N64 Emulation - The Whys And Why Nots

[Vynx]

Don't worry, this isn't a topic asking for an N64 emulator, but rather, a question as to why it hasn't been done? I'm not the most technical minded person in the world, but obviously there must be some barrier problems to achieve such a goal, and I am aware that there are different methods of approach to this same problem - but again, I don't understand the difference between say, how Corn emulates Mario 64 so well, while others tend to run into extreme slowdowns - does an emulator like Corn need to be custom coded for each specific game?

I know the PSP has N64 emulation, and while slow, it's still an accomplishment in itself. I'm just wondering if there are any technical minded people out there that could explain why the N64 might be a difficult system to emulate, call it curiosity.



I know the PSX emulator is coming along in leaps and bounds, but that's not suprising given how much work is going into it. Would an N64 emulator be just as difficult to create with playable framerates? What is it about the N64 hardware that makes it so difficult to emulate?

 

[Shikaku]

96 MHz PROCESSOR
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96 MHz PROCESSOR

 

[Nickmon]

Don't worry, this isn't a topic asking for an N64 emulator, but rather, a question as to why it hasn't been done? I'm not the most technical minded person in the world, but obviously there must be some barrier problems to achieve such a goal, and I am aware that there are different methods of approach to this same problem - but again, I don't understand the difference between say, how Corn emulates Mario 64 so well, while others tend to run into extreme slowdowns - does an emulator like Corn need to be custom coded for each specific game?

I know the PSP has N64 emulation, and while slow, it's still an accomplishment in itself. I'm just wondering if there are any technical minded people out there that could explain why the N64 might be a difficult system to emulate, call it curiosity.



I know the PSX emulator is coming along in leaps and bounds, but that's not suprising given how much work is going into it. Would an N64 emulator be just as difficult to create with playable framerates? What is it about the N64 hardware that makes it so difficult to emulate?

Its a much faster system and more complex.

Ebay - N64s are cheap !

 

[Shikaku]

OK, real answer: the PSX is extremely inferior to the N64. It has a 33 MHz processor with a FPU. The N64 has a 96(!) MHz processor and a dedicated powerful Graphics Processor (with a low cache..). The required power for most systems to be emulated WELL is to have 10 times the power of the system in question to emulate.

The only reason it is probable on the PSP is because it has a GPU and similar architecture (MIPS) (this is the same reason GBA is possible full speed on the GP2X, both ARM)

 

[Vynx]

OK, real answer: the PSX is extremely inferior to the N64. It has a 33 MHz processor with a FPU. The N64 has a 96(!) MHz processor and a dedicated powerful Graphics Processor (with a low cache..). The required power for most systems to be emulated WELL is to have 10 times the power of the system in question to emulate.

The only reason it is probable on the PSP is because it has a GPU and similar architecture (MIPS) (this is the same reason GBA is possible full speed on the GP2X, both ARM)

The kind of answer I was looking for, thankyou

 

[Epicenter]

Your cute kitten avatar is the only thing holding back my unbridled rage. No, really, this should've stayed as one topic .. at any rate. The 10:1 rule is by no means universal, and doesn't really apply in all applications. But the N64's CPU is too much to handle.

 

[washo]

maybe I'll be flamed for what I will say but:
someone with skills and freetime (I only have time, maybe if I start learning ASM and C++ now......) could try to compile something for the GP2X, without putting a lot of effort: just having it running.
Then we would all be able to see by ourselves if it is possible to improve it to a playable state or just thank the guy and go to something else.
If you all remember well, some months ago, PSX was doomed as a lot said, but now thanks to the wonderfull work from zodttd, Unai (no offence if I forget someone), this dream is becoming a reality.
Just to say that we never know before doing.
I dont expect 60fps, crystal clear sound on Majoras mask...

see you :lol:


I took me time to write so I just read about MIPS and 3d chip....
If it is really too much to handle then

 

[mdinire]

Would it not be possible for an emulator made for just one game..... like Mario 64 lol.. i remember playing that with perefect speed on my old old PC

 

[Shikaku]

Would it not be possible for an emulator made for just one game..... like Mario 64 lol.. i remember playing that with perefect speed on my old old PC

NONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONO

GP2X IS NOT A 3D POWERHOUSE!!!

*explodes*

 

[Paradox]

there should be a filter instantly deleting topics with n64 in the title when they are created

 

[Fishbong]

Why is it that the N64 had inferior graphics when its hardware was so stunningly superior to the PSX?

 

[Khatoblepas]

Cartridge space. The N64 didn't have as much space for models and textures as the PSX did. But it made up for it in speed. Oh, and no loading times.

It's technically superior, the game medium was inferior.

 

[PokeParadox]

Well the N64 didn't really have inferior graphics... when they were done properly they really shone. Unfortunately these were generally over-shadowed by the fact the PSX had larger textures etc due to the CD medium... which meant a game could luck fancier with less polys... and also FMV... the FMV was always a good way to make the PSX look superior.

 

[Alex.]

Why do you all drool after 3D so? Grr, be happy with the golden 16bit age damnit. :angry:

- Alex

 

[Mr. B]

I'm new here and i've already seen so much "somebody could/should" whatever. Why the hell would somebody devote weeks/months to a project they know could only result in a slow/unplayable emulator?

 

[jlebrech]

I wonder if a n64 looking game could be made, natively?

 

[epitaph]

Why is it that the N64 had inferior graphics when its hardware was so stunningly superior to the PSX?

The SGI GPU had a very small texture cache (4k), which made it hard to load hi-res textures.

 

[PokeParadox]

I wonder if a n64 looking game could be made, natively?

Not really... think more... playstation 1....

The Gp2X doesn't have the same capabilities. The N64 had some nice features for 3D GFX. The GP2X doesn't have hardware 3D processing, so something that looks as nice(as in the nice looking N64 games...) is not going to happen.

 

[garengarch]

sigh

note to self
you're not nearly as clever or remotely as funny as alcohol makes you think you are

 

[Epicenter]

maybe I'll be flamed for what I will say but:
someone with skills and freetime (I only have time, maybe if I start learning ASM and C++ now......) could try to compile something for the GP2X, without putting a lot of effort: just having it running.
Then we would all be able to see by ourselves if it is possible to improve it to a playable state or just thank the guy and go to something else.
If you all remember well, some months ago, PSX was doomed as a lot said, but now thanks to the wonderfull work from zodttd, Unai (no offence if I forget someone), this dream is becoming a reality.
Just to say that we never know before doing.
I dont expect 60fps, crystal clear sound on Majoras mask...

I won't flame you but what you propose is impossible, and PSX emulation hasn't even reached a playable state. It's not even very close. And the fact it's gotten THIS far without any sort of dedicated 3D hardware is practically a miracle.