Options > Settings > Advanced

Upper tab - Core Defaults (drop down menus):

1. "CPU core style"
2. "Self-mod code method"
3. "Advanced Block Linking" <- Important control, read this!

Lower tab (checkboxes):

1. "Start emulation when ROM is opened"
2. "Automatically compress instant saves"
3. "Clear Memory at Start Of Emulation"
4. "Enable Debugger (forces CPU Interpreter)"
5. "Show More Error Messages"

Upper tab - Core Defaults (drop down menus):

"CPU core style"

• default setting: Recompiler
• generally recommended setting: Recompiler (should not matter if using RDS)

Setting explained under ROM Settings. This setting can be overriden on a per-ROM basis (by the RDS, see ROM settings), if "Overwrite these default settings with ones from RDS" is enabled and a value is set in the RDS - this control will then be ignored.

Notes:

• Project64 Legacy was only tested extensively on the Recompiler, with the Interpreter used as a backup if the Recompiler failed - if you set this to Interpreter, there is a (small but real) chance that some games with not work - be prepared to put games back to using the Recompiler on a per ROM basis.

This is almost always set by the RDS, therefore this control is not normally used.

"Self.-mod code method"

• default setting: Check Memory Advance
• generally recommended setting: Check Memory Advance (should not matter if using RDS)

Setting explained under ROM Settings. This setting can be overriden on a per-ROM basis (by the RDS, see ROM settings), if "Overwrite these default settings with ones from RDS" is enabled and a value is set in the RDS - this control will then be ignored.

Self.-mod code method is almost always set by the RDS because the optimal value should be known by the RDS author. It won't be set (in Official files) if the RDS author couldn't determine the correct value (prompting you to find it yourself). Therefore it should not matter what you set this control to.

"Advanced Block Linking"

• default setting: On
• generally recommended setting: Off, unless you need the speed (see below)

Advanced Block Linking is one of Project64 Legacy's speed optimisation techniques, although this is available in ROM Settings, the setting on this tab will be in effect most of the time. Where this is the case (i.e. where ABL is not being forced by the RDS) this control is a performance option for the recompiler, where setting On gives more speed (higher maximum and overall average speed) and setting Off gives better "smoothness" (higher consistency of speed, less variation from one part of a game to another, fewer jerks and slowdowns, but a lower overall speed). The effect of having ABL on vs. off is probably most noticeable in fast moving racing games such as Didddy Kong Racing and Mario Kart.

This setting can be overriden on a per-ROM basis (by the RDS, see ROM settings), if "Overwrite these default settings with ones from RDS" is enabled and a value is set in the RDS - this control will then be ignored.

Notes:

• Project64 Legacy game compatibility was only thoroughly tested with ABL enabled, due to time constraints. If you turn ABL off, there is a possibility that some ROMs may need their settings adjusted - occasionally a higher self-mod code method is needed. There is also a chance that some games will not work at all with ABL turned off, so be prepared to turn it back on on a per-ROM basis.
• Some background info: ABL is not new to Project64 1.4+. The emulator was always using ABL, what is new in 1.4+ is the ability for you to turn it off! During the early stages of Project64 development performance was a major concern, but we expect Project64 to perform better on future PCs without ABL.

This is NOT normally set by the RDS, therecore this control IS normally used! (unlike all the other controls on Advanced tab)

Lower tab (checkboxes):

"Start emulation after ROMs are opened"

• default setting: enabled
• generally recommended setting: enabled, unless you want to edit RDS before boot (see below)

If enabled, Project64 Legacy will (always) begin emulation immediately after a ROM has finished loading. This is usually what you would want to happen, it saves you having to press "Start Emulation" in the file menu every time you want to play a new game.

If disabled, the emulator will wait, with the ROM loaded, until you press Start Emulation to boot the ROM, or do something else. This is to allow you to edit ROM settings before booting the ROM (otherwise you would need to edit settings while the ROM is running and then reset it, which is normally OK but creates a catch-22 if, with the current settings, the ROM is not bootable!).

Changes take effect at next ROM boot.

"Automatically compress instant saves"

• default setting: enabled
• generally recommended setting: enabled

If enabled, Project64 Legacy will zip compress state save files (Slots and Save As...). This may increase the time taken to complete save operations, but the advantage is the reduced hard drive space usage per save (typically half to a third the space).

If disabled, Project64 Legacy will write normal (uncompressed) state save files. This may be quicker, depending on your system, but will definately use more storage space (files will be 4MB or 8MB depending on whether or not the Expansion Pak is enabled).

Notes

• this setting makes no difference to the loading of state saves - you can still load a compressed state if this is disabled.
• you cannot adjust the level of compression, a medium level was chosen by the authors.
• there is no compression for native saves, the files are so small the authors decided it wasn't worth the extra hassle for them or the user.

Changes take effect immediately, or when the next state save is made.

"Clear Memory at Start Of Emulation"

• default setting: enabled
• generally recommended setting: enabled

• default setting: disabled
• generally recommended setting: disabled

• default setting: disabled
• generally recommended setting: disabled