this post was submitted on 20 Oct 2025
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Question about N64 and region locking. (lemmy.dbzer0.com)
submitted 2 months ago by neon_nova@lemmy.dbzer0.com to c/retrogaming@lemmy.world
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I recently visited my parents in the US. I keep my retro console collection here and my N64 was missing. So was my Atari Jaguar.

I am still a bit bummed about the N64, but no one is admitting to taking it even though it clearly was taken out of the storage box. Sorry for the rant.

Anyway, I’ll be going to Japan next month and want to replace the console. I figured I can get a decent price on it there.

I looked up region locking and some places say there is a lockout chip and others say you just need to replace the tray.

It will be used to play US N64 games. Can someone offer some guidance on this?

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[–] Mozingo@lemmy.world 20 points 2 months ago (1 children)

I haven't actually done it, but I have programmed n64 games. From what I understand only the PAL version has the chip, which makes sense since games have to run on different timings. The Japanese and US N64 are identical in hardware, there's just those two plastic tabs on the tray that prevent the "wrong" cart from being inserted, so the tray is the only mod you need to do.

[–] neon_nova@lemmy.dbzer0.com 8 points 2 months ago

Thanks! That clears it up a ton.

My whole life I thought it was just a tray swap, I was confused to hear about the lockout chip.