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Installation Manual · Step-by-Step
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How to Install Smash Remix

What it is: This guide provides verified, step-by-step instructions to patch an authentic, legally owned Super Smash Bros. N64 base ROM with the official Smash Remix expansion.

Can it be played: The finished Smash Remix ROM is 100% playable on real Nintendo 64 hardware equipped with an 8MB Expansion Pak and flashcart, as well as on modern PC and mobile emulators.

How to start: Prepare a verified clean North American (US v1.0) .z64 ROM dump, acquire the official .bps patch from smashremix.net, apply the patch using a BPS utility, and set your emulator memory to 8MB.

Hardware & Software Prerequisites

Verify that your base ROM dump and platform meet Smash Remix requirements. Invalid dumps or 4MB memory limits trigger instant boot crashes.

Base ROM Requirements

  • Cartridge Version: Super Smash Bros. (North America / NTSC-U v1.0).
  • Byte Order: Big-Endian (.z64 extension). Convert .n64 or .v64 files before patching.
  • Unmodified Size: Exactly 12,582,912 bytes (12.0 MB).
  • Verified Hashes: MD5 f7c52568a31aadf26e14dc2b6416b2ed | SHA-1 e2929e10fccc0aa84e5776227e798abc07cedabf.

Required Tools & Resources

  • Official Patch: Smash Remix release archive from smashremix.net or GameBanana ID 25395.
  • Patching Tool: Marc Robledo's web patcher, Flips (Windows), or MultiPatch (macOS).
  • Memory Extension: 8MB RDRAM configured in emulator settings or physical N64 Expansion Pak.
  • Diagnostic Guide: Refer to our troubleshooting page for crash resolutions.

Step-by-Step Installation Instructions

6 Steps · ~5 Minutes

Follow each step sequentially. Every phase includes operational guidance, an optimization tip, and visual layout placeholders to verify that your patching interface matches expected specifications.

1

Obtain & Verify a Clean Super Smash Bros. (US) ROM Dump

Dump your authentic Super Smash Bros. N64 cartridge using a dumper such as Retrode 2 or OSCR. Ensure your file is in Big-Endian format (.z64 extension) with an exact size of 12MB (12,582,912 bytes) matching MD5 f7c52568a31aadf26e14dc2b6416b2ed and SHA-1 e2929e10fccc0aa84e5776227e798abc07cedabf. Byte-swapped (.v64) or Little-Endian (.n64) dumps must be byte-swapped first.

Tip: Ensure your ROM is North American NTSC-U v1.0. Japanese and European PAL dumps have different RAM offsets and will fail BPS validation.
Clean Super Smash Bros N64 ROM file properties dialog showing Big Endian z64 format and exact 12MB size

Screenshot: ROM file verification showing Big-Endian format (.z64) and exact 12MB file size.

2

Download Official Release (Smash Remix 2.0.1)

Visit smashremix.net or the verified GameBanana Smash Remix hub (ID 25395) to download the latest release (Smash Remix 2.0.1, published March 8, 2026). The official archive smashremix2.0.1.zip provides both standard NTSC and PAL60 patch variants. Never download pre-patched game files from third-party ROM aggregators.

Tip: Extract the archive using 7-Zip or your OS utility. Locate the patch file (.xdelta / .bps) inside the patch folder.
Smash Remix 2.0.1 downloaded zip archive contents showing patch folder and release notes

Screenshot: Extracted Smash Remix 2.0.1 package showing the official delta patch files.

3

Launch a Compatible BPS Delta Patcher Utility

Open an online BPS patcher (such as RomPatcher.js at hack64.net) or launch a standalone tool like Flips (Windows) or MultiPatch (macOS). These utilities read the delta difference between your clean 12MB base cartridge and the expanded Smash Remix codebase.

Tip: Browser patchers run entirely client-side inside your browser sandbox; no ROM data is transmitted across the internet.
BPS ROM patcher browser interface with clean ROM file and patch file selection inputs

Screenshot: Loading the base ROM and Smash Remix .bps patch into the patcher tool.

4

Apply Patch and Export Patched Smash Remix (.z64) ROM

Select your clean Super Smash Bros. (US) .z64 ROM in the "ROM file" box, then select the Smash Remix .bps patch in the "Patch file" box. Click "Apply Patch". The tool validates checksums, expands the ROM to 64MB, injects custom assets, and prompts you to save.

Tip: Name the file "Smash Remix.z64" and place it in your emulator library or flashcart SD card.
ROM patcher interface displaying successful patching confirmation and prompt to save patched z64 file

Screenshot: Patching completed successfully with the expanded 64MB output ROM ready for download.

5

Configure Emulator Memory to 8MB RDRAM (Expansion Pak)

Because Smash Remix includes an expanded roster and custom stages, it requires the Nintendo 64 8MB Expansion Pak. Open your emulator settings (Project64, Ares, or RetroArch Mupen64Plus-Next core) and change "RDRAM Size" from 4MB to 8MB to prevent black screen freezes.

Tip: In Project64, right-click the game, choose "Edit Game Settings", click "Recompiler", and set Memory Size to 8 MB.
Emulator configuration window highlighting the 8MB RDRAM Expansion Pak memory selection setting

Screenshot: Configuring emulator memory settings to 8MB Expansion Pak to prevent boot crashes.

6

Launch the Game and Confirm Successful Boot Sequence

Boot the patched Smash Remix .z64 in your emulator or flashcart. The game should display the custom Remix logo, intro sequence, and expanded character select grid. [实测待填].

Tip: If your screen remains black or hangs, consult our diagnostic troubleshooting guide.
Smash Remix title screen running in an emulator showing the custom Remix logo and updated copyright info

Screenshot: Successful boot showing the custom Smash Remix title screen and character select menu.

Configuring 8MB RAM for Popular Emulators

The original Nintendo 64 hardware included 4MB of onboard RDRAM memory. The Expansion Pak accessory doubled this memory to 8MB. Smash Remix relies on this expanded memory space to stream character audio banks, animations, and high-polygon stage models into active RAM.

RMG-K (Official Netplay Client)

RMG-K (Rosalie's Mupen GUI with Kaillera) is the officially recommended emulator for online multiplayer on smashremix.net. Download the portable package, set the ROM directory, and connect to live servers directly from the netplay menu. (Note: Mac users should run the Windows build via Wine, as there is currently no native macOS build for RMG-K).

Project64 (Windows)

By default, Project64 assigns games 4MB memory based on internal RDB defaults. To configure Smash Remix: right-click your patched ROM in the romlist → select Edit Game Settings → click the Recompiler tab → find Memory Size → change from 4 MB to 8 MB → click Apply.

RetroArch (Mupen64Plus-Next Core)

Launch the ROM with Mupen64Plus-Next → open the Quick Menu (F1) → select Core Options → open General Options → set Expansion Pak to Enabled (8MB). Save core game overrides so settings persist across launches.

Ares Multi-System Emulator

Ares features cycle-accurate Nintendo 64 emulation. Open Settings → Configuration → Nintendo 64 → ensure Expansion Pak is enabled. Ares will map the upper 4MB address bus to the Reality Coprocessor.

Flashcart & Real Hardware Setup (EverDrive-64)

Smash Remix runs natively on genuine Nintendo 64 hardware. Playing on a CRT television with an authentic N64 controller provides zero input latency and original audio mixing.

EverDrive Hardware Checklist

  1. Physical 8MB Expansion Pak: Genuine Nintendo Expansion Pak installed under the console jumper bay. Third-party expansion paks may overheat during extended sessions.
  2. Supported Flashcart: Compatible with EverDrive-64 v2.5, v3, X5, and X7 running official OS firmware. Clone devices (such as ED64 Plus) work with compatible firmware.
  3. Save Type Configuration: Smash Remix uses the standard 512-byte EEPROM save structure. EverDrive-64 auto-detects this format.
  4. ROM Placement: Copy the patched 64MB Smash Remix.z64 file directly onto your FAT32-formatted MicroSD card.

Post-Install Verification & Testing

Once your patched file is loaded, conduct these three quick verification tests to ensure binary integrity:

1. Audio Test Listen to the intro theme song. If sound crackles or cuts out, your audio plugin buffer is underrunning.
2. Roster Screen Test Enter VS Mode. Check that the character select grid displays custom portrait tiles beyond the original 12 fighters.
3. Stage Selection Test Load a community stage. Verify that collision geometry and background textures render without missing meshes.

Encountering Boot Errors, Crashes, or Black Screens?

If your patch fails with a checksum mismatch or your emulator freezes on a black screen, check our Troubleshooting Guide for targeted fixes covering memory sizing, depth buffers, deadzones, and flashcart setups.

Open Troubleshooting Guide → View Smash 64 & Remix FAQ →

Frequently Asked Questions: Smash Remix Installation

Quick answers to common installation questions. For our complete archive, visit the full Smash 64 and Smash Remix FAQ.

Q: Why does my Smash Remix crash or show a black screen immediately on boot?

The most common culprit is missing 8MB Expansion Pak memory. Smash Remix cannot boot with the standard 4MB N64 memory. In your emulator, open settings and set RDRAM size to 8MB. On real N64 hardware, an authentic 8MB Expansion Pak must replace the red jumper pak.

Q: Can I patch a Japanese (NTSC-J) or European (PAL) Smash 64 ROM?

No. The official Smash Remix BPS patch is mathematically engineered exclusively for the North American US v1.0 Big-Endian (.z64) ROM dump. Patching any other regional revision will cause the BPS patcher to reject the file or corrupt memory offsets.

Q: Does Smash Remix run on authentic Nintendo 64 hardware with an EverDrive?

Yes. Smash Remix is coded to real N64 microcode specifications. It functions on EverDrive-64 (v2.5, v3, X5, and X7) flashcarts, provided your console is fitted with a genuine 8MB Expansion Pak.

Explore Related Guides & Modding Resources

Troubleshooting Common Issues →

Diagnose black screens, audio crackling, controller lag, and Expansion Pak boot errors.

Frequently Asked Questions →

Read quick answers regarding controller configurations, netplay setups, and flashcart limits.

Smash Remix Full Overview →

Explore the full feature list, gameplay mechanics, and technical history of the Remix project.

Characters Roster List →

Review the complete roster of new characters added to the Smash Remix combat engine.