The Open Source Cartridge Reader is a great diy project for dumping your own roms and saves. If you order a kit with the surface mount components already installed, it's also a great beginner soldering project.
this post was submitted on 23 Sep 2023
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Most N64 games don't actually use the controller pak, instead using their own battery saves
Hmmm, I still have my N64, all my old games, etc and could test. Do you know if there is a way for me to check the memorypak to see what games actually saved to it?
Now that you mention it, I recall either OoT or MM saving to the cart directly.
Edit: May have found my own answer:
Will check and report back.
To add to this, the reader also has a N64 controller port so you can also dump memory cards via a controller.
IIRC none of the games that require the expanded RAM module (DK64, OOT, Majora) actually utilize its RAM under normal conditions. For instance, DK64 only used it as a means to stave off a memory leak.
That's a myth, the ram was a requirement by management at the beginning of development to showcase it's use. The ram was heavily used for the dynamic lighting. Sources: https://www.gamesradar.com/how-the-n64-confidently-signposted-our-way-into-the-3d-future/ and https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2019/11/feature_donkey_kong_64_devs_on_bugs_boxing_and_20_years_of_the_dk_rap
Oh well shit, that’s metal