Working N64 Games

[thatvinylgeek]

Hi All,

Had some spare time on my hands today so thought I would run through my PSP catalogue and report back on findings. Couple of things to point out.

1) Some of these may have slowdown in the menus etc, but are fine when you get into game
2) If anyone has any tips or other games to add to the list, post them below and will update

With that being said, time for the good news The following all play at 80-100% speed on Emuelec with default emulator settings where possible:

Banjo-Kazooie
Banjo-Tooie
Blast Corps
Castlevania
Castlevania Legacy of Darkness
Diddy Kong Racing
Donkey Kong 64
Duke Nukem 64
Earthworm Jim 3D (Parallel Core)
Excite Bike 64 (parallel core)
Extreme 2 (parallel core)
Fighters Destiny
Fighters Destiny 2
ISS 64
Jet Force Gemini
Mario Kart
Mega Man 64
Mystical Ninja
Mystical Ninja 2
Paper Mario
Paperboy
Ridge Racer 64
Starfox 64
Star Wars Racer
Super Mario 64
Super Smash Bros
The Legend of Zelda Majoras Mask
The Legend of Zelda The Ocarina of Time
Top Gear Rally (paralell core)
Wave Race
Wetrix
Winback
Wipeout 64
WWF No Mercy
Yoshis Story

[IgaBiva]

Thank you for this initiative. It should help people to set expectations right and to understand what works and what not.

From my experience, N64 performance on OGA is better with Parallel than with default emulator. E.g., 1080P Snowboarding does not work at all on Mupen-Next and it works great on Parallel. Also, I have tested Castlevania, Parallel gives way more FPS than Mupen.

[thatvinylgeek]

Good to know thanks!

Parallel does seem good, although sometimes it seems to do strange things to the colours.

[Josh86]

Banjo is a harder one to emulate for both speed an accuracy. I'm using Batocera, so I don't know if the other images provide a better experience. I hope it is the case and the image/configuration I'm using is just a bit slow.

I've found that Ocarina of Time and many other titles crash when using the Parallel core under this image. Parallel does seem to run games with a better framerate than the standlone mupen64p or libretro mupen core I've been finding (like Super Mario 64).

Overall it's hard to say if I'm satisfied with how the device is currently handling emulation with these system/emulators. I keep comparing it to my old Android Xperia Plays (older single core device) and the emulators from that. The performance is about as comparable, sometimes better, and in some cases worse. A version of mupen (Mupen64p+AE) ran quite well on Android 2.x -- I didn't have the ability to run Reicast though without Cyanogen (which I never tried). Here's an example of Reicast on this 1ghz single core device (snapdragon scorpion): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k6TSHo7Obe0

Here's a clip of starfox gameplay with mupen64+AE on it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v_EnC0ekYwk

The OGA under mupen standalone suffers from about the same or sometimes even more slowdown in comparison. Libretro Parallel also crashes on execution with Starfox 64 on the OGA under at least Batocera. I'm just wondering if it's this image, the emulators themselves when used with this device, or something else.

I've been finding the device is just barely making frames even in some Playstation titles. You can tell when trying to fast forward in reotroarch, it isn't really pushing any more frames.

[IgaBiva]

Well, I think that this is about expectation management.

Althought more optimizations will come (and it is already better in a latest version of EmuElec), this device will never be able to run N64 and PSP in a full speed. It is good enough for all systems up to Playstation One and everything above this (some N64, PSP and Dreamcast games) is pure bonus.

In this price range, OGA is simply best bang for the buck so I am personally very happy with it.

[thatvinylgeek]

Banjo is a harder one to emulate for both speed an accuracy. I'm using Batocera, so I don't know if the other images provide a better experience. I hope it is the case and the image/configuration I'm using is just a bit slow.

I've found that Ocarina of Time and many other titles crash when using the Parallel core under this image. Parallel does seem to run games with a better framerate than the standlone mupen64p or libretro mupen core I've been finding (like Super Mario 64).

Overall it's hard to say if I'm satisfied with how the device is currently handling emulation with these system/emulators. I keep comparing it to my old Android Xperia Plays (older single core device) and the emulators from that. The performance is about as comparable, sometimes better, and in some cases worse. A version of mupen (Mupen64p+AE) ran quite well on Android 2.x -- I didn't have the ability to run Reicast though without Cyanogen (which I never tried). Here's an example of Reicast on this 1ghz single core device (snapdragon scorpion): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k6TSHo7Obe0

Here's a clip of starfox gameplay with mupen64+AE on it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v_EnC0ekYwk

The OGA under mupen standalone suffers from about the same or sometimes even more slowdown in comparison. Libretro Parallel also crashes on execution with Starfox 64 on the OGA under at least Batocera. I'm just wondering if it's this image, the emulators themselves when used with this device, or something else.

I've been finding the device is just barely making frames even in some Playstation titles. You can tell when trying to fast forward in reotroarch, it isn't really pushing any more frames.

I am seeing much better N64 performance with Emuelec than Batocera, I would reccomend trying it.

Everything I listed above runs at pretty much 100% on the last version. There is a new version now which has improved PSP emulation even further so I expect N64 to be better as well.

[prog-amateur]

Hello, first of all, thank you so much for your kind review. I have a question :

I love 2 N64 games :
- Golden Eye 64
- Perfect Dark

Both of them are made by Rare studios. They are also known to use a lot of resources (if I remember well, even the official N64 console was not enough for Perfect Dark without the extension pack). Therefore, what is you feedback about both games please ?

Thank you very much

[rooted]

Hello, first of all, thank you so much for your kind review. I have a question :

I love 2 N64 games :
- Golden Eye 64
- Perfect Dark

Both of them are made by Rare studios. They are also known to use a lot of resources (if I remember well, even the official N64 console was not enough for Perfect Dark without the extension pack). Therefore, what is you feedback about both games please ?

Thank you very much

Nether of those will ever run full speed on the OGA

[esprit]

I think this thread would be better placed in viewforum.php?f=195 section.

[prog-amateur]

Nether of those will ever run full speed on the OGA

OK, at least it's clear. Too bad, really, it's screen and form factor is so good. Thank you anyway for your feedback

[rooted]

Nether of those will ever run full speed on the OGA

OK, at least it's clear. Too bad, really, it's screen and form factor is so good. Thank you anyway for your feedback

As you know it just takes a lot of power to run those two titles unfortunately.

[pelle7]

With that being said, time for the good news The following all play at 80-100% speed on Emuelec with default emulator settings where possible:

Wave Race

I am testing N64 on Emuelec. I don't know how you get these results.

My Test for Waverace:
In Waverace I start: "championship" -> "normal" ->"start the race" -> "The first watercraft" -> after the race starts I press the start button.

Code: Select all

| LIBRETRO           | GFX       |    Speed  |
| PARALLEL_N64       | rice      | 57 fps    |
| PARALLEL_N64       | angrylion | 12,40 fps |
| MUPEN64PLUS        |           | 14,40 fps |
| MUPEN64PLUS_NEXT   |           | 10,77 fps |

With the GFX plugin "rice":

1. I read that the GFX Plugin "rice" is not maintained anymore and it is not working perfectly?

2. Some games, like Bomberman and Resident Evil have mayor gfx issues and are unplayable

3. Other games like Super Mario have "flickering" textures?

4. f.e. Waverace seems perfect?

How have you configured you runtime to get your results?

Best regards,

Per

[meveric]

Normally you use mupen64plus standalone emulator for better performance and not libretro cores

[pelle7]

Normally you use mupen64plus standalone emulator for better performance and not libretro cores

I am new to these linux distributions..

I am using emuelec. Can I choose the standalone version of mupen64plus? Can I "install" it?

Thanks in advance

I think as I tested Retro Arena, the performance for the N64 emulator was good out of the box... But I have currently not looked into, how it was configured.

[HHanzo]

Mortal Kombat Trilogy N64 is running slow
which is the best core?

[GldRush98]

Beetle Adventure Racing - Working, minor graphic and audio glitches but fully playable.
Turok: Dinosaur Hunter - Working
Conker's Bad Fur Day - Working, minor graphical glitches, runs a little slow but playable

[GldRush98]

Extreme G - Working, choppy audio
NBA Hangtime - Menus work but game freezes, not playable
Star Wars Rogue Squadron - Not working
Vigilante 8 - Not working

[Josezno]

Paper Mario runs with lots of slowdowns, flickering textures, glitches and even crashes (after you ask your fate to Merlon). And this is on Parallel. On Muppen performance is even worse.

So I wouldn't say this game is playable.

But I hope it is eventually, because it's one of my favorite N64 games.

[Mason C]

Mostly just asking for clarification:
I just got the OGA a few days ago, and most things work fine with a bit of tweaking, but I'm having hell trying to get anything N64 to run acceptably. I understand some games will probably never work and that emulation is still a work in progress, but I've seen youtubers run things like super mario 64 and mariokart with seemingly no trouble, so I thought I'd ask what I'm doing wrong.

I've got emuelec running and more or less base for N64. Not sure if I need to install a different emulator for it to run, or change to parallel or what; I've seen minor improvements tweaking on my own but nothing I'd consider playable. Not even sure if I'm missing a bios or something that I have to install myself for legal reasons.

If y'all have any suggestions I'd love to hear them, I'm pretty new to emulation in general so I've still got a lot to learn.

If it's any help, games I'm currently trying to get functional are banjo kazooie and tooie, mariokart 64, LoZ OoT and LoZ MM, super mario 64, Rayman 2, Starfox 64, FZero X, Pokemon SNAP, Stadium and Stadium 2.

[Josezno]

Mostly just asking for clarification:
I just got the OGA a few days ago, and most things work fine with a bit of tweaking, but I'm having hell trying to get anything N64 to run acceptably. I understand some games will probably never work and that emulation is still a work in progress, but I've seen youtubers run things like super mario 64 and mariokart with seemingly no trouble, so I thought I'd ask what I'm doing wrong.

I've got emuelec running and more or less base for N64. Not sure if I need to install a different emulator for it to run, or change to parallel or what; I've seen minor improvements tweaking on my own but nothing I'd consider playable. Not even sure if I'm missing a bios or something that I have to install myself for legal reasons.

If y'all have any suggestions I'd love to hear them, I'm pretty new to emulation in general so I've still got a lot to learn.

If it's any help, games I'm currently trying to get functional are banjo kazooie and tooie, mariokart 64, LoZ OoT and LoZ MM, super mario 64, Rayman 2, Starfox 64, FZero X, Pokemon SNAP, Stadium and Stadium 2.

I'm on the same boat. And I don't think there's anything specific you could do to improve N64 emulation besides switching to parallel on certain games and some minor tweaks. N64 emulation is just that poor so far on the OGA. I guess there's some room for improvement but I wouldn't hold my breath.

[miller1587]

Mostly just asking for clarification:
I just got the OGA a few days ago, and most things work fine with a bit of tweaking, but I'm having hell trying to get anything N64 to run acceptably. I understand some games will probably never work and that emulation is still a work in progress, but I've seen youtubers run things like super mario 64 and mariokart with seemingly no trouble, so I thought I'd ask what I'm doing wrong.

I've got emuelec running and more or less base for N64. Not sure if I need to install a different emulator for it to run, or change to parallel or what; I've seen minor improvements tweaking on my own but nothing I'd consider playable. Not even sure if I'm missing a bios or something that I have to install myself for legal reasons.

If y'all have any suggestions I'd love to hear them, I'm pretty new to emulation in general so I've still got a lot to learn.

If it's any help, games I'm currently trying to get functional are banjo kazooie and tooie, mariokart 64, LoZ OoT and LoZ MM, super mario 64, Rayman 2, Starfox 64, FZero X, Pokemon SNAP, Stadium and Stadium 2.

Try RetroRoller and launch from Retro Arch. Install the 1.5ghz kernel. Put in performance mode with f3+R. Download the parallel core for n64. Change graphics accuracy from very high to high. Turn off the Expansion Pack Ram. Set Audio Buffer to 2048. These are the settings that I have and am able to run Mario64 and Mario Kart very well. So far these are the only games I've tested.

[GldRush98]

Lol those 2 are very easy games and you can run that on stock firmware straight-out of the box.

Just tried Pokemon Snap in light of today's announcement, it's a no go. If you can actually make it in to the first level with out it freezing or crashing, for some reason the control stick is completely unresponsive.

[rijufrajo]

I allow him to contact you because I despair a little with the N64 emulation on OGA Black. I installed Batocera 5.26 but I would like to remap the keys for MUPEN64PLUS / GLIDE64MK2 because the commands are reversed on some games. How do you do it? Should you modify a .cfg file...? Can you help me ?
Thanks

[TLP]

Here's the list of the N64 games I have from my childhood and how well they run. I use EmuElec v3.6 and I've lowered my screen resolution in settings from 1080p60 to 480p60 because, let's be real, these games aren't even 480p60 anyway.

I've tried to play every game on Mupen64Plus-Next (which is the EmuElec default) and Parallel.

All of my games are PAL region and original cartridges, dumped with the Retrode 2 with the N64 add-on.

To summarize this table: Don't bother with Mupen64Plus-Next. Parallel does have some minor rendering glitches sometimes, but the performance on Mupen64Plus-Next is just... almost always a no go.

The empty fields I haven't tested yet, I'll update this table once I have. I want to have fun with my Odroid Go Advance too so y'all will just have to wait

(This was first a nice table, but tables are apparently broken on this forum)

AeroGauge (PAL)
Mupen64Plus-Next: Fairly laggy
Parallel: Works well

Earthworm Jim 3D (PAL)
Mupen64Plus-Next: Extremely laggy
Parallel: Performance seems fine, but the game consistently locks up on me at the first dialog so is not playable

F1 Racing Championship (PAL)
Mupen64Plus-Next: Very laggy
Parallel: Still laggy, but I would say it just falls under playable. The sound is choppy though.

Glover (PAL)
Mupen64Plus-Next: Seems laggy, crashes when reaching the title screen
Parallel: Performance seems fine, but still crashes when reaching the title screen

Lego Racers (PAL)
Mupen64Plus-Next: Quite laggy
Parallel: Generally performs fine, but has noticeable graphical glitches like karts sometimes disappearing. Still consider it playable though

Mario Kart 64 (PAL)
Mupen64Plus-Next: Playable, but every now and then runs noticeably slow with choppy audio
Parallel: Sometimes slows down, but the vast majority of the time plays fine without any slowdown or audio issues

Mario Party 3 (PAL)
Mupen64Plus-Next: Lag on the language selection screen already, didn't bother checking much further
Parallel: Didn't really play much of it but performance seems mostly fine, but choppy audio during cutscenes so not super promising

Pokemon Puzzle League (PAL)
Mupen64Plus-Next: Starting cutscene lags so bad I didn't bother checking futher, but seeing my Parallel experience, maybe this is the better emulator for this game
Parallel: Starting cutscene is still just as laggy but is played below the title screen so actually invisible. Game got increasingly stuttery after stage 4 and during stage 5 plain out crashed
Note: Honestly, this game is just a cheap cash-grabby reskin of the SNES and Game Boy game Tetris Attack / Panel de Pon. Just get one of those, SNES and Game Boy will surely always run better anyway.

Pokemon Stadium (PAL)
Mupen64Plus-Next:
Parallel:

Rayman 2: The Great Escape (PAL)
Mupen64Plus-Next: Slow with very choppy audio, pretty unplayable
Parallel: Plays great! Some noticeable rendering glitches, but nothing that ruins the game for me
Actually, the game is unplayable on ARM (and thus the Odroid Go Advance) due to https://github.com/mupen64plus/mupen64p ... issues/724

Starfox 64 (PAL) (PAL title: Lylatwars)
Mupen64Plus-Next:
Parallel:

Super Mario 64 (PAL)
Mupen64Plus-Next:
Parallel:

The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask
Mupen64Plus-Next:
Parallel:

The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time
Mupen64Plus-Next:
Parallel:

V-Rally: Edition 99
Mupen64Plus-Next:
Parallel: Seems to run well enough. Some stuttering sometimes, but the game as a whole is quite playable

[Christian_Haitian]

Paper Mario runs with lots of slowdowns, flickering textures, glitches and even crashes (after you ask your fate to Merlon). And this is on Parallel. On Muppen performance is even worse.

So I wouldn't say this game is playable.

But I hope it is eventually, because it's one of my favorite N64 games.

For Paper Mario, set Parallel gfx plugin to auto and you can get past asking your fate from Merlon.

[GldRush98]

Animal Forest (Animal Crossing) is not playable due to input boxes not appearing.

[Shoesy]

Due to lack of detail in this thread (eg which OS / Emulator / setting being used) I'm not sure it's very helpful to be honest.

But FYI Goldeneye is definitely very playable on RRVL, I've enjoyed many hours on this game recently on the OGA 1.1 and can definitely recommend it using the Mupen64 next standalone emu.

[GldRush98]

Stock ES image and stock Mupen emulator unless otherwise specified for stuff I've tested.
I'm 70-some stars in to Mario 64 so far and no issues. Been having a lot of fun with it

[ThomasW69]

I have assembled ma OGA today and i wonder where can I download game ROMs.

[rooted]

I have assembled ma OGA today and i wonder where can I download game ROMs.

You will have to search Google.

[Josezno]

Does anyone know how to swap party members on Paper Mario? I'm not talking within battles but in the overworld to use Kooper shell for example. It's supposed to be d-pad down but it won't work on my OGA.

[LocutusOfBork]

Animal Forest (Animal Crossing) is not playable due to input boxes not appearing.

I'm running the English translation patched version of Doubutsu no Mori (Animal Forest) using the "mupen64plus next" setting. (All the other (faster) settings made the text hard/impossible to read in dialogs.) It seemed to work fine but a little slow for a few days but then my save got corrupted. Save corruption may have something to do with the system time getting changed when I connected to the internet.... I hadn't set up wifi when I started playing Animal Forest. Anyway, I can start the game now but there is a black screen when I try to enter my town. Maybe I'll give it another go when I'm less frustrated with that game.

I'm using openelec 3.7 on the old OGA.

UPDATE: I took out the SD card and put it in a linux PC and noticed some funny things about the SRM file for this game. For some reason, it's owner and group are root? Does emuelec do everything as root? Also, the file didn't have write permission anymore!? I chmodded it 777, but as soon as I tried to play the game, it went read only again. Paper Mario sticker star reads/writes its own save file fine, so I'm reasonably sure mupen64plus is working on other games.

[Josezno]

Does anyone know how to swap party members on Paper Mario? I'm not talking within battles but in the overworld to use Kooper shell for example. It's supposed to be d-pad down but it won't work on my OGA.

Anyone?

[crashoverride]

It's supposed to be d-pad down but it won't work on my OGA.

You should specify the image you are using.

[Josezno]

It's supposed to be d-pad down but it won't work on my OGA.

You should specify the image you are using.

I'm on Emuelec 3.6

[Xari]

Hi I’m making my own image whith batocera, and for now I fell like games like bangio kasui and tooi work better with mupen64plus/n64 only whit a little audio deley but totally playable. Only problem is tha the image is cut dow, I try to change the video parameters on emulation station code also in mupen code changing the resolution o the aspect ratio whit any results. This is a link of an example https://drive.google.com/file/d/1L4Kolr ... p=drivesdk

[chinchalinchin]

Hello, first of all, thank you so much for your kind review. I have a question :

I love 2 N64 games :
- Golden Eye 64
- Perfect Dark

Both of them are made by Rare studios. They are also known to use a lot of resources (if I remember well, even the official N64 console was not enough for Perfect Dark without the extension pack). Therefore, what is you feedback about both games please ?

Thank you very much

Someone else replied they don't run at full speed, but by no means are they unplayable. I've run both of them and I have no complaints.