720p) so that the upscaling is less severe
Use a CRT TV or a pre-HD TV, which is what the console was designed for.Use an S-Video cable instead of a Composite cable.This problem can be solved by a multitude of ways: However, the image will usually stretch to accommodate the TV’s aspect ratio. The picture is usually overly blurry due to massive upscaling, and pixels may be rectangular. Modern TVs: The N64 doesn’t look particularly appealing on modern TVs, especially Smart or 4K TVs. Widescreen is sometimes achieved through letterboxing. However, several games such as Goldeneye 007 can run in 16:9 Widescreen. Most games use 240p, and most that use 480i require the Expansion Pak.Īspect ratio: The console is designed to run in 4:3. Resolution: The console supports resolutions ranging from 320x240 (240p) to 640x480 (480i Standard Definition). Storage: Using a Controller Pak, the console can store 32 kilobytes (32KB) of save data across 123 pages. RAM: The console supports 4 megabytes (4MB) of RDRAM, which can be doubled with the Expansion Pak.ĬPU: The console uses an NEC VR4300 that clocks at 93.75MHz.
The Nintendo 64 was somewhat powerful for its time, but by modern standards, it is ridiculously weak. There were several other accessories released for the console which you can find here. It will vibrate when the player does something in certain games like Star Fox 64. The Rumble Pak is an electronic Pak that can be inserted into the back of the controller. The N64 will not run if there is no Jumper Pak (assuming there is no Expansion Pak either). Jumper Paks came included with the console but could be ordered online. The Pak doesn’t do anything besides filling in unused slots that the Expansion Pak normally does. The Jumper Pak is an essential Pak that is inserted into the memory port. It can also be optionally used to increase resolution or framerate. This Pak is required for various games released later in the console's lifespan. The Expansion Pak contains 4 megabytes of RAM that, when added into the N64, effectively doubles the console's memory. The Expansion Pak is an accessory that is inserted into the memory port in front of the cartridge slot on the console itself, replacing the Jumper Pak. One controller was bundled with the console at launch, and they were sold separately. The controller itself is considered an accessory. This Pak is most useful for third party games where the data is not stored in the cartridge itself. The Pak itself holds 32KB of storage across 123 pages of data. The Controller Pak is a memory storage device that is inserted into the back of the controller. Some accessories were required to play certain games. The Nintendo 64 featured a handful of accessories that could be used with the console for various features. The controller is supposed to be held with one hand on the center controller (preferably the player's left hand) and the other on either the left or right, depending on which hand is holding the center grip. To the right of the A/B buttons are four yellow C buttons. The green B button and blue A button sit diagonally above the right handle. The D-Pad is located above the left hand, and the red start button is above the analog stick. The front face of the controller contains seven buttons and a directional pad. Beneath the controller cord is a slot which can hold a Controller Pak. The back face of the controller uses two shoulder buttons, as well as a Z button on the middle handle. The middle hand featured an analog stick, which had never appeared on prior Nintendo hardware. The controller is shaped like the letter "M" and sports three handles. However, like the consoles, different colors existed. The Nintendo 64 controller is, by default, gray. This cable is also compatible with SNES and GameCube consoles.
The A/V cables were usually composite (red-yellow-white), but a higher-quality S-Video cable could be ordered from Nintendo. The back of the system is the AC Adapter input, the A/V Cable input, and the RF cable input.
Unlike its predecessor, the SNES, there is no eject button for the slot, meaning carts must be removed by hand. On top of the system, there is a cartridge slot. The console supported four controller outputs.
The N64's default color was a dark grey, though there were different variations, including both solid and translucent colors that showed off the system's innards.