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Head-to-head · Nintendo 64 Emulators

Mupen64Plus-Next vs Mupen64Plus

  • 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
Mupen64Plus #3 in Nintendo 64 Emulators 8.9/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 4 of 5 features Visit Mupen64Plus

Mupen64Plus-Next leads on 0 checks, Mupen64Plus 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 8.9 out of 10; our editors rank them #1 and #3.

Mupen64Plus-Next is the better fit for most users needing broad N64 platform coverage. Mupen64Plus is the better fit for desktop users wanting a configurable classic emulator.

  • Mupen64Plus-Next fits best

    Most users needing broad N64 platform coverage

  • Mupen64Plus fits best

    Desktop users wanting a configurable classic emulator

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Side by side

Feature Mupen64Plus-Next 9.3/10 Visit ↗ Mupen64Plus 8.9/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.3 8.9
Ranking #1 in Nintendo 64 Emulators #3 in Nintendo 64 Emulators
Best for Most users needing broad N64 platform coverage Desktop users wanting a configurable classic emulator
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, macOS, Linux
Support Docs, Community Community, Docs
Built for Solo, Small business Solo, Small business
Features Mupen64Plus-Next 4/5 · Mupen64Plus 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 Linux, macOS, FreeBSD, Windows
Graphics renderer APIs OpenGL, OpenGL ES OpenGL
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
  • Plugin architecture supports graphics, audio, input and RSP components.
  • Dynamic recompilers support Intel and ARM CPUs.
  • Includes saves, cheats, high-resolution textures and rumble support.
Cons
  • Distributed as a libretro core rather than a standalone application
  • Netplay is unsupported
  • Requires a compatible libretro frontend such as RetroArch
  • The official 2.6.0 bundle uses a command-line-only front end.
  • GUI front ends are separate third-party components.
  • Video support is documented around OpenGL plugins.
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 →

Mupen64Plus is an open-source Nintendo 64 emulator for desktop users on Linux, Windows and macOS. The project site also identifies FreeBSD as supported. Its design centers on a plugin architecture covering emulation cores, audio, graphics,…

Read the review →
  1. Mupen64Plus-NextNintendo 64 Emulators 9.3Free plan
  2. Mupen64PlusNintendo 64 Emulators 8.9Free 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

  • Mupen64Plus — where it wins

    • Plugin architecture supports graphics, audio, input and RSP components.
    • Dynamic recompilers support Intel and ARM CPUs.
    • Includes saves, cheats, high-resolution textures and rumble support.

    Where it doesn't

    • The official 2.6.0 bundle uses a command-line-only front end.
    • GUI front ends are separate third-party components.
    • Video support is documented around OpenGL plugins.

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