Nintendo 64

Nintendo 64
File:Nintendo 64 logo.png
Manufacturer	Nintendo
Type	Video game console
Generation	Fifth generation
First available	June 23, 1996 September 29, 1996 March 1, 1997 March 1, 1997
Media	ROM cartridge
Controller input	Nintendo 64 controller
Predecessor	Super Nintendo Entertainment System
Successor	Nintendo GameCube
Article on Nintendo Wiki	Nintendo 64

The Nintendo 64 (ニンテンドー64, Nintendō Rokujūyon), often abbreviated as N64, is Nintendo's third home video game console for the international market. Named for its 64-bit processor, it debuted on June 23, 1996 in Japan, and was later released in North America on September 29, 1996, and in Europe and Australia on March 1, 1997. As of March 31, 2006, the Nintendo 64 has sold 32.9 million units worldwide.

On January 21, 1999, the Super Smash Bros series. debuted on this system with the original Super Smash Bros. in Japan, which was later released in North America that April. While not the best-selling game on the N64, it was the predecessor of Super Smash Bros. Melee which became the Nintendo GameCube's best selling title and spawned a equally successful sequel for the Nintendo Wii, Super Smash Bros. Brawl.

Another version of the Nintendo 64, called the iQue Player (神游機) is a video game system made by iQue Ltd., Nintendo's Chinese subsidiary. It is a variation of the Nintendo 64 hardware, specifically designed for the Chinese market.

Impact to Smash Bros.

Playable Characters originating from N64

Character	SSB	Melee	Brawl	Title
Sheik				The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time
Wolf O'Donnell*				Star Fox 64
Young Link**				The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time
Ganondorf***				The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time

*Wolf O'Donnell's first canon appearance was Star Fox 64; he initially appeared in the complete but unreleased Star Fox 2 for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System.

**Super Smash Bros. Melee states that Young Link debuted in The Legend of Zelda, but Link did not appear as a younger version of himself until The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time.

***Although Ganon debuted in The Legend of Zelda, and was first called "Ganondorf" in The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past, Ganondorf in his human form did not appear until The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time.

Cameos in the Super Smash Bros. series

• A Nintendo 64 can be seen in the trophy room in Super Smash Bros. Melee, with a copy of Super Smash Bros.

External links

• iQue Player website, in Chinese.