Watch: Modern Vintage Gamer Shares An In-Depth Look At The Pros And Cons Of Nintendo's N64 Emulation

It worries me that Nintendo won't remake Ocarina of Time and Majora's Mask in HD/UHD because of this... thing.

It's only 9 games, hopefully Nintendo patch these real quick before they give us the rest of the 38 N64 titles that's coming slowly. Knowing it had emulation issues, I'm glad they never attempted an N64 Classic Mini otherwise the fans would had torn that thing apart.

While Nintendo is charging a premium for these features and games, I'm confident there will be patches and fixes coming for a lot of these issues.

I think they're playable. Not perfectly, and I really hope they'll fix it, but I don't hate it.

What I hate more is the price they're asking for what they're offering.

This guy is a bit of a snob. I grew up with the N64 and the NSO service is pretty great imo. Not perfect, but good fun

As a mad N64 collector I have no need for this service but I can understand the frustration of others.

I have access to all the PAL games released and there are some truly awesome games, shame half of them won't be available.

These are some of my cabinets

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1OIYj11R9y6zVROIDpQH3XW-ancdGu8_j/view?usp=drivesdk

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1OMZe76yZRpGz-Gt1hZQ74CxLKZfiRNts/view?usp=drivesdk

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1i4bI_lz7IUle4yI6FPuCO90kieMN78OA/view?usp=drivesdk

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1i9FKSjtll1Cv8i8bdF3ej6efM5VXGvu9/view?usp=drivesdk

As you can tell, I love my 64.
Yes, I have played them all.

@BlueOcean there's a cool pair of grezzo developed 3DS games that may be of interest to you

@Mattock1987 Reporting on facts = being a snob?

Hopefully Nintendo will fix this in the future. In the meantime, I'll stick to the standard NSO subscription.

Hard pass on the input lag alone, who cares about a bit of fog when your actions are that far off from your inputs. How did they manage to make it even worse than it is in Mario 3D All-Stars?

The emulators they want to get rid of better run their games than Nintendo's own service....

I don't hate the lineup of games, just how garbage the emulation is at launch and the fact I feel ripped off for spending money

As expected, most people won't notice...

@yuwarite It's a very interesting video but it seems that some people don't like others being objective about Nintendo.

It’s good enough for Nintendo’s Switch business which doesn’t necessarily depend on high quality output for sales success

@Specter_of-the_OLED I actually would have prefered the N64 mini/classic cause it would have been hacked in under a week with a working open source emulator.

There's no excuse for any of these N64 games running worse than their original releases or community emulated versions. Bare minimum is that they run exactly the same. Minimum.

@poudigne Me too. The controllers would be simple plug and play, too. This subscription service sucks.

@somebread I have them, thank you! I mean new HD/UHD remakes. Also, Majora's Mask 3D has gameplay downgrades.

The 64 is the ONLY Nintendo console I didn't get/buy (my mom got me something different that generation). Though I got to play several N64 classics, I mostly missed this train. While there may be issues, I've been more than happy to explore and enjoy these games that I missed.

At this point, I wonder if my long hoped for rerelease of the Gamecube library would be better off not existing.

Has anybody played Extreme-G back in the day? It was one of my favourite games and probably the best in the series. It seems so difficult to emulate with the right performance.

Are they even targeting casual players with this though? Look at some of the launch games, Sin and Punishment, Musha, Gunstar Heroes... I don't even know how much casual players care about N64 and Mega Drive? They are rather old machines now. Seems more like a service for the older Nintendo and SEGA faithful.

Ok I just want to say that those screenshots seem a bit fake. First, it seemed weird that the first screens are comparing the NA version of the game and the “Switch” one the JP.

Also, it seems it’s being hacked.
Adult Link without the Ocarina of Time? LOL
Also it’s weird Link has no magic bar and only 4 hearts.

Also the second picture has a “pause icon” and a BUD LIGHT ad?

It seems he is just fishing for likes and he is just following his narrative.

Also I’ve seen other users report that the JP version of the ROM didn’t have the reflection in the water originally, so it’s not a Switch problem.

The more of these downer articles I read, the less excited I get about my N64 controller arriving today

I was really hoping I could just play N64 games on my Switch but at this rate, I'm just going to keep my N64 out in my entertainment center and play that when I want a dose of nostalgia.

I'm honestly not counting on Nintendo patching a damn thing. I seriously hope I am wrong but I'd be shocked at this point.

@fafonio I noticed that too.... 4 Hearts at the dark link thing? You pointed out even more than I noticed. These are the reasons I am willing to give this my own go and see what happens. I can't wait to experience this "input lag" people are talking about. There is apparently input lag in the genesis switch collection with the 50 games but I've never noticed it.... I don't think?

@fafonio @ChromaticDracula I don't remember everything in the video or on what platform was each scene but wasn't he comparing Ocarina of Time on multiple platforms including emulators on Series S? Kokiri looks awful on Nintendo Switch without the fog, in between.

@poudigne That pretty much could be done with any mini system. You could basically run PS1 games on NES and SNES Mini so I'm sure you could do N64 on them right now too if you're just gonna put an open source emulator on there anyways.

@IronMan30 Yep, but that doesn't excuse it when free emulators do it better than the company who actually made the games. Also the pricing remains absurd.

@BlueOcean They already did on the 3DS

@faint Read my reply to that.

@BlueOcean I’m talking more about the tweet comparing the images. I think the author is just lying about the sources or platforms he got the screenshots from. He is just tampering with the images with a hacked rom.

@Mattock1987 you'll quickly find that retro gamers tend to be incredibly picky about their retro gaming experiences. Like, down to the pixel...if it's not the same as the original hardware they won't be happy.

That being said, many of them will also take the opportunity to show off their N64 collections so while I do believe that they're addressing issues as they should, they really just want another excuse to flaunt the cartridges that they've managed to amass.

Oh and I'm not taking Nintendo's side on this btw, I do in fact think it's an overpriced service...but we don't really need to hear that from these "retro gamers".

@fafonio Ah OK, I have not seen that, just the video.

@BlueOcean Wow I read the title and suddenly remembered my time with that game. I borrowed it from a friend and it was really fun... can't believe I completely forgot about it. Now I'm also remembering games like Vigilant 8...you just reawakened ancient sealed knowledge lol

@fafonio per the dude's twitter, he's a speedrunner, so, probably not hacking and moreso "insanely good at the game"
considering you can see an ad it's not hard to assume it's a screenshot of a stream/video (DOUBLE EDIT: yes, they are the sponsors of this guy, who is apparently the WR holder for 100% OOT speedrunning); see also https://youtu.be/HK_-UHXPl2U
they've also addressed the whole "It's a Japanese version thing!" https://twitter.com/zfg111/status/1453070996676624385?s=20

The high price rise for n64 games and mega drive is one thing.. but they couldn't even get the emulation right?!

Hardly surprising given the amount of ninty fanboys that defend this sort of thing. Cmon, its only going to get worse the more people defend this

And a lot of games like smash bros still use peer 2 peer instead of servers, it's hilariously bad service

@ATaco Cool, I'm happy to have revived that memory 😁. I really love that game.

@Clyde_Radcliffe even then, those hard-core fans of the n64 and mega drive have plenty of other means of playing these games

Especially mega drive which has endless complications and mini consoles. If the high price for the subscription is due to licensing fees to Sega then why did Nintendo do that in the first place?! Opposed to giving us gameboy games or something. Really baffles me why they did that.

@Doktor-Mandrake The high price is not because of Sega, that's an excuse a few fanboys and self-proclaimed insiders have made. Sega's licences are cheap. That's why so many cheap mini consoles licenced by Sega have been released over the years. Nintendo have released full-priced Wii U ports on Switch, sometimes even more expensive than the original release (Donkey Kong Country Tropical Freeze). Nintendo don't need any excuses to rip their fans off. They just do it.

finding out ZFG, the dude behind most of the ocarina of time news (i.e.: the fog and reflections, which everyone sources SSFF's repost of for some reason) has held the world record for OOT for the last 5 years makes the issues a lot more credible, frankly--if anyone would know the ins and outs of every version of this game, it would be the dude who plays it for a living

And yet another reason for me to NOT waste an extra $30 dollars a year on this crap. Wake The Fu** up people it is a sh** system with one of the LOWEST game counts for a Nintendo console. The test for N64 emulation was the incredibly horrible Mario 3D All-Stars. They knew then that the controllers on the switch could not properly replicate the N64 "tri-horn". And do not get me started on that POS. I said horrible things about the N64 when it first came out and I will until the end of time. Now on the case of Mario Party SS., Thank god that is not emulated. Why couldn't Nintendo have just gone back and revamped each game from the system.

@ChromaticDracula emulation is ALWAYS going to have I put lag compared to OG hardware, as well as playing on lcd screen which also adds input lag

OG hardware on a CRT still best way to experience N64 games, and then PC n64 emulation and the wii VC being 2nd best way to play.. where as this seems the worse way to experience these games

Ever since that one guy told me about current N64 prices I’ve honestly been considering it, there are also N64 emulator consoles from Amazon (which may or may be a scam)

@BlueOcean Guess that's just a reminder I shouldn't believe everything I read on the Internet 🤣

Still a weird choice though given how many choices people have to play mega drive and in a legit fashion! Master System, Saturn, Dreamcast.. any of those would of been better.

Shame nintendo would never just release complimation cartridges would love physical collection of classic nes games snes games ect.. one of the main appeals of my switch to me is the console sells physical medium with the full game on the game card, I'm very selective with what games I buy for my switch (mostly 1st party ninty games), always try to make sure it's FULL game on the cartridge and I just adore my physical collection tbh.. this whole subscription crap to play old games is just depressing but with the lower tier service I thought it as just an added bonus to my sub

He makes it sound like the games are borderline unplayable crap. I usually agree with MVG here but this just comes off as trying to be overly critical for clicks

From the videos I've seen, these ports look fine for my needs.

My issue is with the lack of content for the money and existing online reliability issues.

If I thought Nintendo were planning to release all 38 rumoured N64 games this year (3 a month), I would buy but I get the feeling they will hold many back until this time next year to entice people to renew.

The only plus side to this is if you have never bought any of the N64 titles before. If that is the case, and the Switch is your only optio to ever get to play these games, then yes, that is the only plus.

Other than that, everything about the service is garbage. You are asked to pay an absurd amount of money for games that came out 25 years ago. On top of that, there is absolutely no other bells and whistles. If you count online play, then there. I have tried it with SNES, and despite having good online (as well as the person I played with), it still lags, and there is no match-making options available. Add that with the fact that there is no customization for the games, the performance is worse than the 64, Wii, and Wii U on nearly every level, and the fact that you're only gonna get 1-3 games every 3 months based on Nintendo's track record with NES/SNES, and you have the biggest rip-off in gaming history. I haven't even touched on the fact that service adds no other basic online features, many of which Wii had for free (messaging, the ability to back up all games via SD, native voice chat), nor the fact that you're locked out of you VC purchases behind a $50 paywall for worse versions.

I have no clue how anyone, and I mean ANYONE can defend this. It's corporate greed, and imagine if Sony released a service that was $50 a year to only access PS1 games that had all these issues I mentioned above: People would be bashing them left and right.

@Bizzyb Or maybe more the fact its not even in parity with community made emulators, or even SM64 in 3D all-stars (nintendos OWN game on switch) and is just a flat out lazy cash grab?

All we ever get on this site, it's like when people say they never see the frame rate drops in games, I suppose the capped speeds on the ethernet port for the oled model is just great too huh? Give it a rest.

@Snoober don't mention Sony, or Microsoft they wouldn't want you comparing the service to the competition

Don't know how much their services are but it's not far off what Nintendo are charging for the "expansion"

All I know is I paid £1 once for gamepass on pc and played through gears 5 campaign and some sea of thieves for a month straight, had a fun time!

Games like Smash Bros still using P2P is annoying as well, especially for a fighting game having ACTUAL dedicated servers would be pretty nice you'd think?

I think it's quite bad how the ethernet port on oled is so bad as well, not that I was going to get one but the Internet speeds on Switch are so capped and slow it's like wtaf

I didn't try to get a better conclusion but for single player it seems fine (at least the majority of the games).

But what I think is a little awkward is the "expansion pak" miss well... The "expansion pak" itself. They need a workaround asap, since they put compatible games.

@Doktor-Mandrake Amen dude, and here's the deal no one wants to talk about: When you start pricing on a comparable level to the competition, you should offer similar bells and whistles that the competition offers. I was listening to a guy on YouTube state this service for what they are asking people to pay should have had the majority of all Nintendo first party 64 games at launch.

I own all three systems: The PS5, XBSX, and Switch, and I've been a fan of Nintendo since I was 5 and played my dad's NES for the first time. But this generation, I primarily now play Xbox. They still have that deal, and they actually often offer a 3 month deal for $1 a month. I pay $15 a month for Ultimate, which gets me XBL and GamePass, and I have a blast with it.

Nintendo is charging XBL/PS+ ($50/$60 yearly, yet with monthly options) levels of pricing with their expansion, so yes: People should compare and see what gives you the biggest bang for your buck. I cannot fathom the fact that I am being asked to pay $50 for an online infrastructure that doesn't even feature messaging not inviting friends to a native chat room on the console. It's just embarrassing, but they don't care.

@Snoober Yeah I mean they make great 1st party titles that I enjoy but they're lacking in alot of key areas in this day and age of technology

Last console I had was 360, always been into pc as well as consoles but xbox one and ps4 were just pcs basically and physical games were dying on console , always had console and pc but ended up going full pc

I can accept the price for the basic sub, sadly never got to experience wii online since last nintendo console I owned was n64 but seems to me even that had better functionality then switch online

The only thing that got my into this system was its traditional console feel, collecting my game cards and playing some fun 1st party titles but lately I play things like cruisn blast and great game aside it looks to me like it's smeared in vasoline, and I see quite bad fps drops

All I want is 1080p standard docked, 720p handheld, 30fps and 60fps on games that would benefit, decent online functionality, and physical medium to collect.

I worry for games like metroid prime 4 tbh with the hardware they're having to develop on

@Snoober just to add on top of an already big rant xD

Yes not even being able to invite friends really baffled me first time I got switch online, first time I used online mp on a console since the xbox 360 days and I just sort of assumed it would be there

@commentlife All the reports say that the input is EQUAL to All-Stars. I have both and agree. The input lag isn’t noticeable during regular game play. A total non-issue.

@Snoober I think their reasoning on the price is that they are going to continually add more and more content that will eventually surpass the extra $30 price tag.

So to avoid undervalued the service or having to constantly increase the price they set it at a "future proof" price.

Sadly, it's hard for me to take anything Modern "Remasters of PS2 Kingdom Hearts games aren't feasible on Switch" Vintage Gamer has to say seriously anymore, which is quite sad 😢.

@Mattock1987 I disagree, and he's a developer/programmer, he knows what he's talking about.

The gall of some to say the emulation is good enough now is ok when good enough wasn’t good enough before.

@Snoober
Good luck I’ve tried to show how bad it is but you just can’t get a simple point across to hardheaded people.

@Mattock1987 that guy is crap actually. Like the first day Metroid Dread was out he was putting on Twitter about how it’s emulated on PC already and check it out. I called him out on it and he blocked me.

@thinkhector lol goes to show that you don’t know anything about these games. The lag is horrendous.

@Kobeskillz It’s not true at all. You can’t even give an example of how it effects game play. And to say I don’t know anything about lag is silly. Do you know that wired headphone have lag? Did you know wired controllers have lag? Anything around 200 milliseconds is acceptable.

@Bizzyb I'll be honest: I never thought the SNES/NES made up for the price. They literally were adding 2-3 games every three months, and chances are those were another variation of tennis or a puzzle game. I've quit holding my breath with Nintendo. They have changed.

@somebread then how is this explained? https://twitter.com/awmonopolyman/status/1453089116795674624?s=21

Also it doesn’t explain how he has the normal Ocarina instead of the Ocarina of Time without tampering with the rom …

@fafonio he...literally replies to that tweet. hello? https://twitter.com/zfg111/status/1453093145499955203?s=20
again, speedrunning and glitches very easily allow for things like that; https://nintendoeverything.com/newly-discovered-zelda-ocarina-of-time-glitch-lets-you-use-any-item-as-child-or-adult-link/ (sorry for linking a rival site I guess?)

@somebread maybe you’re right then. I’ll have to play it by myself to see it with my own eyes.

@Doktor-Mandrake Absolutely agree.

If Nintendo fixes these issues, they'll likely be fixed when the next batch of N64 games arrive. But it could be a situation where their game releases are inconsistent instead of monthly.

I can see that the emulation is problematic, but not ungodly. I just wish the price was lower. Even if I get it cheaper because I'm in the UK, £35 is too pricey for me. And yes. I did spend £50 on Skyward Sword, but if the emulation of this service isn't good, it's a no for me.

All I want is them to improve the online.

@Mattock1987 i mean no disrespect towards you but i don't think you get it. Nintendo needs to hear opinions like this so they try harder to make us great games. i will admit the games are great. the switch is the only current generation system i own (only because I'm old and the switch is portable), but facts are the switch is underpowered so that causes Nintendo to work harder to make us great games. if the switch had some more horsepower, we could have fog

"They're playable" is the worst kind of thing one can say. Even a terrible emulator can get n64 games "playable"... its 2021, and this is a paid premium service, there's no excuse here, the games should be close to perfect.

I still don't get why anyone would consider the fog removal a bad thing.

@rosscjr We could have fog? These games weren't ever suppose to have fog in the first place. It was a limitation of the N64 hardware. I get it tonigh, it's jarring to some people because it's not how they remembered the game. It's like Europeans and MegaMan at 50hz instead of 60hz. They remember the games music differently because it was played slowed due to limits on their television standards back then. It wasn't the way the music was suppose to sound though.
I would say this, objectively, the games look way better without the fog. Subjectively some people just want to play the games unaltered as they remembered them. That's why there is never a "definitive version" of any game. There are two: the original and the latest enhanced version.