games

Obtain ISO or RVZ files for the games you would like to play. Mario Party 4, Mario Party 5, Mario Party 6, Mario Party 7, Mario Party 8 and Mario Party 9 are all supported.

Note that only version 1.01 of Mario Party 4 and version 1.02 of Mario Party 8 are supported; If you have another version of Mario Party 4, you can use the converter included in the Extras folder of the download.

Here is a guide for ripping ISOs from physical GameCube and Wii discs (a homebrewed Wii is required): https://wii.hacks.guide/dump-games.html

Make sure your ISOs match the following checksums:

Mario Party 4 (USA) (v1.01).iso: 01de13ad52f1554975e7f316370ba086

Mario Party 5 (USA).iso: 6b3699ee1f18447c4b2fabb3dd2ebf39

Mario Party 6 (USA).iso: 010dece78287bcb8cafdeb15f035127a

Mario Party 7 (USA).iso: bd367c67fca5d93e581a43d1f61f4514

Mario Party 8 (USA) (v1.02).iso: 944c3f7db81170c9d86fc73dab1da24b

Mario Party 9 (USA) (En,Fr,Es).iso: a9aa140b48e67ccdba9c7c9afc9884bc

You can confirm your checksums by right clicking on the game you're testing and selecting Properties > Verify > Verify Integrity.

Step 3: Set Up the Emulator

Drag the Dolphin MPN folder out of the download and keep it wherever you like. You can launch it using Dolphin-MPN.exe.

GCN

Double click the blank space where it says to pick your directory and select the directory where your games are located. The directory Games/ is included on windows for convience.

Go to Controllers. Under GameCube Controllers, select your controller from the drop-down menu next to Port 1. click Configure to the right of the drop-down menu and configure your controls to suit your needs.

Go to Controllers. After marking Emulate the Wii's Bluetooth adapter, select your controller from the drop-down menu next to Wii Remote 1. click Configure to the right of the drop-down menu and configure your controls to suit your needs.

Netplay Usage Guide

Step 1: Accessing Netplay

Launch Dolphin-MPN.

From here, go to the Online Play button.

Everyone needs to choose which player they'd like to be and configure their controls in that Wii Remote / GCN slot. All players must use a different slot.

Step 2: Connecting to Other Players

If you are joining someone's lobby, the host should provide you their lobby's host code.

If you plan to host your own lobby for others to join, pick the Host tab and double-click the game you want to host. Click Copy next to the room ID and give it to the players who will join you.

Step 3: Setting up the Game

Host: Open Assign Controllers/Wiimotes from the netplay window and set each player to the player order decided. This may be pre-set if you are playing a GameCube title.

Once everyone is together, the host may start the party using Start. In case of crashing or desync, make sure settings are shared and restart.

Other Notes

The hosts saves and cheats will be synced from the host to the players before every game you play.

Player order is decided by the order of the netplay room by default. The host can change controller ports in the netplay window.

It's possible for multiple people to play from the same computer as long as the controllers they're using are plugged in and the host allows them use of multiple ports.

It's possible to host a room for 4 other people as long as the host disables their controller in Dolphin.

Lag is an unfortunate but necessary part of netplay. The host may use the Buffer selection to increase input buffer and make the game smoother.

If a save file is corrupted, try formatting the data or redownloading the saves.

Possible desyncs aren't always truly desyncs, keep playing to make sure if there was truly a desync before restarting.

Direct connect may be used even when the traversal server is down, and for players who have trouble with the traversal server at all times it may be the only way to play. Forward a port if the traversal server isn't working for you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: I already have Dolphin, do I need to download it again?
A: Ideally yes, this guide provides a version of this emulator geared specifically for netplay, but as long as the host is using our build any modern dolphin build should be able to connect.

Q: How can I reduce netplay lag?
A:

Increase buffer
Close any other programs using internet (web browsers, skype)
Make sure no one on the same network is using the internet (family, roommates)
Seek out players from nearby regions
Ensure it's actually netplay lag by having each player test FPS locally

Lag/Buffer refers to the amount of frames of input delay: The larger it is, the more smoothly the game will run, provided all players can run the game fine offline. Also, you can set it mid-game, so make sure to always set it to the lowest value that you get a smooth framerate with to reduce unnecessary input delay.

Q: The game's graphics are bad! Can I make them look better?
A: The resolution and anti-aliasing of a game can be changed without issue, though it is not recommended as the emulation will require more resources. If you'd like to edit these options, load a splitscreen Mini-Game such as MP6's Circuit Maximus offline and confirm the game speed does not decrease.

Q: How do I use the GameCube Mic accessory over netplay?
A: Mic compatibility is currently not possible over netplay.

Q: How do I play Mario Party 7's Deluxe Cruise mode over netplay?
A: 8-player netplay is currently not possible over netplay.

Troubleshooting

Q: Whenever I try to join someone's traversal lobby, Dolphin just stalls and I can't connect!
A: Depending on how your network is configured, you may only be able to connect to lobbies hosted over Direct Connect. Either have the player unable to connect host the traversal lobby themselves or have the host forward a port and host over Direct Connect. If you need help forwarding a port, try following guide.

Q: I was playing Mario Party and the board went black! How do I restore it?
A: In-game, quit out of the party and try again. If you've been saving every turn, no progress will be lost.

Q: I started emulation in a netplay lobby, but the game showed up as a black screen!

A: The black screen is caused by players not starting emulation at the same time. Ensure that no one in the lobby is running the game before the host starts netplay.

Q: Someone desynced on frame 0!
A: A frame 0 desync means that there's a checksum mismatch. All players should have the same game version.

⭐ Bonus ⭐

The GitHub for our custom netplay builds: https://github.com/MarioPartyNetplay
Our Discord server for Mario Party netplay: https://discord.gg/marioparty