simple64

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simple64
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Developer(s) loganmc10
Latest version 2024.11.1 [+]
Active Yes
Platform(s) Windows
Linux
Architecture(s) x64
Emulates Nintendo 64
Compatibility High
Website simple64.github.io
Support ($) Patreon
GitHub Sponsor
Programmed in C, C++
License GPLv3
Source code GitHub

simple64, formerly known as m64p, is a free and open-source Nintendo 64 emulator maintained by loganmc10. The project bundles Mupen64Plus with Parallel RDP, as well as its own frontend, input plugin, and netplay support. Although it originated as a fork of the plugin-based Mupen64Plus, it no longer uses plugins.

The simple64 frontend on Windows 7.

Download[edit]

Windows Linux Official releases
Windows Linux macOS Final GLideN64 build (2021-05-30)

Windows Linux macOS simple64-gui
The frontend that can also be used separately with Mupen64Plus.

System requirements[edit]

  • OS: Windows 10 or Linux
  • CPU: Requires AVX2 instructions support. (Intel 4th generation(Haswell) or AMD Zen(Ryzen))
  • GPU: Requires Vulkan 1.1 support. (Graphic card after 2010)

Overview[edit]

In the project's own words:

"This is likely the most compatible N64 emulator you’re going to come across. It can play games like Resident Evil 2, Rogue Squadron, Pokemon Snap, and World Driver Championship “out-of-the-box” (without the need to fiddle with settings, plugins, or anything of the sort)."

The user interface, simple64-gui, was written specifically for simple64 using Qt5 prior to version 2022.07, and using Qt6 from version 2022.07 onward. The supported features:

  • Netplay using a central server hosted in the cloud for players to find sessions
  • Discord Rich Presence and automatic voice channel connectivity
  • Standard frontend features like pausing, screenshots, save states etc.
  • An auto-updater

Parallel RDP and RSP are based on the work of Themaister and are used in the Parallel N64 Libretro core. This makes fast and accurate N64 emulation possible in simple64.

As of April 12 2021, simple64 no longer runs properly on macOS systems. The application produces an "unable to load video plugin" error and random application crash at startup. As of June 6th 2021, it appears that support for macOS is being completely dropped by loganmc10 with the replacement of both the GlideN64 and Angrylion Plus RDPs with ParaLLEl-RDP and the release of Windows and Linux builds only, as macOS lacks the necessary Vulkan support for ParaLLEl-RDP to work, requiring additional Mac-specific work to make it function. However, as of September 20, 2022, simple64 now uses the "latest version" of ParaLLEl-RDP, which the author claims "should be a step closer to Mac support".

As of Jul 17, 2022, simple64 has undergone a major overhaul of its core timing code independently of upstream Mupen64Plus, getting rid of the CountPerOp setting and removing all game-specific hacks, thus bringing it more in line with Ares and CEN64 in accuracy. However, this has resulted in some regressions and compatibility issues, including some games not booting that used to work before. Another side effect of simple64's increased accuracy is slower performance, compounded by the fact that the emulator no longer includes a dynarec core, so older PCs may have problems running some games at full speed (disabling Synchronous RDP in the settings can help, though some games require it to work correctly). Work is ongoing and regressions are being fixed as they appear, but until this task is completed, consult this "known issues" list before using the latest release. If a game you'd like to play is currently listed as having problems or you run into an issue not on that list, try a build from before the major timing changes (such as this one) or try another emulator such as RMG or RetroArch's Mupen64Plus-Next core, which are much closer to upstream Mupen64Plus at this point. New releases are also quite frequent, so be careful about updating if the games you're playing work fine.

Netplay[edit]

Follow this guide on the GitHub wiki to set up netplay.

Gallery[edit]

External links[edit]