Best N64 Emulators for Linux: Top Picks for Retro Gaming

Ah, so you’re lookin’ to play some of them old Nintendo 64 games on your Linux machine, huh? Well, that’s real easy! You just need to get yourself one of them N64 emulators. Now, let me tell you, there’s a bunch of ‘em out there, and I’ll tell ya the best ones. It’s like when I used to go down to the store to pick up a good ol’ homemade pie—some are better than others, y’know?

So, here we go. If you got a Linux system, there are a few emulators you can grab and get your game on, no problem.

• simple64 – Now, this one’s real nice! It’s based on a version of mupen64plus-core, and it’s got all kinds of things, like a graphical interface (so you don’t gotta type a bunch of commands), online play, and automatic updates. I’d say it’s one of the easiest ones for folks who ain’t too familiar with messing around in the terminal.
• mupen64plus – This one’s been around for a while, and it’s what I’d call the “workhorse” of N64 emulators. Runs smooth on Linux, Mac, and FreeBSD. You’ll need to know a little bit about using the command line, but if you’re okay with that, it’ll do the job. It’s not fancy, but it gets them games runnin’ like they ought to.
• ParaLLEl RSP/RDP – Now, this here’s a bit of a fancy one. If you’re the type who likes to tinker, this one’s worth a look. It’s an extension for simple64 that improves the graphics and audio for a better experience. If you want things to look real pretty on your screen, this one’s a good choice.
• Project64 – Well, this one ain’t exactly for Linux, but it’s got a lot of fans for Windows. Still, I’m puttin’ it here for folks who might want to look into runnin’ it on a different system with some extra tools. It’s got a nice plug-in system that lets you tweak things like graphics and sound, but you gotta make sure it’s set up right or you’ll be left sittin’ there wonderin’ why it ain’t workin’.

Now, I ain’t no expert in all these fancy computer things, but I know how to follow a good ol’ set of instructions. For most of these emulators, all you gotta do is download ‘em and follow the simple setup steps. But sometimes, there’s a little more to it. Let’s take simple64, for example.

If you go with simple64, first thing you do is download it. Then, you open up the emulator. You’ll see a bunch of options, but don’t get all confused. Go to the Settings and pick Core and Video Settings. There’s a tab for ParaLLel Video—click that. You want to turn on Fullscreen and set the upscaling to 4. After that, you can exit outta that menu and go to Settings again to pick Controller Configuration. Set it up for your controller, and you’re good to go!

That’s all there is to it, folks! You’ll be playing them old games like it’s 1999 again. I reckon it don’t matter whether you’re after a bit of Super Mario 64, GoldenEye, or one of them Legend of Zelda games, you’ll have a good time on these emulators. Just remember, every emulator’s got its own little quirks, but with a little patience, you’ll be relivin’ them memories in no time.

Hope that helps you get started, and remember—don’t be afraid to try out a couple different ones to see which works best for you. Good luck, and enjoy them old games!

Tags：[N64 emulators, Linux gaming, mupen64plus, simple64, Project64, retro gaming, Nintendo 64, ParaLLEl RSP/RDP, emulator setup, Linux emulator guide]