Changes

|type = [[:Category:ConsolesHome consoles|Home video game console]]

|discontinued = 20022003|predecessor = [[Super Nintendo emulators|SNESSuper Family Computer / Super Nintendo Entertainment System]]

{{for|other emulators that run on N64 hardware|Emulators on N64}}  The '''Nintendo 64''' is a 64-bit fifth-generation console released by Nintendo on September 29, 1996, for {{inflation|USD|199.99|1996}}. Nintendo was the second company approached by Silicon Graphics Inc. (SGI), who which wanted to roll out their its previously enterprise-only technology in the consumer space. They originally pitched their idea to Sega, but it's assumed that Nintendo's offer was more appealing. With the NEC VR4300 CPU clocked at 93.75 MHz, 4MB of RAM,<ref group=N>Though a separate add-on was later released called the "Expansion Pak" that added an additional 4MB 4 MBs of RAM, totaling 8MB.</ref> and an SGI RCP GPU, Nintendo had finalized much of the hardware at least a year before launch, preventing video games from needing drastic rewrites as a result of architectural changes. A separate add-on was later released called the "[[#Peripherals|Expansion Pak]]" that added an additional 4 MBs of RAM, totaling to 8 MBs. The development workstations were often Unix-based, something that which would later help reverse -engineers in some projects.­­ Unlike competitors such as the PlayStation, the N64 used cartridges instead of CDs. While a big advantage was that data could be read faster than CDs, meaning that load times were minimal or even non-existent, the main disadvantage of cartridges was the small data capacity, which meant that many third party developers switched to the PlayStation. Nintendo 64 emulator development began during the console's lifespan, with [[UltraHLE]] being a landmark release in emulation. Despite the impressive feat of playing retail games on a standard computer of the time period, emulation of the console had serious issues for nearly the next two decades. This was largely due to the "plugin hell" exacerbated by closed-source development practices, an over-reliance on the leaked "Oman archive" documentation that hindered true reverse engineering of console behavior, and the use of endless hacks and shortcuts due to the weak hardware of the time. However, newer open-source emulators and plugins now offer greatly improved accuracy alongside visual enhancements.

<div style="overflow-x:auto;width:100%">{| class="wikitablesortable" style="text-align:center;width:100%"

! scope="col"|Latest Versionversion! scope="col"|Controller Pak[[#Hardware_variants|Hardware<br/>variants]]! scope="col"|Rumble Pak[[#Peripherals|Peripherals]]! scope="col"|Transfer Pak[[#Enhancements|Enhancements]]! scope="col"|64DDCompatibility! scope="col"|[[libretroEmulation Accuracy|Libretro CoreAccuracy]]! scope="col"|<abbr title="Free/Libre and Open-Source Software">FLOSS</abbr>

! scope="col"|[[Recommended Emulatorsemulators|Recommended]]

|ParaLLEl[[RetroArch|Mupen64Plus-Next]]

|[https://wwwbuildbot.retroarchlibretro.com/ 2.0-rc2nightly/ libretro core]|{{✗}}|{{~}}

|[[Mupen64Plusares]]|align=left|{{Icon|Windows|Linux|macOS|FreeBSD}}|[https://nightly.link/ares-emulator/ares/workflows/build/master <abbr title="Latest development build version">git Artifacts</abbr>]<br/>[https://github.com/mupen64plusares-emulator/mupen64plus-coreares/releases {{Mupen64PlusVeraresVer}}]|{{✗}}|{{~}}|{{~}}|[https://ares-emu.net/compatibility/nintendo-nintendo-64 97%<br/><small>872 out of 900 reported titles</small>]| High|{{✓}}

|{{✗~}}|{{~}}|?| High|{{✓}}|{{✓}}

|[https://github.com/project64Rosalie241/project64BetterMajorasMaskInstaller/releases {{Project64Ver}}<abbr title="This installer automatically installs and configures latest versions of Project64-nightly, GlideN64 video plugin, Azimer's Audio Plugin, Iconoclast's Static RSP Interpreter and also MM HD Texture Pack.">Rosalie241's MMHD</abbr>]<br />[https://www.pj64-emu.com/nightly-builds DevNightly]<br/>[https://www.pj64-emu.com/public-releases {{Project64Ver}}]<br/>[https://github.com/Rosalie241/PJ64Launcher/releases/latest Keygen]|{{~}}|{{~}}|{{~}}|?<br/><small>[[Recommended N64 plugins|(Plugin dependent)]]</small>| <small>[[Recommended N64 plugins|Plugin dependent]]</small>

|[[Project64 NetplayCEN64]]|align=left|{{Icon|Windows|Linux|macOS}}|[https://pj64netplay-emugithub.mlcom/tj90241/download.html cen64 {{Project64NetplayVerCEN64Ver}}]

|[[CEN64]]Rokuyon

|[https://github.com/tj90241Hydr8gon/cen64 Gitrokuyon {{RokuyonVer}}]|{{✗}}|{{✗}}|{{✗}}|?|?

|{{~✗}}(WIP)

|[https://github.com/Graslu/1964GEPD/releases/tag/latest 1964GEPD]<br /><abbr title="Official">[http://www.emulation64.com/files/getfile/936/ 1.1] (Official)</abbr><br /><abbr title="Unofficial SVN">[http://files.emulation64.fr/Emulateurs/EMU_1964_146.zip 1.2 r146] (Unofficial SVN)|{{✓}}|{{✓}}|{{✓}}|{{✗}}</abbr>

|[[DaedalusX64]]|align=left|{{Icon|Linux|macOS}}|[https://github.com/DaedalusX64/daedalus/releases/latest Gitgit]|{{✓}}|{{✓}}|{{✗}}

|?|?|{{✓✗}}|{{✗}}

|align=left|{{Icon|Windows|Linux|macOS}}|[https://thirdworlddrive.google.devcom/file/d/1IWyw5UG9Uf24KG0zrcXSFoOmcQoHWmyc/ 0.3view {{Larper64Ver}}]

|{{✗}}?| Low

|[https://github.com/Ryu64Emulator/Ryu64 Gitgit]

|R64Emu[[Mupen64Plus]]|align=left|{{Icon|WindowsPandora|Linux|macOSPyra}}|[http://repo.openpandora.org/?page=detail&app=mupen64plus Pandora]<br/>[https://githubpyra-handheld.com/raskyrepo/apps/r64emu Git39 Pyra]|{{✗}}|{{✗}}|{{✗}}|{{✗}}

!colspan="11"|Mobile / ARMConsoles

|[[RetroArch|Mupen64Plus-Next]] FZ|align=left|{{Icon|AndroidXB1|SXS}}|[https://playwww.googleretroarch.com/store/apps/details?idpage=org.mupen64plusae.v3.fzurita 3.0.222 platforms RetroArch]|{{✗}}|{{~}}|{{✓}}|?<br/><small>[[Recommended N64 plugins|(betaPlugin dependent)]]</small>| <small>[[Recommended N64 plugins|Plugin dependent]]</small>

|{{~}}|{{✓}}<br/><small>(PSP)</small>

|[[Mupen64Plus]]-pandoraNot64|align=left|{{Icon|PandoraGCN|Wii|WiiU}}|[https://pyra-handheldgithub.com/boardsExtrems/threadsNot64/mupen64plus-2-2.72661releases/ Build 21latest 20231102] (v2.2)|{{✓✗}}|?|?

|{{✓~}}

|Not64Surreal64 CE|align=left|{{Icon|GCN|WiiXbox}}|[https://githubdigiex.comnet/Extremsthreads/Not64/releases/latest 20200609surreal64-ce-b6-0-download-n64-emulator-for-xbox.13677 Beta 6.0]|{{✓}}|{{✓}}

|{{✓✗}}|{{~}}

|DaedalusX64mupen64-360|align=left|{{Icon|PSP|3DS}}<br>{{Icon|Vita|PS2Xbox360}}|[https://githubdigiex.comnet/DaedalusX64threads/daedalus/releases/latest Git], [https://github.com/masterfeizz/DaedalusX64mupen64-360-xbox-360-nintendo-64-3DS/releases 3DS Git]<br>[https://github.com/Rinnegatamante/DaedalusX64n64-vitaGL/releases vitaGL Git], [https://www.ps2emulator-homedownload.com/forum/viewtopic9352 0.php?f=99&p=39957#p39957 PS296 beta]|{{✓}}

|[https://code.google.com/p/mupen64gc/ [Wii64]]|align=left|{{Icon|GCN|Wii|WiiU|PS3}}|[https://code.google.com/archive/p/mupen64gc/downloads 1.1 beta]|{{✓}}|{{✓}}|{{✗}}[https://github.com/emukidid/wii64-ps3/releases git]

 Rare Replay Super Mario 3D All Stars<nowiki/div>* Available exclusively as a libretro core<references group=N /nowiki>

Although many Nintendo 64 emulators have been made and many games can be run between them, until recently, complete compatibility and/or [[Emulation_accuracy|accuracy still leaves ]] left a bit to be desired. For half a decade, Mupen64Plus and Project64 have vied for the most playable emulator, and which has been . Which was more compatible has often depended on when and in what configuration each emulator has had been tested. Both emulators default to lackluster plugins, but, as As of August 2017, both emulators have roughly equal graphical compatibility and [[Emulation_accuracy|accuracy ]] when running with GLideN64the same [[recommended N64 plugins]] setup, though both default to Glide64, a now relatively lackluster plugin.

* ;[[Mupen64Plus]] is an open-source, :A multi-platform, plugin-based emulator based on Hacktarux's Mupen64. As of It's about as [[Emulation_accuracy|accurate]] as Project64<ref>loganmc10. [https://github.com/mupen64plus/mupen64plus-core/pull/336 July 2017''Ignore TLB write if TLB entry is unmapping itself'']. "By the way, once this, along with the codebase has reached other PR's I have waiting are merged, we are at "compatibility parity " with Project64, as far as I can tell. I don't know of any game that doesn't boot with mupen64plus that works in PJ64."</ref> when both emulators are run with GLideN64. However, Mupen64Plus lacks a native GUI, instead of being run launched either from the command line or by dragging and dropping ROMs onto into the executable and editing the config with a text editor such as Notepad++. Mupen64Plus has It also been ported only comes bundled with outdated video plugins, so to ensure the best possible compatibility, sourcing better third-party plugins such as GLideN64 is a number of different platformsmust. [[BizHawk]] and [[OpenEmu]] use shallow forks of Mupen64Plus and its plugins for their N64 emulation, but they seem to be shallow. As of 2022, Project64-style overclocking for faster frame rates has been added under the option 'CountPerOpDenomPot'.

:* Wii64 ;Mupen64Plus-Next and Not64 ParaLLEl-N64::Both are both heavily modified forks developed as [[libretro]] cores. They introduce many features and optimizations that aren't present in the mainline build. Alongside [[RetroArch]]'s general features, it adds 3-point texture filtering for Glide64, superior A/V sync and latency, and even an initially exclusive LLE Vulkan renderer based on Mupen64Angrylion's pixel-perfect RDP plugin, now known as ParaLLEl-RDP, making it a better alternative to the standalone version in some cases. ParaLLEl-RDP has a special "[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mzR93F9gPdc Super VI Mode]" option, which, if used, can make the visuals of N64 games look less blurry with Not64 being fairly mitigated jaggies even at their native resolutions, although it may need a fork [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z7_D_D419S0 powerful GPU]. It also offers native high-resolution rendering, only available in integer scales of Wii64the original N64 resolution. Not64 claims to be better optimized as well ::As for the difference between the two cores, ParaLLEl-N64 is actually the older of the two, as it is based on the old Mupen64Plus libretro core, having higher compatibility been renamed to ParaLLEl-N64 upon its initial integration of the ParaLLEl-RDP and RSP plugins. In addition to the ParaLLEl plugins, it also retains the older HLE plugins (glN64, Rice and Glide64) and Angrylion Plus. Meanwhile, Mupen64Plus-Next is a new rebase off the bleeding-edge mainline, which is the more frequent updatescompatible of the two. It does away with the legacy plugins and replaces them with GLideN64 as a better HLE solution (though, of course, the ParaLLEl plugins and Angrylion Plus stay), considerably cleans up the Core Options menu for easier configuration and adds Transfer Pack support. N64 emulation on Wii is not very goodAdd to this with the fact that going forward, all further improvements and it new features will be applied to the Mupen64Plus-Next core. As a result, Mupen64Plus-Next is now the more recommended to stick of the two. Thus ParaLLEl-N64 should now only be considered for performance reasons or perhaps for older ROM hacks that don't play well with the Virtual Console N64 releases whenever possiblenewer, more [[Emulation_accuracy|accurate]] plugins.

* :;[[RetroArchRMG]]::Rosalie's Nintendo 64 libretro core called ParaLLEl Mupen GUI aims to close the gap between Project64 and Mupen64Plus in terms of user experience. Its interface is based about on par with simple64's in terms of cleanliness and ease of use, but unlike simple64, it remains a shallow fork of upstream Mupen64Plus and its allows you to use other plugins but . The latest development versions come bundled with heavy modifications. It introduces many features GLideN64, Angrylion RDP Plus and optimizations not present in mainline alongside RetroArch's general features, including Project64ParaLLEl-style overclocking RDP for faster frame ratesvideo plugins, 3and mupen64plus-point texture filtering, superior A/V sync and latencyhle-rsp, CXD4 and even an exclusive LLE Vulkan renderer based on Angrylion's pixelParaLLEl-perfect RDP plugin, making it a better alternative to RSP for RSP plugins It can still use the standalone version older plugins that come with regular Mupen64Plus in some cases, especially if accuracy is the goal. ParaLLEl has a special "[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mzR93F9gPdc Super VI Mode]" option which, case if used, your PC can make 't handle the visuals of N64 games look less blurry with fairly mitigated jaggies even at their native resolutionsnewer plugins. AlthoughIf you prefer GLideN64, it may need this is a [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z7_D_D419S0 powerful GPU]. It also offers native high resolution renderingsuperior alternative to simple64, only available in integer scales as the last version of the original N64 resolutionsimple64 that uses GLideN64 is becoming increasingly outdated.

* :;[[Project64simple64]] ::A fork of Mupen64Plus with a custom-made Qt GUI. This is an open-source emulator probably the easiest "just works out of the box" solution for Windows. Its official release builds are more upNintendo 64 emulation, as it comes bundled with ParaLLEl-toRDP and ParaLLEl-date than Mupen64Plus'RSP, ensuring excellent compatibility and the current versiongood speed without needing to mess with plugins or settings, 2provided your hardware supports Vulkan.3However, unlike other emulators, it does not allow you to use other plugins.2While it began as a shallow fork, it has increasingly become something closer to a hard fork, is roughly as accurate its developer has opted to make various [[Emulation_accuracy|accuracy-focused]] changes to the emulation core that will require additional work to port back to upstream or to other forks. It also currently features only a cached interpreter core, as the development versions of dynarecs used by Mupen64Plus when both are played incompatible with recommended pluginsthe core timing changes made by the developer. It has a While this makes simple64 more user-friendly interface [[Emulation_accuracy|accurate]] (especially DMA transfers) than the Mupen64Plus attempts and supports more features such as overclocking and Transfer Pak emulation. Howevermost other N64 emulators, it doesn't come with GLideN64 out-of-the-box, and the default video and audio plugins aren't even the best also results in the boxslower performance. It presently remains confined to WindowsIf faster speed and more enhancements are desired, though work there is an older build that is underway closer to port it to Android upstream and Linuxuses GLideN64 as its graphics plugin. For the most partUnfortunately, it works well in [[Wine]]lacks the texture enhancement suite required for using packs and upscaling, but, if you're on a different platform, use Mupen64Plus insteadthough.

* [[CEN64]] is an up-:;Wii64 and-coming emulator that aims for cycle accuracy whileNot64::Both are based on Mupen64, at the same time, aiming with Not64 being a fork of Wii64. Not64 claims to eventually be usable better optimized, alongside having higher compatibility and more frequent updates. N64 emulation on modern PC hardware. It currently lacks many features Wii is not very good, and has spotty compatibility, but it's gradually improving. It can already emulate some well-known edge cases such as is recommended to stick with the picture recognition in Pokemon SnapVirtual Console releases whenever possible.

* ;[[Ares]]:An open-source multi-system emulator and successor to Near's [[1964higan]]project, along with its various versions and forks, was once a decentmostly original N64 core. Unlike most other N64 emulators, speedy open-source alternative to Project64 it aims for high [[Emulation_accuracy|accuracy]] and Mupen64does not employ HLE RSP or RDP emulation of any kind, though nor does it usually lagged behind use game-specific hacks. It uses Themaister's ParaLLEl-RDP Vulkan renderer (with the two compatibilities wiseMAME renderer as a software-based fallback) for pixel-perfect LLE graphics. It currently passes several stringent [https://github. Nowadays it has completely fallen off com/ares-emulator/ares/pull/613 accuracy tests] the radarother emulators do not, as development has stoppedalso [https://old.reddit.com/r/emulation/comments/181g1wk/ares_v134_has_been_released/kag3h4r/ CPU & RSP timings are really, really good] based on real hardware tests. But system requirements more demanding than other popular N64 emulators, is having said that; for Windows-onlyusers, it should be possible to maintain full speed on a Ryzen 7 3700X, system requirements for macOS and there is no longer a central code repo Linux users may be signficantly lower due to speak of: [https://old.reddit. There is little reason to use it nowadays outside of historical purposes, very specific edge cases, or if your device is too slow to run Mupen64Plus or Project64com/r/emulation/comments/zwq9fu/ares_crossplatform_open_source_multisystem/j1ys10k/ ARM64 ABI Microsoft has chosen for Windows] makes context switches more expensive than on the SysV ABI used in *nix.

:* Daedalus v130 version brings 64DD emulation and macOS support, developer [https://twitter.com/LuigiBlood/ LuigiBlood] said [https://twitter.com/LuigiBlood/status/1568694009496756225 "This is an Nintendo 64 emulator for PC which was ported to the PSP under most [[Emulation_accuracy|accurate]] 64DD emulation attempt I've ever done, honestly. A lot of the name stuff I programmed are sometimes genuinely useless. A lot also involves timings of DaedalusX64the drive itself and more"]. The PSP :* [https://old.reddit.com/r/emulation/comments/11ltlvu/ares_multisystem_emulator_v132_has_been_released/jbe12ym/ v132 version later became the main ] brings improved accuracy of Controller pak and Rumble pak emulation.:* [https://old.reddit.com/r/emulation/comments/155ibi2/ares_multi_system_emulator_v133_has_been_released/ v133 version ] brings lots of performance tuning, timing improvements (fixes Jet Force Gemini and Micky's Speedway USA) and emulation of RSP SU pipeline stalls (fixes Donkey Kong 64 and got ported to platforms such as the DreamcastBanjo-Tooie).:*[https://old.reddit.com/r/emulation/comments/181g1wk/ares_v134_has_been_released/ v134 version] brings support for .D64 disk images, 64DD disk swapping, support the PS2N64 Transfer Pak, the PS Vita and the 3DS. On PSPhomebrew mode, several games are able to reach full speed fixed RTC 64DD emulation and most of them work with few emulation issuesother accuracy fixes.

* ;[[SixtyforceProject64]] is macOS-only, closed:An open-sourceemulator for Windows, and asks you to pay for full access to its features. It was once as well as one of the only choices for Mac usersoldest. Its official release builds are more up to date than Mupen64Plus', and the current stable version, particularly those with older Macs3.0.1, since it's the only emulator with a <abbr title="Power PC">PPC</abbr> is roughly as [[Dynamic recompilationEmulation_accuracy|dynarecaccurate]])as the development versions of Mupen64Plus when both are played with recommended plugins. It has a more user-friendly interface than some of the Mupen64Plus attempts and supports features such as Transfer Pak emulation and 64DD emulation. It now comes with GLideN64 out-of-the-box, but, with the switch to x86 and Mupen64Plus being ported to macOSdefault audio plugin isn't even the best in the box. Annoyingly, it has now become less relevant. Howeveralso nags you with a timed, development is still on ongoingunskippable message asking for donations to the project upon launch, and is currently in its though this can be gotten around through a [https://sixtyforcegithub.com/rosettaRosalie241/PJ64Launcher/releases/tag/ third rewrite1.3.0 script] . An alternative is to support the upcoming download it through [https://engithub.wikipedia.orgcom/Rosalie241/BetterMajorasMaskInstaller/releases/wikitag/Apple4.0.2 Rosalie's BetterMajorasMaskInstaller], which downloads the latest nightly version of Project64 with the nagging message removed and installs several useful third-party plugins (it also offers to install HD texture packs for OoT and MM, but you can opt out of those), though take heed -designed_processors Apple SiliconProject64 is currently in the middle of a major code rewrite in preparation for the upcoming 4.0 version, and more than a few regressions and bugs have crept into the nightlies as a result, so it might be better to just grab the latest plugins and stick to version 3.0.1. For the most part, it works well in [[Wine]], but if you're on a different platform, use Mupen64Plus instead.Note if you do use Project64, there is a exploit allowing people to remotely access your computer. This exploit only works if you have a rom from a random website, So watch where you get your roms if you using project64

* ;[[UltraHLEBizHawk]] marked a milestone in Nintendo 64 emulation, in that it was :Another out-of-the first to play some popular N64 titles at full speed on hardware made at the time of its release through -box solution. Supports two cores for n64 ([https://github.com/TASEmulators/BizHawk/blob/master/Assets/dll/mupen64plus.dll mupen64plus] and [https://github.com/TASEmulators/BizHawk/tree/master/waterbox/ares64 Ares64]). Supports [Highhttps://github.com/TASEmulators/Low level emulation|highBizHawk/blob/master/Assets/dll/mupen64plus-level emulationvideo-GLideN64.dll GLideN64]]; it isn't without its drawbacks though and [https://github.com/TASEmulators/BizHawk/blob/master/Assets/dll/mupen64plus-video-angrylion- pressure from users, combined with legal threats from Nintendo, forced them to discontinue developmentrdp. Besides being dll Angrylion] video plugins for historical value, there's not much to expect from this emulator anyway due to compatibility issuesmupen64plus core.

* ;[[Ryu64CEN64]] is a Nintendo 64 emulator made in C#:Aims for [[Emulation_accuracy|cycle accuracy]] while at the same time aiming to be usable on modern PC hardware eventually. The 'Ryu' word is named after the "RyuJIT" used It lacks many features and has spotty compatibility, but it can already emulate some well-known edge cases, such as picture recognition in both Visual Basic & C#Pokemon Snap. But it might Unfortunately, its creator appears to have been inspired by abandoned the lead author's sole (so far) project [https://github.com/Ryujinxn64dev/Ryujinxcen64/commits?author=Dudejoe870 commit] at Switch emulator, [[Ryujinx]]'s Git repository and his depreciated [https:releases/tag/githubv0.com/Dudejoe870/RyujinxAutoUpdate Ryujinx Auto Updater3 citing a lack of satisfaction with the program's performance in its current interpreter-based incarnation] tool. "86RYU"While the baton has been collectively passed to the n64dev community for further development, a x86 JIT compiler, is being developed alongside this emulator tooprogress has been slow.

The Nintendo 64 emulation scene can be described as a hot mess. It got to that point because of the overall emulation scene's climate in the early days, which was to stub off certain components of the emulated hardware as plugins. (Other consoles weren't immune to this phenomenon; it also happened to [[PlayStation emulators|the first PlayStation1964]].) Developers underestimated the complexity of the system:Along with its various versions and forks, it was once a decent, speedy open-source alternative to Project64 and with little demand for improvements beyond getting Mupen64, though it usually lagged behind the popular titles working from beginning to endtwo compatibility-wise. Nowadays, most emulator developers stuck with it has completely fallen off the codebases they knew for radar as long as possible development has halted, and never integrated any there is no longer a central code repo to speak of the plugins that were needed to make up a full project, or merge their codebases into one project. And because almost no documentation There is available for clean-room reverse engineerslittle reason to use it nowadays outside of historical purposes, figuring out how the hardware actually functioned had to be done manuallyvery specific edge cases, which took longer. The unfortunate result of this or if your device is that many games require specific plugin arrangements and specific emulators in order too slow to run well, and there is no viable alternative that isn't just an iteration on the existing plugin-based emulatorsMupen64Plus or Project64.

===[[High/Low level ;Daedalus:A Nintendo 64 emulator for PC which was ported to the PSP under the name of DaedalusX64. The PSP version later became the main version and got ported to platforms such as the Dreamcast, the PS2, the PS Vita, and the 3DS. On PSP, several games can reach full speed, and most of them work with few emulation|High-level vsissues. low-level]] graphics===

One of the biggest hurdles ;[[Sixtyforce]]:macOS-only, closed-source emulator. It asks you to pay for full access to emulating the Nintendo 64 is the Reality Display Processor (RDP), one of two components in the Reality Coprocessor made by SGIits features. The Reality Display Processor It was the most powerful consumer-grade GPU at the time once one of the consoleonly choices for Mac users, particularly those with older Macs, since it's release; this was the only emulator with a selling point that Nintendo wanted <abbr title="Power PC">PPC</abbr> [[Dynamic recompilation|dynarec]], but, with the switch to emphasize as a result of working with SGIx86 and Mupen64Plus being ported to macOS, it has now become rather obsolete. However, reverse engineering efforts for popular Nintendo 64 games showed that Nintendodevelopment is still ongoing, and it's software development kit included a common microcode for the RDPcurrently in its [https://sixtyforce. It's possible Nintendo didn't want to give developers access at a lower level out of fears that doing so would damage consumer units, but that meant most of the effort spent emulating the RDP would go towards figuring out how com/rosetta/ third rewrite] to handle support the microcodeupcoming [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apple-designed_processors Apple Silicon].

* Most developers ;[[Ryu64]]:A Nintendo 64 emulator made in 1999 and the early 2000s opted to approximate functions through various APIs such as Direct3D, OpenGL, and even GlideC#. While this resulted in much more reasonable system requirements for emulation, along with prettier, higher resolution graphics, this method proved to be hit and miss, often requiring per-game tweaks and settings to prevent graphical glitches on many games. Some games flat out didnThe 't work, because it wasnRyu't clear what word is named after the microcode did or why, and required extensive hardware testing"RyuJIT" used in both Visual Basic & C#.* On But it might have been inspired by the low level side, developers would either completely emulate the RDP or autodetect the microcode and use an appropriate implementation for the gamelead author's sole (so far) [https://github. The former would mean a software renderer accurate com/Ryujinx/Ryujinx/commits?author=Dudejoe870 commit] to the hardware but major performance bottlenecks unless optimizations like vectorization Switch emulator [[Ryujinx]]'s Git repository and multihis depreciated [https://github.com/Dudejoe870/RyujinxAutoUpdate Ryujinx Auto-threading were implementedUpdater] tool. The latter would mean faster performance but developers would still have to figure out how to account for edge cases"86RYU", an x86 JIT compiler, is being developed alongside this emulator too.

gonetz and one or two assistants have spent ;[[UltraHLE]]:Marked a large portion of development improving GlideN64's handling of microcode throughout 2016-2018.<ref name="gliden64_blog-1">{{cite web|url=https://gliden64.blogspot.com/2017/|title=Public Release 3.0|publisher=Blogspot|accessdate=2018-06-17|date=2017-12-29}}</ref><ref name="ZSortBOSS">{{cite web|url=https://github.com/gonetz/GLideN64/issues/1685#issuecomment-364436534|title=Initial implementation of BOSS ZSort ucode (WDCmilestone in Nintendo 64 emulation, Stunt Racer)|publisher=GitHub|accessdate=2018-06-17|date=2018-02-10}}</ref> This means in that it was the first to play some popular N64 titles at full speed on hardware made at the time of its release through [https:/[High/youtu.be/HfCOnmRHI0o Factor 5]'s games are now working in the high-Low level graphics mode.<ref name="Indiegogo">{{cite webemulation|url=https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/indiana-j-infernal-machine-high-level-emulation#/updates/all|title="Indiana J]]. & Infernal Machine" HLE|publisher=Indiegogo|accessdate=2018It isn't without its drawbacks, though -06-17|date=2018-05-17}}</ref><ref name="gliden64_blog-2">{{cite web|url=https://gliden64pressure from users, plus legal threats from Nintendo, forced them to discontinue development.blogspot.com/2018/05/hle-implementation-of-microcodes-for.html|title=HLE implementation of microcodes for "Indiana Jones" and "Battle Besides being for Naboo" completed.|publisher=Blogspot|accessdate=2018-06-17|date=2018-05-26}}</ref> Other games may still have issues with RDP quirks like frame buffer/depth buffer access (issues with how the frame buffer is used as well as performance issues)historical value, VI emulation, and how combine/blending modes are emulated (such as noise there's not much to expect from this emulator anyway due to compatibility issues and combiner accuracy).

;n64oid:An Android-exclusive Nintendo 64 emulator based on Mupen64Plus by freeman_zy. It should be noted that most games technically work through is similar to Project 64 1.6 in terms of compatibility. The APK for n64oid circulates on many legally-questionable APK sites. n64oid has the infamous problem in Mario Kart 64 of the HLE methodscreen in Wario Stadium not displaying properly, as it displays nothing but it's not an accurate representation black. It upscales all games to widescreen, which works well most of what the video output actually looked liketime, but rather a rough approximation by your graphics cardit will have performance issues on some older phones. Whether this The emulator is an improvement or not relatively poor, but it is subjectivemuch easier to set up than other options.<gallery widths="300" mode="packed">Majora's mask accurate.png|Low level emulation The emulator features a menu with many similarities to the mobile edition of Snes9x EX+ and the My Boy! family of Majora's Mask using SoftGraphicProject64 2013-07-26 14-20-17-55Android emulators for Game Boy systems.png|High level emulation of Majora's Mask using Jabo's Direct3D</gallery>

===; [[Texture filteringNintendo Switch Online]]===(Hovercraft)The * N64 support was added to Nintendo 64 was Switch Online Expansion Pack in September 2021, alongside Sega Genesis games.* Users are limited to the first consumer device selection of games Nintendo chooses to be able make available on the service.* Supports online and Local Play (up to filter textures when rendering 3D objects4 players). However* Emulation [[Emulation_accuracy|accuracy]] varies between games; sometimes, unlike every console being worse than their Wii and PC graphics card made after /or Wii U Virtual Console versions.* Updates on the N64, its implementation of bilinear was primitive in that, in order app can be slow due to reduce strain on how the system, it only used three samples as opposed to four, resulting in slightly jagged texturesN64 ROMs require more debugging time.* Different games between regions (Japan and International). Instead of faithfully applying this * An "imperfect+18" version of bilinear filtering, HLE plugins instead apply conventional filtering, interpolating straight from the source texture up to the output resolution the same way a PC game would. While that method app is technically superior, it can result available in textures Japan for titles that look even blurrier than on real hardwarereceived a CERO Z rating (e.g.: ''GoldenEye 007'' and ''Jet Force Gemini'').

Another issue lies ==Enhancements==<div style="overflow-x:auto;width:100%">{|class="wikitable" style="text-align:center; vertical-align:middle;width:100%"|- style="font-weight:bold;"! colspan=2 | Name! Mupen64Plus-Next! simple64! ares! Project64! MAME! Bizhawk|-| rowspan=6 | Graphics| [[Resolution|Resizable Internal Resolution]]| {{Y}}| {{Y}}| {{Y}}| {{Y}}| {{?}}| {{?}}|-| [[Widescreen_hacks#Nintendo_64|Widescreen hack]]| {{Y}}[https://forums.launchbox-app.com/files/file/3649-nintendo-64-n64-widescreen-project-list-of-working-widescreen-games-and-config-files-for-mupen64plus-next-retroarch-core/ *]| {{?}}| {{?}}| {{?}}| {{?}}| {{?}}|-| [[Texture packs#Nintendo_64|Texture Packs]]| {{✓}}<ref group=N3 name=Glide>Only with [https://emulation.gametechwiki.com/index.php/Recommended_N64_plugins#GLideN64 GLideN64] video plugin.</ref>| {{N}}| {{N}}| {{✓}}<ref group=N3 name=Glide>Only with [https://emulation.gametechwiki.com/index.php/Recommended_N64_plugins#GLideN64 GLideN64] video plugin.</ref>| {{?}}| {{?}}|-| Pre-rendering AA<br/><small>(MSAA, SSAA)</small>| {{N}}| {{?}}| {{?}}| {{?}}| {{?}}| {{?}}|-| Ray-tracing<br/><small>([https://devblogs.microsoft.com/directx/announcing-microsoft-directx-raytracing/ DXR], [https://www.khronos.org/blog/ray-tracing-in-vulkan VRT] and [https://developer.apple.com/documentation/metal/metal_sample_code_library/accelerating_ray_tracing_using_metal MRT])</small>| colspan=9 | <small>Implementing ray-tracing in an emulator is unfortunately quite challenging and unlikely to be feasible in the near future.<br/>However you can try "[[Shaders_and_filters#Notable_ReShade_shaders|Screen-Space Ray Traced Global Illumination]]" shader using ReShade.[https://reshade.me/forum/general-discussion/5442-release-misc-emulators-with -depth-buffer-access#34637]</small>|-| [https://github.com/NVIDIAGameWorks/rtx-remix/wiki RTX Remix]| colspan=9 | <small>Implementing RTX Remix technology in an emulator is unfortunately quite challenging and unlikely to be feasible in the appliance near future.<br/>Besides, some of these emulators already supports most of RTX Remix features such as texture filtering per quad on static imagesreplacement and post-processing effects etc.<br/>On top of that you can use ReShade for post-processing.</small>|-| rowspan=4 | Performance| [[30/60_FPS_cheat_codes#Nintendo_64|Internal Framerate Hack]]| {{?}}| {{?}}| {{?}}| {{Y}}| {{?}}| {{?}}|-| [[Overclocking|Overclock]]| {{?}}| {{?}}| {{?}}| {{Y}}| {{?}}| {{?}}|-| [https://blurbusters.com/frame-generation-essentials-interpolation-extrapolation-and-reprojection/ Frame generation technologies]<br/><small>([https://store.steampowered.com/app/993090/Lossless_Scaling/ LSFG], text[https://github.com/NVIDIAGameWorks/Streamline/blob/main/docs/ProgrammingGuideDLSS_G.md DLSS-G], [https://www.techpowerup.com/316835/extrass-framework-paper-details-intels-take-on-frame-generation ExtraSS] and sprites[https://community. Because each quad amd.com/t5/gaming/amd-fluid-motion-frames-is-out-now-on-amd-radeon-rx-7000-series/ba-p/634372 AFMF])</small>| colspan=6 | <small>Implementing frame generation technology in an emulator is unfortunately quite challenging and unlikely to be feasible in the near future, however post-processing techniques such as [[Wikipedia:Motion_interpolation|motion interpolation]] is filtered separatelyquite possible. [[Input_lag|Input latency]] will be a crucial factor, this can cause but its impact likely varies depending on the specific technique employed, it's recommended to use '''after applying the "Internal Framerate Hack"'''.<br/>While '''AFMF''' or '''LSFG''' could be used with Mupen64Plus-Next?, please be aware that some visual inconsistenciesglitches and artifacts may occur at this time. Text |-| Rendering latency reduction technologies<br/><small>([https://github.com/ishitatsuyuki/LatencyFleX LatencyFleX], [https://developer.nvidia.com/performance-rendering-tools/reflex Reflex] and UI elements often look as though their edges cut off abruptly[https://www.amd.com/en/products/software/adrenalin/radeon-software-anti-lag.html Anti-Lag'''+'''])| colspan=9 | <small>While most emulators offer frame pacing or framebuffer latency control options, implementing rendering latency reduction technologies isn't currently feasible. This is '''likely''' doesn't offer enough benefit to justify the development effort.</small>|-| rowspan=6 | Post-Processing| [[Wikipedia:Category:Anti-aliasing_algorithms|Post-rendering AA]]<br/><small>(FXAA, TXAA and static imagesMLAA/SMAA)</small>| {{Y}}[https://docs.libretro.com/shader/antialiasing/ *]| {{?}}| {{?}}| {{?}}| {{?}}| {{?}}|-| [[Wikipedia:Comparison_gallery_of_image_scaling_algorithms|Post-rendering scaling]]<br/><small>(Sharp bilinear, such as preLanczos and [[Wikipedia:GPUOpen#FidelityFX_Super_Resolution|FSR 1]])</small>| {{Y}}| {{?}}| {{?}}| {{?}}| {{Y}}| {{?}}|-| [[Shaders_and_filters|Filters]]| {{Y}}| {{N}}| {{Y}}| {{N}}| {{Y}}| {{Y}}|-|[[Shaders_and_filters#AI-powered filters|AI-powered filter compatible]]<br/><small>([https://www.nvidia.com/en-us/geforce/news/gfecnt/nvidia-freestyle-ansel-enhancements-geforce-experience-article/ Freestyle])</small>| {{?}}| {{?}}| {{?}}| {{?}}| {{?}}| {{?}}|-| [[Shader_Presets|Shader Chain]]| {{Y}}| {{N}}| {{Y}}[https://github.com/ares-emulator/ares/pull/1397 *]| {{N}}| {{Y}}| {{N}}|-|[[High_dynamic_range#Inverse_tone_mapping|Inverse tone mapping compatible]]| {{Y}}[https://www.libretro.com/index.php/category/hdr/ *]| {{?}}| {{?}}| {{?}}| {{?}}| {{?}}|-| rowspan=5 | [https://tasvideos.org/Emulatorresources/Features TAS features]| [[Wikipedia:Macro_(computer_science)|Macros/Scripts]]/[https://tasvideos.org/LuaScripting Lua]| {{N}}[https://github.com/libretro/RetroArch/issues/8209 *]| {{?}}| {{?}}| {{?}}| {{Y}}[https://docs.mamedev.org/plugins/inputmacro.html *]| {{Y}}|-| Rewind| {{Y}}| {{?}}| {{?}}| {{?}}| {{?}}| {{Y}}|-| Fast-Forward/Turbo Speed| {{Y}}| {{?}}| {{?}}| {{?}}| {{?}}| {{Y}}|-| Savestates| {{Y}}| {{?}}| {{?}}| {{?}}| {{?}}| {{Y}}|-| [https://tasvideos.org/Movies Movie recording/playback]| {{Y}}| {{?}}| {{?}}| {{?}}| {{?}}| {{?}}|-| rowspan=8 | Quality of life| Per-Game Profiles| {{Y}}| {{?}}| {{?}}| {{?}}| {{?}}| {{?}}|-| Command Line Options| {{Y}}| {{?}}| {{?}}| {{?}}| {{?}}| {{?}}|-| Built-rendered backgrounds or menu screensin [http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic, may look 106405 Custom resolution/CRTSwitchRes]<br/><small>For using this on Windows OS you need [http://geedorah.com/eiusdemmodi/forum/viewtopic.php?pid=1009#p1009 CRT Emudriver].<br/>Another option is using EDID editor tool such as though they are separated into squares"Custom Resolution Utility".</small>| {{Y}}| colspan=5 | <small>Exclusive to [https://docs.libretro.com/guides/crtswitchres/ libretro cores] and [[GroovyMAME]] at the moment.<br/>Also there is a [https://github. Some plugins allow com/psakhis/Groovy_MiSTer project] for achieving software emulators like libretro cores and GroovyMAME send the user raw RGB data over a network to turn off texture filtering a core running on MiSTer, it basically turns the MiSTer into a GPU for the emulator allowing for easy setup and use with CRT TVs/Arcade monitors.</small>|-| Built-in [[Mods,_hacks_and_fan-translations#Built-in_graphics_mod_editor.2Fmanager_for_emulators|Graphics mod editor/manager]]| {{✗}}| {{✗}}| {{✗}}| {{✗}}| {{✗}}| {{✗}}|-| Built-in [[Cheats_and_patches|Cheat Manager]]| {{Y}}| {{?}}| {{N}}[https://old.reddit.com/r/emulation/comments/1ay6fm1/ares_v136_released/krslaki/ *]| {{?}}| {{Y}}| {{?}}|-| [[Save_disk_space_for_ISOs|Streamable compression format]]| {{✓}}| {{?}}| {{✓}}| {{?}}| {{?}}| {{?}}|-| [[Wikipedia:Variable_refresh_rate|Variable Refresh Rate compatible]]| {{Y}}| {{?}}| {{?}}| {{?}}| {{Y}}[https://docs.mamedev.org/usingmame/commonissues.html#gsync-freesync *]| {{?}}|-| [[Frontends#Graphical_User_Interfaces_.28GUIs.29|Big Picture Mode]]| {{Y}}|||| {{Y}}||-| rowspan=2 | Controls| [[Input_lag|Input lag-mitigating technique]]| {{N}}| {{?}}| {{?}}| {{?}}| {{?}}| {{?}}|-| [[Controllers#Mouse_Injectors_for_Emulators|Mouse Injector Compatible]]| {{Y}}[https://github.com/garungorp/MouseInjectorDolphinDuck *]| {{N}}| {{N}}| {{Y}}[https://github.com/garungorp/MouseInjectorDolphinDuck *]| {{N}}| {{N}}|-| rowspan=5 | Misc| [https://retroachievements.org/gameList.php?c=2 RetroAchievements]| {{Y}}| {{N}}| {{N}}| {{N}}| {{N}}| {{Y}}|-| [[Virtual_reality#VR_game_room_simulations|EmuVR support]]| colspan=6 | Exclusive to remedy this[https://www.emuvr.net/wiki/Installation_Guide#Downloads libretro cores] at the moment.|-| [[Netplay#Nintendo_64|Netplay]]| {{N}}| {{Y}}| {{N}}|{{~}}<ref group=N3 name=input>Project64, butRMG and Mupen64Plus MXE builds requires replacing the input plugin with one [https://www.play64.com/netplay-plugin/ with netplay support]. Another alternative for netplay is using [[Project64 Netplay]] fork.</ref>| {{?}}| {{N}}[https://github.com/TASEmulators/BizHawk/issues/2450#issuecomment-707492502 *]|-| Free Look<br/><small>Free Look is a enhancement feature that allows manipulation of the in-game camera.</small>| colspan=6 | <small>While freecam would be technically possible, unfortunately, this also applies it will require per-game patches.<br/>Said patches would require a significant amount of time to textures in reverse the game world's engine, exposing their oftentimes low resolutionswhich means that only someone talented with enough dedication to a single game could do it.<br/>[https://www.zophar.net/n64/Nemu64.html Nemu64] has a free cam mode sort of. It changes the perspective the camera is facing.</small><ref>[https://old.reddit.com/r/BoundaryBreak/comments/dj9zmc/nintendo_64_camera/ Reddit Thread: Nintendo 64 camera?]</ref>|-| [[Wikipedia:Category:Debugging|Debug Features]]| {{N}}[https://forums.libretro.com/t/debugging-features/137 *]| {{?}}| {{~}}| {{~}}<ref group=N3>Use [https://github.com/shygoo/project64 this fork] for debug features.</ref>| {{?}}| {{?}}|}</div><references group=N3/>

RetroArch==Peripherals==''Reddit Thread: [https://old.reddit.com/r/emulation/comments/vwmho1/unemulated_console_features_and_accessories/ Unemulated console features and accessories]''s <div style="overflow-x:auto;width:100%">{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;vertical-align:middle;width:100%"|- style="font-weight:bold;"! Name! Project64! ares! simple64! Mupen64Plus core has taken some steps which help remedy these problems-Next! CEN64! MAME! BizHawk! RMG|-| Controller Pak| {{✓}}|{{✓}}[https://github.com/ares-emulator/ares/blob/master/mia/medium/nintendo-64. It is cpp#L152 *]| {{✓}}| {{✓}}| {{✓}}| {{✗}}| {{✓}}| {{✓}}<ref group=N>Under the only name "Memory Pak".</ref>|-| Rumble Pak| {{✓}}|{{✓}}[https://github.com/ares-emulator that implements /ares/blob/master/mia/medium/nintendo-64.cpp#L152 *]| {{✓}}| {{✓}}| {{✓}}| {{✗}}| {{~}}[https://tasvideos.org/Bizhawk/N64*]| {{✓}}|-style three| [[Wikipedia:Nintendo_64_accessories#Expansion_Pak|Expansion Pak]][https://youtu.be/YI4lBxTpzB4]| {{✓}}[https://github.com/project64/project64/issues/457 *]| {{✓}}| {{✓}}| {{✓}}[https://forums.libretro.com/t/removing-the-expansion-pak-point texture filtering, which results in a more faithful look-mupen64plus/15340 *]| {{✓}}[https://github. It is also capable of rendering at 320x240, which sidesteps the com/n64dev/cen64/issues with filtered text, UI elements, and menu screens, while still retaining texture filtering/58 *]| {{?}}[https://github.com/mamedev/mame/blob/master/src/mame/nintendo/n64.cpp *]| {{✓}}[https://github. Pixelcom/TASEmulators/BizHawk/issues/1690 *]| {{✓}}|-accurate plugins do not have these problems at all.| [[#64DD emulation|64 Disk Drive & 64DD]]| {{✓}}<gallery widthsref group="300" modeN name="packed"64DD>[https://64dd.org/downloads.html Use these builds for 64DD emulation]</ref>Project64_2013| {{✓}}| {{✓}}| {{~}}<ref group=N>While not fully compatible, you need to use [https://forums.libretro.com/t/is-06there-a-mupen64plus-26_17next-4464dd-58guide-31anywhere/35014/7 subsystems] menu, for more information see [[#64DD_emulation|64DD emulation]] section.png</ref>| {{✓}}| {{✓}}| {{✓}}[https://github.com/TASEmulators/BizHawk/issues/2454#issuecomment-1345233341 *]|Conker's Bad Fur Day copyright screen{{~}}<ref group=N>While not fully compatible, displaying issues you can now use RMG builds with filtered texta brand new Project64 style interface to play 64DD games, and includes every relevant plugins including parallel-rdp and rsp and a brand new easy to setup Input plugin. For more information see [[#64DD_emulation|64DD emulation]] section.</ref>Mupen64plus_2013|-08| [[#Transfer Pak emulation|Transfer Pak]]| {{✓}}| {{✓}}| {{✓}}| {{✓}}| {{✓}}[https://github.com/n64dev/cen64/blob/master/si/pak_transfer.c *]| {{✗}}| {{~}}[https://tasvideos.org/Bizhawk/N64 *]| {{✓}}|-18_20| [[#N64 Mouse|N64 Mouse]]| {{✓}}| {{✓}}| {{✗}}| {{✗}}| {{✓}}| {{✗}}| {{✓}}[https://github.com/TASEmulators/BizHawk/blob/master/waterbox/ares64/BizInterface.cpp#L15 *]| {{✗}}|-35| [[#Voice Recognition Unit emulation|Voice Recognition Unit]]| {{✗}}| {{✗}}| {{✓}}| {{✗}}| {{✗}}| {{✗}}| ?| {{✓}}|-50| [[#Pokémon Snap Station|Pokémon Snap Station]]| {{~}}| {{✗}}| {{✗}}| {{✗}}| {{✗}}| {{✗}}| {{✗}}| {{✗}}|-08| [[#Densha De Go! Controller|Densha De Go! Controller]]| {{✗}}| {{✗}}| {{✗}}| {{✗}}| {{✗}}| {{✗}}| {{✗}}| {{✗}}|-| [[Wikipedia:Nintendo_64_accessories#SmartMedia|SmartMedia]]| {{✗}}| {{✗}}| {{✗}}| {{✗}}| {{✗}}| {{✗}}| {{✗}}| {{✗}}|-| [[Early_Online_Services#Modem_cartridge_.png28N64.29|Ocarina of TimeModem cartridge (NUS-029)]]| {{✗}}| {{✗}}| {{✗}}| {{✗}}| {{✗}}| {{✗}}| {{✗}}| {{✗}}|}</div><references group=N/>===Voice Recognition Unit emulation===[https://nintendo.fandom.com/wiki/VRU The Voice Recognition Unit (VRU)] is an accessory used primarily by ''s menu subscreenHey You, displaying issues with filteringPikachu''. Note how In June 2021, an HLE implementation of the Quest Status screen appears VRU was added to be divided into a gridMupen64Plus<ref name="Mupen64VRU">{{cite web|url=https://github.com/mupen64plus/mupen64plus-core/pull/873|title=VRU support and Hey You Pikachu audio fix|publisher=GitHub|accessdate=2022-12-18|date=2021-06-17}}</ref>; this support was carried over to simple64<ref name="simple64VRU">{{cite web|url=https://github.com/simple64/simple64/commit/1aa46a228369cb3673e6580ed8a2e1426bc79126|title=VRU support|publisher=GitHub|accessdate=2022-12-18|date=2021-06-21}}</galleryref>.

There was a special kiosk designed to promote ''Pokémon Snap'' called the ''Pokémon Snap Station'', which is also compatible with the North American ''Pokémon Stadium'' with its gallery mode. It is just a Nintendo 64 with special hardware designed for the station.<ref name="Sixty Formula">{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AMbjvGvPkV4|title=The Pokemon Pokémon Snap Station|publisher=YouTube|accessdate=2018-06-17|date=2016-05-21}}</ref><ref name="MetalJesusRocks">{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5_UGpRN6AnM&t=3m35s|title=VIDEO GAME KIOSKS - Extreme Game Collecting!|publisher=YouTube|accessdate=2018-06-17|date=2016-05-25}}</ref> Although the special cartridge boots does boot in emulators compatible with the regular version, the printing functions are inaccessible due to no emulation of the printer for the player 4 slot, credit system, or the special board to switch between the regular and special cartridges. [https://jamchamb.net/2021/08/17/snap-station.html On August 17, 2021, jamchamb reverse engineered the Snap Station] and created a [https://github.com/jamchamb/project64/tree/snapstation Project64 fork (source code only)] and an [https://github.com/jamchamb/cojiro iCEBreaker FPGA board hardware implementation].

A few games use the Transfer Pak , such as ''Mario Golf'', ''Mario Tennis'', ''Mario Artist: Paint Studio'', and the ''Pokémon Stadium'' games, can use the Transfer Pak, an attachment that allows interfacing with specific [[Game Boy/Game Boy Color emulators|Game Boy/Color]] games for certain features. MostlyMost N64 emulators can emulate the Transfer Pak's functionality to one degree or another, this can be done with the most robust being Project64 with N-GageRage's input plugin, but . But there are still a couple of few things aren't that are difficult to emulate or are just not emulatedat all:

Expansion disks are region-coded to either Japan or the US (obviously unused) and won't work with N64 games from the wrong region. Only F-Zero X has full support for this featurean official disk, but dummied-out expansion data in Ocarina of Time and , Mario Party 2 , and Pokémon Stadium (JP/PAL) exist as wellhave fully implemented but unused disk support.

Recently, there has been an effort to emulate the 64DD, and now , [[Project64]] and [[MAME]] can run several commercial 64DD games as part of its N64 emulator. This is being ported to [[CEN64]] with the help of [https://twitter.com/LuigiBlood LuigiBlood]. Mupen64Plus supports 64DD as well, which is the base of other emulators such as [[simple64]] and [[RMG]]. The latest newcomer is [[Ares]] with the (again) help of [https://twitter.com/LuigiBlood LuigiBlood]. * Project64's latest versions emulate the N64 mouse and can load Zoinkity's hacked 64DD cartridge conversions at playable speeds. You'll need to set every game to have 8MB of Memory by default manually. Games do not save, some need "32-bit engine" to be unchecked (like Talent Studio), and some (like Polygon Studio to fix models and Paint Studio to fix stamps) need the Angrylion GFX plugin rather than GlideN64, which does the job for the rest. [https://64dd.org/tutorial_pj64.html 64DD.org has step-by-step tutorials for Project64]**The 64DD hardware started to be emulated around 2.3's release with the help of [https://github.com/LuigiBlood LuigiBlood]. Saving works but in the form of NDR files. NDR files are copied versions of NDD images with save data included as to not write to the clean unaltered images. In order to play 64DD games in their original forms, 8MB of memory is still needed because the real hardware needed the Expansion Pak upgrade. The IPL is also needed.

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"|-! scope="col"|Name! scope="col"|Platform(* MAME includes early, basic 64DD emulation as well, but it's)! scope="col"|Latest Version! scope="col"|Active! scope="col"|64DD Emulation! scope="col"|N64 Mouse! scope="col"|[[Recommended Emulators|Recommended]]|-! colspan="7"|PC much slower. Disk images need to be in head/ x86|-|[[Project64]]|align=left|{{Icon|Windows}}|track format. See [https://github.com/project64Happy-yappH/project64 2ddconvert.3git here] for more information.2]It does not currently support disk swapping or saving disks to files. Writes only update the copy in memory, and once the MAME process ends, the changes are lost. Current usage: <code>mame n64dd -quickload disk -cart cart -nodrc</code> (both disk and cart are optional)|{{✓}}|Mid* CEN64, like Project64, had 64DD emulation ported to it from MAME. However, it focuses on accuracy and plays much slower than other emulators; aside from the 64DD emulation itself is imperfect.|{{✓}}|{{✓}}|* RetroArch's Mupen64Plus-Next and ParaLLEl cores support the 64DD. For Mupen64Plus-|Next: the bios must be placed in <code>[[CEN64RetroArch directory]]|align=left|{{Icon|Windows|Linux|macOS}}|[https\system\Mupen64plus\IPL.n64</code>. To launch 64DD games://githubLoad the Mupen64Plus-Next core, select the new menu item "Subsystems" in the Main Menu, then click "Load N64 Disk Drive" three times to load the disk, cartridge, and start emulation; Both expansion disks and stand-alone disks can be launched this way.com<br /tj90241/cen64 Git]|{{✓}}|Mid|{{✓}}|{{✗}}|-|[[MAME]]|align=left|{{Icon|Windows|Linux|macOS|FreeBSD}}|[http>For ParaLLEl:the bios must be placed in the "system" directory and named <code>64DD_IPL.bin<//wwwcode>.mamedev.orgIn ParaLLEl's core options: 64DD ''must'' be enabled and GFX plugin and RSP must both be set to <code>parallel</releasecode>; stand-alone disks cannot be launched using the Subsystem, they must be launched through either "Load Content" or a playlist.html {{MAMEVer}}]|{{✓}}|Mid|{{✗}}|{{✗}}|}

* Project64's latest versions emulate the N64 mouse and can load Zoinkity's hacked Ares supports 64DD cartridge conversions at playable speeds. You'll need to set every game to have 8MB of Memory by default manually. Games do not save, some need "32-bit engine" to be unchecked (like Talent Studio), and some (like Polygon Studio to fix models and Paint Studio to fix stamps) need the Angrylion GFX plugin rather than GlideN64as well, which does the job for the rest.**The 64DD hardware started to be emulated around 2.3's release with the help of [https://githubtwitter.com/LuigiBlood /status/1568694009496756225 developer LuigiBloodsaid]. Saving works but in : "This is the form of NDR filesmost accurate 64DD emulation attempt I've ever done, honestly. NDR files are copied versions A lot of NDD images with save data included as to not write to the clean unaltered imagesstuff I programmed are sometimes genuinely useless. In order to play 64DD games in their original forms, 8MB A lot also involves timings of memory is still needed because the real hardware needed the Expansion Pak upgrade. The IPL is drive itself and more", also neededsupports disc-swapping with v134 version.

* MAME includes early basic ===N64 Mouse===A peripheral that came bundled with Mario Artist: Paint Studio. [https://64dd.org/tutorial_pj64.html#mouse 64DD emulation as well but is much slower. Disk images need org has instructions on how to be in head/track formatemulate the N64 Mouse on Project64]. See [https://github.com/Happyares-yappHemulator/ddconvertares/issues/224#issuecomment-939579324 Ares also has N64 Mouse support; follow these instructions to enable it (replace SNES specific steps with 64DD)].git here] for more informationRetroArch's ParaLLEl core has N64 Mouse support under Quick Menu > Controls > Port 1 Controls > Device Type. It RetroArch's Mupen64Plus-Next core ''does not currently '' have mouse support disk swapping or saving disk to files. Writes only update the copy in memory, and, once the MAME process ends, the changes are lost. Current usage: <code>mame n64dd -quickload disk -cart cart -nodrc</code> (both disk and cart are optional)

* CEN64Because the N64 Mouse functions similarly to a controller, like Project64, had 64DD emulation ported it is possible to "emulate" it even in emulators that don't explicitly support it from MAMEby mapping mouse input to the N64 joystick. HoweverThis will likely require use of separate re-mapping software, it focuses on accuracy and plays much slower than other as most N64 emulators, aside for the 64DD emulation itself is imperfectdo not support binding mouse movement to joystick movement.

Before the GBA, the DS, and the 3DS, Nintendo released a modified version of their Nintendo 64 system for the Chinese market, which was called the iQue Player, through their not-quite-subsidiary iQue. Fourteen games were translated into Simplified Chinese, including Sin and Punishment, Ocarina of Time (the Majora's Mask port was canceled), Super Mario 64, and others.

Unlike the Chinese releases of their more recent systems and their games, iQue Player releases are regular N64 roms ROMs wrapped with several layers of encryption, as well as and a ticket and signature system like that on the Wii, the DSi, the 3DS, the Wii U , and the Switch. The Chinese ROM-hacking scene is very active , though , and has translated the Japanese regular N64 releases for many of these to their language already, which explain explains some of the Chinese ROMs floating for those. However, recently, almost all pieces of iQue Player software were recently decrypted to regular .z64 ROM format.

Nintendo collaborated with SETA to release an arcade system based on their Nintendo 64 system (kind of like their PlayChoice-10 for the NES, Super System arcade hardware for SNES, and later Triforce for GCN and Wii U). The Nintendo 64-variant with more RAM, the Aleck 64, failed to catch on and bombed. It was never released outside Japan, even though one N64 port made it. [http://adb.arcadeitalia.net/lista_mame.php?game_sourcefile=aleck64.cpp&arcade_only=0&current_version=0 MAME and BizHawk's MAME core support this arcade variation].

The already available [http://assemblergames.com/l/threads/aleck64-on-retail-consoles-poc.55041/ patches] to convert arcade ROM dumps to regular N64 ROM format can be found [http://micro-64.com/database/aleck64.shtml here]. While Mupen64Plus-based emulators can't run these conversions out of the box, Project64 does just fine.

* Variant Schwanzer(never released, but there is a PCB board and was [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=apiS6EPJ2m8 tested and played] on Game Center Mikado in 2015. No known ROM dumps on internet)

Some A number of N64 games were released for the Wii's Virtual Console service throughout its lifespan. While the emulators at the heart of each Virtual Console title were of average accuracy (rather than using one generic emulator used for every game, each title had an emulator specifically tailored to that game), they were good enough to render the games in full, playable capacity with few to no glaring errors. Many of these titles are emulated well on a Virtual Console game through Dolphin. For a good while, due to persistent long-standing inaccuracies in N64 emulators and plugins, this was the best way to emulate certain N64 games, particularly Pokémon Snap and Mario Tennis. The system requirements are much higherthan running them on regular N64 emulators, but it's doable for many games. Today, regular N64 emulators and plugins have advanced to the degree that this has become unnecessary, relegating this method of N64 game emulation to little more than a curiosity, at least on PC. The following games are on the N64 Virtual Console for Wii:

* 1080 1080° Snowboarding

* Kirby 64: The Crystal StarsShards

* Pokemon Pokémon Puzzle League

* Pokemon Pokémon Snap

==NotesEmulation issues=={{Main|Recommended N64 plugins}} Nintendo 64 emulation is now decent. A lot of the major problems that N64 emulation had in the past have been fixed for quite some time now. The only catch is that the accurate emulators have higher system requirements. The main remaining problem is the lack of accurate cycle counting. ===[[High/Low level emulation|High-level vs. low-level]] graphics=== One of the biggest hurdles to emulating the Nintendo 64 was the Reality Display Processor (RDP), which used a custom design that had to be fine-tuned to get more performance out of the system using microcode. To emulate the RDP accurately, one would have to execute said microcode the way the RDP did, which differed from the PC graphics cards of the day. To complicate matters further, API standards available on PCs two decades ago were nowhere near as flexible as they are today. If you wanted to make an accurate GPU-accelerated RDP plugin in 2003, you simply couldn't with the APIs of the time (OpenGL 1.x and Direct3D 9). For the average user, hardware-accurate GPU acceleration would be out of reach for a long time. [[UltraHLE]] offered a compromise. In contrast to earlier consoles (whose video chips, in hindsight, had been easy to render to the host CPU's framebuffer), performant RDP emulation had to take shortcuts, including programming around specific games' microcode to cleanly translate their graphics commands into API calls using Direct3D, OpenGL, and even Glide. With this, the theoretical system requirements plummeted, and the host graphics card could reproduce a functional equivalent rather than the exact method. This also gave way to prettier, higher-resolution graphics, though whether this is an improvement is subjective and a common point of discussion. Unfortunately, it proved to be hit or miss, owing to the nature of per-game microcode detection and having to tweak settings to prevent some games from running into graphical glitches. Low-level RDP emulation was continually improved in that time, most notably by [[MESS]] up until its merger with [[MAME]], where its RDP code was turned into a plugin by Angrylion. Compatibility-wise, Angrylion's RDP was considered flawless by the community. Though the reception wasn't as warm overall, since it ran only on the CPU and was thus painfully slow on mid-grade machines. A dozen forks attempted to bring the system requirements down, and the current incarnation that does so is Angrylion RDP Plus, using multithreading. Accurate low-level emulation would only come to the GPU in 2020 when a new version of the Mupen64Plus-based ParaLLEl [[libretro]] core was released containing a rewritten RDP plugin using compute shaders in Vulkan. Though it isn't a direct fork of Angrylion, Themaister says the Angrylion code was the central point of reference for developing the plugin,<ref>[https://github.com/Themaister/parallel-rdp#disclaimer README] for parallel-rdp repository on GitHub. § Disclaimer. "While paraLLEl-RDP uses Angrylion-Plus as an implementation reference, it is not a port, and not a derived codebase of said project. It is written from scratch by studying Angrylion-Plus and trying to understand what is going on. The test suite uses Angrylion-Plus as a reference to validate implementation and cross-checking behavior."</ref> meaning ParaLLEl uses the same strategies that Angrylion does to emulate the RDP while running on the host GPU (as long as said GPU supports Vulkan). On the high-level side, gonetz and one or two assistants spent a large portion of development improving GlideN64's microcode handling throughout 2016-2018.<ref name="gliden64_blog-1">{{cite web|url=https://gliden64.blogspot.com/2017/|title=Public Release 3.0|publisher=Blogspot|accessdate=2018-06-17|date=2017-12-29}}</ref><ref name="ZSortBOSS">{{cite web|url=https://github.com/gonetz/GLideN64/issues/1685#issuecomment-364436534|title=Initial implementation of BOSS ZSort ucode (WDC, Stunt Racer)|publisher=GitHub|accessdate=2018-06-17|date=2018-02-10}}</ref> This means that [https://youtu.be/HfCOnmRHI0o Factor 5's games are now working in high-level graphics mode].<ref name="Indiegogo">{{cite web|url=https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/indiana-j-infernal-machine-high-level-emulation#/updates/all|title="Indiana J. & Infernal Machine" HLE|publisher=Indiegogo|accessdate=2018-06-17|date=2018-05-17}}</ref><ref name="gliden64_blog-2">{{cite web|url=https://gliden64.blogspot.com/2018/05/hle-implementation-of-microcodes-for.html|title=HLE implementation of microcodes for "Indiana Jones" and "Battle for Naboo" completed.|publisher=Blogspot|accessdate=2018-06-17|date=2018-05-26}}</ref> Other games may still have issues with RDP quirks like frame buffer/depth buffer access (including issues with how the framebuffer is used as well as performance issues), VI emulation, and how combine/blending modes are emulated (such as noise issues and combiner accuracy). <gallery widths="300" mode="packed">Majora's mask accurate.png| Low-level emulation of Majora's Mask using SoftGraphicProject64 2013-07-26 14-20-17-55.png| High-level emulation of Majora's Mask using Jabo's Direct3D</gallery> ===[[Texture filtering]]===The Nintendo 64 was the first consumer device to be able to filter textures when rendering 3D objects. However, unlike every console and PC graphics card made after the N64, its implementation of bilinear was primitive in that, in order to reduce strain on the system, it only used three samples as opposed to four, resulting in slightly jagged, asymmetrically-filtered textures. Instead of faithfully applying this "imperfect" version of bilinear filtering, HLE plugins instead applied conventional bilinear filtering, interpolating straight from the source texture up to the output resolution the same way a PC game would. While that method is technically superior, it can result in textures that look even blurrier than they would on real hardware. Another issue lies with the appliance of texture filtering per quad on static images, text, and sprites. Because each quad is filtered separately, this can cause some visual inconsistencies. Text and UI elements often look as though their edges cut off abruptly, and static images, such as pre-rendered backgrounds or menu screens, may look as though they are separated into squares (see images below; note how OoT's Quest Status screen appears to be divided into a grid). Some plugins allow the user to turn off texture filtering to remedy this, but, unfortunately, this also applies to textures in the game world, exposing their often low resolutions. Modern emulators and plugins have taken some steps which help remedy these problems. For instance, GLideN64 now supports N64-style three-point texture filtering, which results in a more faithful look. It can also render at 320x240, which sidesteps the issues with filtered text, UI elements, and menu screens while still retaining texture filtering. Pixel-accurate plugins such as Angrylion and ParaLLEl-RDP do not have these problems at all.<references groupgallery widths=N "300" mode="packed">Project64_2013-06-26_17-44-58-31.png|Conker's Bad Fur Day copyright screen displaying issues with filtered text.Mupen64plus_2013-08-18_20-35-50-08.png|Ocarina of Time's menu subscreen displaying issues with filtering.</gallery> ===Timing issues===One of the biggest remaining problems in N64 emulation is the lack of accurate core timings, which, in practice, means games don't always run at the speed they would on real hardware. While this technically affects all games, the majority are only affected to a negligible degree. In some instances (particularly in Rare games) this can actually result in fewer framerate drops and lag, which can be seen as beneficial. However, some game engines actually depend on accurate timings for proper game behavior, and not emulating them properly can result in considerable to major issues. Some notable examples include the following:* Intros and cutscenes playing too fast and not correctly syncing up with musical cues. Seen in Goldeneye's intro and Body Harvest's beginning cutscene.* Gameplay demos running at hyper speeds. Earthworm Jim 3D is most notorious for this, though the main game itself is largely unaffected.* Game physics not working properly due to being tied to framerate. A good example is Donkey Kong 64, which is programmed to boost the character's speed and momentum proportional to in-game lag (most likely to make up for the game's frequent framerate drops), which can be exploited for certain glitches and sequence breaks on real hardware. Emulators currently run the game too well and with too little lag, making most of these tricks impossible to pull off.* Possibly the most affected game is Knife's Edge, which runs like it's on permanent fast-forward, making it all but unplayable. Messing with timing-related settings such as CounterFactor can mitigate this somewhat, but nowhere near enough to fix the issue.Fortunately, tackling these problems has recently become a core focus of development in some N64 emulators, and attempts are underway to improve the situation. [[ares]] currently has the most accurate timings overall and already runs Earthworm Jim 3D's demos much better than other emulators. Meanwhile, [[simple64]] has recently pushed various timing-related commits aimed at improving accuracy, and as a result, it may now be the only emulator that runs Donkey Kong 64 properly. As these efforts progress, it should be noted that a side effect of improved timings may be greater in-game lag. This shouldn't be seen as the emulator becoming slower, but rather as the emulator behaving exactly like the real hardware does, as many N64 games were notorious for framerate drops. For more information about Nintendo 64 hardware and reverse engineering;* [https://www.youtube.com/@ModernVintageGamer/search?query=n64 MVG videos about Nintendo 64]* [https://youtu.be/xwls5SpNn1s Kaze Emanuar: How we BEAT the Limitations that defined the N64s Artstyle]* James Lambert: [https://youtu.be/r4KGm7ixcqI How I optimized Portal to run on the Nintendo 64], [https://youtu.be/Sf036fO-ZUk How I implemented MegaTextures on real Nintendo 64 hardware]* [https://www.copetti.org/writings/consoles/nintendo-64/ Rodrigo Copetti: Nintendo 64 Architecture Analysis]* [https://n64brew.dev/wiki/Main_Page N64brew Wiki]

[[Category:Consoles|!Nintendo 64]][[Category:Home consoles|!Nintendo 64]][[Category:Fifth-generation video game consoles|!Nintendo 64]][[Category:Nintendo consoles|!Nintendo 64]]