Tips to open GCM file

Can't open the GCM file? You are not the only one. Thousands of users face similar problems every day. Below you will find tips on how to open GCM files as well as a list of programs that support GCM files.

GCM file extension

File Name GameCube ROM
File Developer Nintendo
File Category Game Files

The GCM file is supported on 3 operating systems. Depending on your operating system, you may need different software to handle the GCM files. Below is a summary of the number of programs that support and open the GCM file on each system platform.

Operating systems
  • 2
  • 1
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0

What is GCM file?

The file with the extension GCM is the Game Files file type. The author of this format is Nintendo. In addition to this file, the Game Files category includes 1509 related files. GameCube ROM appears on 3 operating systems as a functional file. Although it can be found with greater or lesser success on any operating system, it will only be useful on , Mac OS, Windows. The Dolphin application is recommended to open the file. It was released by Dolphin Team. There are also 3 alternative programs to handle the GCM file. WhineCube, Nintendo GameCube will apply when it is not possible to use Dolphin.

How to open GCM file?

An often recurring problem with GameCube ROM is that GCM is not associated with the correct program file. This is manifested by the fact that GCM files open in unusual applications or do not have an assigned program. How to solve such a problem?

The first thing you should do is just "doubleclick" on the GCM file icon you want to open. If the operating system has an appropriate application to support it and there is also an association between the file and the program, the file should be opened.

Step 1. Install Dolphin

The first step is to check if the computer has the Dolphin program installed. The easiest method is to use the system search engine by entering the program name Dolphin in it. If it is not, installation may solve the problem, as most applications create file associations during installation. Below you will find a list of applications that support GCM files.

Programs to open GCM file

Remember to download programs supporting GCM files only from verified and safe sources. We suggest using the websites of software developers.

Step 2. Create association of Dolphin with GCM files

However, it may happen that the application itself does not cause the GCM file to open in the Dolphin application, but you can set it manually. The association can be created using the drop-down list available by right-clicking on the file and selecting Properties. The window will show, among other things, the type of the file and the information by which the program is used to launch the file. Using the "Change" button we can set the program to handle this type. If there is no software on the list, simply select "Browse" and manually select the directory where the application is installed. Checking the "Always use the selected program ..." box will permanently associate the GCM file with the Dolphin program.

Step 3. Update Dolphin to the latest version

If, despite the association of the Dolphin program with the GameCube ROM file, the file still does not open, check the program version and possibly update it to the newest version. In this case, use the Dolphin Team website or update the program from the application.

Step 4. Check for the following problems with the GCM file

If the above steps do not help, you can assume that the file itself is not correct. The most common file problems are:

The affected file may be 0 KB or smaller than expected. This is most often caused by a problem while downloading the GCM file. The only repair option is to download the file again.
The most common cause here is computer viruses. A quick virus scan using an up-to-date antivirus program should clear up any doubts. If this is not possible, you can use the online scanner. The scan should cover the entire computer, not only the GCM file that we want to open. However, remember that not every infected GCM file can be recovered, so it is important to take care of regular backups.
Older version of GCM file may not always be supported by the latest software version. On their websites, developers usually offer free solutions to such problems, e.g. in the form of a conversion program or an older version of the program.
There can be many reasons for the failure. The repair method must be adapted to the type of file and damage. Some programs offer the option of recovering data from damaged GCM files. The easiest way to restore the file is from a backup or by contacting Nintendo, but this one can be expensive. Not all damage can be reversed.
The program can also signal the fact of encryption. The encrypted GCM files cannot be played on other computers than the one on which they were encrypted, they must be decrypted before using on another device.
Some operating systems do not allow file operations in certain locations, eg in system directories or directly on the system drive. The problem is only writing to the file, not reading it. If possible, you can try to move the GCM file to another location.
This problem usually affects more complex files. In this case, the GCM file is blocked by the first application to open it. Running programs (including those in the background) should be verified. Sometimes you have to wait for the session to the file GCM to close. However, some background programs may block the GCM file while scanning. If the problem persists, restart the machine.