Accessory guide · NexWave Games
Nintendo 64 Controller Pak: What are you using this memory card for?
You put a Nintendo 64 cartridge in the console and wonder: where is my game progress anyway? In one game the cartridge stores everything, in the other the game requires a Controller Pak. And then there's another Rumble Pak that fits in exactly the same opening. Time to keep the different accessories apart.
A memory card for certain N64 games
The Controller Pak is a memory accessory that you put in the back of a Nintendo 64 controller. Some games use it to store progress, settings or other data. Many well-known N64 games store directly on the cartridge, so you don't need a Controller Pak for every game automatically. Look at the icon on the packaging or consult the specific game manual.
An original Controller Pak offers 123 pages of storage. A game can use several pages, so that 'something fits' is not a safe assumption. Check through the memory management function of a supported game which files are on the card before deleting anything. Old game data can be important to someone else.
Mario Kart 64 shows the difference
Mario Kart 64 keeps regular records like best lap times on the cartridge. If you want to save a ghost of a time trial, the game uses a Controller Pak. This is a useful example of a game that is just playable without a memory card, but requires a card for one additional function. When an ad says "Mario Kart 64 without a memory card," that doesn't mean you can't race.
The card is in the controller and not in the game cassette or in the console. If you want to take stored data to a friend's Nintendo 64, the physical card can be taken. The game must of course support that type of data.
Controller, Rumble and Expansion Do not confuse Pak
A Rumble Pak also fits behind the controller, but provides vibration in supported games. It doesn't record any progress. The Expansion Pak is just at the top of the console and adds working memory for certain games. The Jumper Pak is in the same place when the memory expansion is missing. These are four parts with similar names and very different tasks.
If a game wants to use both vibrations and a Controller Pak, it may be necessary to switch between accessories in the back of the controller when the game asks you to. Do not remove a card on your own while data is stored. A clear picture of the front and back of an offered accessory prevents confusion.
What do you pay attention to when buying second hand?
Ask if the memory card is recognized by an N64 game and show an existing file in the menu if possible. The data from old cards can cause problems after years of use, so a visible test is more useful than just the text 'looks good'. Also check if the connector is clean and the part is firmly in the controller.
If you only have a game that stores on the cartridge, you can skip the Controller Pack for now. If you want to save ghosts in Mario Kart 64 or your next purchase explicitly asks for a memory card, please order one. This is exactly how you buy the accessory that your collection needs.