My guess was an early cart for testing code on 64 based on the copyright date. Might of used a special cable that nintendo provided based on on the strange connector on top.
There isn't much to the cart, it has 64M of flash, a 6102 CIC and 4K SEEPROM so it's the Super Mario 64 configuration. The CPLD acts as the address latch and counter for the PI bus. The top connector could be for programming, either in-system or out, but I think it's just an extension of the bottom edge. Most likely the flash can be programmed via the bottom edge/PI interface via a software debug monitor or through a gang-style unit. There isn't really anything more this cart could do, unless the top connector is used for I/O in which case it could be used for peripheral development, but the date of the cart makes it very unlikely. I think it's just the earliest flash cart.
If I didn't know any better I'd swear those TSOP flash chips were done by hand based on the coloration of the joints. Probably just shadow.
The CIC is on a socked, yes. Kevin tells me the interface on top is the same as for the virtual boy. Here a pic of virtual boy interface: And here the backside of the cart (128MB):
I have one of these aswell... I think they're just early flash carts, pre-gang writer, so the connector at the top was used to load a binary on to the cart. Mine has Tamagotchi 64... is this Shiggy's EAD cart? if so, what's on it?
Just want to say that Nintendo is notoriously bad with reusing parts in early dev/prototype hardware (probably why there is a VB cart plug on the top).
