Consoles and Emulators: RetroArch

RetroArch, is a multi-emulator GUI frontend which allows you to play DK64 Randomizer using the Mupen64Plus-Next core. (Do NOT use the ParaLLEI N64 core.) The Mupen64Plus-Next core was updated on July 19 2024 to allow the advanced ROM header to be used with RetroArch, which DK64 Randomizer uses to allow the game to save and set various other settings. You will want to use RetroArch version 1.19.1 or later, and you will want the Mupen64Plus-Next core version 2.7 or later.

Getting the Game to Save

Utilize the Advanced ROM Header on the DK64R website. This has to be done for every seed you play on RetroArch.

Setting Up RetroArch for DK64 Randomizer

RetroArch has a unique menu interface which can make it difficult to find the right settings to make adjustments. Please read through all of the topics below to ensure everything is set up correctly. If done correctly, you will only need to make the following adjustments one time.

Install / Reinstall the Mupen64Plus-Next core

1. Under the "Main Menu" tab, click "Load Core".
2. Click "Download a Core".
3. Scroll down to "Nintendo - Nintendo 64 (Mupen64Plus-Next)" and click it to install.
4. You can now go back to the "Load Core" menu to see that the Mupen64Plus-Next core has been downloaded.

Set up your controller

1. Under the "Settings" tab, click "Input".
2. Click "RetroPad Binds".
3. Click "Port 1 Controls".
4. Use "Device Index" to set the controller you wish to use.
5. You can now set the button assignments. Click the button you wish to assign, then you will have 3 seconds to press the button on the controller. RetroArch's button layout is deceiving for N64 games! The following list is what each button corresponds to:

• The D-Pad and Start buttons are as expected
• B button is equivalent to N64 A Button
• Y button is equivalent to N64 B Button
• A and X buttons are not used for N64 games
• L2 button (trigger) is equivalent to N64 Z Button
• L1 is equivalent to N64 L
• R1 is equivalent to N64 R
• Left analog X+ = Right
• Left analog X- = Left
• Left analog Y+ = Down
• Left analog Y- = Up
• Right analog X+ = C-Right
• Right analog X- = C-Left
• Right analog Y+ = C-Down
• Right analog Y- = C-Up
• Other buttons that are not used for N64 are: Select, R2, L3, R3 and any of the Gun buttons. In addition, do not assign the Turbo button to prevent issues where you may accidentally turn it on.

Reduce game lag

1. Open the DK64 randomizer rom.
2. Access the "Quick Menu" by either pressing F1 or "Command" -> "Menu Toggle" via the menu bar.
3. Click "Core Options".
4. Set the "Count-Per-Op" setting to 1. This will bring the experienced lag to be in line with PJ64 and other emulators.
5. Go back out to the "Quick Menu" then click "Close Content".
6. In the "Main Menu", click "Restart" to restart the application to save the change.

Known Issues

• RetroArch does not have a way to disable N64-style mipmapping. As such, textures such as the Kong's eyes, render as very blurry.

Do not use

Parallel N64 Core

The ParaLLEI core does not have the graphical spiking bugs, but instead has various graphics that don't properly load when you are far away (objects are just black shapes) or simply dont load at all. In addition, the advanced ROM header is not supported and thus your game will not save.

Steam Version

The steam version of RetroArch is an older version of the software which does not properly support DK64 Randomizer

Nintendo Switch

The version of RetroArch that's compatible with the Nintendo Switch is too old to have the necessary changes to support DK64 Randomizer.