|
The 64DD (also known as the 64 Disk Drive) was a Japan-exclusive add-on for the Nintendo 64 co-developed by Nintendo and Alps Electric. The 64DD used floppy disks, offered larger amounts of storage compared to most cartridges, and plugged into the bottom of the console via the expansion port.
Plans were made to release the Disk Drive elsewhere, though after failing to make an impression in Japan the plans were cut. Its failure could perhaps be attributed to the lack of high-profile games for the hardware, its release late in the console's life, and the multitude of unincluded but previously announced features. Some games previously announced with Disk Drive support were instead released without such support or were moved to competing consoles.
Disks[]
The 64DD used floppy disks instead of cartridges to compete against the PlayStation CD-ROM. A single disk could store up to 64MB.
A 64DD Disk
Randnet[]
During the launch of the Nintendo 64DD, Nintendo launched a subscription called RANDnetDD, an online service where users could email, chat, play games online, and read a special Nintendo newsletter. The service was discontinued in 2001 mainly because of the GameCube's Release.
Peripherals[]
- Nintendo 64 Modem
- Nintendo 64 Capture Cassette
- Nintendo 64 Mouse
- Nintendo 64 Keyboard
- Nintendo 64 microphone
- Nintendo 64 Expansion Pak
- Nintendo 64 Controller Pak
- Transfer Pak
- Nintendo 64 AV Cables
- Game Boy Camera
- Game Boy Printer
Games[]
Only ten pieces of software were released for the add-on. Some games that were being developed for the 64DD wound up being developed for the regular Nintendo 64 instead.
- Mario Artist: Paint Studio (1999)
- Doshin the Giant (1999, also released for the GameCube)
- Randnet Disk (2000)
- Mario Artist: Talent Studio (2000)
- SimCity 64 (2000)
- F-Zero X Expansion Kit (2000)
- Nippon Pro Golf Tour 64 (2000)
- Kyojin no Doshin Kaihou Sensen Chibikko Chikko Daishuugou (2000)
- Mario Artist: Communication Kit (2000)
- Mario Artist: Polygon Studio (2000)