Nintendo 64 Hardware and Accessories

Unveiled in November 1995 and released in 1996, the Nintendo 64 is a cartridge-based, 64-bit console that uses a cartridge game format. The system itself features a power and reset button on the top, a hatch that allows the Jumper Pak to be replaced with an Expansion Pak, and an extension port on the base, used for the 64DD.

The system has four control ports on the front for 4-player multiplayer gaming, which provided the system many of its biggest successes.

Serial	Hardware
NUS-001	Nintendo 64
NUS-002	AC Adapter
NUS-003	RF Modulator
NUS-008	Jumper Pak
NUS-009	RF Switch

A redesigned Nintendo 64 was designed to celebrate the success of the Pokémon series. The system was coloured blue and yellow, the power switch was replaced with a Poke Ball, and the reset button was replaced with one of the feet on the large, plastic Pikachu that sits on the right.

Unlike other console redesigns, the Pikachu Nintendo 64 was actually larger than the original model.

Serial	Hardware
NUS-101	Pikachu Nintendo 64

A disk drive that connected to the base of the Nintendo 64 and took proprietary 64MB magneto-optical disks for expanded data storage. The system also featured an internal clock and the ability to expand and change games inserted into the N64.

The system was announced in 1995, and originally it was intended that many Nintendo 64 games would be released on the device. However, the system was repeatedly delayed and many of its key titles were converted to cartridge format. The system eventually received a limited released through a RANDnet service in Japan in December 1999, after fears that the system would be a commercial failure.

Serial	Hardware
NUS-010	64DD
NUS-011	64DD Disk
NUS-017	Mouse
NUS-028	Capture Cartridge
NUS-029	Modem

The iconic trident-shaped Nintendo 64 controller featured an analogue Control Stick and a digital + Directional Pad, plus 10 buttons: blue and green A and B buttons, four yellow C buttons, a red Start button, L and R shoulder buttons, and a Z trigger button positioned on the central prong behind the analogue stick.

The back of the controller features a port that is used for the Contoller Pak, Rumble Pak or Transfer Pak.

Despite initial surprise at the bizarre shape, the analogue and button layout were considered ideally suited for early 3D gaming, and drove the development of future analogue controllers.

Serial	Hardware
NUS-005	Controller

Despite using cartridges that could feature battery backup, the Nintendo 64 Controller Pak was available to save game data. The Controller Pak was used to save many early Nintendo 64 games, but later it was more often used to transfer game data between different copies of the game.

Serial	Hardware
NUS-004	Controller Pak

The Nintendo 64 Rumble Pak was the first force-feedback accessory for a home console, and originally came packaged with Star Fox 64, as well as available separately.

The Rumble Pak plugged into the back of the Nintendo 64 Controller, and vibrated in reaction to events taking place on screen. Nearly all games released after 1997 were compatible with the Rumble Pak.

Serial	Hardware
NUS-013	Rumble Pak

The Nintendo 64 Transfer Pak was used to allow Game Boy and Game Boy Color games to communicate with Nintendo 64 games.

The Transfer Pak was originally released as a pack-in with Pokémon Stadium, allowing the player's Pokémon team from the Game Boy games to be used in full 3D in the Nintendo 64 game. Pokémon Stadium was also one of the rare occasions when the Game Boy title could be played on the TV. Most Transfer Pak compatible games did not allow for this.

Serial	Hardware
NUS-019	64GB Transfer Pak

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Compatible Games

Nintendo 64 Game	Game Boy Game(s)
Mario Artist: Talent Studio	Game Boy Camera
Mario Golf	Mario Golf
Mario Tennis	Mario Tennis
Mickey's Speedway USA	Mickey's Speedway USA
Perfect Dark	Perfect Dark
Pokémon Stadium	Pokémon: Red & Blue Version Pokémon: Yellow Version
Pokémon Stadium 2	Pokémon: Red & Blue Version Pokémon: Yellow Version Pokémon: Gold & Silver Version Pokémon: Crystal Version

The Nintendo 64 VRU consisted of the Voice Recognition Unit and a microphone that could be attached to the Nintendo 64 Controller. It allowed the player to communicate with compatible games using voice commands.

The VRU was packaged with Hey You, Pikachu! which was the only first party title to use the device. The VRU was never released in Europe.

Serial	Hardware
NUS-020	Voice Recognition Unit
NUS-021	Microphone
NUS-022	Microphone Holder
NUS-025	Microphone Strap
NUS-026	Microphone Foam Ball

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Compatible Games

• Hey You, Pikachu!

The Expansion Pak expanded the Nintendo 64's RAM from 4MB to 8MB, often used to output better graphics. The user would have to open the hatch on the top of the Nintendo 64 and remove the Jumper Pak and replace it with the Expansion Pak.

66 games in total used the device, but only two required it to play: Donkey Kong 64 and The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask. A number of games, such as Perfect Dark, featured additional gameplay options if used with the Expansion Pak.

Serial	Hardware
NUS-007	Expansion Pak
NUS-012	Jumper Pak Ejector

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Compatible Games

• Donkey Kong 64
• The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask
• Pokémon Stadium 2
• Excitebike 64
• Perfect Dark
• Ken Griffey Jr.'s Slugfest
• NBA Courtside 2
• Cruis'n World