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 (commonly abbreviated N64) was the third home video game console released by Nintendo. It was first released in Japan in June 1996 and was meant to compete against the Sony PlayStation and the Sega Saturn. The Nintendo 64 was Nintendo's first console made for 3D graphics. It uses plastic cartridges instead of CDs or disks, making load times faster. Because of this, the games cost more to make. The controller for the Nintendo 64 was shaped like an "M" and had 10 buttons and a joystick. Sony used the N64 joystick design to make their DualShock PlayStation controller. Out of the box, the Nintendo 64 had 4 MB of RAM, and it could be upgraded to 8 MB with the expansion pak.

Because making games for the Nintendo 64 was more expensive than making games for the PlayStation, many video game companies chose develop for the Playstation instead. Nintendo also did not like games that had a lot of blood or violence in them. Companies who made these kinds of games made them for the PlayStation instead. However, some game makers did make some violent games for the Nintendo 64, such as Rare's first-person shooter Perfect Dark. Nintendo lost its lead over Sega and Sony because of these two things. Production for the system ceased in Japan in 2002 and in 2003 worldwide.

Most notable games

Images for kids

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

Most notable games

Images for kids

See also