Best N64 Emulators for iOS in 2026

The Nintendo 64 gave us Super Mario 64, The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, GoldenEye 007, Banjo-Kazooie and Mario Kart 64. In 2026 you can play your own copies of them on an iPhone without a jailbreak, and since 2024 the best N64 emulators are on the App Store itself.

This guide compares the N64 emulators you can get for iPhone, where to get each one and how to set it up. Last checked: October 27, 2026, against each app’s App Store listing.

Why N64 Emulation Is Harder

The N64 is harder to emulate than 2D consoles like the NES or SNES. Its Reality Signal Processor (RSP) and Reality Display Processor (RDP) handled graphics and audio in ways that were poorly documented for years, and many games used them differently. Modern emulators run the big games well, but some titles still show graphical glitches or need a different video setting. If one emulator has trouble with a game, trying another often fixes it.

N64 Emulators for iPhone at a Glance

Emulator	Where	Cost	Needs
Delta	App Store	Free	iOS 17.4+
RetroArch	App Store	Free	iOS 12+
Provenance	App Store	Free	iOS 16+
Manic EMU	App Store	Free	iOS 15+

All four list Nintendo 64 support in their App Store descriptions (October 2026). App Store copies are signed by Apple, update themselves and are never revoked, so start there. Sideloaded builds through Scarlet iOS are an option for test versions or if your iOS version is too old for the App Store release.

Top N64 Emulators for iPhone

1. Delta (Recommended for Most Users)

Delta, by Riley Testut (the developer of AltStore; the App Store lists the publisher as Yvette Testut), has been on the App Store since April 2024. Its listing names NES, SNES, N64, Nintendo DS and Sega Genesis among the supported systems, and its N64 core is based on Mupen64Plus. It needs iOS 17.4 or later.

N64 alongside NES, SNES, Game Boy, GBA, DS and Genesis in one library
Save states and fast-forward
Controller skins, including N64 layouts
Bluetooth controller support

For Super Mario 64 or Ocarina of Time with the least setup, Delta is the best start. On an older iOS version, our Delta installation guide covers the sideloaded route.

2. RetroArch

RetroArch, by Libretro, has been on the App Store since May 2024, and its listing includes Nintendo 64 among dozens of systems. It is a frontend that runs emulator “cores”; for N64 the core is Mupen64Plus-Next, which offers more accuracy and graphics options than most standalone apps.

Many video and accuracy options per core
Shaders and per-game settings
RetroAchievements support
Works on iOS 12 and later, so it also suits older iPhones

RetroArch has a steeper learning curve than Delta. It is the right choice if a game glitches in Delta, or if you want to fine-tune settings.

3. Provenance

Provenance, an open-source multi-system emulator frontend, has been on the App Store since January 2025 (iOS 16 or later). Its listing includes the Nintendo 64. It focuses on a media-center style library, which suits large collections.

Game artwork and metadata in the library
Multi-system support in one library view
Also available for Apple TV

4. Manic EMU

Manic EMU, from Shenzhen Aoshuang Future Technology, has been on the App Store since April 2025 (iOS 15 or later). Its listing names the Nintendo 64 among many systems, including 3DS, GameCube and Wii (see our 3DS emulators for iPhone guide). It is newer than the others, so check recent reviews for N64 compatibility before you rely on it.

Installing an N64 Emulator

From the App Store (recommended)

Open the App Store and search for the emulator by name (Delta – Game Emulator, RetroArch, Provenance App or Manic EMU – Game Emulator).
Check the publisher name matches the one above, then tap Get.
Open the emulator and import your games through its file picker (from the Files app or iCloud Drive).

With Scarlet iOS

Get Scarlet from our Scarlet iOS install page and trust its developer once in Settings > General > VPN & Device Management.
Open Scarlet iOS and search for the emulator in its library.
Tap Install and wait for signing to finish; trust the developer if iOS asks.

Sideloaded copies can stop opening when the certificate is revoked, so back up your saves. For more on the process, see how to sideload apps on iOS 26 and iOS 27 without jailbreak.

About Game Files

Emulators are legal, but N64 games are copyrighted. Use backups of cartridges you own (made with a cartridge dumper); downloading games you do not own is piracy in most countries. Do not trust sites that bundle games inside an emulator download.

Best N64 Games to Play First

Super Mario 64: the game that defined 3D platforming
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time: often called the greatest game ever made
The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask: a darker, stranger Zelda
GoldenEye 007: the first great console first-person shooter
Mario Kart 64: still one of the best party racers
Banjo-Kazooie: Rare’s classic platformer
Star Fox 64: a near-perfect rail shooter
F-Zero X: very fast futuristic racing
Donkey Kong 64: a huge collect-a-thon platformer
Paper Mario: a charming RPG adventure

Controller Setup for N64 Games

The N64 controller has a central analog stick, a Z trigger underneath and four yellow C-buttons, so it never maps perfectly to a modern controller. A layout that works well on an Xbox or PlayStation controller:

Left stick: N64 analog stick
Right stick: C-buttons
Left trigger: Z
Right bumper or trigger: R; left bumper: L
Face buttons: A and B (some players also put C-buttons on the other two)

Delta, RetroArch and Provenance all let you remap buttons. On the touchscreen, choose an N64 controller skin that shows both the analog stick and the C-buttons.

Performance Tips

If a game stutters, lower the rendering resolution or switch to a lighter video setting first.
If a game shows graphical glitches, try the same game in another emulator; compatibility differs per game.
Use save states often: many N64 games have long sections without checkpoints.
Keep Low Power Mode off while playing; it slows the CPU.

FAQ

Which is the best N64 emulator for iPhone?

For most people, Delta: it is free on the App Store and needs almost no setup. RetroArch is the better pick for older iOS versions (it needs only iOS 12) and for fine-tuning.

Do I need Scarlet iOS for N64 emulators?

Usually not, because they are on the App Store. Scarlet is useful for test builds, or when your iOS version is too old for an App Store release.

Are N64 emulators legal?

Yes, emulators are legal. Games are copyrighted: play backups of cartridges you own.

Final Thoughts

N64 emulation on iPhone is mature in 2026, and the main emulators are free on the App Store. Start with Delta, move to RetroArch if a game needs more accuracy or you are on an older iOS version, and use Scarlet iOS when you need a build the App Store does not offer. For other systems, see the best emulators for iPhone in 2026 and our guide to PPSSPP for PSP games.

Best N64 Emulators for iOS in 2026