I'm looking into getting an N64 soon, but was wondering about the memory of the official memory card (think it was a Game Pak) and the games. Do they use batteries? I heard some use flash, which I think can't be replaced.
Also, for the batteries, how hard are they to replace in an N64 game/game pak? As for flash, can that be replaced? I don't believe it can, if not how long does it last?
Basically I'm afraid of getting a game or a game pak and having it just last a couple years before dying on me.
N64 Game/Memory Card Battery
N64 Game/Memory Card Battery
Huge RPG fan.
PSN ID and XBL GamerTag: KoLAddict
PSN ID and XBL GamerTag: KoLAddict
Re: N64 Game/Memory Card Battery
Don't worry!
Some N64 carts use SRAM with a battery. It's a CR2032, just like in a SNES cart. You would replace it the same way. The memory cards use the same battery as well. I just opened a 3rd party memory card and the battery isn't tabbed/soldered. It's in a little metal holder, you can easily slip it out and a new one back in. A first party memory card probably has the tabbed batteries soldered in though (like SNES carts). And I believe they're officially named "Controller Pak" by Nintendo.
Some N64 carts use an EEPROM or flash memory and do not require a battery. You shouldn't really worry about these having to be replaced, they should last a long time. They'll have something like a million read/write cycle lifespan. But in the event they have to be replaced, it shouldn't be that hard of a task (assuming that the replacement part is available for purchase at that time).
Some N64 carts use SRAM with a battery. It's a CR2032, just like in a SNES cart. You would replace it the same way. The memory cards use the same battery as well. I just opened a 3rd party memory card and the battery isn't tabbed/soldered. It's in a little metal holder, you can easily slip it out and a new one back in. A first party memory card probably has the tabbed batteries soldered in though (like SNES carts). And I believe they're officially named "Controller Pak" by Nintendo.
Some N64 carts use an EEPROM or flash memory and do not require a battery. You shouldn't really worry about these having to be replaced, they should last a long time. They'll have something like a million read/write cycle lifespan. But in the event they have to be replaced, it shouldn't be that hard of a task (assuming that the replacement part is available for purchase at that time).
Re: N64 Game/Memory Card Battery
This page has some good info on it: http://s9.zetaboards.com/Nintendo_64_Fo ... 7041206/1/
It's also worth pointing out that N64 memory cards are similar to any other console's memory cards in that 3rd party cards can be pure junk. If you pick up an N64 (which you should - lots of great games on there) I would highly recommend getting a first party (Nintendo brand) Controller Pak.
These new 3rd party cards that you'll find for $1.50 might be tempting, but without ever owning one, I can guarantee you it's pure junk. To make a profit off $1.50, picture the quality of work being done. I assure you that the quality of assembly is horrendous and that it probably uses very cheap parts. If you get one of these, don't be surprised when your save files are always disappearing.
On the topic of 3rd party junk, if you're shopping for an N64 console, try to find one with the Expansion Pak already installed (as oppose to the Jumper Pak). But make sure it's a first party Expansion Pak. I've read horrible things about the 3rd party Paks. There's a little door on the top of the console, right in front of the cart slot. If you open it up you can see the top of whatever Pak is installed. The Expansion Pak has a read top. If it just has a Jumper Pak, or third party Expansion Pak, a Nintendo brand Expansion Pak can be had for cheap on eBay (under $10 shipped usually).
You REALLY want an Expansion Pak for the games that take advantage of it. Some games straight up require it while others use it for higher resolution. I've been playing Turok 2 recently, with the Expansion Pak. There's an option to turn the resolution to low, as it would default to if you only had a Jumper Pak. I decided to set it to low just to see what it would look like. The difference was pretty vast, the game looks MUCH better with the Expansion Pak.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nintendo_6 ... ansion_Pak
Another useful thing to know is that the GameShark has some great features regarding saves. You can use it to dump the save from a cart onto a memory card, then flash it to another cart. It also has a (I think) better memory card manager then N64 games, but you might have to have the GameShark format the memory cards. IIRC, if you have two or more controllers plugged into the console, each containing a memory card, the GameShark will allow you to copy saves between cards. I don't believe you were able to do this with the game's memory card manager.
Which leads me to this: Almost every game that uses a memory card has it's own memory card manager that you can access by holding down START when powering on the console.
This thread gave me an idea. I wonder if most third party N64 memory cards use the same exact PCB size and shape (I'm assuming most do, due to the fact they the 3rd parties usually just copy most of the design from the official card). If they do, I think I have an awesome idea. I could make my own PCBs, copying a Nintendo brand card. They'd be insanely cheap to produce do to how small they are. All the parts that populate the PCB would be really cheap as well (a small memory IC, a cap, some resistors, I think that's it). Do you see where I'm going with this? You could take your shitty 3rd party memory card, open it up (which is easy since they just use phillips head screws) take the shitty PCB out and throw it in the garbage, then drop the new better quality PCB in there.
It's also worth pointing out that N64 memory cards are similar to any other console's memory cards in that 3rd party cards can be pure junk. If you pick up an N64 (which you should - lots of great games on there) I would highly recommend getting a first party (Nintendo brand) Controller Pak.
These new 3rd party cards that you'll find for $1.50 might be tempting, but without ever owning one, I can guarantee you it's pure junk. To make a profit off $1.50, picture the quality of work being done. I assure you that the quality of assembly is horrendous and that it probably uses very cheap parts. If you get one of these, don't be surprised when your save files are always disappearing.
On the topic of 3rd party junk, if you're shopping for an N64 console, try to find one with the Expansion Pak already installed (as oppose to the Jumper Pak). But make sure it's a first party Expansion Pak. I've read horrible things about the 3rd party Paks. There's a little door on the top of the console, right in front of the cart slot. If you open it up you can see the top of whatever Pak is installed. The Expansion Pak has a read top. If it just has a Jumper Pak, or third party Expansion Pak, a Nintendo brand Expansion Pak can be had for cheap on eBay (under $10 shipped usually).
You REALLY want an Expansion Pak for the games that take advantage of it. Some games straight up require it while others use it for higher resolution. I've been playing Turok 2 recently, with the Expansion Pak. There's an option to turn the resolution to low, as it would default to if you only had a Jumper Pak. I decided to set it to low just to see what it would look like. The difference was pretty vast, the game looks MUCH better with the Expansion Pak.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nintendo_6 ... ansion_Pak
Another useful thing to know is that the GameShark has some great features regarding saves. You can use it to dump the save from a cart onto a memory card, then flash it to another cart. It also has a (I think) better memory card manager then N64 games, but you might have to have the GameShark format the memory cards. IIRC, if you have two or more controllers plugged into the console, each containing a memory card, the GameShark will allow you to copy saves between cards. I don't believe you were able to do this with the game's memory card manager.
Which leads me to this: Almost every game that uses a memory card has it's own memory card manager that you can access by holding down START when powering on the console.
This thread gave me an idea. I wonder if most third party N64 memory cards use the same exact PCB size and shape (I'm assuming most do, due to the fact they the 3rd parties usually just copy most of the design from the official card). If they do, I think I have an awesome idea. I could make my own PCBs, copying a Nintendo brand card. They'd be insanely cheap to produce do to how small they are. All the parts that populate the PCB would be really cheap as well (a small memory IC, a cap, some resistors, I think that's it). Do you see where I'm going with this? You could take your shitty 3rd party memory card, open it up (which is easy since they just use phillips head screws) take the shitty PCB out and throw it in the garbage, then drop the new better quality PCB in there.
Re: N64 Game/Memory Card Battery
I had memory card issue so I thought i would exchange the battery, so I opened it and while I was trying to remove it i realized its soldered in!
Now the top metal connector on the (+) side is not touching the battery, is there a solution or shall I buy a new one?
Now the top metal connector on the (+) side is not touching the battery, is there a solution or shall I buy a new one?
Last edited by RCBH928 on Sun Feb 25, 2018 10:27 am, edited 1 time in total.
Re: N64 Game/Memory Card Battery
Just push the tab down so it's making contact with the battery, then do anything you can think of so it stays there. Tape will work, so would a strong glue or epoxy. Of course, a spot welder would be the best option, but I'm assuming you don't have one of those.
Re: N64 Game/Memory Card Battery
glue will work as a conductor of electricity?
thanx man you are a life saver
thanx man you are a life saver
Re: N64 Game/Memory Card Battery
No, glue will actually work as an insulator! (Well, there ARE glues that will conduct electricity, but they're probably expensive I would think).
What I mean is, you have to have that tab make contact with the top of the battery. It doesn't matter how you get it to stay making contact, use tape, glue or whatever. If you're using glue or an epoxy, do NOT get any between the tab and the top of the battery. I would use an epoxy for a few reasons: One, it bonds really well on most surfaces. Two, it hardens really fast. And three, I have some in the house and I rarely use it. What I would do is mix the epoxy, then while holding the tab down on the the battery with a screw driver or something, spread the epoxy over it. Then keep holding it with the screwdriver until it hardens completely. You have to work fast because after you mix the epoxy it starts to harden right away. I guess you can also use crazy glue, that should bond alright I would think. You'll have the same benefit of it hardening almost instantly. But crazy glue is thinner so it might run under the tab. Epoxy is kinda thick.
What I mean is, you have to have that tab make contact with the top of the battery. It doesn't matter how you get it to stay making contact, use tape, glue or whatever. If you're using glue or an epoxy, do NOT get any between the tab and the top of the battery. I would use an epoxy for a few reasons: One, it bonds really well on most surfaces. Two, it hardens really fast. And three, I have some in the house and I rarely use it. What I would do is mix the epoxy, then while holding the tab down on the the battery with a screw driver or something, spread the epoxy over it. Then keep holding it with the screwdriver until it hardens completely. You have to work fast because after you mix the epoxy it starts to harden right away. I guess you can also use crazy glue, that should bond alright I would think. You'll have the same benefit of it hardening almost instantly. But crazy glue is thinner so it might run under the tab. Epoxy is kinda thick.
Re: N64 Game/Memory Card Battery
Or fold up some aluminum foil from the kitchen in a square large enough to place tension on the clip.
Re: N64 Game/Memory Card Battery
hmmm...
are you goes this tinkering won't ruin my saved games in the future? I tried the memory card without fixing it. It first said it need to repair the memory card, then I tried to save to it and it worked! Then I reset the 64 and tried to load a game and it worked!
maybe it doesn't need fixing? maybe it shouldn't be touching in the first place?
are you goes this tinkering won't ruin my saved games in the future? I tried the memory card without fixing it. It first said it need to repair the memory card, then I tried to save to it and it worked! Then I reset the 64 and tried to load a game and it worked!
maybe it doesn't need fixing? maybe it shouldn't be touching in the first place?