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Head-to-head · Nintendo 64 Emulators

Mupen64Plus-Next vs Luna's Project64

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 6 checks side by side
Higher score Mupen64Plus-Next #1 in Nintendo 64 Emulators 9.3/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 4 of 5 features Visit Libretro
Luna's Project64 #8 in Nintendo 64 Emulators 8.0/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 4 of 5 features View GitHub Releases

Mupen64Plus-Next leads on 0 checks, Luna's Project64 on 0, and 6 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 6 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreMupen64Plus-Next · 9.3/10
  • Free planboth

Mupen64Plus-Next scores higher on our rubric for nintendo 64 emulators: 9.3 against 8.0 out of 10; our editors rank them #1 and #8.

Mupen64Plus-Next is the better fit for most users needing broad N64 platform coverage. Luna's Project64 is the better fit for windows or Linux users wanting extensive savestates.

  • Mupen64Plus-Next fits best

    Most users needing broad N64 platform coverage

  • Luna's Project64 fits best

    Windows or Linux users wanting extensive savestates

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Side by side

Feature Mupen64Plus-Next 9.3/10 Visit ↗ Luna's Project64 8.0/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.3 8.0
Ranking #1 in Nintendo 64 Emulators #8 in Nintendo 64 Emulators
Best for Most users needing broad N64 platform coverage Windows or Linux users wanting extensive savestates
Pricing model Free Free
Starting price Free plan Free plan
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial — —
Deployment Desktop, Mobile Desktop
Platforms Web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android Windows, Linux
Support Docs, Community Community
Built for Solo, Small business Solo, Small business
Features Mupen64Plus-Next 4/5 · Luna's Project64 4/5
Online netplay — Not checked yet
Save states ✓ ✓
Cheat support ✓ ✓
High-resolution rendering ✓ ✓
Controller remapping ✓ ✓
Specs
Supported platforms Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, web Windows, Linux
Graphics renderer APIs OpenGL, OpenGL ES Direct3D 8, Vulkan, OpenGL 3.3
Our review
Pros
  • Runs on web, Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS
  • Offers GLideN64, Angrylion, and ParaLLEl-RDP renderers
  • Includes save states, cheats, remapping, and texture packs
  • 100 savestate slots with faster savestate loading
  • Cheat support and flexible controller key mapping
  • High-resolution rendering with multiple graphics plugins
Cons
  • Distributed as a libretro core rather than a standalone application
  • Netplay is unsupported
  • Requires a compatible libretro frontend such as RetroArch
  • Focuses on selected games rather than maximum compatibility
  • Supports Windows and Linux, not a broader platform range
  • Designed for Nintendo 64 emulation only
Our verdict

Mupen64Plus-Next is an open-source Nintendo 64 emulation core for the libretro API, distributed by Libretro. It is intended for users who want N64 emulation across web, Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS through compatible libretro…

Read the review →

Luna's Project64 is a free, open-source Nintendo 64 emulator forked from Project64 3.0.1. It is aimed at Windows and Linux users who want gameplay-focused features, extensive savestate support, controller customization, cheat support, and…

Read the review →
  1. Mupen64Plus-NextNintendo 64 Emulators 9.3Free plan
  2. Luna's Project64Nintendo 64 Emulators 8.0Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Mupen64Plus-Next — where it wins

    • Runs on web, Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS
    • Offers GLideN64, Angrylion, and ParaLLEl-RDP renderers
    • Includes save states, cheats, remapping, and texture packs

    Where it doesn't

    • Distributed as a libretro core rather than a standalone application
    • Netplay is unsupported
    • Requires a compatible libretro frontend such as RetroArch

  • Luna's Project64 — where it wins

    • 100 savestate slots with faster savestate loading
    • Cheat support and flexible controller key mapping
    • High-resolution rendering with multiple graphics plugins

    Where it doesn't

    • Focuses on selected games rather than maximum compatibility
    • Supports Windows and Linux, not a broader platform range
    • Designed for Nintendo 64 emulation only

More comparisons

All nintendo 64 emulators comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update