Nintendo 64 Hardware and Accessories

Nintendo 64

Initially announced as Project Reality, and codenamed the Ultra 64 before its release, the Nintendo 64 was the first 64-bit contender in the home console market and the first Nintendo system to be designed for 3D graphics thanks to its Silicon Graphics processor.

The system also saw Nintendo lose a significant portion of its market share to the competition, largely thanks to a lack of software support due to the decision to use cartridges instead of the more common CD format.

Nintendo 64 hardware uses the serial code NUS (Nintendo Ultra Sixty-four). It was the first Nintendo home console to use the same name and serial codes worldwide.

Nintendo 64

Nintendo 64

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

Pikachu Nintendo 64

Pikachu Nintendo 64

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-101Pikachu Nintendo 64

Nintendo 64 Disk Drive (64DD)

Nintendo 64DD

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-01064DD
NUS-01164DD Disk
NUS-017Mouse
NUS-028Capture Cartridge
NUS-029Modem

Nintendo 64 Controller

Controller

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-005Controller

Nintendo 64 Controller Pak

Controller Pak

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-004Controller Pak

Rumble Pak

Rumble 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-013Rumble Pak

N64 Transfer Pak

64GB Transfer 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-01964GB Transfer Pak

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

Voice Recognition Unit (VRU)

Voice Recognition Unit

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

Compatible Games

  • Hey You, Pikachu!

Expansion Pak

Expansion Pak

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-007Expansion Pak
NUS-012Jumper Pak Ejector

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

Game Paks (cartridges)

Serial Hardware
NUS-006Game Pak
NUS-023SmartMedia Game Pak (Mario's Photopy)

Cleaning Kits

Serial Hardware
NUS-014Control Deck Cleaner
NUS-015Controller Cleaner
NUS-016Cleaning Wand