View source for Nintendo 64

{{Infobox Platform
|logo          = [[File:N64-Longlogo.png|250px]]
|image         = [[File:N64-Console.png|300px]]
|caption       = Nintendo 64
|manufacturer  = Nintendo
|generation    = Fifth generation
|lifespan      = {{vgrelease|JP=June 23, 1996|NA=September 30, 1996|EU/AUS|March 1, 1997}}
|discontinued  = April 30, 2002
|unitssold     = 32.9 million
|media         = [[wikipedia:ROM cartridge|ROM cartridge]]
|CPU           = 93.75MHz NEC [[wikipedia:R4200#R4300i|VR4300]]
|controllers   = Nintendo 64 controllers
|onlineservice = RANDnetDD <small>(Japan only)</small><br />Sharkwire Online <small>(third-party)</small>
|topgame       = ''[[Super Mario 64]]'', 11.62 million<br />''[[Mario Kart 64]]'', 9 million
|predecessor   = [[Super Nintendo Entertainment System]]
|successor     = [[Nintendo GameCube]]
}}

The  '''Nintendo 64''' (ニンテンドウ64 Nintendō Rokujūyon), often abbreviated as '''N64''', is [[wikipedia:Nintendo|Nintendo]]'s third home [[wikipedia:Video Game Console|video game console]] for the international market and is a part of the [[wikipedia:History of video game consoles (fifth generation)|fifth generation console era]]. Named for its 64-bit CPU, it is Nintendo's last home console to use [[wikipedia:ROM cartridge|Game Paks]] to store games as its primary storage format until the [[wikipedia:Nintendo Switch|Nintendo Switch]] in 2017; handhelds however continued to use Game Paks. 

Of the consoles in the fifth generation, the Nintendo 64 was the final contender to be released and the most technologically advanced. Its 3D capabilities were considerably superior to its rivals, and the flexibility of the unit allowed it to compete graphically even with early [[wikipedia:Sega Dreamcast|Dreamcast]] and [[wikipedia:Playstation 2|Playstation 2]] games. However, while the N64 did choose correctly on most technical decisions, it had a number of drawbacks. One of its technical issues was a limited texture cache, which could only hold textures of small dimensions and reduced color depth, which had to be stretched to cover larger in-game surfaces. More significantly, Nintendo was concerned about the extremely long load times of CD media of the time, and opted to continue to use ROM cartridges for the N64. Although N64 game paks have considerably faster load times, N64 games were constrained by small capacity (particularly in an era when games became more complex and their contents took up more memory) and high production expenses, compared to the [[wikipedia:Compact Disc|Compact Disc]] formats used by its chief competitors, the [[wikipedia:Sony|Sony]] [[wikipedia:Playstation Console|Playstation]] and [[wikipedia:Sega|Sega]] [[wikipedia:Sega Saturn|Saturn]]. The system also proved challenging to develop for. As a result of these issues, and wooing by Nintendo's rivals, many third-party publishers that previously supported Nintendo's past consoles would reduce or stop publishing games on Nintendo platforms; a legacy that continued into the GameCube.

Despite its failings, the N64 introduced many of the conventions that are present in modern 3D gaming. It popularized the idea of using [[wikipedia:Analog sticks|analog sticks]] for control in 3D games. It also created the separate camera controls concept with its C buttons, which would be later expanded into the [[wikipedia:Analog stick#Dual analog sticks|dual analog]] system used by all traditional gaming controllers today. The N64 also introduced [[wikipedia:Haptic technology|haptic feedback]] (rumble) to consoles, which has become a standard feature in all game systems since. Furthermore, N64 games such as [[Super Mario 64]] and [[Ocarina of Time]] have reshaped entire genres, leaving lasting impressions on all of gaming.

The N64 sold 32.93 million units worldwide. It was discontinued in 2002 in Japan, North America and PAL regions by the launch of the Nintendo [[GameCube]].

{{GlobalProblems}}

== Virtual Console Compatibility List (Nintendo 64) ==
<!-- To edit the compatibility list header and manage other templates, navigate to "Template:CompatListHeader" (copy to the search box) -->
{{CompatListHeader}}
{{Compact ToC|top=no|num=yes|a=|d=|e=|g=|h=|i=|j=|n=|q=|r=|t=|u=|v=|x=|z=}}
{|class="wikitable sortable width=100%"
! Title !! Year !! Region !! Compatibility
|- id="0.E2.80.939"
|[[1080° Snowboarding]]
|2008
|JP/NA/EU/KO
|{{Ratings|1080° Snowboarding}}
|- id="B"
|[[Bomberman Hero]]
|2011
|JP/NA/EU
|{{Ratings|Bomberman Hero}}
|- id="C"
|[[Custom Robo V2]]
|2008
|JP
|{{Ratings|Custom Robo V2}}
|-
|[[Cruis'n USA]]
|2008
|JP/NA/EU
|{{Ratings|Cruis'n USA}}
|- id="F"
|[[F-Zero X]]
|2007
|JP/NA/EU
|{{Ratings|F-Zero X}}
|- id="K"
|[[Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards]] aka [[Hoshi no Kirby 64]]
|2008
|JP/NA/EU/KO
|{{Ratings|Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards}}
|- id="L"
|data-sort-value="Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask"|[[The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask]] aka [[Zelda no Densetsu: Mujura no Kamen]]
|2009
|JP/NA/EU
|{{Ratings|The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask}}
|-
|data-sort-value="Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time"|[[The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time]] aka [[Zelda no Densetsu: Toki no Okarina]]
|2007
|JP/NA/EU
|{{Ratings|The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time}}
|- id="M"
|[[Mario Golf]]
|2008
|JP/NA/EU
|{{Ratings|Mario Golf}}
|-
|[[Mario Kart 64]]
|2007
|JP/NA/EU/KO
|{{Ratings|Mario Kart 64}}
|-
|[[Mario Tennis]]
|2010
|JP/NA/EU
|{{Ratings|Mario Tennis}}
|-
|[[Mario Party 2]]
|2010
|JP/NA/EU
|{{Ratings|Mario Party 2}}
|- id="O"
|[[Ogre Battle 64: Person of Lordly Caliber]]
|2010
|JP/NA/EU
|{{Ratings|Ogre Battle 64: Person of Lordly Caliber}}
|- id="P"
|[[Paper Mario]] aka [[Mario Story]]
|2007
|JP/NA/EU
|{{Ratings|Paper Mario}}
|-
|[[Pokémon Puzzle League]]
|2008
|JP/NA/EU
|{{Ratings|Pokémon Puzzle League}}
|-
|[[Pokémon Snap]]
|2007
|JP/NA/EU
|{{Ratings|Pokémon Snap}}
|- id="S"
|[[Sin & Punishment]] aka [[Tsumi to Batsu: Hoshi no Keishōsha]]
|2007
|JP/NA/EU
|{{Ratings|Sin & Punishment}}
|-
|[[Star Fox 64]] aka [[Lylat Wars]]
|2007
|JP/NA/EU/KO
|{{Ratings|Star Fox 64}}
|-
|[[Super Mario 64]]
|2006
|JP/NA/EU
|{{Ratings|Super Mario 64}}
|-
|[[Super Smash Bros.]] aka [[Nintendo All-Star! Dairantō Smash Brothers]]
|2009
|JP/NA/EU
|{{Ratings|Super Smash Bros.}}
|- id="W"
|[[Wave Race 64]]
|2007
|JP/NA/EU
|{{Ratings|Wave Race 64}}
|- id="Y"
|[[Yoshi's Story]]
|2007
|JP/NA/EU
|{{Ratings|Yoshi's Story}}
|-
|}
{{Compact ToC|top=yes|num=yes|a=|d=|e=|g=|h=|i=|j=|n=|q=|r=|t=|u=|v=|x=|z=}}

== See also ==
*[[GameCube]]
*[[Wii]]
*[[WiiWare]]
*[[Wii Channels]]
*[[Virtual Console]]

[[Category:Platforms]]