Emulation Guide #10 - Nintendo 64. 4K Emulation using Project 64 and RetroArch.
The Nintendo 64 (N64) was Nintendo's 5th generation console, the first to incorporate a 64 bit processor and the last solely home console to utilise Rom Cartridges for storage media.
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Incredibly popular on launch it ultimately lagged behind the PlayStation in terms of sales due to game delays and availability. It certainly had some stand out titles and is revered as one of the greatest consoles of all time
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Now, I have to admit I never owned an N64, I had a PlayStation and my student finances didn't roll to owning two consoles. I understand the passion some people have for The Legend of Zelda and the like - but I never really experienced that. I've revisited the N64 as part of my emulation journey - primarily fuelled by muy desire to have every iteration of Mario Kart!
We'll be looking at two emulators today: Project 64 and the Mupen 64 Plus core in RetroArch. Link to the relevant webpages for downloads are below:
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Project 64 via Emulator Zone website: http://www.emulator-zone.com/doc.php/n64/project64.html
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RetroArch: https://www.retroarch.com/?page=platforms
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You will obviously need some games, and there is a link below to Internet Archive which has, I think, a complete set of Roms from all regions for the N64. Choose the ones you prefer - there is no BIOS so no restrictions!
As always I can't vouch for all of the Roms as I have not tested them all - but the Internet Archive generally provides a good source for Roms. More generally if you are looking for other options for sourcing ROM files, or off the shelf solutions for emulation and front ends, then consider having a look at my wider games hunting advice - https://www.beanzontech.com/emulation-games-hunting.
Points to note:
Controllers
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I had issues using the included controller plugin for Project 64 - here is the link to download the version that worked for me and my Bluetooth Xbox One controller - https://sourceforge.net/projects/nragev20/
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RetroArch has a built in X-input controller profile - but I suggest changing in for N64 as to me it was not intuitive to use.
Resolution​
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Project 64 detected my output resolution (1440p) and capped that as the maximum it would render at, but I believe it will go further if you are outputting at higher resolutions. This can be done in game and take effect immediately.
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RetroArch will allow upscaling through to 4k and has some additional elements you can manipulate to improve the rendering. You do need to reboot the game for these changes to take effcect.
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Both will allow you to choose the original 4:3 or a 16:9 output.
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As to which one is better..........​
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I found Project 64 easier to use and setup, that you can change resolution on the fly is useful, especially if you have a lower powered machine. The controller issue aside I generally find standalone emulators easier to use than RetroArch - which is obviously more complex as it is also a mult- emulator frontend.
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The actual game rendering was better with the RetroArch Mupen 64 core, both were playable with not any perceptible lag - as you will see in the video Project 64 did have a couple of rendering anomalies such as not rendering Yoshi's Egg in Super Smash Brothers. There is also the Project 64 "wait time" to consider if you don't want to make a contribution. Overall both are perfectly capable - but I would probably opt for RetroArch and use a Front End such as Launchbox once I had configured it how I liked it
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I hope you enjoy the video and the many splendours for N64 gaming - let me know in the YouTube comments which emulator you prefer.
Until the next one - Go Well!
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Archive.org links:
Roms:
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