N64: Best/easiest way to play 4-player games these days on a HDTV without a N64/CRT-TV?

[vree]

Just wondering if there is a go to method? I have many different consoles that can 'emulate' some N64 games, but the compatibility and especially the performance is mostly horrible for 4 player games.

I just want to have an easy solution to play those MP games when my sister occasionally comes over without having to jump through hoops.

My current method is booting up my laptop. Attach it to my TV. Attach 4 gamecube controllers through it with the wiiuAdapter thing. Then boot up the emulator and game and hope all controllers still get recognized.

And then I'm like 30-40min further and feel like never doing it again.

There must be an easier method than this? And before you say 'use an actual N64', well I did that too, but said output is horrible on a HDTV and my controllers are also not anymore what they used to be.

Then the only other option that I can think of would be this new N64 (https://store.analogue.co). But yeah yeah... Even if I could get one (sold out). I couldn't justify said price without first seeing on hand reviews and even then maybe a tat too expensive too just use it 3-4 times a year for a few hours.

Finally we also got the solution of just get a CRT TV. Sadly I do not have the space for a big CRT, which is important since it's mainly used for 4 player fun. So for me a CRT TV really isn't a solution at all.

So reddit users I was wondering what is your solution for some local N64 mp fun??

 

[KiiWii]

MiSTer FPGA does N64, decent Android/linux (batocera) boxes can do N64 too.

I just use my OG hardware and an Everdrive but the Android + bt controllers way is cheaper.

 

[RAHelllord]

N64 is one of those problems children where no solution is perfect unless you drop a lot of money onto it.

The cheapest solution would probably be to get give RetroBAT a shot on your laptop, that thing is an interface for emulation station, and basically does all the configuration nonsense for you. I don't know how the status of the Wii U controller adapter is, but so far all other controllers I've thrown at it have been recognized just fine.
N64 emulation has also been decent on my Intel Integrated graphics chip (old i5 8350U with an UHD 620, laughably weak) using RetroBAT's default settings, but I don't have anyone to test MP with.

The other solution using a real N64 would be to restore the controllers (n64 gears make high quality gear replacements and kitschbent has good sticks and bowls, about 8 bucks per controller for a full set) and then hook it up to your TV with either a retrotink, OSSC Pro, Morph 4K or similar.
Depending on how much you're willing to spend on the analog to digital converter you will get progressively nicer looking results. With more and more bells to add scan line effects or proper CRT blending effects.

Though if your laptop can handle RetroBAT well I would honestly suggest that. Set up the controllers once, make the N64 emulator look how you want it with the shader effects, and then it's plug and play from then on forward.

 

[ciro64]

My current method is booting up my laptop. Attach it to my TV. Attach 4 gamecube controllers through it with the wiiuAdapter thing. Then boot up the emulator and game and hope all controllers still get recognized.

I'm one controller away from being just like you

Switch NSO for n64 have all three Mario Parties on it. The menu is pretty easy to navigate, in fact I think it has the best frontend ever. You can hack NSO on it with a jailbroken Switch.

If by any chance you have any HDMI supoorted console laying around, like the Wii U, maybe you could use homebrew emulators on those too.

 

[vree]

I'm one controller away from being just like you

Switch NSO for n64 have all three Mario Parties on it. The menu is pretty easy to navigate, in fact I think it has the best frontend ever. You can hack NSO on it with a jailbroken Switch.

If by any chance you have any HDMI supoorted console laying around, like the Wii U, maybe you could use homebrew emulators on those too.

Yeah I indeed use my modded switch for mario party 1-3.
But for games like for example my go to N64 game 'Snowboard Kids' I seem to be out of luck without doing more hassle. It's performance is quite terrible in 4 player mode in most emulators.
Still need tot try it on retroarch on switch though. But I'm not that optimistic about it

 

[ciro64]

Yeah I indeed use my modded switch for mario party 1-3.
But for games like for example my go to N64 game 'Snowboard Kids' I seem to be out of luck without doing more hassle. It's performance is quite terrible in 4 player mode in most emulators.
Still need tot try it on retroarch on switch though. But I'm not that optimistic about it

Yeah, don't be

My cursed game is New Tetris. The devs really went hard for the RSP on this one. Nothing can run it properly except Simple64 or Ares.

Sometimes it was the sole reason I'd bother to bring a real N64 to my friends' house.

 

[vree]

Yeah, don't be

My cursed game is New Tetris. The devs really went hard for the RSP on this one. Nothing can run it properly except Simple64 or Ares.

Sometimes it was the sole reason I'd bother to bring a real N64 to my friends' house.

I just looked up said version of tetris, it looks quite cool! Seems to have a great vibe!

 

[ciro64]

I just looked up said version of tetris, it looks quite cool! Seems to have a great vibe!

Trust me bro/sis. It's the real version of Tetris that no one knows about.

 

[KiiWii]

Trust me bro/sis. It's the real version of Tetris that no one knows about.

Biosensor says hi

21% AVG review scores but.. yeah..

 

[ciro64]

View attachment 471012

Biosensor says hi

21% AVG review scores but.. yeah..

This game always made me so curious to try it... o.o

 

[Jayro]

MiSTer FPGA does N64, decent Android/linux (batocera) boxes can do N64 too.

I just use my OG hardware and an Everdrive but the Android + bt controllers way is cheaper.

Option 1: This. I have a MiSTer FPGA, and playing N64 on it now is nearly flawless with the latest turbo core.

Option 2: Wait for the Analogue 3D to ship.

Option 3: Add an HDMI mod to a real N64. (Not the best choice, but it works.)

Option 4: N64 emulation on a 2GB Raspberry Pi 5 is fairly cheap.