As retro gaming continues to prosper, fans of the classics can now see that the world’s smallest N64 is less than five inches wide. Since its debut in 1996, the N64 has maintained its popularity; a classic edition of the system is reportedly in the works, but no release date has been confirmed. With the popularity of the Nintendo Switch and many classic games being available on the handheld system, turning the N64 into a handheld device has fans on their toes.
Other retro systems have made a comeback in recent years, such as the Atari VCS that went through a crowdfunding campaign to aid in its production. Keeping itself relevant, Atari has also been erecting video game-themed hotels in the US, appealing to veteran gamers who grew up with one of the first widely known home video game consoles. The video game industry has made significant strides since the late Twentieth Century, but nostalgia is a powerful force.
Perpetuating the trend of retro systems and games making a comeback, GameSpot reports that the Guinness Book of World Records has designated this tiny N64, which is less than five inches wide, “The world’s smallest modified Nintendo 64 console.” Specifically, the tiny console (created by Gunnar Turnquist) is 3.3 inches tall and 4.64 inches wide. Additionally, the handheld rejigging of the 1996 classic system was made using real N64 components and, thus, utilizes real Nintendo 64 cartridges to play games. Fans interested in a complete overview of how Turnquist crafted the miniature system can check out his video below.
The N64 was one of the greatest video game consoles of the 1990s. From Goldeneye 007 and the original Super Smash Bros. to Super Mario 64 and Star Fox 64, the system was one of the most fantastic in terms of competitive in-house gameplay with friends and family. To recreate such a popular classic as a handheld device could be either an abomination or an overdue modernization, helping the console evolve into a portable gaming device while maintaining its 1990s vibes by using real N64 cartridges to play classic games.
Overdue modernization is likely the more appropriate label, as the popularity of the Nintendo Switch, which has since outsold both the N64 and GameCube, has proven that portability is an important factor when choosing a video game console, especially when getting one for kids. Now, parents who played in the ‘90s can share some of their memories with their kids and get to work showing them what kind of competitions they had during earlier days of the gaming industry. Sure, the N64 games look pixelated and rudimentary compared to today’s standards, but that does not mean they were not spectacular at the time, and it certainly doesn't mean that they're not worth playing today.
Source: GameSpot, Gunnar Turnquist