involved using external compression tools to manage game ROMs and disc images . Since Dolphin does not natively "run" a .7z file, these archives act as storage containers that must be handled before or during emulation. How 7z Files Work with Dolphin

: Right-click the .7z file and select "Extract Here" to reveal the actual game disc image [3].

This highlighted a friction point in the emulation learning curve. Unlike the Wii homebrew scene, where apps like USB Loader GX could natively read compressed formats, Dolphin (primarily a desktop emulator) required games to be mounted as file systems.