This article first appeared on Beanstalk.io. Substantial edits have been made for its republication here.
Nintendo 64 (N64) emulation has progressed significantly since its conception. While major problems plagued early N64 emulation efforts, many of these issues have been resolved over time. However, the most accurate emulators still demand higher system requirements for smooth performance.
One of the biggest challenges in emulating the Nintendo 64 was replicating the Reality Display Processor (RDP). Designed specifically for the N64, the RDP’s custom architecture made accurate emulation difficult. The processor required fine-tuning through microcode to maximize system performance, further complicating emulation efforts.
Despite these technical hurdles, N64 emulation is now feasible on most modern machines. While occasional glitches may occur, players can generally enjoy N64 games from start to finish. The emulation experience has improved to the point where most titles are playable, even if perfect accuracy remains elusive on some systems.
1. Mupen64Plus
Mupen64Plus is a versatile, multi-platform emulator based on Hacktarux’s Mupen64. It offers high accuracy in N64 emulation, especially when used with the GLideN64 plugin. This emulator serves as the foundation for many other excellent N64 emulators. On its own, it provides the most accurate and compatible emulation, considering the challenges involved in emulationg the N64 console.
While BizHawk and OpenEmu use modified versions of Mupen64Plus and its plugins, they have some limitations. RetroArch cores like Mupen64Plus-Next and ParaLLEl-N64 introduce numerous features and optimizations not found in the mainline build.
ParaLLEl-N64 is based on the older Mupen64Plus core, whereas Mupen64Plus-Next is a newer rebase of the bleeding-edge mainline version and is now more widely recommended. Mupen64Plus-Next replaces legacy plugins with GLideN64, adds Transfer Pack support, and will receive all future improvements and new features. ParaLLEl-N64 is now primarily recommended for performance reasons or for compatibility with older ROM hacks.
The sole negative aspect of Mupen64Plus is its lack of a native GUI. It can only be launched from the command line or by dropping ROMs into the executable and editing the configuration with a text editor. For a more user-friendly N64 emulator, Project64 is an excellent alternative.
To achieve optimal compatibility with Mupen64Plus, it’s recommended to use third-party plugins such as GLideN64, as the bundled video plugins are outdated.
Pros
- Accurate
- A lot of flavors for your specific needs
Cons
- No standalone app for Android
- No GUI
- Needs a plugin for the best compatibility
2. Project 64
Project64 is one of the oldest Nintendo 64 emulators for Windows, having been around for many years. It’s a free, open-source, plugin-based emulator that offers more up-to-date official release builds than Mupen64Plus. Its stable version, 3.0.1, achieves nearly the same accuracy as Mupen64Plus’s development versions when used with recommended plugins.
Unlike Mupen64Plus, Project64 is known for its user-friendly interface and supports various features, including Transfer Pak and 64DD emulation. While it now includes the GLideN64 plugin by default, its standard audio plugin is not the best available. One drawback is a timed, unskippable donation request message upon launch, though this can be bypassed with a script.
For an enhanced experience, users can download Project64 through Rosalie’s BetterMajorasMaskInstaller, which provides the latest nightly version without the donation message and includes useful third-party plugins.
It’s worth noting that Project64 is currently undergoing a major code rewrite, so users may prefer to stick with the stable version for reliability. The emulator offers development and debugging tools for advanced users, as well as save/load state features to help players resume their games easily.
Project64 includes expected basic features like controller support and compatibility with many popular N64 emulator plugins, enabling it to run even the most challenging N64 games years after their original release.
Pros
- Has GUI
- In active development
Cons
- Includes nagware
- Needs BIOS
3. Simple64
Simple64, a popular Nintendo 64 emulator for desktop environments, has recently implemented significant changes to its timing code. While these changes improve accuracy, they may cause some games to function less optimally than before and potentially slow down emulation on older computers.
The developers are actively addressing these issues. In the meantime, users are advised to consult the “known issues” list before using the latest version. If a specific game encounters problems, consider using an older version of Simple64, trying a different emulator like RMG, or opting for RetroArch with the Mupen64Plus-Next core.
Pros
- Accurate
- Gets updated often
Cons
- Inconsistent performance
4. Bizhawk
BizHawk is a multi-system emulator that supports various game consoles, including the Nintendo 64. Although BizHawk’s code is largely original, it incorporates elements from Mupen64Plus and ares for its N64 emulation. Unlike emulators that prioritize flashy features, BizHawk focuses on accuracy, making it particularly appealing to speedrunners.
The Tool Assisted Speedrun (TAS) community notably favors BizHawk. TAS is a relatively new form of speedrunning that allows players to use emulator-provided tools to achieve optimal game completion, rather than relying solely on execution skills. This approach includes features like slowing down, rewinding, and saving/loading states – practices some purists in the speedrunning community consider contentious.
BizHawk fully supports these features, making it the preferred emulator for TAS runners. Additionally, it offers a range of modern features including full-screen support, auto controls, rerecording and save states, frame/lag/rerecording counters, TAStudio, Lua scripting, custom plugin support, and joypad compatibility.
For those interested in speedrunning or seeking a highly accurate emulator, BizHawk is an excellent choice.
Pros
- Lightweight
- Speedrunning Community (TAS) approved
- Miraculous input lag reduction
- Available in a surprisingly broad range of gaming hardware including the PSP and the 3DS
Cons
- Barebones
5. Ares
ares is a popular emulator that can run games from multiple systems. It was created as a continuation of two previous emulators, higan and bsnes. ares can be downloaded as a standalone application for Windows, Linux, and macOS computers. Unlike other emulators, ares does not have a core for Retroarch due to licensing issues.
Some of the features of ares include the ability to save and load game progress, rewind and fast-forward game time, and use run-ahead options to reduce lag.
It also supports pixel shaders and color correction for a better visual experience. ares also has a native multi-platform user interface, adaptive sync, dynamic rate control, 6th-order IIR audio filtering, input multi-mapping, a built-in games database, and a debugger for advanced users.
Overall, ares is a powerful emulator that provides a lot of features for gamers looking to play their favorite classic games on modern hardware especially the N64.
Pros
- Accurate
- Well-maintained and actively developed
Cons
- Available only in a desktop environment
6. RMG
RMG (Rosalie’s Mupen GUI) is a frontend for Mupen64Plus, this makes the latter appear twice on this list. While technically the same emulator, the GUI makes a lot of difference.
This plugin-based emulator is designed to provide a simple and sleek user interface, reminiscent of Project64. The goal of RMG is to offer a user experience that is on par with Project64 and bridge the gap between Project64 and Mupen64Plus.
The project was archived a few years ago but development resumed shortly thereafter. RMG supports cheat codes and offers a grid view of your games, complete with cover images if provided. Starting from version 0.2.5, RMG switched from Qt5 to Qt6, providing a more modern look.
RMG includes various plugins for graphics, audio, input, and RSP (Reality Signal Processor). The graphics plugins include GLideN64, ParaLLEl-RDP, and Angrylion’s RDP Plus. The audio plugin is Rosalie’s Mupen GUI Audio Plugin. The input plugins are Raphnetraw Input (for use with real N64 controllers), GC Adapter (for Wii U or Switch) Input, and Rosalie’s Mupen GUI Input.
The RSP plugins include Static Interpreter (CXD4), Mupen64Plus HLE RSP, and ParaLLEl-RSP. RMG also supports other plugins that come with regular Mupen64Plus, which can be configured by editing the mupen64plus.cfg file.
Except for the RSP plugins, all plugins mentioned above can be configured through the RMG GUI, making the process more user-friendly. If you want to use other plugins or standalone Mupen64Plus, you can configure them by editing the mupen64plus.cfg file. RMG aims to provide a user-friendly and sleek frontend for Mupen64Plus, making it a great choice for anyone looking for a simple yet powerful Nintendo 64 emulator.
Pros
- Mupen64Plus-based
- Simple
Cons
- Plugin-based
7. Retroarch
RetroArch is one of the most popular and versatile open-source emulators available for many gaming platforms, including the Nintendo 64. It is known for its flexible and modular architecture, which allows it to integrate with multiple emulation cores, or “cores” as they are commonly referred to in the emulator community. RetroArch also provides a variety of tools and options to optimize emulation performance, making it one of the best options for emulating the Nintendo 64.
One of the most significant issues with Nintendo 64 emulation is latency, which results in a lag between player inputs and on-screen actions. RetroArch has implemented several lag compensation techniques to address this problem, such as the Runahead feature. Runahead works by predicting player inputs and simulating them ahead of time, effectively reducing the amount of time it takes for actions to appear on the screen. This results in a smoother gameplay experience and greatly reduces input lag.
Another technique used by RetroArch to minimize lag is the use of low-latency video and audio output options. RetroArch provides a variety of video drivers that optimize the emulation output for different hardware configurations. For example, the Vulkan video driver is ideal for modern graphics cards that support the Vulkan API, while the Direct3D 11 driver is better suited for older systems. RetroArch also supports low-latency audio options, such as WASAPI and ASIO, which provide faster audio output and reduce lag.
Additionally, RetroArch offers several other features that make it an excellent emulator for Nintendo 64, such as its robust graphical user interface (GUI) that allows for easy navigation of menus and settings. It also provides a range of input customization options, including the ability to map controller inputs to keyboard keys or mouse movements.
One of the most significant advantages of RetroArch is its ability to run on multiple platforms, including Windows, Linux, macOS, Android, and iOS. This means that users can play their favorite Nintendo 64 games on their preferred device, whether it be a desktop computer, a mobile phone, or a gaming console like the Xbox Series X and the portable PC, Steam Deck.
Pros
- Highly configurable
- Miraculous input lag reduction
- Available in a surprisingly broad range of gaming hardware including the PSP and the 3DS
Cons
- Not beginner friendly
- Menu digging
8. Daedalus
Daedalus is a well-known open-source Nintendo 64 emulator that was first introduced in 2006. Although it has not been updated for some time, a group of enthusiasts has taken up the mantle of reviving this emulator, focusing mainly on the PSP platform before moving to other platforms.
One of the standout features of Daedalus is its fast emulation, which has been optimized to work smoothly on PSP devices. The emulator boasts high compatibility with the PSP, which ensures that most games can be played without any hiccups.
Daedalus also supports PSP TV mode, which enables users to play games on a bigger screen and output them in 480p resolution. Additionally, PlayStation Vita users can enjoy Daedalus via Adrenaline, which allows the emulator to run on the Vita.
The Daedalus team is dedicated to actively supporting and updating the emulator. They have also implemented lots of experimental optimizations, ensuring that the emulator runs smoothly on various platforms. Despite these optimizations, some stutters may occur on certain games, and the emulator’s compatibility with other ports may be average.
Daedalus is an excellent emulator that enables users to play Nintendo 64 games on their PSPs and other platforms. Its fast emulation, high compatibility, and support for PSP TV mode and PlayStation Vita make it a great option for gamers looking to enjoy their favorite Nintendo 64 titles on the go.
Pros
- In active development
Cons
- For PSP only
9. Virtual Console
The Virtual Console is a digital distribution platform for Nintendo consoles that allows users to purchase and download classic games from previous generations. One of the consoles that have been available on the Virtual Console is the Nintendo 64, which was first made available on the Wii in 2006 and later on the Wii U.
On the Wii, the N64 Virtual Console library offered a wide range of classic titles, including Super Mario 64, The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, and Mario Kart 64. These games were sold for a relatively affordable price and could be played using either the Wii Remote and Nunchuk or the Classic Controller.
One of the benefits of the N64 Virtual Console on the Wii was the ability to play classic games without having to track down physical copies, which can be difficult to find and expensive to purchase. Additionally, the Virtual Console versions of N64 games offered certain enhancements such as the ability to save at any point in the game and play with different controller options.
The Wii U also offered an N64 Virtual Console, which was available through the Nintendo eShop. The library was similar to the Wii’s but included a few additional titles such as Paper Mario and Pokemon Snap. The Wii U’s Virtual Console also offered Off-TV Play, allowing players to play their favorite N64 games on the Wii U GamePad’s screen.
While the N64 Virtual Console on the Wii and Wii U provided a convenient way to play classic N64 games, there were also some limitations. For example, not all N64 games were available on the Virtual Console, and some of the more popular games like GoldenEye 007 and Banjo-Kazooie were not released due to licensing issues. Additionally, some users reported issues with lag and input delay, which could affect gameplay.
N64 Virtual Console on the Wii and Wii U was a convenient way for fans of classic Nintendo games to relive some of their favorite childhood memories. Despite some limitations and technical issues, it provided a cost-effective and accessible way to play N64 games on modern consoles.
Also, fair warning, WiiU digital stores are closing on March 27, 2023 bringing down the ability to purchase the Virtual Console games with it.
Pros
- Good enough
- Relatively cheaper although still pricey for what they are
Cons
- Runs only on Wii / WiiU
10. Nintendo Switch Online Expansion Pack
The Nintendo Switch Online Expansion Pack has been a contentious issue since it was first announced in late 2021. Many users felt that the addition of a few select N64 titles, some Sega Genesis games, and online functionality for both classic consoles’ games, plus a DLC for Animal Crossing: New Horizons, wasn’t worth the fifty-dollar annual subscription fee. However, recently a year on out, Nintendo has been constantly pouring more games for both the N64 and Genesis collections and the online component is somewhat surprisingly decent.
There are currently less than 100 N64 games and Sega Genesis games combined, which equates to less than a dollar per game. While some popular titles are still missing, the value proposition here is dependent on how much the user likes the systems and the games. For those who are fans of these classic consoles and most of the games available, it’s definitely worth it.
In addition to the games themselves, the Expansion Pack offers quality-of-life features that enhance the gaming experience. Common emulation features like the ability to create save states and suspend games are present in this Switch solution for playing N64 games. This is particularly helpful for games like The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask, which has a save system that increases difficulty of the game. The HD upscaling also adds value to the service, although again, this depends on how much the user intends to play the games.
The tempting reason to sign up for the Expansion Pack is the newly-added online multiplayer features. Classic games like Mario Party, Mario Tennis, Mario Kart 64, and Star Fox 64 are still great multiplayer experiences up to this moment in time. Adapting these retro games for online play and ensuring a functional experience is a tremendous boon for individuals desiring to relive these old-school games with their peers. Despite the fact that Nintendo’s online features still have some shortcomings, they are somewhat sufficient to provide a playable and gratifying experience.
The increase in price from twenty to fifty dollars for a limited selection of games can be startling, yet the Expansion Pack might of value for many gamers. It’s a clear choice for those who enjoy playing these games and desire the online experience. Moreover, it’s a justifiable expense for those who wish to relive the nostalgia of playing old favorites with friends. However, if you’re only interested in a few games and don’t care much for online play, the Expansion Pass may not be enticing.
The Nintendo Switch Online Expansion Pack is a decent value proposition for those who are fans of the classic consoles and most of the games available. The addition of online functionality and quality-of-life features like save states and HD upscaling makes the gaming experience even better. However, for those who are only interested in a couple of games on offer or who don’t care about online functionality, the Expansion Pass likely isn’t worth the price point.
Pros
- Available on Switch
Cons
- Subscription-based
- Anemic in features
Leave a Reply