Project 64 is one of the best N64 emulators that is currently downloadable off the interent. Even with slower systems. PJ64 plays well under system resource deress. Not only that, but many plugins are available to help tweak the emulator. The author keeps the software up to date and is developing a Version 1.7 from a new form of scratch code.

EmulatorPro Rating: 10/10

Latest Version: 1.6

Website Link:  www.pj64-emu.com

Download PJ64 / Project 64 Emulator

Information

* How well does PJ64 emulate the machine in question?

There isn't a hard and fast compatibility list, but around 75-80% of games are compatible and will play almost perfectly. There are around another 10% that work but with problems. Certain games are not emulated yet, these games include Resident Evil 2, but it is hoped that in the near future another Nintendo 64 emulator will be able to emulate this game adequately.

* General PJ64 Information

PJ64 was started as an exercise by the authors to see if they had the ability to be able to program an emulator for the N64. The way PJ64 was created is very technical, and to try to explain it within the confines of an opinion would be both irrelevant and too lengthy.

Next bit is a little technical, so feel free to skip it:

The main parts that needed to be coded for the emulator was something called the Core. The core is the main part of the console, and the part that instructs the machine what it needs to do. Once this was done several other parts were added, including something called RSP (Reality Signal Processor) emulation. This is another major part of the N64, and it is testament to the skills of the programmers that virtually every game will run using the core and the RSP they have made.

So how come I said that all games weren't playable if the Core and the RSP emulation are so good. The problem lies in the system this emulator uses. Basically it is made in such a way so that other coders can make plug-ins for it. These plug-ins control how the sound works, what the graphics look like, and your controller settings.

Unfortunately non of these plug-ins are perfect for varying reasons, mainly due to the fact that to make these plug-ins they have to code them in incredibly complex ways. The authors have to emulate specialized hardware chips that were used in the console via software manipulation. This means that for perfect emulation a very powerful PC would be needed (conservative estimation rates this as around 5ghz or higher!).

So every plug-in has to be highly optimized and efficient, the problem is that optimizations that make one game run faster/more compatible could have adverse effects on other games, and even stop them working completely. Slowly though the quality of the Plug-ins are getting better.

* More Information

Project64 dates back to It's first public release Project64 v1.0 in May 26th 2001. Project64 is an emulator designed to emulate a Nintendo64 video game system on a Microsoft Windows based PC. It creates an environment on your PC which real N64 software can run and be played in much the same way as it would be on the original hardware system. It has a fantastic compatibility and is one of "if not the best" N64 emulator out there. The Game play is a pure pleasure and is entertaining for all N64 based Fans, but your Computer had better meet or excel the Minimum System Specifications.