(Part 2) Top products from r/n64

Since no one has posted an informative explanation about just what exactly "goes in there," here is everything you need to know to make an informed decision about which part you need.

The N64 shipped with a 4MB ram cartridge, called the "Jumper Pack." This is what came stock with every N64.

They look like this: http://imgur.com/UBEJfa3

Several years after the N64 launched, nintendo released what was called an "expansion pak." It was an 8MB RAM expansion that replaced the original "jumper pack"

The N64 "Expansion Pak" looks like this: http://imgur.com/68miFsX

Essentially, if you have an N64 that doesn't have anything in that slot, you want to purchase an "Expansion Pak" because every single game will work with it, and many games will even have enhanced resolution or additional game modes when used with it.

The stock "jumper pack" will not work with games such as Donkey Kong 64, The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask, or the single player portion of Perfect Dark, as they all require the upgraded "Expansion Pak"

Be sure and find a Nintendo Brand "Expansion Pak," because the third party ones have a tendency to be glitchy, and not last for very long.

Here is a list of vendors for the correct part you need from Amazon, starting at around $25 with shipping.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B00000INR2/ref=dp_olp_used?ie=UTF8&condition=used

Good Luck

best result i got so far were kitsh-bent replacement bowls and gears. some of the pieces requires a bit of sanding, but an OG joystick with lubricated kitsch bent parts is the best you can get nowadays. cost about 5$CAD for a kit, and requires 30min of work to install.


https://store.kitsch-bent.com/product/n64-joystick-gears

Second best were optical style joysticks on amazon.

Right here.

This little baby works like a charm, and is the closest you will ever get to the original. It's a tad stiff at first and a notch high in sensitivity, but it works flawlessly after a few playthroughs. I highly recommend it to anyone looking to replace their N64 joysticks for a cheap price and a close resemblance to the original.

If your TV supports s-video get one like this. Might as well get the best quality when you can.

My opinion is pick up hyperkins hd cable it supports snes/n64/GameCube and boost it up to a 720p signal so much better than standard composite cables for $30


Hyperkin 3-In-1 HDTV Cable for GameCube/ N64/ Super NES https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07SCPHHVB/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_6tAADb0M51TWK

Hyperkin 3-In-1 HDTV Cable for GameCube/ N64/ Super NES https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07SCPHHVB/ref=cm_sw_r_sms_apa_i_pRTWDbQZ8ES07

Here's an Amazon link with a bunch of reviews. Looks like it's pretty basic and just adds black bars to the sides. Like they said, gets the job done for the price but nothing too impressive. Also looks like it has some limitations on compatibility (no PAL, some audio issues) and it needs an additional power connection you need to plan for.

I think they're just different brand names for different regions, since I got mine in the UK rather than the US. The device I have looks just like the one in the video, and the box is the same too. Even the brands Tendak and Tensun sound pretty similar.

US Amazon actually has both for some reason. Weirdly the Tendak one has a slightly higher price.

https://www.amazon.com/Tensun-Composite-Converter-Upscaler-Nintendo/dp/B019T0WFA4/

https://www.amazon.com/Tendak-Composite-S-Video-Converter-Upscaler/dp/B00V2ULHBS/

I'm surprised you couldn't get a good picture out of an RGB scart console though. In theory that should be even better than S Video.

I haven't got one personally, but I believe this is regarded as the best:
http://www.amazon.com/DP3913515-Framemeister-Micomsoft-Upscaler-Import/dp/B006H39XJS

However, it's a heck of a lot of money...

Well, if pressure makes it work, Deoxit might help. It’s great stuff. I own a video game store and use it every day.

I had some small amount of experience with soldering beforehand when I redid about 80-100 NES/SNES/N64 carts with battery holders. After that I successfully transplanted the chips from a broken Goldeneye board to a donor board. I did all of the carts with just a desoldering iron (https://www.amazon.com/ECG-J-045-DS-Electric-Soldering-Temperature/dp/B00068IJSG/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1504568020&sr=8-3&keywords=desoldering+iron), no soldering iron because of necessity. I did the Goldeneye switch with just a cheapo soldering iron though. One tip - the solder on the carts is a little hard to melt. It helps to add a bit of fresh solder to the existing joint to help melt the old solder.

You also need some kind of capture device. There are some very cheap ones that might be an option. S-video would give you the best picture, there.

The thermal pads could be replaced with thermal paste. The only reason pads were used is because theyre slightly adhesive and they held on the little aluminum heatspreader blocks

As far as thickness, pretty sure theres only one thickness of thermal pads

I cant find the size of these, but they should work fine

https://www.amazon.com/StarTech-com-Heatsink-Thermal-Pads-HSFPHASECM/dp/B0009B0K2I

the 64 hardly makes heat, its literally a couple watts.

This happened to my sister as well when I gave her one of my N64's. She texted me saying she couldn't get a picture on her TV. I had tried the console right before giving it to her so I knew it worked fine. Turns out that some newer TVs have trouble recognizing the N64's low video quality. After I suggested she buy an AV to HDMI it solved the problem right away.

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https://www.amazon.com/GANA-Composite-Converter-Adapter-Supporting/dp/B01H3KTZUK/ref=pd_day0_hl_23_2?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B01H3KTZUK&pd_rd_r=ad97fd56-eaa6-11e8-a1cb-bd18f79b5821&pd_rd_w=xfyc4&pd_rd_wg=B4qhQ&pf_rd_i=desktop-dp-sims&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_p=ad07871c-e646-4161-82c7-5ed0d4c85b07&pf_rd_r=853CKP89PRDBE95J4AJN&pf_rd_s=desktop-dp-sims&pf_rd_t=40701&psc=1&refRID=853CKP89PRDBE95J4AJN

​

This was the exact one that fixed the issue, hope this information helps!

hey! I am a n64 streamer & I had a lot of questions converting RCA (analog) to hdmi (digital)
I used this upscaler https://www.amazon.com/Mini-Composite-CVBS-Converter-Input/dp/B00I482KZI

i also made a post about this if you want to read I thought it would be helpful
https://www.reddit.com/r/n64/comments/5ygpkh/advice_on_playing_on_a_flatscreen_rga_to_hdmi/

My guess is it's dirty. You can try cleaning the games but the console itself may need a cleaning. I found a cleaning kit on amazon that'll clean the console itself http://www.amazon.com/N64-Cleaning-Kit-nintendo-64/dp/B00002STFY

If it doesn't fix it, well, it doesn't cost too much money. And you can re-use it forever so it's worth having.

I have this, works really good.

I ordered this one - https://www.amazon.com/Gamecube-N64-S-Video-AV-Cable/dp/B00005RH4D

So yes it does

I bought one of these off of amazon (I figured for $11 it was worth a shot) and it works with my 55 inch Vizio 4K tv: https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B01H3KTZUK

Sounds to me like you just need an RF cable.
http://www.amazon.com/Cables-Go-27226-Velocity-Mini-Coax/dp/accessories/B0002J24PI

does that look right? it should go from the back of your tv into the black box output.

You could get a cheap usb capture card like this and play through your computer. You could also live stream with it if you wanted.
https://www.amazon.com/USB-2-0-Audio-video-Converter/dp/B06XJKSJZ8/ref=mp_s_a_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1536422319&sr=8-4&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&keywords=capture+card+rca&dpPl=1&dpID=41U4tXTIH2L&ref=plSrch

Check your TV's manual and make sure the green connector is the one you are supposed to plug the yellow video cable into. This isn't standardized so different TVs will need a different configuration.
To answer the question about upscalers this is the gold standard but there is no reason you can't go with something cheaper like this.

Still the wrong type; see how the output is on the AV side and the input is on the HDMI side? You'd need the opposite direction; I have one of these: https://smile.amazon.com/Mini-Composite-CVBS-Converter-Input/dp/B00I482KZI/ref=sr_1_19?ie=UTF8&qid=1491758522&sr=8-19&keywords=composite+to+hdmi

and it's awesome; notice the input is on the AV side and output is on the HDMI side.

I don't mind the replacement joysticks from RepairBox that aren't the GameCube style ones

They're possibly cheaper elsewhere - look for the code on the box DN64R-AO4

These aren't perfect replacements, but they do the job just fine

They go for about $100USD used on Amazon - https://www.amazon.com/Nintendo-64-Hori-Mini-Pad-Controller/dp/B000031KAG

At these prices you get 40% more Hori for your moly.

https://www.amazon.com/RepairBox-Replacement-Controller-Optical-Style-nintendo-64/dp/B07C39PV3N/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_product_top?ie=UTF8
or
https://store.kitsch-bent.com/product/n64-joystick-gears

I'll be trying those at some point with I have cash to burn, avoid the Gamecube styled ones. I've had better luck playing Goldeneye with my makopad ffs.

Available through Amazon now. Purchased mine through Hyperkin direct.

If you're more concerned with the controller and not collecting, I might point you in the direction of a replica n64 controller that will work with your PC

Even with this thing?

N64 Passport Plus III https://www.amazon.com/dp/B008ELVW0E/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_BxB6CbMGQJKJQ

>n64 passport

https://www.amazon.com/N64-Passport-Plus-III-nintendo-64/dp/B008ELVW0E/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_product_top?ie=UTF8

You need this.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B00000INR2/ref=dp_olp_used?ie=UTF8&condition=used&qid=1417806379&sr=8-1

I got a madcatz s video cable http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0000C88IB?keywords=madcatz%20s%20video&qid=1451775523&ref_=sr_1_1&sr=8-1 ...the only one without a yellow cable I can find is this http://www.amazon.com/Gamecube-S-Video-Cable-Bulk-Packaging/dp/B000P6R46W/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1451775184&sr=8-1&keywords=s+video+bulk

Also forget to mention, I ordered the converter today just to try it out, its this http://www.amazon.com/Portta-PETCSHP-Composite-1080p%C2%A0-%C2%A0Not%C2%A0-%C2%A0Windows%C2%A010/dp/B003NS0UUQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1451775247&sr=8-1&keywords=hdmi+converter+porta