Classic console, well worth buying (Nintendo N64)

Member Name: Lauren06

Product:	Nintendo N64
Date:	03/05/06 (815 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: 3D graphics, loads of games available, 4 controller sockets,

Disadvantages: None

I've owned a N64 console now for nearly eight years, and it still works fine. I got mine as a Christmas present, and chose it over a new bike when I was told that it connected to your TV, and you didn't need a computer for it as I had thought.

Nintendo 64 was first released on June 23rd 1996 in Japan, and it was released in Europe on 1st of March 1997. It's Nintendo's third console, following the NES (Nintendo Entertainment Sytem) and the SNES (Super Nintendo Entertainment System), which came out in the 80s and early 90s. Unlike it's predecessors, the Nintendo 64 offers 3D graphics.

The console is fairly small and not too bulky. The game goes into a slot on the top, and in front of the slot is a small compartment, which at first holds a Jumper Pack and the Expansion Pack if you ever buy one. This is for memory, some games require an expansion pack due to their size eg. Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask and Donkey Kong 64. There is also the Reset button and Power switch.

Along the front, there are four controller sockets which allow up to four people to play at once on certain games which have this feature, such as racing games. Controllers come in all different colours, including Gold, a limited edition which I have, and see through colours. The console itself also comes in see through colours, and it's most common colour, black. There was also a Pokemon edition released.

The console uses game cartridges, instead of discs. I do remember that Nintendo games were very expensive when they first came out, being priced around £40 or £50, which was a disadvantage at the time. However, the games have gone down in price since then and are available cheap now, unless you're looking for a very rare game.

Cartridges have faster loading times than discs, and most of them store your game progress so there is no need for a memory card. Some cartridges have also been released in different colours from the usual grey, such as the gold cartridge for Majora's Mask.

At the back of the console are sockets for a plug and ariel, which originally came with new consoles, so you didn't need to buy anything extra. Consoles are still sold with these second hand, but sometimes all you get is the console so you have to make sure you have everything you need to start.

I highly recommend buying this console, as it is available cheap now and there is a wide range of different games to play on it, like racing games, adventure games and fighting games. Although the graphics may look dated now, you can still play loads of different games that are available at good prices, with the exception of rarer games such as Banjo-Tooie.

Instead of spending £300 on an up-to-date console, you can buy this used for as low as £15, and have just as much fun trying out different games. Try looking on ebay, or the shop Gamestation who often have packs that come with games and controllers.

Although the console is now about 10 years old, it still offers a great gaming experience that is as good now as it was at the time of release. It also features Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, which is regarded as one of, if not, the best games ever created.

Summary: Buy it now!