Ultra 64 prototypes: Differences and a video

[KR155E]

great stuff kev, thanks a lot, i really enjoyed drolling on those pics! :D

[thamasha69]

Wow, thank you very much. Very intrigued by N64 hardware :thumbsup:

[Matthijscoman]

Awesome stuff. I love how you took the time to compare the Apha, Beta and final in such great detail!

Thanks for sharing!

[madrigal]

I think all the changes made from alpha to beta to the final version are good ideas. The final stick is much better than the first one, specially thanks to the 8 angled incaves, also the first versions of triggers are not verry user-friendly (specially for children with their short fingers).

Thanks very much for the nice picrtures and article! I'm really much into prototypes! :clap:

[sayin999]

Interesting. I have always wanted to see the major differences between the alpha and final. I sorta wish they kept the same design for the c buttons(as it makes it a much easier set up for fighting games that use 6 buttons).

So the prototype is fully functional? Have you tested it out on any games to see if the analogue stick makes a major difference in gameplay?

[ASSEMbler]

Sorry, but it's been archived again..

[kammedo]

Sorry, but it's been archived again..

Pretty much too quickly i would say ;).
Hey Kev, seeing you have prototypes of the N64, do you happen have any U64 Ver 1.0 Boards?

[ASSEMbler]

Yeah I do , for sgi.

[JamesMichael]

Pretty much too quickly i would say ;).
Hey Kev, seeing you have prototypes of the N64, do you happen have any U64 Ver 1.0 Boards?

If this prototype has just turned up expect anything next I say :nod:

Ps assembler did you know that you had the Ultra 64 controller or did you just happen to come across it because I imgine you have a lot of dev/prototype stuff you have collected over the years :110:

[ASSEMbler]

Well it was from about.. hmm. 8 years ago, and came in a box of erpom carts, a u64 shell, and a snes test deck. all from a former employee.

[Segafreak_NL]

I recall some article saying that they used modified 3D satty controllers for prototype usage for the N64. Not sure now but I guarentee that that isn't the sole prototype.

That was the Dreamcast.


Nice pictures, I like the close up comparisons. :thumbsup:

[alxbly]

Thanks for posting the photos ASSEMbler, it's really interesting to a N64 fan like myself. I have a few questions which you may or may not be able to answer... so I'll just go ahead and ask!

Do you have any idea why the logo is missing on the original prototype? The only other photos I've seen of this controller are these:




In both photos you can see a Nintendo logo and, judging by the different way it reflects light, I'm guessing it was a sticker or enamel badge.

Also, there's another N64 prototype controller that I'm aware of and it seems to fit neatly invbetween the timeline of two prototypes you've photographed. This is it here:




It has the wide, slightly indented analogue stick like the original prototype but doesn't have the directional indicators on the control stick housing or the recess for the sticker/badge.

[ASSEMbler]

The controller is missing the dome sticker, like the mini ones used on a PC.

[kammedo]

Yeah I do , for sgi.

Scchweeet!!! :lol:
Any pictures? :P

[ASSEMbler]

I'm in the process of packing for moving. I should get to that stuff in amonth or so.

Insert credited
Gizmodo'ed
and Go nintendo'ed

[PhreQuencYViii]

Very cool! I love stuff like this. Do you have anymore funky controllers?

[ASSEMbler]

Very cool! I love stuff like this. Do you have anymore funky controllers?

I do for playstation and 3do.

[TranceDoll]

Great stuff Assembler! Got any Ultra 64 consoles lurking about there? I know the hardware is identical to the final's, but it'd be kickass to see it running. :110:

[kammedo]

Great stuff Assembler! Got any Ultra 64 consoles lurking about there? I know the hardware is identical to the final's, but it'd be kickass to see it running. :110:

Indeed!!! A video would kick ass!

[Christer-swe]

Indeed!!! A video would kick ass!

You're such a nerd ;)