WashingtonDC
washemu.org
What it is
washDC, formerly known as WashingtonDC, is a free, open-source SEGA Dreamcast emulator for Linux and Microsoft Windows. It is intended for playing classic Dreamcast games on a modern x86 PC and was built from scratch rather than based on another emulator. The README lists GDI, CHD, CDI, ELF, and raw BIN game image formats, and says BIOS and flash images are required to run the emulator. Controls include keyboard input and support for up to four gamepads. Remote GDB and the WashDbg debugger are listed as TCP debugging options. Wash Emulation describes itself as a one-person team and washDC as its only product to date. The project also publishes homebrew programs for examining Dreamcast behavior, including tests of PowerVR2 backface culling and memory mirroring. Its separate gdisofs tool mounts Dreamcast game images as read-only filesystems on Linux PCs. The emulator is licensed under GNU GPL version 3. The maker links to project updates, Discord, and an email contact.
Spec sheet
- Purpose
- washDC is a low-level SEGA Dreamcast emulator for playing classic Dreamcast games on a modern x86 PC.Read 3 Oct 2026 · washemu.org
- Product
- washDC is a low-level SEGA Dreamcast emulator for playing classic Dreamcast games on a modern x86 PC.Read 3 Oct 2026 · washemu.org
- License
- washDC is open-source under the GNU GPL version 3.Read 3 Oct 2026 · washemu.org
- Founded
- 2016Read 28 Sep 2026 · washemu.org
- Maker
- Wash Emulation says it is a one-person team and washDC is its only product to date.Read 3 Oct 2026 · washemu.org
- Community and contact
- The homepage links to Discord and lists [email protected] as an email contact.Read 3 Oct 2026 · washemu.org
- Contact and community
- The maker lists an email address and links to a Discord server from the official homepage.Read 3 Oct 2026 · washemu.org
- Controllers
- The README says the emulator supports up to four gamepads and keyboard controls.Read 3 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Debugging
- The README lists remote GDB and WashDbg debugger options over TCP.Read 3 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Development
- The maker says development began on October 14, 2016, and the emulator was made from scratch rather than based on previous emulators.Read 3 Oct 2026 · washemu.org
- Firmware requirement
- The README states that BIOS and flash images are mandatory to run the emulator.Read 3 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Former name
- washDC was formerly known as WashingtonDC.Read 3 Oct 2026 · washemu.org
- Game image formats
- The README lists GDI, CHD, CDI, ELF, and raw BIN as supported game image formats.Read 3 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Graphics test
- The culltest hardware test validates the PowerVR2's backface culling behavior.Read 3 Oct 2026 · washemu.org
- Hardware tests
- The maker publishes homebrew programs used to investigate Dreamcast behavior and compare it against the emulator.Read 3 Oct 2026 · washemu.org
- Linux support
- The maker describes gdisofs, a separate tool, as a way to mount Dreamcast game images as read-only filesystems on Linux PCs.Read 3 Oct 2026 · washemu.org
- Open source
- washDC is open-source under the GNU GPL version 3.Read 3 Oct 2026 · washemu.org
- Origin
- The maker says washDC was made from scratch and is not based on previous emulators.Read 3 Oct 2026 · washemu.org
- Product scope
- The maker says washDC is the only product Wash Emulation has made to date.Read 3 Oct 2026 · washemu.org
- Reverse engineering tool
- gdisofs is a FUSE module for mounting SEGA Dreamcast games as read-only filesystems.Read 3 Oct 2026 · washemu.org
- Source code
- The maker links to the official washDC source repository on GitLab.Read 3 Oct 2026 · washemu.org
- Supported systems
- The project README describes WashingtonDC as an emulator for Linux and Microsoft Windows.Read 3 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Updates
- The maker says project updates are provided in the site's blog section.Read 3 Oct 2026 · washemu.org
- VRAM test
- The pvr2 mem test checks whether SH4 writes to PowerVR2 memory are reflected across its mirrors.Read 3 Oct 2026 · washemu.org
- Windows support
- The maker says it continues to support Microsoft Windows.Read 3 Oct 2026 · washemu.org
Plans and prices
washDC Free Open-source Dreamcast emulator · GNU GPL version 3 Read 3 Oct 2026 · washemu.org
Strong points and limits
Strong points
- Supports GDI, CHD, CDI, ELF, and raw BIN images.
- Offers keyboard controls and up to four gamepads.
- Lists Remote GDB and WashDbg over TCP.
- Free and open-source under GNU GPL version 3.
Limits
- BIOS and flash images are mandatory.
- Linux image mounting is handled by separate gdisofs.
- The maker describes washDC as its only product.
Who it suits
washDC suits Linux or Windows users looking to run Dreamcast games on an x86 PC. It also offers gamepad and keyboard controls and TCP debugging options for users who need them.
Verdict
washDC specifies supported image formats, control options, and debugging tools. Running it requires BIOS and flash images.
Where Specifiction places it
- Dreamcast Emulators#5 of 97.9
