The topic Someone just added rollback netcode to an N64 emulator, making GoldenEye actually… is currently the subject of lively discussion — readers and analysts are keeping a close eye on developments.
This is taking place in a dynamic environment: companies’ decisions and competitors’ reactions can quickly change the picture.
When it comes to retro gaming, nothing beats having the authentic hardware in front of you while you play your favorite games. However, sometimes you just have to play the original Super Smash Bros with your friends overseas, and having a physical N64 just won’t cut it. Fortunately, emulators allow us to play these classics online with friends, as if we were huddled around an actual console, albeit with a bit of lag.
Well, here’s some good news for people who like their online play. Someone has added rollback code to an N64 emulator, and the initial impressions are already pretty positive.
Retro titles are getting even better, and it’s all thanks to decompilation.
As spotted by PC Gamer, the RMG-K N64 emulator has just received rollback netcode. If you’ve never heard of it before, it’s the gold standard for lag-free gameplay online right now. You’ll usually find it in fighting games, where every frame matters in an online environment, but people are finding ways to implement it in other genres and systems, too.
The rollback feature in RMG-K isn’t perfect just yet. The biggest issue is that it can’t handle more than two people right now, so that big online GoldenEye splitscreen bash may have to wait. However, if you want to 1v1 someone in the classic James Bond title, you’ll find that the new netcode already provides a much better experience.
This rollback tech is based on the GekkoNet framework, and PC Gamer notes that people are already using this code to bring the PS2 title Street Fighter 3: 3rd Strike onto PC with netplay. It seems it won’t be long before all the multiplayer classics become much more fun and easier to play online.