# Best Nintendo 64 emulator: gopher64, the Gold Cartridge pick

Page: https://whichemulator.wtf/n64/ · Reference: WEM-N64-4NJ7

The Ask API at `GET https://whichemulator.wtf/ask` answers questions from the same data as this page, and it is the only place the setup steps are published. It takes `q` (the question, 3 to 500 characters) and an optional `page` (a local path such as `/n64/`). It returns JSON `{answer, consoles, sources, follow_ups}`, or Markdown when the request sends `Accept: text/markdown`. No key; 30 requests a minute per IP. Guide: https://whichemulator.wtf/skill.md

Nintendo 64, Nintendo, 1996.

## Recommended: gopher64

whichemulator.wtf calls its recommendation for each system the Gold Cartridge pick. For the Nintendo 64, the Gold Cartridge pick is gopher64.

gopher64 is the successor to simple64, from the same developer, and it keeps what made simple64 good: high compatibility, sensible defaults and almost nothing to configure. It adds an Android build, working netplay and RetroAchievements, and it's the one getting active development.

Runs on Windows · Mac · Linux · Android. Open source. Download: https://github.com/gopher64/gopher64/releases

**simple64 is retired:** simple64's author archived it in February 2025 and moved to gopher64. Old simple64 builds still work, but they won't be updated.

**Mac builds:** gopher64's macOS build is for Apple Silicon only. Intel Mac owners should use ares or RetroArch instead.

## Alternatives

- [Rosalie's Mupen GUI (RMG)](https://github.com/Rosalie241/RMG/releases) (Windows · Linux, open source): A tidy front-end for Mupen64Plus with several graphics plugins bundled. Pick it if you want to swap renderers per game or need a feature gopher64 doesn't have yet.
- [ares](https://ares-emu.net) (Windows · Mac · Linux, open source): The most accurate option, at the cost of needing a strong CPU. Good for awkward games that trip up everything else.
- [Project64](https://www.pj64-emu.com) (Windows, open source): The old Windows favourite. Plenty of guides still point to it, but it nags for donations and the options above have overtaken it.

## RetroArch cores

- Mupen64Plus-Next: The one to use
- ParaLLEl N64: Older; mainly for Parallel Launcher

Mupen64Plus-Next runs nearly everywhere RetroArch does, Android and iOS included.

## Hardware

- CPU: NEC VR4300 @ 93.75 MHz
- Graphics: SGI Reality Co-Processor
- Memory: 4MB (8MB with Expansion Pak)
- Resolution: 320×240 to 640×480
- Library: ~390 games

## Notes

### Why the N64 is fiddly

Nintendo's graphics chip was unusually programmable, and developers leaned on its quirks. For a long time that meant emulators relied on per-game hacks and a pile of plugins you had to choose between.

Modern emulators render the way the real hardware does, so most games simply work. gopher64 hides all of that behind a short settings screen.

### Controllers

The N64 pad maps reasonably well to a modern controller, but the C buttons usually end up on the right stick. Spend a minute in the input settings before starting anything that leans on them, like Ocarina of Time.

## Support the developers

- [GitHub Sponsors (gopher64 author)](https://github.com/sponsors/loganmc10)
- [Patreon (gopher64 author)](https://www.patreon.com/loganmc10)
- [Pay what you want on itch.io](https://loganmc10.itch.io/gopher64)
- [GitHub Sponsors (ares maintainer)](https://github.com/sponsors/LukeUsher)

## Questions the Ask API answers

- [Which Nintendo 64 emulator should I use on an iPhone?](https://whichemulator.wtf/ask?q=Which+Nintendo+64+emulator+should+I+use+on+an+iPhone%3F&page=%2Fn64%2F&via=page)
- [Which RetroArch core should I use for the Nintendo 64?](https://whichemulator.wtf/ask?q=Which+RetroArch+core+should+I+use+for+the+Nintendo+64%3F&page=%2Fn64%2F&via=page)