Nintendo 64 Emulation plugins
From AcmlmWiki
Most Nintendo 64 emulators require plugins to work. On this page you can see why.
Contents |
[edit] Why plugins?
Emulating the Nintendo 64 was hard (and still is today) for the programmers of emulators. Video emulation, Audio emulation, Input emulation, RSP emulation, these things must be there for a N64 emulator to work. And it isn't very easy to write a video plugin and make it compatible with most games. To make it easier for the programmers, a plugin system was invented so the programmers of emulators only had to care about the emulator itself, because other people do the plugins.
This system has worked out and is working great to this date.
[edit] List of plugins
There are 4 different types of plugins: Video, Audio, Input and RSP. Each type serves a different purpose.
Note: Currently the plugin list only lists plugins for Windows operating systems.
[edit] Video plugins
Video plugins process the video output and give the video data to the emulator. The video is a very complicated part of N64 emulation, and video plugins support different games differently, so you should install many video plugins and switch them for different games.
[edit] Jabo's D3D8 Video Plugin
Description: This plugin is simple and has fairly good compatibility, so it is recommended for beginners.
Aimed for: Middle- to low-end systems
Newest version: 1.6
Download: (comes with Project64 1.6)
[edit] Jabo's D3D6 Video Plugin
Description: Similar to its D3D8 counterpart, it is there for games that don't work with the newer plugin. Otherwise much similarities to its counterpart.
Aimed for: Middle- to low-end systems
Newest version: 1.52
Download: (comes with Project64 1.6)
[edit] Rice's Video Plugin
Description: One of the best, if not the best video plugin. It has great compatibility, many features and tons of options and switches. You need to know at least basic knowlegde of N64 emulation to understand most options though.
Aimed for: Middle-end systems
Newest version: 6.1.1 beta 10
Download: Here
[edit] Glide64 Wonder
Description: This plugin is aimed for old graphics cards, though it also has graphics options for newer cards. Use with Mupen64 for best results.
Aimed for: Low-end systems
Newest version: Plus
Download: Here
[edit] Direct64
Description: Not very good compatibility, but perfect emulation. Also has some unique features.
Aimed for: High-end systems
Newest version: 0.5.03.25b
Download: Here
[edit] glN64
Description: An OpenGL-based video plugin. Mostly obsolete because Rice's Video Plugin supports OpenGL too. Note: Doesn't work with Project64
Aimed for: ???
Newest version: 0.4.1
Download: Here
[edit] Lemmy's D3D8 video plugin
Description: The standard video plugin of Nemu64. Has some nice debugging features.
Aimed for: Middle-end systems
Newest version: Unknown
Download: (Comes with Nemu64)
[edit] Lemmy's D3D8 video plugin (with VRML export)
Description: This video plugin allows you to export a VRML file of the current area. To do this, create an folder 'C:\VRML' on your harddrive, start your game, activate the plugin then deactivate it after it has exported the VRML data (wait a few seconds, then stop the plugin). Note: This plugin doesn't work with Project64!
Aimed for: Middle-end systems
Newest version: Unknown
Download: Here
[edit] Audio Plugins
Audio Plugins process the audio output and give the audio data to the emulator. Here the plugins emulate the sound differently, so you should check all and see which one sounds best.
[edit] Jabo's DirectSound
Description: An easy sound plugin for beginners.
Newest version: 1.6
Download: (Comes with Project64 1.6)
[edit] Azimer's HLE Audio
Description: A very nice audio plugin, though still in development. Note: WIP 2 doesn't work with 1964!
Newest version: 0.56 WIP 2
Download: Here
[edit] zilmar's Audio Plugin
Description: A very basic audio plugin. You should probably use something better.
Download: (Comes with Project64 1.6)
[edit] schibo's Audio Plugin
Description: Good audio plugin. Works best with 1964.
Newest version: 1.2
Download: (Comes with 1964 0.99)
[edit] No Sound
Description: What the name says. Use this if normal audio plugins crash.
Download: Here (scroll down). Also comes with Project64 1.6
[edit] Basic Audio Plugin
Description: I have no idea what it does, but, like with zilmar's, get another audio plugin.
Download: (Comes with Mupen64 0.5)
[edit] Input Plugins
Input plugins transfer the input to the game. The main functions are of course the keys, but there may also be extra functions, like memory pak or mouse support. Look and see which plugin fits you the best.
Note: Games react differently to different input plugins. If one doesn't work, try another.
[edit] Jabo's DirectInput7
Description: Again an easy-to-use plugin.
Newest version: 1.6
Download: (Comes with Project64 1.6)
[edit] N-Rage's DirectInput8
Description: This plugin has much more options than Jabo's.
Newest version: V2 1.82a
Download: (Comes with all emulators that support changing the input plugin)
[edit] Adaptoid Plugin
Description: If you are a proud owner of an Adaptoid and a real N64 controller, use this.
Newest version: 1.0
Download: (Comes with Project64 1.6)
[edit] TAS Input Plugin
Description: A new plugin by nitsuja with tool-assisted speedrunning in mind. It has an on-top dialog displayed that allows the analog stick to be controlled as precise as possible; it also has auto-hold and auto-fire for all the buttons. It currently has only been tested with Mupen64 0.5, and it is not known if it works with other emulators.
Newest version: 0.6
Download: TASVideos Forum
[edit] RSP plugins
The RSP is the controlling unit of the N64. Audio, video, and the core go through it. Therefore the RSP must be designed for high compatibility, and that isn't easy, so this list is rather empty...
[edit] RSP emulation plugin
Description: The standard RSP plugin. Good compatibility, no options needed.
Download: (Comes with Project64 1.6 and 1964 0.99)
[edit] Hacktarux/Azimer HLE RSP Plugin
Desctiption: This plugin is faster than the above, but isn't very compatible, though it supports some games the RSP emulation plugin doesn't, so hold this one ready.
Download: (Comes with Mupen64 0.5)
[edit] See also
Nintendo64 Emulation Configuration List: Nice list of working plugin/emulator combinations for each game. Warning: 56K alert!
