Back To The N64
1/11/2016

We’ve all had the yearning to relive the glory days of gaming on the N64. Thanks to services such as the PlayStation Network, Nintendo’s Virtual Console, and (to some extent) Xbox Live Arcade, we can. However, for some gamers, it’s just not enough. So you bust out your console of choice from that box you’ve tucked away in the back of your closet and get ready to relive your favorite classics the way they were meant to be played! Yes, there was a time before N64 emulators and roms.

The game loads, you navigate the old menus and reacquaint yourself with less-than-high-definition graphics, and you jump right in, relying on your refined skills of modern gaming to shine as you anticipate plowing through levels with relative ease as you once did in your younger days, right?

Wrong! You’re making mistakes and losing lives on the first level. You’re hit by an easily-dodged attack and the harsh reality that you’re not as good as you once were. Why is that? Fret not, you didn’t suddenly lose all your hard-earned skills and gaming prowess. There are several factors to keep in mind when you’re retro-gaming.

For the sake of this article, I’m going to use the Nintendo 64 and WiiU for reference, as the following are best illustrated with a comparison of the two.

First off, make sure your HDTV is set on gaming-friendly video settings. Input lag is a real issue and making sure your TV accommodates for that. That goes for any gaming console, but more so with older consoles since they were built primarily for televisions that sported component cable.

Next up, let’s take a look at that Nintendo 64 controller in your hands. Remember that monstrosity we used to play Mario Kart 64 with? You’re holding it in your hands once more, and as much as it’s like riding a bicycle you still have to reacquaint yourself with the feel of it. Keep in mind how responsive the N64 control stick is compared to the WiiU’s. Some games will remind you how sensitive even the slightest movement of that gray lever of death can be. Enough about the hardware itself, let’s talk about the games themselves.

When you’re in game, there’s going to be one major difference that modern gaming has spoiled us with, camera control. N64 games like Mario64 and Bomberman64 have some pretty solid camera controls for their time, and the WiiU’s right-thumb stick doesn’t exactly translate to the C-Buttons very well. A small adjustment of what we’re used to nowadays is really all we need. On the other end of that spectrum, try playing Goldeneye and Perfect Dark. First person shooters definitely play VERY differently back then than they do now. Never will you miss the presence of a right-thumb stick than when playing these games. Remember the glory days of having three of your friends over for some Golden Gun action and laying waste to them every time? Well, get ready to walk into walls trying to turn the corner, only to get shot on the foot by your buddy trying to use the targeting system to aim for your head. At the end of the day, you just need to relearn your favorite games over again. After all, it has been a long time since you played those games.

Let’s not get the wrong idea though, these are, in no way, complaints. In fact, the best part about video games is learning how to play them and applying your rage-inducing lessons to beat those unforgiving levels. Although, just keep in mind that there are certain hurdles you should probably be aware of, because you are going back in time, where the technical limitations and gameplay had to be designed differently.

The curve of establishing a comfortable playstyle for your favorite consoles will vary, but they’re very present. However, you shouldn’t have to do it alone – invite your friends over, pop in your favorite games, and make a night of it! Just make sure you’ve got plenty of gloves ready, Mario Party is still painfully great for game nights!