# Nintendo 64

The N64 is one of the more demanding systems to emulate, but Provenance offers strong support through **Mupen64Plus** (RetroArch-based). This guide covers setup, custom texture packs, and optimization.

***

## Basics

| Detail            | Info                                  |
| ----------------- | ------------------------------------- |
| **Core**          | Mupen64Plus (RetroArch)               |
| **BIOS required** | No                                    |
| **ROM formats**   | `.z64`, `.n64`, `.v64`, `.zip`, `.7z` |
| **Max players**   | 4                                     |
| **Save format**   | `.eep`, `.sra`, `.fla`, `.mpk`        |

***

## Custom Texture Packs

Mupen64Plus supports **high-resolution custom texture packs** that replace the original low-res N64 textures with community-created HD versions. Games like Ocarina of Time, Mario 64, and GoldenEye have stunning texture packs available.

### Installing Texture Packs

1. Download a texture pack for your game (common formats: `.htc`, `.hts`, or folders of PNG files)
2. Start the Web Server in Provenance (tap **+** or Settings → Import/Export)
3. Navigate to the RetroArch system folder:

   ```
   RetroArch/system/Mupen64Plus/hires_texture/[GameName]/
   ```
4. Upload the texture pack files into the game-specific folder
5. Launch the game — HD textures load automatically

{% hint style="info" %}
Texture pack folder names must match the game's internal ROM name. Check the Mupen64Plus documentation or the texture pack's README for the correct folder name.
{% endhint %}

### Finding Texture Packs

* [**Emulation King Texture Packs**](https://evilgames.eu/texture-packs.htm) — Large collection organized by game
* [**N64 Texture Packs Reddit**](https://www.reddit.com/r/n64/) — Community-shared packs
* [**Mollymutt's Texture Packs**](https://www.mollymutt.net/) — High-quality packs for popular games

### Popular Texture Packs

| Game            | Pack                | Description                   |
| --------------- | ------------------- | ----------------------------- |
| Ocarina of Time | Community Retexture | Complete HD overhaul          |
| Super Mario 64  | HD Texture Pack     | Clean, upscaled textures      |
| GoldenEye 007   | GoldenEye HD        | Modernized textures           |
| Majora's Mask   | HD Pack             | Faithful HD recreation        |
| Mario Kart 64   | HD Pack             | Updated tracks and characters |

***

## Core Configuration

Access advanced Mupen64Plus settings through the RetroArch interface:

1. Launch an N64 game
2. Open the **pause menu**
3. Select **RetroArch Settings**

### Key Settings

| Setting                   | Options                   | Recommendation                                 |
| ------------------------- | ------------------------- | ---------------------------------------------- |
| **Resolution**            | Native, 2x, 4x            | 2x for most devices, native for older hardware |
| **GFX Plugin**            | GLideN64, Angrylion, Rice | GLideN64 (best balance of speed and accuracy)  |
| **RSP Plugin**            | HLE, LLE                  | HLE (faster), LLE (more accurate)              |
| **Framebuffer emulation** | On/Off                    | On (fixes graphical glitches in many games)    |
| **Texture filtering**     | None, xBRZ, 3-point       | 3-point (authentic N64 look)                   |

***

## Performance Tips

The N64 is one of the more demanding systems:

* **Newer devices recommended** — iPhone 11+ / iPad Air 3+ for smooth performance
* **Use the Release build** if building from source — Debug builds are 5-10x slower
* **Lower resolution** if needed — Drop from 2x to native in RetroArch settings
* **Close background apps** — Free up RAM for the emulator
* **Disable HD texture packs** — They look great but increase memory usage and loading times

***

## Known Quirks

<details>

<summary><strong>Some games have graphical glitches</strong></summary>

N64 emulation isn't perfect. Try different GFX plugins (GLideN64 vs Rice vs Angrylion) in RetroArch settings. Some games work better with specific plugins.

</details>

<details>

<summary><strong>Controller Pak saves not working</strong></summary>

Some N64 games use the Controller Pak (memory card) instead of EEPROM/SRAM. Make sure the core's Controller Pak emulation is enabled in RetroArch settings → Options.

</details>

<details>

<summary><strong>Audio crackles or pops</strong></summary>

Increase the audio buffer size in RetroArch settings → Audio. This trades slight audio latency for smoother playback. Also ensure no background apps are competing for CPU.

</details>

***

{% hint style="info" %}
Need help? Ask on [Discord](https://discord.gg/provenance).
{% endhint %}


---

# Agent Instructions: Querying This Documentation

If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question.

Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter:

```
GET https://wiki.provenance-emu.com/platforms-and-performance/system-guides/n64.md?ask=<question>
```

The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation.

Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.