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Head-to-head · Nintendo 64 Emulators

Mupen64Plus vs Luna's Project64

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 5 checks side by side
Higher score Mupen64Plus #3 in Nintendo 64 Emulators 8.9/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 4 of 5 features Visit Mupen64Plus
Luna's Project64 #8 in Nintendo 64 Emulators 8.0/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 4 of 5 features View GitHub Releases

Mupen64Plus leads on 0 checks, Luna's Project64 on 0, and 5 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 5 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreMupen64Plus · 8.9/10
  • Free planboth

Mupen64Plus scores higher on our rubric for nintendo 64 emulators: 8.9 against 8.0 out of 10; our editors rank them #3 and #8.

Mupen64Plus is the better fit for desktop users wanting a configurable classic emulator. Luna's Project64 is the better fit for windows or Linux users wanting extensive savestates.

  • Mupen64Plus fits best

    Desktop users wanting a configurable classic emulator

  • Luna's Project64 fits best

    Windows or Linux users wanting extensive savestates

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Side by side

Feature Mupen64Plus 8.9/10 Visit ↗ Luna's Project64 8.0/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 8.9 8.0
Ranking #3 in Nintendo 64 Emulators #8 in Nintendo 64 Emulators
Best for Desktop users wanting a configurable classic emulator Windows or Linux users wanting extensive savestates
Pricing model Free Free
Starting price Free plan Free plan
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial — —
Deployment Desktop Desktop
Platforms Windows, macOS, Linux Windows, Linux
Support Community, Docs Community
Built for Solo, Small business Solo, Small business
Features Mupen64Plus 4/5 · Luna's Project64 4/5
Online netplay Not checked yet Not checked yet
Save states ✓ ✓
Cheat support ✓ ✓
High-resolution rendering ✓ ✓
Controller remapping ✓ ✓
Specs
Supported platforms Linux, macOS, FreeBSD, Windows Windows, Linux
Graphics renderer APIs OpenGL Direct3D 8, Vulkan, OpenGL 3.3
Our review
Pros
  • 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.
  • 100 savestate slots with faster savestate loading
  • Cheat support and flexible controller key mapping
  • High-resolution rendering with multiple graphics plugins
Cons
  • 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.
  • 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 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 →

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. Mupen64PlusNintendo 64 Emulators 8.9Free plan
  2. Luna's Project64Nintendo 64 Emulators 8.0Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • 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.

  • 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