Nintendo 64

Nintendo 64
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, Nintendo 64), 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 a fifth-generation console, the Nintendo 64 competed primarily with newcomer Sony's PlayStation and the Sega Saturn. At 32.93 million units sold worldwide, the N64 sold significantly less than its predecessor, the Super Nintendo Entertainment System, and its primary competitor, the Sony PlayStation. The Nintendo 64 did however outsell its other competitor, the Sega Saturn (except for Japan, where the Saturn was second place). The N64 marked the first time that Nintendo did not lead a console generation in terms of sales as it did previously with the NES and SNES, having lost to Sony's PlayStation. This decline of Nintendo being the console leader would continue over with the Nintendo GameCube until the Wii was released to great fanfare and commercial success, before declining again with the Wii U.

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 and released on November 17, 2003. It is a plug-and-play variation of the Nintendo 64 hardware, specifically designed for the Chinese market. The original Super Smash Bros. had a ported release on the iQue Player on November 15, 2005.

In the Super Smash Bros. series

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 successful series, Super Smash Bros.

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

Throughout the years, many characters that debuted in games originally released for the Nintendo 64 became playable fighters in the Super Smash Bros. series:

• Sheik, Ganondorf and Young Link in Melee.
• Wolf in Brawl.
• Villager in SSB4.
• Banjo & Kazooie in Ultimate.

Additionally, Lucas's debut game, Mother 3, was slated to release on the Nintendo 64, but this iteration of the game was cancelled, and the project was later revived on the Game Boy Advance.

Gallery

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  The Nintendo 64 controller.

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  The Nintendo 64 cartridge.

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  The Nintendo 64 Rumble Pak. Has compatibility with Super Smash Bros.

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  The iQue Player.

External links

• iQue Player website, in Chinese.