US Version of N64 64DD has been found !

That comment section...

 

Definitely a neat item. Hopefully something is actually written to the disk - that'd be even better!

 

Yeah their comment section has about the same level of drama and technical competency as an episode of Jerry Springer. I read it for lolz sometimes at work while I'm waiting for a build to finish.

To be fair most of their staff writers are pretty good IMO. Especially their aerospace guy down in Texas, I forget his name.

Aurich is a dick though.

 

As a massive N64DD fan this is incredible!!! I'm happy it got surfaced there is hope that there are more. My wallet is ready!

Amazing item =D

 

Detection screen is still working, even in PAL version. Link

 

This is amazing! Looking forward to seeing OP's video on it on his youtube channel.

 

I saw one interesting comment over on the Ars Technica article:

Anyone have any thoughts on this? Seems plausible to me.

 

Someone on neogaf contacted someone http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showpost.php?p=209888376&postcount=125

 

Yea it's part of the article. Did most people overlook the fact that Marc Deloura was part of the team that ported ocarina of time from 64dd to n64? Not to go off topic mind you but perhaps he could shed some light on some beta ocarina of time mysteries?

 

Should mention 64drive no longer requires a dumper ROM to rip the IPL. Newest firmware can use standalone mode to rip it directly to PC, even without a microSD/CF.
Turn on N64, attach USB cable, then run the USB tool with this command line:

Code:

64drive_usb.exe -x -d ipl.n64 1 0x6000000 0x400000

 

That's the part that caught my attention most. He was in a position to know the earlier stages of the game well enough. But... he already made a passing comment about his recollection being fuzzy after 20 years, so who knows what he could recount.

 

Obviously I've arrived a bit late, but quite the find. Wish I could nab stuff like this.

 

Although it's not a dev unit by any means, it's a beautiful find, mainly because of the US DDROM inside it.

Use a blue-drived 64DD for Development to dump your blue disk, making sure you load the appropriate IPL4ROM (US) on your flashcart/DCC interface.

 

I have made a dumper that can dump blue disks very easily, and it works. No IPL4ROM needed.

 

I was just thinking that! In a few minutes, I will PM samred from the NeoGAF forums and ask if he/she could pass a few questions to Marc or maybe ask if he would contact me directly. I wonder if Mark ever got to play Ura Zelda N64DD.

edit: Mark never played Ura Zelda (I asked him on Twitter), and he does not remember a lot from beta OoT (it was 18 years ago after all).

 

You can find Mark Deloura on Twitter. @markdeloura

 

I always think twice before heading to the comments section...

Came here late too, great find. Wonder what secret debugging features this unit may have.

 

None. Debugging would be done with a Partner64 placed in the cart slot.
Basically, you'd have a Partner on top, load this small binary onto it at BFF00000. The game contains code that checks for the header of that file, then tests the device's capabilities, then hooks the device into the exception handler much like a GameShark/Pro Action Replay does. Additional threads for debugging purposes will also be enabled. Commands are sent via PC, and it can also send words back the the PC.

A couple retail disk titles still have the debug hooks. Doshin 2 and the Communications Kit come to mind. There's also a number of retail cartridge titles that include them, such as the Mario Party series, plus some oddball hardware like the Wideboys and Aleck titles. The same setup, albeit a different binary, is used by IS Viewer.

To emulate, would need the returned drive type flags. Can get that from leoulx or the dumper.
Should also mention there's a unique CIC chip in that US 64DD as well. Would want the ID off the label on the chip.

 

It made Yahoo News as well. Awesome find, OP! https://www.yahoo.com/news/collector-uncovers-us-version-ultra-151947565.html