A guide to Nintendo 64 Emulation on the Mac

Today it seems the classic game ROM community is growing and growing as more and more are discovering how to play classic arcade and console games on their computers. For a long time, the Mac platform has lacked great emulators that feature solid compatibility and a full-set of features. However, some developers are working hard to build solid emulators and more and more Mac users are enjoying the same classic games their PC friends have been enjoying for quite some time.

An overview of ROM images

To clarify, an “emulator” is an application that acts as the game console, that actually loads the ROM image and emulates the data as if it is the console. ROM images are data images that store the game data. ROM images can be created from downloading the data off of a cartridge via a USB device or simply downloaded online from ROM directories. Like DVD ripping, ROM images are sort of like a legal “gray area”. Most believe if you own the game or are using the image to preserve the game’s data for historical purposes, using ROM images are legal and safe. Any other use of ROM images can be questionable, so please be warned!

I will not provide a specific link to downloading ROMs, so in order to find such a directory you will need to search for one yourself. ROMs will most likely be zipped in a .ZIP file, and sometimes these .ZIP files need to be unzipped in order for the emulator to read the ROM image. Be cautious when you download these files, because any public online file directory can potentially contain malicious code or files.

Sixtyforce

Sixtyforce has been around for quite some time (even since OS 9 days), and is definitely the greatest Nintendo 64 emulator for the Mac platform. The application’s developer, Gerrit Goosen, has continued to develop and update Sixtyforce since, offering additional compatibility and features with every update. The latest update from March 2, version .9, offers the greatest compatibility with Nintendo 64 game ROMs yet. Sixtyforce also offers gamepad plug-in compatibility and an assortment of other gaming preferences and features. Sixtyforce is available as a Universal binary and is shareware. The full version will run you $16, but in registering, you will be supporting further development and activating an assortment of features. Also with registering, Gerrit promises free updates for life as well as continued support.
An overview of Sixtyforce’s main features (with the full version):

• Full-screen playback
• Game-freezes and autosaving
• Customizable graphic, audio, and controller functions
• Powerful performance (although varies by system)

Connecting Gamepads (including Wiimote and XBOX controllers)

Due to the immense popularity of the Nintendo Wii console, developers have taken advantage of the Wiimote’s Bluetooth and infrared technologies to use the controller on 3rd party systems. Mac OS X’s most popular Wiimote utility, Darwiinremote, has taken enabled Mac users to control their Macs with their Wiimote. The open-source project lets users customizes the function of each button and use the Wii’s infrared bar to control Mac OS X’s mouse-pointer. After initial setup, the Wiimote can then be synchronized (manually by the user) with the controller preferences in Sixtyforce.

Other supported various USB gamepads, including XBOX and XBOX 360 controllers, can be setup right within Sixtyforce’s controller preferences with minimal hassle. A full list of supported USB gamepads is available from Sixtyforce’s game controller support page. Gamepads also allows for multiplayer gaming with your friends.