64DD

The “64” in the name 64DD referenced both the Nintendo 64 console and the 64MB storage capacity of the magnetic floppy disk, while the “DD” was simply short for “Disk Drive” or “Dynamic Disk”.  Even though 64MB of storage was still a fraction of the 650MB storage capability of a CD-ROM, it was much larger than the 4MB to 12MB cartridge that were available during the Nintendo 64’s launch.

Nintendo announced the complementary add-on to their upcoming Nintendo 64 console at the 1995 Shoshinkai trade show.  They provided no technical specifications but said that the unit would launch before the end of 1996.  The system made its first public appearance at the following Shoshinkai trade show in November of 1996 but was now slated for a late 1997 release in Japan with no mention of a North American release date.

At the 1997 Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) trade show, Shigeru Miyamoto speculated that the first games to be released for the 64DD would be SimCity 64, Mario Artist, Pocket Monsters and EarthBound 64.   Later it was revealed that the next game in the Legend of Zelda series would be released for the 64DD.   The system was starting to build up quite the library of highly anticipated games however as time when on the add-on peripheral continued to face numerous delays.

Development of the add-on seemed to drag on and while the system was in development cartridge-based media started to advance.  When the Nintendo 64 first launched game cartridges were available between 4MB and 8MB.  Super Mario 64 was released on an 8MB (64Mbit) cartridge which was very impressive due to the game’s large scope.  The capability of Nintendo 64’s cartridge-based media would improve over the course of the console’s lifespan and would ultimately reach a maximum storage capability of 64MB, matching that of the 64DD’s magnetic floppy disk media.

As the cartridge-based media increased in size games slated for release on the 64DD started to move development over to the Nintendo 64 base unit.   The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time was moved from the 64DD to the Nintendo 64 when 32MB cartridge became available and Mother 3 announced that it would be also releasing for the Nintendo 64 instead of the 64DD, however the game was ultimately cancelled then the project restarted from scratch for the Game Boy Advance.

The add-on started to lose all the highly anticipated games that were in development for the system as it faced an abundance of delays.  Before long there was no longer a need for the add-on device however Nintendo moved forward with the release of the device exclusively in Japan.  The system launched on December 13, 1999, via mail order in Japan as a subscription service with two different offerings.   The system was heavily focused on an internet experience and consumers had the option to sign up for a ¥2,500 a month plan for the 64DD unit with access to the Randnet service or ¥3,300 per month for a 64DD unit and a special black translucent Nintendo 64 with access to the Randnet service.

Both options included the 64DD Starter Kit which included a modem, a modular cable, the 4MB Memory Expansion Pak for the Nintendo 64 base unit and games that would be delivered every few months upon their release.  Shortly after the launch of the unit Nintendo offered consumers the option to purchase a 12-month flat-rate plan at retail locations across Japan for ¥30,000.  After the 12-month period consumers were able to purchase the Randnet service to extend support for ¥1,500 a month.

Only eight game releases and two communication kits were released for the system before it was discontinued in February 2001.   Nintendo only managed to sell approximately 15,000 units and the system was never released outside of Japan.