Nintendo 64
Nintendo's first 3D console with iconic titles.
Overview
The Nintendo 64 (1996) was Nintendo's first 3D console, home to Super Mario 64, Ocarina of Time, GoldenEye, and many more classics. Emulation runs excellently on Steam Deck.
| Year | 1996 |
| Media | Cartridge |
| Steam Deck | Excellent |
| BIOS Required | No |
Emulators
| Emulator | Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Mupen64Plus-Next | RetroArch core | Best overall for Steam Deck |
| ParaLLEl N64 | RetroArch core | More accurate, more demanding |
| simple64 | Standalone | Easy to use standalone option |
Setup
ROM Folder
File Formats
.z64 (preferred), .n64, .v64, .zip
N64 ROMs come in different byte orders. The .z64 format (big-endian) is native and preferred. The .n64 (little-endian) and .v64 (byte-swapped) formats work but z64 is best. No-Intro uses z64.
BIOS
Not Required
Graphics Plugins
N64 emulators use graphics plugins. Common options:
- GLideN64: Most accurate, good performance
- ParaLLEl-RDP: Highly accurate, can be demanding
- Rice: Fast but less accurate
Known Quirks
N64 emulation has some game-specific issues due to the console's unique architecture. Most are minor. Check compatibility lists for specific games if you encounter problems.
Where to Find Games
No-Intro N64 sets are on Myrient in z64 format. See the Download Guide.