=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= N64 Passport Plus III Mini-FAQ By Olly Dean, olly@nekofever.com This document (c) 2001 Oliver Dean N64 (c) Nintendo Co Ltd =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= THIS DOCUMENT MAY BE USED FOR FREE ON THE INTERNET AS LONG AS IT IS UNCHANGED, NOT USED FOR PROFIT, OR USED WITHOUT EMAILED PERMISSION FROM THE AUTHOR (olly@nekofever.com). IF YOU ARE FOUND TO BE IN VIOLATION OF THESE GUIDELINES LEGAL ACTION WILL BE TAKEN. =-=-=-=-=-=-= 1.1 CONTENTS =-=-=-=-=-=-= 1.1 CONTENTS 2 WHAT IS THE N64 PASSPORT? 3 WHERE CAN I GET ONE? 2.1 INSTRUCTIONS 2 BOOT CODES 3 ENTERING/SELECTING BOOT CODES 4 BOOT CARTRIDGES 5 ACTION REPLAY CODES 6 TROUBLESHOOTING 3.1 CONTACT ME =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= 1.2 WHAT IS THE N64 PASSPORT? =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= The N64 Passport is a converter cartridge for the Nintendo 64 (N64). It allows foreign games to be played on N64s from other regions such as PAL games (from Europe, Africa, and Australia) to be played on NTSC machines (US and Japan) and vice versa. The Passport Plus III is the latest version of the convertor which comes with a built-in Action Replay (GameShark in the US) cheat cartridge. Unlike earlier convertors and previous versions of the Passport, this version will play every game on the N64 from every region with no side-effects such as bordering or 'ghosting' (a second 'ghost' image appearing on-screen giving a blurred effect). Also, now that the N64 is entering it's twilight years, developers don't seem to bother with protections to prevent convertors any more, so you should never have to upgrade it. As above, the cart has an Action Replay cheat cartridge included, which is a big bonus for the £30 (approximately) price tag. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= 1.2 WHERE CAN I GET ONE? =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= There are many places to get one, just try your local import shop and if that doesn't work just type 'N64 Passport' into any search engine on the Internet. Try to order from reputable online dealers, though. I would recommend buying one on the Internet from Computer Exchange which is located in the UK at http://www.cex.co.uk. They are very reliable and the Passport only costs £24.99 (approximately $36). Another good UK-based retailer is CA Games which can be found at http://www.cagames.co.uk or telephoned at +44 0141 344 3901. It is £24.99 here, too. -------------------- =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= 2.1 INSTRUCTIONS =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= If you've bought the Passport you will no doubt be left very confused by the instructions. They've obviously been written by someone with the English skills of a 2-year-old. The manual says 'Instruction Menu' on the front for christ's sake! The diagram on the back of the box is adequate but if you want a diagram done by someone with a decent grasp of English go here: http://www1.cex.co.uk/images/features/passport_instructions.gif The basic operations are very easy, though. Here is how to make your Passport play imports. For instructions on the built-in Action Replay, look for a Gameshark FAQ in the N64 section at GameFAQs.com, but you shouldn't need it: it's not difficult and you can basically just use these instructions - just use your common sense. 1) Make sure your N64 is turned off otherwise you could have wiped saves, damaged components, etc. 2) Insert the Passport as you would a normal game cartridge. It's quite a stiff fit, though. To give you an idea of how far in it should be, the III on the sticker should barely be visible. 3) Put a boot cartridge in the slot on the back of the Passport face-up. This must be of the same region as the N64. e.g. a PAL N64 must have a PAL boot cartridge. Make sure to check the section on boot cartridges before choosing a game to use as a boot cart. 4) Insert the import game on the top slot with it facing forward. 5) Turn on the N64. 6) Select 'Start Game' and then 'Start Game without Codes'. If the game doesn't start you need a boot code. See the section on boot codes for more info. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-= 2.2 BOOT CODES =-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Here is an alphabetical list of games that need boot codes, and if the game needs one and it isn't built into the Passport the code will be given next to the game name. This is not a comprehensive list but if your game isn't brand new, and probably if it is new, you should be able to get it to work with one of these codes. 1080 Snowboarding (US/JAP) - 1080 Boot Code Command and Conquer (US) - Lamborghini Boot Code Diddy Kong Racing (US) - 1080 Boot Code Hey You, Pikachu (US) - E93D0054 003F Mario Party 2 (US) - Lamborghini Boot Code Mario Tennis (US) - Starfox 64 Jap Boot Code Nascar 99 (US) - Starfox 64 Jap Boot Code NBA Courtside (US) - 1080 Boot Code NBA Courtside 2 (US) - Lamborghini Boot Code Ogre Battle 64 (US) - E93D0054 003F Pokemon Snap (US) - 1080 Boot Code Rugrats (US) - Starfox 64 Jap Boot Code Sin and Punishment (JAP) - E93D0054 003F Super Smash Bros (US) - 1080 Boot Code WCW Backstage Assault (US) - E93D0054 003F WWF No Mercy (US) - Lamborghini Boot Code Yoshi's Story (US/JAP) - Yoshi's Story Boot Code =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= 2.3 ENTERING/SELECTING BOOT CODES =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= To select a boot code, simply select 'Select Cheat Codes' from the main menu, scroll down to the name of the relevant game, press A to select it, select or deselect codes so that the only ones on (green) are the boot code and any cheat codes you want to use, press B twice, select 'Start Game', select 'Start Game with Selected Codes'. Voila! The game has loaded! To enter a new boot code it is slightly more complicated than entering a cheat code. Here is a step-by-step guide: 1) Select 'Select Cheat Code' from the main menu. 2) Select 'New Game'. This will create a new game entry. 3) Enter the game name using the onscreen keyboard. When you've finished, press B and select 'Save'. 4) Select 'New Code' and as a code description enter (in capital letters) BOOT CODE. 5) Enter the boot code from above. Press B and select 'Save'. That's it! You're ready to go! =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= 2.4 BOOT CARTRIDGES =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Boot cartridges shouldn't have battery back-up as the Passport can erase saves and fry the battery. A game doesn't have battery back-up if you require a controller pak or password to save. The following list is a list of common N64 games that don't have battery back-up, and are therefore suitable for use as a boot cartridge: Bomberman 64 Castlevania 64 Castlevania: Legacy of Darkness Duke Nukem 64 Duke Nukem: Zero Hour Excitebike 64 Extreme G Extreme G 2 International Track and Field 2000 ISS 64 ISS 98 ISS 2000 Madden 64 Madden NFL 99 Micro Machines 64 Turbo Mystical Ninja NFL Blitz NFL Quarterback Club 98/99 Quake 2 Rainbow 6 SF Rush 2049 Shadowman South Park Rally =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= 2.5 ACTION REPLAY CODES =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= I'm not going to list Action Replay codes here as there are thousands on the Internet. There are quite a few on the Passport itself, but if you need some new ones try these sites (rated out of 5 stars): Code Junkies (Official Site) *** http://www.codejunkies.com Game Software Code Creators Club ***** http://www.cmgsccc.com =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= 2.6 TROUBLESHOOTING =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= I'll post any problems that get emailed to me here together with the answer. Q: I've put everything together and put it in the N64, turned it on, and...nothing. What's wrong? A: The problem is that the Passport isn't fully into the N64. Push it down some more until you feel it go into place. It should go in so that the III on the sticker can't be seen. Q: I've got the right boot code, a boot cartridge, and the import game but the picture isn't looking right - there's distortion and sometimes that game won't even boot at all. What's going on? A: The problem is probably your TV. If you are playing NTSC games on a PAL console the problem is that your TV isn't modern enough to accept an NTSC signal. If your TV is less than 5 years old and from a Japanese company it should be alright, but if it still doesn't work it may be your cable. The RF cable that comes with a PAL N64 is terrible so pick up either an S-Video cable or SCART cable. Check that you TV has the right connections, though. S-Video is generally under the panel on the front of the TV and SCART is probably at the back. -------------------- =-=-=-=-=-=-=-= 3.1 CONTACT ME =-=-=-=-=-=-=-= You can email me at olly@nekofever.com. I can guarantee a reply within 24 hours (unless I'm on vacation or something).