LodgeNet N64

Wow this topic is so old but its a good resurrection! The pictures are really interesting. I've never even heard of this before so was a good read. Thanks for sharing.

 

Also, Lodgenet was also onboard aircraft - its all digitally distributed. If I remember correctly, the programmers had to add specific handling code to the games in order for them to run on the system. Nintendo handled all billing and provided publishers with a check every so often.

 

Yeah, I've been reading up on a little. Sucks that I can't get a hold of the server. Interestingly enough, there seems to be two known models. The one I have and another documented here. Some of the connections being moved around but the biggest difference that the other version has infrared and a remote.

 

I remember that from when I went to the USA!
Yeh unless you can get the server-side software or create your own (try netsniffing) then it won't work.

 

Reviving an old Thread
That is a beautiful collection you have on the previous page! I just bought a LodgeNet setup of Cable Box, Power Supply and N64 controller for $5.00 at the local Swap Meet. Confirmed that it does not work without the custom Ram filled N64 from the Manager Office.

I took the cable box apart and found only a small PCB inside. Has anyone gotten hold of one of the custom N64s? I bet it could be hacked to load N64 Roms somehow.

http://www.racketboy.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=441431#p441431

 

yeah I just bought the one you have an image of below. I plan to make a post about it once I receive it and get it working...

 

The custom LodgeNet N64 console? That is a score! Looking forward to the review!

 

Looks like a Gateway 64 board. Cool to finally see the insides.

 

I'll be getting the server side software

 

Nice, this is my first time seeing one. All I have is a video CD of LodgeNET services and there was a clip of people using this to play Super Mario World.

 

I used to play these a bunch when I was little when my mom used to go to workshops for work in Chicago when we would stay a hotel.

 

Wow! Amazing find. I wonder whether the modified versions of the games mentioned in the RacketBoy thread will get dumped at some point... there must be some of those 'engineer game install' discs lying around somewhere.

 

I've held a controller similar to that, although the picture was so blurry I was 5 years old, maybe 6. Anyway, good to finally see what it was all about.

$5 good find!

 

Well finally got it in the mail. It's up and running, it's a sweet little machine and was simple to get working. I'll make a new post monday night about it in the nintendo forums for those interested. The software side is interesting........from the looks of it the software would have been installed on the lodgenet server and has several portals within the software to control multiple gateway N64's.......so luckily the lodgenet servers are not required to at least get it running. A server would be required to disperse the video signal to multiple locations and set up the pay to play however.......

edit: bit of interesting new info. took a stick of 32MB ram out of my IS-VIEWER and put into the extra ram slot on the gateway. Resident evil 2 loaded like a charm, the gateway is 64MB capable!

 

Like many others, I'm looking forward to hearing more about this. Glad to hear that you were able to make it work.

 

I've always been curious about these systems but given this is the first time I've seen anyone get ahold of some of the backend I'm really excited.

 

I can't tell from the picture, but can that controller hook up to a standard N64? Because it'll be pretty cool to have a controller like that.

 

It can't, it has a RJ-11 jack.

BTW, great find willis82, can't wait to see more of this :nod: