If you want to play your favorite Nintendo 64 games on a computer, you need an emulator. This is where Project64 enters the picture. Even though it is two decades old, Project64 is still one of the most popular Nintendo 64 emulators in the world. Download Project64 latest version for Windows, macOS, and Android.
What is Project64?
Project64 is a Nintendo 64 emulator written in C++. Work on the emulator started in 1998. Zilmar was leading the team. He met Jabo in 1999. Jabo was also working on an N64 emulator. The programmers decided to work on project64 together.
Initially, Jabo wanted to focus his efforts on assembly language and the CPU. However, he eventually became a Graphics developer. The team kept modifying the emulator, availing new functions and features with each release.
For instance, Project64k provided multiplayer abilities. Jabo eventually left the project. Zilmar stayed with the emulator. A new version of Project64 came out as recently as 2021.
The emulator has been lauded over the years for exceeding Nintendo’s N64 emulation in so many ways, including providing advanced settings that allow users to alter the aspect ratio.
The emulator suffered a few setbacks when people learned that the official installer had malware. But faith in Project64 was restored when the malware was removed in 2016.
Project64 Features
- Compatible with Windows and Android
- Written in C++
- It uses a plug-in system
- It can read ROM Images dumped from an N64 ROM cartridge as well as homebrew applications
- Open-Source
How To Install Project64?
This emulator works on Windows. You cannot use it on a Mac. It has some glitches. But for the most part, it works.
Project64 System Requirements
- Windows XP and higher
- Intel/AMD CPU (SSE2 Support)
- 512MB of RAM
- DirectX 8, OpenGL 1.1, and OpenGL 3.3 capable (Graphics Card)
If your computer can meet these basic requirements, this is what you can expect from the installation process:
1). Download Project64. Because of the installer’s history with malware, you have to proceed cautiously. Vet the source carefully before you download their files
2). Many emulators are available as standalone programs. In other words, you don’t have to install the program. Project64 comes in a zip file. Extract and launch the emulator.
3). Keep Project64 in a common folder. Storing it on the C Drive will give it read-only access. It won’t save.
Where to download?
Project64 3.0.1 Installer
- For Windows (4.15 MB)
Project64 3.0.1 Zip
- For Windows (4.29 MB)
Project64 v2.3.2
- For Windows (2.28 MB)
Project64 v2.3
- For Windows (2.27 MB)
Source Code
https://github.com/project64/project64
- Platform: Windows
- File size: 2.28MB, (4.29MB)
- License: Freeware
- Release date: 2014
How To Use Project64?
Step 1. Once you extract the emulator, you can launch it.
Step 2. If you want to configure the controls, go to ‘Options’ and select ‘Configure Controller Plugin’. The window you will get depends on the version of project64 you have.
Step 3. To load a game, go to ‘File’ and then ‘Open ROM’.
Step 4. If you’re one of those Windows 10 users that are seeing the blue screen of death because of this emulator, just restart your computer. Once the computer restarts, right-click the emulator’s .exe and go to “Properties”. Jump to “Compatibility” and check the box that allows the program to run under Windows 7 emulation.
Conclusion
Project64 is not the best N64 emulator on the market. However, it lives up to the hype. Most of the bugs and glitches have been fixed. And now that the malware code has been removed from the installer, you can safely download and install the emulator.
