Nintendo 64 Save Solution F.A.Q.

What this webpage about?

Save file information and tricks for Nintendo 64!

I’m little confused about N64 multiple save methods?

Remember 4 categories for how N64 game saves:
  1. Controller Pak (C’Pak) or memory Card. 256kbit. Goes in back of controller.
  2. Internal Cartridge. 4/16kbit EEPROM chip. Small chip inside cart. 
  3. Internal Cartridge. 256Kbit SRAM Chip. Larger chip + small battery inside cart.
  4. Internal Cartridge. 1024kbit Flash Chip. Larger chip no battery inside cart.

How do I check the method for my N64 Game?

See link: ​http://micro-64.com/database/gamesave.shtml

What best way to copy/backup my physical N64 game save?

 Controller Pak – Memory Card
  • Use our Controller Pak with 100% save file pre-loaded, or
  • Use Joey-N64-Cart-Flasher or EverDrive 64. Be a Vintex 64 customer & we’ll email you the save file.

4/16Kbit Save Chip:
  • Use our C'Pak Test Program V5.4 + our C’Pak or repo with 100% save pre-loaded, or
  • Use Joey-N64-Cart-Flasher. Be a Vintex 64 customer & we’ll email you the 100% save file, or
  • Buy our 4/16Kbit save chip pre-programed. Solder/replace it into your cartridge.

256Kbit SRAM Save Chip:
  • Use Joey-N64-Cart-Flasher. Be a Vintex 64 customer & we’ll email you the save file, or
  • Ship us the cartridge for installation of 2 new batteries and we’ll restore 100% save file to it.

1024kbit Flash Save Chip:
  1. Use a Joey-N64-Cart-Flasher. Be an Vintex 64 customer & we’ll email you the 100% save file, or
  2. Buy save chip pre-programed from us. Solder/replace it into your cartridge, or
  3. Ship us the cartridge for program or to replace the save chip.
Pre-Loaded
Save File C'Pak!
C'Pak Test Program V5.4
Connector Top Model!
(Game Shark Shell)
Pre-Loaded Save File
In Authentic Save Chip!
Benn Venn Joey Nintendo 64 Cart Flasher Device!
Easy & Simple for N64 owners to dump/restore save files!

What best way to restore a 100% save file to my physical N64 game? ​

Controller Pak – Memory Card
4/16Kbit Save Chip:
256Kbit SRAM or 1024kbit Save Chip:

You didn’t note the N64 Game Shark Option? Or DexDrive?

The N64 Game Shark can work, but can gets complicated.
  • Its hard to locate a good/working N64 Game Shark.
  • It may not work with all N64 games.  
  • Could get expensive to buy. 
The N64 DexDrive can work for C'Pak, its neat, but can get complicated. 
  • Not work with Flash C'Pak types like "Forever Pak" or our "Vintex 64 Pak". 
  • Need older PC or special IT setup; due to its its legacy COM port. 
  • May not read some official N64 save files.
  • Can be little expensive to get. 
This FAQ emphasis easier options. Yet, for M64 Game Shark & DexDrive users, we can ship you a Controller Pak pre-programed with Game Shark save file or DexDrive format friendly save file. We have both these devices working at our location. 

Note this link to convert DexDrive save file to EverDrive 64 save:  https://github.com/bryc/mempak. 

Way for me check/fix my N64 save chip?

Controller Pak – Memory Card  
4/16Kbit Save Chip:
  • Our C'Pak Test Program V5.4 can test/re-format the chip. Top connector (Game Shark shell) Model you'll need.
  • Replace the chip with our spare. Need soldering skills & tools. 
 
256Kbit SRAM Save Chip:
  • Normally just needs new battery. Need soldering skills & tools. 
  • Sometimes the chip goes bad. Replace the chip with our spare. Need soldering skills & tools. 

1024kbit Flash Save Chip:
  • Sometimes the chip goes bad. Which corrupts the save data. 
  • These chips have limited amount of read/write cycles. 
  • Replace the chip with our spare. Need soldering skills & tools. 

Everyone sells Controller Pak's these days! Let me guess yours is the best!

We over built ours for maximum reliability. High copper, large boot capacitors (Big Red!), very standard Flash/SRAM interface chip, & tested/validated on every C'Pak N64 game & accessories.  I think we can all agree ours is upper tier!

We sold/built it before the Forever Pak was released. The "Forever Pak" is cool, but some reports not fully compatible. We say ours is better built. Yet, the "Forever Pak" is cool too! Our can also ship pre-loaded with game save you may need! Click on images below see our Save Solution Catagory!

Classic SRAM Controller Pak are okay too. If can go with Nintendo original official. All C'Pak from back in the day are SRAM type. All of these will need the little round battery changed one day. 
Vintex 64 Controller Pak PCB!
Note big red! Boot Capacitor! 
All pre-assembled!
Many fine sizes/shapes available!

Like the white N64 Label. Can I buy a set of 5?

Sure, we are flexible for what like. Simple see our N64 Parts Repo Category. Or inquire for custom request!
We made ever single C'Pak size label!

Why does my Controller Pak give me so much trouble?

  • ​Cheaper models are always trouble. They are not design right.
  • Dirty N64 back controller contacts biggest reason! Try use cleaning kit to clean contact in back of your controller. https://www.1upcard.com makes a nice C'Pak cleaner. And don't forget to clean your Controller Pak contacts like any N64 game.
  • Avoid removing your C’Pak when game is running. like remove during Rumble Pak switch screen or turn off the console.
  • Avoiding controller extension cables or try use controller with shorter cable. 
N64 C'Pak cleaning cart!
Don't use these!

What with your Controller Pak format options? Do I need to worry about this?

Don’t worry about this. It will all will work fine. Technical note, not all games format C’Pak the same way. We found this out in our tests. The options we give are the best!

I own a retro gaming store. Got boxes of N64 Carts or C'Pak that need save work. I need a super-fast: simple way to wipe, test, or program a save files!

We made a device just for this! The C'Pak Test Program V5.4. Its professional-software to format wipe, stress test, or copy save files to/from C'Pak & 4/16kbit save chips. It will get the job done! 

Regarding 256Kbit SRAM you get into changing those little batteries inside. For this and 1Mbit save types you can use Joey-N64-Cart-Flasher. This device maybe not industrial grade or fast as our stuff. 

We stock many replacement save chips. We can help train your staff too if needed. 

I’m a N64 collector or player. What recommend for me?

C'Pak Test Program V5.4 a nice item to help maintain your physical N64 collection. Fun fact this software came from Acclaim Prototype Long Cart. It was a programmer development tool for prototype long carts. They reflash prototype long cart internal save with this program for next game development project. As you can tell being at version 5.4 it has history.  

Suggest make plan for your 256kbit SRAM games. To change all batteries at some point. The Joey-N64-Cart-Flasher handy if want backup & restore saves while removing the battery. 

Tip, save chips can go bad over time. So having a replacement plan or few spare chips around not bad idea. Nintendo quality is very good. Yet, it does come up from time to time. 

What is the coolest N64 save file?

Usually the 100% complete are nice. Also some mod save files that unlock special extra's or ways to play the game that different. See our pre-save lists & see what maybe of interest. 

I’m not very Technical or an IT Guy. I just want to make backup & not delete my good file by mistake? 

Suggest practicing on some dummy N64 games. Mess around, try few things, take the time to double check. Once in the zone,  go to your mission-critical save file!

I’m looking for some extra cash. Do you pay professional players to create a save file?

Yes, we are missing some N64 save files and could use some help. We’ll can also lend the equipment you may need. 

I take my personal save file very seriously! How can I never lose my save file. PC files get lost. Backup device breaks down or change standard. Simple answer please!

We suggest investing in a 2nd or 3rd cart of the same game. One could be our reproduction too. Extra physical carts is a great way keep your save file safe forever. Something happens to one cart re-clone it over! IT professionals call this an Air-Gap Backup. They do this for million dollar data!

If your backup dump device fails or becomes Obsolete; no big deal. If PC crashes; no big deal. Future N64 cart backup devise will read/copy your spare cart with ease!

How do I view or delete Controller Pak data?

All C’Pak combatable games have a built-in menu; to delete or view save content. Simply hold "start" button during game boot-up and its menu will show up. Veteran N64 players call it the N64 Game Controller Pak Menu. 

Another way is download you save file to PC & use https://github.com/bryc/mempak. Then restore back. ​

What’s your favorite N64 Game Controller Pak Menu?

Many people like the Mario Kart and Perfect Dark C’Pak menu. We use Armories Project Swarm & our C'Pak Test Program V5.4. Acclaim make good save software back in the day!  Space Invaders, & Spider Man also have very nice menu. The Space Invaders menu is nice we ever seen!

We strongly suggest do not use Rare games to format new Controller Pak's! For example don't use Perfect Dark to format a new Controller Pak's. Rare has some sneaky DRM in it.

I got word your working on something cool related to C'Pak & N64 Saves?

Correct, we got a project to save the future... well help save... the N64 saves better for the future!
Disclaimer: By placing an order you acknowledge to have read and understand the product description and back/rear label of the Vintex 64 Game Pak/Card.