Random Gaming Thoughts

[alienjesus]

Bomberman 64, Bomberman Hero, Blast Corps, Command & Conquer, Diddy Kong Racing, Donkey Kong 64, Glover, The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, Mario Kart 64, Perfect Dark, Quake, Space Station Silicon Valley, Star Fox 64, Super Mario 64, and Yoshi's Story!
I think that's a pretty good haul for a random collection that belonged to a kid!

The condition isn't great: everything was dirty, the games are cart only, and a couple of them look like they've been chewed by a dog. The controller's analog stick is borked (I tried a tape mod per internet instructions, but it barely helps; I'm going to get a Gamecube-style replacement stick and probably also get a Brawler 64 controller). The console itself seems a bit spotty; sometimes it seems to not be outputting anything when powered on. If I can find my security bit, I'll see if I can open it up and give it a thorough cleaning inside later today.

I'd watch out for those Gamecube analogue replacements - they have bigger deadzones and not as much range of movement as the N64 sticks.

MY Life In Gaming took a look at them here and came away less than impressed: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o3GYtAyRCOo

Other than that though, that's a cool selection of games. I own and have played most of them and generally like them all - particularly Blast Corps which is massively underrated. The ones I've not tried are Command & Conquer (but I own the PS1 version and that game is awesome), Quake and Space Station Silicon Valley, but I hear good stuff about the latter.

The N64 is one of my favourite consoles and that set of games is a really nice set to begin with - it features some of the definitive classics, but also a nice set of the more niche cult classics for the system.

[Nemoide]

Yeah, I was looking at guides here on the site and was thinking about titles like Blast Corps and Space Station Silicon Valley as titles that I probably wouldn't be getting from my coworker but would be worth getting down the line, so I was pleasantly surprised to get those. And I'm glad I'll get to try Mario 64 and Ocarina of Time on the original hardware!

I'm sure that the Gamecube replacement stick will work better than what I have now: it's pretty impossible to play things at the moment. (Mario can't run in all directions)
...but I wish I had searched around a bit first because after I ordered the replacement stick, I'm now seeing that Kitsch-Bent sells replacement parts that should solve the problem, not compromise the original stick design, and also be less expensive. OH WELL. I won't throw out my damaged stick so I can go back to it if I have to.

[Ziggy]

The Gamecube style stick is better than nothing, but that's as high as I would rate it. The dead zone is one thing, but the sensitivity is complete garbage. If the original stick has a range of 0 to 10, it's like this stick is missing 1 through 3. Aiming in first person is impossible. But you also have no basically no precision control in 3D platformers. It took a while for me to notice this, as it's not very noticeable in Mario 64. But in DK64, you can't maneuver the same way when tight platforming is required. I finally decided that they're just not worth using. The only time I would recommend them (unless it's that or nothing) is if you're having a Mario Party session just to save the wear and tear on your good sticks.

For someone who has never owned an N64, that's a perfect starter package! Those games will last you a good while, but I'll give ya some on my picks anyway (even though you didn't even ask for them!).

Perfect Dark has the better multiplayer, but Goldeneye has the better single player. People always refer to Perfect Dark as an improvement to Goldeneye (or "Goldeneye 2.0") but this rarely gets mentioned. The single player in Perfect Dark is actually kind of weak.

Here's some top budget picks of mine, going off VGPC...

Banjo-Kazooie - If you like 3D platformers, get it! It's not dirt cheap, but it's the cheaper of the Rare platformers.

Star Wars Shadows of the Empire - The controls are a little wonky at first, but you get use to it. It's a little dated now, and the game has some quirks, but I feel like it's still worth playing. At the time, this was the best Star Wars console game ever released.

Pokemon Snap - If you're into Pokemon at all, get it. It's simple, addictive and relaxing. It's basically an on-rails shooter but you're taking pictures instead of firing a weapon.

Wave Race 64 - Not the best the console has to offer, but if you're looking for a good pick-up-and-play game that's dirt cheap, this is it!

Star Wars Episode I Racer - A very fun racer set in the Star Wars universe.

Cruis'n USA - Arcade racer. Super fun, dirt cheap. The best pick-up-and-play racer for the console, IMO.

Top Gear Rally - Rally racing game, also dirt cheap. This was the first game I played that you could customize the paint job as well as draw graphics on your car, as well as the first game I played where the car took visual damage when you crash.

F-Zero X - Not super cheap, but worth the price of admission if you like F-Zero.

Must get accessories:

Controller Pak - It's a memory card. Some N64 games can save on the cart, while others require you to save to a memory card. Get a couple if you can, and stick to Nintendo brand when possible.

Expansion Pak - Doubles the system RAM. Only a few games require it, but plenty of games benefit from it. Open up that little door in front of the cart slot. See red? Then you already have one. See black? You need to get one! Check the link for a list of games that support or require it: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nintendo_ ... ansion_Pak

Rumble Pak - You're not playing Star Fox 64 right without one of these. You could also use a third party substitute like the Tremor Pak.

[Livelifelove]

A coworker just gave me her son's old N64 and 15 different games!

I never had one before and it was never really a console I had a strong desire for, but this is a pretty awesome turn of events!

That's awesome, I know that surely made your day. Which games did she throw in? I don't even think I still have my Nintendo 64, if I do its somewhere in the basement. I used to love playing mario Kart on there.

[kingdomslayer]

If only the gold in games can be withdrawn into real money

[Nemoide]

It took a *LOT* of deep-cleaning to get that N64 up to a condition that I'd consider reliably worth playing, but I got it! That thing was *filthy* from sitting in a basement for years. It went from sometimes not sending any AV signal, sometimes the picture quality suddenly getting worse, and generally seeming very finicky (if I TOUCHED the cartridge while it was in, the signal would die).
It's still not at 100%, but after taking out the cartridge slot and cleaning out the gunk that had built up underneath it, it's now (usually) starting up! I'm going to try getting some Deoxit and seeing if that makes a difference. Otherwise I might actually end up taking it to someplace that does repairs to see if they can get it working more reliably than it is. This thing is turning out to be a good amount of work!

I guess I'll probably pass on installing the GC-style stick if they're so bad. I'll just get replacement plastic bits. In the meantime, since the console is working a bit more reliably, I started playing Diddy Kong Racing, which seems pretty decent so far!
(Oh and the bundle included the RAM expansion and a Rumble Pak so I'm set for those must-own accessories!)

Which games did she throw in?

Look two posts up above yours.

[Strade]

If only the gold in games can be withdrawn into real money

I used to play Entropia Universe, you know back in the day it was an actually profitable game if you put time and investment into the gear.
Now i think it's inflated to the point of not worth to play for money, only for the massive content.

If they put the option to buy currency for money, bots would disappear, or maybe they would sell for cheaper then >_>

[Soldier Blue]

Ok so have they completely gotten rid of online support for the Pokemon DS games? It doesnt seem like I am able to trade or battle globally with the DS Wifi. Maybe I'm doing something wrong here. Man I wonder if there is anything you can still even do in these old games.

[alienjesus]

Ok so have they completely gotten rid of online support for the Pokemon DS games? It doesnt seem like I am able to trade or battle globally with the DS Wifi. Maybe I'm doing something wrong here. Man I wonder if there is anything you can still even do in these old games.

DS online functionality was shut down a few years ago I'm afraid, so online battling and trading no longer exists in the gen 4 and gen 5 games (Diamond, Pearl, Platinum, HeartGold, SoulSilver, Black, White, Black 2 and White 2), or any other online capable DS game for that matter.

Same goes for Wii - online got shut off around the same time, other than the Wii Shop channel which is finally on it's way out now.

[BoneSnapDeez]

My five-year-old daughter while playing a very primitive Famicom game (Front Line): "Hey, what is this?! Atari?!"