Top 10 Best N64 Emulators for Gamers: Our Reviews & Guide

Do you enjoy playing old Nintendo games?

You absolutely might be wondering what is the best N64 emulator and while it may be difficult to obtain an original N64 these days, fear not: there are numerous emulators available that can bring these beloved games back to life on your modern devices.

We'll delve into the world of N64 emulation and highlight some of the top emulators currently available. Whether you're an experienced emulator user or just starting started, there's something in store for operating systems of all shapes and sizes.

From the classic Project64 to the sophisticated Mupen64Plus, we'll go over the features, advantages, and disadvantages of each emulator on our list. So hop in your Delorean because we're going to take a trip down memory lane and explore the world of the best N64 emulators.

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What Are Emulators?

Emulators are applications that mimic the behavior of another device or system. This implies you can run software or games built for one platform on another.

You can use an emulator to run your favorite retro games on a device it wasn't intended to be played on.

An advantage of emulators is the ability to save digital history. Let's say you want to play a game that has become so rare that copies aren't readily available.

With the help of emulators and ROMs, you can now play a game you've always wanted to play that wasn't available to buy or too expensive to. This means that future generations will be able to enjoy classic games or software.

What Are The Benefits Of Using The Best N64 Emulators?

You may enjoy better graphics and performance by using the best N64 emulators. Many emulators include options for improving the graphics of classic games, making them appear sharper and more vibrant. You may also improve the performance of these games by removing lag and stuttering. To us the total gaming experience is significantly improved, bringing back the nostalgia of classic N64 games with way better performance that you wouldn't otherwise see.

One of the most major advantages a N64 emulator is the ability to access the entire ROM set of games at the tip of your finger. With an emulator, playing another temple of Zelda was so easy, without having to lug out my old CRT from out of my closet. Many N64 emulators allow you to play games that were only released in Japan or Europe, giving you access to games you may not have previously played.

Are There Downsides To Emulating Games?

Game emulation has been a popular approach for playing classic video games on newer devices in recent years.

It enables gamers to enjoy their favourite games from previous generations without the requirement for the original hardware. However, as with anything, there are advantages and disadvantages to game emulation.

How Do I Download The Best N64 Emulators?

Let's walk you through how to download and install one.

1. Go to the official website of the emulator you want to download. We've provided links to each of the emulators listed below
2. Look for the download link and click on it to take you to the downloads page.
3. Once you downloaded the file, you'll likely have to extract it to a folder somewhere on your PC.
4. Double click on the executable to run the emulator.

How To Play N64 Games Legally?

Owning a physical copy of the game is the key to legally play N64 games on an emulator. You can legally buy an N64 game through places like Amazon or eBay, or from a local video game store that specialises in retro gaming. Another possibility is to go to a garage sale or a local classified ad section.

1. Project 64

Project64 is a well-known Nintendo 64 emulator for Windows. Being available since 2005 has made it an extremely popular choice for gamers who wish to relive their favourite childhood games.

One of the most significant advantages of Project64 is its compatibility with the majority of Nintendo 64 games. Another feature is the ability to apply game-specific patches and plugins to improve performance and graphics. Users can also alter their controller inputs and employ cheat codes. Project64 has an active community and is constantly updated and improved.

2. OpenEmu

To some extent, OpenEmu supports N64 emulation, but its performance and compatibility can be patchy. Some N64 games may work perfectly, while others may have graphical glitches, audio issues, or other problems. This is unfortunate since OpenEmu doesn't support the full N64 ROMset and will likely require tinkering with the emulator to get certain roms to work.

• Easy-to-use interface: OpenEmu's let's you drag and drop your favorite roms in order to import them, making it extremely easy to use.
• Supports a wide variety of systems: Giving you access to not only N64 emulation but NES, SNES, Game Boy, Sega Genesis, and more.
• Excellent performance: With such an optimized application setup, you can run OpenEmu on almost anything you can throw it on. Including Mac, Windows and Linux
• Customizable controls: Power up your favorite controller and experience the games they were meant to be played.

3. Retro Arch

We love open source software and RetroArch is nothing different. RetroArch can run on practically any modern computer or gadget when it comes to PC types. RetroArch's performance, on the other hand, is determined by the machine requirements.

The more powerful the machine, the easier it will be to slide up all those shaders and upscalers. Making it easy to play Super Mario 64 or Banjo Kazooie on your brand new gaming monitor.

RetroArch is a strong and adaptable emulator frontend with a plethora of features and settings for N64 fans of the console. We loved being able to load up our entire ROM set and select any game of our choosing all on the same frontend.

4. Mupen64Plus

Mupen64Plus is a free and open-source N64 emulator that lets you play Nintendo 64 games on your computer.

Mupen64Plus, unlike other N64 emulators, includes a number of features that set it apart from the competition:

• High Compatibility: Mupen64Plus has a high compatibility rate, ensuring that it can run the majority of Nintendo 64 titles.
• Graphics Plugins: The emulator comes with a number of graphics plugins that will enhance the quality of your games.
• Mupen64Plus includes audio and input plugins that ensure high-quality sound and a seamless controller performance.
• Mupen64Plus is a cross-platform emulator, meaning you may use it on many operating systems, including Windows and Linux.

That does come with it's set of challenges like:

• Difficult to Set Up: When compared to other emulators, the Mupen64Plus setup process might be quite difficult for beginners.
• Limited User Interface: Despite the emulator's simple and easy-to-use interface, Mupen64Plus lacks the bells and whistles found in other current apps.
• Compatibility Issues with Older Audio Plugins: There are some known compatibility issues with older audio plugins that may cause some games to sound distorted.

Overall we do like Mupen64Plus, it just comes with a cost of setup at the expense of something easy like Project64.

5. Mega N64

Mega N64 offers a fun N64 gaming experience, bringing you a fantastic easy to use interface. Being able to support a large number of N64 titles, makes it an incredible option for an N64 emulator. It has various in-game adjustments, such as the ability to change the graphics, sound, and input settings to your liking.

What we didn't like was that because the N64 is a more difficult console to emulate, it requires reasonably powerful hardware to run on. Depending on the intricacy or compatibility of the game, audio output may be problematic in some video games.

Overall MegaN64 is a fine option for those looking for a quick pick up and boot option for playing N64 ROM hacks.

6. Sixtyforce

Sixtyforce is a popular Nintendo 64 emulator developed for usage on Mac OS X. It enables users to play games from the N64 collection on their PCs, making it a convenient and low-cost method to relive vintage gaming memories.

SixyForce has a good assortment of features to choose from like:

• Sixtyforce is simple to set up and use, requiring no sophisticated configuration or installation.
• It reproduces high-quality visuals and sound, guaranteeing that games appear and sound just like they did on the original system.
• The emulator includes an easy-to-use interface and accepts a variety of input devices, including gamepads and keyboards.

Sixtyforce is a dependable and simple-to-use Nintendo 64 emulator. While it has some limitations and compatibility issues, it offers Mac users a convenient and accessible way to play classic N64 games on their computers. Sixtyforce is a must-have if you enjoy the N64 library and own a Mac.

7. AltStore/Delta

The Delta Emulator is an all-in-one iOS emulator intended to succeed the Game Boy Advanced Emulator GBA4iOS.

Riley Testut, the creator, has produced a more powerful emulator in response to the market exit of GBA4iOS. Delta Emulator's official website features fuzzy photos of the platforms it supports, which include the SNES, N64, Game Boy Advance, and Game Boy Colour.

If you have the AltStore and are looking for a good emulator of choice, you can't go wrong with Delta.

8. 1964

One of the advantages of the 1964 emulator is its ability to play N64 games on PC, which makes it a terrific method to experience legendary games from the past. The program also includes advanced capabilities like as anti-aliasing, bilinear filtering, and texture upgrades, which can improve graphics and smooth gameplay.

One of the main disadvantages of the 1964 emulator is that it can be difficult to set up, especially for individuals who are unfamiliar with emulation software. Furthermore, not all games are compatible with the emulator, and some games may have sound, graphics, and performance issues. The software has not been updated in a long time, so new games and fixes are unlikely to be added.

9. ClassicBoy

ClassicBoy is a well-known emulator that lets you play classic games on your PC. It is particularly popular among gamers that enjoy playing N64 games.

The pros for ClassicBoy are the following:

• ClassicBoy is a feature-rich emulator that allows you to play a wide range of classic games on your PC.
• Being compatible with an extremely wide range of consoles, including the N64, PS1, and Game Boy Advance.
• The emulator is extremely simple to use, with a clean and clear interface that makes it simple to access your game library.
• You can play games on ClassicBoy with a controller, making the experience remarkably comparable to playing on the original platform.

Even with this list of cons, it does come with it's set of challenges:

• Some of the emulator's more advanced features can be difficult to set up, which may discourage some users.
• Because the emulator is quite resource-intensive, it may not run well on older or less powerful PCs.

ClassicBoy is a powerful and versatile emulator for playing old games on your PC. While there are some limitations and incompatibilities to be aware of, it's an excellent choice for gamers looking to relive the classic gaming experience.

10. Cen64

Since 2008, Cen64 has been working on an N64 emulator. It seeks to provide accurate and cycle-accurate emulation of the Nintendo 64, which means that it is intended to imitate the console's hardware as accurately as possible. This distinguishes it from other emulators that value speed and compatibility over accuracy.

It works with a wide range of operating systems, and while it takes a powerful machine to run well, it provides a high level of emulation accuracy. Cen64 is still in development, thus it may not be as reliable or user-friendly as other, more established emulators.

Conclusion

So, there are a plethora of excellent options for an N64 emulator. Each emulator, from famous options like Project64 and Mupen64Plus to newer options like RetroArch and OpenEmu, has its own set of features and benefits to offer.

When searching for a good emulator make sure to look into factors such as performance, compatibility, and user interface. You can play all of your favourite N64 games with modern visuals, control choices, and save states if you use the right emulator.