2001
Smash Journeyman
- Joined
- Apr 19, 2009
- Messages
- 307
WARNING: MODDING YOUR 64 WILL VOID YOUR WARRANTY. I AM NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY DAMAGE DONE TO YOUR 64 DUE TO FOLLOWING THESE GUIDES. (not that anybody even has a warranty for these anymore but I had to get that out)
Table of Contents
Section 1: Customizing your 64's appearance
Section 2: Modding your 64 to be region free
Section 3: Accessories to enhance your 64
Note #1: I will not tell you how to pirate games. Also, if anybody else posts about how to pirate games, you will probably get infracted. Do not try to contact me on SWF or AIM on how to pirate games. I will not help you because I don't want to get in trouble. Google is your friend. SERIOUSLY.
Note #2: You might think some of these guides are a little.........simple. It's because they are. Remember, the 64 was made in 1996 and is not as advanced as a PS3. The information in these guides is all you need. If you still have questions, post here and I will answer them.
Note #3: Becuase it is as simple as it looks, I encourage everybody to go out and mod their 64. Not just read this thread for enjoyment.
Note #4: I will be adding an update soon furthering the section on adding LEDs to your 64 as well as a brand new section on cleaning your 64. Also a FAQ section at the end, i'm waiting so I can see what kind of questions are posted in this topic.
Note #5: Feel free to correct grammar.
Note #6: Moderators, I made this thread squeeky clean. If you think there is something that shouldn't belong (which there is not, I checked (twice)), please tell me so I can edit it quickly and then discuss it. Please do not wet your pants at the words back-up and game-save. If you want to bust some people go to the Smash Workshop and I promise you will find people giving away info on how to get homebrew. Not that homebrew is illegal anyways.......
SECTION 1
Customizing your 64's appearence
For those who want to show off how amazing the 64 is or to shut up your friends who have a PS3
Painting your 64's controller a different color:
Watch these videos. As good as it gets.
VIDEO 1
VIDEO 2
VIDEO 3
VIDEO 4
Painting your 64 a different color:
Step 1: Get a Phillipshead screwdriver, 4.5MM gamebit( go2ebay/hardware store).
Step 2: Open the compartment on top of the 64 and remove Expansion Pak (if its there)
Step 3: Unscrew the 6 screws underneath the 64 with the gamebit.
Step 4: Take off the 64's 2 feet. They are 2 little circles that are towards the front of the 64.
Step 5: Remove all the metal plates, RAM, RAM compartments etc. until you can see only the dust guard. Then remove the dust gaurd with the phillips head.
Step 5: Rub only the outside of the 64 with rubbing alcohol. Any finger prints, dirt, grime, will result in a really bad paint job(It will stick/peel) Then let it dry.
Step 6: Spray the outside of the 64 with your color of choice(only spray paint, no finger paint) Let it dry still making sure not get finger prints on it.
Step 7: Spray with clear acrylic sealant. This will keep the paint from coming off as well as giving the 64 a crisp look (sexxxy). LET IT DRY FOR ATLEAST 5 DAYS!!!!! DON'T TOUCH IT!!!!!!!!!
Step 8: Reassemble your 64 exactly how you took it apart.
Adding LED's to your 64:
There are four spots that you can put LED lights on your 64. The front part where the standard red one is, the vents on each side of the 64, and the vent behind the game cartridge.
To change the LED light in the front, watch THIS VIDEO. I know the video looks a little sloppy and simple, but it really is as easy as it looks. Like I said before, the 64 in general is very simple. I used this video to change the LED light in my own 64.
I don't have much expierence adding LEDs to the vents of the 64 unfortunately, though I expect it to be very simple once I find out how to do it. I hear you can wire multiple LEDs together and spread them out however you want, much like how christmas lights work, and that is how you add LEDs to vents. I really want to learn how to do this so expect an update for this section.
SECTION 2
Modding your 64 to be region free
For those who want to play games only released in Japan such as the Japanese verion of SSB
Ok, there are 2 ways you can do this, and both are fairly simple.
1. If you want to crack open your 64 and really mod it to be region free click HERE.
2. If you are a big baby and afraid to open up your 64 you will need to get an N64 Passport which is an adapter and cheat device allowing players to play games from different regions on their model N64, with a few exceptions. There are 7 games that won't work but it's not a big deal. You can get one off ebay or amazon but they are rare.
Seriously, just do #1. It's extremely easy, takes about 10 minutes to do, and is definitely a lot cheaper than #2. Plus it will give a little bit of expierence for later when you want to add LEDs to your 64.
SECTION 3
Accessories to enhance your 64
For those who want their 64 to be as high-tech as it looks
This stuff is great. These things aren't really mods but add-ons.
Must Have Accessories
Mr. Backup Z64: An extremely useful back-up unit that plugs into the game cartridge. You can back up games onto the Z64 itself or Zip Diskettes. Zip Diskettes with games already on them can be played on the Z64 as well(only for ethical purposes, ie: education purposes). These are rarely on ebay. Type in "Mr. Backup Z64 for sale" on Google and you will find a lot of people selling them on random forums. Don't worry, Z64 is legal, but distributing illegal copies is not. I only use this as an alternative to gameshark since I don't have when. I got this instead of a gameshark for bragging rights.
Doctor V64: Another useful back up device but actually plugs into the expansion slot. It has a CD-ROM drive which can play Video CDs as well as Audio CDs. It abilities to back up games and even design them is too advance to fit in this post, look it up on wikipedia (only back up games for yourself, also I will not give direction on how to operate the Z64 or V64 at all). Also, there is a story behind this. While Nintendo tried to stop a lot of back up units from hitting the shelves, this was the only one they got to. Devices like these are usually only sold to software making companies, but V64 used to be sold to everybody until Nintendo finally prohibited the sale of them. Most people think it is illegal to sell their used V64, when it is really against the law for commercial businesses to sell them. Again, you have to google this to find one for sale. I use this for playing CDs on my 64 (bragging rights son).
Rumble Pak: The originall rumble pak! Very easy to find on ebay.
Expansion Pak: Increases the RAM of the 64 from 4 MB to 8 MB. Needed to play certain games. This usually came bundled with those games. Easy to find on ebay.
Controller Pak: The 64's memory card.
GameShark: One of the best cheating devices to back up and restore game saves. A lot of game saves can be found on GameFAQs. Easy to find on ebay.
Very Nice To Have Accessories
64DD: Short for "Disc Drive", The 64DD was a Nintendo licensed peripheral dubbed a commercial failure. All of it's old uses can't be used today other than to play 9 games that were released for it. It's really more of a collector's item. They can be seen HERE.
CD64: The worst of the back up devices but still useful. Alternative to gameshark. Since it has a built-in communications port that is accessible from the N64 program, it can also be used as a rather versatile development/debug device. This was poorly built, not a lot bragging rights here.
S-Video Cable: Provides a better quality picture than composite RCA cables via the MultiAV port. The cable is identical to and compatible with earlier SNES and later Gamecube S-Video cables. It's nice to have and gives you more bragging rights.
Table of Contents
Section 1: Customizing your 64's appearance
Section 2: Modding your 64 to be region free
Section 3: Accessories to enhance your 64
Note #1: I will not tell you how to pirate games. Also, if anybody else posts about how to pirate games, you will probably get infracted. Do not try to contact me on SWF or AIM on how to pirate games. I will not help you because I don't want to get in trouble. Google is your friend. SERIOUSLY.
Note #2: You might think some of these guides are a little.........simple. It's because they are. Remember, the 64 was made in 1996 and is not as advanced as a PS3. The information in these guides is all you need. If you still have questions, post here and I will answer them.
Note #3: Becuase it is as simple as it looks, I encourage everybody to go out and mod their 64. Not just read this thread for enjoyment.
Note #4: I will be adding an update soon furthering the section on adding LEDs to your 64 as well as a brand new section on cleaning your 64. Also a FAQ section at the end, i'm waiting so I can see what kind of questions are posted in this topic.
Note #5: Feel free to correct grammar.
Note #6: Moderators, I made this thread squeeky clean. If you think there is something that shouldn't belong (which there is not, I checked (twice)), please tell me so I can edit it quickly and then discuss it. Please do not wet your pants at the words back-up and game-save. If you want to bust some people go to the Smash Workshop and I promise you will find people giving away info on how to get homebrew. Not that homebrew is illegal anyways.......
SECTION 1
Customizing your 64's appearence
For those who want to show off how amazing the 64 is or to shut up your friends who have a PS3
Painting your 64's controller a different color:
Watch these videos. As good as it gets.
VIDEO 1
VIDEO 2
VIDEO 3
VIDEO 4
Painting your 64 a different color:
Step 1: Get a Phillipshead screwdriver, 4.5MM gamebit( go2ebay/hardware store).
Step 2: Open the compartment on top of the 64 and remove Expansion Pak (if its there)
Step 3: Unscrew the 6 screws underneath the 64 with the gamebit.
Step 4: Take off the 64's 2 feet. They are 2 little circles that are towards the front of the 64.
Step 5: Remove all the metal plates, RAM, RAM compartments etc. until you can see only the dust guard. Then remove the dust gaurd with the phillips head.
Step 5: Rub only the outside of the 64 with rubbing alcohol. Any finger prints, dirt, grime, will result in a really bad paint job(It will stick/peel) Then let it dry.
Step 6: Spray the outside of the 64 with your color of choice(only spray paint, no finger paint) Let it dry still making sure not get finger prints on it.
Step 7: Spray with clear acrylic sealant. This will keep the paint from coming off as well as giving the 64 a crisp look (sexxxy). LET IT DRY FOR ATLEAST 5 DAYS!!!!! DON'T TOUCH IT!!!!!!!!!
Step 8: Reassemble your 64 exactly how you took it apart.
Adding LED's to your 64:
There are four spots that you can put LED lights on your 64. The front part where the standard red one is, the vents on each side of the 64, and the vent behind the game cartridge.
To change the LED light in the front, watch THIS VIDEO. I know the video looks a little sloppy and simple, but it really is as easy as it looks. Like I said before, the 64 in general is very simple. I used this video to change the LED light in my own 64.
I don't have much expierence adding LEDs to the vents of the 64 unfortunately, though I expect it to be very simple once I find out how to do it. I hear you can wire multiple LEDs together and spread them out however you want, much like how christmas lights work, and that is how you add LEDs to vents. I really want to learn how to do this so expect an update for this section.
SECTION 2
Modding your 64 to be region free
For those who want to play games only released in Japan such as the Japanese verion of SSB
Ok, there are 2 ways you can do this, and both are fairly simple.
1. If you want to crack open your 64 and really mod it to be region free click HERE.
2. If you are a big baby and afraid to open up your 64 you will need to get an N64 Passport which is an adapter and cheat device allowing players to play games from different regions on their model N64, with a few exceptions. There are 7 games that won't work but it's not a big deal. You can get one off ebay or amazon but they are rare.
Seriously, just do #1. It's extremely easy, takes about 10 minutes to do, and is definitely a lot cheaper than #2. Plus it will give a little bit of expierence for later when you want to add LEDs to your 64.
SECTION 3
Accessories to enhance your 64
For those who want their 64 to be as high-tech as it looks
This stuff is great. These things aren't really mods but add-ons.
Must Have Accessories
Mr. Backup Z64: An extremely useful back-up unit that plugs into the game cartridge. You can back up games onto the Z64 itself or Zip Diskettes. Zip Diskettes with games already on them can be played on the Z64 as well(only for ethical purposes, ie: education purposes). These are rarely on ebay. Type in "Mr. Backup Z64 for sale" on Google and you will find a lot of people selling them on random forums. Don't worry, Z64 is legal, but distributing illegal copies is not. I only use this as an alternative to gameshark since I don't have when. I got this instead of a gameshark for bragging rights.
Doctor V64: Another useful back up device but actually plugs into the expansion slot. It has a CD-ROM drive which can play Video CDs as well as Audio CDs. It abilities to back up games and even design them is too advance to fit in this post, look it up on wikipedia (only back up games for yourself, also I will not give direction on how to operate the Z64 or V64 at all). Also, there is a story behind this. While Nintendo tried to stop a lot of back up units from hitting the shelves, this was the only one they got to. Devices like these are usually only sold to software making companies, but V64 used to be sold to everybody until Nintendo finally prohibited the sale of them. Most people think it is illegal to sell their used V64, when it is really against the law for commercial businesses to sell them. Again, you have to google this to find one for sale. I use this for playing CDs on my 64 (bragging rights son).
Rumble Pak: The originall rumble pak! Very easy to find on ebay.
Expansion Pak: Increases the RAM of the 64 from 4 MB to 8 MB. Needed to play certain games. This usually came bundled with those games. Easy to find on ebay.
Controller Pak: The 64's memory card.
GameShark: One of the best cheating devices to back up and restore game saves. A lot of game saves can be found on GameFAQs. Easy to find on ebay.
Very Nice To Have Accessories
64DD: Short for "Disc Drive", The 64DD was a Nintendo licensed peripheral dubbed a commercial failure. All of it's old uses can't be used today other than to play 9 games that were released for it. It's really more of a collector's item. They can be seen HERE.
CD64: The worst of the back up devices but still useful. Alternative to gameshark. Since it has a built-in communications port that is accessible from the N64 program, it can also be used as a rather versatile development/debug device. This was poorly built, not a lot bragging rights here.
S-Video Cable: Provides a better quality picture than composite RCA cables via the MultiAV port. The cable is identical to and compatible with earlier SNES and later Gamecube S-Video cables. It's nice to have and gives you more bragging rights.
