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No. 4 of 9 ·Dreamcast Emulators

WashingtonDC

Windows · Linux

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Freedom report

Two barsScore 6.5

  • Free tierA free tier is on its own pricing page
  • Open codeNo open-source code on record
  • Runs widely2 of 6 device platforms
  • DocumentedPlans, terms and facts published

washDC is an open-source SEGA Dreamcast emulator for Linux and Microsoft Windows, intended for playing classic Dreamcast games on modern x86 PCs. Formerly known as WashingtonDC, it was made from scratch rather than based on earlier emulators. The project lists GDI, CHD, CDI, ELF, and raw BIN as supported game image formats, but running the emulator requires BIOS and flash images. Controls include keyboard input and support for up to four gamepads. Remote GDB and the WashDbg debugger are listed as TCP debugging options. washDC is licensed under GNU GPL version 3 and is free. Its maker, Wash Emulation, describes itself as a one-person team and washDC as its only product to date. The project also publishes homebrew programs for investigating Dreamcast behavior, including tests of PowerVR2 backface culling and memory mirroring. A separate Linux tool, gdisofs, mounts Dreamcast game images as read-only filesystems. The maker links project updates, Discord, and an email contact from its homepage.

Who it is for

It suits Linux and Windows users with x86 PCs who want to run Dreamcast games and have the required BIOS and flash images. Developers or researchers may also find the listed debugging options and hardware-oriented homebrew tests relevant.

What is good

  • Free and open-source under GNU GPL version 3.
  • Supports Linux and Microsoft Windows.
  • Lists five game image formats.
  • Supports keyboard controls and up to four gamepads.
  • Includes remote GDB and WashDbg debugging options.

What to know first

  • BIOS and flash images are mandatory.
  • Limited to Linux and Microsoft Windows.
  • The maker describes itself as a one-person team.

Verdict

washDC lists multiple Dreamcast image formats, controller options, and TCP debugging tools for Linux and Windows. Its mandatory BIOS and flash-image requirement is important to account for before using the emulator.

WashingtonDC plans and pricing

All plans
washDC Free Open-source Dreamcast emulator · GNU GPL version 3 washemu.org · 3 Oct 2026

Compared on Dreamcast emulators

Free plan
Yes
Supported platforms
Linux, Microsoft Windows
Controller support
Yes
Graphics backends
opengl
Dreamcast BIOS required
Yes

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