Nintendo 64

Before you begin

Before You Begin

A little preparation saves a lot of frustration. The N64 is forgiving, but knowing your hardware up front decides which flashcart and region method actually suit you.

Identify your console's region
Check the label on the underside of the console. NTSC-U, NTSC-J, and PAL each behave differently for imports, and this is the single most important fact to confirm.
Note your TV standard
PAL consoles output 50Hz; NTSC output 60Hz. This affects how cross-region games run and whether your display supports the signal.
Check for an Expansion Pak
Open the lid on top of the console. A Jumper Pak means you have stock 4MB; an Expansion Pak means you have the full 8MB some games need.
Decide what you want
Just backups? Save backup features? 64DD emulation? Your goals point directly to a specific cart.
Gather supplies
An SD or microSD card and a card reader cover most needs. See "What you'll need".

Do not buy a passthrough adapter or attempt any region swap until you have confirmed your console's region. Buying for the wrong region is the most common wasted purchase.

preparation