N64 Appreciation Thread

[Tomdominer]

Thought it was worth mentioning in this thread, but Nintendo have announced a wireless N64 controller for their new Nintendo Online - Expansion Pack service.

 

I am really hoping it would pair with the Retro-Bit Tribute64 2.4Ghz Wireless Adapter and therefore we'll be able to use it on real hardware...

 

 

[spanky debrest]

I highly doubt the new (likely limited run) Switch N64-styled controllers will be compatible with 2.4G dongles, and suspect the port used for controller peripherals (such as the memory module / Controller Pak) won't be there. It'll be redundant as part of a Switch controller.

 

I'd like to have a some faith in Nintendo 2021 being able to throw a bone to the retro enthusiast contingent but honestly I think they fucking despise us.

[dataDave]

Yeah, there's no way it's not going to be Bluetooth.

 

I've just sold some stuff off so it could soon be N64 time! 

[dataDave]

Alright so there are loads of consoles in very good condition going for cheap on Ebay Germany. Sourcing a console won't be difficult.

 

The thing is what's the best RGB amp to install, and how hard is it? I could go and research all this stuff myself but I'm busy AF and already behind on my work. I should be working right now actually instead of doing this.

 

I plan on going all-in with this project. RGB, steel bowl sticks in the controllers (costly), Everdrive64, etc.

  

On 27/08/2021 at 15:39, Tomdominer said:

Yeah, I truly believe Wave Race 64 (along with F-Zero X and 1080 Snowboarding) are the some of the best racing games of all time.

 

This is one of the many reasons I'm after one.

 

I reckon GX is far better than X, but it's still a clear 10/10.

[Colonel Panic]

Not all N64 models work with the basic RGB amp mod. The basic mod is pretty easy if you have the tools and can solder.

 

Here's some of the stuff you can do - https://8bitmods.com/mod-kits/nintendo/nintendo-64/

 

Not much in stock right now.

[spanky debrest]

@Fallows I may have an unused Tim Worthington RGB kit (flashed with a firmware that allows for extra controller / deblur functions) laying around that you can have for cost. It was fancy when I bought it, but there are definitely fancier options now if you want the best of the best.

 

Reason I didn't install it is because - for N64 - I'm actually 100% happy with composite video & toggling anti-AA patches now and then for official titles. Since I only game on a CRT and have no desire to capture / stream / use a scaler etc it's probably going to remain unused.

[Colonel Panic]

Even if you're happy with composite, some N64s support S-Video and the output quality is pretty good!

[spanky debrest]

Yeah, mines an NTSC unit so I know it does.

 

If playing on an HDTV was a goal I wouldn't think twice about installing the RGB board or harnessing the S-video signal for a better quality source for the chain. 

 

Truthfully though, had I been aware of how excellent N64 S-video was I might have regarded an RGB mod as overkill and never contemplated it at all. But that's just me.

[Colonel Panic]

Same here

 

I have a modded NTSC unit for RGB and it looks... okay... but I also have a smoke grey PAL machine in my personcave connected to a CRT using S-Video and play NTSC games via an Everdrive 64 and it's a great solution.

[spanky debrest]

Shiren 2 translation is finally reaches v1.0 and proper release:

 

https://www.romhacking.net/translations/6293/

 

Out of the JPN games still left to translate this one was definitely one of the more interesting.

 

The N64 community is amazing.

 

And it's got digital controls! (I do love being able to ignore the analogue stick in N64 games as the controller is, to me, 2nd only in comfort to a JPN Saturn pad when used in that way).

[Kevvy Metal]

On 24/09/2021 at 21:53, Fallows said:

Alright so there are loads of consoles in very good condition going for cheap on Ebay Germany. Sourcing a console won't be difficult.

 

The thing is what's the best RGB amp to install, and how hard is it? I could go and research all this stuff myself but I'm busy AF and already behind on my work. I should be working right now actually instead of doing this.

 

I plan on going all-in with this project. RGB, steel bowl sticks in the controllers (costly), Everdrive64, etc.

  

 

This is one of the many reasons I'm after one.

 

I reckon GX is far better than X, but it's still a clear 10/10.

 

I have a Japanese N64 with the Tim Worthington RGB mod....but...

IMO, if you're running the N64 on a CRT, you might as well just source a good S-video cable as the difference between RGB and S-video on the N64 is very slight. 

 

S-video is a totally under-rated video source, especially on a CRT. 

[dataDave]

13 minutes ago, Kevvy Metal said:

 

I have a Japanese N64 with the Tim Worthington RGB mod....but...

IMO, if you're running the N64 on a CRT, you might as well just source a good S-video cable as the difference between RGB and S-video on the N64 is very slight. 

 

S-video is a totally under-rated video source, especially on a CRT. 

 

Yeah, I used to have an RGB modded N64 years ago and the difference between that and S-video was slight. I thought things might have progressed massively since then, with the deblur and whatnot.

[Gorf]

Regarding doing an RGB mod on an N64 I decided to buy a pre-modded one with the deblur, 15 bit colour and reset via pad features.

 

Ive made a complete arse of a supposedly simple Saturn 50/60hz switch in the past and so decided to get it done by someone else

 

Got it from here: 

https://www.oldskoolconsoles.com/product-page/rgb-modded-n64-grey-ntsc-t-w-n64rgb-with-deblur

 

I’m using it on an LCD screen using an OSSC with a retrogamingcables RGB scart, it looks good but it’s always going to be an N64

 

In my opinion the deblur and 15 bit colour features are nothing exciting but the reset via pad is great for use with an everdrive

[spanky debrest]

 

After a fat session on this I'm not surprised it's regarded so highly by series fans and also contemporary critics (38/40 in Famitsu etc) -  although obviously I've only scratched the surface.

 

It's exactly the oddball unique charmfest I was hoping to discover when deciding to invest in this console. 

[Kevvy Metal]

3 hours ago, Gorf said:

Regarding doing an RGB mod on an N64 I decided to buy a pre-modded one with the deblur, 15 bit colour and reset via pad features.

 

Ive made a complete arse of a supposedly simple Saturn 50/60hz switch in the past and so decided to get it done by someone else

 

Got it from here: 

https://www.oldskoolconsoles.com/product-page/rgb-modded-n64-grey-ntsc-t-w-n64rgb-with-deblur

 

I’m using it on an LCD screen using an OSSC with a retrogamingcables RGB scart, it looks good but it’s always going to be an N64

 

In my opinion the deblur and 15 bit colour features are nothing exciting but the reset via pad is great for use with an everdrive

 

I have an RGB modded AV Famicom from oldskoolconsoles. Good service and recommended! 

Yeah, for me the most important thing with the N64 is to avoid those god-awful 50hz PAL versions of the games. RGB mods and the like don't add a lot more over 60hz and s-video. 

An Everdrive is a great thing with the machine, and the library is so small at only around 350 games released! 

[jonnyalpha]

I've got an N64 JP model on the way fitted with the new PixelFx Mod which means my N64 will have an HDMI output. I'm very excited to see what it is like and it's arriving tomorrow. I have the day off so I'm going to have a busy day revisiting some old favourites.

[MoFo2]

Asking for a friend who happens to be myself: From where and how much?

[jonnyalpha]

16 minutes ago, MoFo2 said:

Asking for a friend who happens to be myself: From where and how much?

I got it done by Console Refresh, (search console refresh ebay) the guy running it seems to be a real enthusiast and very genuine. He's emailed me images of the work done and the turn around has been about 4 days from me sending the console in. I've bought a pre-modded JP console for myself (which they sourced) and then had my own console modded which will end up being a present for my daughter as it's her childhood console.

 

This was expensive. A real extravagance. The costs for the modification to my own console were:

 

N64Digital kit - £205

N64Digital install - £85

Re-cap and new voltage regulator - £38

Laser Bear PixelFX logo AV port -£26

Total £354

 

Obviously it was a bit more when an extra console was added in as well.

 

The PixelFx mod was in short supply and I've had to wait for the second run of the mods. I don't know if they have any left at the moment. I'll post back when I've got the console plugged in and had a blast through some classics.

 

 

[bplus]

On 24/09/2021 at 21:53, Fallows said:

Alright so there are loads of consoles in very good condition going for cheap on Ebay Germany. Sourcing a console won't be difficult.

 

The thing is what's the best RGB amp to install, and how hard is it? I could go and research all this stuff myself but I'm busy AF and already behind on my work. I should be working right now actually instead of doing this.

 

I plan on going all-in with this project. RGB, steel bowl sticks in the controllers (costly), Everdrive64, etc.

  

 

This is one of the many reasons I'm after one.

 

I reckon GX is far better than X, but it's still a clear 10/10.

Honestly get an NTSC one if you can, wave race especially suffered from squished screen and being slower.

[Gorf]

2 hours ago, bplus said:

Honestly get an NTSC one if you can, wave race especially suffered from squished screen and being slower.

This

 

You should be able to pick up an RGB modded NTSC console for £100-£120 if you shop around

 

oldskoolconsoles sold me a scruffy one for that a few months back

 

For wave race in particular the difference is very noticeable, it still holds up really well, think I played it every evening for a week

[Colonel Panic]

On 07/10/2021 at 20:39, jonnyalpha said:

The PixelFx mod was in short supply and I've had to wait for the second run of the mods. I don't know if they have any left at the moment. I'll post back when I've got the console plugged in and had a blast through some classics.

 

 

 

I was tempted to buy one when 8BitMods got more stock, but talked myself out of it. For anything up to the Dreamcast, I'm going to stick with a RetroTink5x to get things on my HDTV.

 

You must be chuffed having the ULTIMATE Nintendo 64 though!

[RastanSaga]

 

[Oracle]

On 07/10/2021 at 20:39, jonnyalpha said:

I got it done by Console Refresh, (search console refresh ebay) the guy running it seems to be a real enthusiast and very genuine. He's emailed me images of the work done and the turn around has been about 4 days from me sending the console in. I've bought a pre-modded JP console for myself (which they sourced) and then had my own console modded which will end up being a present for my daughter as it's her childhood console.

 

This was expensive. A real extravagance. The costs for the modification to my own console were:

 

N64Digital kit - £205

N64Digital install - £85

Re-cap and new voltage regulator - £38

Laser Bear PixelFX logo AV port -£26

Total £354

 

Obviously it was a bit more when an extra console was added in as well.

 

The PixelFx mod was in short supply and I've had to wait for the second run of the mods. I don't know if they have any left at the moment. I'll post back when I've got the console plugged in and had a blast through some classics.

 

 

 

I've just been pinged by the guy, honestly not sure if I should spend the money on it - maybe I should just get the refund.

[jonnyalpha]

5 hours ago, Oracle said:

 

I've just been pinged by the guy, honestly not sure if I should spend the money on it - maybe I should just get the refund.

Only you can decide if its worth it for you. I was pleased to get my 64 recapped and refurbed and the fact that I can now use it again, rather than it sitting in its bag under the bed, made it worth it for me. Paired with an everdrive it's the perfect N64 for my needs.

[PikaStu]

Sorry to bring this up again, a while back I picked up a Japanese N64 and the video signal was overly bright (like how I imagine a PAL system with the wrong svideo cable would look).

I decided to finally take the machine apart, and it has 3 wires, from C124/125/126 to pins 1,2 and 4 of the AV terminal. There’s no resistors or mini board I’d associate with an RGB mod… can early machines be modded just by routing 3 wires?

[Bangaio]

My n64 has stopped turning on! Any thoughts on the potential issue? I suspect the PSU but I don’t have a multi meter to test it with. It’s just a lowly pal machine (I sold my ntsc one years ago - what was I thinking) but I’d love to get it up and running again. 

[jamesy]

5 hours ago, StoooTube said:

Sorry to bring this up again, a while back I picked up a Japanese N64 and the video signal was overly bright (like how I imagine a PAL system with the wrong svideo cable would look).

I decided to finally take the machine apart, and it has 3 wires, from C124/125/126 to pins 1,2 and 4 of the AV terminal. There’s no resistors or mini board I’d associate with an RGB mod… can early machines be modded just by routing 3 wires?

I don't know about the correct pins or anything like that. But I have an rgb modded 64 with literally just wires. Needs a specific cable to work properly. Probably has resistors or something like that in the scart cable.

[Gorf]

18 hours ago, Bangaio said:

My n64 has stopped turning on! Any thoughts on the potential issue? I suspect the PSU but I don’t have a multi meter to test it with. It’s just a lowly pal machine (I sold my ntsc one years ago - what was I thinking) but I’d love to get it up and running again. 

I’ve had a couple of N64s do this to me and it’s either been the PSU or could be the jumper pack / expansion pack needs reseated

 

I would suggest trying a new PSU first

 

I do have a spare PAL N64 that has no power LED, that caused me a lot of confusion!

[bplus]

On 25/09/2021 at 01:57, spanky debrest said:

@Fallows I may have an unused Tim Worthington RGB kit (flashed with a firmware that allows for extra controller / deblur functions) laying around that you can have for cost. It was fancy when I bought it, but there are definitely fancier options now if you want the best of the best.

 

Reason I didn't install it is because - for N64 - I'm actually 100% happy with composite video & toggling anti-AA patches now and then for official titles. Since I only game on a CRT and have no desire to capture / stream / use a scaler etc it's probably going to remain unused.

Tim W. Kit, what's fancier these days I'm thinking of using a site oldskoolconsoles and I think they use that kit. Should I be looking for something better? I'll be playing through an ossc

[bplus]

On 13/10/2021 at 17:27, StoooTube said:

Sorry to bring this up again, a while back I picked up a Japanese N64 and the video signal was overly bright (like how I imagine a PAL system with the wrong svideo cable would look).

I decided to finally take the machine apart, and it has 3 wires, from C124/125/126 to pins 1,2 and 4 of the AV terminal. There’s no resistors or mini board I’d associate with an RGB mod… can early machines be modded just by routing 3 wires?

I did that mod years ago, I can barely hold a soldering iron it was either 3 or six wires can't remember. I undid it because it was a  bit dark. Wish I d left it in place until I tried it with a ossc