N64 Region Modification

General

Some of the following directions may cause permanent damage to some or all of your console and games!

You have been warned!

On the N64 the region locking is physical between North America and Japanese Console / Cartridge combinations. It's a notch in a specific position on the cartridge and a peg in the console.

PAL systems and games have additional technical limitations imposed, mostly because of the different TV standard, but it's also enforced by the Nintendo CIC Lockout chip.

Pilotwings 64 - Japan

Adapter Wonder - Any Region

Lylat Wars - PAL

Everdrive 64 - Any Region

Hey You! Pikachu - North America

When the cartridge and console notch and peg matches it looks like this:

When they don't match it looks like this:

The following are the common modifications that can be made for playing N64 games from other regions. They all have advantages and disadvantages most are listed below. Most other options are combinations or slight variations on these.

Note: the only one that allows PAL games to be played on an NTSC console is the N64 Passport, see below for details (not all good).

Adapter Wonder

If you can find it this is probably one of the best solutions for most people. Not permanent, No tools, looks good, easy to use. Down sides:

• Availability? Not made anymore so hard to say.
• Price may fluctuate based on demand.

Cartridge: Swap Backs

This technique is pretty easy can be done using a 3.8mm Security Bit which is easy to find on eBay, Amazon, etc for just a couple of bucks. The downsides are pretty minimal.

• Need Donor cartridges for Console Region
• To resell need to swap the back again.

Cartridge: Grind off

Please don't do this! I'm not a mint condition collector, I'm more of a player collector but this modification still brings a tear to my eye. This example was purchased at an independent game store for just a couple of bucks.

• Limited resale value

Console: Remove Notched Part

Some people may like this compromise, since it's not permanent and solves the problem. I don't care for it because the dust block is either removed or just hangs down, which gives the console a broken look.

• Dust cover is not functional and usually removed as well.
• Lose a little of the alignment aid when inserting Cartridges
• Storage of these parts
• Recommend a 4.5mm Security Driver when opening consoles. A driver has a skinny shank to get into the deeper screw holes.

Console: Grind Notched Part

This is my preferred method, it's a little damaging but if done correctly can be subtle, also I would never do it to a console with any real collector status. For example Zelda Gold, Pikachu Yellow are a no, no. Even the Funtastic colors would not be good candidates. Stick with the Black and Grey console for this technique.

• Permanent
• Requires a steady hand for a good result.
• Recommend a 4.5mm Security Driver when opening consoles. A driver has a skinny shank to get into the deeper screw holes.
• Same style of modification is possible on a SNES to play SFC (Super Famicom) games!

Before

After

N64 Passport

This would seem to be the obvious choice for everything to "just work" but the quality is generally well behind the Gameshark. Not all games are supported and different firmware versions confuse the actual supported games list.