Emulator Issues #13158
open
Flickering checkerboard pattern on certain graphics using Vulkan or Metal (macOS)
0%
Description
Game Name?
The Simpsons Hit & Run (Disc 1, Revision 0)
Game ID? (right click the game in the game list, Properties, Info tab)
GHQE7D
MD5 Hash? (right click the game in the game list, Properties, Verify tab, Verify Integrity button)
1e40a2405da61fa5ea7f2487a99439ea
What's the problem? Describe what went wrong.
This also happens in the Memory Card screen in the Gamecube Bios, and sometimes when pressing the home button on a WiiMote mid-game.
Certain graphics have a flickering checkerboard pattern when the game in played using the Vulkan or Metal backend (although it happens less using Metal)
What steps will reproduce the problem?
Use the Vulkan backend. Certain graphics like the mini map will flicker.
Is the issue present in the latest development version? For future reference, please also write down the version number of the latest development version.
Yes, 18501
Is the issue present in the latest stable version?
Yes.
If the issue isn't present in the latest stable version, which is the first broken version? (You can find the first broken version by bisecting. Windows users can use the tool https://forums.dolphin-emu.org/Thread-green-notice-development-thread-unofficial-dolphin-bisection-tool-for-finding-broken-builds and anyone who is building Dolphin on their own can use git bisect.)
[First broken version number here (if applicable)]
If your issue is a graphical issue, please attach screenshots and record a three frame fifolog of the issue if possible. Screenshots showing what it is supposed to look like from either console or older builds of Dolphin will help too. For more information on how to use the fifoplayer, please check here: https://wiki.dolphin-emu.org/index.php?title=FifoPlayer
I'm also attaching screenshots of the Gamecube BIOS because it's easier to see.
What are your PC specifications? (CPU, GPU, Operating System, more)
2.3 GHz Dual-Core Intel Core i5, Intel Iris Plus Graphics 640 1536 MB, macOS 13.2 Ventura.
Is there anything else that can help developers narrow down the issue? (e.g. logs, screenshots,
configuration files, savefiles, savestates)
[Anything else here]
Files
Updated by Adamillo almost 2 years ago
I can reproduce this bug with the same hardware that you have, except I'm running macOS 11 Big Sur
Updated by OatmealDome almost 2 years ago
- Status changed from New to Accepted
- Operating system OS X added
- Operating system deleted (
N/A)
Can't reproduce with an Intel UHD Graphics 630 on macOS Monterey 12.4. Possibly a driver bug.
Updated by 
Updated by manuelbeck 3 months ago
I had the same issue in Pikmin 1 & 2 (Europe Version, GPIP01 and GPVP01) on a MacBook Pro, with macOS 14.6.1 Sonoma and the Metal backend. When I pressed "Start" during the game, i saw flickering in the menu. When I turned off "Fast depth calculation", the issue was gone.
Updated by manuelbeck 3 months ago
I have to correct something. Disabling "Fast depth calculation" only works in Pikmin 2. In Pikmin 1 I have to switch from the Vulkan backend to the Metal backend. Disabling "Fast depth calculation" does not help here.
Updated by manuelbeck 4 days ago
- File zelda-wind-waker-flickering-fifo-log-15-frames.dff zelda-wind-waker-flickering-fifo-log-15-frames.dff added
I have the problem also in Zelda: Wind Waker with the Metal Backend. I tested all graphics options, but the flickering will not go. Sometimes it happens also in the face of Link. It's hard to make a screenshot from it, because it flickers unpredictable. Somebody on reddit has also the problem: https://www.reddit.com/r/DolphinEmulator/comments/1394lhw/strange_checkered_pattern_blinking_with_wind/?rdt=55526
I have the newest macOS 15.2. I made a fifo log with 15 frames with catches the issue.
Updated by manuelbeck 3 days ago
Some addition: The flickering will start after some minutes of playing. I installed Dolphin fresh (2412-36), started Zelda: Wind Waker and after 10 Minutes off playing, the flickering began when I entered a house in the village. I saw the checkerboard pattern flickering on the vases, which were on the table. When I quit the game and start it again. The first 1-2 minutes of playing there is no checkerboard flickering, but after that the flickering begins. Seems like a caching issue.