Nintendo’s Star Fox 64 remake announcement for Switch 2 sent half the internet straight back to a controller they had not held in twenty years. The Switch 2 version arrives in June, but the originals run very well right now on a Snapdragon-class Android phone with the right emulator. The six N64 emulator apps for Android below are the ones we keep installed in 2026, ranked by how much trouble each saves you.
What to look for in an N64 emulator on Android
Five things matter:
- Plugin choice. N64 emulators are built around graphics plugins (GLideN64 is the modern default) and rendering plugins (Parallel-RDP for accuracy, Rice and glN64 for legacy compatibility). Apps that expose these matter for tricky games.
- Per-game profiles. Touch overlay layout, control mapping, and graphics tuning vary by game. The best apps remember your tweaks per ROM.
- Controller support. Native gamepad pairing, MFi support, and proper analogue stick calibration are non-negotiable for N64.
- Save states and rewind. Both are common but differ in implementation. Cloud-backed saves are a bonus.
- Performance and battery. Modern Snapdragon 8-class phones run the entire N64 catalogue at 1.5x to 2x resolution without breaking a sweat. Lower-end Android hardware needs the right plugin choices.
Quick comparison
| App | Best for | Free plan | Multi-system | Per-game profiles |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| M64Plus FZ Emulator | The default free N64 emulator on Android | Yes (ad-supported) | No | Yes |
| M64Plus FZ Pro | Same engine, no ads, online netplay | Paid | No | Yes |
| RetroArch | Power users on every platform | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Lemuroid | A clean libretro frontend with auto-config | Yes | Yes | Some |
| ClassicBoy Gold | Multi-system convenience for casual players | Yes | Yes | Limited |
| Mupen64Plus AE | The original PaulsCode build | Yes | No | Yes |
The apps
1. M64Plus FZ Emulator, the default
M64Plus FZ Emulator is the free build most users start with. It bundles GLideN64, glide64mk2, Rice, glN64, Parallel-RDP, Parallel-RSP, and mupen64plus-rsp-hle, which means almost every commercial game has at least one plugin combination that runs it. Per-game profiles cover graphics, audio, and input. The on-screen controller is configurable down to per-button positions, and the app supports multiple gamepads for couch multiplayer.
The free version is ad-supported. The Pro version below removes ads and adds netplay.
Where it falls short: ad placement is fine but interrupts the menu flow. Free version has no online netplay.
Pricing:
- Free with ads.
Platforms: Android.
Bottom line: install this first. The default free N64 experience on Android.
2. M64Plus FZ Pro Emulator, no ads and netplay
M64Plus FZ Pro Emulator is the paid build of the same engine. Identical compatibility, plus online netplay, Google Drive cloud save backup, and no ads. Netplay needs a router that supports UPnP or a manual port forward.
For users who play N64 weekly, the Pro purchase pays for itself in saved interruptions.
Where it falls short: netplay still has the usual NAT difficulties. Pro is a separate purchase, not an in-app upgrade.
Pricing:
- One-time paid purchase.
Platforms: Android.
Bottom line: the right pick if you play often or want online co-op.
3. RetroArch, the power-user frontend
RetroArch runs everything. The Mupen64Plus-Next libretro core is the main N64 path, with ParaLLEl-N64 as a more accuracy-focused alternative. RetroArch’s strengths are unified configuration, custom shaders that genuinely upgrade the look of N64 games, save state management with rewind, and netplay across all cores. The cost is the menu, which still feels like a 1990s console BIOS at first.
For users who want one app for N64, PSP, GBA, and a dozen other systems, RetroArch is the answer.
Where it falls short: menu UX is dense for newcomers. Initial configuration takes a while.
Pricing:
- Free, open source.
Platforms: Android, iOS (sideload), Windows, macOS, Linux.
Download: Download
Bottom line: the right pick if you also emulate other systems and want one tool to rule them all.
4. Lemuroid, libretro without the steep learning curve
Lemuroid is a libretro frontend designed for normal humans. Drop ROMs into a folder, open the app, and play. The N64 core is Mupen64Plus, the same as RetroArch underneath, but Lemuroid hides the ten layers of menus. Save states, gamepad mapping, and basic graphics options live in a clean Material UI.
The trade-off is choice. You do not get to pick between five graphics plugins or apply CRT shaders. For users who want to play Mario 64 on a phone in five minutes flat, that is a feature.
Where it falls short: less configurable than RetroArch. Plugin selection is automatic.
Pricing:
- Free, open source.
Platforms: Android.
Bottom line: the right pick if you want libretro under the hood with a UI that respects your time.
5. ClassicBoy Gold, multi-system convenience
ClassicBoy Gold runs N64, PS1, NES, SNES, Game Boy, GBA, Genesis, and a few more in one app. The N64 core is functional rather than excellent: most games run, some demanding titles drop frames on mid-range hardware. The multi-touch gesture mapping is unusual and works well on phones without an external controller.
It is the right pick when N64 is one of several systems you want, and you do not want to maintain a RetroArch setup. For a serious N64 session, the Mupen64Plus FZ pair is better.
Where it falls short: N64 performance on demanding games trails dedicated apps. Some advanced features are paid.
Pricing:
- Free with ads.
- Gold (paid) removes ads and unlocks additional features.
Platforms: Android.
Bottom line: the right pick when you want one casual multi-system app and do not need maximum N64 fidelity.
6. Mupen64Plus AE, the original PaulsCode build
Mupen64Plus AE is the original Android port maintained by Paul Lamb. The codebase is the ancestor of the FZ fork and lives on as a PaulsCode community project. Compatibility is good, and it is a useful fallback if a specific game runs better on AE than on FZ.
Updates are slower than FZ, and the UI is older. Treat AE as a second tool you keep around for the rare game that prefers it.
Where it falls short: development pace is slower than the FZ fork. UI is dated.
Pricing:
- Free, open source.
Platforms: Android.
Download: Download
Bottom line: the right pick as a backup. Most users will live in M64Plus FZ.
How to pick the right one
If you want to play N64 games today with the least friction, install M64Plus FZ Emulator and skip the rest of this section.
If you play often or want online co-op, upgrade to M64Plus FZ Pro.
If you also emulate PSP, PS1, or GBA and want one frontend, install RetroArch with the Mupen64Plus-Next and ParaLLEl-N64 cores.
If you want libretro’s reliability with a clean UI, install Lemuroid.
If N64 is one of several systems you want with no setup time, ClassicBoy Gold is the casual option.
If a specific tricky game runs better on the original PaulsCode build, install Mupen64Plus AE as a backup.
FAQ
What is the best N64 emulator for Android?
M64Plus FZ Emulator is the free pick. M64Plus FZ Pro is the paid pick if you want no ads and netplay. RetroArch is the right answer if you also emulate other systems.
Do I need a controller to play N64 games on Android?
Strongly recommended for action and platforming games. Touch controls work for menus and slower titles, but the analogue stick especially benefits from a real gamepad. Any Bluetooth or USB-C controller paired through Android system settings works.
Where do I get N64 ROMs legally?
You need to own the original cartridge and dump the ROM yourself, or use ROMs of homebrew titles. Many homebrew N64 games are free to download from their developers’ sites.
Can I play Mario 64 PC port on Android?
The Super Mario 64 PC port has been packaged into Android APKs by various ports, but availability shifts as Nintendo issues takedowns. We do not link to those builds.
Do these emulators support netplay?
M64Plus FZ Pro and RetroArch both support N64 netplay. Both need a stable connection on at least one side, ideally with UPnP enabled on the host’s router.
