Nintendo 64DD Start-Up ✔
37Anto RetroGamer Presents: the start-up screen for the ill-fated Nintendo 64DD add-on. This is what happens when you turn on the system, without a game disk inserted. This isn't the full intro: I had to shorten it, as it went a little too long, and was somewhat repetitive, especially without much music. But the Nintendo 64DD CAN be run on a Project 64 emulator, and play the limited number of games that was released for it.
To run the Nintendo 64DD, on an emulator, you will need a few things...
The Project 64 emulator, obviously. It will have to be a relatively new version - 2.2 or higher - otherwise it won't recognize it. A Project 64 v2.3 for Windows, can be found here...
https://www.emuparadise.me/Nintendo_64_Emulators/Windows/9
Next, you will need the software for the N64DD itself. This basically acts like a plug-in for the Project 64. That can be found below. Top left of your screen. Select the latest 'build', and download that.
https://www.64dd.org/downloads.html
You will also need the software needed for the Project 64 to actually recognize the program. It will not work without this. It's called the '64DD IPL (JPN) Retail [v1.2]'. Scroll down to the bottom of the following page to find it.
https://www.64dd.org/dumps.html
On the very same page, you can find some of the games for the system. Obviously, you will need the games. While some are more difficult then others to execute (see F-Zero X Expansion Kit), they do work.
Now, how do you get the Nintendo 64DD to actually boot? First, start up your Project 64, and from there, load the 64DD IPL, as if it was a ROM. The file should come up as: 'N64DD IPLROM (J)'. This should activate the 64DD start up screen. Otherwise, you will have to further load a game, to do so.
A function on your Project 64 System list will now include: 'Swap DIsks', which is what's needed to change 64DD games. Bear in mind, you will essentially have to 'undo' the process, in order to load up a Nintendo 64 game, as it will currently recognize it as a 64DD, and vice versa. It still has a few wrinkles to iron it, but it does at least work, which couldn't be realized just a few years ago. If you are at least curious about the system, give it a try. It did come out in limited numbers, and had less then a dozen games officially released. It was a Japanese exclusive, and was deemed as a complete commercial failure. That said, it's still an interesting piece of hardware...
The 64DD, colloquially referred to as the Nintendo 64DD, is a magnetic disk drive peripheral for the Nintendo 64 game console developed by Nintendo. It was originally announced in 1995, prior to the Nintendo 64's 1996 launch, and after numerous delays was finally released only in Japan on December 1, 1999.
"DD" is short for "dynamic drive". Plugging into the extension port on the underside of the console, it allows the Nintendo 64 to use proprietary 64 MB magnetic disks for expanded and rewritable data storage, a real-time clock for persistent game world design, and a standard font and audio library for further storage efficiency. Furthermore, the 64DD's software titles and hardware accessories let the user create movies, characters, and animations to be used within various games and shared online. The system could connect to the Internet through a now-defunct dedicated online service called Randnet for e-commerce, online gaming, and media sharing.