Expansion Pak

• Release Date: 1998
• Genre: Data Management
• Style: Memory Upgrade

Accessory Description

The Expansion Pak is a peripheral that adds an extra four megabytes of memory to the {!Nintendo 64} console. This extra memory can then be used by game developers to offer higher resolution, more animation, greater texture data and visual enhancements such as detailed lighting or expanded color depth. Cartridges that support the Expansion Pak will feature an icon on the right margin of the box along with Rumble Pak or Controller Pak icons. Games released before November 1998 will not be affected by the increase in memory unless otherwise noted on the packaging. The first game to offer limited Expansion Pak support was {@Acclaim}'s {*NFL Quarterback Club 99}, which was released on October 10, 1998. The next three titles to officially support the Expansion Pak were {*Top Gear Overdrive}, {*Star Wars: Rogue Squadron} and {*Turok 2: Seeds of Evil}, all of which were released in the fourth quarter of 1998. The Expansion Pak is designed to replace the Jumper Pak located underneath the front portion of the console. In order to make the switch, users must first remove the front lid labeled "Memory Expansion" and use a small plastic lever (which is included with the Expansion Pak) to lift up the Jumper Pak. Once removed, the Jumper Pak can be discarded and you can fit the Expansion Pak into the empty socket before replacing the small lid. No other installation steps are necessary; games will automatically detect the peripheral once the console is turned on.

Review: Overall

The Expansion Pak is almost essential if you want to experience the breathtaking visuals offered by games that support it. While you don't need the Expansion Pak for the majority of games, Star Wars: Rogue Squadron is a completely different experience without it, as is Turok 2: Seeds of Evil and the numerous games released in 1999. Of course, if there is but one drawback, it's that most developers seem to focus on delivering high-resolution graphics instead of using the added memory for other purposes.

The high-resolution setting can also mean a drop in frame rate for many games that aren't optimized to run at such levels. So users are often forced to make a decision after purchasing a game featuring Expansion Pak support: do you want crisp high-resolution graphics and slower gameplay, or do you want an overall smoother experience and less detail in the visuals? While this is somewhat disappointing, there are a number of games that run very smoothly, such as Top Gear Overdrive and All-Star Baseball 2000. Many other games offer such impressive graphics that the occasional hiccups in action are worth it (Star Wars: Rogue Squadron, Shadow Man and Turok 2: Seeds of Evil, to name a few).

Companies have explored different ways to use the additional four megabytes of memory, however. Rare's Donkey Kong 64, for example, is the first game to require the use of the Expansion Pak in order to run. This means that users won't simply have an option to switch between a normal or higher resolution version of the same game -- the cartridge will take full advantage of the added memory. The Expansion Pak is available as a separate purchase or as part of a bundle along with the game Donkey Kong 64. This will hopefully encourage other companies to explore the many benefits of having extra memory.