I've been itching to play sm64 again having played it on my Dad's N64 as a kid and beating it on the DS version, but I'm in the UK and I've read about how it is up to 20% slower on the Pal version. So I've been researching how to buy an NTSC N64 which seems simple enough as there are some for sale on Ebay with shipping should come to around £50-70. But what do I need to get it to work on my PAL TV. I don't want to get CRT TV, they take up too much room. I have a 19inch Bush lcd TV that I think would be fine as it plays old games of the Gamecube, and only supports up to 720p. What adapter do I need to convert my NTSC N64 to the US. It seems easier to get an NTSC N64 than get a PAL n64 and then buy a passport, correct?
Also, how about the controller, ideally I'd like to use a traditional N64 controller because that's how the game was meant to be played but if it puts me at a competitive disadvantage I'll look into buying a modded one.
For anyone who has an NTSC setup in the UK, your advice would be helpful.
Alright, I'll go through a full setup:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Japanese-Nintendo-64-Console-ntsc-j-N64-Japan-console-only-discoloured/192908679134?epid=1981418826&hash=item2cea40d7de:g:v2UAAOSwjatbH~Dl You can find many like these on ebay if you search for NTSC N64 Console. Generally the japanese one's are cheaper but a simple mod like this one here
For game cartridges, like the console, Japanese copies are much cheaper, like this one here https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Super-Mario-64-Boxed-B-with-Manual-Nintendo-64-N64-NTSC-J-Japan-import/233229173735?hash=item364d8ac3e7:g:gr8AAOSwVWxc3QHM One thing to watch out for is the Shindou version, it looks like this and is much worse https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SUPER-MARIO-64-RUMBLE-N64-NTSC-JAPAN/223620967530?hash=item3410d92c6a:g:fSEAAOSwQTdc0syA If you want to play the game in English, this is the version to use, its the American version https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Super-Mario-64-Nintendo-64-Video-Game-NTSC-U-USA-Version/283581673857?hash=item4206c8f181:g:Cc8AAOSwyTtdVXXb
For connecting it to an lcd, you will need to have the power and video cables as a lot of these consoles don't come with these, the power adapters are interchangeable, you want to buy an OEM power supply as I used a third party one that broke my console. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Genuine-Official-Nintendo-N64-PSU-Power-Supply-NUS-002-UKV-Full-tested-Working/362724262034?epid=14011039879&hash=item54740d0092:g:GzIAAOSwgJtdUWsN Here are the video cables, they're not the best, but theyll work, https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/For-N64-Gamecube-SNES-Super-Nintendo-AV-Lead-Composite-RCA-Audio-Video-Cable-UK/123706329012?epid=1795922202&hash=item1ccd78c7b4:g:fOoAAOSweedcmKQS
For controllers just search on eBay for N64 controller, any controller will work with any console so you'll be good to go there. However you want to make sure that the controller is an OEM controller, which means it is first party, a tight stick is also a benefit. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Nintendo-64-N64-Blue-Controller-Tight-Stick-Genuine-OEM/323886172878?hash=item4b691ecace:g:EvcAAOSwZ6ddVyUF
Alright, it should be as simple as connecting the console directly to the composite ports on your TV. Any questions just join the discord and post in #technical_help and I'll do my best to get back to you.
Like what @max257612 said you can pick up a discoloured one (https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Japanese-Nintendo-64-Console-ntsc-j-N64-Japan-console-only-discoloured/192908679134?epid=1981418826&hash=item2cea40d7de:g:v2UAAOSwjatbH~Dl)
But its a console only so you can put a bit more money and get one with a controller, psu and av for £20 more (https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Nintendo-64-N64-JAPANESE-NTSC-Console-Bundle-ready-to-play-Power-supply-pad/292807194299?hash=item442cab36bb:g:dxYAAOSwt6Fbu0pp)
Also heres a listing for sm64 japanese (boxed aswell!): (https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Super-Mario-64-Nintendo-64-N65-CIB-Japanese-Import/202757503900?hash=item2f3549fb9c:g:VykAAOSw065dVW2a)
Also if you want to region-free mod your n64 make sure to buy this one, cheapest and comes within 3 working days, this lets your play NTSC-U (American) & NTSC-J (Japanese) games, NOT PAL!:
But if you dont want to mod it yourself, here is one already modded (I recommend getting this as it has a psu, av + controller + free shipping! £42):
And if you want to record your setup you will need a capture card:
Here is a GV-USB2: (https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/I-O-DATA-USB-connection-video-capture-GV-USB2/173903363567?hash=item287d72bdef:g:nb4AAOSwyApcSsD~)
Also if your tv doesnt have AV you need a upscaler:
If you need anymore help message me on discord: XBLFrieza#4271 Instagram: @av2hdmi
Also forgot to add but if you want to practice get a gameshark,
Also get the pro 3.3 as it is better
Aswell you will need a expansion pak £25-£35 for 13+ Lines
I ordered mine but they usually come from america:
Gameshark w/ Box & VHS (Pro 3.3)
If you want a better controller make sure to look out for the hori pad mini 64, they are pretty pricey, i got mine for £85
https://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=m570.l1313&_nkw=hori+pad+mini+64&_sacat=0
^Have a look and see what colour you want
Wow, thanks guys, for the detailed response
Yeah I would prefer the game in English as it's been so long since I last played the game at least 8 years, I want to do one playthrough for nostalgic purposes. If I didn't spend the last year learning Mandarin and took Japanese instead I would have preferred it.
Yeah my TV has RCA, the PS2 and Gamecube work fine so the n64 should also be fine.
I think I'll buy this listing https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Nintendo-64-Console-N64-NTSC-J-Grey-Japan-Japanese-Version-Working-Region-Free/202365755118?hash=item2f1df05eee:g:sV4AAOSwUOlcrx~1
and get the ntsc us version
If I want to get a better controller I can do that later after a few practise runs.
Yeah that was the only boxed one I could find of ntsc, but I’m not fond of bidding so I might look for international copies and compare shipping dates because with the bidding one I’ll still be waiting two weeks
Yeah that was the only boxed one I could find of ntsc, but I’m not fond of bidding so I might look for international copies and compare shipping dates because with the bidding one I’ll still be waiting two weeks
Okay shoot me I’m too impatient and my local retro game store did me a deal I couldn’t refuse £40 for pal n64 with two controllers one being called a shark pad pro and then bundled mario 64 pal without package for only £10
Going to do some practise ones on pal version figure out how to region unlock the console and then import a Japanese one 👌
the controllers themselves can be sold for £10-20 on Ebay and the console I can easily recoup my losses when I'm done and get a Japanese one
Going to get Japanese console but just the console for £19 and then buy the Japanese mario 64 cartridge.
Also what's the consensus on these type of controllers?https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Brawler-64-Smoke-Gray-Controller-Retro-Fighters-N64-Nintendo-64-UK-Stockists/273929872977?hash=item3fc77e2651:g:5IoAAOSwGjldMFkS
seem better than buying a used Hori
my gameshark has an analogue stick that doesn't stay static most of the time which makes navigating tight areas a huge PITA
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