Recently got N64. My thoughts...

[congobongo]

First off, I gotta say that I think the whole expansion RAM thing has got to be the dumbest idea Nintendo ever had. I just can't understand why they did that outside of a cash grab. It's not a nice to have for this system, it's a must have and it should have been built in. Having said this, once the expansion is in place and the game is running in hi-res mode (Turok 2) it does look quite nice. Secondly, I just can't deal with that controller. That third handle is too much to... handle. Damn do I ever wish I could plug in the gamecube controller, or the PSX controller or the XBox controller. These things aside, I think there are probably 5-10 games that make this system worthwhile for me. Do I plan on collecting for N64? Nope. Nice to have it in the collection though. Anyone else care to agree disagree?

[gamingguy]

The proper way to hold the N64 controller is with the center prong in your left hand and the right handle in your right hand. Pretend the left side of the controller doesn't exist. That way you can control the analog stck and Z-trigger with your left hand. The right hand manipulates the green/blue/yellow buttons.

I don't see why you say RAM expansion is "must have"? A non-expanded N64 is 320x200 which is same resolution as PS1. If you could stand the low-res PS1, you can stand the low-res N64 too.

[congobongo]

The proper way to hold the N64 controller is with the center prong in your left hand and the right handle in your right hand. Pretend the left side of the controller doesn't exist. That way you can control the analog stck and Z-trigger with your left hand. The right hand manipulates the green/blue/yellow buttons.

I don't see why you say RAM expansion is "must have"? A non-expanded N64 is 320x200 which is same resolution as PS1. If you could stand the low-res PS1, you can stand the low-res N64 too.

If that other handle/prong/whatever you want to call it isn't used, why not just leave it off? It's obvious Nintendo realized that controller layout was a mistake since th GC controller is a complete departure from it. As for the RAM expansion, it's a must-have because that extra resolution makes a BIG difference on some games.

[Britboy]

well, quite a few games used the left D pad for selecting functions and the center joystick for movement control. Plus, many people hate thumb joysticks and preferred to use the D pad instead.

[Charlesaway]

The memory expansion is required to unlock other game modes, such as in Perfect Dark.

[omnedon]

Majora's mask seems to require my memory pack too. It won't load without it.

[kainemaxwell]

Actually later games need the memory pack to unlock the rest of the game- game modes, other levels, options and so forth just to finish said title.

[YoshiM]

The memory pack was originally supposed to be included with the 64DD (Zip disk like) add on disk drive. When the DD got a tepid response from developers and the masses, Nintendo decided to release just the memory pack in the States (what probably also helped this decision was the fact that add-ons don't go over big in the US). The RAM is a "must have" as some of the great newer games require it to even function. Why lock yourself out from some the greats by not having one?

The controller was designed with 3D games in mind, hence the analog stick. I think the pad was left there for certain games like fighters, which really didn't use analog yet. Personally, I can't stand a PSX controller. I have tried and tried but I just merely put up with it. The N64 controller-that fits juuust right.

[spoon]

My hands are big enough to hold the out sides of the controller and reach everybutton( ;) ).
anyhow, I believe the only game to strictly use the D-Pad was Mischeif Makers(Sp?)
The RAM Pak isnt and MUST have, but certainbly a "Should have"
as already stated, it is required to even start some games, or adds extra features to others.

[BenT]

Most ram-enhanced N64 games have even worse framerates in their high-res modes, so that aspect is usually not worth bothering with.

[THXII38]

I hate the official N64 controller so much.


I never play N64 games, I merely test them before I sell them on eBay.

I have a few N64 games in my collection, in the hope that I shall one day find a controller that I am happy with. My hands are large, and the N64 controller just does not feel right, and I hate it, I cant get on with it, at all.

It's worse than an original SMS controller in my opinion.

[MankeyMan]

I think the N64 has one of the best controllers out there. IMO, they are the perfect FPS controllers and nothing so far has been able to match the N64 for terms of ease of use.

[hades]

I think the N64 has one of the best controllers out there. IMO, they are the perfect FPS controllers and nothing so far has been able to match the N64 for terms of ease of use.

I still can't understand it. I can ONLY play a FPS on the pc with a mouse and keyboard. I've tried them on console and I just coulnd't do it. I don't like having to rely on a controller for it. I've tried quite a few of them. All the hype over ho "Awesome" the James Bond Game was on N64. ... i never could get into that.

I guess I may just be burnt out on the well over done FPS, but still.

To get back on topic ... I think I'm going to take back out my N64 and play Zelda OOT. I've never gotten far in the game so hopefully I can utilize the bad weather today. :-D

Speaking of which, does anyone have any good recomendations on an alternative controller for the N64?

[kainemaxwell]

The controller does take some getting used to but after that it fits quite comfortably.

The N64 controller's shape reminds me of an E-wing fighter from the Star wars novels too.

[Nature Boy]

It's obvious Nintendo realized that controller layout was a mistake since th GC controller is a complete departure from it.

I wouldn't necessarily go *that* far. Nintendo has created a new controller for each new system regardless. But I'm also sure they certainly weren't going to go back to the three prong design anytime soon.


As for the RAM expansion, it's a must-have because that extra resolution makes a BIG difference on some games.

By the time the RAM expansion games had come out I was pretty much not buying N64 games anyway, so to be honest I never really noticed it. I had purchased one *really* early as well - for my b-day (since there were not many games out there (suprise suprise) and I had Rogue Squadron to use it).

To get back to your original statement: I *loved* my N64 when it was new. When I got new games they were definitely the best of their time (IMO). But now that I look back though it doesn't seem to have stood the test of time. I picked up Perfect Dark in the last year and haven't even tried it yet. Maybe when the nostalgia is a bit stronger it'll come back, but if I'm in my retro room it's barely glanced at.

I also raved about the controller back in the day (as in good raving) but also much prefer the Gamecube now. You can definitely get used to it though. And for the games (liike Mario 64) it was *perfect* - the PS controller at the time couldn't hold a candle to it (if you'll recall it was digital *only*).

If I can comment on FPSs: I've never played them on PC and although I enjoyed GoldenEye, never played them on consoles either. Until this generation. Today's controllers (with two analog sticks, for moving and looking) plus the triggers for shooting are *perfect* for FPSs IMO.

[congobongo]

Anyone know how many of the DP top 25 N64 games use the expansion pack?

Here's the list:

http://www.digitpress.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1572

[Magus]

In my opinion the N64 controller is the WORST ever, and yes that RAM expansion idea sucks, gamestop is asking 25 bucks for one of them!!

[NvrMore]

Personally I would say that the N64's pad is damn good once you get used to it. It's a pain at first and takes some getting used to (I hated the thing until I racked up a few Mario hours with it), but once you get the hang of it just seems to do it's job surprisingly well and is a lot more comfortable than other pads over long periods of gaming.

I'd also disagree that the GCN's pad is a complete departure from the N64 pad. I agree that it's superior to the N64 pad, but it's quite clear that it's influenced by it's predecessor and is more-so the evolution of the design.

[Raedon]

I had no problem with the pad.. and as for Memory Expansion, I see them in Atomic 64's at pawns that go for $25.00 so if your going to get an expantion you should look around first for an n64 pawned with one. Most pawns don't know anything about them. In fact I got mine long ago for $10 by saying it was a memory card.

The N64 is a really collectable system.. I think it will be one of the best..

[Sega Hitman]

To answer your question about which games need/benefit from the expansion pack, here's what my boxes said, and some other stuff off the top of my head:

Donkey Kong 64
Zelda: Majora's Mask
Perfect Dark
South Park
Star Wars: Rogue Squadron
Excitebike 64
Rayman 2
Star Wars: Battle for Naboo
Indiana Jones and the Infernal Machine
Tony Hawk 2
Tony Hawk 3 (just an assumption there, never played it on n64)
Turok Rage Wars
Turok 2
NFL Blitz Special Edition
Spiderman

It's definitely worth the investment. Only DK64 and Zelda:MM need it as far as I know, but the high-res modes will really improve some of those games.

Also, if you're even somewhat of a wrestling fan, the N64 still has by far the best wrestling games around. WCW/NWO World Tour, WCW/NWO Revenge, WWF Wrestlemania 2000, and WWF No Mercy are all extremely well done. The WCW ones are a bit dated now since they came out around '97/'98, but they can be had for $3-$4, at Gamestop of all places!

-Hitman-

[gamingguy]

What a coincidence... I'm playing Zelda: Ocarina too! However, I'm starting to get bored with it. I really don't like puzzles...too damn frustrating. I'm glad I'm almost at the end.

PS2 Controller: I think it's perfect. It feels just like my remote control airplane (dual analog sticks)! It's perfect for flying games (climb, roll, turning). Plus, all the buttons are within easy reach of either thumb.

N64 Controller: The D-pad is worthless. I've never used it for any game. Otherwise the center and right-side is a good setup. I like the Z-trigger and think one should be added for PS2.

[Achika]

It's been a long time, but I *think* Star Craft 64 required the Expansion pack in the similar fashion that Perfect Dark required it to play 65% of the game.

Many of the N64 games utilize it to smooth out (like you noticed in Turok 2) But AFAIK only Zelda: MM and Donkey Kong 64 required it to even play, Perfect Dark for 65% of the game.

The Expansion pac didn't come out until a few years after the system, and I don't think it was required up to that point. But then again, you could argue that memory cards and rumble packs were cash grabs too (aie, the rumble pacs definately were--but cool none the less). But when the rumble was introduced, it was a pack in (same with the expansion pack) So they originally gave owners the chance to own it at bascially no extra cost than a game (DK 64)

As for the controller issue, I have small hands so the only controller that feels uncomfortable is the Xbox controllers (even S) I admit, when using the D-pad for certain games, it feels foreign, but it doesn't come up in the games I play. The only thing I couldn't stand is getting my thumb conditioned to the joystick, sore and bruised thumbs because of those stupid rings! I know the D-pad is used for many of the wrestleing games, not sure about other sports though.

[MankeyMan]

I think Banjo-Tooie required the expansion pak, but I sold it on a long time ago, so i can't remember.