Lodgenet hotel N64

[gtmtnbiker]

I would be curious to know how profitable these systems were. I can't imagine that many people would pay $7/hour to use one but maybe I'm mistaken.

CRT, are you able to compare your board with the one from a regular N64? What's different between the two? I wonder if it was just a special game cartridge that acted like a flash cart or had some way of being dynamically loaded by the server?

[fastbilly1]

Wait a minute! Looking at the pic, does this mean the game roms were on locally, right on the RAM Chips of the LodgeNet N64?

Someone over a assembler posted about just winning an auction on one, hopefully will get a followup review.

I will ask him to detail exactly how it worked next time I see him.

[CRTGAMER]

I would be curious to know how profitable these systems were. I can't imagine that many people would pay $7/hour to use one but maybe I'm mistaken.

CRT, are you able to compare your board with the one from a regular N64? What's different between the two? I wonder if it was just a special game cartridge that acted like a flash cart or had some way of being dynamically loaded by the server?

I think you misread my post, I bought only the pieces that were from a single Hotel room not the custom N64. I posted a pic of the LodgeNet N64 console for reference and am curious if any actually owns one. If you look at the pic on the previous page, it has a whole new PCB on top with the RAM slots.

I think the LodgNet SNES, Genesis, N64 and Gamecube has very low use, but maybe a family on vacation might let the kids try it if they forgot their Gameboy or PSP. Come to think about it, a kid being forced to play the only game in the room might discover the joys of Retro gaming.

Wait a minute! Looking at the pic, does this mean the game roms were on locally, right on the RAM Chips of the LodgeNet N64?

Someone over a assembler posted about just winning an auction on one, hopefully will get a followup review.

I will ask him to detail exactly how it worked next time I see him.

Thanks! It would be interesting if the games are local or not. If they were download controlled from the LodgeNet site that might be even better. It opens up the door for an easier hack, another way to run N64 import and beta Roms.

[DinnerX]

Thanks! It would be interesting if the games are local or not. If they were download controlled from the LodgeNet site that might be even better. It opens up the door for an easier hack, another way to run N64 import and beta Roms.

What'd be really neat is if the chips involved in all this aren't too special so regular n64s could be modified. But that isn't likely.

This post from the zetaboards link is very exciting as well.

What's the experience like? I assume it's the same as playing a real N64.

Well, after trying it out, it's actually quite different.

1: Games have that load time in which the game is transferred from the hotel's server to the system's RAM. That takes roughly 15-20 seconds.

2: Several games are MODIFIED!!!
-The Zelda games (both of which are on there) don't have a file select screen. You just enter your name in and go.
-Paper Mario (yes, an RPG is on there. Very odd.) has a screen which warns you to not hit the reset button, or else you will lose all of your progress.

3: The poor video quality is fixed, from what I can see. There are none of those crappy looking edges. Tragically, it doesn't matter, as it is connected to the TV via the RF input. If only I could open it up and solder in some composite cables...

If there are modified versions of some games I doubt they have ever been dumped.

If it really have fixed the edge problems that would be amazing. No other n64 does that unless the ique player does.

[CRTGAMER]

Thanks! It would be interesting if the games are local or not. If they were download controlled from the LodgeNet site that might be even better. It opens up the door for an easier hack, another way to run N64 import and beta Roms.

What'd be really neat is if the chips involved in all this aren't too special so regular n64s could be modified. But that isn't likely.

This post from the zetaboards link is very exciting as well.

What's the experience like? I assume it's the same as playing a real N64.

Well, after trying it out, it's actually quite different.

1: Games have that load time in which the game is transferred from the hotel's server to the system's RAM. That takes roughly 15-20 seconds.

2: Several games are MODIFIED!!!
-The Zelda games (both of which are on there) don't have a file select screen. You just enter your name in and go.
-Paper Mario (yes, an RPG is on there. Very odd.) has a screen which warns you to not hit the reset button, or else you will lose all of your progress.

3: The poor video quality is fixed, from what I can see. There are none of those crappy looking edges. Tragically, it doesn't matter, as it is connected to the TV via the RF input. If only I could open it up and solder in some composite cables...

If there are modified versions of some games I doubt they have ever been dumped.

If it really have fixed the edge problems that would be amazing. No other n64 does that unless the ique player does.

This is getting more interesting! Even though the LodgNet games are tightly controlled, maybe there are cracked LodgeNet Roms out there?

Your earlier link at Ben Heck revealed something.

http://forums.benheck.com/viewtopic.php ... 2&start=15

The insides of the controllers do show some differences though, here are some pics. The L, R, Z buttons are different slightly, and the board is free from as much clutter as the normal N64 controller board. Seems the expansion bay requires quite a bit of chip space.

In the 1st pic between the Left and Down buttons on the directional pad you can see that the board is made by HORI, I may be wrong since i havent taken a N64 controller apart for some months, but I dont think the original ones are made by HORI, can someone verify?

I also found a link over there for the LodgeNet SNES layout. Looks like the games are coming thru the RF cable from the Manager Office custom consoles. N64s are probably the same layout. The real question is where are the games stored?

[Duane Dibbley]

You young 'uns might not remember a time when hotels had rooms full of arcade games. My guess is this was deemed a cheaper alternative.

[CRTGAMER]

You young 'uns might not remember a time when hotels had rooms full of arcade games. My guess is this was deemed a cheaper alternative.

I remember Pong at my Bowling Alley.

There are some hotels in Vegas and a local Indian Casino Hotel that have a separate Arcade room. Agree the Arcades are fading though. I wouldn't doubt if years from now a touch screen netbook will be part of the room amenities.

Back on Topic - Does anyone own a LodgeNet Console?

Looks like a LodgNet is offer a LodgNet Wii
http://www.lodgenet.com/OurSolutions/Fo ... otels.aspx



Google Image: The LodgNet N64 board is smaller then I thought.

[vlame]

contact them and ask if you can order one.

[gtmtnbiker]

contact them and ask if you can order one.

Sure, if he has $5K or whatever the amount is to buy one.

[vlame]

contact them and ask if you can order one.

Sure, if he has $5K or whatever the amount is to buy one.

all it says is $175 installed.