How to Mod Your N64
Learn how to modify your Nintendo 64 so that you can play Japanese games without a converter.
With no new Nintendo 64 games coming out anymore, more and more 64-bit console owners with nothing else to do are turning to the Japanese market for their games. Importing -- you've heard about it, but you've never done it because Japanese games don't work with US systems and you're not about to pay an extra $150 for an overseas unit just so you can play some international software.
The good news is that you don't have to. With the right tools and only 10 minutes spare time, you can modify your US Nintendo 64 unit to play Japanese software. And once you do, you'll be to import that crazy
Animal Forest or the godly
Sin & Punishment you've been reading about and they'll work brilliantly on your easily modified (and oh so accommodating system). Some Japanese games have very little text in them and therefore lend themselves to importers --
Custom Robo 64 being one of them. At the very least, it's an option to consider if you're a die-hard N64 fan who needs everyting.
IGN64 and IGNguides have teamed up and put together a quick photo guide with the step-by-step instructions needed to make your US Nintendo 64 unit play Japanese software. We've got details on the tools needed, where to get them and how much they cost. We've got loads of pictures that perfectly illustrate how it's all done. We've got all the necessary information every potential importer should know before attempting to test their luck with Japanese software.
Click on this link for the step-by-step guide on how to modify your N64 to play Japanese software.
Gone to GameCube
Check out some of the games that were canned on N64 and moved to Nintendo's new console.
Looking for an N64 title not reviewed on this site? It's possible that the game got either cancelled or moved to GameCube. Whenever a platform's last days are near some developers will take what they've done and move it all to a new platform. While dozens of Nintendo 64 projects have been canned completely and disappeared into obscurity (just read the N64 previews archives), here are a few big titles that will live on.
Dinosaur Planet
Dinosaur Planet is possibly the biggest N64 departure. Thought to be one of the last Nintendo 64 killer-apps, the Rare developed adventure was cancelled for N64 and moved to GameCube with some huge changes. Apart from the amazing graphical upgrades, Dinosaur Planet now stars characters from Nintendo's popular Star Fox franchise and has fittingly been redubbed Star Fox Adventures
Compare the two by checking out the previews below:
Dinosaur Planet (Nintendo 64)
Star Fox Adventures (GameCube)
Eternal Darkness
Eternal Darkness was another anticipated title that was deemed to be more appropriate on GameCube. After disappointing sales of M-rated N64 games like Resident Evil 2, Silicon Knights' horror adventure switched platforms and is now looking better than ever.
Compare the two by checking out the previews below:
Eternal Darkness (Nintendo 64)
Eternal Darkness (GameCube)
Animal Forest +
Although released in Japan on N64, Nintendo's communication game never made it out in the US. Hopefully Nintendo will remedy this by releasing the GameCube port of the title worldwide. Though not a huge graphical upgrade, Animal Forest + on GameCube offers more game features, more events, and even GBA connectivity.
Compare the two by checking out the previews below:
Animal Forest (Nintendo 64)
Star Fox Adventures (GameCube)
Animal Leader
If there is one N64 to GameCube conversion that hasn't benefited much from the added power of the GCN, then it's Doubutsu Banchou ? or, in English, Animal Leader. The Marigul-developed evolution action game set in a block-eats-block world looks virtually identical on both platforms. Don't believe us?
Compare the two by checking out the previews below:
Doubutsu Banchou (Nintendo 64)
Animal Leader (GameCube)
Additionally, some projects initially planned for N64 -- but never started -- are now resurfacing on GameCube. For example, Digital Integrations' Top Gun is now on its way to GameCube and there's even a new Robotech game on the horizon. Yes, the GameCube is where it's at now for Nintendo fans, but it doesn't hurt to browse our N64 preview archives and check out all the games that never made it out.
