Ultra-64 .. The "Lockout". As most of you guys know, a lot has been heard about the "Lockout". This is some sort of strange protection against playing Japanese games on your US console etc. Now, I found this small file that explains how to get rid of this problem.. Here we go .. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Last Update: August 30, 1996 The Final Word on the Lockout One of the terms that has most plagued Nintendo 64 gameplayers everywhere has been the term "lockout." Fortunately, one month before the Nintendo 64's launch, we now know for certain exactly how the lockout is implemented. And subsequently, how to defeat the lockout. Say hello to a system that will be able to play both Japanese and American games. NOTE: If you get an American system, everything below still applies. You just have to take out the plastic rail piece, and then you will be able to play Jap games. Of course, taking apart your system voids your warranty. First of of all, how is the lockout implemented in the Nintendo 64? If you look inside your cartridge port, you'll notice two little plastic "pegs" or "tabs" on both sides of the cartridge connector. Those "pegs" can NOT be ripped or burned off. The plastic "pegs" are molded onto a plastic rail piece of the unit with the lettering JPN-1 stamped into it. This plastic rail piece is screwed into the part of system casing that has the slot for the cartridge. In the Japanese system, you'll notice the "pegs" are closer together on the plastic rail piece than on the American plastic rail piece. If you have a Japanese Nintendo 64 cartridge, go get it right now and compare it to the image above. Notice how the "slots" on the back of the U.S. cartridge are farther apart than on the Japanese cart. That removable plastic rail piece (with the varying distances between the "pegs") inside the system is the territory-specific lockout. It's quite easy and safe to open up your Nintendo 64, but there is one problem. Special screws hold together the casing of the Nintendo 64. To unscrew these special screws, you need a special screwdriver. Unfortunately, you can't find the special screwdriver at your local hardware store. Never fear, though. The special 4.5mm gamebit screwdriver can be ordered from a company called MCM Electronics. The catalog number you want to order is 22-1150. Here are their phone numbers: 1-800-543-4330 in the U.S. 1-800-824-9491 in Canada If you don't live in either the U.S. or Canada, just call the U.S. number and see if they can ship you something internationally. The gamebit screwdriver is $7.99 U.S. a piece. That is a lot of money, but it's better than spending $30 or $40 for an adapter. One thing you should know though: If you never ordered from them before, you are required to spend a minimum of $20 U.S. Maybe you can order some for your friends too or something. Don't forget to order as soon as you can because there's no telling how many they may have left. Upon getting the gamebit driver, you'll notice it's really too small to try to unscrew with your fingers. So, you'll need a 1/4" hex nut driver (found at your local store if you don't have one already) to put the gamebit driver in. That will give you extra length and leverage you'll need to be able to unscrew all six of the screws you need to take out. After all the screws are out, you can pull up on the case. You'll need to use a little bit of force because the RAM expansion pack is plugged into the motherboard like a cartridge. After it comes off, you'll see that plastic rail piece we've been talking about. It's just screwed into the casing with two philips screws. Now, there is one side effect to removing the plastic rail piece. The grey dust covers which open up when you insert a cartridge will have to come off. They are dependent on the plastic rail piece to fit properly. So, you'll have to take the dust covers out too. That means your cartridge port will be exposed now when you put back together the casing. This really isn't a problem because you can find something to cover it or just always keep a game plugged into the system. After that, you can plug in a game and see that it works! Just make sure the RAM expansion pack chip is plugged properly back into the system. If everything fits nice and snug, then you know you had a successful modification. It's really not difficult to do at all and is very safe. I've already done it to my system, but of course, we can't take any blame if you somehow screw up your system. There it is. So there was was a territorial lockout in the N64 after all (they really do have to include one for licensing reasons), but it's nothing a determined hard core gamer can't get around. Once you order the 4.5mm gamebit screwdriver, you can now rest easy at night knowing you can play Japanese or American games. ============================================================================= XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX ============================================================================= Document found : Arcade/Playstation - The first 3D sf game by ARIKA, Streetfighter GAIDEN! While Capcom has been making their CPSIII-based, 2D Street Fighter III in house, Arika, the company formed by Street Fighter II creator Akira Nishitani, has been quietly programming Street Fighter's 3D debut. The first few shots have evidently already been released (we'll have them up as soon as we get our hands on them), but until then, here's all of the information we have on it: Street Fighter Gaiden was created in an attempt to bring the pleasures of traditional Capcom control to the 3D fighting genre. The game will feature Street Fighter's emphasis (compared to other 3D fighting games) on jumping attacks, fireball and dragon punch style special moves, and two stage blocking by pressing back or down and back. The button arrangement is, of course, 3 punch and 3 kick, and a super gauge will be featured. Arika promises to not only replicate the Street Fighter style play mechanics, but advance the game system as well. Details are still sketchy on what exactly they plan to do, but their comments hint at an annoyance with players who sim- ply wait for their opponent to attack them, so that they can counter. Whatever new system is included will evidently favor the aggressor over the cautious, defensive player. The first shots released show 7 different characters, including Ken, Ryu, Chun Li, and Zangief from Street Fighter II, plus three new characters. Their names are Pullum Prina, Doctrine Dark, and Skullomania. Doctrine Dark has a wire he evidently uses as a garrote, as well as bombs. Details on Skullomania are un- clear... supposedly he appears to be some sort of skeleton costumed superhero, and his fighting style features a number of unpredictable movements designed to confuse his foes. Sounds interesting. No information on Pullum yet. Anyone who wants to take a look at the shots, mail me at squizzy@tip.nl. ============================================================================= XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX ============================================================================= A few days ago I found a 600kb big lharced file called CAPCOM.LHA with the following diz =-----------------------------= Demo made by: Brian J Flannagan to apply for a job at CAPCOM!!! =--------[SNES/SMC]-----------= I took a look at the 1mb big SMC file, and what I saw was really fantastic. This guy took geat effort in making his own games and showing them proudly to capcom. Included is a SF-Ripoff which looks really GREAT, a few other games and some sprite editorials. This looks really masterous, this guy would probably be good for a real gamehit.. But capcom Rejected the guy .. Now this is not such a big point, but throughout 1996 CAPCOM has already rejected a LOT of talented people, and why? Nobody seems to know. A reliable source of mine told me that CAPCOM is pumping a lot of money in some kind of new Console Project, yeah, a new console, and that they are rejecting talented people because of the lack of funds? This could be true, other proof is given by SF GAIDEN, the first 3d streetfighter game which was expected to be released under CAPCOM first, but some company called ARIKA started to produce the 3d killer? This is really weird. The rumour I heard several times about capcom introducing a new console next year, might not be true, but they probably ARE working on some important project and it probably MIGTH be true that they have a lack of funds. Now, I dont think CAPCOM will pump a lot of money in their 2d streetfighter 3, but they are pumping it in some really expensive shit. I'm writing this article caus I want to know what's going on, should I believe these rumours, and if these rumours are not true, why is capcom rejecting all those programmers, and why did capcom not blow their money into sf2 3d BEFORE arika did this? Somebody please tell me, is this all a big lie, or can we expect a new Ultra64-Blowout? Keep me informed and I'll keep you informed. Squizzy@tip.nl