Nintendo 64 Games Lagging With Raspberry Pi 3 Version B

Martinator

Hello, I run Playstation games without problems but when I try to run tested games on N64 like Donkey Kong, I get a very laggy game. I tried changing emulators and also resolution but nothing helped. I wonder if I need a stronger power source (using 1.5 Amp). I know it can be done because I saw the games running smoothly on the same setup (Retropie 3.6, Pi 3 version B). The game only lags, when there are many objects in the field of view. Any help would be appreciated.

Drakaen391

@Martinator you need a stronger power source in general (2 amp) as recommended by the Pi Foundation

One thing to also look at is your resolution (640 works best)

Twitch0815

Use Glide Plugin
press x and set runcommand to glide and 640x480

Bum up v3d_freq=500 in your /boot/config.txt

Get a better power supply 5.1v 2500 ma
if you have heatsinks consider overclocking settings for pi 3 in the wiki

https://github.com/retropie/retropie-setup/wiki/Overclocking

Moco

As said, changing your video resolution works and it doesn't look all that bad.

Twitch0815

@Martinator
https://github.com/RetroPie/RetroPie-Setup/wiki/Optimization-for-Nintendo-64
Will be of special interest to you

Ornitorick

@Twitch0815 Nyce wiki. Working fine here! Thank you!

TwoGuidosGaming

is it ok to use these overclock setting for all games/enumurators?

Twitch0815

@TwoGuidosGaming
These overclock settings will benefit everything on a pi 3 all emulators.
Just notes gpu_mem is going to be changed to 128 till testing shows a better solution.

Not all pi3's can get to 1400 but almost all can get to 1350
and check the documentation frequently as new benefits are discovered

hollytech0103

Hello,

Try the raspberry pi heatsink. Its providing you best solution. I also tried this in my project and its working good. Thanks.

Concat

Before you overclock and add heatsinks, please refer to Twitch0815's post and note the line about plugin.

N64 games run better or worse depending on the video plugin selected for Mupen64Plus. Since you didn't mention this, I suggest you start there. Try all video plugins for Donkey Kong, and choose whichever one seems to run the best. Also, the standalone Mupen64Plus has better performance (non LR version).

Look here: https://www.reddit.com/r/RetroPie/comments/3dqcs6/retropie_n64_compatibility_list_rpi275_tested/

It says Donkey Kong 64 works best with the rice video plugin, and there is no mention of slowdown with a non overclocked RPi.

Finally, yes, use a power source with the recommended amps. Mine is 2.4 amps. The RPi3 needs more amperage than previous models.