Best N64 Emulators for PC

N64 emulation has come so incredibly far over the years. There are N64 emulators for Android devices, Mac OS, Linux, iOS, and you can even play your favorite classic games on a Raspberry Pi, but this article will focus solely on Windows PC Nintendo 64 emulation.

What Are the Best N64 Emulators for PC?

1. Project 64

• Price: Free
• Platform: Windows PC available
• Official website
• Discord

Project 64 is an emulator renowned for its excellence on both Android and Windows platforms and has truly stood the test of time. Widely regarded as one of the best N64 emulators out there, its reputation speaks volumes. Navigating and utilizing this emulator is a breeze, as most games can be enjoyed straight out of the box without any tedious configurations or setups. However, for those seeking further customization options, Project 64 offers an extensive array of additional features to enhance your gaming experience.

Features

Let’s delve into some noteworthy additional features offered by Project64:

• Development and debugging tools provide advanced functionalities for enthusiasts and developers alike
• Save/load states enable you to effortlessly pause and resume your game at any point, ensuring a seamless experience without the fear of losing progress
• The complete full-screen option and adjustable screen size allow you to immerse yourself fully in the gaming environment
• With custom controller support, you have the freedom to connect and configure your preferred input devices for optimal gameplay
• Project64 embraces linguistic diversity by offering multiple language support, catering to users from various regions across the globe
• The emulator also extends its compatibility by supporting numerous popular N64 emulator plugins, unlocking a vast range of possibilities

While the Project64 website may appear somewhat simplistic with limited in-depth information, fear not! An abundance of online resources is available to cater to your curiosity and provide you with the necessary knowledge. Despite its humble online presence, Project64 unquestionably excels at its core mission of faithfully emulating N64 games, earning its well-deserved status as the go-to N64 emulator.

Now, let’s dive into the minimum system requirements for Project64:

• Operating System: Limited support is provided for Windows 8.1 and earlier versions
• Recommended Operating Systems: Windows XP SP3, Windows 7 SP1, Windows 8.1, and the latest version of Windows 10
• CPU: An Intel or AMD processor with at least SSE2 support is essential
• RAM: It is advisable to have a minimum of 512MB or more of RAM for optimal performance
• Graphics Card: DirectX 8 capable cards (such as Jabo’s Direct3D8), OpenGL 2.0 capable cards (with a recommended version of 3.0+ for Project64 Video) are preferred. It’s worth noting that Intel integrated graphics may encounter certain issues not found with Nvidia and AMD GPUs, even if the system meets the specified requirements

Integrated graphics cards may have issues that otherwise wouldn’t occur with Nvidia and AMD GPUs. Project 64 supports the GLideN64 graphics video plugin which serves up substantially improved video quality and high resolution textures for games.

2. Retro Arch

• Price: Free
• Platform: WIndows PC available
• Official website
• Discord

Get ready to dive into the world of the RetroArch emulator, an incredibly polished and meticulously crafted frontend user interface for video game emulators. It’s like having a console experience right at your fingertips! The beauty of Retro Arch lies in its versatility, as it seamlessly operates on various operating systems, but for the sake of this article we’ll be discussing the PC version. Setting it up is an absolute breeze thanks to its friendly user interface that makes navigation a delight.

RetroArch offers an extensive selection of consoles, granting you the ability to indulge in a vast library of games that spans across generations. From classic Nintendo games to hidden gems, Retro Arch has got you covered. RetroArch is one of the best N64 emulators for PC available for playing all of your favourite games. RetroArch also has solid gamepad support.

Features

For many gamers, RetroArch has become the ultimate go-to app when it comes to emulation. Out of the box, it tends to work like a charm on PC, eliminating unnecessary headaches with its clean interface. That being said, it doesn’t help to refer to a guide if it’s your first time setting it up. Feel free to pull up our guide for how to setup RetroArch N64 core.

To get started, you’ll need to download files and set up emulator cores specific to other emulators for consoles you desire. But fear not, the process is far from complicated, plus we’ve created this helpful guide on how to setup RetroArch N64 core.

Once you have your cores all set up, brace yourself for some exciting news. Plugging in your ROMs is all that’s left to do, and voila! You’ll be ready to embark on your gaming adventures, now enhanced by the wonders of higher resolution thanks to this beast of an N64 emulator for PC.

So, grab your favorite N64 game ROM, some USB controllers, fire up RetroArch, and get ready to relish the nostalgia and thrill of gaming, all within the comforts of modern technology. It’s time to immerse yourself in a world where past meets present, and endless hours of fun await you.

3. Mupen64Plus

• Price: Free
• Platforms: Windows PC available
• Official website

Let’s take a leap into Mupen64Plus, an iconic presence in the N64 emulation scene. This open source emulator serves as the foundation for many of the top-tier N64 emulators available, showcasing its reliability and versatility. Notably, Mupen64Plus gracefully operates on a wide range of popular devices, seamlessly accommodating most ROMs you throw at it.

While the initial setup and configuration may require a bit of patience, rest assured that the effort pays off as you unlock a myriad of customizable options to tailor your gaming experience to perfection.

If you’ve encountered frustrating hurdles in the past when it comes to getting those C buttons on your controller to function flawlessly, fear not! Mupen64Plus is here to save the day. Give it a spin and prepare to immerse yourself in timeless Nintendo classics like Super Mario 64 and Mario Kart 64.

Features

• Dynamic recompilers for Intel (x86 and amd64) and ARM CPUs
• Two OpenGL video plugins, with Hi-resolution texture support
• LIRC Infrared remote control support
• Rumble Pak support
• Cheat system with gameshark code support
• Speed adjustment with smooth sound plugin output
• Shared library interface for integration into other systems (front-ends)
• Command-line Front-end application

Fun fact, Mupen64Plus is actually the main emulator that the popular Android N64 emulation app, M64Plus FZ, was based off of. M64Plus FZ took the top spot on our list of the best N64 emulators for Android.

4. 1964

• Price: Free
• Platforms: Windows PC available

Step back in time with 1964, an emulator that has stood the test of time, though not without its fair share of issues. One of the major gripes is its propensity for crashes, which can be utterly frustrating, leading to the unfortunate loss of your hard-earned progress.

Features

Despite its imperfections, 1964 manages to get the job done on most occasions and with some tweaks you can get better performance. While usability concerns may persist, it possesses a nifty feature that allows you to create cheat codes for your ROMs and tweak game files, granting you the power to customize your own ROMs with ease. Check out this article if you’re looking for the best site for roms.

Word on the street is that 1964 reigns supreme as the go-to N64 emulator for flawlessly playing Goldeneye and Perfect Dark on the same level as playing on original game discs/cartridges. Yet, if you’re a purist who cherishes the original experience with its occasional slowdowns, be wary of the enhancements offered by 1964 GEPD. At times, these enhancements may elevate performance a tad too much for your taste, potentially altering the nostalgia-inducing pace you hold dear.

Embrace the time-traveling journey that is 1964, where despite its flaws, you’ll find a reliable companion for revisiting your favorite N64 classics. Just remember to save often and brace yourself for the occasional bumps in the virtual road.

5. Cen64

• Price: Free
• Platforms: Windows PC available

Cen64 is a passionate side project helmed by a team of talented developers and fueled by an enthusiastic community. Their quest? To reverse engineer the N64 console hardware and the project ultimately started because they wanted to learn more about what it actually took to create the Nintendo 64 back in the day.

Launching Cen64 on your machine may not be the easiest task, but for those with a technical inclination who crave a challenge, great news! The emulator’s official Github page serves as a treasure trove, offering detailed insights into the build requirements and usage, guiding you towards an exciting emulation experience.

Features

Cen64’s primary focus lies in faithfully emulating the intricate hardware necessary to run N64 games and it’s pretty good if you can get it running. Consequently, prepare to unleash the power of a processing beast within your machine. While Windows users can revel in a more accessible state, Mac OSX users can also partake in the Cen64 experience. However, be prepared to roll up your sleeves and embark on a personal journey of building the emulator directly on your Mac.

So, if you’re ready to dig deep into N64 emulation, armed with technical prowess and an unwavering spirit, Cen64 may not be the best N64 emulator on this list, but it’s a unique experience you can use to play games. Unleash the power of reverse engineering and immerse yourself in the heart of the Nintendo 64.

If you’re in the market for one, check out our guide on the best N64 controller.