Flycast

Flycast Dojo is a free, open-source emulator fork for Sega Dreamcast, Naomi, Naomi 2, and Atomiswave, with a focus on netplay and replay. Players can connect using Match Codes, direct IP, or virtual LANs such as ZeroTier or Radmin. Match Codes use an internet relay to help set up peer-to-peer sessions behind firewalls without an account or extra software. Netplay sessions can be recorded and played back, or sent to a replay server or listening spectator. Training Mode supports RetroArch .cht cheats, savestates, and recording and replaying inputs for supported games. Players can compare ROM MD5 checksums, though successful peer-to-peer play requires matching ROM and BIOS files. The project is bundled with Fightcade and Arkadyzja. It supports Android, Linux, macOS, and Windows, while official downloads are linked for Windows, Linux, and Mac. Match Codes may encounter issues on some cloud gaming services or corporate networks.

Flycast Dojo focuses on multiplayer sessions and replay, with offline training tools as well. Players need matching game files for peer-to-peer play, and some networks may interfere with Match Codes.

Flycast Dojo suits players interested in online play, replay, or offline training for supported Sega systems. It is also intended for online tournament play.

Flycast Dojo is an open-source Flycast fork for Dreamcast, Naomi, Naomi 2, and Atomiswave emulation, built around online play and replay rather than emulation alone. It suits players organizing matches, tournaments, or review sessions who also want offline practice tools. The trade-off is practical: every player needs the correct BIOS and matching ROM files, and network conditions can determine whether a session starts.

Overview

Dojo is free software for Android, Linux, macOS, and Windows. Its defining change from a conventional console emulator is the attention paid to netplay, replay handling, spectating, and training. Graphics upscaling is supported, and the open-source license makes it a flexible choice for users who prefer software they can inspect and redistribute under its terms.

Dojo does not supply game software. You must provide appropriate BIOS and ROM files, and peer-to-peer play requires both opponents to use matching files. MD5 checksum comparison gives players a concrete way to verify ROM parity before troubleshooting a match.

Key features

Multiplayer connections

Match Codes start peer-to-peer sessions through an internet matchmaking relay. That can let opponents connect behind many firewalls without accounts, extra software, a virtual LAN, or a separate matchmaking service. It is the most convenient documented route for many players, but it is not universal: some cloud-gaming services and corporate networks can interfere.

Direct IP connections remain available for users who control their network setup. Virtual LAN tools such as ZeroTier and Radmin provide another route when that approach fits a group better. Firewalls and antivirus software may block connections; troubleshooting can require allowing Flycast through the firewall or forwarding ports.

Flycast Dojo is bundled with Fightcade, an online matchmaking service for retro games, and with Arkadyzja, whose platform uses Dojo's peer-to-peer and relay capabilities. These integrations broaden the ways players can find or join sessions, while Match Codes, direct IP, and virtual LANs cover more self-managed arrangements.

Replay and spectating

Netplay sessions can be recorded and replayed from the emulator's Replays screen. That makes Dojo useful for reviewing tournament rounds, studying decisions, or sharing a repeatable record of a match rather than relying only on live observation. Documentation also describes sending sessions to a replay server or to a listening spectator, which supports organized viewing.

Offline training

Training Mode works offline and supports RetroArch .cht-format cheats, savestates, and recording and playback of inputs in supported games. Those tools are valuable for practicing sequences or examining execution, but support depends on the game, so Dojo is not a universal training laboratory for every compatible title.

Pricing

Flycast Dojo is free, with a free plan covering the emulator and its documented multiplayer, replay, spectating, and training functions. There are no paid tiers, seat quotas, subscription renewals, or trial deadlines to weigh. The cost you still carry is obtaining and legally using the required BIOS and ROM files yourself.

Platforms

Downloads are provided for Android, Linux, macOS, and Windows. That cross-platform spread is useful for mixed-device groups, although each participant still needs a compatible local setup and identical game files for peer-to-peer play.

Who it's for

Choose Dojo if your priority is online Dreamcast, Naomi, Naomi 2, or Atomiswave sessions with replay and tournament-oriented tools. It is particularly well suited to groups that want Match Codes, Fightcade or Arkadyzja integration, spectating, and a way to inspect matches afterward. Offline players can use the training features, but a standard emulator may be a simpler choice if multiplayer and replay are irrelevant.

Pros and cons

Pros

• Purpose-built netplay: Match Codes can initiate peer-to-peer sessions through a relay without accounts or extra networking software.
• Flexible connection choices: Direct IP and virtual LAN support give experienced groups alternatives when relay connections do not fit.
• Replay-focused workflow: Recording, playback, replay-server transmission, and spectating support match review and organized events.
• Useful practice tools: Offline training includes cheats, savestates, and input recording or playback for supported games.
• Broad, free availability: Open-source software runs on Android, Linux, macOS, and Windows at no charge.

Cons

• Matching files are mandatory: Opponents need identical ROM and BIOS files, so setup depends on each player preparing the same software.
• Networks can defeat convenience: Corporate networks, some cloud services, firewalls, and antivirus tools may block sessions or require port changes.
• Training support varies: Input tools and cheats apply only to supported games, limiting their usefulness across the entire library.

Alternatives

Flycast is the better pick when you want a free, ad-free Dreamcast, Naomi, Naomi 2, and Atomiswave emulator without Dojo's netplay-centered purpose; you still supply your own game files.

Flycast suits users seeking free emulation of the same console families without specifically prioritizing Dojo's multiplayer and replay workflow.

MAME is a free, GPL-licensed multi-platform emulator for a broader arcade-oriented use case; ROMs and copyrighted software are generally not included.

Redream is worth considering if you prefer a freemium Dreamcast emulator with a one-time Premium payment of $6 and high-definition rendering.

nullDC 2.0.0 is another free emulator project with Linux, macOS, web, and Windows builds.

WashingtonDC offers free, open-source Dreamcast emulation for Linux and Windows.

Deecy is a free emulator project for Linux and Windows.

Nitrocast is a free option for Linux users.

For broader browsing, see the Dreamcast Emulators and Game Console Emulators lists.

Verdict

Flycast Dojo is the right choice for players who want free, cross-platform Dreamcast-family emulation centered on peer-to-peer matches, replay, spectating, and tournament practice. Its main reason to choose it is the unusually complete multiplayer workflow, including relay-assisted Match Codes and file-checking tools. Look elsewhere if you do not need netplay or cannot reliably provide matching ROM and BIOS files on a network that permits the connection.