Best possible N64 console query

[eastyy]

Decided to get a import machine.


I do not really have much of a pal collection to speak off plus some of the games i have seen on ebay are just so cheap

[Kubrick]

The PAL N64 does composite or RF. That's your lot.

What about S-video? I used to run my PAL machine through that and the pic quality was definitely better than with the standard AV lead.

But yes, the advice still stands - get a NTSC machine. If for no other reason that PAL games seem to be more expensive than US/JP in most cases (complete, and in decent condition anyway)

[charlesr]

Was yours an early pal machine? I'm pretty sure the some models didn't have svideo. Happy to be told otherwise though.

[Kubrick]

Depends what you mean by early. I got it when the price fell to ?99 - Late 1997.

[eastyy]

Just ordered a few games from ebay.com

7 games + 4mb ram cart for about $82 (think thats around ?40)

[gunrock]

Haha - me too. This thread has spurred me into action.

I just got a US N64 for 12.99 USD (including postage!). And as Marklar said, I already have an RGB scart cable and the UK power supply, 4mb memory expansion and controllers. Just need to pick up the games and like Eastyy noticed, their stuff is well cheap.

And like Eastyy I've such a meagre N64 catalogue (got it near the end of it's life just to play Perfect Dark), that I should have the equivalent NTSC N64 setup for less than 100 USD.

Nice.

[charlesr]

Don't forget you can use your UK PSUs, so no need for a stepdown. Gunrock, hope you got one that can be RGB modded. Also, you can mod it to play J games by cutting out a couple of tabs in the cart dust shield. You need to open the N64 to do this easily.

[Link83]

Thanks for everyones posts,

So the PAL N64 does S-Video? Does that mean that my PAL N64 which is connected using an Official Gamecube scart cable is displaying in S-Video? (As scart cables can carry an S-Vid signal aswell) Or do I need to get an S-Video only cable for the N64 to output in S-Vid?

Also, which NTSC (US/JPN) N64 is easiest to make it NTSC region free? (by removing the tabs)

Also, I came across this old thread in which a member called "Saurian" says it is possible to amake a multiregion N64 by combining a Pal and NTSC console, he links to a website, but unfortunately the link no longer works! does anybody know anymore about this? :-
http://ntsc-uk.domino.org/showthread...connection+N64

Thanks again everyone

[Commander Marklar]

Drop the PAL already A scart lead will be doing composite, comes on different pins see. Any US/J machine can be made NTSC region free. If you want s-video, you'll need an s-video cable but I believe its just composite over an s-video connection. Same crap picture.

Just leave PAL land behind, really. It's very easy (although it may require a little more effort than popping down Gamestation) and cheap to get a lot of NTSC N64 games. Cheap too, you'd be suprised. Just take a leap man!

</mantra>

[gIzzE]

You can make a Pal console RGB, but it is a lot of work, expensive (now the machines are so cheap) and you are still playing with composite output.
You can also mod a console to play Pal/NTSC games too, but when it is in Pal mode it will play Pal games and when in NTSC mode it will play NTSC games, again it is very expensive and you have to buy an ntsc console to get the needed bits so it is nothing more than a hobby project.

Buy an NTSC machine for ?15, a scart for ?5 (or use the scart off your Pal gamecube) and you are away. You do seem to be making it very hard for yourself!

The mod really is simple, and would be a great first project if you are not used to doing these sort of things.

[Link83]

Sorry if I sound like i'm trying to be awkward/difficult - I just want to get the best I can out of my N64 games

There are a few reasons I dont really want to re-buy my collection in NTSC:-
1) I have over 40 PAL N64 games and only two imports. So if I wanted to re-buy my collection in NTSC, if we say every game is only $10 it still means it will cost my at least $400 to get the same collection I already have!
2) I'd have to re-play every game to get my saves back (which id never get round to doing)
3) With the Revolution coming out and offering downloadable N64 games, chances are that nintendo will release the original NTSC N64 roms on there 'virtual console' service, and so I will be able to play them in 60Hz in the end anyway

I guess I am too used to the SNES and Mega Drive where owning the PAL copies makes very little difference as you can just choose to switch to 60Hz mode etc with the right mod. I was hoping there would be something similar available for the N64 - but it seems its the most horrible console to get the 'best' from.

I am going to buy an NTSC console though! So Gunrock, is there any chance you could tell me what seller sold you the N64 for $12.99 including shipping?(!)

[dataDave]

If anyone can find any RGB cables for a modded console please let me know. None of mine work so my 60hz PAL SNES and RGB Jpn/US N64 are useless.

[Commander Marklar]

I bought a stack from Lik-Sang ages ago, they're OK. Do they still do them?

Link83, sell your PAL games to fund NTSC versions. Secondly, you'll have to replay them on the Rev anyway... it's an excuse to go through the games again anyway, look forward to it! Thirdly, nobody knows yet so idle speculation is exactly that. Don't worry about it.

[gIzzE]

Link, I think what most people are saying is, get an NTSC machine and over the next few years pick up the NTSC versions of yor games, as you get an NTSC one sell the Pal version. Having new blank saves is also quite nice, gives you a chance to play them over again.

A GC cable will work on a modded ntsc N64.

[vertigo]

If anyone can find any RGB cables for a modded console please let me know. None of mine work so my 60hz PAL SNES and RGB Jpn/US N64 are useless.

Remove the capacitors.
Also, Lik Sang does good RGB cables for nigh one every console for about 3 quid each, as I've said a million times on here