Nintendo 64 Reproduction F.A.Q.

Will your Nintendo 64 cartridges work on my Nintendo 64 Console or Clone Console ?

​Yes, 100% guarantee to work!

What's PAL & NTSC format N64 game?

North America is NTSC. All listings on our website are NTSC format. 
Europe or Australia is PAL. We can make PAL games, but upon request!

Will my Controller Pak, Rumble Pak, Expansion Pak & Game Shark work on your repos?

​Yes. All common N64 accessories work! If works on official N64 games it will work with ours.

Can you make any N64 game?

Yes. Just maybe a few games not have full save support. It will be noted in title description. Most have full save support!

Seen you stock some original Nintendo 64 games!

Correct, we stock some SRAM N64 related games & few others. Its cheaper/better than reproduction those games! See our Authentic category!

What this green thing you gave me with my N64 related order? What I do with this?

Its call a Printed Circuit Board (PCB). We don't give away business cards, instead get this green thing. Picture it a momentum to know how to find our website again, we think it looks cool,  or read this listing to know what it for. Idea is could be useful one day. 

Noticed some your N64 title/repo re-use Japan front Grey Shells.

Correct, we have extra stock of Japan N64 donor parts. Some of these shells look really great. So if care to re-use them on your repo its a win-win. You save some money. We save some labor. And these shell get new life in new N64 collection or player home!

I need something N64 related to buy (not on your website) or have a N64 question?

Sure, we have other N64 stuff around & can take a moment with your question N64 question. ​

I got my N64 & 6 year old Daughter. I need something for her to play. Simple & nothing with gun, zombie, or swim suit!

We have a  "Early Childhood" category. Suggest read the top 5 list. These titles will not disappointed! Just may need some coaching get them started. 
We plan to add some quality educations tiles in future;  turn N64 into a learning machine. Stay tuned! 

How can I play different Regine PAL/NTSC N64 Games? What you recommend for PAL N64 Owners?

You have 3 options:

1. Purchase N64 console from other Regine and use video adapter. N64 power bricks are interchangeable between Regine's.
2. Can mod a N64 console to be regine free. Not still need power brick and maybe video adapter.  
3. Are some “Region Converters" can buy like "Blaze Universal Games Adaptor V4" & "N64 Passport".​

For PAL N64 owners we suggest investing in N64 NTSC setup. The library is bigger & its becoming the more dominate N64 standard. 

What most popular N64 Flashcart? Do you plan to make one?

EverDrive 64 & Summer Cart 64 are most popular. Each have full library support + more. We don’t plan to make one; we’re focused on our cost-effective N64 reproduction, cart repair support & special products.  ​
Suggest see fine people at Stone Age Gamer for Quality EverDrive 64. Tell them Vintex 64 sent ya. 

I was not around or into the N64 during its heyday. What the N64 known for? What so special?

The N64 brought a lot of innovative gaming technology/experience to this industry. Analog sticks, 3D gaming, exploration, 4 player default support, etc. And some of the best games ever made. Tiles that continue to hold records & considered timeless classics. Most top 5th generation games are N64. For example, "Zelda - Orica of Time" is the highest rated video game in the history of mankind. Look it up - it 100% fact!

Does theN64 has trouble being emulated on PC, Pie, & such?

The N64 hardware was quite special. As such PC, Pie & other emulation software not as advanced or full combatable as expected. Most major titles work well, but other titles do have some issues. This may be the reason we don’t see many N64 clone systems. Even Nintendo didn’t release the Mini and switch emulation need some bug fixes and its well known it don’t run as true as original hardware.
​
At that to see maybe keep you original N64 around, as PC’s or clone system may not be cheap or work as well as other emulators. Maybe this get addressed in future or not. 

Isn't the N64 graphics/look dated!

True many N64 graphics show its age when on modern displays. Yet the games are still great, and people adjust to its style quickly. Keep in mind N64 was designed for Tube TV’s. Modern high rez displays elevate the choppy details that were meant be refined-out by Tube TV scanlines. 

You injection mold your own shells? Do sell bulk & different color options?

Yes, we developed an N64 cartridge shell mold. Its shells are 4-screw, Regine free, & have original outside look. Our current stock are the past shells, but soon we'll phase into shell style below. Later we'll have more colors & volume ready. 

Why is N64 controller/console so strange?

The N64 was transition console from prior 2D to 3D gaming. A product of its time/transition and mainstream standard was not known. The controller has prior gen D pad, key buttons, ergonomic design, rumble option, & analog stick. Revolutionary features at the time that quickly been copied by the competition and future consoles.

The common joke about needing 3 hands is miss understanding.  The controller meant for players to adapts to different gameplay styles. Middle and left prong for common 3D games which most games designed for. Rare games use left D-Pad and middle joystick. Outside prongs for more 2D games.  A lot of thought was put into the N64 controller. See image below. 

I'm looking for N64 Controller Joystick replacement. I don't want that funny GameCube style joystick.

Have some options below:

1. Locate an original OEM joystick. Use/new controller from back in the day. 
2. Amazon reviews good for the Hyperkin-DN64R-A04. Many find same as OEM quality.
3.  https://steelsticks64.com/. Make metal joystick replacement. We didn’t’ test them at first but looked promising.
4. Can restore your original OEM Joystick if good with epoxy/repairs and finesse. Check around YouTube. 

Tips:

1. Not hard to change the joysticks in the original controller.
2. Try lubricating your joystick once in awhile for it to last longer. The Joystick is a gear box after all.​

Lubricate you Joysticks!

Hyperkin Joystick Replace!

Steel Sticks 64 Replace!​

Looking for a new N64 Controller. Some tips?

You have some options.

1. Original Controller. Good condition used or sealed are still around ebay. 
2. Restore your original controller. Kits online. 
3. A new modernized N64 controller. Most popular is Brawler 64 & Tribute 64.
4. Blue Tooth receiver on N64 for any Blue Tooth modern controller. 
5. Going with Blue Tooth receiver buy/use official N64 Switch controller. 

Our preference is to use original wired controller. Many N64 players often go back to this original controller as designed for the games & hardware! Yet, we all have our preferences. Most of below can be found at Stone Age Gamer. 

OEM Controller!

Brawler 64 Aftermarket!

Tribute 64 Aftermarket!

Bluetooth Receiver!

Switch N64 Controller!
For Bluetooth only!

Was a Nintendo 64 Mini released?

Was close to release, but canceled. They wanted put more focus on Switch or the hardware was expensive to re-make.  

You can make a regular 4MB or 12MB Expansion Pak?

Yes, but not mass producing them. As regular Expansion Paks are easy/common to find & open source projects are around. 
We did made the worlds first 12MB Expansion Pak; we call it the "Expansion Expansion Pak". This brings the Console RAM to 16MB; max N64 bios will allow. Note this Expansion Pak sticks out top of the system, is quite expensive, & no software on N64 utilizes it. Yet, its pretty cool what could have been for the Nintendo 64! Click images below for more details. 

Chip Side! Note 3 Chip Bays!

Back of PCB! Front side on Cosole!

I've done electronics repair. What your quick highlights for me for N64 work?

We prepared few things for you:

• N64 cartridges, well engineered replacement PCBs. To swap chips over from a broken game.  Also, a passthrough cart/tool that checks 4/16kbit save chips & CIC security chip.
• N64 controllers, test carts that specialize in checking the buttons/joysticks fast/easy. 
• N64 console, test cart with original Nintendo N64 repair software. Great for checking ram, sound, graphic outputs systems, etc. 
• Spare parts, we have a lot spare parts from chips, console parts, and things between. 

Tested N64 SRAM PCB!
Solder ROM chip from donor!

Vintex 64 N64 Repair PCB
Non-Populated!

Vintex 64 N64 Repair PCB!
Populated with Game Chips!

Regarding the above, what got for regular players/collectors?

Of course, any pro tools available to you as well:

• Repair/Replacement Game PCB. If have some soldering experience this PCB was make to be super easy to solder. 
• Passthrough Cartridge. This great to test your CIC chips & some save chips in your cart collection. Also, can copy save files around. 
• Controller Test Carts. You likely know your controller very well so likely not need these. These more for people that have 50+ controller to test quickly.
• N64 Test Cart. We actually highly recommend this one! To check how your owned hardware is working. Give good tech info to repair center. Or bring to Pawn shop to test possible new console or Expansion Pak purchase. 

Are you destroying N64 games? Will this cause problems in the future? 

We are very careful with our donor selection process. We only buy use very high millions population titles parts. Mostly over stock from Japan these days. 

​What best way to unlock, get best save file, or backup saves on my N64 games?

We made a full F.A.Q. for this. Check out our "N64 Save Solutions F.A.Q."

Wasn't the N64 a unsuccessful console; due to using cartridges.

That is the general conscious, but much more to this. The above statement distorts the true picture of the 5th generation console wars. And like real wars, history is written by the victor.

1. Sony was a juggernaut back in the day. And was taking no prisoners. Sony spends vast amounts of money (billions in the end) into R&D, marketing, lowering system prices, purchased/contracting, every major 3rd party gaming studio under the sun. They even paid a orange “Crash Character” mascot to mock Nintendo Headquarters & turn that into a commercial.  Sony decimated Sega, but Nintendo still stood up with the N64, but all this took much from the Nintendo 64 in its prime. 
2. The Nintendo 64 was late in release and retired early. This shaved off 2-4 years off the N64 lifecycle. Released late to 5th generation due to game/hardware development. Sadly, discounted early to complete with emerging PlayStation 2, Sega Dreamcast, & approaching Xbox from Microsoft. Many good games were still planned for N64. Sadly, Nintendo had to jump to the development of GameCube quickly. The N64 lifecycle was a short 3-4 years in north America & only 2 years in some other European countries. 
3. The Nintendo 64 was not easy to program for. The architecture of N64 was custom, special, & complex. It is not easy for programmers to get used to. Also, s transition from 2D to 3D. This made it a bigger/longer/expensive investment for game studios. Yes, the cartridge size/format was part of this, but not the main reason. 
4. Pokémon Mania took over. During N64 lifecycle Pokémon became the monster franchise we know today.  It went globe & was a massive money-making machine. The Nintendo 64 took a back seat to support Pokémon. At end of 90’s it estimated that Pokémon franchise was worth 10 billion.
5. Lost Nintendo 64 Disk Drive potential. This technology could add to the N64: downloadable content/DLC/apps, online multiplayer, cheaper games, more released software/titles, & even public Kiosk to re-programable your discs. Later generation consoles benefit from this technology like PS2 & XBOX, but it was in the pipeline with for N64. 
6. Rapid Technology change. The speed of computer/chip technology was evolving very fast at this time. Internet age begun, home PC gaming becoming more popular with titles like Half Life, never in recent history was such a repaid technology leap. If technology was more static the N64 would have more life-cycle and stable use of its hardware. The computer was beginning to replace music, TV, information, etc. We'll likely never see an era like this again!

Just take a moment and think of the scale of what the N64 was up against. Its reflective success is actually very impressive.  

Sony took over 5th Gen in sales!

PS2 release early during N64 lifecycle!

XBOX release late in N64 lifecycle!

Wait, the above make it sound like the N64 was successful?

Yes, it was very successful in its own ways:

1. Great games! If looks at the top 10 games of 5th generation console many are N64 games. For example, Zelda Orica of Time holds many records and is the highest rated video game in human history.
2. Innovation. They did 3D gaming right early on with Super Mario 64. Many innovations are the standard today. Analog stick. Save features. Look what Goldeneye did when first released.
3. Cartridge Technology. You are reading this right.  Capacity up to 64MB, fast boot, & no loading times for demanding games. N64 has a low system price as it didn’t need expensive cd-disc loading systems. No need buy N64DD as all software ported/worked on N64 cartridge.
4. Adapting for the times. Transfer Pak for Pokémon Stadium. Getting the most from current technology. Better programming technology with state of art PC at the time. Taking pages out of cooperators’ play-book to bring its own. Rise of Teenager games and gaming. Quality over Quantity! 

The fan base still exists for the N64, and the fact you are readying this says something about how the N64 lives on. 

What are your thoughts on Nintendo 64 Disc Drive? Do you plan to make something cool for it?

It’s a neat rewritable magnetic storage video game media. Nintendo also heavily advertised it in expos back in the day. It was sort of giving N64 consoles PC abilities. It was planned be released early in N64 lifecycle.

Sadly, the release was held off for N64 to get more market dominance, but the DD was becoming obsolete very fast. Cartridge technology was getting better and the best 64DD software, games, accessories was roll over to N64 cartridges. The N64 need software/features to compete. Likely a good decision, as the DD would be expensive due to its mechanical hardware and discs. The 64DD did not increase the power of N64, just added special storage option, & accessories. The idea was DD be cheaper with re-writable disc for DLC after large release. 

Today the 64DD is rare, expensive, & reliability not perfect. At Vintex 64 we are big on cartridges; our current high capacity N64 cartridge designs  meet/exceed the 64DD capacity.  So, we sadly don’t have anything cool coming. We actually don’t own a DD.
​
We do give collectors a lot of credit who are lucky owners of N64DD. It’s a neat piece of technology! Just note the Magnetic disc can degrade and get read/write errors as the years pass. 

64DD Attached to N64!
​Its Big & Complex!

64DD Magnetic Disc!
Read/Write Errors Can form!

Base of N64DD!
Normally $2,500+ in cost!
Max capacity is 64MB!

Vintex 64 128MB Cart!
$70! Small & simple!

My N64 system has issues booting official and non-official games. What can I do to fix this?

Few things you can do:

1. Make sure your N64 console and carts have clean contents! Dirty contact is the #1 issue many people face. Dirty contact restrict the power, ground, & data lines. If you have to blow - your contacts are not clean! We recommend looking at https://www.1upcard.com. For professional cleaning kits.
2. Try a different N64 Power Supply. Weak power supplies may work, but could be starving the electronics for power. Note, you can buy a Japan official power supply on eBay that work fine in North America. 
3. Some repos are sadly not built super well. This is why after they sit for months take few boots to work. Power it on, then leave it minute or two, then turn off then power again. Try a few times to charge the circuitry. If you look at our PCB and official N64 PCB you'll quickly notice the heavy copper, big tracers, unlike other repo's. 
4. Bad CIC (handshake chip). Everything that boot in a N64 System require a security chip known as CIC. It's rare, but sometimes they go bad. We make a bypass cart specially made to test this. 

N64 console cleaning cart!

N64 C'Pak cleaning cart!

N64 cartridge cleaning swipes!

What think about N64 Prototype Carts (Long Carts), Ultra 64 Flash Gang Writer, & related development devices from back in the day? Do you plan make something cool from those?

• Neat technology, but like the N64DD we don’t find it very useful. We also worry about its long term reliability & compatibly. This only get worse with time.  We like to keep things practical, simple, and use the best of old & new technology. 
• We feel its better to investment in lower prices, simply technology, reliably, and provide high value content. As these times are not as affordable, in the real world, as in past years. 
• We have one exception - a past developer hardware device. You may see as reproduction in our website one day.
• Remember, we have a whole section of reproduction content that came from these prototype Long Carts. Now you can own a professional looking prototype game at much cheaper price. 

N64 Prototype Long Cart

Gang Writer for Long Carts

Partner 64 Dev Cart

I'm a veteran N64 programmer, do you guys pay good money for my talents?

We have some N64 software projects. We understand you'll decide and drive the bus on which project like proceed with.  Most of our projects simply help support lower price & use of our hardware. Other software ideas just to make simple solutions for us to some time or reduce scrap factor. 

Is there hope for Mother 3 or other N64 unreleased software?

Please wait before asking us this. We need to wrap up the VB side of this first. You don't want to know. 

What your take on N64 Preservation & Retro Gaming Museums?

• Retro gaming museums are cool, but sometimes they get things wrong & not reflect the time-period or content they display.
• They are not always preserving things properly or not allowing all games be accessible to the general public.
• This history/culture/experience can be hidden from many to enjoy.
• Technology changing very fast this can be very hard on older N64 technology. They may not go the distance with what the have. 
• Many financial interests are at play. Large companies, private owners, & people trying to control the future.
• We don’t think this will end well. Not end well at all. 

What Vintex 64 long-term plans for the N64? What you see in the future?

• Our plan to focus is "keeping good content & products accessible & affordable to everyone at home on original hardware".
• To provide repair tools, information, and supplies. 
• The Nintendo 64 will continue to live alongside modern technology as it enters the future.
• The Nintendo 64 will continue to adapt with the times. As each player, collector, fan, or individual will do their part.
• Its all of you that will shape its future!