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==Emulators==
[http://www.pj64-emu.com/downloads/project64/binaries/ Project64 2.3] - The most recent version of Project64, now public and open source (though the official download asks you to install useless toolbars). After years of dormancy, development has rapidly picked up and most of the issues with earlier releases have been fixed. Some users (particularly those using Windows 10) have reported problems with BSODs, though recent development versions have fixed them. The emulator is also prone to crashing at times. The user interface is quite a bit nicer and easier to use, and switching between RSP plugins is far easier than in 1.6. It also fixed a number of games that were completely broken in 1.6, such as Kirby 64. For general use, it is now considered the best and most compatible N64 emulator, though due to some stability issues, it may be handy to keep a copy of 1.6 just in case.
[http://www.pj64-emu.com/downloads/project64/binaries/ Project64 1.6] - The older but more stable version. The interface is slightly clunkier, and switching between RSP plugins is a pain (the desired RSP plugin must be named rsp.dll for the emulator to see it and use it). It is still a good emulator for general use, as it has good compatibility with most of the popular games.
*Glide64 - Also comes with Project64 as of version 2.1. Often much more accurate and compatible than Jabo's plugin, and has a wealth of options, though it can be slower on lower end machines, and may not work on integrated graphics. Still, it is overall the best and most compatible plugin for general use, though it is by no means issue-free, and it is very likely little to no further improvements will be made to it. The version bundled with Project64 2.x is only really meant to work with those versions of Project64, however, so if you're using another emulator, try [https://code.google.com/p/glidehqplusglitch64/ Glide64 Final] instead.
*[http://www.emutalk.net/threads/54166-Rice-Video-Community-version Rice Video] - A fast, highly configurable video plugin famous for its ability to load hi-res textures, making it a popular plugin within the N64 emulation community. The 1964 team eventually annexed it as its official video plugin, renaming it 1964Video. There are many versions and forks of it floating around, either to fix issues or add features. For the most part, however, it has fallen behind in comparison to Glide64, which can now also load hi-res textures. As such, none of its variations are recommended for general use unless there's a very specific fringe case or you're on a toaster.
*[http://www.emutalk.net/threads/40640-Z64-a-LLE-graphics-plugin z64gl] - A hardware-accelerated, low-level plugin developed by ziggy, derived from MAME's N64 driver. It has the capability to render at the N64's native resolution in case you don't like super sharp polygons with low-res textures. It also includes experimental multi-threading support. Requirements are heavier than Jabo's plugin and Glide64, and configuration requires editing the config file directly. Needs an LLE RSP plugin, such as the bundled z64 RSP or Project64's RSP plugin set to LLE graphics. Overall, it tends to be quite glitchy with many games, but it is one of the only plugins capable of properly displaying difficult games such as Rogue Squadron. After years of abandonment, a [https://github.com/purplemarshmallow/z64/tree/angrylion-integration recent fork] has cropped up that aims at improving this plugin's accuracy and fixing its bugs by incorporating code from Angrylionangrylion's plugin and improving the overall code quality.*[http://www.emutalk.net/threads/55481-angrylion-s-Per-Pixel-RDP-with-OpenGL HatCat/Angrylionangrylion's Pixel-Accurate N64 Plugin] - A software-rendered, hardware-accurate plugin, developed by Angrylion angrylion (though derived from MAME, much like z64gl), and currently being optimized by HatCat. As the most accurate N64 renderer in existence (as well as the slowest), it is capable of playing almost every single game in the N64 library with no issues, fixing even notorious cases such as the Pokemon Snap red dot and the Body Harvest bridge. However, because of its sheer intensiveness, it is currently little more than a curiosity. Try it out if you have a tricked-out rig and want to test your CPU's mettle. Options include being able to disable the VI filters (which gives a speed boost), as well as set custom resolutions. As of recent versions, called "Angrylionangrylion-rdp-plus", it now uses OpenGL, supports multi-threading (giving a notable boost in performances) and supports Linux.
*[http://gliden64.blogspot.com/ GLideN64] - A plugin developed by the maker of Glide64, though its code is actually originally based on gln64 (with combiner hacks from Glide64 and LLE code from z64gl). The plugin currently supports mip-mapping, emulation of low-level triangles, microcode of some games, gamma correction, flat and prim shading, VI emulation, and LLE graphics (though defaults to HLE). It currently fixes numerous long-standing issues in games, and is capable of smoothly emulating advanced framebuffer effects in hardware that Glide64 and Jabo could not without resorting to software and murdering the framerate in the process. It also supports several enhancements, such as hi-res custom texture support, AA and AF, a widescreen hack, and even some shaders. However, it requires at least OpenGL 3.x, and OpenGL 4.x for some advanced functions, making this plugin very toaster-unfriendly. It is also not without its share of issues and regressions on some games compared to Glide64. Its LLE mode is also much slower than even z64gl, and some of the plugin's features are broken in this mode.
*Jabo's DirectSound - Comes with Project64. It works fine for the most part, but some games may not play nice with it. It is a low-level plugin, so it needs an accompanying LLE RSP plugin. Will probably never be updated again.
*[http://www.emutalk.net/threads/27610-Audio-v0-56-WIP2-Download-Feedback Azimer's HLE Audio] - This popular HLE audio plugin boasts high compatibility. Version 0.56WIP2 is old as hell, but it is the tried and true standard to which audio plugins are compared against. Recently, [https://github.com/Azimer/AziAudio Azimer open sourced his plugin], and there are plans to integrate it into Project64 and eventually replace Jabo's as its official audio plugin. The latest development versions have a few issues, however.
*[http://forum.pj64-emu.com/showthread.php?t=3644 Shunyuan's HLE Audio] - An audio plugin, apparently based on 1964Audio and HatCat's RSP plugin. Can run in both LLE and HLE modes despite the name, though the HLE mode just makes it run a baked-in version of HatCat's RSP, which makes it not a true HLE plugin. Has been abandoned after charges of just taking others' code without revealing source. If games run at a weird speed using this plugin, go to the ROM's Game Settings, and disable Fixed Audio Timing and Sync using Audio. Despite its Frankenstein nature, it actually works surprisingly well, although modern development versions of Project64 no longer work with it, apparently due to it depending on a bug that has now been fixed..
==Input==
*Jabo's DirectInput - Comes with Project64, but now removed in favor of N-Rage Input. It isn't too bad, but it may have some compatibility problems with some controllers. Should work just fine with the keyboard if you're one of those masochists who emulates without a controller. Only standard controller emulation with nothing attached to it. As usual, do not expect any updates.
*[https://sourceforge.net/projects/nragev20/ N-Rage Input] - Also comes with Project64 as of version 2.2. Hands down the best input plugin as it is more feature complete than Jabo's DirectInput. Has a ton of options and great controller compatibility, including XInput support for use with Xbox 360 controllers. It can't emulate the microphone that is required by ''Hey You, Pikachu'' or the printer required for the ''Pokémon Snap Station''. It has the ability to emulate Controller Pak (''Mario Kart 64'''s ghost saves), Rumble Pak (''Star Fox 64''), and Transfer Pak (''Pokémon Stadium'' series) functionality fairly well. Version 2.3 of Project64 introduced a version of the plug-in that can emulate the N64's mouse accessory designed for the 64DD to coincide with Project64's newest ability to emulate the 64DD accessory. Surprisingly, ''Mario Artist: Paint Studio'' can use the Japanese ''Game Boy Camera'' (called ''Pocket Camera'') in Transfer Pak mode, but the camera functionality doesn't work as it displays static, although importing captured images still works technically.
**Ziggy-z64RSP - This RSP is based on the MAME/MESS RSP code. It is slower, but more accurate.
**Ziggy-PJ64 - Based on the Project64 1.4 RSP, this plugin is much faster.
**Angrylion angrylion - This RSP is a simple Interpreter, and is required for a few games like World Driver Championship to work correctly with z64gl.
*[http://forum.pj64-emu.com/showthread.php?t=3618 HatCat's RSP Interpreter] - As of the most recent release version, it is not only one of the most accurate RSP plugins, but also one of the fastest if using the SSSE3 version, though zilmar's RSP in Recompiler mode trumps it in speed. It also comes in SSE2 and non-SSE variations in case your PC does not support those instruction sets. It is capable of working with both HLE and LLE audio and video plugins via the following settings:
**Send display lists to the graphics plugin - Check if using an HLE graphics plugin, uncheck if using LLE
**Make sure you configure the graphics plugin to show texture enhancement options. Then you'll have an extra tab to change more options. Goto the texture enhancement tab and click on the button that gives best performance and it should improve framerate once you saved the settings. There's also another button for best texture quality. There's no need to touch the other plugins. Recommended for most emulators.
*'''Accuracy'''
**Angrylionangrylion's Pixel-Accurate N64 Plugin (RDP Plus)
**Azimer's Audio NEW
**HatCat's RSP
**If you have a decent quad core CPU, you can run all N64 library with pixel-perfect graphic and full speed thanks to the new multithreaded version of Angrylionangrylion's software plugin. The new Azimer's plugin (still WIP) works good in LLE. It doesn't matter which RSP plugin you use, but HatCat is still the best for general purpose.
===Mupen64Plus===
