Ryu's ÛÛÛÛÛÛ» ÛÛÛÛÛÛ» ÛÛÛÛÛÛ» ÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛ» ÛÛÛÛÛÛ» ÛÛÛÛÛÛ» ÛÛÉÍÍÛÛ» ÛÛÉÍÍÍÛÛ» ÛÛÉÍÍÍͼ ÈÍÍÛÛÉÍͼ ÛÛÉÍÍÍÛÛ» ÛÛÉÍÍÛÛ» ÛÛº ÛÛº ÛÛº ÛÛº ÛÛº ÛÛº ÛÛº ÛÛº ÛÛÛÛÛÛɼ ÛÛº ÛÛº ÛÛº ÛÛº ÛÛº ÛÛº ÛÛº ÛÛº ÛÛÉÍÍÛÛ» ÛÛÛÛÛÛɼ ÈÛÛÛÛÛÛɼ ÈÛÛÛÛÛÛ» ÛÛº ÈÛÛÛÛÛÛɼ ÛÛº ÛÛº ÈÍÍÍÍͼ ÈÍÍÍÍͼ ÈÍÍÍÍͼ Èͼ ÈÍÍÍÍͼ Èͼ Èͼ ÛÛ» ÛÛ» ÛÛÛÛÛÛ» ÛÛ» ÛÛ» ÛÛº ÛÛº ÛÛÉÍÍÍͼ ÛÛº ÛÛº ÛÛº ÛÛº ÛÛÛÛÛÛÛ» ÛÛÛÛÛÛÛº ÈÛÛ» ÛÛɼ ÛÛÉÍÍÍÛÛ» ÈÍÍÍÍÛÛº ÈÛÛÛÛɼ ÈÛÛÛÛÛÛɼ ÛÛº ÈÍÍͼ ÈÍÍÍÍͼ Èͼ faq v1.2 ************** About this faq ************** Since the information on the Doctor V64 is fragmented to say the least, I've decided to compile a file containing answers to frequently asked questions, my hands-on experience and other useful info. Future versions will have more info and a better layout. I changed the name of the faq because other 'Doctor V64 faqs' are doing the rounds. With this faq, I try to bundle any Doctor V64 related info that I encounter and hope to contribute to the new scene! *********** What's new? *********** What's new: section: -This 'What's new' section "What's new" -New text "About this faq" -How to transfer bios from V64 to PC "How to..." -How to activate the Doctor V64's selfdiagnostics "How to..." -SRAM use explained "How to..." -Games list expanded & updated "Games" -New tools listed "Tools" -Adapted some answers "Frequently asked questions" -Adapted my verdict "Verdict" ********* CONTENTS: ********* I Frequently asked questions II How to... III Other interesting info IV Games V Tools VI Verdict ******************************* I Frequently asked questions ******************************* Here are some general answers to frequently asked questions. More questions will be added when I receive them. Q: What is the Doctor V64? A: It is a device manufactured by Bung Enterprises. It's primary purpose is to copy and play games in conjunction with a Nintendo64. The Doctor V64 can also play Video CDs, CDIs and audio CDs. Q: What are the specifications? A: The device features an 8 speed CD drive. Included as standard are 128 Megabits (16 MB) of RAM, an adaptor and an audio-video cable used for connecting the N64's video output to the Doctor V64's video input. A special 'game tape adaptor' is included which is to be inserted between the Nintendo64 and an original cartridge. Another adaptor is included which is to be inserted between the N64 and the V64. The Doctor V64 is also said to have SRAM, which stores savegame info. So far, the Doctor V64 uses the SRAM of the cartridge plugged into the 'game tape adaptor'. The Doctor V64's features a flashrom bios and is easily upgradable by parrallel cable or CD. Q: What does the Doctor V64 cost? A: Depends on where you buy it. Around $400 to $450 is the most common price. Q: How does the unit work? A: It uses its internal RAM to store the game data. This data can be loaded into RAM by either the CD-drive, through cartridge or through parrallel cable. After the data is loaded, the Nintendo64 can be turned on. The 'game tape adaptor' routes the signals of the lockout-chip (included in the original cartridge) to the N64 and by doing so effectively 'tricks' the N64 into thinking it is playing a perfectly normal cartridge. The actual game data is provided through the N64's expansion port. Q: Have you encountered any problems so far? A: Yes: Because of the rather loose connection between the combined units, the setup is extremely vulnarable to shocks, most of the time resulting in errors in both the graphics and sound of the game. A good solution is to use a piece of elastic to squeeze the units together. I've had no problems ever since. When I tried to play a PAL CDI, I got a black and white screen on my television, even when the switch at the back was set to PAL. Pressing the 'previous','next','FR' or 'FF' will result in a color display. The newer biosversions will play PAL discs in color the moment 'PLAY' is pressed and the switch is set to PAL. PAL playback is also quite choppy. Haven't had the chance to play anything NTSC yet. There's no known way to use the Doctor V64's own SRAM (if even present) or how to transfer its contents to PC. The flexible bios system may provide a solution for this problem in new bios instalments. Until then, the method described in the 'how to' section will have to do. *************** II How to... *************** * load a game to the V64 from PC: -Turn on the V64 -Execute TPC.EXE on the PC -Enter the filename you wish to send -When the transfer is complete, turn on the N64 to play the game * load a game from CD: -Turn on the V64 -Insert the CD -Press 'play' on the V64 -Turn on the N64 when the game is loaded * backup games: For a 64 Meg game -Plug the cartridge into the V64's cartridge slot. N64 has to be removed! -Turn on the V64 -Press 'FR' and 'FF' simultaniously -When the V64 is ready loading the cartridge, run TPC.EXE -Type '/filename' to transfer the game from the V64's memory to PC For a 128 Meg game -Plug the cartridge into the V64. -Turn on the V64 -Press and keep holding down 'FR', 'FF' and 'CH' until you see 128 Megs are being copied -Run TPC.EXE when the cartridge is loaded -Enter '/filename' and while pressing 'CH' press enter * upgrade the bios from PC: -Turn on the V64 -Execute TPC.EXE -Transfer the biosfile just as you would a gamefile * upgrade the bios from CD: -Turn on the V64 -Insert the CD containing the new bios -Press 'play' * send bios to PC -Turn on the V64 -Run TPC.EXE -Enter '/filename' and while pressing 'MENU' press enter * activate the Doctor V64's selfdiagnostics -Press&hold the 'CH' and 'MENU' buttons when the Doctor V64 is turned off -Power on the Doctor V64 * use SRAM The use of the internal SRAM, if it's even there, is still unknown. However, if a game is loaded into the V64 and is saved to SRAM (not to memory pack!), the SRAM (if present) on the cartridge in the 'game tape adaptor' will be used. This has one disadvantage: your previous saves on that cartridge will be deleted. The big advantage, however, is that you can now use your Killer Intinct Gold cartridge to save those Shadows of the Empire saves on, and use Super Mario 64 for Pilotwings64 saves! Yes, your savegames will be deleted, but so what? Who still plays Mario after having found all 120 stars? And KI Gold has this feature that lets you save the SRAM to memory pack, so any records can be reloaded when you get tired of SotE. Warning!!! ------------------------------------------------------------ While some games will only overwrite the data only when you actually save a game, others will erase it from the very moment you power the N64! To be absolutely sure no precious saves are lost, remove the cartridge holding those saves and insert another *before* powering the N64 ------------------------------------------------------------ Say, cartridge A will hold SotE saves, and cartridge B Pilotwings64 saves. Cartridge A and B both *must* have SRAM. First, you want to play and save SotE, after that Pilotwings64. Here's what you do: -Insert cartridge A into the 'game tape adaptor' -Load SotE to the Doctor V64 -Turn on the N64 -Play & save SotE -The savegame data will be stored in cartridge A's SRAM -Turn off the N64 -Pull out cartridge A and insert cartridge B into the 'game tape adaptor' -Load Pilotwings64 -Turn on the N64 -Play & save Pilotwings64 -In the future, cartridge A and B can be used to restore respectively SotE and Pilotwings64. Just make sure you *never* have cartridge A or B inserted into the 'game tape adaptor' when playing another game which uses SRAM or you risk losing the data. Finally, a game which uses only the memory pack as the medium to store it's savegame data on will not affect the cartridge plugged into the 'game tape adaptor' in any way. **************************** III Other interesting notes **************************** Users of PAL televisions with a RGB-modified N64 also need to setup the units differently then intended; the conventional method results in only the composite video signal of the N64 and the audio to be rerouted through the Doctor V64 to the TV. Even when the PAL/NTSC switch on the back is set to PAL, the signal will still be 60 Hz and will result in a black&white picture on most TVs. There's a simple way to maintain your RGB signal though and this is done by leaving the RGB cable of the N64 in your TV. The video-output of the Doctor V64 can be connected to another TV, or another SCART or A/V socket on the same TV. I've got the N64 connected to SCART-1 socket (extern 1) and the Doctor V64 to the Scart-3 socket (extern 3). This way, I only have to switch between the extern-1 and 3. The A/V signal of the Doctor V64 still is 60 Hz, so you'll get a b&w menu on a PAL TV. This is not important however, because the menu only displays info about the state of the unit (how many Megabits are received, which game is loaded etc.) The adaptor that comes with the system is intended for Chinese sockets. The input has to be 220 Volts, 50 or 60 Hz. In Europe, users can use a special socket, or, as I did, just tape a cable to the pins of the adaptor and attach a plug of your own country to the other end of the cable. Just make sure the pins are well isolated! ********** IV Games ********** So far, the Doctor V64 is known to work with every game released. Let's hope it stays that way! Here is a list of all games currently available. name developer version size save method ÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ Cruis'n USA Midway US 64 SRAM/PACK Killer Instinct Gold Nintendo/Rare US 128 SRAM/PACK Kuiki Uhabi Suigo Seta Jap 64 ? Mahjong Master Athena Jap 64 ? Mario 64 Nintendo Jap 64 SRAM Mario 64 Nintendo US 64 SRAM Mariokart 64 Nintendo Jap 128 SRAM/PACK Mariokart 64 Nintendo US 128 SRAM/PACK Mortal Kombat Trilogy Midway US 128 - NBA Hangtime Midway US 128 PACK Perfect Striker Konami Jap 64 PACK Pilotwings 64 Nintendo/Paradigm Jap 64 SRAM Pilotwings 64 Nintendo/Paradigm US 64 SRAM Proyakyu King Imagineer Jap 64 ? Shadows of the Empire LucasArts US 128 SRAM St. Andrews Golf Seta Jap 64 ? Wave Race 64 Nintendo Jap 64 SRAM/PACK Wave Race 64 Nintendo US 64 SRAM/PACK Wayne Gretzky Hockey Midway US 64 ? Wonder Project J2 Enix Jap 64 PACK Any game featuring SRAM can overwrite the data on the cartridge plugged into the 'game tape adaptor'! Here are official release dates of future games to look forward to in chronological order. Titles indicated with an '!' have a lot of potential. name developer release date version ÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ Virtual Pro Wrestling Asmik Februari Jap Dynamite Soccer 64 Imagineer Februari Jap ! Turok: Dinosaur Hunter Acclaim/Iguana March 4 US Powerful Pro Baseball 4 Konami March 14 Jap Doom 64 Midway March 16 US Blast Corps Nintendo/Rare March 21 Jap Blast Corps Nintendo/Rare March 24 US ! FIFA Soccer '97 EA Sports March 25 US ! Turok: Dinosaur Hunter Acclaim March 28 Jap Blade & Barrel Kemco March Jap Doreamon Epoch March Jap Honkaku Yonin Uchi Mahjong Video System March Jap ! Rev Limit Seta March Jap Wild Choppers Seta March Jap ! Starfox 64 Nintendo April 27 Jap Ikazu no goto ku Seta April Jap Yuke! Yuke! Trouble Makers Enix April Jap Dark Rift Vic Tokai May 10 US Robotron X Midway May 15 US Morita Shogi Seta May Jap Mission: Impossible Ocean June 10 US War Gods Midway June 15 US ! Starfox 64 Nintendo June 23 US Clay Fighter 63 1/3 Interplay June US Hexen 64 GT Interactive June US Multi-Racing Championship Imagineer June Jap ! Shadows of the Empire Nintendo/LucasArts June Jap ! Goemon 5 Konami Spring Jap Goldeneye Nintendo Spring Jap Hexen 64 Gamebank Spring Jap Kindaichi Shonen no Jikenbo Hudson Spring Jap Mission: Impossible Victor Interactive Software Spring Jap Goldeneye 007 Nintendo Summer US Lamborgini 64 Titus Summer US MLB featuring Ken Griffy Jr. Nintendo Summer US ! Perfect Striker Konami Summer US Robotech: Crystal Dreams Gametek Summer US ! Bomberman 64 Hudson Soft Summer Jap Body Harvest Nintendo/DMA Summer Jap Cavalry Battle 3000 Japan System Supply Summer Jap Chameleon Twist Japan System Supply Summer Jap Climber Nintendo Summer Jap Cu-On-Pa T&E Soft Summer Jap ! Dual Heroes Hudson Soft Summer Jap Golf Nintendo Summer Jap Human Grand Prix in Formula 1 Human Summer Jap Human Wrestling Human Summer Jap J-League Live 64 EA Victor Summer Jap Jikkyo Golf Tournament '97 Konami Summer Jap Kirby's Air Ride Nintendo Summer Jap Magic Century Eltale Imagineer Summer Jap ! Sonic Wings Assault Video System/Paradigm Summer Jap Super Power League Baseball Hudson Soft Summer Jap ! Tetrisphere Nintendo Summer Jap ! Top Gear Rally Kemco Summer Jap ! Yoshi's Island 64 Nintendo Summer Jap San Francisco Rush Midway October US ! Top Gear Rally Kemco October US ! Duke Nukem 3D GT Interactive Fall US WCW Wrestling T-HQ Fall US Buggie Boogie Nintendo '97 Jap Buggie Boogie Nintendo '97 US ! F-Zero 64 Nintendo '97 Jap ! F-Zero 64 Nintendo '97 US ! Zelda 64 (64DD?) Nintendo '97 Jap ! Zelda 64 (64DD?) Nintendo '97 US Actua Golf Nintendo '97 US ! Body Harvest Nintendo/DMA '97 US ! Command and Conquer Virgin '97 US Condemned Acclaim '97 US Crazy Cars Titus '97 US Creator Nintendo '97 US Cruis'n World Midway '97 US Deadly Honor TecMagik '97 US Freak Boy Virgin '97 US Hed Ubi Soft '97 US Joust X Midway '97 US Lode Runner 64 Bandai '97 US Mr. Tank GT Interactive '97 US ! Quake 64 Midway '97 US Quarterback Club '98 Acclaim '97 US Raze Interplay '97 US Rotor Gunners TecMagik '97 US Space Station: Silicon Valley BMG Entertainment '97 US ! Tetrisphere Nintendo '97 US ! Turok 2 Acclaim '97 US Ultra Combat GT Interactive '97 US Ultra Descent Interplay '97 US Ultimate Racer Acclaim '97 US WWF Wrestling Acclaim '97 US ! Yoshi's Island 64 Nintendo '97 US Great Emperor of the Jungle Nintendo Spring 98 Jap Battle Sport 2 3DO ? US Body Count Nintendo ? Jap ! Contra 64 Konami ? Jap Dead Ahead Optical ? Jap ! Donkey Kong Country 64 Nintendo/Rare ? US Freak Boy Virgin ? Jap Jungle Strike 64 Electronic Arts ? Jap ! Jurassic Park 2: US The Lost World Dreamworks ? US ! Metroid 64 Nintendo ? Jap ! Earthbound 64 (Mother 3) Nintendo/APE ? Jap Final Round 64 (Golf) Konami ? US POD Ubisoft ? US Red Baron Sierra ? Jap ! Super Mario RPG 2 Nintendo ? Jap ! Super Mario 64 2 Nintendo ? Jap VR Golf Interplay ? US ********** V Tools ********** Here's a list of all known Doctor V64/N64 tools and biosversions released so far: name remarks ÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ Doctor V64 bios v1.01 VCD playback only Doctor V64 bios v1.02G Doctor V64 bios v1.03 + up/download games Doctor V64 bios v1.04G Doctor V64 bios v1.05 + improved (?) PAL VCD playback, file transfer errors fixed, faster transfer Doctor V64 bios v1.05G Doctor V64 bios v1.08G improved PAL VCD playback? Doctor V64 bios v1.09G Doctor V64 bios v1.10G TPC upload/download tool v1.0 Needed to backup games Cart Identifier v0.2 (PC & Amiga executables) Info about N64 images Cart Identifier v0.3 (PC & Amiga executables) Info about N64 images Disassembler v1.0 Windows95/NT enhanced version Disassembler v.8 beta for N64 images MS-DOS version N64SHELL lightbar RS232 loader Lightbar controlled transfer program, also displays full gamename Cart header converter for GD64 files VD64 image header editor N64INFO Info about N64 images HS2DOC v0.2 N64 image converter N64 name editor 0.1 Win95/NT cart header editor ************ VI Verdict ************ The Doctor V64 is one cool device that lets you play any game out there right now. Through the clever use of an upgradable bios and the 'game tape adaptor' this copier has the ability to adapt to protective measures Nintendo may apply to their games in the future, such as new lockout-chips. The games themselves run perfectly, with absolutely no difference between the cartridge and the copied version. Although the loading times are quite long through parrallel cable, 40 Megs per minute, the results are well worth it! Another option is to burn the game to CD, which should result in a loading time of about 10 seconds for a 64 Meg game. So far, the bios only supports one file per CD though. Rumors indicate a new bios, version 1.1, is about to be released which supports multiple files. As an MPEG player, the Doctor V64 scores low in my opinion because of the choppy playback of PAL CDs. As a games copier, it is almost perfect. Almost, I say, because you need a seperate cartridge with SRAM for every game which saves you want to keep. For those of us which already have a nice collection of cartridges, this may not be such a problem. On the other hand, those with only Mario, for example, will lose their Mario saves and also all other data saved on that cartridge when a new SRAM-using game is played and saved. Despite all this. I heavily recommend this unit to any self-respecting gamer. The initial investment may be a bit steep, but it will be more than worth it. Buy this sucker! -Ryu ___ ___ /__ /\ /__ /| ÚÄ | \ \ | | | ÃÄ¿³ | \ \| | | ÀÄÙÀÄ´ | |\ \ | | | | | |\ | | | | | | \ | | |___|/ \___|/ ________________________________________ -------ÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ--------