Using the N64 Transfer Pak to Play GBC Pokemon Games

[Games Retrospect]

A few years ago, I got a Nintendo 64 with a bunch of games and the transfer pak. The accessory was part of the Pokemon Stadium bundle and I recently discovered that you could use the transfer pak to transfer your monsters to the N64 game, but also to play Pokemon Yellow, Red and Blue. I was wondering if that's a good way to experience those games on the big screen, since tracking down copies of Pokemon Stadium and any of the Game Boy games is going to be an expensive proposition for me. I know the N64 resolution is quite low and I don't know how its controller handles a traditional Pokemon, so does any of you have any experience with this? Is it worth adding those games to my collection so that I can play Pokemon on a big CRT? Or do you think that's just a waste of money? Any resources that you can throw my way will be greatly appreciated since the only thing I've found was a video on "My Life as Gaming". Thanks in advance!

[Austin]

I'd think a Game Cube and Game Boy Player would be a better investment.

[KeeperofLindblum]

I mean depending on the variety... You're better off with one of two options.

 

1. Game Cube + Game Boy Player (as Austin suggested) - Gamecube is easy enough. The Game Boy Player is cheap but the legitimate disc isn't. You can use homebrew software for cheaper, but that requires investing in an SD memory card piece (around $20). This will play anything from Game Boy up through Game Boy Advance

 

2. Super Nintendo + Super Game Boy - This is a viable option, but you'll be limited to Game Boy games only. Can play Pokemon Red, Blue, Yellow, Gold, and Silver.

 

 

EDIT - I always wondered if there was some kind of hack that could be done to play other Game Boy games using the Nintendo 64 Transfer Pak... I don't think there is, but it was always an interesting thought.

Edited December 19, 2018 by KeeperofLindblum

[F34R]

Analogue NT Mini is the best choice. /snicker

[Tanooki]

The N64 option is functional, it's not bad, and it works and looks just fine within the imposed limitations of the N64 output, stock, or UltraHDMI updated. It's a good way, but if you already have other options like the 2 listed above you're probably better off. #2 on the list is cheapest, then the N64+pak and carts, and lastly likely due to the price tag of the GB Player+Disc that would be the last choice but the most beneficial as it basically runs everything.

[Games Retrospect]

The N64 option is functional, it's not bad, and it works and looks just fine within the imposed limitations of the N64 output, stock, or UltraHDMI updated. It's a good way, but if you already have other options like the 2 listed above you're probably better off. #2 on the list is cheapest, then the N64+pak and carts, and lastly likely due to the price tag of the GB Player+Disc that would be the last choice but the most beneficial as it basically runs everything.

The thing about the N64 option is that I already have a functional one with the transfer pak, I'd only need a copy of Pokemon Stadium and the Game Boy games. That said, having a GameCube with a Game Boy Player sounds amazing, but also extremely expensive since I don't have anything. I did some research and suing the latter sounds like a fantastic option when it comes to playing Game Boy Color and GBA games on a big screen.

[Tanooki]

The best way really is for GBC and GBA to use a GBPlayer+Disc ($60-70) and a Gamecube. But, if you have the hardware, the best way with the sharpest quality would be a SuperNT + Super Gameboy for GB and SuperGB games as that's unmatched.

 

In your case the pokemon games are like $15 a piece more or less with a good battery installed, and the N64 game is like $10-20 so you'll get off cheap.

[+Black_Tiger]

The best way really is for GBC and GBA to use a GBPlayer+Disc ($60-70) and a Gamecube. But, if you have the hardware, the best way with the sharpest quality would be a SuperNT + Super Gameboy for GB and SuperGB games as that's unmatched.

 

In your case the pokemon games are like $15 a piece more or less with a good battery installed, and the N64 game is like $10-20 so you'll get off cheap.

The Super NT runs at an imperfect framerate/speed.

 

 

The best/most authentic way to play Gameboy games is on a real SNES/SFC + Super Gameboy 2 (not the original which also runs at an incorrect speed).

 

The best way to play Gameboy Advance games is on a Gamecube + Gameboy Player + custom GBA software.

 

 

I have an "Afterburner" style video-out device installed in an original GBA and I've never been happy with the image quality and how sensitive it is.

[Tanooki]

I'm aware of the GBI thing, but I don't have the capability or interest to get that insanely nitpicky about it so I just use the disc it came with. I'd have to see your source on the SNT being incorrect and in what way too as I'm curious.

[godslabrat]

I've heard about both the SGB and GBP running at incorrect speeds. I've never noticed it myself.

[Atariboy]

I believe this is now considered as the best way to play GB/GBC/GBA games on your tv (With the exception of Super Game Boy enhanced releases like Donkey Kong).

 

https://www.game-tech.us/product/woozles-gba-consolizer-kit-40-pin/

 

EDIT - I always wondered if there was some kind of hack that could be done to play other Game Boy games using the Nintendo 64 Transfer Pak... I don't think there is, but it was always an interesting thought.

 

I was under the impression that the actual Game Boy game wasn't being ran. Data was just transferred, with the Nintendo 64 actually running ports of the Game Boy games that were included with Pokemon Stadium.

 

I suspect if there was a software emulator here, homebrewers would've repurposed it by now in today's era of Everdrive cartridges.

Edited December 23, 2018 by Atariboy

[KeeperofLindblum]

My understanding is that the Super Game Boy runs like a few hertz quicker than the Game Boy. However, it's not very noticeable unless you're sensitive to it or put it side by side. They fixed this in the Super Game Boy 2.

 

I was under the impression that the actual Game Boy game wasn't being ran. Data was just transferred, with the Nintendo 64 actually running ports of the Game Boy games that were included with Pokemon Stadium.

 

I suspect if there was a software emulator here, homebrewers would've repurposed it by now in today's era of Everdrive cartridges.

 

I... have never heard that before! That makes sense though considering what kind of time it seems to take when using it. Thanks for the knowledge!

[Tanooki]

It's a known about the SGP. because the way they set it up they didn't regulate at which speed the GB inside the SGB plays so it's 2.4% faster than handheld gameboy hardware. It takes the SNES clock speed, divides by 5 and gives you 4.295mhz instead of 4.194mhz of the original handheld. Most people don't notice either in play or audio, but those types who are into being anal about accuracy like speed runners the thing is a no fly zone POS to them, they'll tell you that you must get the Japanese SGB2 because it does run the correct clock speed entirely.

 

As far as the GBP goes, I don't see much about it other than one video claiming it's in some miniscule way faster, but the speed running website that lists what is legal and not to do speed run challenges says the GBP with its disc or the GBI hack replacement are both acceptable to use. And as picky as they are for running competition challenges, I'll rely on them to say if it's garbage or not.

[Video]

Your best bet is a gc with a game boy player. It gets you almost all game boy games from dmg to gba, plus if you like cube games, that's a nice bonus.

 

A snes with a super gameboy is awesome too, there is a small library of sgb games with nice additions that can only be seen there, plus there's a lot of great snes games too. There are two models of sgb, the first one is slower than actual hardware (Like 10 or 20%) but otherwise is fine. The mk 2 has a game link port and a proper speed clock chip, but is harder to find and more expensive.

 

You can play pokemon on n64 with the transfer pack and Pokemon stadium, but that's about it. Never messed with other options on there. Stadium 2 will play the second series of Pokemon games. There's some other stuff the transfer pack can supposedly do, but I don't know if any was ever implemented, like perfect dark supposedly could put your face in the game using the game boy camera, but I've never tried.

[Tanooki]

A snes with a super gameboy is awesome too, there is a small library of sgb games with nice additions that can only be seen there, plus there's a lot of great snes games too. There are two models of sgb, the first one is slower than actual hardware (Like 10 or 20%) but otherwise is fine. The mk 2 has a game link port and a proper speed clock chip, but is harder to find and more expensive.

 

It's 2.4% faster, not slower. The SGB2 corrects the error using its own way to lock the speed than relying on the SNES and has the link port, otherwise it has no value which my post just above yours says.