![]() ![]() This means that the games will be cheaper for both the developer and the consumer, and that the programmers have more room to create larger and more detailed games. To understand better how the 64DD will work with the N64, it is necessary to take a look at how the drive influences the way game developers make games.īasically, 64DD developers can choose to create games in four different ways:ġ.) Make a game on disk for use with the 64DD only Some developers may opt to make some of the games exclusively for the 64DD. From here, the 64DD will let you load a disk or go to a data management screen. ![]() If a cartridge is plugged in, that game will boot up and start ¿ but if there isn't, then you will be treated to a cool "N" intro starring Mario, much like the famous PlayStation startup screen. When you switch on your 64DD-enhanced N64, the system automatically checks whether there is a cartridge in the N64 or a disk in the drive. How does it work? The 64DD is a peripheral designed to be used in conjunction with the N64 and will not work by itself. Modem/Network Capability: The 64DD connects to the Randnet Online Network, letting N64 owners hook up with gamers around the country, download mini-games, play online games, and more.This will pave the way for time-release features (a special Christmas or Halloween level that opens up on the right day) as well as virtual pets and sim games that continue to evolve even when your N64 is not on. Real-Time Clock: Much like Sega's Saturn, the 64DD will have a battery-backed clock that lets the system know how much time passes ¿ even when it's switched off.This will eliminate the need for developers to store many sounds and fonts on the disk and frees up even more space. No longer will programmers have to put ALL their sounds into a cart as is currently the case. Built-in ROM: The 64DD houses a 36-megabit-chip that contains integrated fonts and sound files.However, while it's not ideal, developers have already shown that FMV cut-scenes are possible on both cart and DD. The drive's burst access, which allows for high-speed data transfer to the N64 in quick bursts, is not ideal for streaming media. Instead, Nintendo stresses realtime rendered cutscenes, like in Star Fox. Burst Access: The 64DD is not built with prerendered FMV in mind, such as the movie scenes in many PSX games.Note that since the disks are "hot-swappable", games can actually stretch across more than one disk. Nintendo opted for this relatively small size to keep costs down. ![]() Data on 64DD disks is stored on two sides, for a total of 64 megabytes (eight times the size of Mario 64). CDs can hold up to 660 megabytes, 10 times as much as the 64DD. Size: One of the downsides of the 64DD when comparing it to CD-ROM drives is the limited size of its disk (64 megabytes).We took a hard look at the load time of some of Nintendo's titles for the 64DD ¿ data access was almost instantaneous. Speed: The 64DD is faster than a regular CD-ROM drive and load time is not a major issue.The 64DD offers up to 38 megabytes of writable space on one disk ¿ enough for large changes, tons of game saves, whole tracks, lots of pictures, and more. Writability: One of the most important features of the 64DD is writability, something CD-ROMs (ROM stands for Read Only Memory) cannot offer, and cartridges only in a very limited (and expensive) way. ![]() Here is a rundown on the most important features. It is a peripheral, an addition to the N64's cartridge format that fixes a few problems and adds a whole slew of new options that help broaden the resources of console games. The 64DD is jam-packed with all kinds of goodies, such as a special ROM-chip, online software and the 4MB RAM expansion.Ĭlick here to see a series of 10 photos that show how the Nintendo 64 and 64DD connect.Ħ4DD Features The 64DD should not be understood as a CD-ROM replacement. Each disk holds 64 megabytes of data with up to 38 megabytes writable space. Instead of cartridges or CDs, the unit uses disks similar to those of a Zip Drive. What is the 64DD? The 64DD ( 64-megabyte Dynamic Drive) is a writable magnetic (not magneto-optical) disk drive that attaches to the bottom of your N64 console and connects via the EXT slot. ![]()
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