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Table of Contents
Nintendo 64
includes 64DD
Operating Systems (NEC R4300i)
Console emulation (potential)
Whether these emulators support operating systems for these consoles is unknown; it must be looked into further. Consoles without meaningful OSes are not included.
https://www.zophar.net/consoles/n64.html
NEC TurboGrafx-16 – PC-Engine 64 1999
Nintendo Entertainment System – Neon64, VNES, Emulator in Everdrive X7, thru Tristar 64
Super Nintendo Entertainment System – SNES 9x Alpha, thru Tristar 64
Nintendo Game Boy – gb64 + ROM wrapper, PoM ‘98, PokeStadium built-in, GBLator CD64
Nintendo Game Boy Advance – n64-gba Proof of Concept!
Sega Genesis – unnamed port from a Dreamcast version + reddit link
Sega Master System - UltraSMS
Emulation Nest
This device runs an operating system which is known to emulate various devices with EOPs. See the MSX page.
Linux
At least two people have done such a port before, but didn't submit. This is not based on either.
Finally, a working Linux port for the N64, complete with a fully functional bootloader. As of now, this port cannot be emulated. A compiled ROM for the Everdrive 64 X7 (which is required to run this) is available on the linked GitHub. With this, the N64 becomes the oldest console to run a modern 64 bit Linux kernel (5.10). Lastly, the release of Linux kernel 5.12 puts this port as mainlined (officially supported by the Linux kernel).
https://lore.kernel.org/linux-mips/20201225190503.12353218812e1655f56f0bf8@gmx.com/T/#u
https://www.phoronix.com/scan.php?page=news_item&px=Linux-5.12-Nintendo-64-MIPS
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZjG6_UY0ou4
Linux (inferior 3.19.0-rc4 version)
The Linux kernel (and not much else) running on a Nintendo 64 via a GameShark Pro's parallel
Formerly, the best port of Linux anyone had accomplished, requiring a GameShark Pro. At the time, Linux would hit a kernel panic before fully loading on the N64. Nowadays, this port is pointless and depreciated by the 5.10 port, which actually works.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4-LiEQNYqAE
https://github.com/MrAlert/linux/tree/n64-port-wip
https://github.com/MrAlert/gsuploader (detailed in video link description)
PC emulation (potential)
Whether these emulators support operating systems for these computers is unknown; it must be looked into further. PCs without meaningful OSes are not included.
CHIP-8 – CHIP8-n64 git
https://github.com/joshiggins/chip8-n64
MSXs – UltraMSX2, fMSX?
https://emulation.gametechwiki.com/index.php/FMSX
https://www.zophar.net/consoles/n64/msx2/ultramsx2.html
Sinclair ZX Spectrums – emulator in Goldeneye 007 (patched version)
https://emulation.gametechwiki.com/index.php/Emulators_in_Games
Theoretical CPU Upgrade + OS install
People discussing upgrading the N64 CPU to a superior R4300 variant. If anyone successfully did this, it could potentially open the system to more powerful EOPs.
Internet
RandNet Disc (thru 64DD)
Randnet Disk functioned as a web browser for the 64DD
This shut down long ago, but at the time, it was a fully functional web browser. One could also get a mouse and keyboard specifically for this. Apparently, some people tried to revive RandNet in 2018, but it was clearly given zero thought, so no traces or actual effort of this project remain.
SharkWire Online
The modem and webbrower used was licensed by Spyglass
About as dead as RandNet is, which safe to say means completely dead. At the time, this could access e-Mail, message boards, and the internet. However, internet access was limited to a “list” of websites approved by the manufacturer, which was quite odd. If there are any exploits or vulnerabilities on the cart's software, it may be possible to revive some sort of function out of it's modem port. Just postulation, that is…
Shogihax method
Stage 3 can be an arbitrary size, so you can make whatever program you like here
An exploit for a Japanese Shogi game with a modem port on the cartridge, allowing network-side loading of code. At the moment, this method of internet-based program loading on the N64 exists solely as a proof of concept. Despite this, it is the only currently viable option for accessing anything web-based on an N64, although it would require a significant amount of server-side work, as Shogihax is merely a method for the N64 to receive/send info over the network.
Other
Miscellaneous homebrew applications
Pulling from the same site as the NES, the N64 has a few interesting homebrew apps available for it too. Highlights include “JPEG Slideshow Viewer” and whatever “NAMP64” is. More information about the many listed demos can be found in the first link.
https://n64squid.com/homebrew/
https://www.nesworld.com/article.php?system=n64&data=n64homebrew
Version & Revision Guide
For general information, see the Game Console Revisions Overview.
Versions
There is one version of this console.
“Nintendo 64” (1996-2002)
The N64, which most readers will know about. Comes in many colors, with four “column” like feet. On top, is a power switch and a reset button, centered by a memory expansion slot. Above is the cartridge port. Controller ports on the front, video out and power on the back, centered extension port on the bottom. None of these features are changed on any released N64.
Revisions
There are three revisions within the Nintendo 64.
Nintendo 64 revisions:
“NUS-CPU-02 to 04” (1996-1997)
RECOMMENDED OVERALL
These motherboards are found only in early release US and JP consoles. Their only distinctive factor is relatively important, as only these consoles can be easily modded by the user to support RGB output. After NUS-CPU-04, changes to the DAC require the user to do a much more complex mod. Identifying these is quite simple; practically all of them have a serial number which begins with NS1. Serial numbers that begin with NS2 or higher are of following revisions.
“NUS-CPU-05 to 07” (1997-1998)
As described above, chip changes within these consoles result in the user experiencing significant difficulties when attempting to RGB mod them. While it is still possible, it becomes a lot harder. Furthermore, the plastic around the EXT port on the bottom has been made a bit smaller. Such a change results in devices like the Doctor V64 not fitting into the plug anymore. Easily identified by their serial numbers beginning in NS2.
“NUS-CPU-08 to 09-1” (1999-2000)
Found in but not limited to the colorful “Funtastic” series, these revisions have a video output which is more aliased. While this may not appeal to everyone, a user that doesn’t care about RGB modding and prefers a sharper but pixelated look, will probably take interest in these. Presumably has both the smaller EXT plastic and RGB mod difficulties.
LOWEST PRICE and BEST RELIABILITY couldn’t be assigned, or were not applicable.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doctor_V64
https://www.retrorgb.com/n64rgbcompatible.html
https://gametrog.com/nintendo-64-n64-information-specs/
https://shmups.system11.org/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=56513 (funtastic/rev8 aliasing info)