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Have you ever wanted to go back to nostalgic days from long ago to relive some of the greats from the Nintendo 64's library, but weren't pleased by emulation inaccuracies, or you no longer have a CRT to play on? That's where EON steps in, with their just-announced solution: the Super 64, a plug-and-play adapter that upscales the N64's video to 480p, and takes the system's S-video output, and replaces it with HDMI. All you have to do is just plug it into the Nintendo 64, turn it on, and it's ready to go. The Super 64 also features a "slick mode", which will round out jaggies and smooth out the picture quality to look better on modern TVs. Hardcore N64 fans will be happy to know that it launches relatively soon, with units shipping out on July 22nd. If you're interested, the Super 64 is available to pre-order on CastleMania Games, for a hefty $149.99. It's worth noting that you cannot use this with PAL N64 units, as they do not have S-video output.

WESTFIELD, NJ – June 26, 2019 – The EON Super 64, the first-of-its-kind, plug-and-play solution connecting the Nintendo 64 with modern television and monitors, launches July 22, 2019.

Developed by EON, the creators of the acclaimed GCHD and GCHD Mk-II, the Super 64 fits seamlessly into original hardware and upscales beloved retro classics on modern displays without risky modifications. EON introduces the world’s first Nintendo 64 HDMI adapter that operates without an external power source and yields truly lagless input. The Super 64’s gorgeous upscaled 480p boasts twice the resolution of the original console’s video output. Seriously.

“Slick Mode” enables retro fans to relive the triumphs of yesteryear with even smoother visuals, rounding out jagged edges for a sharper image that makes classics look better than ever. Through EON’s careful attention to detail, the Super 64 boasts the truest representation of color to create the most faithful N64 experience supplanting efforts of typical cable upgrades.

The beloved N64 sold over 32.9 million units since its 1996 debut. The Super 64 builds a bridge of nostalgic perfection between the N64's analog output and high-definition displays. Nostalgic gamers and competitive players can enjoy their favorite N64 titles on modern setups via HDMI, foregoing the need for heavy CRT televisions or risky console modifications.

EON's patent pending design is carefully crafted to prevent stress on older hardware and allows the N64 to slot neatly alongside modern platforms.

Delivering an upscaled experience that still champions the original look and feel guided EON's development process, evident in the Super 64's form-fitting elegance, brilliant display of colors, and remarkable audio fidelity.

"The Super 64 was designed to celebrate the console that pioneered 3D gaming. We set out to create something that respects the original hardware while delivering the original look and feel," said Justin Chou, Justin Scerbo, and Allan Chou, founders of EON. "The Super 64 is for everyone seeking to relive those classic experiences, and for a new generation for whom so many memories have yet to be made."

Source

 

[The Real Jdbye]

There are only 2 things I want to know that mean the difference between this being worth it and being a complete waste of money:
1. Is it cheaper than UltraHDMI?
2. Does it reverse the blur filter that the N64 applies to everything?

If the answer to either of these questions is no, the UltraHDMI is a way better buy.
Especially considering how much of a difference being able to reverse the blur filter makes in UltraHDMI. It's a night and day difference. It's not as crisp as on an emulator (at native resolution), but it's 80% of the way there, and probably the best you're gonna get on real hardware.

It would maybe be worth it if it has that feature even if it costs more than the UltraHDMI, since the UltraHDMI is a hardware modification. I would be willing to pay a little more not to have to mod my N64, but the UltraHDMI is already so expensive...

That trailer plays hard on the nostalgia, but I sincerely hope anyone that sees it and considers getting one of these researches what options are available to them and makes sure they want this rather than an UltraHDMI because as far as I can tell from that trailer, the UltraHDMI is a much better product. It beats it on price though, but only just.

Maybe their "slick mode" does reverse the blur filter in which case this is a good purchase. But they haven't said much about how it works and I hardly think more smoothing is gonna make the games look better. It's just gonna make them look as blurry as they did on a CRT, but not in a good way.

 

[SG6000]

To be fair to Eon - this is a plug 'n play N64 scaler, and there isn't any other device like it on the horizon. If someone like Pound or Hyperkin were to crank out a similar product you could bet that it'd be using that same old Chinese bargain basement scaler chip in many of their other upscaling cables, the one that flubs on colour reproduction and introduces a boatload of lag.

It isn't for me because I don't like using the HDTV for any gaming other than for a cheap emubox (the only HD games device I own) and I know better than to drop OSSC cash on a single console scaler - but others may want something that plugs in, works as intended without any setup and doesn't look like a DIY electronics project betting to have tea spilt on it.

Paying for a high-end, intermittently available mod like the UltraHDMI that also requires a skilled modder's time is only going to appeal to a subsection of N64 enthusiasts. This thing isn't aimed at them. The problem is that it's priced for them.

If they can significantly reduce the asking price while playing up the device's ultra low latency it could have an appeal, but I think they've missed the target by a fair whack.

 

[astrodraco]

The UltraHDMI is $10 more but requires both soldering experience and also some straight up cutting which all-in-all isn't difficult.

And it also does take out the blur.

BUT the main reason why an UltraHDMI would be better is because it outputs 1080p, it's soldered in and doesn't rely on a dongle to work, and it doesn't essentially just convert an s-video output to 480p. The N64 isn't even a 480p console, so it natively maxes out at 240p and even those convertors or speciality cables will typically either convert to that and ask your TV to upscale or just top out at 240p which is still considered HD by some.

Anyway, UltraHDMI is a better buy for pretty objective reason. Get one of those and find someone to mod it for you if you're not willing yourself is around $200. This is $50 less for a lackluster product.

 

[Scarlet]

To be fair to Eon - this is a plug 'n play N64 scaler, and there isn't any other device like it on the horizon. If someone like Pound or Hyperkin were to crank out a similar product you could bet that it'd be using that same old Chinese bargain basement scaler chip in many of their other upscaling cables, the one that flubs on colour reproduction and introduces a boatload of lag.

It isn't for me because I don't like using the HDTV for any gaming other than for a cheap emubox (the only HD games device I own) and I know better than to drop OSSC cash on a single console scaler - but others may want something that plugs in, works as intended without any setup and doesn't look like a DIY electronics project betting to have tea spilt on it.

Paying for a high-end, intermittently available mod like the UltraHDMI that also requires a skilled modder's time is only going to appeal to a subsection of N64 enthusiasts. This thing isn't aimed at them. The problem is that it's priced for them.

If they can significantly reduce the asking price while playing up the device's ultra low latency it could have an appeal, but I think they've missed the target by a fair whack.

But the RetroTink does that? Like, it's $50 less, requires only a Micro USB power supply (with most modern TVs having USB ports themselves), and is far more flexible in offering support for S-Video, Component, and Composite, all with the same 'zero' (microseconds) lag promise.

I just don't see the market here unless the Super64 is priced closer to $50.

 

[SG6000]

But the RetroTink does that? Like, it's $50 less, requires only a Micro USB power supply (with most modern TVs having USB ports themselves), and is far more flexible in offering support for S-Video, Component, and Composite, all with the same 'zero' (microseconds) lag promise.

I just don't see the market here unless the Super64 is priced closer to $50.

I was thinking even less than that for a stripped-back, inflexible, feature-gutted line doubling version of the RetroTink. It makes no sense as a premium $150 HDMI converter.

 

[Griffballchamp]

Now if they could just emulate the damn console properly............

 

[LeviDL]

I love that there are ZERO good comments on this so far. Price point is $100 over retail premium for this kind of thing. Even the $50 is a little steep for what it can do. This is hilarious. Why would they ever think the $150 price point was a good idea. Thanks for the laugh guys. The only good thing about this article.

 

[Deleted_413010]

$149.99

Sure...let me just call the US Treasury to buy this thing. $150 for a fucking adapter is insane. I don't give a shit what it does or how good it is. Its way too expensive.

 

[Captain_N]

Still not as good as a crt.. Keep trying

 

[the_randomizer]

Now if they could just emulate the damn console properly............

Easier said than done. You can thank the complex hardware and lack of decent documentation for that.

 

[DeoNaught]

Leaked Amazon listing from discord

It's kinda like the game cube adapter they "Made." take something open-source, or easily replicated, Mock up the price to about $100+ and sell it in limited amounts.

I think their moto is probably something like "Make up, and mock up!"

if you want good video quality for your N64, get the UltraHDMI, costs a little more, but difference is Night and Day.

I honestly feel bad for people who think this is good and buys it.

--------------------- MERGED ---------------------------

Easier said than done. You can thank the complex hardware and lack of decent documentation for that.

It's only weird hardware that makes it hard to emulate, Documentation is kinda out there, same amount on other consoles. I mean, we have completely reversed engineered N64 Boards, on a PCIE Board.

 

[ZachariasBarnham]

And EON can keep their Super 64 adaptor, I ain't paying $150 for that. My 32-inch Emerson HDTV plays N64 just fine as is.

 

[Taleweaver]

was getting interested in this until i read you need an n64 so fuck it i'll stick with shield tv.

While it'd be weird for expecting an N64 sold by someone not nintendo, I can't really blame you: for 150 bucks it's not really far fetched to expect a N64 console clone of some kind.

 

[Bladexdsl]

oh so it's $150 too yeah fuck that shield tv FTW

 

[Bonny]

I own an RGB-modded NTSC N64 - who can playback JAP and US carts, i'am using it with an RGB-cable on a LCD-Flatscreen. Has this thing any benefits for me?

 

[Ev1lbl0w]

Why does it look like the 9-Gag logo to me lol

 

[SG6000]

I own an RGB-modded NTSC N64 - who can playback JAP and US carts, i'am using it with an RGB-cable on a LCD-Flatscreen. Has this thing any benefits for me?

This thing won't process RGB so it won't even work for you.

If it was however able to line double 240p RGB it'd be useful in reducing the input lag that your setup has - but if it uses RetroTink guts this too is a misnomer as the chip in that device does not and will not accept RGB video.

 

[PewnyPL]

I feel it's pointless. They say it's zero-lag, but that's just the device's own lag... It won't decrease the input lag of the TV eitherway, so, the only real way to play N64 lag free IS a CRT.

 

[duwen]

The saying I'm thinking of goes, "you can't polish a turd".

 

[cvskid]

Looking forward to this and also don't mind the price point. Gotta pay for quality.