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Overview

Resource Packs provide a standardized way to package, distribute, and manage custom textures for games. They use ZIP archives with metadata to enable easy installation, priority management, and removal.

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Specification Version

This documentation covers Resource Pack Specification v2, which adds compression support. Version 1 packs are also supported.

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Pack Structure

resource-pack.zip
├── manifest.json
├── logo.png (optional)
└── textures/
    └── GAMEID/
        ├── texture1.png
        ├── texture2.png
        └── ...

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Game ID Directories

The GAMEID folder name determines which games use the pack:
  • Full Game ID: SMNE01 (New Super Mario Bros. Wii, NTSC)
  • Region-agnostic: SMN (New Super Mario Bros. Wii, all regions)
  • Multiple directories: Create multiple GAMEID folders for multi-game packs

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Manifest File

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Required Fields

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name
string
required
Display name of your texture pack
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id
string
required
Alphanumeric identifier (used for internal tracking)
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version
string
required
Version string (any format)

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Optional Fields

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description
string
Description of what the pack does
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authors
array
List of author names
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website
string
URL to pack website (must include protocol: https://)
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compressed
boolean
v2 only: Allows ZIP compression (default: false)
If set to true, future versions that load textures directly from packs may not support your pack.

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Example Manifest

{
  "name": "My Texture Pack!",
  "id": "my-texture-pack-by-doe",
  "version": "2",
  "authors": ["John Doe", "Jane Doe"],
  "website": "https://example.com/my-texture-pack",
  "description": "A cool texture pack made by me!",
  "compressed": true
}
Manifests missing required fields will not load. Validate your JSON before packaging.

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Logo Image

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Requirements

  • Format: PNG only
  • Dimensions: Maximum 256×256 pixels
  • Alpha channel: Supported (transparency allowed)
  • Location: logo.png in ZIP root

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Usage

The logo displays in Dolphin’s Resource Pack manager, helping users identify your pack visually.

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Texture Files

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Naming Convention

Texture filenames must match Dolphin’s dumped texture names: 
tex1_256x256_m_a1b2c3d4e5f67890_14.png
efb1_n000007_160x120_6.png

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Finding Texture Names

1

Enable Texture Dumping

Graphics Settings > Advanced > “Dump Textures”
2

Play Game

Run the game and trigger the textures you want to replace
3

Locate Dumps

Find textures in:
User/Dump/Textures/GAMEID/
4

Use Exact Names

Custom textures must use the exact same filenames as dumped textures

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Supported Formats

  • PNG: Primary format, supports transparency
  • DDS: DirectDraw Surface (advanced)

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Compression

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Version 1 Behavior

v1 packs must be uncompressed (store-only mode) or they will fail to load.
Create uncompressed ZIPs using:
  • 7-Zip: Select “Store” compression level
  • Command line: zip -0 -r pack.zip *

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Version 2 Behavior

With "compressed": true in manifest, standard ZIP compression is allowed: 
# Standard compression
zip -r pack.zip manifest.json logo.png textures/

# Or with 7-Zip GUI
# Select "Normal" or "Maximum" compression

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Installation

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User Installation

  1. Copy ZIP file to: 
    Dolphin User Directory/ResourcePacks/
  2. Open Dolphin Resource Pack Manager
  3. Enable the pack

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Installation Location

Windows: 
C:\Users\<username>\Documents\Dolphin Emulator\ResourcePacks\
macOS: 
~/Library/Application Support/Dolphin/ResourcePacks/
Linux: 
~/.local/share/dolphin-emu/ResourcePacks/

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Activation Process

When a resource pack is activated:
  1. Dolphin copies textures from pack.zip/textures/ to: 
    User/Load/Textures/GAMEID/
  2. Higher priority packs overwrite files from lower priority packs
  3. Textures remain in place until pack is deactivated

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Priority System

Resource packs have user-defined priority order in the manager:
  • Higher position = Higher priority
  • Conflicts resolved by taking the higher-priority pack’s file
  • Change order by dragging packs in the manager
Activate “Load Custom Textures” in Graphics Settings > Advanced for packs to take effect.

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Deactivation Process

When a resource pack is deactivated:
  1. Dolphin removes the pack’s texture files from Load/Textures/
  2. If a lower-priority pack provides the same texture, it remains (was already overwritten)
  3. If no other pack provides a texture, it’s deleted
Always deactivate packs through the Resource Pack Manager. Manual file deletion can leave orphaned files.

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Conflict Resolution

When multiple packs provide the same texture:
  1. Higher priority pack wins
  2. Lower priority files are not copied (overwritten)
  3. Changing priority re-copies files in new order

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Example

Pack A (Priority 1): texture1.png, texture2.png
Pack B (Priority 2): texture2.png, texture3.png

Result:
  texture1.png → from Pack A
  texture2.png → from Pack B (higher priority)
  texture3.png → from Pack B

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Legacy Migration

If you have pre-resource-pack custom textures:
  1. Dolphin detects them on first run with Resource Pack feature
  2. Creates legacy.zip containing all unassigned custom textures
  3. legacy.zip appears as a resource pack in the manager
  4. Manage like any other pack

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Creating a Pack

1

Prepare Textures

Create or obtain replacement texture files (PNG format)
2

Organize Structure

Create folder structure:
MyPack/
├── manifest.json
├── logo.png
└── textures/
    └── GAMEID/
        └── [texture files]
3

Write Manifest

Create manifest.json with required fields:
  • name
  • id
  • version
4

Create Logo (Optional)

Design a 256×256 PNG logo
5

Create ZIP

For v1 (uncompressed):
zip -0 -r MyPack.zip manifest.json logo.png textures/
For v2 (compressed):
zip -r MyPack.zip manifest.json logo.png textures/
Add "compressed": true to manifest
6

Test

Copy to ResourcePacks/ folder and enable in Dolphin

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Distribution

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Best Practices

  • Compress with v2: Use "compressed": true for smaller downloads
  • Include readme: Add installation instructions for users
  • Version properly: Increment version for updates
  • Host reliably: Use stable hosting for website URL
  • License clearly: Include license information for textures

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File Size Tips

  • Optimize PNGs with tools like pngcrush or optipng
  • Use appropriate texture resolution (don’t over-scale)
  • Remove unused textures from pack
  • Test compressed vs uncompressed trade-offs

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Troubleshooting

  • Verify all required manifest fields present
  • Check JSON syntax (use validator)
  • Ensure ZIP isn’t corrupted
  • For v1: Verify ZIP is uncompressed (store-only)
  • Enable “Load Custom Textures” in Graphics Settings
  • Verify pack is activated (checked) in Resource Pack Manager
  • Check texture filenames match dumped names exactly
  • Ensure Game ID folder name is correct
  • Check pack priority order in manager
  • Higher packs override lower packs
  • Deactivate conflicting packs to test
  • Deactivate pack first (uncheck in manager)
  • Wait for deactivation to complete
  • Then delete ZIP file
  • Manually clean Load/Textures/ if needed

Dynamic Input Textures

Create controller-aware button prompt textures

Graphics Mods

Modify rendering behavior beyond textures