Nintendo 64: Everything You Need to Know

The Nintendo 64 was a home game console developed by Nintendo that was released in the U.S. in September 1996. It was the successor to the Super Nintendo Entertainment System. It was the last major game console to use cartridges as its main storage format until the Nintendo Switch, which was released in 2017.

Time magazine named the Nintendo 64 “Machine of the Year” in 1996, and it is undoubtedly one of the most popular video game consoles to date.

The best-selling game for the Nintendo 64 is Super Mario 64, which was first released in the U.S. in September 1996.

While the consoles went out of production in April 2002, fans continued to purchase them second-hand and to play Nintendo 64 games on emulators.  

Facts About Nintendo 64

• The Nintendo 64 was the first console to feature 3D graphics.
• The Nintendo 64 is also the first system to have a controller with an analog stick.
• The Nintendo 64 has nearly 400 games.
• The release date was repeatedly delayed.
• The Nintendo 64 could use a rumble pak on the controller or an expansion pak on the system.

Nintendo 64 Specs

• CPU 64-bit NEC VR4300 @ 93.75 MHz
• Memory 4 MB Rambus RDRAM (8 MB with Expansion Pak)
• Storage 4–64 MB Game Pak
• Removable storage 32 KB Expansion Pak
• Graphics SGI RCP @ 62.5 MHz
• Sound 16-bit, 48 or 44.1 kHz stereo

Nintendo 64: Where to buy

The Nintendo 64 ceased production at the end of April 2002. Since then, they are only available second-hand. The popularity of the classic system makes them simple to find even twenty years after the end of production. It’s possible to play N64 games with the help of an emulator. An emulator is a computer program that is designed to simulate another kind of device. It would obviously be better to have the N64 controller to play Super Mario 64, but it’s not too difficult to get used to an emulator.

The History of Nintendo 64: What to Know

The Nintendo 64 is a classic video game system. It has been beloved since its release date. Games like GoldenEye, Legend of Zelda, and Super Mario 64 helped to lay the groundwork for a new generation of games. The Nintendo 64 was followed by the Game Cube which eventually led to the Nintendo Switch which is currently Nintendo’s most popular device. The Switch system and every Switch game was only possible thanks to the innovation of the Nintendo 64.

Nintendo 64 Versions: Each Edition

Standard Charcoal

This was the original release version of the Nintendo 64. The body was black with grey highlights, and a grey controller.

Jungle Green

The body and controller are made of translucent green plastic with grey highlights. It was part of the “Funtastic” series. There are five other varieties in that collection.

Ice Blue

Part of the “Funtastic” series. The body and the controller are translucent teal blue with grey highlights.

Grape Purple

Part of the “Funtastic” series. The body and the controller are translucent deep purple with grey highlights.

Fire Orange

Part of the “Funtastic” series. The body and the controller are translucent Sun Orange with grey highlights.

Smoke/Clear Black

Part of the “Funtastic” series. The body and the controller are translucent dark grey with light grey highlights. It has a similar look to the original system.

Watermelon Red

Part of the “Funtastic” series. The body and the controller are translucent fire red with grey highlights.

Clear White/Blue

This design was very similar to the Ice Blue release. The main difference is that the lower halves of the body and controller are grey instead of the solid blue throughout.

Clear White/Red

This design was very similar to the Watermelon Red release. The main difference is that the lower halves of the body and controller are grey instead of the solid red throughout.

Mini Pikachu Dark Blue

This special edition has a much smaller body with a dark blue and yellow Pikachu theme. A pokeball is the power switch, and Pikachu’s foot is the reset button.

Mini Pikachu Light Blue

This special edition has a much smaller body with a light blue and yellow Pikachu theme. A pokeball is the power switch, and Pikachu’s foot is the reset button.

Mini Pikachu Orange

This special edition has a much smaller body with an orange and yellow Pikachu theme. A Pokéball is the power switch, and Pikachu’s foot is the reset button.

Pokémon Battle Stadium Set

This special edition Pokémon system has the same body structure as the original system with a blue and yellow color pattern and Pokémon decals on either side

Gold

The Gold edition was a Toys R Us exclusive. It had a solid cold colored body and controller. This version was always associated with the Legend of Zelda by the fan base.

Daiei Hawks Orange Black Console

This version has a translucent orange top and a solid black bottom. The look was inspired by the Gameboy advance color design. It was only available at the Daiei store in Japan.

JUSCO 30th Anniversary Smoke Black Edition

This version has a translucent grey body and controller. It was released in Japan to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the JUSCO stores company. It is one of the rarest versions.

All Nippon Airlines Console

These consoles were given away to one random passenger on each Nippon Airlines flight for a span of three months in 1999. It looks like a standard N64, but it has additional “ANA” logos and packaging.

Hyundai Comboy Console

This version was only released in Korea due to an import ban from Japan. This version was distributed by Hyundai until the ban was eventually lifted.

IQue Console

This was a unique version that was released in China. Nintendo released a completely different design for the hardware, but the system played N64 games. It was not successful and there are fewer than two dozen still known to exist.

Lawson Station Console

This version could only be won through a lottery in association with the Lawson convenience stores. It appears to be a standard Nintendo 64 with a Lawson decal on the front and unique packaging.

Public Response

The Nintendo 64 was very popular. Nearly 33 million units were sold over the course of production. The most popular game was Super Mario 64 which sold 11.91 million units.

The image featured at the top of this post is ©robtek/Shutterstock.com.