sixtyforce: Play N64 on your Mac!

Posted by Nick Cotton on 03/12/07 in Apple, Applications, Games

Do you ever feel like pulling that old Nintendo 64 out of the cupboard and dusting it off for a quick trip down memory lane? Why go through all the hassle of setting it up, not even sure if it works after all those years? Instead, try sixtyforce, an N64 emulator for Mac OS X.

Sixtyforce is nothing new, in fact it’s been around for 7 years, and yet the developer continues to work on releases. The result is a very mature emulator. A Universal Binary was released late last year and it got me back into playing some timeless classics like Super Smash Bros, Super Mario 64, F-ZeroX and a whole list of others that work pretty much flawlessly.

sixtyforce in action

Performance varies from game to game, but is generally good enough to play. Some of the games run at full speed (60 fps) while others suffer from occasional slow-downs, which usually occur at points in the game which aren’t critical. Hah - well maybe not always.

Games, or ROMs as they are known online, can be obtained from a number of different sources on the internet. I probably don’t have to mention that downloading and playing ROMs you don’t actually own is a no-no. Games can be played with either the keyboard or with a host of different external controllers.

While sixtyforce goes for $16, the app is not completely crippled if you don’t register. The one time fee gives you free upgrades for life, removes a watermark, and enables a few other useful features like the ability to save at any point you like.

So like I said sixtyforce is a very solid app from a committed developer. if you’re into gaming it’s a no-brainer. Retro nostalgia!

If you can’t get enough console action, you might also want to check out Michael’s Nestopia Review.

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27 Comment(s)

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alej744 said on

March 12th, 2007 at 5:48 pm

That’s amazing! Where do I get the ROMs?

+12

Dustin MacDonald said on

March 12th, 2007 at 8:08 pm

Keep in mind that in the latest version of sixtyforce, you need to be registered for the app to save at all (not just freeze states).

It’s 100% worth registering though.

Sherb said on

March 12th, 2007 at 8:36 pm

Ahh my Golden Eye memories are coming back

Joseph said on

March 12th, 2007 at 10:24 pm

Did you get this from my comment about Nestopia? I can’t wait until I get my new iMac when I can play these games at full speed!

Andre said on

March 14th, 2007 at 8:54 pm

My favorite game isn’t even compatable with it, I’ll pass.

Nick Cotton said on

March 15th, 2007 at 1:14 am

@ Joseph: I had actually written most of it when I read your comment but was glad to come across a fellow user.

@ Andre: what is your favourite game? Not that there’s anything I can do about it, just curious.

-1

Miles Evans said on

March 17th, 2007 at 5:09 am

A pretty good game but hard to find for N64 is Ogre Battle.

Andre said on

March 25th, 2007 at 3:49 am

@Nick: Mario Kart 64. I actually see it listed there now, though Mario Kart 64 doesn’t seem to work perfectly, so I’ll still pass.

-1

Atheist said on

April 2nd, 2007 at 1:21 am

” A Whole List” Thats the ”WHOLE LIST” In 7 years of work!?!?!?!

Atheist.

-1

Nick Cotton said on

April 2nd, 2007 at 2:56 am

@Atheist: I think the list has not been updated for quite a while and is more of a trial and error.

If you aren’t sure if your favourite game works, it’s best just to try it out. You might get a pleasant surprise.

Nix0207 said on

April 3rd, 2007 at 8:45 am

Where do i download the games?

x said on

July 30th, 2007 at 3:02 am

ROMs:

http://www.coolrom.com/roms/n64/

joga bonita said on

October 25th, 2007 at 5:30 pm

for some reason my super smash bros wont save when i use this. is this normal? or is there some way i can fix this?

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M. said on

February 5th, 2008 at 12:45 am

Does anybody know if Ogre Battle 64 works? I’m playing with an unregistered copy of sixtyforce and the game will freeze after about two or three minutes. Don’t know if it’s worth registering if the game doesn’t work.

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Scott said on

February 29th, 2008 at 5:57 pm

Does anybody know what to do if your controller will not configure? I recently downloaded sixtyforce, and when I go to configure the controller, the Logitech Dual Action controller I have shows up on the list of controllers, but when I select it, the configure option remains grey. Can anyone help, I already paid money to be able to use a controller with my Mac. Thanks.

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-1

cj said on

April 2nd, 2008 at 5:11 pm

how do i ownload games?!?!?

joey said on

April 11th, 2008 at 9:47 am

those arent all the games and all of these games work better with your charger in

Glen said on

April 15th, 2008 at 12:25 pm

I downloaded Sixtyforce but when i click on it, it goes to the thing were i have to click “register” or “OK” and i click OK because i dont want to register. And then it just sits there at a purple screen with Gerrits name on it? im very new to this whole Emulator business but i would really like to use it. is there something i havnt done? Downloaded? And what are these ROMs that people keep talking about? Im Lost but Hopeful.

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VJ said on

April 15th, 2008 at 4:54 pm

I’m have thing the same problem as glen, I have roms… and i just bought the serial number… but i still can’t get it to work… i had star fox working for thirty seconds.. then i backed out since i wanted to try to register it again… since then.. nothing.. i can’t register it.. i can’t get any of my roms to work.. all it does is sit at the purple screen.. please help me!!

VileCore said on

May 2nd, 2008 at 1:53 pm

Ah. The best console Nintendo ever did. I remember back in 1998, when I got my hands on Zelda: Ocarina of Time and subsequently spent a whole week of playing, catching only 3 hours a sleep a night, until I completed it. It was great, being 14. But I digress. Think I might want to look into this.

ranger said on

June 3rd, 2008 at 10:19 pm

coolrom didnt let me download it was blocked so is there another website

anyone know where to get master quest

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B Higgs said on

June 12th, 2008 at 8:12 am

To get rid of your purple screen, Glen and friends, you need to go to a site and download ROMS.
Basically, Sixty Force is like the actual N64, and your putting it on with no game in the system. Try going to a site like http://www.dohgames.com/roms/list/n64/A/1.
From here you can download many good N64 games. INCLUDING OGRE BATTLE 64 for those who asked, but I don’t know how well it works.

I’m having a similar problem to scott. My keboard refuses to configure. If anyone has advice on how to fix this, it would be greatly appreciated.

Glen said on

June 13th, 2008 at 11:17 pm

ok ok ok, so i get it. But i just got a ROM and i click on it and then it says something about no default application, so i click choose application but it wont let me choose the sixtyforce application!! WTF??

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Glen said on

June 13th, 2008 at 11:23 pm

allright. So some games work, sorta. I get them to open sixty force but then my comp just starts to buzz softly at a black screen. Nothing.

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Glen said on

June 13th, 2008 at 11:27 pm

ok, here i am AGIAN! i got one game conqures bad fur day. sound is fine but graphics are all messed up! i can even make out faces, infact its just random shapes! i know someone out there has expertise please help.

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Manuel said on

June 20th, 2008 at 12:37 pm

can any1 that has a serial numger tell it 2 me ill help with the emulators i know how to get off the purple screen and play the games but i cant save

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dony said on

June 30th, 2008 at 9:05 pm

Sites that dont work=
coolroms
dohgames