Topic: Nintendo 64 Saving Questions! (Batteries, Controller Paks, Flash, SRAM, oh my ;)

[dhowerter]

Hi all

I'm just trying to make sure that the info listed below about SAVING in N64 games is correct and hope to clarify a few points  If you know anything about this stuff, PLEASE respond (in as much detail as possible), I'm dying to know
;-)


-->Quote From the sticky post in the N64 General section at Gamefaqs:

"Q: Do N64 games or controller paks use batteries? There's so much contradictory information out there, I'm confused...
A: Understandable, unless you have the special screwdriver to open your stuff. Thanks to emulation though, we know the answer!

http://n64.icequake.net/mirror/www.e...ve_faq.html#s1

All US release games listed by save type. Only 12 games have batteries in them, and some of those also allow you to save to controller pak (Ogre Battle 64, for instance). The other types of internal cart save, EEPROM and Flash RAM, won't die over time like batteries do."



OK got some questions here:

1,. Is all that info correct? I assume by the "12 games have batteries in them" comment he means the 12 N64 carts listed in the link with "SRAM" as opposed to Flash RAM or a EEPROM?


2. Has anyone actually opened any N64 carts to verify any of what is in that link? (He did say those results were from *emulation* (not from opening actual carts, which is why I'm double checking





-->Quote again from the sticky post in the N64 General section here at Gamefaqs:

"There is one important note, however: it seems that controller paks use batteries. Yeah, I was surprised to find this out, but it appears to be true... I'm not certain if they all do, but some do for sure and until proven otherwise it's probably best to just assume that they do. "




MY questions:

1. I really need confirmation (by multiple people would be good  on whether **USA FIRST PARTY** NINTENDO MADE Controller Paks have a battery in them.

I realize third party Controller Paks may have a battery in them, but I would only be buying the first party ones anyway ^_^ (and according to that link a LOT of games save on a Controller Pak)



2. For those games that save on a Controller Pak (like the ones listed in the link), is there any way to know (or a website to go to) that would tell you if you can ALSO save on the cart?

(which theoretically might have a EEPROM / Flash memory so it wouldn't lose your save like a battery powered Controller pak might - that is assuming the Nintendo made First party Controller Paks really do have batteries in them


3. Finally, assuming USA Nintendo made Controller Pak's do have batteries in them, can you open up one to replace the battery? If yes, what type of gamebit or screwdriver do you need to open it up? And of course, what model is the battery?

.

[that Baby guy]

If I still had one, I'd let you know, but unfortunately most of my N64 stuff was destroyed by my cat (he was sick, we'll leave it at that for now).  I can say this, though:  Almost every N64 game I had allowed saving on the actual cartridge, and if they used controller packs, it was for back-up purposes or to not need to carry around a cartridge everywhere you went.  Do you know what games you are looking at playing?  We may be able to help you out with those individual games if we can't directly answer your questions.

I have to say, back when I had it, I decided that the controller pak was the most unnecessary purchase with my entire N64.

[S-U-P-E-R]

I'm pretty sure all Nintendo made controller paks are EEPROMs.

[dhowerter]

Quote
Originally posted by: thatguy
If I still had one, I'd let you know, but unfortunately most of my N64 stuff was destroyed by my cat (he was sick, we'll leave it at that for now).  I can say this, though:  Almost every N64 game I had allowed saving on the actual cartridge, and if they used controller packs, it was for back-up purposes or to not need to carry around a cartridge everywhere you went.  Do you know what games you are looking at playing?  We may be able to help you out with those individual games if we can't directly answer your questions.

I have to say, back when I had it, I decided that the controller pak was the most unnecessary purchase with my entire N64.

thatguy / ALL -

Hmm ok I got a list here of N64 games that use Controller Pak saving; I just want to know if each of these games:

1. Even HAS on cart saving at all (or if it is controller pak only)  

2. If each game saves MAIN GAME PROGRESS (as opposed to for example a time trial ghost or some such secondary thing on the CART.

3. In general if a N64 game does have BOTH cart (Flash/EEPROM) save and Controller Pak save, is it usually (or maybe even always) the case that the cart save is for main game progress and the Controller pak is for an auxilary feature (like time trial ghosts)?



The list of Games:


Asteroids 64

Beetle Adventure Racing

Castlevania

Castlevania: Legacy of Darkness

Diddy Kong Racing

Excitebike 64

Goemen's Great Adventure

Mystical Ninja Starring Goemen

Penny Racers

Wave Race 64


   In general, if a N64 game does have BOTH cart (Flash/EEPROM) save and Controller Pak save, is it usually (or maybe even always) the case that the cart save is for main game progress and the Controller pak is for an auxilary feature (like time trial ghosts)?
.

[UltimatePartyBear]

I'm pretty sure Beetle Adventure Racing used the Controller Pak for all save data.  I remember swapping out the Rumble Pak in order to save.

I think Excitebike 64 only used the Controller Pak to save custom tracks, while game progress was saved on the cartridge.  I remember that I was able to just leave the Controller Pak in another controller and still access it.

[Athrun Zala]

the Castlevanias used the Controller Pak exclusively if memory serves right.... pretty sure Goemon did the same...

and DKR can save everything in both IIRC

[that Baby guy]

Well, I can tell you Diddy Kong Racing allowed saving without the controller pak.

It turns out I actually found my controller pak, though.  It wasn't damaged and thrown out with most of that stuff.  I would not even hesitate to take it apart, but it is held together by tiny indented hexagonal screws.  It's of no use to me now, so if anyone can tell me how to break it open without damaging anything I would need to tell you about the memory type, I could do so pretty easily.

I owned Wave Race, but I didn't enjoy it enough to even think about saving in it.  I think, though I'm not certain, that the controller pak was for auxillary saves, like ghosts and back-ups, but I'm not certain on that one.

The Legend of the Mystical Ninja Starring Goemon was one that did require the controller pak, unfortunately.  However, a friend of mine has Goemon's Great Adventure, and I don't think it needed it.  I'll ask him about it, though.  

[bustin98]

Rumble Pak = batteries
Memory Pak = no batteries

And after all these years, the memory cards are still good. I still go back and play old games.

I think there were some 3rd party paks that had both memory and rumble in the same device, but there was a switch to tell it which one you wanted to use.

[dhowerter]

Heh. I forgot about the Rumble Pak  What kind of batteries does it take?

Are they easily replaceable (you don't have to open up the whole thing to change the battery  or is the battery soldered in? ;-)


BTW , thatguy, you need a 3.8mm Gamebit to open a N64 Controller Pak (you can get one at electricquarter.com)

I would assume the N64 Rumble Pak, btw has the same requirements for opening it.

.

[that Baby guy]

The rumble pak is powered by two AAA batteries, protected by the standard removable battery cover.

With the N64 Controller Pak, I was thinking more of breaking it open, so that I don't have to buy some extra tools I'll never have practical use for.  I think I'll go with some light hammer use on the thing tomorrow.