Got an N64 console, what else do I need?

[OldSchoolRetroGamer]

Being in Canada I was not pleased with N64 Ebay offerings, any good deals were offset by shipping costs. Fortunately I found a nice N64 package at Value Village for $20! I was so happy and I hoped to find it had the memory expansion module and sure enough when I removed the lid it was in there! SCORE! First I thought it was the default pack in the slot that merely bridges the connectors but after checking and researching online I found it is the memory module. I understand this improves some titles and is actually required for some? Anyway, I have the console with extra memory, AV hookups and Superpad 64. Previously before picking this up I already had a couple controllers (first party and 3rd party) as I have an Adaptoid USB PC adapter for using N64 pad with emulators. I also picked up an Ultraracer64 Driving controller. I also have a Gameshark v3 which I have not tested yet (I hear many are flakey or break easily) but I hope it works. So far I have only 1 game Quest64. I am not concerned with extra gamepads as it is unlikely at this stage in my life I will be playing multiplayer (I do not have friends/relatives interested in that) but specific controllers or input devices or recommendations for anything else to really get full enjoyment from the N64. I know I need a Memory pak to save games? Is the Rumble pak worthwhile? As always I assume first party accessories are best? Let me know you favorite accessories, games, hell even N64 related experiences/stories. THANKS IN ADVANCE!

Edited March 2, 2011 by OldSchoolRetroGamer

[Austin]

A memory card is necessary for a lot of games, but not all (some save directly to the cart). You will probably want at least two if you plan on racking up a good collection. That's really about it, everything else is just preference. I personally prefer the stock N64 controller over third-party options, and I don't care for the rumble pack (it was a novelty when it came out, but these days I prefer no rumble).

 

Favorite games of mine.. Hm.. F-Zero X, Hexen, both Castlevanias, Wipeout 64, Namco Museum, Goldeneye, Star Fox 64, Mario Kart 64, Doom 64, Turok Rage Wars, Gauntlet Legends, The New Tetris.. Plenty more I'm sure.

Edited March 3, 2011 by Austin

[+wood_jl]

DK 64 is the only game that requires expansion pack. A few others will upgrade the textures with it. Whatever, but it's great you got one with it! The OEM brand ones seem to bring more bucks on Ebay. There are lots of aftermarket el-cheapos, but I figure since this is allegedly RDRAM maybe the OEM is less prone to failure?? Dunno.

 

There were several controllers called "Superpad 64." The most notable of them all is this one.....

 

 

.....which is a real boon for playing DOOM 64. Reason being, you can't really strafe left (shoulder buttons) with your hand on the middle tit of the standard controller. If you like DOOM, you'll love the 64 version.

 

Don't bother with the 3rd party rumblers. In my experience, they suck and are unreliable. I bought el-cheapo "Performance" brand (or whatever) brand new sealed on Ebay and they were DOA but I didn't know, since I had them for like a year before I tried them.

 

One shortcoming of the system is the OEM rumbler and memory card use the same controller slot, and are mutually exclusive. There were 3rd party rumblers that had a memory card slot in them, but you were basically building a huge plastic tree hanging off the bottom of the controller. Nearly all of the N64 rumblers require 2 AAA batteries, so we're talking some weight and bulk. Of course, the best way (opinion) is to get the OEM rumbler and just switch it out with the memory card, or do like I do and forget about using it. I'm lazier than I am thrilled, so I don't use it much. There are mods on the web for how to use the OEM rumbler without batteries - and run off controller power. Interesting, but never tried. The batteries DO make it feel heavy.

 

Quake 2 is also pretty good, but it is better with the standard controller. Vigilante 8 has nice versions on N64 (and Dreamcast).

 

Get S-video cable, it's the same as Gamecube and SNES.

 

It's a fun system. I don't play mine a lot because I have more consoles than time, but I like having it.

[Austin]

DK 64 is the only game that requires expansion pack. A few others will upgrade the textures with it.

 

Zelda: Majora's Mask requires it, and although Wikipedia says otherwise, I vividly remember Gauntlet Legends needing it. If anyone is able to test that, that would be cool..

 

Perfect Dark only has a tiny percentage of the game available without it and may as well require it.

[Rex Dart]

Get Mario 64, Mario Kart 64, Smash Bros, and Kirby 64... they're about the only good games on the thing.

[tz101]

Its already been said, but the Super Pad 64 controller. I have two and they are far better than stock N64 controllers.

 

Also, Mario Kart 64, Cruisin' USA and Cruisin' World. Key to the Cruisin' games is a good racing wheel and pedals set. Great driving times to be had on N64.

[+atari2600land]

VR Pool is a great billiards game, and if you're a fan of Wheel of Fortune, get the game because you can set all three contestants to computer so it'd be like watching a show on demand!

[Tr3vor]

Banjo Kazooie is a must have. And if you have the $ then Conker's Bad Fur Day, that game is hilarious!

[Koopa64]

DK 64 is the only game that requires expansion pack.

 

Wrong. Zelda: Majora's Mask also requires it. Perfect Dark can run without it, but only with a few demo-like features. The full game requires the Expansion Pak.

 

As for a must-have title that likely hasn't been mentioned, is Conker's Bad Fur Day. Obviously not for it's "mature" content, but because it is the most technologically impressive game on the N64. It is THE best looking game on the system. BFD has ridiculously well rendered textures, super long draw distances, excellent use of lighting and shadowing and probably the most impressive of all; Full voice acting. ON A CARTRIDGE SYSTEM BITCHES! And no there isn't like 10 spoken words, Conker 64 has a very generous amount of dialog, all fully spoken (they even still have speech bubbles for some weird reason). BFD has about the same amount of text in it as Banjo Kazooie, which definitely isn't something insignificant.

 

Conker's Bad Fur Day is also one of the largest games ever made on N64, weighing in at 512Mb. Resident Evil 2 is also this size and perhaps one or two other Japanese exclusives. For comparison, the largest official, non-homebrew Neo-Geo game is 716Mb, which is King of Fighters 2003.

[Reaperman]

Get Mario 64, Mario Kart 64, Smash Bros, and Kirby 64... they're about the only good games on the thing.

I didn't even like those. N64 was the generation that scared me away from 1st party Nintendo titles.

 

Extreme G and EP1 Racer were nice, but they were better when they moved on to PS2/DC. Everything on N64 looked just a little too much like it was on an N64 for my liking.

 

At least it's a cheap system to collect for.

Edited March 3, 2011 by Reaperman

[+Midnight Synergy]

Paper Mario! Great game!

 

And, sadly, the only game that got much play on my N64. I never really warmed up to many of the games, and prefer the GameCube "versions" (re-releases, sequels, etc) for many of them. That includes Mario Sunshine over Mario 64, and Mario Double Dash over Mario Karty 64, but I'm definitely in the minority there.

[the.golden.ax]

The only item you need:

 

 

AX

[tz101]

What does that thing do? Transfer ROM's to zip disk?

[Reaperman]

Paper Mario! Great game!

 

oops, forgot about that one.

I guess there was a 1st party game for N64 that I liked.

 

That's a neat thingy there ax. Seems like a silly way to go about it, but neat to see.

[the.golden.ax]

The Z64 holds around 8 - 12 roms on a zip disk, but better than that, there is a scene bios update for using a CF or mini HDD to hold all the roms at once.

 

AX

[ls650]

Beetle Adventure Racing !

[VectorGamer]

One of these...

[nathanallan]

wood is right, that superpad is a great thing, makes the whole system just work better. It looks weird and takes a tiny bit of getting used to but once you are "behind the wheel" of the superpad it rocks absolutely.

 

Also props to Ax for his Z64, those things are really neat and a great way to save a rental game-- I know nobody rents N64 titles anymore but it works well for that (I have read).

 

I personally like the Zelda games and the Star Wars games, but hey, you know me, I am biased .

 

Turok is good if you like FPS and people say GoldenEye is good, but I have only played it once. Gauntlet Legends, definitely, I liked Starfox 64 cause I like the flying/shooting in space game.

[A_Locomotive]

I also have a Gameshark v3 which I have not tested yet (I hear many are flakey or break easily) but I hope it works.

 

Be extremely careful with the game shark. I'd recommend only using it on games with no internal memory. My little brother bricked several of our games with one when he was a kid. Don't know if replacing the internal batteries would fix(killing the memory and possibly the problem?) them but they just flat out refuse to start after he saved his game while using cheats.

 

Games I'd recommend, StarFox 64, Mario 64, Ocarina of Time, Majora's Mask, Star Wars Episode 1 Racer, Shadows of the Empire, Golden Eye.

[82atari5200]

Get Mario 64, Mario Kart 64, Smash Bros, and Kirby 64... they're about the only good games on the thing.

I second that. I have an N64 I picked up with a bunch of games, can't wait to get rid of it. And I have the jungle green one with memory pack. Got a bunch of accessories too. Anyone interested make me an offer. Please....

[OldSchoolRetroGamer]

Get Mario 64, Mario Kart 64, Smash Bros, and Kirby 64... they're about the only good games on the thing.

I second that. I have an N64 I picked up with a bunch of games, can't wait to get rid of it. And I have the jungle green one with memory pack. Got a bunch of accessories too. Anyone interested make me an offer. Please....

 

Heh that is OK, I am a collector and have many consoles that people would say is not worth having. I will keep it as I know of several games I definitely like, just looking for more opinions. Good games are subjective, this thread is not a debate about that but as my original posts indicates I would appreciate more recommendations like the several given so far thanks.

[zylon]

Gauntlet Legends doesn't need the expansion pak. Quake 2 supports it. My faves on N64 were mostly FPS and football, but I did like a few others. I have heard reports of Yobo expansion paks bricking systems but haven't had any die yet. I prefer leaving 2 controls hooked up so I can leave the rumble pak in one and memory card in the other.

Doom 64

Quake I & II

Madden 64

Gauntlet Legends

Destruction Derby

Mortal Kombat IV

[toptenmaterial]

Don't forget about 007 fellas! Best multiplayer game ever next to Mario Kart 64!

[toptenmaterial]

The Z64 holds around 8 - 12 roms on a zip disk, but better than that, there is a scene bios update for using a CF or mini HDD to hold all the roms at once.

 

AX

Is there a harmony cart (or equivalent of) for the N64? Just kidding, piracy makes me sick. SICK!!

[the.golden.ax]

The Z64 holds around 8 - 12 roms on a zip disk, but better than that, there is a scene bios update for using a CF or mini HDD to hold all the roms at once.

 

AX

Is there a harmony cart (or equivalent of) for the N64? Just kidding, piracy makes me sick. SICK!!

 

 

Collecting boxed games and messing them up every time you want to play a game makes me sick

 

AX