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Bacteria's back with portable Nintendo 64, complete how-to guide
The quest to build the perfect portable Nintendo 64 continues, but we imagine we'll stop seeing so many disparate designs soon. That's not because Bacteria's latest bulbous handheld has achieved perfection -- far from it -- but rather because he's provided a 2.5-hour, step-by-step video guide to help you build it from the ground up. And hey, the system isn't too shabby, either. The "iNto64" portable features integrated Controller, Rumble and Expansion Paks for complete N64 functionality, built-in speakers and a headphone jack, rechargeable batteries for up to three hours of play, even a video-out port if you get tired of staring at the ubiquitous 5-inch Sony PSone LCD. The only obvious oversight is controller ports for more inputs -- seems our buddy Bacteria wasn't a big fan of GoldenEye. See it play some of N64's other best games after the break, while we dust off our gamebit screwdriver. Obvious though it may seem, know what you're getting into before you do likewise; ripping up classic cart-based consoles isn't for the faint of heart.
Hailrazer's Kamikaze 64 is the most polished portable N64 yet (video)
Money talks, and, in the world of custom hardware, occasionally yields some amazing results. Such is the case with Hailrazer's latest handheld console mod, the Kamikaze 64. It's a portable version of Nintendo's decidedly wired Nintendo 64 that someone commissioned him to build, probably after seeing his impressive NCube portable GameCube. This one is equally comprehensive, and while it doesn't compete against either of the supposed world's smallest portable N64s, it does offer the full suite of controls, plus input for a second controller, video output, and even includes the controller's I/O port on the back. (That means it's Controller Pak compatible, and its future owner can take his or her all-time greatest Mario Kart 64 ghost replays on the road.) No word on how much the mystery commissioner paid for this one, but we're thinking they got a good deal. [Thanks, Jonathan]
Neo Myth flash cart for N64 puts your ROMS where they belong (video)
N64 emulators are equal parts fun and frustrating: it's great having access to all those ROMs, but wouldn't you rather play 'em on the actual console? The Neo N64 Myth is a flash cart for your Nintendo 64 that lets you transfer games from your PC to a cart via USB. This bad boy features support for ROMs up to 512MB, all save types (it will even let you back up the saves on your PC), up to two games at the same time, and more. Sure, at $200 some might say that you're probably better off just buying the carts you want off eBay -- but they're either not as hardcore as you or as well-heeled as you. Hit the source link to see for yourself, but not before checking out the review posted to the DCEmu.uk forums: they put the thing through its paces, and they find that it holds up pretty, pretty well. Video after the break.
Near-final Pandora handheld gets user reviewed, shown playing Super Mario 64
The long (long!) awaited Pandora gaming handheld is inching closer and closer to reality, with all but a few i's and t's left to dot and cross (respectively). It's so close to ready, in fact, that personnel from the device's production team invited a mere mortal (also known as a forum member) to their homes in order to test out and tinker with a pre-production model. Naturally, his hands-on experience was nothing short of glowing -- but really, we wouldn't expect anything less from a devout forum member who clearly digs even the idea of having a Pandora to hold and snuggle with. There's no denying the awesomeness that awaits you in the video past the break, though, and if the unit really does handle everything as smoothly as it does Super Mario 64, we're all in for a treat.
Komodo's Retro Adapter brings your dusty old gamepads to your dusty new Wii
While we hear Punch Out!! is quite good, it's safe to say the Wii hasn't exactly been flooded with great titles lately. The most enjoyable part of the system still comes from the Virtual Console and all the classic titles that populate it, and soon you'll be able to pair those games with the classic controllers they were written for thanks to Komodo's Retro Adapter. Sure, we've seen some rather... unsophisticated ways of making N64 controllers work in the past, and Nintendo itself hopped on the retro bandwagon with a first-party Wii SNES gamepad, but Komodo's adapter has no exposed solders, looks like a wee N64, and even lets you use your creaky old NES pad. No official word on availability, but expect a $20 price sometime in June. We'll be bringing you more from E3.
Nintendo Sixtyfree Lite-R elegantly crams N64 into a luscious handheld
Ben Heck's apprentices are showing their true colors again, with modder SifuF churning out a real winner over the holidays. The Nintendo Sixtyfree Lite-R just might be the most elegant portable N64 that we've seen to date, with a clean, low-key design, beautifully integrated buttons and a cartridge slot that's about as non-cumbersome as possible. Of note, there are no internal batteries to speak of, thus it's forced to rely on an InfoLithium (or any 7.2v supply) clipped on the rear. Tap the read link for a pictorial look at the build and final product.[Thanks, Adam]
Video: How-to guide for making your Nintendo 64 portable
Revision3's own Daniel just couldn't sit idly by watching portable N64 after portable N64 pass him by while doing nothing, so he decided to gut his own console and shove it into a battery-powered unit that can be taken practically anywhere. Sure, it's one thing to read through a step-by-step guide that you barely understand, but it's another to see the whole process broken down for you on video. Check the read link for the perfect holiday project, and yes, you can actually play the re-gift card here and not got scorned.
Modder haphazardly shoves an N64 into a Wii shell
We'll be frank -- there's nothing particularly elegant about the Wii64, but it is unique, so we just have to pay attention. Without any rhyme or reason, this here modder decided it best to gut the internals of his Wii and replace them with the innards of an N64. Of course, he could've just referenced someone else's work for getting an N64 controller to play nice with Nintendo's latest, but we suspect that just wasn't the itch he was trying to scratch. The current bid is just $49.99, so those intrigued enough to actually have it shipped to their house can bid away.[Via Nintendo Wii Fanboy]
Darth 64 mega-mod results in portable N64 that breathes funny
We wouldn't go so far as to say that the apprentice has become the teacher, but over three years after modder extraordinaire Benjamin Heckendorn crafted his very own portable Nintendo 64, along comes one of his dedicated followers with another take on things. The Darth 64 is easily one of the most convoluted console hacks we've ever seen, utilizing bits and pieces from an N64, PSOne, GameCube and a Lazer Doodle. Somehow or another, hailrazer was able to actually make those seemingly unrelated components work together to form a "handheld" N64 console -- one that's battery powered, no less. Tap the read link for lots more construction pics, and don't forget to bow down upon entering.[Via NintendoWiiFanboy]
Pokmon Snap gets Wii functionality on Virtual Console
Next Tuesday, Japanese Wii owners will be able to download the underrated N64 title Pokémon Snap on the Wii's Virtual Console. Unique to this release, however, will be newly added Wii functionality, setting an interesting precedent for future VC releases.Dengeki Online reports that photographs taken in-game can be posted to the Wii Message Board, and sent along to friends using the Wii's internet connection. While this isn't a terribly interesting use of the Wii functionality, it does show that Nintendo is willing to add new features to Virtual Console titles. No word yet on when Pokémon Snap will be making its debut in other regions, but could other upcoming VC titles be receiving similar treatment?[Via CVG]
Wii, DS ads appear in VC version of Wave Race 64
No, Marty and the Doc weren't messing around with the space-time continuum again, but advertisements for the Wii and DS are appearing in Wave Race 64, the 1996 Nintendo 64 racing title, which was made available on the Virtual Console this morning.The simple ads appear as banners alongside the courses in the game, replacing the Kawasaki ads which appeared in the original title. Most likely, whatever licensing deal Nintendo made with Kawasaki in the 90s has since expired, and they needed to replace those textures with something else for legal reasons. Still, it's a little odd seeing ads for brand new systems in a two-generations-old game. It does prove, however, that Nintendo is able to swap out textures in the VC roms. Here's hoping they don't get all evil with the practice.
VC Friday: Zonked on paper
It's an odd pairing for the weekend for European gamers -- the punk-influenced Air Zonk and the classically adorable Paper Mario! What do they both have in common? A light-hearted approach to gaming and solid offerings for their respective genres. That's something we can get behind. Air Zonk -- Turbografx -- 600 Wii points Paper Mario -- Nintendo 64 -- 1000 Wii points
N64 gets a contemporary makeover
The classy white-with-blue light Wii theme can add a touch of awesome to any game console. We won't say anything to impugn the vaunted N64 in any way-- we think the white paint job makes it look damned cool. The paint is nice and smooth, too.Color variations are nothing new for the N64, but Nintendo didn't release one in white. And they certainly didn't put LED's in it. What do you think about this mod? Can you think of any other consoles that would benefit from some white paint?
CNET's best video game controllers of all time
CNET UK recently unveiled a "totally subjective" top five list of the best video game controllers of all time. Heading the pack is Atari's one-button joystick, joined by the SNES controller, and the N64 and PS2 controllers. Surprisingly enough, the Xbox 360 pad lands on the list for being the first to make wireless design a standard. The Wii remote was mentioned but quickly dismissed, as it hasn't been around long enough to prove itself as a revolutionary device.It's a rather obvious list that omits innovation in favor of time-tested design. Atari's joystick was nothing short of groundbreaking in its day, as were the SNES and N64 controllers. And we're just broken to bits that the PS3 boomerang never had the chance to fight for a spot on this list.[Via Xbox 360 Fanboy]
Paper Mario pencilled into the VC release schedule
The N64 version of Paper Mario is soon to hit the Virtual Console, according to a recent magazine article.If you've just finished Super Paper Mario and are after some more dimension-shifting hyper-realism , then this is the place to get it. The 2001 classic is more of an RPG than its younger sibling, with turn based combat, so bear that in mind if you're thinking of shelling out the Wii points. No news on release dates as yet -- we'll keep you posted.
Superman 64 almost had an evil twin on the PS1
Universally recognized as the worst video game ever created, Superman 64 was this close to unleashing a spawn on the original PlayStation. According to an article at PlayStation Museum, when Titus was wrapping up development on the game in late '98, plans were to port the title to the PS1.But then Superman 64 was released and began to induce physical pain on players. Even though the PS1 game was approved for release by Sony and issued a product code, it's obvious someone decided to hit the eject button on the project. Officially the game was canned due to "licensing difficulties", but we know it was a merciful act of God.[Via GameSetWatch]
Does the VC threaten modding communities?
OK, we may be incredible Nintendo fanboys, but this is just something that flew under our radar. We never had any idea that these mods were actually out there, trying to make N64 games better. Of course, they're working with ROMs and other illegal materials, but we're sure some of them out there are doing this in a legit fashion, not to mention that these individuals must actually love the game, what with investing so many hours into giving it better textures and whatnot. We're not here to argue either side of that coin.But no, instead we're here to ask a question: does the Virtual Console kill the N64 modding community? Probably not, considering that years of being discontinued has hardly gotten in their way. So, we doubt digital distribution is going to be the one that finally finagles a wrench into the cog that is this modding community. And we can't say we condone piracy in any way, but those higher-res shots of Ocarina of Time really look nice.What say you all?
The Top 7 Nintendo Mistakes are sure to offend somebody
GamesRadar has just put up their list of historical Nintendo blunders, and ... wow. We hope they're wearing flame-retardant clothing. The list has seemingly noble enough intentions: to analyze how Nintendo went from the absolute biggest name in video games to pretty much third place. Ultimately, it's probably meant to incite arguments, and they'll get plenty of them.But if there's anything we've learned from years of being on the Internet and from specializing in Nintendo discussion, it's that any negative word about Nintendo will summon a cacophony of fanboy hate. Never mind that a lot of the things on the list (with one very notable exception) are definitely huge mistakes and probably did contribute to Nintendo's semi-downfall in the pre-DS days. Let's try to buck the trend here. Let's have an open discussion about Nintendo's missteps, instead of screaming at naysayers and trying to spin the Virtual Boy as a good thing.
Mario Kart 64 headlines Jan. Wii VC lineup, in Japan
Nintendo will deal a strong hand of nostalgia to begin the New Year, as January will see Japanese Wii owners tempted by the likes of Mario Kart 64 and SNES Super Famicom's Fire Emblem: Seisen no Keifu (the last series' title to be produced by Gunpei Yokoi). Additional classics like Ice Climber, Kid Icarus and Zelda II: The Adventure of Link will fill out the first-party offerings; and new Genesis and TurboGrafx-16 titles will ensure that the Virtual Console service always has something stirring a soft spot.Which Christmas releases did you give in to?
Metareview - Zelda: Twilight Princess (GameCube)
For Wii-less GameCube owners it's a no-brainer; you pro'ly been had your copy of Twilight Princess. But for those few Wii owners who are considering the GameCube edition, still unable to take decisive action, here are several takes on how the two versions match up: