Topic: N64, what do I need.

You really should get a controller pak. There aren't that many games that don't save directly to the cartridge, but a lot of the extra saves, like saving replays or game modes or created characters and stuff use the controller pak. Perfect Dark is one of them, and I think Starcraft 64 uses it as well. The rumble pak is a novelty that has worn out over the years, and I never used it much when the N64 was in its prime, so unless you want it just for collector value, don't waste your money. I still have two of mine, and I don't ever use them anymore.

You shouldn't pick up games that are on Virtual Console.

I know it's probably obvious, yet Paper Mario is a real collectible and unless you want it to sell much later in life, it would be wise to purchase it on the WSC.

You need to pick up Banjo-Kazzoie nd Tooie, two of Rare's best games (out of many).

Also, Donkey Kong 64 is a must and Star Wars Episode 1 racer.

The composite video cable for the N64 is the same one used for the SNES/Gamecube, so if you have a SNES cable you can also use that. You can get an S-video cable that works for the SNES/N64/Gamecube if you want slightly better video quality, but some of those cables have junk S-video that actually make them worse than composite video, so it's hard to recommend getting one unless you know the S-video quality is actually going to be like it should be.

I only have a spare cable for the Wii, I have a SNES cable, but then I can't play my SNES. The cables aren't that expensive so that should be ok.

You should also get a Rumble Pak, if only to feel that Wheel of Fortune wheel spin.

If you're going to get a kart racing game, get Diddy Kong Racing. You can race in planes and hovercrafts as well as cars. That game ate up so much of my early teen years, it's sick. It's even fun single player. This is the only game I ever used the controller pak for. You needed it to save ghost data, BUT it could only save 6 ghosts (I think) at a time. Not really worth it. I ended up just not really using that feature of the game.

I actually find it most convenient to leave one cable for my SNES/N64/Gamecube hooked up to my TV and then just switch which console I hook it up to when I go to play it.

Already have Diddy Kong Racing on the DS, it's a great game but I don't think I'm going to rebuy it for the N64.

@iphys, i could do that. I have to figure out how to build everything in my tv case.

The only time I used the rumble pack was Ocarina of Time, other than that it just sat on a shelf untill I gave it to a friend who liked it and used it a whole lot more than me.

A little update, I just went to the second hand store where they had the N64. And bought it. Still not sure if it works, but at only 5 Euro (only 6.77718 Dollar) I was willing to take a risk. It had no games, no video cable and I think the controller isn't good anymore (the analogue stick is loose). But hey, it was only 5 Euro.

It came with a weird contraption for the power, some sort of insertable AC adapter. I went home plugged it in and turned it on. The red light went on so that's good. From what I've read, the N64 didn't have a start up screen when no game was inserted so I didn't expect to see anything but not sure if it's working or not. I'm going to buy a really cheap N64 game now, just to see if it will start up. Then I can think about updating Paks and getting games from the most wanted list .

I keep you guys posted.

Yeah, it does have an unusual AC adapter. So far so good.

Well let's hope it stays good . I ordered Wetrix online for the same price as the console. Saw it on tv many years ago and I hope that I'm going to like it. Saw that it needed a controller pak to save, so I have to get that one too.

Wetrix is so amazing. I really miss that game.

haha, it's so funny to see someone talk about the N64 so ignorantly. Yes, the N64 did have "some sort of insertable AC adapter" and no startup screen. It's a cartridge based system, afterall.

Well what do you expect, I never had a N64 (only a SNES and then the Wii). Both didn't have a big ass thing that needed to be inserted into the console itself in some sort of power connector I only recognise from the PC. I never saw that before and the pictures of the N64 I saw online also didn't have it (or at least it wasn't visible on it).

The handhelds are all cartridge based too but even the first Game Boy had a startup screen when there was no game inserted so I was a surprised that the N64 didn't. The N64DD did have one though.

I just received Wetrix, popped it in the N64 and it works . I'm glad I decided to enter the second hand store and took a risk with paying 5 Euro for a incomplete console and 5 Euro for a game that might not work. The controller is crap, the analogue stick is broken but Wetrix is working with the normal D-pad as well. So I need two new controllers as well. So now I have a whole weekend to make my shopping list, and try Wetrix out some more of course .

One question I have though is about the paks. The controller and the rumble pak both go into the back of the controller. But how does that work? Can you play with the Rumble Pak and when it wants to save quickly switch it with the Controller Pak?

Nope you either have to use one or the other you cant start with one and than switch. If I remember correctly though games that use the Rumble Pak like Zelda: OoT have a battery backup for saving files and dont require the controller pak for saving.

Hmm, that actually sounds very logic . As far as I can tell, Wetrix don't support Rumble Pack but support the Controller Pak. I saw there was a pak that have both in one, but it wasn't from Nintendo and then I'm a bit suspicious.

Really, I can have them both plugged in with this:

You dont need the Controller Pak to save games. All games have battery saves.

Its minor stuff that needs the CP.