Parallel Launcher is a launcher for multiple emulators for the N64. Version 1.0.0 was first released on GitHub in November of 2020, and as of January 2024, is currently on version 7.0.0.
Due to being available for many operating systems, offering detailed user modifications, and being widely considered to be trustworthy, Parallel Launcher is a very popular option for playing Super Mario 64 rom hacks. Furthermore, it offers optional intergration with a romhacking.com account, allowing for users to keep statistics (such as total Stars collected and Kaizo points earned), and create custom lists for hacks. On top of that, it automatically comes with the Star Display program.
Parallel Launcher has two user interfaces available. The default interface is a narrow window with a vertical layout; the optional second interface is available to users who have synced their romhacking.com profile to Parallel Launcher. The romhacking.com interface is full window that includes extra information on hacks pulled from the corresponding romhacking.com page, including names of creators, Star count, descriptions, and thumbnails. The default view, however, is better used for running games/hacks that don't have a page on romhacking.com. This could be include games other than Super Mario 64, unreleased demos for hacks, or... anything not on romhacking.com. The default view will also automatically show the file path next to each rom, as well as the corresponding internal name, if applicable.
Graphics Plugins Available (current- Jan 2024)[]
Parallel Launcher allows the user to choose which Graphics Plugin the emulator should use when launching a game. This is important as some hacks, depending on how they were created, are not compatible with all software tools. One example of this is that certain hacks will not load textures on GLideN64, and will need to use OGRE instead to load textures. It is also a valuable tool for users who have a more primitive set up- for example, the guy writing this uses a 7 year old MacbookAir that hasn't been updated past Mojave to play hacks. You think that kind of laptop can run the ParaLLel graphics plugin? It doesn't even have a vent for the heat fan on it.
- ParaLLel (available on ParallelN64 and Mupen64plus-next)
- GLideN64 (available on ParallelN64 and Mupen64plus-next)
- OGRE (only available on ParallelN64)
- Glide64 (only available on ParallelN64)
- Angrylion (available on ParallelN64 and Mupen64plus-next)
- Rice (only available on ParallelN64)
- gln64 (only available on ParallelN64)