simple64 FAQ
The only main requirements are:
- A GPU that can support Vulkan 1.1 or higher.
- A CPU that is capable of x86-64-v3 instructions (AVX2) instructions (see the screenshot as an example).
Please use a program such as HWInfo or CPU-Z to find this info.
Example from CPU-Z:
As you can see in the instructions box it lists AVX2, so this will be able to run the emulator.
Make sure for Nvidia laptops you select the following options in the control panel:
- Preferred GPU - Set this to the Nvidia GPU.
- Performance Mode - Set this to High Performance
If after doing all the steps to try and get Simple64 working it still doesn't work (or it runs poorly) then it might be that the GPU and/or CPU is too weak to run the emulator at full speed.
Chromebooks and budget laptops with Atom CPUs will not work as they are missing the AVX2 instruction set.
Bandicam causes simple64 to crash.
Uninstall Bandicam if you want to use simple64.
Action! by Mirilis also causes the same issues as Bandicam.
OBS does not have issues with simple64 so it's recommended to use this program.
- On Windows: %APPDATA%\Mupen64Plus\save
- %APPDATA% usually resolves to C:\Users\<you>\AppData\Roaming\
- On Linux (Flatpak): ~/.var/app/io.github.simple64.simple64/data/mupen64plus/save
- If you've compiled it yourself, then: ~/.local/share/mupen64plus/save
You can change where the emulator stores saves and it's config files by changing the following:
-
In Settings > Plugin and Path Selection
- Change Config Dir Path to a location of your choice e.g. /Simple64/Config/
-
In Settings > Core and Video Settings
- Under the Core tab:
- Change SaveStatePath to a path of your choice e.g. /Savestates/
- Change SaveSRAMPath to a path of your choice e.g. /Saves/
- Under the Core tab:
Simple64 has a built-in cheats menu.
No, sorry it takes a lot of time. You are welcome to add the feature yourself.
No, simple64 only supports Parallel.
There is an older build from May 2021 that uses Glide64 but you'll be missing out on the latest features including bugfixes and optimizations.
simple64 supports the following accessories and features:
- Memory Pak
- Rumble Pak
- Voice Recognition Unit (VRU)
- Netplay
- Save states
We can't help you with that as downloading ROMs for games you don't own is illegal. You can use google to find information on how to dump your own cartridge.
DO NOT ASK FOR ROMS ON THE DISCORD!
These emulators are not simple64, you will have to get in touch with their maintainers.
Stuttering could be how the game was on original n64 hardware, these days we notice 'stutter' more because we are used to 60fps.
It could also be your system, there's so many build variants that there's no way to know.
If you're absolutely sure its the emulator then open a ticket on the GitHub page: https://github.com/simple64/simple64/issues
Sorry, simple64 cannot do this. Parallel-RDP (responsible for graphics) is a low-level graphics emulator that is not capable of recognizing HD textures.
Other N64 emulators can do this if they use an HD texture-capable graphics plugin.
Retroarch is not simple64 and as such has different system requirements.
Make sure you meet the minimum requirements outlined in #1 and also complete the steps in #12.
Have you updated the drivers for your GPU?
Do not use Windows Update for your video drivers!
Windows Update nearly always selects the wrong type of driver or installs a really old version, always get them from your chipset manufacturer.
I really recommend using DDU for clean driver installs.
Yes, you can remap the controls in the Controller Configuration screen by selecting Manage Profiles > New Profile and create one for either keyboard or gamepad.
Note: You cannot map two buttons to the same input!
Settings -> Controller Configuration Manage Profiles -> New Profile (Gamepad)
After setting all the button binds and saving: Profile -> (Your controller profile) Gamepad -> (Your controller)
That should then allow that controller to work.
It depends, there may be issues such as flickering or corruption which could make it unplayable.
In other cases the rom hack won't boot at all so you would need to use a different emulator.
When running from the terminal, flatpak doesn't have access to your file system. You need to add the --filesystem=host:ro option.
For example:
flatpak run --filesystem=host:ro io.github.simple64.simple64 ~/N64/Super\ Mario\ 64\ \(USA\).7z
You probably need to clear the GPU shader cache folder.
On Windows navigate to the folder by opening Run (Press Win + R) and then type %localappdata%.
Depending on your GPU manufacturer you'll need to open either the AMD, NVIDIA or Intel folder and find the folder named VkCache.
The path should be C:\Users\<YOURUSER>\AppData\Local and then either AMD, Nvidia or Intel.
Go into that folder and delete all the files there and then run the emulator again.
Not within Simple64 itself, however you can use something called Reshade which will allow you to use shaders.
First of all grab Reshade.
Then follow the following guide to setup the program correctly:
Double-click the Reshade Setup exe and click Browse, this will then allow you to select the program you want - in this case it's simple64-gui.exe.
Then it'll ask you about what API it uses, you'll need to select Vulkan.
It'll then ask about a preset, click skip.
You'll get to a window with a lot of effect packages, use the button at the top to uncheck and recheck them all apart from the very bottom (untick this one should be called Legacy Effects) and SweetFX (which wants to be a black box, not a tick).
Now open simple64 and load a rom, it should show a Reshade loading bar while the rom is booting then press HOME (default key).
You'll get a menu, click the Skip Tutorial button unless you need a refresher.
You can then add effects like CRT and many others.
Make sure to tick the performance mode when you're finished tinkering so it doesn't hog resources.
Here's reshade loaded in Resident Evil 2 for proof of it working.
The default keys are listed here: https://github.com/simple64/simple64/wiki/Hotkeys
This link should also match the default keyboard setup since Simple64 is a fork of Mupen64Plus: https://mupen64plus.org/wiki/index.php/KeyboardSetup