Nintendo 64 Iomega Hdd Prototype

Discussion in 'Rare and Obscure Gaming' started by N64 freak, Mar 16, 2008.

  1. N64 freak

    N64 freak Robust Member

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    Anyone of you know more about this?

    The only information that i could get about this is, that it's made by Iomega, has a 5gig hdd and a special n64. And thats all :banghead:.

    So now i hope u can help me out of this and could get a few informations to the public :nod:.

    And here are a few pictures of the unit.
     

    Attached Files:

  2. REXMONDAY

    REXMONDAY Rising Member

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    That looks really cool. It amazes me how much stuff came out for the n64
     
  3. N64 freak

    N64 freak Robust Member

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    sorry, but thats the problem the hdd on the pictures is just a prototype.
    I wan't to get more information to understand how the interface between n64 and cartidge hdd works.
     
  4. WolverineDK

    WolverineDK music lover

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    Damn, damn damn :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: . Why is it, that Nintendo didn´t use some of the extremely cool N64 prototype things, instead of the chipped cartridges. They would have had holding space enough for some serious aweome games. If they needed extra ram, they could shove it in here and there. In reality, they would have kicked the competetion to the curve.
     
    Last edited: Mar 17, 2008
  5. kammedo

    kammedo and the lost N64 Hardware Docs

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    Very easy. Have a look after information related to the N64's PI (Parallel / Peripherial Interface). its really nothing seriously. Its a simple flash cart that gets flashed by the N64.
     
  6. N64 freak

    N64 freak Robust Member

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    Thanks Kammedo but i know how the Interface between a Crtidge and the N64 works. But I'm very interested if the hdd interface is like you say a flash interface or if its directed by a Microprozessor.
     
  7. Gilgamesh

    Gilgamesh <B>Site Supporter 2014</B><BR><B>Whole Month Spons

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  8. Calpis

    Calpis Champion of the Forum

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    I'm sure it would consist of:

    - a Zip drive controller
    - memory mapped buffer or FIFO
    - microcontroller (to service drive controller and fill buffer)
    - N64 firmware to make it do something

    The N64 could directly talk to the drive controller itself through memory but it would be far slower than acceptable
     
  9. Cactusjack1999

    Cactusjack1999 Spirited Member

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    Has anyone noticed that any system that had an announced "Zip Drive" had a load of great games, but was unceremoniously dropped a few years afterwards?
     
  10. N64 freak

    N64 freak Robust Member

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    Thanks for the name of the drive Gilgamesh. I will write Iomega a second e-mail, because they know nothing about this Drive. But with the correct name they hopefully find a few informations.
     
  11. Barc0de

    Barc0de Mythical Member from Time Immemorial

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    I think i mentioned or made a thread about this 2-3 years ago o_O
     
  12. madhatter256

    madhatter256 Illustrious Member

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    The thing works similar to the partner64 cart and much like the pink gamecube units that have the laptop drives to store code for testing.
     
  13. kammedo

    kammedo and the lost N64 Hardware Docs

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    A nifty piece of code indeed...
     
  14. DS2

    DS2 N64 Maniac

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    I've asked iomega directly for some information about this device, but never got clear responses...

    @ N64 Freak

    you got it from pmod.de, right? ;-)
     
  15. kammedo

    kammedo and the lost N64 Hardware Docs

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    Doubt they'll ever admit that it even exsited..nice try tho! :)
     
  16. DS2

    DS2 N64 Maniac

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    thanks, I always try to do my best :icon_bigg

    but this should be the only way to get some information on this
     
    Last edited: Apr 11, 2008
  17. lllsondowlll

    lllsondowlll Fiery Member

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    N64 missed out on so many things in its time.
     
  18. N64 freak

    N64 freak Robust Member

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    Jeah Stu your right i got it from Pmod.de :clap:.

    PS: I got my answer last evening, they claimed there weren't any prototypes existing. :noooo: this can't be the truth.
     
  19. DC_Fan

    DC_Fan Rising Member

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    Dreamcast :crying:
     
  20. Shadowlayer

    Shadowlayer KEEPIN' I.T. REAL!!

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    2001? thats way too late for the N64...

    I know what you mean, but on the other hand iomega has been dying a slow painful death since CDR became the norm and people stop using those pesky Zip disks.
     
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