Hack Your N64! How to Modify Your N64 to Play Japanese & American N64 Games without Damaging It

In this video, we show you how to modify your Nintendo 64 Cartridge Slot to be able to play NTSC and NTSC-J Japanese N64 Games.

To install the tray, you'll need just 2 tools:
4.5MM Game Bit
Phillips Screwdriver

Skill Level Required - 2

For the longest time, I have been into collecting Japanese video games. I think it has to do with my passion for RC cars, specifically Tamiya. Though my years of racing in the Tamiya Championship Series, I was exposed to the culture quite a bit, and I absolutely love it.

Collecting Japanese video games, it's not much different, however one of the benefits of Japanese video games is cost. See, there were so many more copies of Nintendo Games, for all systems, sold in Japan compared to the US that, thanks to supply and demand, the costs is a lot less. For action platformers that have little, if any, Japanese, you can save big money on popular titles.

What Nintendo used to region locking is pretty simple since it is 100% hardware based. Depending on the region, the N64's cartridges and cartridge trays have different indentations to denote the location. US games have the tabs all the way to the outside of the back of the cart, while the Japanese games are inset a little. Some have taken to purchasing US N64 cartridge backs and getting around the tabs that way. Others simply cut these tabs out of their system.

On a recent eBay search, I found a 3D printed cartridge slot that would make the system region free. Best of all it was only $11 shipped after a Best Offer! Installing the tray looked like a snap, and thankfully, it was.

Start by removing the 6 game bit screws on the underside of the system. From here, pop open the RAM cart door and remove the RAM Cart. From here the lid should be removable. Flip the lid upside down and remove the 2 cartridge slot retaining screws. Be careful here; there are 2 springs, one on each door for the cartridge slot. These may pop out when you remove the tray, but they are easy to slide back in. From here, just install the new tray using the screws you removed earlier. While you have your system open, it wouldn't be a bad idea to blow it out with a can of compressed air, just for good measure.

In just about 10-minutes you can unlock a whole new world of gaming options for your N64. There are so many amazing games out there for the N64, and now with more 3rd party support with accessories coming out such as the Retro-Bit Tribute 64, Hyperkin Admiral, and Retro Fighters Brawler 64, the retro-future for the system with an awkward trident controller looks really bright.

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