Nintendo 64 accessories


This is a list of accessories for the Nintendo 64 video game console.

First party accessories

Controller (NUS-005)

The Nintendo 64 controller is an "m"-shaped controller with 10 buttons, one analog stick in the center, a digital directional pad on the left hand side, and an extension port on the back for many of the system's accessories. Initially available in the seven colors of gray, yellow, green, red, blue, purple, and black, and it was later released in translucent versions of those colors except gray.

Controller Pak (NUS-004)

The is the console's memory card, comparable to those seen in the PlayStation and other CD-ROM-based video game consoles. Certain games allow saving of game files to the Controller Pak, which plugs into the back of the Nintendo 64 controller. The Controller Pak was marketed as a way to exchange data with other Nintendo 64 owners, since information saved on the game cartridge can not be transferred between cartridges.
It is plugged into the controller and allows the player to save game progress and configuration. The original models from Nintendo offered 256 kilobits battery backed SRAM, split into 123 pages with a limitation of 16 save files, but third party models have much more, often in the form of 4 selectable memory bank of 256kbits. The number of pages that a game occupy vary, sometimes using the entire card. It is powered by a common CR2032 battery.
Upon launch, the Controller Pak was initially useful, and even necessary for the earlier Nintendo 64 games. Over time, the Controller Pak lost popularity to the convenience of a battery backed SRAM or EEPROM found in some cartridges. Because the Nintendo 64 uses a Game Pak cartridge format that allows saving data on the cartridge itself, few first party and second party games use the Controller Pak. The vast majority are from third-party developers. This is most likely due to the increased production and retail costs which would have been caused by including self-contained data on the cartridge. Some games use it to save optional data that is too large for the cartridge, such as Mario Kart 64, which uses 121 of the total 123 pages for storing ghost data, or International Superstar Soccer 64, which uses up the entire cartridge's space for its save data. Tony Hawk's Pro Skater uses 11 pages. Quest 64 and Mystical Ninja Starring Goemon use the Controller Pak exclusively for saved data. The Japan-only game Animal Forest uses the Controller Pak to travel to other towns.
Following the 1996 Christmas Shopping Season, Next Generation reported "impressive sales of the memory pack cartridges despite the lack of available games to take advantage of the $19.99 units".

Jumper Pak (NUS-008)

The Jumper Pak is a filler that plugs into the console's memory expansion port. It serves no functional purpose other than to terminate the RAMBUS bus in the absence of the Expansion Pak. This is functionally equivalent to a continuity RIMM in a RAMBUS motherboard filling the unused RIMM sockets until the user upgrades. Nintendo 64 consoles were shipped with the Jumper Pak included and already installed. Jumper Paks were not sold individually in stores and could only be ordered individually through Nintendo's online store. The system requires the Jumper Pak when the Expansion Pak is not present or else there will be no picture on the TV screen.

Expansion Pak (NUS-007)

The consists of 4 MB of random access memory —which is RDRAM, the same type of memory used inside the console itself—increasing the Nintendo 64 console's RAM from 4 MB to 8 MB of contiguous main memory. It is installed in a port on top of the console and replaces the pre-installed Jumper Pak, which is simply a RAMBUS terminator. Originally designed to accompany the 64DD disk drive expansion peripheral for its larger multimedia workstation applications, the Expansion Pak was launched separately in Q4 1998 and then bundled with the 64DD's delayed December 1999 Japan launch package. The Expansion Pak was bundled with Donkey Kong 64, and in Japan, the Expansion Pak additionally came bundled with Zelda: Majora's Mask and Perfect Dark, though the games have been also available separately in other regions.
It was bundled with an "ejector tool" meant for removing the original Jumper Pak.
Game developers took advantage of the increased memory in various ways, including greater visual appeal. The Expansion Pak is required in order to run two cartridge games, Donkey Kong 64 and '; a third game, Perfect Dark, would lack most of its content when no Expansion Pak was present, a fact described on the back cover as "approximately 35%" of the game being available in that case, arguably amounting to a mere demo mode. It is also required for all 64DD software. In StarCraft 64, it is needed to unlock levels from the ' add-on for the PC version of the game. The Nintendo 64 all-remade version of Quake II features higher color depth and better performance, but not a higher resolution when using the Expansion Pak. Finally, in the vast majority of games with support, such as ' and Indiana Jones and the Infernal Machine, the expansion pak is merely used as additional framebuffer memory to enable various high-resolution mode options, at the downside of usually worse performance, in some cases dramatically so. This common simple use of the Expansion Pak can be attributed to ease of implementation and the fact that games still mainly targeted the stock N64 configuration; also, the additional RDRAM could not be easily used to circumvent other bottlenecks of the console, such as the small texture cache. Also, the original NTSC release of Space Station Silicon Valley is known to potentially crash in certain places if the Expansion Pak is present.
IGN celebrated the Nintendo 64 industry's methods in launching and supporting the Expansion Pak, for making a high impact accessory with "immediate and noticeable" effects but which is nonetheless mostly optional.
TitlePak RequiredNotes
'The Expansion Pak is required for the "High Quality" graphics setting.
All-Star Baseball 2000
All-Star Baseball 2001
'Adds hi-res letterbox and hi-res modes, accessible from pause menu.
'
'
'
'
'The Expansion Pak enables the option to turn on "Hi-Res" mode.
Command & ConquerMakes the "high" battlefield resolution option in ingame options menu available, which engages a hi-res interlaced mode.
DaikatanaAdds a "hi-res" interlaced letterbox mode, accessible from main menu.
'Allows high resolution mode
Donkey Kong 64Prevents a game-breaking bug that would cause the game to randomly crash. Since Rare could not fix the problem in time for its release, the Expansion Pak is packaged with the game. If the Expansion Pak is not used, a notice will be shown on screen, preventing the game from being played.
'Adds additional interlaced medium and high-res modes, accessible from main menu options.
Excitebike 64The Expansion Pak enables the option to turn on "Hi-Res" mode. Only the PAL version signifies its Expansion Pak compatibility on the box.
F-1 World Grand Prix IIThe Expansion Pak allows a full race replay.
FIFA 99Allows for an unadvertised "Super High" resolution mode of 640×480i.
Gauntlet LegendsThe Expansion Pak is required for 4 player multiplayer.
Hybrid HeavenEnables hi-res letterbox and hi-res modes, accessible from main menu options.
Hydro ThunderThe Expansion Pak is required for 3 and 4 player multiplayer.
Indiana Jones and the Infernal MachineEnables hi-res mode, which increases resolution to 400×440i.
International Superstar Soccer 2000The Expansion Pak is required for high-resolution textures; however, performance suffered as a result.
International Track & Field 2000
Jeremy McGrath Supercross 2000
Ken Griffey, Jr.'s SlugfestAllows for hi-res gameplay.
'The only released non-64DD game completely designed from the ground up with the Expansion Pak in mind. Utilized to increase texture detail, remove fog that is prevalent in Ocarina of Time, and increase number of on-screen models, as well as add new effects, such as motion blur.
Madden NFL 2000
Madden NFL 2001
Madden NFL 2002
NBA Jam 2000Only the PAL version signifies its Expansion Pak compatibility on the box.
NFL Quarterback Club '99
NFL Quarterback Club 2000
Nuclear Strike 64Adds a progressive "medium" resolution mode, accessible from main menu options.
Perfect DarkThe Expansion Pak is required for the single player, co-operative and counter-operative campaigns, as well as most multiplayer features. It also adds an optional hi-res mode accessible via ingame pause menu, increasing the resolution to 640×222p in NTSC, and 448×268p in PAL.
Pokémon Stadium 2States "Expansion Pak Detected" on the Start screen if one is being used. Increases the resolution to 640×480i.
Quake IIImproves graphical fidelity by increasing framebuffer color depth, removing dithering, and turns off screen blur. Also slightly increases framerate.
'Adds a progressive hi-res mode accessible from ingame pause menu.
Re-VoltAdds an interlaced "medium resolution" mode accessible from ingame pause menu.
Resident Evil 2Increased video resolution and texture detail, switching between various progressive and interlaced resolutions on a per-screen basis.
Road Rash 64Adds additional letterboxed, widescreen and hi-res progressive modes, accessible from main menu options.
Roadsters
San Francisco Rush 2049The Expansion Pak is required for track 6, the Advanced Circuit, changeable rims, and music during Arcade races.
Shadow ManAdds an interlaced hi-res mode acessible from main menu options.
Spider-Man
South ParkEnables interlaced hi-res letterbox and high-res mode options, increases frame rate in lo-res mode.
StarCraft 64The Expansion Pak is required for the Brood War missions and the two player split-screen mode.
'Enables hi-res mode, which increases resolution to 400×440i.
'Enables hi-res mode, which runs at 640×480i with higher-resolution textures. Also increases the framerate in lo-res mode for smoother gameplay.
'Enables hi-res mode, which increases resolution to 400×440i.
The World Is Not EnoughAdds a "hi-color" mode, accessible from ingame pause menu, which switches to a higher progressive resolution and turns off the screen noise effect.
Tony Hawk's Pro Skater
Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 2Increases framerate, especially noticeable during multiplayer games.
Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3
Top Gear Hyper Bike
Top Gear OverdriveAdds "half" and "full" hi-res options to main menu setup.
Top Gear Rally 2
'Adds hi-res letterbox and hi-res modes, accessible from pause menu.
'Adds hi-res letterbox and hi-res modes, accessible from pause menu.
'Adds hi-res letterbox and hi-res modes, accessible from pause menu.
Vigilante 8Adds a high resolution mode accessible from pause menu. A hidden "ultra" mode is added by entering "MAX_RESOLUTION" in the password screen.
'Adds a high resolution mode accessible from pause menu. A hidden "ultra" mode is added by entering "GO_MAX_REZ" in the password screen, which is accessed by selecting "Game Status", pressing A twice, then pressing L+R.
'

Rumble Pak (NUS-013)

The is an accessory which provides haptic feedback to the player by way of vibration. It is powered by two AAA batteries and connects to the controller's expansion port. It was released in 1997 for the new game Star Fox 64 or Lylat Wars, with which it was originally bundled.

Transfer Pak (NUS-019)

The Transfer Pak is an accessory that plugs into the controller and allows the Nintendo 64 to transfer data between its own games and Game Boy or Game Boy Color games. The Transfer Pak has a Game Boy Color slot and a part that fits onto the expansion port of the N64 controller. It was included with the game Pokémon Stadium, as the game's main feature is importing Pokémon teams from Game Boy titles.
Pokémon Stadium and Pokémon Stadium 2 are games that rely heavily on the Transfer Pak. Pokémon Stadium also includes a "GB Tower" mode for playing Pokémon Red, Blue, and Yellow directly on the Nintendo 64 via a built-in Game Boy emulator. The Stadium games are the exception, as normally it is not possible to actually play Game Boy games on the Nintendo 64 with the Transfer Pak, as is possible with the Super Game Boy on the Super Nintendo Entertainment System.
The Japanese version of the Game Boy Camera can be connected to the Mario Artist series. Both Mario Golf and Mario Tennis make use of the Transfer Pak. Rare's Perfect Dark was initially going to be compatible with the Transfer Pak in order to use pictures taken with the Game Boy Camera to create characters with real-life faces, but this function was removed from development after the attacks at Columbine High School and a wave of anti-violent video game sentiment; the Transfer Pak is usable only in combination with the Game Boy Color version of Perfect Dark for unlocking bonuses.
Nintendo 64 GameGame Boy Game
Cabbage
' Choro Q Hyper Customizable GB
DT Bloodmasters
Jikkyō Powerful Pro Yakyū 6 Power Pro Kun Pocket
Jikkyō Powerful Pro Yakyū 2000 Power Pro Kun Pocket 2
' Game Boy Camera
Mario GolfMario Golf
Mario TennisMario Tennis
Mickey's Speedway USAMickey's Speedway USA
' Kawa no Nushi Tsuri 4
PD Ultraman Battle Collection 64 Any
Perfect DarkPerfect Dark
Pocket Monsters Stadium Pocket Monsters Red, Green, and Blue versions
Pokémon Stadium Pokémon Red, Blue and Yellow versions
Pokémon Stadium 2 Pokémon Red, Blue, Yellow, Pokémon Gold, Silver, and Crystal versions
Puyo Puyo 'N Party Pocket Puyo Puyo SUN
' Robopon Sun, Star, and Moon Versions
' Super B-Daman: Fighting Phoenix
Super Robot Wars 64 Super Robot Taisen Link Battler
'

Wide-Boy64

Developed by Intelligent Systems, the Wide-Boy64 is a series of adapters similar to the Super Game Boy that was able to play Game Boy games. The device was never sold in retail to general consumers and was only provided to developers and the gaming press. Two major versions of Wide-Boy64 were released: the GBC, which could play Game Boy and Game Boy Color games, and the updated GBA, which could also play Game Boy Advance game paks. It also allowed the gaming press to capture screen shots more easily. Like the Super Game Boy and Game Boy Player, the game screen is surrounded by a template mimicking the appearance of the portable system. This device was used for final matches at the Pokémon League Summer Training Tour '99. Developers and magazines could purchase one directly from Nintendo at a cost of 1400 USD apiece. The Canadian children's game show Video & Arcade Top 10 used Wide-Boy64 adapters so contestants could play Game Boy titles on some later episodes.

S-Video Cable

The S-Video Cable provides a better quality picture than composite RCA cables via the MultiAV port. The NTSC cable is identical to and compatible with earlier SNES and later GameCube S-Video cables. The first party NTSC Nintendo 64 S-Video cable sold by Nintendo, however, was not produced in PAL regions. The PAL Nintendo 64 does natively output S-Video, but require a different cable to NTSC Nintendo 64 due to a design difference in most or all PAL motherboard revisions. Nintendo never released an official S-Video cable for the PAL console. Using an NTSC S-Video cable on a PAL console will usually produce over-bright, garish colors; or it may not produce any video image at all.
Third party S-Video cables for both the NTSC and PAL consoles were produced, though it is important to note that many cheaper S-Video cables do not deliver a true S-Video signal, merely passing the composite video signal through the S-Video plug.

64DD (NUS-010)

The 64DD is an official peripheral capable of reading and writing disks. The peripheral was initially announced in 1995, planned for release in 1997, and repeatedly delayed until its release in December 1999. It launched alongside a now defunct online service called Randnet. With nine games released, it was a commercial failure and was consequently never released outside Japan.

Mouse (NUS-017)

The mouse was developed for the 64DD's GUI-based games and applications, such the Mario Artist suite, SimCity 64, and the web browser for Nintendo's defunct online service Randnet. It was manufactured by Mitsumi and bundled with the 64DD's launch game, . It works with the Game Pak

VRU (NUS-020, NUS-021, NUS-022, and NUS-025)

The VRU is compatible with only two games: Hey You, Pikachu! and Densha de Go! 64. A VRU is included with every factory package of Hey You, Pikachu! and is required to play the game. Densha de Go! 64 does not require the VRU, and as such, they are sold separately. The peripheral consists of a ballast connected to controller port 4 of the system, a microphone, a yellow foam cover for the microphone, and a clip for clipping the microphone to the controller or a plastic neck holder for hands free usage. The VRU is calibrated for best recognition of a high-pitched voice, such as a child's voice. As a result, the voices of adults and teenagers are less likely be recognized properly by the VRU.
VRUs are region dependent, and a USA region VRU cannot be used with Japanese games and vice versa. No VRU compatible game was launched in the EUR region, so there is no EUR-region VRU. A similar device was also released for the Wii called the Wii Speak.

Cleaning Kit (NUS-014, NUS-015, and NUS-016)

Nintendo released a first party cleaning kit for the Nintendo 64. It contains everything required to clean the connectors of the control deck, controllers, Game Paks, Rumble Paks, and Controller Paks.

RF Switch and RF Modulator (NUS-009 and NUS-003)

These accessories allow the Nintendo 64 and model 2 SNES to hook up to the television through RF. It was primarily intended for customers with older televisions that lack AV cable support. Since the Nintendo 64 and model 2 SNES lack built-in RF compatibility, the modulator acts as a special adapter that plugs into the Nintendo 64's AV port to give the Nintendo 64 RF compatibility. The RF switch itself is identical in every way to the RF switches released for Nintendo's prior systems and can be interchanged if needed. This set was later re-released for the GameCube to give it RF capability. The cables intended for the GameCube will also work with the Nintendo 64 and SNES.

Euro Connector Plug

The Euro Connector Plug is an adaptor packaged with European releases of the console, which converts RCA composite and stereo cable inputs to Composite SCART.

Video capture cassette (NUS-028)

A video capture cassette for use on the 64DD game series. It can capture composite video with stereo sound and microphone mix. It was bundled with the 64DD game

Modem (NUS-029)

A 28.8 kbit/s modem on a Nintendo 64 cartridge, formerly for use with the Randnet service and compatible 64DD games.

Power Supply (NUS-002) (UKV-EUR-AUS-JPN-USA)

Supplied with the Nintendo 64 Console to provide power to the Control Deck.

Keyboard

An official compact keyboard for use with the Randnet service and compatible 64DD games.

SmartMedia memory cards

Memory cards for use on the game containing images, backgrounds, borders, and other media assets to be used while editing the user photos.
There are at least six different cards:
  • Illustrations -
  • Illustrations -
  • Characters collection -
  • Characters collection -
  • Characters collection -
  • Characters collection -
The cards are all 3.3V 2MB SmartMedia memory cards manufactured by Hagiwara Sys-Com. The Mario no Photopi game was bundled with an empty memory SmartMedia card for storing the user creations.

Licensed accessories

Bio Sensor (NUS-A-BIO-JPN)

An ear-clip that plugs into the Controller Pak slot of the controller to measure the user's heart rate. Manufactured by Seta and released only in Japan and compatible only with Tetris 64 where it will slow down or speed up the game depending on how fast the player's heart is beating. This device is similar to the Wii Vitality Sensor.

Tsuricon 64 (ASC-0905)

The is a fishing controller manufactured by ASCII Corporation and compatible with a few Japanese fishing games, like or

''Densha de Go!'' controller

A train controller compatible with just one game: It is similar to other controllers for the same game series on different platforms such as Dreamcast and PlayStation.

System Organizer

Nintendo licensed A.L.S. Industries to make two types of black wooden system organizers. Both feature a plastic drawer, bearing a Nintendo 64 sticker, with slots designed to hold Nintendo 64 game cartridges, controllers, and controller paks. The larger of these two organizers holds up to 24 game cartridges, and is designed to hold the Nintendo 64 on top of the organizer. The larger organizer is also designed to work with Super NES consoles, game cartridges, and controllers. The smaller organizer holds up to 12 game cartridges.

Traveling accessories

The Messenger Bag is a black bag made to carry on the left side of the body. It is branded on the front with the Nintendo 64 logo and name. It comes with zippered compartments on the outside and inside and with mesh pockets. It can only hold a few games and a controller.
Nintendo licensed a Traveling Case—a black bag, with the Nintendo 64 name stitched on the front. Two plastic buckles on the front keep the bag closed. It is made to carry the Nintendo 64 system with controllers, games, and accessories. They also made a standard black backpack with the Nintendo 64 logo on the top and a zippered compartment on the front.

Camera

A basic 35 mm camera, complete with a timer and flash. Official cameras have a Nintendo 64 logo on the front. They come in different colors such as blue and orange.

Development and backup

Nintendo's original development environment for Nintendo 64 software is a card made by SGI containing a most of a Nintendo 64 console plus a software development kit, for self-hosted installation in an SGI Indy workstation.
The second generation moved to a much cheaper partner model between a normal Nintendo 64 console and a PC, by providing a cartridge form factor holding flash storage with a cable connection to a PC. Nintendo officially licensed SN Systems to make the SN Systems dev kit and SN Maestro 64, the second generation of Nintendo 64 SDK in PC partner form to replace the Indy-hosted hardware solution. Unofficial kits include IS-VIEWER 64 and Partner 64. The Monegi Smart Pack is a collection of third party hardware and software which can be used to do real-time development while the game is running on the console.
Through the decades, many unlicensed third party peripheral devices provide many consumer-friendly alternative storage mediums for retail Nintendo 64 consoles, bypassing console security for the purpose of development or for users making backups of game cartridges and save data. The Doctor V64 is a CD-ROM peripheral designed by Bung Enterprises Ltd and released in 1996. It plugs into the Nintendo 64's underside expansion slot, and uses a lockout-bypass adaptor that fits into the cartridge port into which any retail cartridge is inserted for use of its lockout chip by proxy. The Doctor V64 Jr. is a cheaper, condensed version that fits into the cartridge port and provides a parallel port connection to a PC. Bung made the DX 256 Super Game Saver which stores 256 battery EEPROM save states, and the DS1 Super Doctor Save Card. The CD 64 is a CD-ROM drive developed by UFO/Success Company. Mr. Backup Z64 designed by Harrison Electronics, Inc. is a ZIP drive peripheral for creating writable backups and performing playback of any Nintendo 64 cartridge. The modern Everdrive 64, ED64 Plus, N64 Neo Myth, and 64Drive use SD cards for mass storage of ROM image files or USB cables to connect to a PC for transfer.

Third party accessories

  • Glove Controller — The Glove Controller is a wearable controller with buttons like a normal controller, usable in any game. Almost like the power glove that went with Nintendo's older console; the Nintendo Entertainment System or NES
  • Tilt Pak — A combo Rumble Pak and Motion sensor made by Pelican.
  • GameShark — An unlicensed cheat device made by Interact in two versions. The first version had an LED display that would count down 5 seconds upon turning the system on. The period in the display would be lit while playing to show that the unit was functioning. There is a slot on the back of the unit for an expansion card that was never made. The second version had a parallel port on the back for connecting to a computer for downloads. It also featured a cheat search function. Version 3.2 had a similar LED display as the earlier versions. This feature was removed in version 3.3. GameShark cards could be used to access content that would normally be inaccessible if a game is played normally without the card.
  • SharkWire Online — An InterAct GameShark with modem and PC style serial port for keyboards. Allowed emailing and Game Shark updates through the now discontinued sharkwire.com dial-in service.
  • GB Hunter — The GB Hunter is one of two Nintendo 64 items released by EMS Production Ltd., the other being the N64 Passport. It is a Game Boy emulator for the Nintendo 64, similar to the first-party Super Game Boy for the SNES. A Nintendo 64 game is plugged into the back of the item and a Game Boy cartridge is plugged into the top. Like the Super Game Boy, it connects to the Nintendo 64's cartridge slot and requires a Nintendo 64 boot cartridge plugged into its back, and allows the user to play Game Boy games on it. There is also a cheating device programmed into it, called the "Golden Finger". Holding the "L" and "R" buttons simultaneously will cause the game to freeze at that point and the GB Hunter's Menu to appear. The Game Screen can be maximized or minimized, from the Main menu, allowing the player to see the game full screen. The GB Hunters color palette can also be changed from the menu, to view the game in a variety of the 3 different colors. Unlike on the Super Game Boy, the game sounds while being played on the GB Hunter are not emulated. Rather, users are subjected to the theme song of the GB Hunter, which loops endlessly.
  • High Rez Pack — Mad Catz's less-expensive version of the Expansion Pak. There were reports of overheating due to inadequate cooling/venting, and the unit suffered from poor build quality.
  • N64 Passport — Adapter and cheat device allowing players to play games from different regions, with a few exceptions.
  • Memory Card Comfort by Speed-Link — A sort of Controller Pak with four separate memory areas, and 123 pages each, selectable via a small switch.
  • Battery-free Rumble Paks — Late in the Nintendo 64's market presence, a few third-party companies made Rumble Paks that, instead of requiring batteries to work, draw power from the system.
  • Tremor Pak - A third-party rumble pack.
  • The Nyko Hyper Pak Plus - contains internal memory as well and a rumble feature and allows the user to adjust the amount of feedback between "hard" and "too hard".
  • Advanced Controller - A Mad Catz gamepad with the same form and controls as the standard Nintendo 64 controller, except that it adds a turbo button.
  • Mad Catz Steering Wheel - A set consisting of an analog steering wheel that turns 270 degrees, two foot pedals, and a stick shift. Used for racing/driving games.
  • Power Wheel - A steering wheel with foot pedal module produced by Game Source.
  • V3 Racing Wheel - A steeling wheel with foot pedals produced by Interact. It includes an expansion port which does not support the Rumble Pak, due to the risk that it would grate on the player's crotch.
  • Flight Force Pro 64 - A flight stick from InterAct.
  • Arcade Shark - An arcade-style joystick controller from InterAct, with slow motion and auto-fire buttons.
  • Tristar 64 - A third party adaptor making it possible to play NES and SNES games on Nintendo 64. The device features three built-in cartridge slots, one for each cartridge type, and it plugs into the console's existing cartridge slot.
  • Interact reportedly had two Nintendo 64 light guns "packed and ready to ship", one of them with built-in force feedback, but never released them due to the complete lack of light gun shooters for the console.