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Head-to-head · Nintendo 64 Emulators

Project64 vs Mupen64Plus

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 5 checks side by side
Higher score Project64 #2 in Nintendo 64 Emulators 9.1/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 0 of 5 features Visit Project64
Mupen64Plus #3 in Nintendo 64 Emulators 8.9/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 4 of 5 features Visit Mupen64Plus

Project64 leads on 0 checks, Mupen64Plus 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 scoreProject64 · 9.1/10
  • Free planboth
  • Most featuresMupen64Plus · 4 of 5

Project64 scores higher on our rubric for nintendo 64 emulators: 9.1 against 8.9 out of 10; our editors rank them #2 and #3.

Project64 is the better fit for windows users wanting 64DD and debugging tools. Mupen64Plus is the better fit for desktop users wanting a configurable classic emulator.

  • Project64 fits best

    Windows users wanting 64DD and debugging tools

  • Mupen64Plus fits best

    Desktop users wanting a configurable classic emulator

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Side by side

Feature Project64 9.1/10 Visit ↗ Mupen64Plus 8.9/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.1 8.9
Ranking #2 in Nintendo 64 Emulators #3 in Nintendo 64 Emulators
Best for Windows users wanting 64DD and debugging tools Desktop users wanting a configurable classic emulator
Pricing model Free Free
Starting price Free plan Free plan
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial — —
Deployment Desktop Desktop
Platforms Windows Windows, macOS, Linux
Support Community, Docs Community, Docs
Built for Solo, Small business Solo, Small business
Features Project64 0/5 · Mupen64Plus 4/5
Online netplay Not checked yet Not checked yet
Save states Not checked yet ✓ (best)
Cheat support Not checked yet ✓ (best)
High-resolution rendering Not checked yet ✓ (best)
Controller remapping Not checked yet ✓ (best)
Specs
Supported platforms Not checked yet Linux, macOS, FreeBSD, Windows
Graphics renderer APIs Not checked yet OpenGL
Our review
Pros
  • Emulates Nintendo 64 and Nintendo 64 Disk Drive games
  • Includes save states, cheats, HD graphics, and controller support
  • Offers development tools and support for multiple N64 plugins
  • 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
  • Runs on Windows only
  • Focuses on Nintendo 64 and 64DD systems
  • Does not include AI features
  • 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

Project64 is a free, open-source emulator for Nintendo 64 and Nintendo 64 Disk Drive games. It is aimed at Windows users who want to play N64 software with practical emulator features, while also serving developers and advanced users…

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. Project64Nintendo 64 Emulators 9.1Free plan
  2. Mupen64PlusNintendo 64 Emulators 8.9Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Project64 — where it wins

    • Emulates Nintendo 64 and Nintendo 64 Disk Drive games
    • Includes save states, cheats, HD graphics, and controller support
    • Offers development tools and support for multiple N64 plugins

    Where it doesn't

    • Runs on Windows only
    • Focuses on Nintendo 64 and 64DD systems
    • Does not include AI features

  • 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