Hey NA,

I've finally launched the N64 Blaster project, which is for people who want to make their own repro or homebrew games for N64. I'm hoping this project will kickstart some ideas for people and hopefully bring some new things to the N64 homebrew scene. The boards come with both SRAM and a 4Kbit EEPROM for saving, can do NTSC and PAL consoles, and can run the vast majority of the N64 library.

The RetroBlaster Programmer is available as well, which is of course required to program the boards.

Here is a PDF document explaining how to use them (http://www.retrostage.net/RetroStage-N64%20Blaster.pdf), and I've added a quick tutorial video showing them in action!





Thanks!

Do you have any documentation or anything like a GitHub?

Not at this time. All install files and programs are available to download on the website.

Ah I see thanks! Sent you an order.

Very cool! Been waiting for this. Dont have the funds right now but excited to see where this goes.

Can you elaborate on the CIC? I found the text confusing, saying ultracic can pick the region, but then it mentions you also need to buy a specific area's CIC chip.

My Everdrive64 has a PAL/NTSC switch, without requiring CIC changes?

No the different CIC chips are for different games, not regions. N64 games used 5 different CIC types, with 6102 being the most common. The different choices I offer is if you are making a game that requires a specific CIC type. If you check the spreadsheet in the downloads on that page you'll see what CIC is needed for each game. Again, 6102 is the most commonly used, but games like Zelda used a 6105, for example. All those different CIC chips work in both NTSC and PAL.

Bump!

Going to be adding a video soon to show how quick and easy it is to make your own N64 repros.

Lists also available here:

http://micro-64.com/database/game...
http://micro-64.com/database/game...

Thanks Guntz. I just need to find a similar list for import games, as there are a few translations that would be handy to know what they use.

 

I can't wait to make an N64 repro.

Video added to original post!

I looked over your list and have a question about a few of the games. On the excel sheet you have a note by the donkey kong64 --- it says "requires sram patch or donor eeprom". Can you elaborate on the sram patch? Same question for Zelda Majorias Mask -- is there a patch for this to use on your pcb (thought this was a flash ram)?
Just to be clear, your board can run the 4k eeprom games as is, right? But 16k eeprom games it can't ..... or can it?
Thanks!
Looking forward to this!

For sure, I'll try to elaborate.

DK64 uses a 16K eeprom, which my boards absolutely DO work with, I just don't have any supplier for them. If you pull a 16K eeprom from a donor it will work perfectly on my boards in place of the 4K eeprom. However, there is a patched ROM for that game that removes the need for a 16K eeprom and instead uses SRAM, which​ my board supports natively. It also changes the CIC type to 6102 instead of 6105. This is the same for Majora's Mask, it removes the need for FlashRAM and a 6105 CIC, and instead uses SRAM and a 6102 CIC.

If you want a link to the roms PM me and I'll help you out.

And yes 4K eeprom is supported natively.

New N64 Blaster review video from YouTuber John Riggs from RIGG'd Games. Check it out here:

Somehow.... my comment... is in the other thread? >_>

Great work lol.

Sweet! Is there any difference, besides the psychological aspects of playing one rom at a time versus a flashcart full of roms, between making reproduction carts using the N64 Blaster board/programmer vs. an Everdrive 64 other than being significantly cheaper than Everdrives?

If I follow your question right, you're asking if making repros using these vs the Everdrive is any different?

The short answer is yes, the biggest difference being cost of course, but the game will boot up exactly like an original game... The Everdrive will boot to the OS ROM select menu when it's powered up.

The long answer is yes, still differences. The Everdrive is around $200, which is awfully expensive to put one game on it and put a repro label on it. Makes no sense, really. These N64 Blasters are meant for new homebrew releases and repros, so they're cost effective enough to be able to be stand alone units to be placed on a shelf. These boards were never built as a competitor to the Everdrive, but as a way for people to make their own N64 games and be able to actually release them. Other than the fact they are both programmable boards, and they can both play N64 games, they aren't very similar at all. Totally different products with different goals in mind.

All that being said, if people want to use these as a more affordable flash cart alternative to the Everdrive then all the power to them! It will fill that gap just fine, just has the extra programming side when switching games  

Clear as the water in my pool. Thanks for the thorough response. Didn't think of a couple points you mentioned.