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Triforce

Triforce icon Triforce logo

Overview

Triforce (2003) is the collaborative arcade hardware developed by Namco, Sega and Nintendo on GameCube/NAOMI 2 technology. REG-Linux exposes it as triforce so you can browse the dedicated cabinet list and launch the games with the dedicated Dolphin Triforce branch.

Technical specifications

  • CPU: IBM PowerPC Gekko core at 485 MHz (GameCube-based) with a 256-bit SIMD unit.
  • Memory: 24 MB of 1T-SRAM plus 16 MB of auxiliary texture RAM and 4 MB of embedded framebuffer memory.
  • Display: ATI “Flipper”-derived GPU capable of 480p/720p tiled 3D polygons with hardware lighting and texture mapping.
  • Sound: Custom Dolby Pro Logic II-capable audio pipeline with 24-bit PCM mixing derived from the GameCube architecture.

Quick reference

  • ROM folder: /userdata/roms/triforce
  • Accepted formats: .gcm, .iso, .gcz, .ciso, .wbfs, .elf, .dol, .m3u
  • Emulator: Dolphin Triforce (dolphin-triforce branch)
  • System group: triforce, arcade

ROMs & compatibility

Triforce games demand specific builds and save states due to the arcade card hardware. Move each title’s disc image (matching the MD5 below) into /userdata/roms/triforce, and keep any required save files (e.g., GGPE01.s01) in /userdata/system/configs/dolphin-triforce/StateSaves/.

Game Example image Notes
F-Zero AX F-Zero GX (USA).iso / MD5 81293462cf48c6a482c33e25c4097ac0 Mostly demo/x-box; gameplay is limited without additional patches.
Mario Kart Arcade GP Mario Kart Arcade GP (USA).iso / MD5 4367f5ff113399f5c749d8336f371d7f Load GGPE01.s01 credit file from the StateSaves directory.
Mario Kart Arcade GP 2 Mario Kart Arcade GP 2 (USA).iso / MD5 976b91bcb09fea5b1343f6658d07fcf9 Works with limited button support; load the credit file before running.
Virtua Striker 2002 Virtua Striker 2002 (Export).iso / MD5 eec44d152ccd630d68f5df85293e06b3 Only rudimentary inputs respond; most of the game remains a tech demo.

Most other Triforce titles remain experimental; explore the arcade compatibility notes and fallback to the GameCube releases (F-Zero GX) when Dolphin’s compatibility diverges.

Emulation

Dolphin Triforce (standalone)

Use the Dolphin Triforce branch to launch these arcade images. Advanced options include render resolution (triforce.internal_resolution), shader precaching (triforce.wait_for_shaders), Ubershaders, performance hacks, and pad profiles tailored to arcade sticks.

Dolphin (RetroArch core)

libretro: dolphin_triforce exposes similar switches inside the Quick Menu; adjust shaders, audio, and controller overlays per title, and rely on [SELECT] → Advanced System Options to configure emulation overrides that persist across sessions.

Controls

Map credit/start buttons and the arcade stick using the controller overlay or via EmulationStation’s remapping interface. Many titles expect additional buttons (e.g., Z for credits on Mario Kart arcade).

Troubleshooting

  • Ensure the .iso/.gcz file matches the MD5 above; Dolphin refuses mismatched dumps.
  • Copy the proper GGPE01.s01 (or similar save files) into the StateSaves folder before launching to simulate card insertions.
  • Expect reduced functionality; this branch is experimental, and only a few games behave properly. Consult the generic support pages for emulator-level help.