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
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
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.