Not64 review
A flexible free emulator for Wii and GameCube users with physical storage.
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Not64 is an open-source Nintendo 64 emulator for Nintendo GameCube and Wii homebrew systems. It is aimed at users who keep ROMs on physical storage and want to play them through SD cards, USB storage, or DVD media on Wii. The project supports save states alongside native game-save loading and automatic saving, giving it a practical focus for continued play. It is distributed under the GNU General Public License version 2 and is available as downloadable releases through its public GitHub repository.
Storage and controller support are central to Not64’s appeal. ROM loading covers SD and USB storage on both supported systems, while DVD-based loading is available on Wii. Controller options include GameCube controllers, Classic Controllers, and Wii Remotes with Nunchuks, with configurable button mapping for adapting controls. The emulator also offers interpreter and dynamic-recompiler CPU cores, 2xSaI texture scaling and interpolation, framebuffer texture support, high-resolution output, and a selectable 16:9 display mode. These features give Wii and GameCube users several ways to tune playback and presentation.
The trade-off is its narrow platform focus and experimental positioning. Not64 targets Nintendo GameCube and Wii homebrew rather than offering a broad multi-platform emulator experience, and its documentation retains legacy Wii64/Cube64 material. Users who already have compatible Nintendo hardware, physical storage, and supported controllers are the natural audience. Those seeking a conventional desktop emulator, wider device coverage, or a less specialized setup should look elsewhere. For its intended use, Not64 combines free open-source distribution with storage flexibility, save support, and configurable Nintendo-focused controls.
Not64 pros and cons
- Where it wins
- Loads ROMs from SD, USB, and DVD media on Wii
- Supports save states, native saves, and automatic saving
- Offers multiple controllers, CPU cores, and texture enhancements
- Where it doesn't
- Supports only Nintendo GameCube and Wii homebrew systems
- Its documentation retains legacy Wii64/Cube64 material
- Its experimental status may not suit users seeking a broader platform range
Not64 fact sheet, pricing and score →
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