N64 Emulators

[Kairyu]

I'd like to know if there's a "superior" N64 emulator. Preferably one that can run Goldeneye/Perfect Dark, if any of them can. If there are no real preferred emulators, can someone at least offer a suggestion or two? Thanks in advance.

[Vagla]

Project 64. I recommend you use Jabo's DirectSound 1.5 and N-Rage`s Direct-Input8 V2 1.82a for sound and control puglins, respectively. As for graphics, use Rice's Video Plugin 5.6.0 or Jabo's Direct3D6 1.5.1, depending on the game. In my experience, Rice's is the better of the two, but it's crashed my computer on Vigilante 8 and Jet Force Gemini, so for those two (at least), use Jabo's.

Oh, and yes, PJ64 can run Goldeneye and Perfect Dark, but they're pretty demanding games, so you better have at least an okay computer.

[Kairyu]

Thanks. My laptop's not THE fastest machine on the planet, but it's pretty darn powerful.

[ShadowTiger]

What about a PII 300 MHZ 256 MB RAM machine? (DirectX 8 or 9.)

[Vagla]

I would assume that it'd be pretty damn slow, though I guess you might be able to get Goldeneye running at a decent speed if you fiddle with some settings. *shrugs* Good luck with that. ;)

[Kairyu]

Well, some quick checks around the Project64 site found me this:

Ideal System for N64 emulation:
1.4Ghz Athlon or Pentium4 CPU
256MB+ RAM
Top-end 3D graphics (e.g. GeForce3, Radeon)
Adaptoid and a real N64 controller

I've only got an Intel Integrated Graphics Card and I planned to use a PSX controller, but besides that I have almost double the processor speed and 3x more RAM.
But that probably doesn't help you. I did find the absolute minimum requirements for a different emulator, called "Corn," which your system meets.

200Mhz+ Pentium1 CPU
32MB+ RAM
Very basic 3D graphics (e.g. Voodoo2, TNT, G200)
Keyboard only (i.e. no gamepad)

It's seriously suggested that you have at least a 400Mhz+ P2, though. So you SHOULD be able to run a few emulators (Corn, at least) but it doesn't sound like it'll be all that pretty. That, and you really NEED some sorta controller with a joystick for most games.

[ShadowTiger]

Oh, many thank you's, Kairyu. :) I hope to find one soon. (The question of the ROM's is an entirely different one. :sweat: :p ) Meh, merely claiming to have an emulator at all (Even if without the ROM's) will work just fine for the nonce. I owned everything I needed to own from my N64, so I'm good. It's just a matter of interest, really.

(BTW, just out of sheer curiosity, how many MB's are N64 Roms?)

[Kairyu]

I think it ranges from 8 to 32 Mb. It varies from game to game, though.

[goKi]

I cant get project64 to work for my machine, wont detect my video hardware (radeon 9600xt). running directx 9.0b. any ideas?

[AlexMax]

Project64 runs Perfect Dark like a dream for me. It even works well with that keyboard + mouse FPS plugin. Makes an old game new again.

On the other hand, I know of no emulator or combination of plugins that can correctly render The New Tetris, and this makes me a sad panda.

I'd say Projec64 for now. They're not updating it ever again, though, so 1964 will probably surpass it in time.

[MottZilla]

FYI, GoldenEye and Perfect Dark really require alot more. I have an AMD Athlon XP 1800+ (1533mhz) and GoldenEye runs up to maybe 60fps, can dip down to the 30s I think. Perfect Dark (I have the european version) runs close to its max of 50, but again can drop lower than that. I'd recommend a 2ghz clock machine with a half decent video card like GeForce 3 or a Radeon 7200 or better. Like AlexMax said, eventually 1964 will probably exceed PJ64, but for now.. :O

[ZeldaFan001]

Even though Project 64 isn't updated anymore, will updating the plugins promote compatibility with more N64 games?

I don't have too many problems with Project64, except some games don't run all that well. I'll try looking for those plugins, as they seem to be a newer version than the ones I currently have.

[MottZilla]

Plugins could improve audio or graphical aspects, but if there are any CPU related aspects that would be an issue plugins won't fix.