Nintendo 64 Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids
Nintendo 64
Console with Harvest Moon 64.
Also known as	N64 abbreviation, Project Reality (code name), Ultra 64 (planned product name)
Developer	Nintendo IRD
Manufacturer	Nintendo
Type	Home video game console
Generation	Fifth generation
Release date	^{June 23, 1996} NA ^AUS March 1, 1997 ^{March 1, 1997} FRA
Retail availability	1996 (1996)–2003 (2003)
Discontinued	^JP April 30, 2002 ^AUS May 11, 2003 ^{May 16, 2003} NA
Units sold	Worldwide: 32.93 million Japan: 5.54 million Americas: 20.63 million Europe & Australia: 6.75 million
Media	Nintendo 64 Game Pak Magnetic disc (64DD)
Power	Switching power supply, 12V and 3.3V DC
CPU	64-bit NEC VR4300 @ 93.75 MHz
Memory	4 MB Rambus RDRAM (8 MB with Expansion Pak)
Storage	64 MB Game Pak
Removable storage	256 Kbit (32 KB) Controller Pak
Graphics	SGI RCP @ 62.5 MHz
Sound	16-bit, 48 or 44.1 kHz stereo
Controller input	Nintendo 64 controller
Online services	Randnet (Japan only) SharkWire Online (third-party)
Best-selling game	Super Mario 64, 11.62 million (as of May 21, 2003)
Predecessor	Super Nintendo Entertainment System
Successor	Nintendo GameCube
Related articles	Nintendo 64 technical specifications, 64DD, Game Pak, Rumble Pak, games, accessories, color variants, programming characteristics

The Nintendo 64, often called the N64, was the third home video game console made by Nintendo. It first came out in Japan in June 1996. The N64 was designed to compete with the Sony PlayStation and the Sega Saturn.

The Nintendo 64 was Nintendo's first console built for 3D graphics. Unlike its rivals that used CDs, the N64 used plastic cartridges. This made games load much faster, but it also made them more expensive to create. The N64 controller was shaped like an "M" and had 10 buttons plus a joystick. Sony later used a similar joystick design for their DualShock PlayStation controllers. The console came with 4 MB of memory (RAM), which could be doubled to 8 MB with an Expansion Pak.

Since N64 games were more expensive to make than PlayStation games, many companies chose to develop games for the PlayStation instead. Nintendo also preferred games with less violence. Because of these reasons, Nintendo lost its lead over Sega and Sony. Production of the Nintendo 64 stopped in Japan in 2002 and worldwide in 2003.

Popular Nintendo 64 Games

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Deskside Onyx
A gray Nintendo 64 controller
Open and unopened Nintendo 64 Game Paks
A Nintendo 64 console and controller in Fire-Orange color
A Nintendo 64 with the 64DD installed (below)

Nintendo 64 facts for kids

Popular Nintendo 64 Games

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