Hardware I want to try and give Nintendo 64 a fair chance at gaming.

[Marc_LFD]

I personally have never been a big fan of the N64, but I've always been very interested in it so I was thinking about buying a Summer Cart 64 and load up games on it?

The N64 console I have is uunfortunately a PAL edition so does that make it worse for gaming as it was 50Hz back then? Are games going to be slower?

I'll try the Mako Pad 64 controller and the Tribute 64 controller, plus with rumble pak so it'll have vibration as it should have.

P.S. To connect it to a modern TV I just ordered a cheap HDMI adapter so I know the picture quality won't be very good, I guess I won't mind it too much as long as the games are fun.

Thanks.

 

[icegod]

Games will run a bit slower, just under 20% slower. You can load NTSC roms on your summercart, and they should run fine, but they won't run full NTSC speed if I'm not mistaken.

Be sure to set your screen ration to 4:3, if your tv allows it. It will look a bit better if the screen is not stretched. If your tv still has an AV or Scart port, use those instead of a cheap converter. The internal upscaler of your tv is most likely better than a cheap converter.

Edit: Should you really want the full NTSC speed, get a cheap Japanese N64. They are the same as US N64's, and should accept the summercart too. Do keep in mind that NTSC and Pal N64's use a different AV cable

 

[Marc_LFD]

Games will run a bit slower, just under 20% slower. You can load NTSC roms on your summercart, and they should run fine, but they won't run full NTSC speed if I'm not mistaken.

Be sure to set your screen ration to 4:3, if your tv allows it. It will look a bit better if the screen is not stretched. If your tv still has an AV or Scart port, use those instead of a cheap converter. The internal upscaler of your tv is most likely better than a cheap converter.

Edit: Should you really want the full NTSC speed, get a cheap Japanese N64. They are the same as US N64's, and should accept the summercart too. Do keep in mind that NTSC and Pal N64's use a different AV cable

Bummer, I'll look to buy a USA/JPN or RF modded, thanks.

 

[skawo]

NTSC games running on a PAL console via a flashcart run at basically full speed. The console outputs the equivalent of PAL60 (like setting a PAL Gamecube to 60Hz mode). As long as your TV supports PAL60, it's fine.

That said, many cheap scalers/adapters do not support PAL60 properly.

 

[icegod]

Offcourse, if you can spend a bit more, the Analogue 3D or M64 are better options for a modern tv. They also have overclocking options.

I myself got a few crt's, nothing can beat that experience.

 

[lightwo]

Analogue 3D or M64

If you go that route, I'd recommend MiSTer FPGA over those two, since there's support for many other systems, and it's an open source project requiring no hacks to take advantage of loading any FPGA cores.

 

[Marc_LFD]

Games will run a bit slower, just under 20% slower. You can load NTSC roms on your summercart, and they should run fine, but they won't run full NTSC speed if I'm not mistaken.

Be sure to set your screen ration to 4:3, if your tv allows it. It will look a bit better if the screen is not stretched. If your tv still has an AV or Scart port, use those instead of a cheap converter. The internal upscaler of your tv is most likely better than a cheap converter.

Edit: Should you really want the full NTSC speed, get a cheap Japanese N64. They are the same as US N64's, and should accept the summercart too. Do keep in mind that NTSC and Pal N64's use a different AV cable

NTSC games running on a PAL console via a flashcart run at basically full speed. The console outputs the equivalent of PAL60 (like setting a PAL Gamecube to 60Hz mode). As long as your TV supports PAL60, it's fine.

That said, many cheap scalers/adapters do not support PAL60 properly.

Huh, so which one is it? It plays slower or the same via a flashcart?

Offcourse, if you can spend a bit more, the Analogue 3D or M64 are better options for a modern tv. They also have overclocking options.

I myself got a few crt's, nothing can beat that experience.

I thought about those, but I'm not sure I'm that into N64. Maybe if my interest grows I'll then get one.

 

[skawo]

Actual PAL games run 16% slower unless game logic is adjusted for PAL specifically.
NTSC games running on a PAL console run at essentially full speed.

 

[The Real Jdbye]

NTSC games running on a PAL console via a flashcart run at basically full speed. The console outputs the equivalent of PAL60 (like setting a PAL Gamecube to 60Hz mode). As long as your TV supports PAL60, it's fine.

That said, many cheap scalers/adapters do not support PAL60 properly.

How does that work, since the CPU runs at a lower clock speed on PAL consoles. I don't think there's any ability to change the clock speed without hardware modding?

 

[Robert Newbie]

I personally have never been a big fan of the N64, but I've always been very interested in it so I was thinking about buying a Summer Cart 64 and load up games on it?

The N64 console I have is uunfortunately a PAL edition so does that make it worse for gaming as it was 50Hz back then? Are games going to be slower?

I'll try the Mako Pad 64 controller and the Tribute 64 controller, plus with rumble pak so it'll have vibration as it should have.

P.S. To connect it to a modern TV I just ordered a cheap HDMI adapter so I know the picture quality won't be very good, I guess I won't mind it too much as long as the games are fun.

Thanks.

I'm interested in which games you're considering playing. Super Mario 64 and Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time are peak N64 to me. I said in a recent post that Nintendo and Rare carried the N64, and it's still surreal thinking about how Capcom, Konami, and Squaresoft were all putting their best on a rival console. A Nintendo console without Final Fantasy? Castlevania? Mega Man? Absolutely crazy times.

Speaking of Capcom, Angel Studios' (Rockstar San Diego) port of Resident Evil 2 is definitely worth checking out. Of all of Rare's contributions, my personal favorite is Goldeneye 007. I know I'm turning this into a software topic, but I couldn't help myself.

 

[M7L7NK7]

Snowboard Kids 2 is a hidden gem and better than Mario kart imo

 

[KiiWii]

If you go that route, I'd recommend MiSTer FPGA over those two, since there's support for many other systems, and it's an open source project requiring no hacks to take advantage of loading any FPGA cores.

I have the A3D and M64, and I’m interested in the MiSTer devices too but haven’t taken the plunge yet.

My question: do they output upscaled and 4k?

 

[lightwo]

I have the A3D and M64, and I’m interested in the MiSTer devices too but haven’t taken the plunge yet.

My question: do they output upscaled and 4k?

There are a lot of scaling options. I don't know if it can do 4K as I don't have a 4K screen myself, but a quick search seems to suggest that it isn't an option. However, other than scaling to the selected global resolution, each core itself has scaling options, and there is usually an integer scale and/or integer zoom mode.

My favourite feature, though, has to be the visual options settings, as there is fine-grained control over H/V filters, shadow mask, scan filters, etc. with a ton of bundled files to use. Of course, it also lets you import your own, and I haven't noticed any additional input lag as a result of using them.

Also, speaking of input lag, I don't know which of the other FPGA-based boxes have this feature (I think Analogue 3D has it?), but it's possible to use VRR to have the lowest latency whilst playing games in unusual refresh rates. This does have the side-effect of digital monitors freaking out in games like Silent Hill that do a lot of video mode switching, but for most other games, it works really well.

 

[aoimatsuri]

smash bros 64 was always best.

One of my few n64 memories with friends.
Imagine going to a friends house them having a pikachu n64, handing you a controller and you gotta play that game.

Yep. Kirby looked like one of the few girl charas, so I played that one.
And Samus ofc.

I sucked at it, but it was fun.

Pokemon Stadium is very good too.
That announcer is a terrible person.

(I actually only played OOT on 3ds. Never finished the og one. ever. And MM I hate that it has the timelimit. hard pass)

 

[Kwyjor]

I personally have never been a big fan of the N64, but I've always been very interested in it

Bit of a contradiction there, innit?

so I was thinking about buying a Summer Cart 64 and load up games on it?

Before you go dumping hundreds of dollars into something you "personally have never been a big fan of", have you considered that N64 emulation is generally quite adequate?

Alternatively, why not just use your limited time on this earth to play games that are more likely to hold your interest, rather than things that you have to "try to give a fair chance"?

 

[radicalten]

I have the A3D and M64, and I’m interested in the MiSTer devices too but haven’t taken the plunge yet.

My question: do they output upscaled and 4k?

Also, speaking of input lag, I don't know which of the other FPGA-based boxes have this feature (I think Analogue 3D has it?), but it's possible to use VRR to have the lowest latency whilst playing games in unusual refresh rates. This does have the side-effect of digital monitors freaking out in games like Silent Hill that do a lot of video mode switching, but for most other games, it works really well.

This link provides more information about both video and input lag questions for the MiSTer:
https://mister-devel.github.io/MkDocs_MiSTer/basics/video/

MiSTer Supported Resolutions:
"; 0 - 1280x720@60
; 1 - 1024x768@60
; 2 - 720x480@60
; 3 - 720x576@50
; 4 - 1280x1024@60
; 5 - 800x600@60
; 6 - 640x480@60
; 7 - 1280x720@50
; 8 - 1920x1080@60
; 9 - 1920x1080@50
;10 - 1366x768@60
;11 - 1024x600@60
;12 - 1920x1440@60
;13 - 2048x1536@60
;14 - 2560x1440@60 (Pixel Repetition)"

The highest natively supported resolution of the MiSTer is 2048x1536@60.

Input Lag:
vsync_adjust=0
"This matches the refresh rate of your monitor (e.g. 60hz) and has about 1-2 frames of lag. Video output can be a little jittery as the core is still running at it's native rate, which isn't exactly 60hz."

vsync_adjust=1
"This makes the video output at exactly the frame rate of the game (e.g. 60.6hz). It has 1 frame of lag, but it is less compatible with modern televisions. Video output is very smooth."

vsync_adjust=2
"This makes the video output draw to the screen as fast as possible, and can result in sub-frame lag consistently (independent of your controller and display's built-in lag)."

"Generally speaking, the rule of thumb is that if you want the smoothest video output and lowest lag then start at vsync_adjust=2 and if a core doesn't work that you want to play on reduce it to 1 or 0 to see if the compatibility is resolved."

Currently of the FPGAs mentioned (MiSTer, A3D, M64) only the MiSTer has the low input lag vsync_adjust feature @lightwo mentioned. However, an equivalent "low latency video output" display mode is on ModRetro's M64 roadmap.

 

[Marc_LFD]

Bit of a contradiction there, innit?

Before you go dumping hundreds of dollars into something you "personally have never been a big fan of", have you considered that N64 emulation is generally quite adequate?

Alternatively, why not just use your limited time on this earth to play games that are more likely to hold your interest, rather than things that you have to "try to give a fair chance"?

I'd like to use an actual console than an emulator, but using a flashcart kind of defeats the purpose I suppose.

 

[KiiWii]

I'd like to use an actual console than an emulator, but using a flashcart kind of defeats the purpose I suppose.

I scored SunmerCart64 for £20, and consoles on local pick up rarely go above £40-50 if you have access to Facebook market place for example.

Playing on a real N64 is way more authentic of an experience. But there are cases for emulation to try before you buy, in this instance.

Emulation is good if you use Ares, which is cycle accurate and the best there is for homebrew too, but others like RMG are decent for compatibility albeit a little hacky pergame. PJ64 used to be a series of hacks holding hands.. idk how it is now

 

[Marc_LFD]

I scored SunmerCart64 for £20, and consoles on local pick up rarely go above £40-50 if you have access to Facebook market place for example.

Playing on a real N64 is way more authentic of an experience. But there are cases for emulation to try before you buy, in this instance.

Emulation is good if you use Ares, which is cycle accurate and the best there is for homebrew too, but others like RMG are decent for compatibility albeit a little hacky pergame. PJ64 used to be a series of hacks holding hands.. idk how it is now

After years of avoiding FB I finally made an account just to access the Marketplace. Thanks.

 

[tech3475]

I have an annoying issue on my PAL systems where via composite scart even on a CRT I get these annoying triangular lines/edges....ironically RF looks 'better'....shame about mono sound.