Expansion Pak
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
- For content expansions for computer and video games, see Expansion pack
The Expansion Pak is a RAM add-on for the Nintendo 64 game console, released in 1998. It gives the Nintendo 64 an extra 4MB of RDRAM, for a total of twice the original (4MB) of on-board RAM. This allows for greater screen resolution, more detailed graphics, and a higher framerate. The Nintendo 64DD was the initial reason the pak was made, because the extra RAM would be required to run the add-on. It replaces the Nintendo 64's Jumper Pak.
The only games that require its use are The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask and Donkey Kong 64 (originally the Expansion Pak was included with purchase of the latter). The Expansion Pak was utilized in The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask for more onscreen characters at one time, as shown in Clock Town (where the framerate has a tendency to drop significantly in poorly-emulated versions, such as the GameCube Collector's Edition). Also, without the add-on, most of Perfect Dark is inaccessible (including the single player mode). It was also used in Starcraft 64, to unlock levels from the popular Brood War add-on for the PC-version of the game.
Several third-party substitutes were released. However, complaints arose regarding stability and overheating issues, in addition to often being larger than normal size, causing them to stick out of the system.
Contents |
[edit] Games that used the Expansion Pak
[edit] Required to play
[edit] Required for major features
[edit] Used for cosmetic improvements or minor features
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Console: Color TV Game • NES • Super NES • Virtual Boy • Nintendo 64 • GameCube • Wii |
