Nintendo 64, a more than familiar-sounding word that takes every 90’s kid down memory lane. The popular console of the past century created an unforgettable presence in our minds, and also was a revolution in terms of gaming in that era.
We know that just by hearing this name, you’re already getting feelings of nostalgia and wondering if those fun days of playing Super Mario can come back. Many titles carry different experiences that we hope would return. Right?
Keeping that in mind, we thought, helping you get the essence of that exciting feeling back is appropriate, hence we came up with a complete guide to inform people about some facts you might already know, and some that you’ll be surprised to hear.
And best of all, provide a platform for those who would love to get back into N64 gaming, or those who just want to find out what the fuss is about. Feeling excited yet? So, stay with us, as we help you re-create some awesome childhood memories.
How Did Nintendo 64 Created Significance in the Gaming World?
Before getting you back into the world of N64 gaming, it would be appropriate to talk about how this console created significance in the gaming world. Time for a history lesson eh? Get ready for a test at the end. Just kidding!
Initially released on June 24, 1996, in Japan, and later on September 29, 1996, in the United States, this console prevailed its dominance in our lives until 2001.
Although N64 was the most popular console that Nintendo created, it was not the first one. Nintendo 64 was the third console that the company created to compete with Sony PlayStation and Saturn. Both of them offered better 3D graphics before-hand.
Initially, some of us did laugh at the cartridge-based gaming system that seems outdated in the era of CDs, but later all of us ended up enjoying it. Now, considering it anything less than legendary would be an understatement.
Features That Helped N64 Stand Out
It is quite obvious there was something that got us all hooked to this console, and helped create many legendary titles such as Pokemon, relevant still in today’s world. By relevant we mean in terms of title, not the console.
Anyway, since we are digging deep down in your brain and scraping out these memories, discussing what we think caught all of us into the N64 web is something that makes sense. Reliving those weekend gaming sessions is the key here.
The things that attracted many people and you’ll most probably remember are the 3D graphics and M-shape design of the controller. Nintendo created a unique-looking controller that featured three legs with a joystick in the middle. Remember how cool it looked?
Moreover, another thing that stood out was the inclusion of four different ports for controllers. We don’t know about you but this change resolved the annoying “who gets to play” issue in most of our houses.
Wait, there’s more! This was the first console that can be considered as the true 64-bit gaming device as it was the only one at the time which provided speed in terms of texture-rendering and cartridge loading with its 64-bit processor & first-ever 3D polygon textures.
This feature was truly revolutionary and laid the groundwork for most 3D games till now. Because of its 64-bit processing unit, Nintendo 64 was named Machine of The Year by Time Magazine in 1996.
What Hardware Did Nintendo 64 Pack?
Now when we look at it, Nintendo’s hardware might not look impressive at all in the current era. But at the time of its release, it was considered a revolution in the console world. This laid foundation for many other devices that we still use today. So, what exactly did Nintendo have to offer?
The Hardware That Attracted Millions of Gaming Lovers
Starting with the main power source of the device, the processor! It was a 64-bit NEC central processing unit offering a 93.75 MHz clock rate. So, at that time, it was not a slouch in performance. It was popularly believed that this console rivaled the processing power of desktop computers in that era.
Memory of N64
The Nintendo 64 was the first gaming console of its kind to introduce the unified memory system for audio, video, and even CPU operations. This laid the groundwork for the RAMS that we see and use today. The memory consisted of 4 MBs of Rambus RDRAM, however, gamers were given the option of expanding this memory to 8 MBs with an expansion pack.
Cartridge Capacity of N64
The cartridge capacity of the Nintendo 64 was not considered the greatest in that era as CDs, since they could only hold up to 700MBs at that time. On the other hand, Nintendo only offered 4 to 64 MB Game Pack with removable storage of 32 KB Controller Pack.
Controller of N64
As mentioned before, the shape of the controller was unique, having three legs or flanks, whatever you might call them. With an analog joystick in the middle and 10 buttons, the overall design looked cool but was not considered ergonomic. The controllers might not have been ergonomic but reliability was their strength and they were easily repairable as well.
The reason for the four-port design was because the N64 is the company’s first console that can handle a split-screen between four players without slowing down or lagging. So, no one had a bad experience, even the little ones, since everyone was in on the fun!
N64 Gaming Library: Most Expensive, Cheap, and the Most Popular Games.
When the N64 console was first launched, it came with three main games, which were:
- Pilotwings 64
- Super Mario 64
- Saikyō Habu Shōgi (which was released in Japan only)
While we talk about the gaming library of Nintendo 64, it is important to note that some of those games are now for collectors and cost thousands of dollars each. Discussing Nintendo 64 and the name of Zelda does not come up? How is that possible!
Nintendo played a vital role in making Zelda a name that prevailed in our households. Even today, the most popular Nintendo game is The Legend Of Zelda: Majora’s Mask, followed closely by GoldenEye 007, Super Mario 64, and Mario Kart 64. Ahh, the memories that these titles carry!
The games mentioned here are the most popular ones, but that does not necessarily mean they are also the most expensive. The best-selling Nintendo 64 games were some of the cheapest ones, such as Super Mario 64 and Mario Kart 64.
But wait! The most surprising Nintendo 64 fact is that some games were expensive just because of the rarity, not the gameplay. For example, low-quality games like Clay Fighter made it to the most expensive list with games such as the legendary GoldenEye 007.
On the other hand, the cheapest games that came with Nintendo 64, which were also worth your time were highly enjoyable like Star Wars Rogue Squadron, and 1080 Snowboarding. These games were super affordable and allowed both kids and adults alike from all walks of life to purchase them.
This is also the reason why some of these games tasted success, even surpassing the popularity of the console itself. While The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask is a more expensive game, The Legend Of Zelda: Ocarina of Time was a cheaper alternative, retailing only at $9 at that time, and was one of the most popular and affordable games. These are some of the best Classic Nintendo Games that you should try.
Canceled Games – How Much More Fun N64 Could Have Been
The N64 console was released by Nintendo in the year 1996 and was discontinued worldwide in 2002. The era of Nintendo was short-lived when compared with other similarly successful gaming consoles, but it burned a path in the gaming industry and set a standard for future gaming equipment.
While most of the games had a major part to play in the success of Nintendo 64, some of the games also were not so successful and hence did not make as much money or reach the heights of fame as the others already mentioned. Many games, similarly, were scrapped before reaching the final production stage or sometimes even just before release.
The Nintendo Power Magazine would release snippets of information about games that were going to be released to create hype among the gamers. This always worked, however, sometimes it also backfired because a lot of games just never saw the light of day.
It was incredibly heartbreaking for gamers all over the world and may have played a role in the decline of the popularity of N64.
Some games that were planned and created but not released due to one reason or another include the following:
- Toejam And Earl III
- Street Fighter EX
- Mortal Kombat: Special Forces
- Gradius IV
- O.D.T. – Or Die Trying
- Kameo: Elements Of Power
- Independence War 2: Edge Of Chaos
- Conker 64: Twelve Tales
- Beetle Adventure Racing 2
- Rampage Through Time
These games were shelved mostly due to a lack of enthusiasm on the customer’s side, insufficient funds, and many times due to differences in opinions of the game creators and the higher-ups. However, we think everyone will agree that Nintendo 64 was the beginning of an era.
Emulation for Nintendo Games
The good news is, just like any other console on the market, N64 games are also capable of emulation. While there are many emulators available, we recommend using Project 64.
We also recommend adding texture packs to your emulators to further enhance the experience. In case this emulator doesn’t work for you, try the 1964 emulator. For Mac, an emulator called sixty force can work well for you.
Getting into Nintendo 64 Gaming in 2022
Some of the new-gen gamers might be wondering why would someone go back to those old crappy-looking games. Well, it’s not about the looks, it’s the memories and the desire to live the past again.
Since traveling to the past is not possible yet, maybe in the future, fingers crossed! So, jogging those memories is the only ray of hope to relive the childhood where we once were worry-free.
Talking about graphics, Counter-Strike 1.6 ruled for nearly a decade, and the graphics were average! It was the gameplay, memories, and overall experience is that kept it afloat for so many years. And in the case of N64, the same thing can be said.
Anyways, buckle up, it’s time to unlock those special memories in your brain! Or build some for the newly arrived.
Buying Information: Where to Buy N64, its Cost, and Accessories
Before you start digging your pocket and buy a retro N64 console, just get a hold of your horses and listen to this. Buying a brand new console in this era is not possible, so opting for an old or refurbished one is recommended.
Don’t just go on and spend thousands on mint condition rarities, scams are dominant in such products. Rather opting for a refurbished one from our Retrolio Games Marketplace is an option worth considering.
What Does it Cost?
Initially, when this console was launched, the listed price was $199. Although, at first, Nintendo did intend to launch it at around $250 price point. But this decision was reversed for a good reason. Well, of course, it was Sony and Saturn again! They reduced the prices of their console to 199$.
Still, Nintendo was not the most pocket-friendly console in that era, the reason being, game cartridges cost an average of 10$ more. Of course, the overall manufacturing process required more effort and took more time. But this effort did save Nintendo from the world of piracy.
Nintendo’s price didn’t remain the same throughout. The competition forced Nintendo to make price cuts. To understand the pricing of Nintendo throughout its market presence interval, and now, we created this table for your ease.
Country |
Date |
Price |
| United States | September 1996 | $199 (New) |
| United States | March 1997 | $149 (New) |
| United States | August 1998 | $129 (New) |
| United States | August 1999 | $99 (New) |
| United States | March 2021 | $159.97 (Refurbished) |
Which Accessories Should You Buy
During the short-lived yet extremely memorable era of N64, a lot of accessories were released to keep the excitement levels up. Some of those accessories were truly futuristic, and lead most of us to believe that Nintendo will be the future market leader.
To give you an idea here are some honorable mentions:
- S-Video cable was an accessory that dramatically increased visual quality in games such as Zelda. So, this should be on your top-list of accessories to get.
- A biosensor that was specifically designed for Tetris, picked up your heartbeat and improved your results in-game when it quickened. Imagine this being 1996.
- The N64 passport was another great accessory that allowed you to play games from other regions. In essence, it was just a cartridge with a slot for another cartridge on top. So, if you fancy playing games from Japan, all you need to do is plug in your favorite game. This accessory, if found, can be very useful in 2022.
Most of these accessories are rare, so finding them might end up making you drown in a deep well of spending. But if you’re just getting back into the N64 console, buying the important accessories is the key.
For that, you’ll find plenty of useful accessories online at cheap prices, so do consider getting these at the very least:
1. Get extra memory cards, so you can store your precious save games. Memory cards are not that expensive. Getting them will not hurt your wallet a lot.
2. Purchase extra controllers to play with your buddies.
3. Get an expansion pack to enhance gaming performance. Do remember that only opt for this accessory if you’re planning to play games that are supported.
Connecting Nintendo 64 to a TV – What You Need to Know?
Now that you’ve bought or either grabbed your dusty old N64 out of the closet, you might realize that your new Smart TV doesn’t have the right ports, or it’s not compatible.
What to do now? Don’t get disappointed yet, there is plenty you can do with some cheap or expensive accessories. It all depends on you and what visual quality you expect.
For the best quality, get Super 64. It is a convenient device that hooks into your N64 and provides you with connectivity via HDMI. The quality is pretty good as well, even better than the S-cable we mentioned, but the price is a whopping 149$.
Another bad news is that it doesn’t support PAL. So, sorry for the folks who own the PAL variant. Don’t be disappointed yet, you can still get an S-video cable and pair it with an HDMI converter. Quality will not be the best, but there are some sacrifices that you need to make.
If you don’t want to spend any money on any accessories, hope that your TV has all the right ports and is compatible with your Nintendo 64.
Interesting Facts About Nintendo 64 That You May or May Not Know
Following are some interesting facts that you may or may not know about Nintendo 64:
- Super Mario 64, the most popular game that Nintendo offered was initially designed for the previous generation of Nintendo’s console called Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES). But later decided to release Super Mario 64 on N64. The popularity of this game was quite obvious by the number of copies it sold. Which stands at around 11 million copies, this number alone made it the best-selling title on N64.
- Nintendo kept the gamer’s preferences in mind and released many different color options, design patterns, and even some special edition rarities that were game-specific such as Pokemon-themed Nintendo.
- Even at the time of release, Nintendo was so popular that it sold 350,000 to 500,000 copies in just 3 days after hitting the shelves. In North America alone, it sold around 500,000 copies in the first month.
- Due to the popularity of Nintendo 64, when it was released, many celebrities including Steven Spielberg, Matthew Perry, and a few of the Chicago Bulls tried to get their hands on the console by contacting Nintendo.
- The cartridge design that Nintendo offered was sturdy and lasted way longer than the CDs. Even now, you can still find Nintendo cartridges in perfectly healthy conditions, giving them an edge over CDs.
- Nintendo 64 almost went online with the 64DD, it was an expansion that was meant to allow players to compete online. However, it never made it out of Japan because of delays and outdated tech.
- During the small reign of Nintendo 64, they released 393 games, and the last one to hit the shelves in 2002 was, can you guess? Tony Hawk: Pro skater. Out of these 393 games, many games were only exclusive to Japan.
Conclusion
The revolution and memories that Nintendo 64 brought along were unfathomable. Imagine those days, when there was no stress. All we had to do was some school work and exploring the world of N64.
The goal in this guide was to get you back into those feelings and provide you with a platform to get all the necessary games, accessories, and even the console to enjoy this experience once again.
Of course, the popular console that shaped our lives in the ’90s deserved a praise-worthy guide, hence, we tried to explore every aspect of it. So, stop wasting your time, ignite that spark once again and let N64 whisk you away. Happy Gaming!
