View source for Engineering:64DD

{{short description|Video game peripheral}}
{{Infobox information appliance
| name            = 64DD
| logo            = 64DD logo (1999).svg
| logo_size       = 200px
| image           = 64DD-Attached.jpg
| caption         = A Nintendo 64 with the 64DD installed
| developer       = [[Company:Nintendo|Nintendo]], [[Company:Alps Electric|Alps Electric]]
| manufacturer    = [[Company:Alps Electric|Alps Electric]]
| type            = [[Engineering:Video game console|Video game console]] peripheral
| generation      = Fifth generation
| releasedate     = {{vgrelease|JP|{{start date and age|1999|12|13}}}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/1999/12/14/the-64dd-hits-japan|title=The 64DD Hits Japan|work=IGN|publisher=Ziff Davis|date=December 13, 1999|access-date=July 21, 2021|archive-date=July 22, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210722022254/https://www.ign.com/articles/1999/12/14/the-64dd-hits-japan|url-status=live}}</ref>
| lifespan        = December 13, 1999 - February 28, 2001
| discontinued    = {{vgrelease|JP|{{end date and age|2001|02|28}}}}
| unitssold       = 15,000+<ref name="64Dream Feb 2001" />
| storage         = 36 megabit [[Read-only memory|ROM]] {{small|(audio/font)}}<ref name="Everything about 64DD at IGN" />
| media           = Magnetic disk (64 [[Megabyte|MB]])
| connectivity    = {{nowrap|22.8 kbps}} dialup modem<ref name="Everything about 64DD at IGN" />
| service         = Randnet<ref name="Randnet announcement by Recruit" /> {{URL|https://web.archive.org/web/20000302032500/http://www.randnetdd.co.jp/index2.html|randnetdd.co.jp}}
| website         = {{webarchive|url1=https://web.archive.org/web/19980205064729/http://nintendo.com/n64/64dd.html|date1=1998| url2=https://web.archive.org/web/20001206022100/http://nintendo.com/n64/64dd.html|date2=2000|title=nintendo.com/n64/64dd.html}}
| predecessor     = Satellaview
}}
The {{Nihongo foot|'''64DD'''|ロクヨンディーディー|Rokuyondīdī|lead=yes|group=lower-alpha}} is a magnetic [[Floppy disk|floppy disk]] drive peripheral for the [[Engineering:Nintendo 64|Nintendo 64]] game console developed by [[Company:Nintendo|Nintendo]]. It was announced in 1995, prior to the Nintendo 64's 1996 launch, and after numerous delays was released in Japan on December 13, 1999. The "64" references both the Nintendo 64 console and the 64MB storage capacity of the disks,<ref>{{cite magazine |date=February 1996|title=Ultra 64 Tech Specs|magazine=Next Generation |url=https://archive.org/details/nextgen-issue-014/page/n41/mode/2up|publisher=Imagine Media|issue=14|page=40}}</ref> and "DD" is short for "disk drive" or "dynamic drive".<ref name="Everything about 64DD at IGN">{{cite web|first=Peer|last=Schneider|title=Everything About the 64DD|work=IGN|date=February 9, 2001|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2001/02/10/everything-about-the-64dd|access-date=June 12, 2014|archive-date=August 8, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190808221259/https://www.ign.com/articles/2001/02/10/everything-about-the-64dd|url-status=live}}</ref>

Plugging into the extension port on the underside of the console, the 64DD allows the Nintendo 64 to use proprietary 64MB magnetic disks for expanded and rewritable data storage, a [[Engineering:Real-time clock|real-time clock]] for [[Persistent world|persistent game world]] design, and a standard font and audio library for further storage efficiency. Its games and hardware accessories let the user create movies, characters, and animations to use within various other games and shared online. The system could connect to the Internet through a dedicated online service, Randnet, for [[Social:E-commerce|e-commerce]],<ref name="64DD at NOM 3" /> online gaming, and media sharing.<ref name="64DD: Broken Promises">{{cite web|title=64DD: Broken Promises|date=February 23, 2001|work=IGN|publisher=Ziff Davis|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2001/02/24/64dd-broken-promises|access-date=January 11, 2015|archive-date=January 11, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150111165558/http://www.ign.com/articles/2001/02/24/64dd-broken-promises|url-status=live}}</ref> Describing it as "the first writable bulk data storage device for a modern video game console",<ref name="N64 Dev Conf 1997">{{cite web|title=Nintendo Reveals New Details on 64DD at N64 Developer's Conference|publisher=Nintendo of America |url=https://www.nintendo.com/newsroom/articles/64dd.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19970606100126/https://www.nintendo.com/newsroom/articles/64dd.html|archive-date=June 6, 1997|date=1997|access-date=January 11, 2015}}</ref> Nintendo designed the 64DD as an enabling technology platform for the development of new genres of games and applications,<ref name="The 64Dream Dec 1997" /> several of which were in development for several years.

Only ten disks had been released and Randnet had 15,000 subscribers, when the 64DD was discontinued in February 2001. It was a commercial failure,<ref name="Unrivaled Champion of the Fourth Generation">{{cite web|title=Super Nintendo Entertainment System Unrivaled Champion of the Fourth Generation|date=2007|website=GameConsoles.co.uk|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080627063043/http://gameconsoles.co.uk/game-consoles/snes/|archive-date=June 27, 2008|url=http://gameconsoles.co.uk/game-consoles/snes/|access-date=February 28, 2014}}</ref> with at least 15,000 total units sold,<ref name="64Dream Feb 2001">{{cite magazine|title=The 64 Dream|magazine=The 64 Dream|date=February 2001}}</ref> and was never released outside Japan. Most games once planned for 64DD were released as standard Nintendo 64 games, ported to other consoles such as the [[Engineering:GameCube|GameCube]], or canceled.

''IGN'' lamented the "broken promises" and "vaporware", summarizing the 64DD as "an appealing creativity package"<ref name="64DD: Broken Promises" /> for "a certain type of user"<ref name="Everything about 64DD at IGN" /> that "delivered a well-designed user-driven experience"{{mdash}}and as a "limited online experiment at the same time", which partially fulfilled Nintendo president Hiroshi Yamauchi's "longtime dream of a network that connects Nintendo consoles all across the nation".<ref name="Everything about 64DD at IGN" />

== History ==
=== Development ===
With the 1993 announcement of its new Project Reality console, Nintendo explored options for data storage. A Nintendo spokesperson said in 1993 that "it could be a cartridge system, a CD system, or both, or something not ever used before."<ref name="Billboard September 4, 1993">{{cite magazine|title=Nintendo, Silicon Graphics Team for Reality Check|first=Chris|last=McGowan|magazine=Billboard|date=September 4, 1993|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-BEEAAAAMBAJ&q=silicon+graphics&pg=PA89|page=89|access-date=October 16, 2017}}</ref> In 1994, Howard Lincoln, chairman of Nintendo of America said, "Right now, cartridges offer faster access time and more speed of movement and characters than CDs. So, we'll introduce our new hardware with cartridges. But eventually, these problems with CDs will be overcome. When that happens, you'll see Nintendo using CD as the software storage medium for our 64-bit system."<ref name="Billboard: June 25, 1994">{{cite news|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=UggEAAAAMBAJ&q=Howard+Lincoln&pg=PA77|title=Billboard (June 25, 1994)|last=Gillen|first=Marilyn A.|newspaper=Billboard|date=June 25, 1994|access-date=September 2, 2014|archive-date=February 7, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230207095401/https://books.google.com/books?id=UggEAAAAMBAJ&q=Howard+Lincoln&pg=PA77|url-status=live}}</ref>{{rp|77}}

In consideration of the 64DD's actual launch price equivalent of about {{US$|90}}, Nintendo software engineering manager Jim Merrick warned, "We're very sensitive to the cost of the console. We could get an eight-speed CD-ROM mechanism in the unit, but in the under-$200 console market, it would be hard to pull that off."<ref name="Kasten Off">{{cite magazine|last=Kasten|first=Alex S.|title=Off-Computer|magazine=Emedia Professional|volume=10|issue=3|date=March 1997}}</ref>{{rp|66}} Describing the final choice of proprietary floppy disks instead of CD-ROM, Nintendo game designer Shigesato Itoi explained, "CD holds a lot of data, DD holds a moderate amount of data and backs the data up, and [cartridge] ROMs hold the least data and process the fastest. By attaching a DD to the game console, we can drastically increase the number of possible genres."<ref name="The 64Dream Dec 1997" />

{{details|topic=the Nintendo 64's alternate storage strategies and the optimizations involved with cartridges|Nintendo 64 Game Pak}}

The company also explored the forging of an early online strategy with Netscape, whose founding management had recently come directly from SGI, the company which had designed the core Nintendo 64 hardware.<ref name="Remembering Netscape">{{cite web|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140606214527/http://archive.fortune.com/magazines/fortune/fortune_archive/2005/07/25/8266639/index.htm|url=http://archive.fortune.com/magazines/fortune/fortune_archive/2005/07/25/8266639/index.htm|title=Remembering Netscape: The Birth Of The Web|magazine=Fortune|first=Adam|last=Lashinsky|date=July 25, 2005|archive-date=June 6, 2014}}</ref><ref name="Nintendo's Internet Connection">{{cite web|title=Nintendo's Internet Connection|date=December 13, 1996|work=IGN|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/1996/12/14/nintendos-internet-connection|access-date=September 6, 2017|archive-date=September 7, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170907081435/http://www.ign.com/articles/1996/12/14/nintendos-internet-connection|url-status=live}}</ref> Within its budding online strategy, Nintendo reportedly considered multiplayer online gaming to be of the highest priority, even above that of web browsing. Several third party game developers were developing prominent online gaming features based on 64DD, including Ocean's ''Mission: Impossible'' deathmatches<ref name="Nintendo's Internet Connection" /> and Seta's competitive four-player ''Ultimate War''<ref name="64DD Goes to War" /><ref name="64DD Loses War" /><ref name="Ultimate War 64DD cancel" /> and online racing game.<ref name="Ultimate 64DD FAQ" /> Nintendo would ultimately retain the core impetus of these ideas, but would drastically alter both plans over the following years, in favor of a floppy-based storage technology and the Randnet online software and service partner—although with no online multiplayer gaming support whatsoever.

=== Announcement ===
{{quote box|width=25%|align=right|quote=It would have been easier to understand if the DD was already included when the N64 first came out. It's getting harder to explain after the fact. (laughs)|source={{mdash}}Shigeru Miyamoto<ref name="The 64Dream Dec 1997" />}}
Nintendo President Hiroshi Yamauchi announced the dual-storage strategy of the "bulky drive" at [[Company:Nintendo|Nintendo]]'s Shoshinkai 1995 trade show. He intended the product to be revealed at Shoshinkai 1996 and launched sometime in 1997,<ref name="lost per"/><ref>{{cite magazine|title=Nintendo's Lincoln Speaks Out on the Ultra 64!|magazine=Electronic Gaming Monthly|issue=78|publisher=Sendai Publishing|date=January 1996|pages=74–75|url=https://archive.org/details/ElectronicGamingMonthly_201902/Electronic%20Gaming%20Monthly%20Issue%20078%20%28January%201996%29/page/n75/mode/2up}}</ref> although giving virtually no technical specifications.<ref name="The Game is 64 Bits">{{cite magazine|magazine=Popular Mechanics|date=April 1996|first=James K.|last=Willcox|title=The Game is 64 Bits|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=MGUEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA134|page=134|access-date=October 16, 2017|archive-date=February 7, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230207095411/https://books.google.com/books?id=MGUEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA134|url-status=live}}</ref> ''Computer and Video Games'' reported unconfirmed specifications, far above what would be actually launched: 4" disk caddy, 150 MB floppy disks, 2.44 MBps speed, 13 ms access, 2-4 MB RAM upgrade, and costing about {{JPY|20,000}} (US$200).<ref name="CVG 171">{{cite magazine|date=February 1996|title=Nintendo Ultra 64|url=https://www.outofprintarchive.com/articles/features/TradeShows/Shoshinkai1995-CVG171-11.html|magazine=Computer and Video Games|location=UK|issue=171|access-date=August 7, 2022|archive-date=August 7, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220807073541/https://www.outofprintarchive.com/articles/features/TradeShows/Shoshinkai1995-CVG171-11.html|url-status=live}}</ref>{{rp|26}}

The 64DD was fully revealed at Nintendo's Shoshinkai 1996 show of November 22—24, 1996,<ref name="lost per"/> where IGN reported that it<ref name="Everything about 64DD at IGN" /><ref name="N64 Dev Conf 1997" /> was one of the biggest items of the show.<ref name="Report from Shoshinkai 96">{{cite web|title=Report from Shoshinkai|date=November 23, 1996|work=IGN|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/1996/11/23/report-from-shoshinkai|access-date=October 15, 2017|archive-date=October 16, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171016123336/http://www.ign.com/articles/1996/11/23/report-from-shoshinkai|url-status=live}}</ref> There, Nintendo of America Chairman Howard Lincoln stated that the hardware specifications had been finalized and had its own show booth. Nintendo's Director of Corporate Communications, Perrin Kaplan, made the company's first official launch window announcement for the peripheral, scheduled for late 1997 in Japan.<ref name="Shoshinkai 96 at Nintendo.com">{{cite web|title=Nintendo 64 Shoshinkai '96|publisher=Nintendo of America|url=https://www.nintendo.com/newsroom/show_frame.html|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19961222150158/https://www.nintendo.com/newsroom/show_frame.html|archive-date=December 22, 1996|access-date=January 11, 2015}}</ref><ref name="The 64DD: Nintendo's Disk Drive" /><ref name="64DD delay at GameSpot" /><ref name="Shoshinkai 1996 interview">Archived at [https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211211/1ZXA2pzrLlo Ghostarchive]{{cbignore}} and the [https://web.archive.org/web/20141110094105/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ZXA2pzrLlo&feature=player_detailpage Wayback Machine]{{cbignore}}: {{cite AV media|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ZXA2pzrLlo|title=Nintendo SpaceWorld '96: Miyamoto Interview + Super Mario 64 on 64DD + Rumble Pak Unveiled|via=[[Company:YouTube|YouTube]]|access-date=September 2, 2014}}{{cbignore}}</ref> ''Core Magazine'' said, "Nintendo representatives insisted the system would be aggressively supported by third parties and Nintendo's internal development teams" with sequels for ''[[Software:Super Mario 64|Super Mario 64]]'' and ''Zelda 64'', and 64DD originals ''Cabbage'' and ''Emperor of the Jungle''. Nintendo's list of 64DD developers included Konami, Capcom, Enix, and Rare.<ref name="lost per"/> [[Company:Rare|Rare]] officially discounted any rumors of the peripheral's impending pre-release cancellation.<ref name="Closing in on Shoshinkai">{{cite web|title=Closing in on Shoshinkai|date=November 15, 1996|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/1996/11/16/closing-in-on-shoshinkai|work=IGN|access-date=September 2, 2014|archive-date=September 3, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140903075502/http://www.ign.com/articles/1996/11/16/closing-in-on-shoshinkai|url-status=live}}</ref>

Reportedly, several developers attended the show to learn 64DD development, some having traveled from the US for the 64DD presentation and some having received 64DD development kits.<ref name="Nintendo's Internet Connection" /> A 64DD prototype was in a glass case, not visibly operational, but with a makeshift demonstration of ''Zelda 64'' which was said to be running from disk.<ref name="lost per"/> An improvised disk conversion of the familiar ''Super Mario 64'' game demonstrated the drive's operation and performance, and a graphics application mapping the audience's photographical portraits onto live 3D animated avatars—a feature which was ultimately incorporated and released in 2000 as ''Mario Artist: Talent Studio'' and the Capture Cassette.<ref name="Shoshinkai 96 at Nintendo.com" /><ref name="HL at Shoshinkai N64.com">{{cite web|title=N64.com Interviews Howard Lincoln|date=December 6, 1996|work=IGN|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/1996/12/07/n64com-interviews-howard-lincoln|access-date=January 11, 2015|archive-date=February 6, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150206110135/http://www.ign.com/articles/1996/12/07/n64com-interviews-howard-lincoln|url-status=live}}</ref>

The event featured ''Creator'', a music and animation game by Software Creations,<ref name="Creator and Mario Artist">{{cite web|publisher=Zee 3|title=Career timeline|url=http://www.zee-3.com/pickfordbros/career_timeline.php#nintendo|access-date=January 5, 2014|archive-date=May 25, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140525044621/http://www.zee-3.com/pickfordbros/career_timeline.php#nintendo|url-status=live}}</ref> the same UK company that had made ''Sound Tool'' for the Nintendo Ultra 64 development kit. They touted the game's ability to be integrated into other games, allowing a player to replace any such game's textures and possibly create new levels and characters. There was no playable version of ''Creator'' available there, but the project was later absorbed into ''Mario Artist: Paint Studio''.<ref name="Creator and Mario Artist" /><ref name="Mario Artist: Paint Studio (Import)" /> Nintendo announced 64DD would be bundled with a RAM expansion cartridge.<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Nintendo Unveils N64 Disk Drive|magazine=Electronic Gaming Monthly|issue=90|publisher=Ziff Davis|date=January 1997|page=118|url=https://archive.org/details/ElectronicGamingMonthly_201902/Electronic%20Gaming%20Monthly%20Issue%20090%20%28January%201997%29/page/n117/mode/1up}}</ref>

Much of the gaming press said the 64DD reveal at Shoshinkai 1996 was not as significant as Nintendo had promised, leaving the public still unaware of the system's software lineup, practical capabilities, and release date.<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Shoshinkai '97: Nintendo Gets in the Games|magazine=Next Generation|issue=26|publisher=Imagine Media|date=February 1997|pages=18–20|url=https://archive.org/details/nextgen-issue-26/page/n19/mode/2up}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|last=Semrad|first=Ed|title=Insert Coin|magazine=Electronic Gaming Monthly|issue=91|publisher=Ziff Davis|date=February 1997|page=6|url=https://archive.org/details/ElectronicGamingMonthly_201902/Electronic%20Gaming%20Monthly%20Issue%20091%20%28February%201997%29/page/n5/mode/1up}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |title=The 64DD Gets Real |magazine=GamePro |issue=102 |publisher=IDG |date=March 1997 |page=37}}</ref> ''Zelda 64'' (eventually released as the cartridge game ''[[Software:The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time|The Legend of Zelda]]'') was seen as the 64DD's potential killer app in the months following the system's unveiling.<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Future Memory|magazine=Next Generation|issue=29|publisher=Imagine Media|date=May 1997|page=46|url=https://archive.org/stream/NEXT_Generation_29#page/n46}}</ref>

On April 3–4, 1997, Nintendo of America hosted a Developer's Conference in Seattle, Washington, where a surprise overview was delivered by Nintendo Developer Support staff Mark DeLoura about the 64DD.<ref name="N64 Dev Conf 1997" />

=== Delays ===
The 64DD is notable in part for two years of many launch delays, which created an interdependent cascade of delays and complications of many other business processes and product launches for Nintendo and its partners,<ref name="Everything about 64DD at IGN" /><ref name="64DD: Broken Promises" /><ref name="Imagineer profile at IGN">{{cite web|title=Imagineer|work=IGN|url=http://www.ign.com/companies/imagineer|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151129171456/https://www.ign.com/companies/imagineer|archive-date=November 29, 2015|access-date=July 21, 2021}}</ref><ref name="DD Date?" /> and the cancellation of Space World 1998 due to lack of completed 64DD software. IGN reported in June 1999 that many called it "the most elusive piece of [[Vaporware|vaporware]] to date".<ref name="a reality"/>

On May 30, 1997, Nintendo issued a press conference announcing the first 64DD launch delay, rescheduled to March 1998 with no comment on an American release schedule. This was reportedly attributed to the protracted development of both the disks and the drive technologies.<ref name="64DD delay at GameSpot">{{cite web|title=Nintendo Says 64DD Delayed|url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/nintendo-says-64dd-delayed/1100-2466742/|website=GameSpot|first=Chris|last=Johnston|date=May 30, 1997|access-date=September 2, 2014|archive-date=February 8, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180208123826/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/nintendo-says-64dd-delayed/1100-2466742/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|title=64DD-Layed|magazine=Electronic Gaming Monthly|issue=97|publisher=Ziff Davis|date=August 1997|page=20|url=https://archive.org/details/ElectronicGamingMonthly_201902/Electronic%20Gaming%20Monthly%20Issue%20097%20%28August%201997%29/page/n21/mode/1up}}</ref> On June 9, 1997, Nintendo and [[Company:Alps Electric|Alps Electric]] announced their manufacturing partnership for the still tentatively titled<ref name="N64 Dev Conf 1997" /> 64DD.<ref name="Nintendo Alps 64DD">{{cite web|title=Nintendo Teams Up with Alps on 64DD|work=IGN|date=June 9, 1997|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/1997/06/10/nintendo-teams-up-with-alps-on-64dd|access-date=September 5, 2014|archive-date=November 5, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141105231835/http://www.ign.com/articles/1997/06/10/nintendo-teams-up-with-alps-on-64dd|url-status=live}}</ref>

{{quote box|align=right|width=25%|quote=We're hesitant to say [the status of the 64DD software lineup, but] if software doesn't come out consistently after we sell the 64DD, we'll be stuck.<br />Don't worry. Feel easy about the 64DD.|source=—Miyamoto, July 29, 1997<ref name="Miyamoto Reveals Secrets">{{cite interview|title=Miyamoto Reveals Secrets: Fire Emblem, Mario Paint 64|date=July 29, 1997|subject-link=Shigeru Miyamoto|first=Shigeru|last=Miyamoto|work=IGN|interviewer=IGN Staff|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/1997/07/30/miyamoto-reveals-secrets-fire-emblem-mario-paint-64|access-date=July 23, 2021|archive-date=November 5, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131105020648/http://www.ign.com/articles/1997/07/30/miyamoto-reveals-secrets-fire-emblem-mario-paint-64|url-status=live}}</ref>}}
On June 18, 1997, at the E3 pre-show press conference, the company lacked even a prototype unit to display, while Howard Lincoln stated that the company wouldn't release the device until sufficient numbers of software releases support it. Reportedly featuring at least twenty games in development including ''[[Software:Donkey Kong 64|Donkey Kong 64]]'' and the sequel to ''Super Mario 64'', the device retained its projected Japanese launch window of "at least" March 1998, and received its first American launch window of early 1998.<ref name="Donkey Kong 64 Jumps to DD" />  Also at the show, Nintendo confirmed that the 64DD would have Internet capability,<ref>{{cite magazine|title=News Bits|magazine=GamePro|issue=108|publisher=IDG|date=September 1997|page=22|url=https://archive.org/details/gamepro-issue-108-september-1997/page/n25/mode/1up}}</ref> and Nintendo's main game designer, Shigeru Miyamoto, speculated that its launch games could be ''[[Software:SimCity 64|SimCity 64]]'', ''Mario Artist'', ''Pocket Monsters'', and ''[[Software:Mother 3|Mother 3]]''.<ref name="npinterview">{{cite interview|first1=Takao|last1=Imamura|first2=Shigeru|last2=Miyamoto|magazine=Nintendo Power|date=August 1997|title=Pak Watch E3 Report "The Game Masters"|pages=104–105|publisher=Nintendo|url=https://archive.org/details/nintendo-power-issue-099-august-1997/page/n113/mode/2up}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|title=Shigeru Miyamoto: Mario 2 Might Be Ready Next Year|magazine=Electronic Gaming Monthly|issue=98|publisher=Ziff Davis|date=September 1997|page=78|url=https://archive.org/details/ElectronicGamingMonthly_201902/Electronic%20Gaming%20Monthly%20Issue%20098%20%28September%201997%29/page/n78/mode/1up}}</ref>

At Space World from November 21–24, 1997, the 64DD was shown prominently but its delay was extended from March 1998 to June 1998,<ref name="Tough Talk"/> with no mention of an international launch. ''Next Generation'' magazine observed the attendees and the demonstrations, finding no appeal to the US market from any current 64DD software, which was mainly ''Mario Artist'' and ''[[Software:Pokémon Stadium#Pocket Monsters' Stadium|Pocket Monsters]]''. The magazine said "64DD's future does not look good. And whether or not it was ever a serious mainstream contender is now open for debate", and wondered if 64DD would become "just an interesting footnote to the Nintendo 64 story". The magazine, and Argonaut Software founder Jez San, found Nintendo's third-party relations, and the third-parties' products, to be poor with no sign of improving; San said "Rumors have been circulating for a while that recently within Nintendo the main priority has been [...] taking development staff off other games and projects [at the expense of Nintendo 64 and 64DD] to make sure that ''Pocket Monsters'' was done on time."<ref name="NG38"/> Nintendo's presentation focused mainly on first party Nintendo 64 cartridges and the [[Software:Pokémon Red and Blue#Sales|top selling game of 1997]], ''Pocket Monsters'' for Game Boy. ''Zelda 64'' had always been a killer app for the 64DD, but was now announced as lost to cartridge (Nintendo's largest ever, at {{nowrap|256 megabits}} or {{nowrap|32 megabytes}}) because Nintendo said the 64DD userbase probably couldn't support a blockbuster even if launched in June 1998<ref name="Tough Talk"/><ref name="NG38">{{cite magazine | magazine=Next Generation | title=Nintendo's Space World 1997 | date=February 1998 | issue=38 | url=https://archive.org/details/NextGeneration38Feb1998/page/n23/mode/2up | access-date=August 6, 2022}}</ref><ref name="GS History of Zelda">{{cite web|url=http://www.gamespot.com/gamespot/features/video/hist_zelda/page14.html |work=History of Zelda |title=The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time |publisher=GameSpot |first1=Andrew |last1=Vestal |first2=Cliff |last2=O'Neill |first3=Brad |last3=Shoemaker |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130204141027/http://www.gamespot.com/gamespot/features/video/hist_zelda/page14.html |archive-date=February 4, 2013}}</ref><ref name="GamePro Issue 103">{{Cite book|url=https://archive.org/details/GamePro_Issue_103_Volume_09_Number_04_1997-04_IDG_Publishing_US/page/n105/mode/2up|title=The Legend of Zelda 64|publisher=Gamepro|year=1997|pages=102}}</ref> and because 64DD floppy disk speed cannot continuously stream 500 motion-captured character animations throughout gameplay as only a cartridge can.<ref name="Iwata Asks OoT 3D Original">{{cite interview|url=http://iwataasks.nintendo.com/interviews/#/3ds/zelda-ocarina-of-time/1/4 |title=Iwata Asks : The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D : What We Couldn't Do with The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time |interviewer=Satoru Iwata |first1=Toshio |last1=Iwawaki |first2=Eiji |last2=Aonuma |subject-link2=Eiji Aonuma |first3=Takumi |last3=Kawagoe |first4=Yoshiaki |last4=Koizumi |subject-link4=Yoshiaki Koizumi |first5=Toru |last5=Osawa |publisher=[[Company:Nintendo|Nintendo]] |access-date=February 4, 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150725233103/http://iwataasks.nintendo.com/interviews/ |archive-date=July 25, 2015 }}</ref>

George Harrison, vice president of Nintendo of America, described the logistics of the 64DD launch delays:<ref name="Tough Talk">{{cite interview | first=George | last=Harrison | interviewer=Neil West | title=Tough Talk With Nintendo | date=April 9, 1997 | publisher=Next Generation | url=http://www.next-generation.com/specials/112797.chtml | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19980204091831/http://www.next-generation.com/specials/112797.chtml | archive-date=February 4, 1998 | access-date=March 10, 2018}}</ref>

{{blockquote | quote=Certainly [64DD] hasn't been sidelined, it's still in the starting gate.<ref name="NG38"/> [Nintendo can't guarantee that the 64DD will launch in the US in 1998], but what we can say is that it will launch when it is ready and when we have a compelling piece of software for it. But it's an accessory and we all know the history of selling add-ons in this marketplace, and to be successful we'd have to get a 60%-to-80% penetration of this 64DD into the installed base of N64 to be considered a success. We can't just have 10% or 20% of people buy it, otherwise it wouldn't make any sense to continue software support for it.<ref name="Tough Talk"/>}}

In a December 1997 interview with Shigeru Miyamoto and Shigesato Itoi, Miyamoto confessed the difficulty of repeatedly attempting to describe and justify the long-promised potential of the mysterious peripheral to a curious public. He said that it "would have been easier to understand if the DD was already included when the N64 first came out. It's getting harder to explain after the fact. (laughs)" To illustrate the fundamental significance of the 64DD to all game development at Nintendo, Itoi said, "I came up with a lot of ideas because of the 64DD. All things start with the 64DD. There are so many ideas I wouldn't have been allowed to come up with if we didn't have the 64DD." Miyamoto concluded, "Almost every new project for the N64 is based on the 64DD. ... we'll make the game on a cartridge first, then add the technology we've cultivated to finish it up as a full-out 64DD game."<ref name="The 64Dream Dec 1997">{{cite magazine|title=A friendly discussion between the "Big 2" (translated text)|url=https://yomuka.wordpress.com/2013/03/29/itoi-miyamoto-interview-64dd/|magazine=The 64 Dream|subject-link1=Shigeru Miyamoto|subject-link2=Shigesato Itoi|first1=Shigeru|last1=Miyamoto|first2=Shigesato|last2=Itoi|date=December 1997|page=91|access-date=January 14, 2015|archive-date=January 14, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150114032258/https://yomuka.wordpress.com/2013/03/29/itoi-miyamoto-interview-64dd/|url-status=live}}</ref> By 1998, IGN optimistically expected all major Nintendo 64 cartridge games to have software support for an impending expansion disk. Known third-party 64DD developers included Konami, Culture Brain, Seta, Japan System Supply, Titus, Infogrames, Rare, Paradigm Entertainment, Ocean, and Factor 5.<ref name="Nintendo's Internet Connection" /><ref name="64DD: The Games" />

{{quote box|align=right|width=25%|quote=Despite NCL's confident announcements, we still suggest gamers looking to import the drive shouldn't hold their breath. Nintendo's 64DD delay track record still has a few openings for more entries.|source=—IGN, April 8, 1999<ref name="DD Date?" />}}
More delays were subsequently announced. The American launch was delayed to late 1998.<ref name="The 64DD: Nintendo's Disk Drive" /> The Japanese launch was delayed to June 1998, later adjusted by the apologetic announcement on April 3, 1998, that it would launch "within the year".<ref name="IGN 64DD delay April 3, 1998">{{cite web|title=NCL Officially Confirms 64DD Delay in Japan|date=April 3, 1998|work=IGN|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/1998/04/04/ncl-officially-confirms-64dd-delay-in-japan|access-date=February 6, 2015|archive-date=February 6, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150206111438/http://www.ign.com/articles/1998/04/04/ncl-officially-confirms-64dd-delay-in-japan|url-status=live}}</ref> The 64DD was conspicuously absent from E3 1998, having been briefly described the prior day as "definitely not" launching in 1998 and "questionable" in 1999, which ''Next Generation'' magazine interpreted as being "as close to 'dead' as we can imagine".<ref name="Next Generation #44">{{cite magazine|title=E3: That was the show that was|magazine=Next Generation|issue=44|date=August 1998|pages=20–21|url=https://archive.org/stream/ng_unedited/ng_44_unedited#page/n41/mode/2up|access-date=December 14, 2015}}</ref> IGN pessimistically explained that the peripheral's launch delays were so significant, and Nintendo's software library was so dependent upon the 64DD, that this lack of launchable software also caused Nintendo to entirely cancel Space World for 1998.<ref name="DD Date?">{{cite web|title=DD Date?|work=IGN|date=April 8, 1999|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/1999/04/09/dd-date|access-date=August 13, 2020|archive-date=September 15, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200915154430/https://www.ign.com/articles/1999/04/09/dd-date|url-status=live}}</ref>

On April 8, 1999, IGN announced Nintendo's latest delayed launch date of 64DD and the nearly complete ''Mario Artist'', as June 1999.<ref name="DD Date?" /> Demonstrated at the May 1999 E3 as what IGN called an "almost forgotten visitor", there was no longer a plan for release outside Japan, and its launch in Japan was still withheld by the lack of completed launch games.<ref name="64DD Makes an Appearance">{{cite web|title=64DD Makes an Appearance|date=May 13, 1999|work=IGN|url=http://ign64.ign.com/news/8040.html|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010803212131/http://ign64.ign.com/news/8040.html|archive-date=August 3, 2001|access-date=November 20, 2015}}</ref> In June 1999, IGN reported that month's completion of Randnet and the modem, as having "breathed new life into what many have called the most elusive piece of vaporware to date". IGN said Nintendo "is surprisingly confident about the 64DD and is predicting to sell the full initial shipment of 500,000 before year's end".<ref name="a reality"/>

As of Space World 1999 in August, Nintendo had set Randnet's launch date at December 1, 1999, but reportedly had not yet set a launch date for the 64DD.<ref name="Inside Randnet" /> The 64DD pre-order program had been recently announced for mid-September, and was now delayed to November or December.<ref name="Core99day1"/> ''Earthbound 64'', which IGN cynically called "in development for nearly 1,000 years",<ref name="Mother 3 Pushed Back">{{cite web|title=Mother 3 Pushed Back|website=IGN|date=March 22, 2000|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2000/03/23/mother-3-pushed-back|access-date=August 14, 2020|archive-date=September 19, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200919065557/https://www.ign.com/articles/2000/03/23/mother-3-pushed-back|url-status=live}}</ref> had been heavily anticipated inside the company and globally as a crucial 64DD launch game, but the sudden announcement of its release being retargeted from disk to {{nowrap|32 megabyte}} cartridge plus expansion disk was interpreted by IGN as unsurprising and as a sign of possible further delay or cancellation of the 64DD.<ref name="Earthbound 64 cancel" /><ref name="Mother 3 Pushed Back" /> Nintendo's 64DD booth demonstrated eight launch games, including ''DT Bloodmasters'' with a data transfer (DT) cable from Game Boy Color to 64DD.<ref name="Core99day1">{{cite web | title=Spaceworld 99: Day One | first=Dennis | last=Day | url=http://www.coremagazine.com/features/7.php3 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19991124063805/http://www.coremagazine.com/features/7.php3 | archive-date=November 24, 1999 | access-date=September 25, 2022}}</ref><ref name="What's DT, you ask?"/><ref name="64DD Lineup Exposed"/> Nintendo listed many more 64DD games in development.<ref name="64DD Lineup Exposed"/> Randnet had recently been announced and was being tested in Japan.<ref name="Core99day1"/>

=== Launch ===
The 64DD was launched on December 13, 1999, exclusively in {{wipe|Japan}},<ref name="64DD Kotaku" /> as a package called the Randnet Starter Kit including six games bimonthly through the mail, and one year of Internet service. ''Core Magazine'' and IGN reported Nintendo's stated initial retail shipment of 500,000 units.<ref name="a reality">{{cite web | title=Internet Access for the N64 is a Reality | author=IGN staff | date=June 15, 1999 | url=https://www.ign.com/articles/1999/06/16/internet-access-for-the-n64-is-a-reality | access-date=September 28, 2022 | archive-date=September 29, 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220929074754/https://www.ign.com/articles/1999/06/16/internet-access-for-the-n64-is-a-reality | url-status=live }}</ref>

Anticipating that its long-planned peripheral would become a commercial failure, Nintendo initially sold the Randnet Starter Kit via mail order.<ref name="64DD: Broken Promises" /> Later, very limited quantities of the individual 64DD and games were released to stores.

=== Discontinuation ===
On August 25, 2000, Space World was signified by the launches of the GameCube and Game Boy Advance, and by what IGN considered to be the unofficial discontinuation of the 64DD, jokingly calling it "DeaDD". According to IGN, "Nintendo did not speak about 64DD during its opening speech, nor did the hardware itself have any booth presence. In fact, the unofficial 'No 64DD!' policy seemed to be enforced by Nintendo so brutally that had we even muttered the name of the hardware, we would have probably been tossed out of the show."<ref name="DeaDD">{{cite web|title=DeaDD|date=August 25, 2000|work=IGN|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2000/08/26/deadd|access-date=July 23, 2021|archive-date=July 24, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210724105322/https://www.ign.com/articles/2000/08/26/deadd|url-status=live}}</ref>

In October 2000, Nintendo announced the impending discontinuation of the 64DD and Randnet, with 15,000 active subscribers.<ref name="64Dream Feb 2001" /> They were discontinued in February 2001. Only ten 64DD disks were ever released, including three third-party games and one Internet application suite. Most planned 64DD games were either released on increasingly larger Nintendo 64 Game Pak, ported to other consoles like the [[Engineering:PlayStation (console)|PlayStation]] or [[Engineering:GameCube|GameCube]], or canceled entirely.<ref name="Everything about 64DD at IGN" />

== Hardware ==
{| class="wikitable floatright" cellpadding="2" border="1" style="border-collapse:collapse; text-align:center; font-size: 100%;"
! style="background:yellowgreen;" colspan="2" | '''Dual storage'''
! style="background:salmon;" rowspan="2" | '''CD-ROM'''
|-
! scope="col" style="background:yellowgreen;" | Cartridge
! scope="col" style="background:yellowgreen;" | 64DD
|-
| style="background:palegreen;" | <small>low capacity<br />4–64&nbsp;MB</small> || style="background:palegreen;" | <small>moderate capacity<br />64&nbsp;MB </small>|| style="background: pink;" | <small>large capacity<br />650&nbsp;MB</small>
|-
| style="background:palegreen;" | <small>read/write</small> || style="background:palegreen;" | <small>read/write</small> || style="background: pink;" | <small>read-only</small>
|-
| style="background:palegreen;" | <small>major production,<br />10–12 weeks<ref name="The Making Of: PlayStation" />{{rp|3}}</small> || style="background:palegreen;" | <small>easier production</small> || style="background: pink;" | <small>easiest production,<br />7–10 days<ref name="The Making Of: PlayStation" />{{rp|3}}</small>
|-
| style="background:palegreen;" | <small>expensive<br />media</small> || style="background:palegreen;" | <small>cheaper<br />media</small> || style="background: pink;" | <small>cheapest<br />media</small>
|-
| style="background:palegreen;" | <small>cheap system<br />integration</small> || style="background:palegreen;" | <small>moderately<br />priced drive</small> || style="background: pink;" | <small>expensive<br />drive</small>
|-
| style="background:palegreen;" | <small>fastest<br />5–50&nbsp;MB/s<ref name="N64 Programming Manual">{{cite book|title=Nintendo 64 Programming Manual |publisher=Nintendo of America|date=October 21, 1996|url=https://archive.org/stream/Nintendo_Ultra64_Programming_Manual/Nintendo_Ultra64_Programming_Manual_and_Addendums#page/n49/mode/2up|access-date=November 20, 2015}}</ref>{{rp|48}}<br />instantaneous</small> || style="background:palegreen;" | <small>moderate<br />503.70–1043.39&nbsp;kB/s<ref name="N64 Introductory Manual" /><br />75 ms avg<ref name="Everything about 64DD at IGN" /> </small>|| style="background: pink;" | <small>slowest<br />300&nbsp;kB/s peak<ref name="N64 Dev Conf 1997" /><br />200+ ms avg</small>
|-
| style="background:palegreen;" | <small>proprietary </small>|| style="background:palegreen;" | <small>proprietary</small> || style="background: pink;" | <small>[[Engineering:Personal computer|PC]]-[[Engineering:PlayStation (console)#Copy protection system|copyable]]</small>
|-
| style="background:palegreen;" | <small>durable </small>|| style="background:palegreen;" | <small>magnetic<ref name="N64 Introductory Manual" /><ref name="Iwata Asks OoT 3D" />{{rp|5}}</small> || style="background:pink;" | <small>scratchable</small>
|}
[[File:64DD-Bare.jpg|thumb|The 64DD, unattached]]
[[File:Nintendo-64DD-disk.jpg|thumb|64DD disk, top]]
[[File:Nintendo-64DD-Disc-Bottom.jpg|thumb|64DD disk, bottom]]
Nintendo designed the 64DD as an enabling technology for the development of new genres of games,<ref name="The 64Dream Dec 1997" /> which was principally accomplished by its three main design features: its dual storage strategy of cartridges and disks; its new [[Engineering:Real-time clock|real-time clock]] (RTC); and its Internet connectivity.<ref name="Why Netscape Almost Never Happened">{{cite web|title=Why Netscape Almost Never Happened|first=Emily|last=Rogers|date=July 13, 2012|url=http://www.notenoughshaders.com/2012/07/13/why-netscape-almost-didnt-exist/|publisher=Not Enough Shaders|access-date=June 13, 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140314191929/http://www.notenoughshaders.com/2012/07/13/why-netscape-almost-didnt-exist/|archive-date=March 14, 2014}}</ref> The dual storage strategy of the Nintendo 64 plus the 64DD combines the traditional high speed cartridges, which are low-capacity, non-writable, and expensive but very fast along with the introduction of proprietary mass storage disks, which are large-capacity, rewritable, and cheap but only moderately fast.

Though incompatible in every way with any other consumer electronics product, the 64DD's magnetic storage format is a proprietary [[Floppy disk|floppy disk]], resembling the large and sturdy shell of the proprietary Zip disk for personal computers.<ref name="The 64DD: Nintendo's Disk Drive" /><ref name="What is the 64DD?">{{cite web|title=What is the 64DD?|work=IGN|date=September 17, 1997|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/1997/09/18/what-is-the-64dd|access-date=November 21, 2015|archive-date=November 7, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171107013743/http://www.ign.com/articles/1997/09/18/what-is-the-64dd|url-status=live}}</ref> Though various prominent sources have mistakenly referred to the medium as being [[Physics:Magneto-optical drive|magneto-optical]] technology, Nintendo's own developer documentation refers to it in detail as being magnetic.<ref name="N64 Dev Conf 1997" /><ref name="N64 Introductory Manual">{{cite book|title=Nintendo 64 Introductory Manual|date=March 1999|publisher=Nintendo of America, Inc.|url=http://n64.icequake.net/doc/n64intro/kantan/step1/index.html|access-date=November 16, 2014|archive-date=December 1, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201210228/http://n64.icequake.net/doc/n64intro/kantan/step1/index.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Iwata Asks OoT 3D" />{{rp|5}} Complementing its proprietary and copy-protected cartridge strategy, the proprietary 64MB disk format was Nintendo's faster, more flexible, and [[Copyright infringement|copy-protected]] answer to the commodity [[Engineering:Compact disc|Compact Disc]] format, which is cheaper to produce but is much slower, read-only, and easier to [[Engineering:PlayStation (console)#Copy protection system|copy]] on personal computers. The most advanced CD technology delivered by the contemporaneous [[Engineering:Sega Saturn|Sega Saturn]] and [[Company:Sony|Sony]] [[Engineering:PlayStation (console)|PlayStation]] game consoles can hold at least 650&nbsp;[[Megabyte|megabyte]]s (MB) of information with a peak 300kB/s<ref name="N64 Dev Conf 1997" /> throughput and more than 200&nbsp;ms seek speed. This compares to the Nintendo 64's [[ROM cartridge|cartridge]]'s 4 to 64MB size and 5 to 50MB/s<ref name="N64 Programming Manual" /> of low latency and instantaneous load times, and the 64DD's 64MB disk size and 1MB/s peak<ref name="N64 Introductory Manual" /> throughput with 75 ms average seek latency.<ref name="Everything about 64DD at IGN" /> The high seek latency and low maximum throughput of a 2x CD-ROM drive contribute to stuttering and to very long loading times throughout a gameplay session in many games, in addition to a much higher production cost, testing cycle, and potential development time for all the potential extra content.<ref name="F5 Interview Pt1">{{cite interview|title=Factor 5 Interview (Part I)|date=February 23, 1998|first=Julian|last=Eggebrecht|work=IGN|subject-link=Julian Eggebrecht|interviewer=Peer Schneider|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/1998/02/24/factor-5-interview-part-i|access-date=January 13, 2015|quote=We immediately liked the N64 because we didn't have to deal with CDs. You shouldn't underestimate what a battle it can be to make a CD game on the PlayStation. You have to fill it; you have to burn it — which takes an hour every time you want to see a new version of your game, you have to work around loading errors, and so on. CDs can be a real pain.|archive-date=January 13, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150113120135/http://www.ign.com/articles/1998/02/24/factor-5-interview-part-i|url-status=live}}</ref>

As an example of variable storage strategies, Nintendo determined that the development of ''The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time'' would be retargeted from 64DD disk format alone, to the much faster cartridge format plus expansions on the cheaper floppy disk, to optimize performance and cost.<ref name="Iwata Asks OoT 3D">{{cite web|url=http://iwataasks.nintendo.com/interviews/#/3ds/zelda-ocarina-of-time/|title=Iwata Asks: The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D|work=Iwata Asks|publisher=Nintendo of America, Inc.|access-date=March 2, 2014|archive-date=May 17, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190517024727/http://iwataasks.nintendo.com/interviews/#/3ds/zelda-ocarina-of-time/|url-status=live}}</ref>{{rp|5}}

Similar in proportion of the historical comparison of Famicom Disk System floppy disks to early Famicom cartridges,<ref name="Virtually Overlooked: Mario Artist">{{cite web|title=Virtually Overlooked: Mario Artist|url=http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/28/virtually-overlooked-mario-artist/|date=August 28, 2008|first=JC|last=Fletcher|access-date=July 14, 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150105133951/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/28/virtually-overlooked-mario-artist/|archive-date=January 5, 2015}}</ref> this disk format's initial design specifications had been set during a time frame when the initial Nintendo 64 cartridge size was 4MB as with ''[[Software:Super Mario 64|Super Mario 64]]'', and a 32MB size eventually became popular over the years.  Nonetheless, the 64DD disk format would serve as significant storage size expansion upon its 1999 launch when 32MB cartridges were the norm<ref name="The 64DD: Nintendo's Disk Drive" /> and on into future years when only three 64MB cartridges would ever be released for Nintendo 64.  The writability of up to 38MB per disk,<ref name="Everything about 64DD at IGN" /><ref>{{cite magazine|title=Nintendo 64: The Start of a Long Journey|magazine=Next Generation|issue=30|publisher=Imagine Media|date=June 1997|page=53|url=https://archive.org/stream/NextGeneration30Jun1997/Next_Generation_30_Jun_1997#page/n54}}</ref> would yield enduring benefits to emerging game genres and social gaming like that of the Famicom Disk System.<ref name="64DD at NWP" />

Many Game Paks retain vestigial detection of 64DD and optional expansion disk, most of which were never released, and proceed as a standalone game.<ref name="Everything about 64DD at IGN" /> Expansions can provide sequels, extra levels, minigames, or store [[Social:User-generated content|user-generated content]].<ref name=GPro92>{{cite magazine |title=Nintendo 'Bulks' Up N64 |magazine=GamePro |issue=92 |publisher=IDG |date=May 1996 |page=24}}</ref> Other storage options include a few kilobytes on the Controller Pak or on a battery-backed Game Pak, for storing basic game status.

In addition to writable storage, the 64DD's real-time clock (RTC) enables [[Persistent world|persistent world]]s according to a battery-backed clock and calendar. Shigeru Miyamoto, said this of the canceled four-year development of the pet breeding game ''Cabbage'': "We're doing it on the 64DD because I wanted to make a clock function, such that even if the power is cut, can still raise the creature."<ref name="64DD: The Games">{{cite web|title=64DD: The Games|date=January 29, 1998|work=IGN|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/1998/01/30/64dd-the-games|access-date=January 25, 2015|archive-date=January 29, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150129025943/http://www.ign.com/articles/1998/01/30/64dd-the-games|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Cabbage at IGN">{{cite web|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2000/04/05/nintendo-still-cooking-cabbage|title=Nintendo Still Cooking Cabbage|work=IGN|date=April 4, 2000|access-date=February 25, 2014|archive-date=February 23, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140223063258/http://www.ign.com/articles/2000/04/05/nintendo-still-cooking-cabbage|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Miyamoto N64.com">{{cite interview|first=Shigeru|last=Miyamoto|interviewer=Peer Schneider and Douglass Perry|work=IGN|title=Miyamoto Meets N64.com|date=November 25, 1997|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/1997/11/26/miyamoto-meets-n64com|access-date=August 6, 2020|archive-date=September 15, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200915160957/https://www.ign.com/articles/1997/11/26/miyamoto-meets-n64com|url-status=live}}</ref>

The system includes a modem cartridge for Randnet, which connected to the Internet and to members-only portal sites.<ref name="a reality"/>

The 64DD has an enhanced font and audio [[Library (computing)|library]], potentially saving space of cartridges and disks. A [[32-bit|32-bit]] [[Coprocessor|coprocessor]] operates disks and transfers data to the console, where the RCP and CPU process data. Like nearly all disc-based consoles, the 64DD has a [[Booting|boot]] menu to operate without a cartridge. The 64DD is packaged with the 4MB RAM Expansion Pak, totaling 8MB. The 64DD [[Software development kit|software development kit]] works with the Nintendo 64 development kit.

=== Accessories ===
[[File:Nintendo-64-Memory-Expansion-Pak.jpg|thumb|The requisite 4MB RAM Expansion Pak is bundled with the 64DD.]]
The 64DD Randnet bundle includes a [[Modem|modem]] for connecting to the Randnet network and the 4MB RAM Expansion Pak. Other accessories include a keyboard, a mouse, and an audio-video capture port (female [[Engineering:RCA connector|RCA jack]], and line in) called the Capture Cassette (or cartridge).

The CPU-powered {{nowrap|22.8 kbps}} software modem cartridge<ref name="Everything about 64DD at IGN" /> was developed in partnership between Nexus Telocation Systems, Ltd. and Surf Communications.<ref name="Surf Technology Integrated">{{cite press release|date=June 14, 1999|work=PR Newswire|author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.-->|publisher=Surf Communications Solutions|location=Teradyon, Israel|title=Surf Technology Integrated Into Nintendo Product|url=http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/surf-technology-integrated-into-nintendo-product-74813337.html|access-date=January 10, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170907081014/https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/surf-technology-integrated-into-nintendo-product-74813337.html|archive-date=September 7, 2017}}</ref><ref name="a reality"/> It is housed on a special cartridge with a port for the included modular cable, which then connects to the network.<ref name="N64 Modem at IGN">{{cite web|title=N64 Modem Caught on Film|date=August 27, 1999|work=IGN|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/1999/08/28/n64-modem-caught-on-film|access-date=January 10, 2015|archive-date=January 11, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150111070701/http://www.ign.com/articles/1999/08/28/n64-modem-caught-on-film|url-status=live}}</ref> It is the Nintendo 64's only officially licensed Internet connectivity product, and the early discussions between Surf and Nintendo to have built a modem directly into the console did not materialize.<ref name="Vidyo & Nintendo endpoints">{{cite web|title=Vidyo & Nintendo enable video conferencing endpoints in every living room|date=November 21, 2012|first=Amnon|last=Gavish|publisher=Vidyo|url=http://blog.vidyo.com/technology/vidyo-nintendo-enable-video-conferencing-endpoints-in-every-living-room|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121127183643/http://blog.vidyo.com/technology/vidyo-nintendo-enable-video-conferencing-endpoints-in-every-living-room|archive-date=November 27, 2012|access-date=January 10, 2015|quote=I was part of a project that involved embedding a software dial up modem into the Nintendo N64 game console.}}</ref>

Coincidentally, an unlicensed third party alternative was produced for America by InterAct in the form of the SharkWire Online system.

== Randnet ==
{{quote box|width=25%|align=right|quote=Recruit and Nintendo Co., Ltd. {{sic|has}} established a joint venture "RandnetDD Co., Ltd." which provides a membership network service through Nintendo 64 and its newly released peripheral device, 64DD in Japan. The joint venture offers several network-based services: web browsing; e-mail services; and publication of digital newspapers and magazines.|source=— Recruit web site, June 30, 1999<ref name="Randnet announcement by Recruit" />}}
In April 1999, Nintendo ended the partnership with St.GIGA which had created the Super Famicom's proprietary Satellaview online service in Japan, broadcasting from April 23, 1995, to June 30, 2000. The company then partnered with Japanese media company Recruit to develop the 64DD's completely new proprietary online service called Randnet (a portmanteau of "Recruit and Nintendo network"). The resulting equity-owned<ref name="Nintendo Consolidated 2001" />{{rp|1}} joint Japanese corporation was announced on June 30, 1999, as RandnetDD Co., Ltd.<ref name="Randnet announcement by Recruit">{{cite web |title=Partners|publisher=Recruit|url=http://www.recruit.co.jp/e-biz/pa/partners.html|url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020822123001/http://www.recruit.co.jp/e-biz/pa/partners.html |archive-date=August 22, 2002|access-date=June 14, 2014}}</ref><ref name="Randnet start">{{cite web |title=Randnet start|language=ja|url=http://www.randnetdd.co.jp/company/profile.html|url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20000229005937/http://www.randnetdd.co.jp/company/profile.html |archive-date=February 29, 2000|access-date=August 11, 2020}}</ref> Operating only in Japan, from December 13, 1999 to February 28, 2001,<ref name="64DD: Broken Promises" /><ref name="Randnet service termination">{{cite web|date=November 22, 2000|title=ランドネットサービス終了のお知らせ|language=ja |url=http://www.randnetdd.co.jp/|access-date=January 11, 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010413234643/http://www.randnetdd.co.jp/|archive-date=April 13, 2001}}</ref> the Randnet service allowed gamers to surf the Internet including a members-only portal, and to share user-generated data including artwork. The subscription fee included the dialup Internet account, 64DD system hardware, and a delivery schedule of game disks by mail.<ref name="Ultimate 64DD FAQ" /> Reportedly, Nintendo and several third party game developers had originally planned multiplayer online gaming as being more important than even a web browser.<ref name="Nintendo's Internet Connection" /><ref name="64DD Loses War" />
[[File:Nintendo-64-Modem-Front.jpg|thumb|The Nintendo 64 modem cartridge was bundled with the system and the Randnet subscription.]]
The Randnet Starter Kit comes packaged with the 64DD peripheral and everything needed to have accessed the service.<ref name="64DD at NOM 1">{{cite web|issue=15|title=Nintendo Online Magazine|publisher=Nintendo Co., Ltd.|language=ja|url=https://www.nintendo.co.jp/nom/9911/02/index.html|access-date=June 23, 2017|archive-date=July 31, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180731143433/https://www.nintendo.co.jp/nom/9911/02/index.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
*64DD: The writable 64MB disk drive system.
*Nintendo 64 Modem
*Expansion Pak: This 4MB RAM expansion upgrades the Nintendo 64's system RAM to a total of 8MB.
*Randnet Browser Disk: This let users of the former online service access the "members only" information exchange page as well as the Internet. Once logged on to the service, players could choose from the following options:
**Editing Tool: Create custom avatars to interact with other users.
**Information Exchange: Use online message boards and share email with other users.<ref name="64DD at NOM 3" />
**Community: Swap messages with the game programmers and producers.
**Internet Surfing: Surf the Internet with the custom web browser, formatted for viewing on a television set.<ref name="64DD at NOM 3" />
**Postcards: ''Mario Artist'' was intended to allow the design and printing of postcards to be sent via postal mail.<ref name="64DD at NOM 3" /><ref name="Randnet content">{{cite web|url=https://ksnk.jp/ddlab/rnet/cn.html|title=64DD研究所 > ランドネットのコンテンツ|website=64DD Laboratory|language=ja|access-date=February 2, 2020|archive-date=September 15, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200915155344/https://ksnk.jp/ddlab/rnet/cn.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
**E-commerce: The GET Mall service sold CDs, books, 64DD games, and peripherals.<ref name="64DD at NOM 3" /><ref name="Randnet content" /><ref>{{cite web|url=https://ksnk.jp/ddlab/rnet/ds.html|title=64DD研究所 > ランドネットからの配布物|website=64DD Laboratory|language=ja|access-date=February 2, 2020|archive-date=September 15, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200915162556/https://ksnk.jp/ddlab/rnet/ds.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
**Digital Magazine: The ability to check online sports scores, weather, and news was planned, but only features related to horse racing were released.<ref name="64DD at NOM 3" /><ref name="Randnet content" /><ref name="Randnet 64DD GS" /><ref name="Ultimate 64DD FAQ" /><ref name="64DD Lineup Exposed"/><ref name="a reality"/>

Nintendo had originally promised these canceled features:<ref name="64DD: Broken Promises" /><ref name="Ultimate 64DD FAQ" />
*[[Engineering:Nintendo Entertainment System|NES]] games: The emulator was completed for downloadable NES games.<ref name="dl NES">{{cite news|title=Downloadable NES Games on 64DD|date=December 21, 1999|first=Yukiyoshi Ike|last=Sato|work=GameSpot|url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/downloadable-nes-games-on-64dd/1100-2440289/|access-date=November 24, 2020|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100427161418/http://www.gamespot.com/news/2440289.html|archive-date=April 27, 2010}}</ref>
*Battle Mode: Play against other gamers and swap scores.<ref name="64DD at NOM 3" /><ref name="Nintendo's Internet Connection" /><ref name="Randnet 64DD GS" /> ''Mah-jongg'' was announced with online multiplayer mode<ref name="A Few Minutes in Mah-jongg School"/> ''DT Bloodmasters'' with online card trading,<ref name="64DD: The Games" /><ref name="64DD Lineup Exposed" /><ref name="What's DT, you ask?"/> ''Ultimate War'' with online multiplayer mode,<ref name="64DD Goes to War"/> and ''Wall Street'' with daily online stock price updates.<ref name="64DD at NOM 1"/><ref name="Ultimate 64DD FAQ"/>
*Observation Mode: Watch other players' game sessions like [[Glossary of video game terms#Ghost|ghost]] data.
*Beta Test: Download sample levels from upcoming games.
*Music Distribution: Listen to music, some of which was yet to be released in stores.

From November 11, 1999 to January 11, 2000, the first round of membership registration for Randnet's Internet service opened to a maximum of 100,000 subscribers on a "first come, first served" basis. The Randnet service was accessible only via a Nintendo 64 and 64DD setup, and the 64DD hardware and games were only purchasable by mail order along with a Randnet subscription; the peripheral was not stocked in any retail stores.<ref name="64DD at NOM 2" /><ref name="Randnet 64DD GS">{{cite news|title=Randnet 64DD Details|first=Yukiyoshi Ike|last=Sato|date=October 21, 1999|work=GameSpot|url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/randnet-64dd-details/1100-2448717/|access-date=November 24, 2020|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090621154630/http://www.gamespot.com/news/2448717.html|archive-date=June 21, 2009}}</ref> It was all purchased at one time by filling out a mail order request form at select retail stores throughout Japan: convenience stores, toy stores, and video game retailers.<ref name="Randnet 64DD GS" /> The hardware was delivered soon and the games delivered as monthly nationwide releases across the following year.<ref name="64DD at NOM 2">{{cite web|url=https://www.nintendo.co.jp/nom/9911/05/index.html|issue=15|title=Nintendo Online Magazine|publisher=Nintendo Co., Ltd.|language=ja|access-date=June 23, 2017|archive-date=July 31, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180731143434/https://www.nintendo.co.jp/nom/9911/05/index.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

The plan was available in two tiers: a purchase plan for users who want to buy only the 64DD to add to their existing Nintendo 64 system, or a lease-to-own plan for those who want both the 64DD and a special edition translucent black Nintendo 64 console.<ref name="Ultimate 64DD FAQ" /> Randnet was launched with monthly payment plans for the service and hardware bundle: {{Yen|2500}} (approximately {{US$|23.50}}) per month for the purchase plan and {{Yen|3300}} ({{US$|31}}) per month for rent-to-own for the first year and {{Yen|1500}} ({{US$|14}}) per month for Randnet service thereafter.<ref name="Randnet 64DD GS" /> The service was accessed at an additional dialup fee of up to {{JPY|20}} per minute,<ref name="Randnet payment">{{cite web|title=スタータキット|trans-title=Starter kit|language=ja|url=http://www.randnetdd.co.jp/apply/index.html|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20000226213125/http://www.randnetdd.co.jp/apply/index.html|archive-date=February 26, 2000|publisher=Randnet|access-date=August 11, 2020}}</ref><ref name="64DD at NOM 3">{{cite web|url=https://www.nintendo.co.jp/nom/9911/03/index.html|issue=15|title=Nintendo Online Magazine|publisher=Nintendo Co., Ltd.|language=ja|access-date=June 23, 2017|archive-date=July 1, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150701183041/http://www.nintendo.co.jp/nom/9911/03/index.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="64DD: Broken Promises" /><ref name="Ultimate 64DD FAQ" /><ref name="Inside Randnet">{{cite web|title=Inside Randnet|date=August 27, 1999|work=IGN|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/1999/08/28/inside-randnet|access-date=July 23, 2021|archive-date=July 24, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210724105321/https://www.ign.com/articles/1999/08/28/inside-randnet|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="DD Pricing">{{cite web|title=Nintendo Announces DD Pricing Plan|work=IGN|date=October 21, 1999|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/1999/10/22/nintendo-announces-dd-pricing-plan|access-date=July 21, 2021|archive-date=July 21, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210721185625/https://www.ign.com/articles/1999/10/22/nintendo-announces-dd-pricing-plan|url-status=live}}</ref> initially local only to Tokyo.<ref name="Randnet 64DD GS" /> The service later eliminated the monthly payment model in favor of an annual prepaid model, at {{Yen|30000}} ({{USD|290}}) for one year for outright purchase and {{Yen|39600}} ({{USD|380}}) for the first year of lease-to-own. The 64DD and some later games eventually became available for purchase directly at retail.<ref name="Ultimate 64DD FAQ" />

As part of the subscription, the game disks were delivered not in the initial package but by mail on a schedule: December 1999 had ''Doshin the Giant'' and ''Mario Artist: Paint Studio''; February 2000 had ''Randnet Disk'', ''SimCity 64'', and ''Mario Artist: Talent Studio''; and April 2000 had ''F-Zero X Expansion Kit'' and ''Mario Artist: Polygon Studio''.<ref name="Ultimate 64DD FAQ" />  The final Starter Kit subscription title ''Polygon Studio'' was suddenly delayed<ref name="Everything about 64DD at IGN" /><ref name="Polygon Studio Lives">{{cite web|title=Polygon Studio Lives|date=June 26, 2000|work=IGN|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2000/06/27/polygon-studio-lives|access-date=July 21, 2021|archive-date=July 21, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210721185617/https://www.ign.com/articles/2000/06/27/polygon-studio-lives|url-status=live}}</ref> and then released on August 29, 2000.

[[File:Nintendo-64-Mouse.jpg|thumb|The Nintendo 64 mouse is bundled only with the ''Mario Artist: Paint Studio'' game for 64DD.]]
One of the most substantial series of games to include Randnet support is the ''Mario Artist'' series, which allowed online users to swap their artwork [[Social:User-generated content|creations]] with others. Contests and other special events occurred periodically. Papercraft was implemented by way of modelling the characters in ''Mario Artist: Polygon Studio'' and utilizing ''Mario Artist: Communication Kit'' to upload the model data to Randnet's online printing service. The user can then cut, fold, and adhere the resulting colored paper into a full-bodied 3D papercraft figure.<ref name="Virtually Overlooked: Mario Artist" /><ref name="Polygon Studio at 64DD.net">{{cite web|title=Mario Artist: Polygon Studio|url=http://64dd.net/modules/games/?system=64dd&type=released&section=main&id=7|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140113081755/http://64dd.net/modules/games/?system=64dd&type=released&section=main&id=7|url-status=dead|archive-date=January 13, 2014|access-date=June 14, 2014}}</ref>

Because the 64DD hardware package was primarily sold with a mandatory subscription to Randnet, the service was fairly popular among the limited 64DD user base. Overall, the service didn't garner enough subscribers to justify its continued existence, and in October 2000, the service's impending closure was announced.  ''The 64 Dream'' magazine relayed a Nintendo public relations statement that there had been approximately 15,000 Randnet subscribers at the time of this announcement, indicating that there had been at least that many hardware units sold to customers.<ref name="64Dream Feb 2001" /> Nintendo offered to buy back all the Randnet-purchased consumer hardware and to give free service to all users from the announcement of closure, until the day it actually went offline.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Byrne |first1=Brian C. |title=History of Nintendo: Volume One (Console Gamer Magazine) |date=4 August 2019 |publisher=Console Gamer Magazine |page=17 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=UZCnDwAAQBAJ&pg=PA2017 |language=en}}</ref> The Randnet service closed on February 28, 2001<ref name="64DD: Broken Promises" /><ref name="Randnet service termination" /> and Nintendo's equity partnership with RandnetDD Co., Ltd. was liquidated from June 30, 2001<ref name="Nintendo Consolidated 2001">{{cite web|title=CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS|publisher=Nintendo Co., Ltd|date=November 21, 2001|location=Kyoto, Japan|url=https://www.nintendo.co.jp/ir/pdf/2001/011121e.pdf|access-date=November 25, 2015|archive-date=November 5, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151105191129/http://www.nintendo.co.jp/ir/pdf/2001/011121e.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>{{rp|9}} to  January 31, 2002.<ref name="Nintendo Consolidated 2002">{{cite web|title=CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS|publisher=Nintendo Co., Ltd|date=May 30, 2002|location=Kyoto, Japan|url=https://www.nintendo.co.jp/ir/pdf/2002/020530e.pdf|access-date=November 25, 2015|archive-date=November 5, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151105191130/http://www.nintendo.co.jp/ir/pdf/2002/020530e.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>{{rp|10}}

== Games ==
=== Released ===
<!-- Deleted image removed: [[File:COMPLETE SET OF NINTENDO 64, 64DD DISKS.JPG|thumb|Nine officially licensed and released games for the 64DD are showcased here.]] -->
A total of ten disks were released for 64DD, which comprise nine games and one dialup utility disk.
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center;"
|-
! Title
! Release date
|-
!{{nihongo|''Mario Artist: Paint Studio''<br />|マリオアーティスト ペイントスタジオ}}
| rowspan="2"| December 13, 1999
|-
!{{nihongo|''[[Software:Doshin the Giant|Doshin the Giant]]''<br />|巨人のドシン1|Kyojin no Doshin 1}}
|-
!{{nihongo|''Randnet Disk''<br />|ランドネットディスク}}
| rowspan="3"| February 23, 2000
|-
!{{nihongo|''Mario Artist: Talent Studio''<br />|マリオアーティスト タレントスタジオ}}
|-
!{{nihongo|''[[Software:SimCity 64|SimCity 64]]''<br />|シムシティー64}}
|-
!{{nihongo|''[[Software:F-Zero X#Expansion Kit|F-Zero X Expansion Kit]]''<br />|エフゼロ エックス エクスパンション キット}}
| April 21, 2000
|-
!{{nihongo|''Japan Pro Golf Tour 64''<ref name="64DD's Lineup" /><ref name="Famitsu Scores Golf">{{cite news|title=Famitsu Scores Golf|date=April 28, 2000|work=IGN|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2000/04/29/famitsu-scores-golf|access-date=August 6, 2020|archive-date=September 19, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200919043555/https://www.ign.com/articles/2000/04/29/famitsu-scores-golf|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Golf Import">{{cite news|title=Japan Pro Golf Tour 64 (Import)|first=Peer|last=Schneider|date=September 1, 2000|work=IGN|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2000/09/02/japan-pro-golf-tour-64-import|access-date=August 6, 2020|archive-date=January 14, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150114231737/http://www.ign.com/articles/2000/09/02/japan-pro-golf-tour-64-import|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="64DD at NOM 1"/><br />|日本プロゴルフツアー64|Nippon Puro Gorufu Tsua 64}}
| May 2, 2000
|-
!{{nihongo|''[[Software:Doshin the Giant#Kyojin no Doshin: Kaihō Sensen Chibikko Chikko Daishūgō|Doshin the Giant:<br />Tinkling Toddler Liberation Front! Assemble!]]''<br />|巨人のドシン解放戦線 チビッコチッコ大集合|<br />Kyojin no Doshin Kaihō Sensen Chibikko Chikko Daishūgō}}
| May 17, 2000
|-
!{{nihongo|''Mario Artist: Communication Kit''<br />|マリオアーティスト コミュニケーションキット}}
| June 29, 2000
|-
!{{nihongo|''Mario Artist: Polygon Studio''<br />|マリオアーティスト ポリゴンスタジオ}}
| August 29, 2000
|}

=== Proposed ===
More than 60 games were announced for the 64DD that ended up being released on Nintendo 64 cartridge format only, being totally canceled due to the system's delays or commercial failure, or being ported to another console such as Nintendo [[Engineering:GameCube|GameCube]], Sony [[Engineering:PlayStation (console)|PlayStation]], Sega [[Engineering:Dreamcast|Dreamcast]], Sony [[Engineering:PlayStation 2|PlayStation 2]], or Microsoft [[Engineering:Xbox (console)|Xbox]].

{{Div col| colwidth=20em}}
*''7th Legion''<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/1997/03/21/epic-and-dma-go-to-64dd-again|title=Epic and DMA Go to 64DD Again|work=IGN|date=March 20, 1997|access-date=February 25, 2014|archive-date=May 24, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140524004017/http://www.ign.com/articles/1997/03/21/epic-and-dma-go-to-64dd-again|url-status=live}}</ref>
*''[[Software:Automobili Lamborghini (video game)|Automobili Lamborghini]] Add-On''<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/1997/04/23/titus-makes-games-64dd-compatible|title=Titus Makes Games 64DD Compatible|work=IGN|date=April 23, 1997|access-date=February 25, 2014|archive-date=May 23, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140523225859/http://www.ign.com/articles/1997/04/23/titus-makes-games-64dd-compatible|url-status=live}}</ref>
*''Cabbage''<ref name="64DD: The Games" /><ref name="Cabbage at IGN" /><ref name="Miyamoto Opens Vault" /><ref name="64DD Pet Projects">{{cite web|title=64DD Pet Projects|date=December 10, 1997|website=IGN|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/1997/12/11/64dd-pet-projects|access-date=July 21, 2021|archive-date=July 21, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210721185624/https://www.ign.com/articles/1997/12/11/64dd-pet-projects|url-status=live}}</ref> (unreleased, influencing ''[[Software:Nintendogs|Nintendogs]]'' and others)
*''Communication Game'' (online game by the development team of ''PostPet'', a famous Japanese email application)
*''Creator'' (later integrated into the ''Mario Artist'' series)<ref name="Creator and Mario Artist" /><ref name="Mario Artist: Paint Studio (Import)" />
*''DD Sequencer''<ref name="Ultimate 64DD FAQ">{{cite web|date=December 15, 1999|first=Peer|last=Schneider|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/1999/12/16/ign64s-ultimate-64dd-faq|title=IGN64's Ultimate 64DD FAQ|work=IGN|publisher=Ziff Davis|access-date=July 21, 2021|archive-date=July 21, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210721185614/https://www.ign.com/articles/1999/12/16/ign64s-ultimate-64dd-faq|url-status=live}}</ref>
*''Derby Stallion 64''<ref name="DS Coming">{{cite web|title=Derby Stallion Coming to 64DD|date=November 24, 1997|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/1997/11/25/derby-stallion-coming-to-64dd|access-date=August 7, 2020|archive-date=September 15, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200915150335/https://www.ign.com/articles/1997/11/25/derby-stallion-coming-to-64dd|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="64DD: The Games" /><ref name="Camera Connection">{{cite web|title=GDC: Miyamoto Unveils Camera Connection|date=March 18, 1999|url=http://ign64.ign.com/news/7393.html|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010610193803/http://ign64.ign.com/news/7393.html|archive-date=June 10, 2001|work=IGN|access-date=November 20, 2015}}</ref> (released on cartridge)<ref name="DS Lives">{{cite web|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2000/08/26/derby-stallion-lives|title=Derby Stallion Lives|work=IGN|date=August 25, 2000|access-date=August 7, 2020|archive-date=September 15, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200915155258/https://www.ign.com/articles/2000/08/26/derby-stallion-lives|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Connecting to the Cube">{{cite web|title=Connecting to the Cube|work=IGN|date=September 14, 2001|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2001/09/14/connecting-to-the-cube|access-date=August 7, 2020|archive-date=November 28, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201128163844/https://www.ign.com/articles/2001/09/14/connecting-to-the-cube|url-status=live}}</ref>
*''Desert Island: No Man's Island''<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.unseen64.net/2008/04/04/desert-island-64dd-unreleased/|title=Desert Island 64 [N64 – Cancelled] – Unseen64|date=April 4, 2008|work=Unseen64|access-date=July 21, 2021|archive-date=July 21, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210721185608/https://www.unseen64.net/2008/04/04/desert-island-64dd-unreleased/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="RPGs! Imagineer's" />
*''Dezaemon 3D Expansion Kit''<ref name="Ultimate 64DD FAQ" /><ref name="Shooter 2">{{cite web|title=Create Your Own Shooter 2|date=October 22, 1999|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/1999/10/23/create-your-own-shooter-2|work=IGN|access-date=August 6, 2020|archive-date=September 15, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200915172641/https://www.ign.com/articles/1999/10/23/create-your-own-shooter-2|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="64DD's Lineup">{{cite news|title=A Look at the 64DD's Lineup|work=IGN|first=Tim|last=Horst|date=February 28, 2000|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2000/02/29/a-look-at-the-64dds-lineup|access-date=August 6, 2020|archive-date=September 15, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200915170940/https://www.ign.com/articles/2000/02/29/a-look-at-the-64dds-lineup|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="64DD at NOM 1"/>
*''[[Software:Diablo (video game)|Diablo]]''<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/1997/05/13/nintendo-nabs-diablo|title=Nintendo Nabs Diablo|work=IGN|publisher=Ziff Davis|date=May 12, 1997|access-date=July 21, 2021|archive-date=July 21, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210721185622/https://www.ign.com/articles/1997/05/13/nintendo-nabs-diablo|url-status=live}}</ref>
*''Digital Horse Racing Newspaper''<ref name="64DD Lineup Exposed">{{cite web|title=64DD Lineup Exposed|date=August 26, 1999|website=IGN|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/1999/08/27/64dd-lineup-exposed|access-date=July 21, 2021|archive-date=July 21, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210721185620/https://www.ign.com/articles/1999/08/27/64dd-lineup-exposed|url-status=live}}</ref>
*''Digital Sports Newspaper''<ref name="Ultimate 64DD FAQ" /> (canceled)
*''Doubutsu Banchou''<ref name="64DD: The Games" /> (''Animal Leader'', previewed on Game Pak<ref name="Partial">{{cite web|title=Nintendo's Partial Space World Lineup|work=IGN|date=July 28, 2000|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2000/07/29/nintendos-partial-space-world-lineup|access-date=August 5, 2020|archive-date=September 15, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200915152819/https://www.ign.com/articles/2000/07/29/nintendos-partial-space-world-lineup|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="DB 2001">{{cite web |title=Doubutsu Banchou |date=January 9, 2001 |publisher=IGN |author=IGN Staff |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2001/01/10/doubutsu-banchou |access-date=August 5, 2020 |archive-date=September 15, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200915150244/https://www.ign.com/articles/2001/01/10/doubutsu-banchou |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="DeaDD" /> and released on GameCube as ''[[Software:Cubivore: Survival of the Fittest|Cubivore]]'')<ref name="Gone to GameCube">{{cite web|title=Gone to GameCube|date=February 11, 2002|first=Peer|last=Schneider|publisher=IGN|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2002/02/11/gone-to-gamecube|access-date=August 5, 2020|archive-date=September 15, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200915154759/https://www.ign.com/articles/2002/02/11/gone-to-gamecube|url-status=live}}</ref>
*''Dōbutsu no Mori'' (''Animal Forest'', released as a cartridge with an embedded RTC in Japan, and later as ''[[Software:Animal Crossing (video game)|Animal Crossing]]'' on GameCube)<ref name="Gone to GameCube" />
*''Dragon Warrior VII''<ref name="GPro92" /><ref>{{cite web|work=IGN|date=January 16, 1997|title=Enix/Sony Update|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/1997/01/17/enixsony-update|access-date=July 21, 2021|archive-date=February 18, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120218114556/http://psx.ign.com/articles/062/062208p1.html|url-status=live}}</ref> (ported and released on the Sony [[Engineering:PlayStation|PlayStation]] instead)
*''DT Bloodmasters''<ref name="Core99day1"/><ref name="64DD: The Games" /><ref name="64DD Lineup Exposed" /><ref name="What's DT, you ask?">{{cite web|title=What's DT, you ask?|date=August 27, 1999|work=IGN|url=http://ign64.ign.com/articles/069/069944p1.html|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041220053459/http://ign64.ign.com/articles/069/069944p1.html|archive-date=December 20, 2004|access-date=January 3, 2015}}</ref><ref name="64DD's Lineup" /><ref name="Connecting to the Cube" /><ref name="64DD at NOM 1"/>
*''Emperor of the Jungle''<ref name="lost per"/> (canceled)
*''[[Software:Far East of Eden|Far East of Eden]]: Oriental Blue''<ref>Nintendo Magazine (France) January 2004, Oriental Blue GBA preview</ref> (canceled, becoming a GBA game of the same name)
*''[[Software:Fire Emblem#Games|Fire Emblem 64]]''<ref name="Miyamoto Reveals Secrets" /><ref name="64DD: The Games" /> (canceled, with plot elements later used on ''Fire Emblem: Fūin no Tsurugi'' for GBA)
*''Gendai Dai-Senryaku: Ultimate War''<ref name="64DD Goes to War">{{cite web|work=IGN|date=August 27, 1999|title=64DD Goes to War |url=http://ign64.ign.com/news/9949.html|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020105102124/http://ign64.ign.com/news/9949.html|archive-date=January 5, 2002|access-date=January 10, 2015|quote=Seta brings a networkable multiplayer strategy sim to the 64DD. ... one of the more impressive 64DD titles at the Spaceworld Expo. ... sequel to the classic System Soft war sims ... Ultimate War supports Randnet competitive network gaming. Up to four players can go to war online.}}</ref><ref name="Ultimate 64DD FAQ" /><ref name="64DD Lineup Exposed" /><ref name="64DD's Lineup" /><ref name="Ultimate War Unseen64">{{cite web|author=monokama|work=Unseen64|date=April 4, 2008|title=Gendai Dai-Senryaku: Ultimate War [64DD – Cancelled]|url=https://www.unseen64.net/2008/04/04/gendai-dai-senryaku-ultimate-war-64dd-cancelled/|access-date=February 20, 2020|archive-date=February 20, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200220100421/https://www.unseen64.net/2008/04/04/gendai-dai-senryaku-ultimate-war-64dd-cancelled/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Ultimate War 64DD cancel">{{cite web|work=IGN|title=Gendai Dai-Senryaku: Ultimate War|date=January 11, 2001|url=http://ign64.ign.com/previews/13209.html|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010401065654/http://ign64.ign.com/previews/13209.html|archive-date=April 1, 2001|access-date=February 20, 2020}}</ref><ref name="64DD Loses War">{{cite web|title=64DD Loses War|date=August 21, 2000|work=IGN|url=http://ign64.ign.com/news/23779.html|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010401065738/http://ign64.ign.com/news/23779.html|archive-date=April 1, 2001|access-date=February 20, 2020}}</ref><ref name="64DD at NOM 1" /> (converted to cartridge in 2000<ref name="DeaDD" /><ref name="64DD Loses War" /> and canceled)
*''[[Software:Hybrid Heaven|Hybrid Heaven]]''<ref name="64DD: The Games" /> (released on cartridge)
*''[[Software:Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards|Kirby 64]]'' (released on cartridge)
*''Mario Artist: Game Maker''<ref name="64DD Lineup Exposed" /><ref name="Get Creative">{{cite web|title=Get Creative: Nintendo wants 64DD owners to create their own games|date=August 26, 1999|work=IGN|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/1999/08/27/get-creative-2|access-date=July 21, 2021|archive-date=July 21, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210721185624/https://www.ign.com/articles/1999/08/27/get-creative-2|url-status=live}}</ref> (canceled)
*''Mario Artist: Graphical Message Maker''<ref name="64DD Lineup Exposed" /><ref name="Get Creative" /> (canceled)
*''Mario Artist: Sound Maker''<ref name="64DD: The Games" /><ref name="Get Creative" /><ref name="Talent Studio (Import)">{{cite web|title=Mario Artist: Talent Studio (Import)|date=August 27, 1999|work=IGN|first=Peer|last=Schneider|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/1999/08/28/mario-artist-talent-studio-import-2|access-date=January 25, 2015|archive-date=January 29, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150129024408/http://www.ign.com/articles/1999/08/28/mario-artist-talent-studio-import-2|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Mario Artist at Pickford Bros">{{cite web|title=Mario Artist: Paint Studio / Sound Studio|publisher=Zee-3 Digital Publishing|url=http://www.zee-3.com/pickfordbros/softography/index.php?game=61|access-date=January 5, 2014|archive-date=December 29, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131229045238/http://www.zee-3.com/pickfordbros/softography/index.php?game=61|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Leaves CD Systems">{{cite web|title=Mario Artist Series Leaves CD Systems Behind|first=Peer|last=Schneider|date=November 21, 1997|work=IGN|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/1997/11/22/mario-artist-series-leaves-cd-systems-behind|access-date=January 5, 2015|archive-date=January 5, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150105143448/http://www.ign.com/articles/1997/11/22/mario-artist-series-leaves-cd-systems-behind|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Sensei Speaks">{{cite interview|subject=Shigeru Miyamoto|interviewer1=Peer Schneider|interviewer2=Matt Casamassina|translator=Minagawa-san|title=Sensei Speaks|work=IGN|date=January 29, 1999|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/1999/01/30/sensei-speaks|access-date=February 1, 2015|archive-date=August 20, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130820235938/http://www.ign.com/articles/1999/01/30/sensei-speaks|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="64DD at NOM 1"/> (split out from ''Paint Studio''<ref name="64DD's Lineup" /> and then canceled)
*''Mario Artist: Video Jockey Maker''<ref name="64DD Lineup Exposed" /><ref name="Get Creative" /><ref name="Ultimate 64DD FAQ"/> (canceled)
*''[[Software:Mario Party 2|Mario Party 2]]''<ref>{{cite web|url=http://jimmy130.free.fr/?Mario-Party|title=Inside The Cartridge|author=Jimmy130|work=Adonf-Jv|date=July 12, 2008|access-date=August 7, 2015|archive-date=March 3, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303212124/http://jimmy130.free.fr/?Mario-Party|url-status=live}}</ref> (released on cartridge)
*''[[Software:Mario no Photopi|Mario no Photopi]]'' (cartridge released without 64DD storage option)<ref name="MnP news">{{cite web|date=December 2, 1997|title=Mario no Photopi|publisher=Nintendo Co., Ltd.|url=http://www.nintendo.co.jp/n10/news/971202.html|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19980205081520/http://www.nintendo.co.jp/n10/news/971202.html|archive-date=February 5, 1998 |access-date=October 30, 2017}}</ref>
*''Mission: Impossible'' (released on cartridge)<ref name="Nintendo's Internet Connection" /><ref name="Next Generation #44 p86">{{cite magazine|title=Nintendo 64|magazine=Next Generation|issue=44|date=August 1998|page=86|url=https://archive.org/stream/ng_unedited/ng_44_unedited#page/n87/mode/2up|access-date=December 14, 2015}}</ref>
*''Morita Shogi 64''<ref name="Ultimate 64DD FAQ" /><ref name="64DD Lineup Exposed" /><ref name="64DD at NOM 1"/> (released on cartridge)
*''Mother 3'' (''EarthBound 64'')<ref name="64DD: The Games" /><ref name="Nintendo Sequel Rumblings" /> (converted to cartridge with expansion disk in 1999, canceled in 2000,<ref name="Earthbound 64 cancel">{{cite news|title=Earthbound 64 (Mother 3) Last Known Details|date=August 22, 2000|work=IGN|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2000/08/23/earthbound-64-mother-3|access-date=August 13, 2020|archive-date=September 19, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200919024158/https://www.ign.com/articles/2000/08/23/earthbound-64-mother-3|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="IGN: cancelled">{{cite web|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2000/08/22/earthbound-64-cancelled|access-date=August 31, 2014|title=Earthbound 64 Cancelled|date=August 21, 2000|work=IGN|publisher=Ziff Davis|archive-date=October 13, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201013064553/https://www.ign.com/articles/2000/08/22/earthbound-64-cancelled|url-status=live}}</ref> then redeveloped and released as ''[[Software:Mother 3|Mother 3]]'' for GBA in Japan)
*''[[Software:Mother 3|Mother 3]].5'' (''Mother 3'' expansion)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/1999/08/14/mother-35|title=Mother 3.5?|date=August 14, 1999|work=IGN|publisher=Ziff Davis|access-date=July 21, 2021|archive-date=July 21, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210721185611/https://www.ign.com/articles/1999/08/14/mother-35|url-status=live}}</ref>
*''Mysterious Dungeon: Shiren the Wanderer 2''<ref name="64DD: The Games" /><ref name="Mysterious SW2000">{{cite news|title=Mysterious Dungeon: Shiren the Wanderer 2|date=October 18, 2000|work=IGN|url=http://ign64.ign.com/previews/10111.html|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010401015910/http://ign64.ign.com/previews/10111.html|archive-date=April 1, 2001|access-date=August 13, 2020}}</ref> (released on cartridge)<ref name="Mysterious SW2000" />
*''Namco RPG''<ref name="64DD: The Games" />
*''[[Software:Ogre Battle 64: Person of Lordly Caliber|Ogre Battle Saga]]'' (released on cartridge)<ref name="64DD: The Games" />
*''[[Software:Pokémon Snap|Pokémon Snap]]'' (released on cartridge)<ref name="64DD: The Games" />
*''Pokémon 64/Pokémon RPG''
*''[[Software:Pokémon Stadium|Pokémon Stadium]]'' (released on cartridge)
*''[[Software:Pokémon Stadium|''Pokémon Stadium'' Expansion Disk]]''<ref name="64DD: The Games" />
*''[[Software:Pokémon Stadium|Pokémon Stadium]] 2'' (released on cartridge)<ref name="64DD at NOM 1" />
*''Project Cairo''<ref name="64DD: The Games" /><ref>{{cite web|title=Project Cairo|date=November 20, 1997|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/1997/11/20/details-on-crave-rpg-uncovered|access-date=July 23, 2021|archive-date=February 21, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170221013409/http://www.ign.com/articles/1997/11/20/details-on-crave-rpg-uncovered|url-status=live}}</ref>
*''[[Software:Resident Evil Zero|Resident Evil Zero]]'' (released on GameCube)<ref name="chief">{{cite web|title=Interview: Capcom chief lifts Resident Evil 0 lid|url=http://www.computerandvideogames.com/79685/interviews/interview-capcom-chief-lifts-resident-evil-0-lid/|website=Computer and Video Games|publisher=Future Publishing|access-date=December 28, 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110511175745/http://www.computerandvideogames.com/79685/interviews/interview-capcom-chief-lifts-resident-evil-0-lid/|archive-date=May 11, 2011}}</ref>
*''[[Software:Rev Limit|Rev Limit]]''<ref name="Ultimate 64DD FAQ" /><ref name="64DD's Lineup" /> (canceled)
*''[[Software:Seaman (video game)|Seaman]]'' (released on [[Engineering:Dreamcast|Dreamcast]])<ref>{{cite interview|url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/miyamoto-talks-about-the-future/1100-2450207/|title=Miyamoto Talks About the Future|subject=Shigeru Miyamoto|interviewer1=Sam Kennedy|interviewer2=James Mielke|translator=Minagawa-san|work=GameSpot|publisher=CBS Interactive|date=September 1999|access-date=July 21, 2021|archive-date=July 21, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210721185609/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/miyamoto-talks-about-the-future/1100-2450207/|url-status=live}}</ref>
*''[[Software:SimCopter|SimCopter]] 64''<ref name="64DD: The Games" /> (canceled)
*''[[Software:Snatcher (video game)|Snatcher]]''<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Maruyama|first=Wataru|date=May 1996|url=https://archive.org/stream/video-games-the-ultimate-gaming-magazine-issue-88#page/n65/mode/1up|title=Snatcher set for the Ultra 64|magazine=VideoGames - The Ultimate Gaming Magazine|issue=88|page=66}}</ref>
*''[[Software:Big Mountain 2000|SnowSpeeder]]'' (released on cartridge)<ref name="RPGs! Imagineer's">{{cite web|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/1998/04/22/rpgs-imagineers-64dd-secrets-cracked-open|title=RPGs! Imagineer's 64DD Secrets Cracked Open|work=IGN|date=April 22, 1998|publisher=Ziff Davis|access-date=July 21, 2021|archive-date=July 21, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210721185618/https://www.ign.com/articles/1998/04/22/rpgs-imagineers-64dd-secrets-cracked-open|url-status=live}}</ref>
*''[[Software:Street Fighter III|Street Fighter III]]''<ref name="Street Fighter III Aims for 64DD">{{cite web|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/1997/03/27/street-fighter-iii-aims-for-64dd|title=Street Fighter III Aims for 64DD|work=IGN|date=March 26, 1997|access-date=February 23, 2019|archive-date=February 24, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190224115819/https://www.ign.com/articles/1997/03/27/street-fighter-iii-aims-for-64dd|url-status=live}}</ref>
*''Super Mario 64 2''<ref name="The 64Dream Dec 1997" /><ref name="Donkey Kong 64 Jumps to DD" /><ref name="64DD: The Games" /><ref name="Nintendo Sequel Rumblings">{{cite web|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/1999/05/12/nintendo-sequel-rumblings|title=Nintendo Sequel Rumblings|work=IGN|date=May 11, 1999|access-date=January 20, 2015|archive-date=February 20, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150220231501/http://www.ign.com/articles/1999/05/12/nintendo-sequel-rumblings|url-status=live}}</ref>
*''Super Mario RPG 2''<ref name="Miyamoto Reveals Secrets" /><ref name="64DD: The Games" /><ref name="Nintendo Sequel Rumblings" /> or ''Super Mario Adventure''<ref name="Ultimate 64DD FAQ" /> (released on cartridge as ''Mario Story'' in Japan and ''[[Software:Paper Mario|Paper Mario]]'' in the rest of the world)
*''Suul''<ref name="RPGs! Imagineer's" />
*''Teo''<ref name="64DD: The Games" />
*''Toukon Road: Brave Spirits Add-On''
*''[[Software:Unreal (1998 video game)|Unreal]]''<ref name="Ultimate 64DD FAQ" /><ref>{{cite magazine|title=An Interview with Epic MegaGames|magazine=Next Generation|issue=26|publisher=Imagine Media|date=February 1997|pages=75–76|url=https://archive.org/details/nextgen-issue-26/page/n75/mode/1up}}</ref> (canceled)
*''Wall Street''<ref name="Ultimate 64DD FAQ" /><ref name="64DD Lineup Exposed" /><ref name="64DD's Lineup" /><ref name="64DD at NOM 1"/>
*''Ultra Donkey Kong'' (released on cartridge as ''[[Software:Donkey Kong 64|Donkey Kong 64]]'')<ref name="Donkey Kong 64 Jumps to DD">{{cite web|title=Donkey Kong 64 Jumps to DD|work=IGN|first=Chris|last=Johnston|date=June 23, 1997|url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/donkey-kong-64-jumps-to-dd/1100-2466865/|access-date=January 11, 2015|archive-date=July 3, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160703045539/http://www.gamespot.com/articles/donkey-kong-64-jumps-to-dd/1100-2466865/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="64DD: The Games" /><ref name="UDK at IGN">{{cite web|title=Donkey Kong Swings to 64DD|date=July 25, 1997|work=IGN|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/1997/07/26/donkey-kong-swings-to-64dd|access-date=January 13, 2015|archive-date=January 13, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150113074206/http://www.ign.com/articles/1997/07/26/donkey-kong-swings-to-64dd|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Dengeki July 1997">{{cite magazine|title=Dengeki|magazine=Dengeki Nintendo|publisher=ASCII Media Works|date=July 1997}}</ref>
*''Ura Zelda''<ref name="64DD Lineup Exposed" /><ref name="Nintendo Sequel Rumblings" /><ref name="Zelda DD: The Other Adventure">{{cite web|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/1998/11/18/zelda-dd-the-other-adventure|title=Zelda DD: The Other Adventure|date=November 17, 1998|work=IGN|access-date=July 23, 2021|archive-date=December 20, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161220000241/http://www.ign.com/articles/1998/11/18/zelda-dd-the-other-adventure|url-status=live}}</ref> (canceled<ref name="IGN: Miyamoto and Aonuma on Zelda">{{cite web|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2002/12/04/miyamoto-and-aonuma-on-zelda|title=IGN: Miyamoto and Aonuma on Zelda|work=IGN|date=December 4, 2002|access-date=October 10, 2014|archive-date=September 20, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220920173910/https://www.ign.com/articles/2002/12/04/miyamoto-and-aonuma-on-zelda|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Miyamoto Roundtable">{{cite interview|last=Miyamoto|first=Shigeru|interviewer=IGN Staff|title=Miyamoto Roundtable: Game designer Shigeru Miyamoto talks to the press about Gamecube, N64 and GBA|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2000/08/29/miyamoto-roundtable|access-date=August 8, 2016|work=IGN|date=August 28, 2000|archive-date=August 12, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160812153604/http://www.ign.com/articles/2000/08/29/miyamoto-roundtable|url-status=live}}</ref> but then released for GameCube as ''[[Software:The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time#Master Quest|Master Quest]]'')<ref name="IGN: Miyamoto and Aonuma on Zelda" /><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2010/08/27/ign-presents-the-history-of-zelda|title=IGN Presents the History of Zelda|last1=Fahs|first1=Travis|last2=Thomas|first2=Lucas|date=August 27, 2010|work=IGN|publisher=Ziff Davis|page=3|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140224173937/http://www.ign.com/articles/2010/08/27/ign-presents-the-history-of-zelda?page=3|archive-date=February 24, 2014|url-status=live|access-date=December 30, 2015}}</ref>
*''Yoshi's Island 64'' (released on cartridge as ''[[Software:Yoshi's Story|Yoshi's Story]]'')<ref name="Q&A">{{cite web|title=Q&A|work=IGN|date=May 5, 1997|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/1997/05/06/qa-10|access-date=October 15, 2017|archive-date=October 16, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171016071338/http://www.ign.com/articles/1997/05/06/qa-10|url-status=live}}</ref>
*''Yousuke Ide's Mah-jongg School''<ref name="Ultimate 64DD FAQ" /><ref name="A Few Minutes in Mah-jongg School">{{cite web|title=A Few Minutes in Mah-jongg School|date=August 27, 1999|work=IGN|url=http://ign64.ign.com/news/9966.html|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020105103402/http://ign64.ign.com/news/9966.html|archive-date=January 5, 2002|access-date=January 11, 2015|quote=Japan's Seta Corporation, one of the few Nintendo 64 developers with experience in creating network games ... There is plenty of speech in the game, thanks to the 64MB disk capacity of the 64DD. ... Mah-jongg School is set to connect to Nintendo and Recruit's Randnet service for additional features, network play and Mah-jongg related online content. 90% complete [as of Spaceworld '99] ... will ship in December 1999}}</ref><ref name="64DD at NOM 1" /> (converted to dual disk/cartridge,<ref name="64DD's Lineup" /> then canceled)
*''Zelda 64''<ref name="Iwata Asks OoT 3D" />{{rp|5}} (released on cartridge as ''[[Software:The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time|The Legend of Zelda]]'')
*''Zelda Gaiden'' (released on cartridge as ''[[Software:The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask|The Legend of Zelda]]'')<ref name="gaiden details">{{cite web | title=First Zelda Gaiden Details Exposed | date=August 19, 1999 | url=https://www.ign.com/articles/1999/08/20/first-zelda-gaiden-details-exposed | website=IGN | access-date=September 25, 2022 | archive-date=September 26, 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220926013155/https://www.ign.com/articles/1999/08/20/first-zelda-gaiden-details-exposed | url-status=live }}</ref>

{{div col end}}

== Reception ==
Rating the overall system at 6.0 out of 10.0, IGN's Peer Schneider finds the industrial design language of the 64DD and its accessories to perfectly match and integrate with that of the Nintendo 64, with no user-accessible moving parts, a single mechanical eject button, sharing the N64's power button, and child-friendly usability.  Installation is said to be "quick and painless", operation is "even simpler", and the whole system "couldn't be easier to use".  Software load times are described as "minimal", where the most complex possible point of the system's library reaches about five seconds.  The site says that the 64DD popularity was inherently limited, due in part to its limited release in Japan, a country which had a limited adoption of the Nintendo 64 and of dialup Internet connectivity.<ref name="Everything about 64DD at IGN" />

Schneider found the combination of the Randnet's web browser and the mouse to provide a "passable surfing experience".  He described the portal's private content as "much too limited", where "[a]nyone who has used the Internet would snicker at the lack of up-to-date contents or tools offered on Randnet". He was disappointed in the companies' failure to have ever delivered certain promised online features, such as game beta testing and music distribution.<ref name="64DD: Broken Promises" /> But it provides new users with a "simple network [which] functions as first baby steps into the vast world of the Internet".<ref name="Mario Artist: Paint Studio (Import)">{{cite web|title=Mario Artist: Paint Studio (Import)|first=Peer|last=Schneider|work=IGN|date=August 22, 2000|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2000/08/23/mario-artist-paint-studio-import|access-date=July 23, 2021|archive-date=September 16, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220916105332/https://www.ign.com/articles/2000/08/23/mario-artist-paint-studio-import|url-status=live}}</ref>

Schneider liked the overall product value provided by the Randnet Starter Kit, including hardware, games, accessories, and Internet subscription. However, the platform's abrupt discontinuation proved to limit the appeal to a per item basis rather than as a whole.  Because these items were sold only as a soon-discontinued bundle, all with such ultimately limited application, he found the disks' cheaper prices to be aggregated back up to the level of cartridges.<ref name="64DD: Broken Promises" />

He found the ''Mario Artist'' series (especially the 64DD's "killer app", ''Talent Studio'') to be uniquely compelling in creative ways that "couldn't be done on any other gaming console on the market", utilizing the disks' writability and "[leaving] CD systems behind".<ref name="Leaves CD Systems" /> As a flagship 64DD game, IGN found ''Paint Studio''{{'}}s well-made art creation functionality to be both a low-cost paint program, and edutainment akin to an [[Software:Adobe Photoshop|Adobe Photoshop]] for kids.<ref name="Mario Artist: Paint Studio (Import)" /><ref name="Mario Artist: Paint Studio Review at IGN">{{cite web|title=Mario Artist: Paint Studio Review|work=IGN|date=August 23, 2000|publisher=Ziff Davis|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2000/08/23/mario-artist-paint-studio-import|access-date=January 5, 2015|archive-date=September 16, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220916105332/https://www.ign.com/articles/2000/08/23/mario-artist-paint-studio-import|url-status=live}}</ref> Knowing Nintendo's stated plans, he supposed that if the platform hadn't been abruptly canceled, Nintendo would have utilized ''Paint Studio'' as a source of [[Social:User-generated content|user-generated art content]] for a substantial library of customizable games.<ref name="Mario Artist: Paint Studio (Import)" /> IGN also called ''Wall Street'' a 64DD killer app, though canceled.<ref name="64DD's Lineup"/>

Schneider acknowledges Nintendo's vision, attributing the system's downfall generally upon the drastically changing marketplace during the several years of delays. He summarized the 64DD as "an appealing creativity package"<ref name="64DD: Broken Promises" /> "targeted at a certain type of user"<ref name="Everything about 64DD at IGN" /> "that delivered a well-designed user-driven experience"—and a "limited online experiment at the same time", which partially fulfilled Nintendo president Hiroshi Yamauchi's "longtime dream of a network that connects Nintendo consoles all across the nation".<ref name="Everything about 64DD at IGN" />

''Core Magazine'' honored the 64DD: "In Japanese culture, there is a concept known as ''[[Philosophy:Mono no aware|mono no aware]]''. While this term completely defies English translation, one of its connotations is that there is nobility in things that soon perish."<ref name="lost per">{{cite magazine | magazine=Core Magazine | title=The Lost Peripheral | first1=Walt | last1=Wyman | first2=Dennis | last2=Day | url=http://www.coremagazine.com/features/21.php3 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20000816071339/http://www.coremagazine.com/features/21.php3 | archive-date=August 16, 2000 | access-date=September 25, 2022}}</ref>

Nintendo reported 15,000 active Randnet subscribers as of the October 2000 announcement of the service's impending closure, implying the sale of at least as many requisite 64DD units.<ref name="64Dream Feb 2001" />

=== Legacy ===
{{quote box|quoted=1|border=none|align=right|All things start with the 64DD. —Itoi}}
{{quote box|quoted=1|border=none|align=right|Don't worry.<br />Feel easy about the 64DD. —Miyamoto}}
New genres of games were developed due to the advent of 64DD's rewritable mass storage, real-time clock (RTC), and [[Engineering:Internet appliance|Internet appliance]] functionality.<ref name="The 64Dream Dec 1997" /> However, the system's commercial failure required many 64DD games to be released on traditional Nintendo 64 cartridges alone, ported to other consoles, or canceled.<ref name="Everything about 64DD at IGN" />

Some of these standalone Nintendo 64 cartridge releases include the equivalent of the 64DD's RTC chip directly on board the cartridge, as with Japan's ''Animal Forest''.   The {{nowrap|4 MB}} RAM Expansion Pak became a sometimes mandatory staple of Nintendo 64 game development, being packaged along with a few cartridge games.  All subsequent Nintendo consoles would directly include RTC functionality.

The concept of the popular multiplatform ''[[Software:Animal Crossing|Animal Crossing]]'' series originated with the 64DD's rewritable storage and RTC. The eventual initial release of the series was adapted to utilize only the Nintendo 64 cartridge format with an embedded RTC, in the form of Japan's ''Animal Forest''. That game was cosmetically adapted for GameCube (with the console's built-in RTC and its removable and rewritable [[Engineering:GameCube#Memory and storage|memory cards]]) with the new name of ''[[Software:Animal Crossing (video game)|Animal Crossing]]''.  All games in the series are played in [[Social:Real time (media)|real time]] [[Persistent world|persistent game world]], with the passage of time being recorded on writable media.  The realtime effect reflects real [[Physics:Season|season]]s, real holidays, virtual plant growth, development of virtual relationships, and other events.  Interactivity between real human players on different subsequent console generations has been enabled through the swapping of various Nintendo consoles' writable mass storage cards or through [[Software:Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection|online]] communications.<ref name="IGN_GC_preview">{{cite web|title=Animal Crossing Preview|last=Schneider|first=Peer|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2002/05/30/animal-crossing|date=May 30, 2002|work=IGN|publisher=Ziff Davis|access-date=July 21, 2021|archive-date=July 21, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210721185611/https://www.ign.com/articles/2002/05/30/animal-crossing|url-status=live}}</ref>

The legacy of what is now the ''Nintendogs'' series originated because of 64DD, in the form of a pet creature breeding prototype called ''Cabbage''. Never released, it had been codeveloped by Shigesato Itoi (designer of ''[[Software:EarthBound|EarthBound]]''), Tsunekazu Ishihara (designer of ''Pokémon''), and Shigeru Miyamoto.<ref name="The 64Dream Dec 1997" /> Its publicized four-year development was fundamentally enabled by the [[Engineering:Real-time clock|real-time clock]] and mass writability, where Miyamoto explained, "We're doing it on the 64DD because I wanted to make a clock function, such that even if the power is cut, [the game] can still raise the creature"<ref name="Cabbage at IGN" /> and with optionally purchasable enhancement data.<ref name="64DD: The Games" /> A subset of creature maintenance functionality is made portable on the Game Boy via the Transfer Pak, to be synchronized back to the 64DD disk.<ref name="64DD: The Games" /><ref name="Cabbage at IGN" /> In 2006, Miyamoto concluded that "the conversations and design techniques that popped up when we were making ''Cabbage'' are, of course, connected to ''Nintendogs'' and other things that we're doing now."<ref name="Miyamoto Opens Vault" />

The concept of a personal avatar creator app which had begun with prototypes for the Famicom was solidified in ''Mario Artist: Talent Studio'' and then has been seen on all subsequent Nintendo consoles. Those ''Talent Studio'' avatars can be imported into select 64DD games including the ''[[Software:SimCity 64|SimCity 64]]'' game. Nintendo designer Yamashita Takayuki credits his work on ''Talent Studio'' as having been foundational to his conception and development of the entire Mii component of the [[Engineering:Wii|Wii]] platform a decade later.<ref name="Virtually Overlooked: Mario Artist" /><ref name="64DD at NWP">{{cite web|title=Nintendo's Expansion Ports: Nintendo 64 Disk Drive|first=Danny|last=Bivens|date=October 29, 2011|publisher=Nintendo World Report|url=https://www.nintendoworldreport.com/feature/27670/nintendos-expansion-ports-nintendo-64-disk-drive|access-date=September 2, 2014|archive-date=October 27, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141027170538/http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/feature/27670/nintendos-expansion-ports-nintendo-64-disk-drive|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Iwata Asks: Wii Sports">{{Cite web |last=Iwata |first=Satoru |title=Iwata Asks: Wii Sports |url=https://iwataasks.nintendo.com/interviews/wii/wii_sports/0/0/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220714150559/https://iwataasks.nintendo.com/interviews/wii/wii_sports/0/0/ |archive-date=July 14, 2022 |access-date=October 5, 2022 |website=nintendo.com}}</ref>{{rp|2}}<ref name="64DD English user document">{{cite web |title=64DD English (Engrish) user document |publisher=64DD Institute |url=https://ksnk.jp/ddlab/supp/en.html |access-date=June 14, 2014 |archive-date=July 14, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714170326/http://ksnk.jp/ddlab/supp/en.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Mii Prototype Development History">{{YouTube|title=Mii Prototype Development History From NES to Wii GCD 2007|id=SbaNZ7IwrxY}}</ref> The game's concepts were reportedly specifically foundational to the characters in ''Wii Tennis''.<ref name="Miyamoto Opens Vault">{{cite web|title=Miyamoto Opens the Vault|date=August 21, 2006|first=Anoop|last=Gantayat|work=IGN|publisher=Ziff Davis|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2006/08/21/miyamoto-opens-the-vault|access-date=January 28, 2015|archive-date=January 28, 2015|archive-url=https://archive.today/20150128164635/http://www.ign.com/articles/2006/08/21/miyamoto-opens-the-vault|url-status=live}}</ref>

The concept of graphical stamps that are seen in various Miiverse-supported games is found in ''Mario Artist: Paint Studio''<ref name="Mario Artist: Paint Studio (Import)" /> and ''Mario Paint''.

The user-creation of graphics, animations, levels, and minigames which are in the ''Mario Artist'' series and ''[[Software:F-Zero X#Disk drive expansion|F-Zero X Expansion Kit]]'' are revisited in later console generations. The idea of [[Software:Minigame|minigame]]s was popularized generally during the Nintendo 64's fifth generation of video game consoles. Some early minigames can actually be created in ''Mario Artist: Polygon Studio'' in the style that would later be used in the ''WarioWare'' series of games.<ref name="64DD at NWP" />  Certain minigames directly originated there, as explained by Goro Abe of Nintendo R&D1's so-called Wario Ware All-Star Team: "In ''Polygon Studio'' you could create 3D models and animate them in the game, but there was also a side game included inside. In this game, you would have to play short games that came one after another. This is where the idea for ''Wario Ware'' came from."<ref name="Nintendo RD1 Interview">{{cite interview|publisher=Video Games Daily|title=Nintendo R&D1 Interview|date=April 7, 2006|url=http://archive.videogamesdaily.com/features/ncl_nintendo_wwiv_apr06_p1.asp|access-date=June 14, 2014|first1=Yoshio|last1=Sakamoto|first2=Ryuichi|last2=Nakada|first3=Ko|last3=Takeuchi|first4=Goro|last4=Abe|first5=Taku|last5=Sugioka|first6=Naoko|last6=Mori|archive-date=February 20, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100220005915/http://archive.videogamesdaily.com/features/ncl_nintendo_wwiv_apr06_p1.asp|url-status=live}}</ref>{{rp|2}}

In 2018, historian Chris Kohler said that as one of Nintendo's "oddest" products, the 64DD is "now a sought-after collectible and a unique piece of the company's long, long history of bold experimentation".<ref name="64DD Kotaku">{{cite web|title=The 64DD Was One Of Nintendo's Oddest Experiments|first=Chris|last=Kohler|date=December 18, 2018|website=Kotaku|url=https://kotaku.com/the-64dd-was-one-of-nintendos-oddest-experiments-1831159196|access-date=September 16, 2019|archive-date=July 2, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190702195037/https://kotaku.com/the-64dd-was-one-of-nintendos-oddest-experiments-1831159196|url-status=live}}</ref>

== See also ==
*Famicom Modem
*Famicom Disk System
*[[Engineering:Sega CD|Sega CD]] - a similar peripheral for the [[Engineering:Sega Genesis|Sega Genesis]]
*Satellaview

== Notes ==
{{notelist}}

== References ==
{{reflist|30em|refs=
<ref name="The Making Of: PlayStation">{{cite magazine|title=The Making Of: PlayStation|publisher=Future Publishing|magazine=Edge|url=http://www.edge-online.com/features/making-playstation/|date=April 24, 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120516003333/http://www.edge-online.com/features/making-playstation/|archive-date=May 16, 2012|access-date=July 21, 2021}}</ref>
<ref name="The 64DD: Nintendo's Disk Drive">{{cite web|title=The 64DD: Nintendo's Disk Drive|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/1998/01/29/the-64dd-nintendos-disk-drive|work=IGN|publisher=Ziff Davis|date=January 28, 1998|access-date=September 2, 2014|archive-date=October 27, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141027203707/http://www.ign.com/articles/1998/01/29/the-64dd-nintendos-disk-drive|url-status=live}}</ref>
}}


[[Category:Joint ventures]]

{{Sourceattribution|64DD|1}}