N64 Emulation How to?

[2DSGamerdude]

hi all,
I was wondering how can you successfully emulate the n64 library?
I would like to play & the n64 library is awesome and it's such a shame not being able to.
from what I have seen/read/heard n64 emulation isn't the easiest IMO.

what is the easiest/best option (and less costly) for playing n64 games?

1) buy a used/2nd hand n64 console (amazon or bay) & a Everdrive 64 flashcard?

2) buy a raspberry pie kit version 3?

also, why is Everdrive SO expensive?
is overdrive the only chart to for the n64?

thanx

 

[FAST6191]

For most of the N64 library if you can get the game in a remade form I highly suggest that (most of Rare's efforts have been ported and remade on the xbox, 360 and xbone). Most of it has really aged quite poorly on the graphics and framerate front.

PC and https://www.pj64-emu.com/ is the best option. Some other emulators also offer texture replacement and hacks to make them look better. N64 emulation kind of stagnated for a long time so it is not as good as a lot of even newer systems.

The rasp pi will get you the chance to play a lot of it but it is certainly not as good as a PC, or hardware for that matter.

Everdrive is so expensive because they are the only ones to do it right really -- most flash carts before they came along were based on designs made at the time of the N64 (the same also applies to all their other carts, save the GBA) and they in turn made proper ones with modern chips, coding and all that. There are some clones but sadly they are often like clones often are and a bit iffy at times.

As for your choices.
Easy, good, cheap. Pick any two of those.

The N64 seems to have enjoyed something of a resurgence of late. No idea why myself but it is what it is. To that end it is quite expensive to get a console these days, you will also want an expansion pack if said console does not include it. Multiple controllers will also be expensive, and may need repairing as well (the springs commonly go). If they say they come without video cables then do also check how expensive those are as it is not a simple cable. I hope you have a nice CRT as well, it is not as bad as some really old consoles but it definitely benefits.

 

[KiiWii]

Android: retroarch > parallel N64.

Been hammering goldeneye recently.

 

[appleburger]

The N64 seems to have enjoyed something of a resurgence of late. No idea why myself but it is what it is. To that end it is quite expensive to get a console these days, you will also want an expansion pack if said console does not include it. Multiple controllers will also be expensive, and may need repairing as well (the springs commonly go). If they say they come without video cables then do also check how expensive those are as it is not a simple cable. I hope you have a nice CRT as well, it is not as bad as some really old consoles but it definitely benefits.

Mainly due to the kids who grew up with this console now being old enough to get hit hard by nostalgia with N64 games, and having the money to collect for it. N64 collecting is pretty big right now. Makes me feel old.

 

[the_randomizer]

For most of the N64 library if you can get the game in a remade form I highly suggest that (most of Rare's efforts have been ported and remade on the xbox, 360 and xbone). Most of it has really aged quite poorly on the graphics and framerate front.

PC and https://www.pj64-emu.com/ is the best option. Some other emulators also offer texture replacement and hacks to make them look better. N64 emulation kind of stagnated for a long time so it is not as good as a lot of even newer systems.

The rasp pi will get you the chance to play a lot of it but it is certainly not as good as a PC, or hardware for that matter.

Everdrive is so expensive because they are the only ones to do it right really -- most flash carts before they came along were based on designs made at the time of the N64 (the same also applies to all their other carts, save the GBA) and they in turn made proper ones with modern chips, coding and all that. There are some clones but sadly they are often like clones often are and a bit iffy at times.

As for your choices.
Easy, good, cheap. Pick any two of those.

The N64 seems to have enjoyed something of a resurgence of late. No idea why myself but it is what it is. To that end it is quite expensive to get a console these days, you will also want an expansion pack if said console does not include it. Multiple controllers will also be expensive, and may need repairing as well (the springs commonly go). If they say they come without video cables then do also check how expensive those are as it is not a simple cable. I hope you have a nice CRT as well, it is not as bad as some really old consoles but it definitely benefits.

PJ64 has gotten a lot better, Mupen64 Plus is another good choice, along with the GlideN64 graphics plugin (which emulates all those funky framebuffer effects properly). Paired with Azimer's Audio plugin, you get those finicky Midway games with MusyX audio working too.

 

[FAST6191]

Yeah I wrote my N64 off (it was not well liked at the time, definitely not shortly after its demise http://www.actsofgord.com/Propaganda/chapter02.php ) and stuck it in a box under the bed.
For a giggle the other year I thought I would see what things fetch on the various online tat markets... I was shocked.

As for feeling odd. About 5 years ago I think someone on the forum said "old consoles like the N64"... I still remember having gone through my C64, master system, NES, megadrive and being late for dinner one night as I was watching

 

[2DSGamerdude]

For most of the N64 library if you can get the game in a remade form I highly suggest that (most of Rare's efforts have been ported and remade on the xbox, 360 and xbone). Most of it has really aged quite poorly on the graphics and framerate front.

PC and https://www.pj64-emu.com/ is the best option. Some other emulators also offer texture replacement and hacks to make them look better. N64 emulation kind of stagnated for a long time so it is not as good as a lot of even newer systems.

The rasp pi will get you the chance to play a lot of it but it is certainly not as good as a PC, or hardware for that matter.

Everdrive is so expensive because they are the only ones to do it right really -- most flash carts before they came along were based on designs made at the time of the N64 (the same also applies to all their other carts, save the GBA) and they in turn made proper ones with modern chips, coding and all that. There are some clones but sadly they are often like clones often are and a bit iffy at times.

As for your choices.
Easy, good, cheap. Pick any two of those.

The N64 seems to have enjoyed something of a resurgence of late. No idea why myself but it is what it is. To that end it is quite expensive to get a console these days, you will also want an expansion pack if said console does not include it. Multiple controllers will also be expensive, and may need repairing as well (the springs commonly go). If they say they come without video cables then do also check how expensive those are as it is not a simple cable. I hope you have a nice CRT as well, it is not as bad as some really old consoles but it definitely benefits.

hmm, well thanx for these points, Fast6191
it seems that going for a console solution here is a no go, as an overdrive 64 v2 or 3 is like $100+ not to mechion the console cost/controller and memory pack/expansion pack.

I looked at the raspberry pie v3 on youtube, saw how easy is to get it working, and install retropie and it's updatable versions (ATM version 4.2)
so, if I were to buy a raspberry v 3 model b kit from amazon com,
all I would need to get is an HDmi cable, n64 usb controller, keyboard or mouse?

also, can the HDmi cable from the switch be used for raspberry pi?

also, from the looks of it, a raspberry pi emulation for n64 would cost a lot less than $100 +
instead of going the console route?

--------------------- MERGED ---------------------------

Android: retroarch > parallel N64.

Been hammering goldeneye recently.

android? nice, I used to have a "yin lips" device I got from will goo way back when and it ran an n64 emulator with some games quite well.
um speaking of android, if I were to buy an android device for n64 emulation, which one would be the best choice to get?

 

[KiiWii]

hmm, well thanx for these points, Fast6191
it seems that going for a console solution here is a no go, as an overdrive 64 v2 or 3 is like $100+ not to mechion the console cost/controller and memory pack/expansion pack.

I looked at the raspberry pie v3 on youtube, saw how easy is to get it working, and install retropie and it's updatable versions (ATM version 4.2)
so, if I were to buy a raspberry v 3 model b kit from amazon com,
all I would need to get is an HDmi cable, n64 usb controller, keyboard or mouse?

also, can the HDmi cable from the switch be used for raspberry pi?

also, from the looks of it, a raspberry pi emulation for n64 would cost a lot less than $100 +
instead of going the console route?

--------------------- MERGED ---------------------------



android? nice, I used to have a "yin lips" device I got from will goo way back when and it ran an n64 emulator with some games quite well.
um speaking of android, if I were to buy an android device for n64 emulation, which one would be the best choice to get?

I have an Nvidia shield TV... retro rating of 13 out of 15 for retroarch.. but its expensive (£179 on ebay for 2017 model 16gb)... not sure on the android device front...

I also have everdrive 64 2.5, RPi 3 with recalbox, and every funtastic N64.. and if I could only have one right now, for N64, it would be the Everdrive 64 (£99 IIRC) hands down, but RPi 3 is a damned good low cost alternative for all round emulation (£35).

Fyi all hdmi cables will work on RPi.

 

[2DSGamerdude]

I have an Nvidia shield TV... retro rating of 13 out of 15 for retroarch.. but its expensive... not sure on the android device front...

I also have everdrive 64 2.5, RPi 3 with recalbox, and every funtastic N64.. and if I could only have one right now, for N64, it would be the Everdrive 64 (£99 IIRC) hands down, but RPi 3 is a damned good low cost alternative for all round emulation (£35).

Fyi all hdmi cables will work on RPi.

nice, I saw the nivida tv working with n64 emu, but it's exp like you said, so..
same for n64 overdrive.
the pi looks not only good, but the most cost effective way for n64 emu.

so, RPi 3 with recalbox,
I'd need to get the following?

raspberry PI 3 model B kit:

CanaKit Raspberry Pi 3 Kit with Clear Case and 2.5A Power Supply

an N64 controller usb
a keyboard or mouse
the software retro pie
another os?

 

[KiiWii]

@2DSGamerdude

No need for keyboard and mouse.

Any HDMI cable, and any 2.5A micro USB power supply will do.

Edit: oh and a decent 4+ GB micro SD card.

 

[2DSGamerdude]

@2DSGamerdude

No need for keyboard and mouse.

Any HDMI cable, and any 2.5A micro USB power supply will do.

Edit: oh and a decent 4+ GB micro SD card.

nice, thanx for the help
also, can I have two SD cards with retropie os on one and reclobox os on the other?

 

[KiiWii]

nice, thanx for the help
also, can I have two SD cards with retropie os on one and reclobox os on the other?

Yes.

I have recalbox on one loaded with streetfighters! And tonnes of other games and systems.

And one I'm messing with now to have Retropie on for setting up my aimtrak guns.

You coukd have a third for Hyperpie (64gb required just for the wheels, videos and images...)

You could probably do some berry magic and boot either or at start from one card... im not that advanced though

 

[2DSGamerdude]

Yes.

I have recalbox on one loaded with streetfighters! And tonnes of other games and systems.

And one I'm messing with now to have Retropie on for setting up my aimtrak guns.

You coukd have a third for Hyperpie (64gb required just for the wheels, videos and images...)

You could probably do some berry magic and boot either or at start from one card... im not that advanced though

nice, but is it possible to have one SD with both firmwares on it? dual boot?
np if not possible.
also how much space do the retropie / Recabox OS's take on an SD card?

 

[KiiWii]

nice, but is it possible to have one SD with both firmwares on it? dual boot?
np if not possible.
also how much space do the retropie / Recabox OS's take on an SD card?

I think there is a way to choose between installations on boot... http://www.multibootpi.com/
but I'm sure there are more elegant ways which are fully customizable.

The recommended SD card size is 16gb min, but I think the installations are around 2-4gb each. I usually have 32gb and fastest class I can get, and then use USB external for recalbox.

 

[KiiWii]

Off topic: do you think the rex in "Creator" is the one now in Odyssey?

 

[FAST6191]

Off topic: do you think the rex in "Creator" is the one now in Odyssey?

Pausing at an appropriate point in time on that video and pulling up a picture of the odyssey one I would not say they are direct copies. Too many differences in various points of reference.

It is not impossible that the latter is a heavily modified one, or the former was heavily simplified. It should also be said that dinosaurs are a known concept and probably have a 3d model out there one can adapt to such things.

 

[2DSGamerdude]

hay guys,
I was about to buy a PI 3, until I found a solution for playing n64 games on my Mac for FREE!

I was looking on youtube for PI 3 stuff and came across a video on an emulator for Mac: OpenEMU

pen emu is a multi emulator app (free) that runs makes cores,
since I have a iMac with high sera OS 11.0+ and x86-64,
to my surprise I tested out the emulator and got perfect n64 emulation for all my games
except Zelda birthday (which is a romhack) (loads up fine but gray screen when exiting link's house )
this is great tho no need to buy a pi,
and I can use my ps3 controller to play n64 games and Saturn too

thank god for Macs and open emu

best free and perfect n64 emulation ever
and I found this out 1 day before my birthday

thanx for my Mac being on latest os and such a powerful machine