Tristar 64 Version 1.4 FAQ
By-PerfectB12345
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0.1-Introduction
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I am writing this FAQ for the Nintendo 64 owners interested in the Tristar.
Before I begin, it should be noted that my Tristar is a Ver. 1.1. I have not
experienced any of the poor picture quality (yet) noted in IGN64's review. I
you boot up and see 1.0 or the like, don't say I didn't warn you. Anyhow, on
with the show...
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0.2-Table of Contents
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0.1-Intro
0.2-Table of Contents
0.3-Version History
1.0-What is the Tristar?
1.1-What you need to set up (and play) your Tristar
1.2-X-ploder, Memory Editor, Keycodes
1.3-Translation of manual and box
2.0-NES/Famicom
2.1-Games that don't work
3.0-SNES/Super Famicom
3.1-Games that don't work
4.0-My review
5.0-Contributer help
6.0-Credit/Disclaimer/Copyright
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0.3-Version History
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1.0-Basic guide done. Manual Translations are still being worked on, still
looking for games that don't work well.
1.1-Submitted to GameFAQs
1.2-Added the games that don't work official list. I'll work on the manual
translations soon, and a controller mod.
1.3-Added contributor info
1.4-Added some more contributed information
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1.0-What is the Tristar?
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The Tristar 64 is a device that allows you to play FC, SFC, NES, and SNES gam
on your Nintendo 64. It allows for import N64 games to be played also, as it
cartridge slot has no lockout tabs. It also includes an X-ploder (which look
oddly like a Gameshark) and a memory editor. It also has keycode functions
for games that must have one to function properly.
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1.1-What you need to set up (and play) the Tristar
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You'll need a(n):
Nintendo 64 (duh)
Tristar 64 (duh #2)
AC adapter
N64 game (to boot the other games)
SNES, SFC, NES, or FC game
A FC to NES converter (to play NES games)
Your N64 composite cable
Okay, now to set it up. You need to place the cartridge shaped attachment on
the bottom of the Tristar into the N64 cartridge slot. Now remove the
composite cable from the back of your N64. Place this in the hole on the
back of the Tristar (its easy to find). Now take the cord on the back of the
Tristar and plug it into the hole you just removed the composite cable from o
the N64. Take an AC adapter of any kind (Genises, NES, SNES, or Atari
Jaguar) and insert the round end into the other hole on the back of the
Tristar (once again, you couldn't miss it if you tried). Now plug the AC
adapter into an outlet. You still need the N64 power cord in addition to
this one.
Alright, half the battle's over. Insert an N64 game (one not requiring a
Deycode) into the front slot. Be sure to lift up the dust flap, lest ye want
to break it off. Insert a SFC, SNES, FC, or a NES to FC converter with and
NES game on it into the cartridge slots. The back is FC/NES and the middle
slot is SFC/SNES. Now turn your 64 on. If the screen doesn't come up try a
different 64 game, as that one may require a Keycode. Use an early game like
Super Mario 64 or Starfox. You'll see a few options. Play N64 with XP off,
Play SNES (16 bit), Play NES (8 bit), X-ploder, Memory Editor, and Enter
Keycode. Select a play option and hope for the best. If it doesn't work,
try cleaning the games.
Some games flat out don't work, check the lists below.
Now for the controls. NES controls are very simple and actually seem easier
than an NES pad. The control pad moves, A = A, B = B. Start is Start, and Z
is select. It may take a couple moments to get used to, but you'll get it
soon. Cool. Super Nintendo controls are a bit harder. Control pad moves,
or whatever its function in that game, Start is Start, and Z is Select. Now
for the tricky part. The 64's B is Y, A is B, C-Left is X, and C-down is A.
This works fine for games with configurable controls, but its difficult to
get used to the smaller C buttons.
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1.2-X-ploder and Memory Editor
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The X-ploder is pretty much a Gameshark. L and R turn the pages, A selects
the game. On the game screen, you can choose your codes. It's very simple,
you shouldn't have any problems. The Memory Editor is, I assume, like the
Memory Editor on a Gameshark. On the GS, you can back up save files to a
memory card and so on. I haven't used this feature, since on my GS I erased
a few files. It's even mentioned in the instructions not to play around with
this. If you know what you're doing, by all means go ahead. Otherwise, I
wouldn't risk poking around.
Keycodes are simple. If you are familiar with a Gameshark, it's the same
concept. Place an old game, such as Mario 64, into the Tristar and select
Keycodes. Pick the Keycode that corresponds to the game you have. Note that
there are few Keycodes. Diddy Kong Racing and Zelda Keycodes cover many
games.
Instead of having to do this every time you want to play a game, simply hold
down the "GS button" to the right of your N64 cartridge slot and turn the N64
on.
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1.3-Manual and box translations
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Still working on it!!
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2.0-NES/Famicom
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The slot on the back is the Famicom slot. You'll plug an adapter in to play
NES games. You can select them from the start-up menu. There's not much
more to it.
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2.1-Games that don't work
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I've got the official list of NES games that don't work. Keep in mind it
doesn't include any Famicom games. The most trouble I've experienced with a
compatible game is booting up with blocky graphics or a red screen. Simply
clean your game with alcohol and a Q-tip. You can do this by dipping the Q-
tip in alcohol and, making sure it's not dripping, clean both sides of the
contact. Let it sit a few moments, then dry it with a Q-tip. Sometimes,
lines or other
extreme graphical messes will start to appear. Cleaning games may not work,
so you'll need a cartridge cleaning device that goes down into the slot. Do
not pour alcohol directly into the slot. Do not attempt to remove dust from
a converter with a toothpick. Firsthand experience. For an actual cleaning
kit, the Nintendo site's SNES cleaner will work fine, but I prefer the High
Frequency multiple system kit. I found it on eBay for $3.00. It includes an
NES cleaner which is actually for an actual NES, an SNES cleaner (which
you'll use, and it should be noted it also cleans N64, Genesis, etc.), a CD
lens cleaner, a CD cleaner, a cleaning mixture (rubbing alcohol, and 2
cleaning
wands.
The NES cleaner is for actually clipping onto a game and inserting into an
NES, so you won't be able to use it with the Famicom slot. Thankfully, the
SNES cleaning tool works with the Famicom, NES, and N64 slot. The wands for
the games aren't of exceptionally high quality, if the fabric on the top of
yours starts to fall off or get all stringy and leave cottonish residue, use
a Q-tip.
Overall, most of the problems you're going to find deal with the age of the
cartridge. Keep them clean and put them in a dust cover, if you have them.
Problem Games- These are from the official list from the dead website that
was created by the Future Laboratories company. Some games did not work, and
some were unavailable. Some were partially compatible, although they did not
specify which ones. Partially compatible means they run, but perhaps with
graphical or sound flaws or they occasionally freeze.
World Games-unavailable
Win, Lose, or Draw
Widget-unavailable
Whomp Em
Wacky Races
Top Players Tennis
Tecmo Bowl
Star Tropics
Snoopy
Smash TV
Ski or Die
Shinobi
Rolling Thunder
Roller Games
Rad Racer
Pro Sport Hockey
Pictionary
Paper Boy-Runs but won't play
Mighty Final Fight
Magic Johnson's Fast Break
Lempereur
Last Star Fighter
Infiltrator
Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade
Heavy Shreddin'
Gotcha!-Works, but needs Zapper
Freedom Force-Works, but needs Zapper
Flying Warriors
Fight of the Intruder-unavailable
Dragon Warrior 2-unavailable
Double Dragon
Captain Planet
Capcom Yo Noid
Burai Fighter
Bubble Bobble 2-unavailable
Bubble Bobble-unavailable
Boy and his Blob
Bo Jackson Basketball-unavailable
Bigfoot
Big Bird's Hide and Speak-unavailable
Adventure Island 2-unavailable
Duck Hunt and Hogan's Alley are not mentioned, but I assume that they, and
all other Zapper games that you know of are incompatible.
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3.0-SNES/Super Famicom
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The SNES/SFC slot is in the middle, no converter required. Again, choose
Play SNES (16 bit) from the menu.
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3.1-Games that don't work
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There is one game super confirmed not to work under any circumstances. Do
not plunk down $$$$ on this game and expect it to play on the Tristar. It is
Super Mario RPG: Legend of the 7 Stars. It's said to not work due to a chip
for accelerated graphics and saving. So don't mess around with it.
You shouldn't have too much trouble with SNES. Due to the fact that the carts
are newer and used ones have much less wear and tear than an NES game. Well,
except for Super Mario All Stars. I've had some trouble getting this game to
start and it freezes occasionally. It has the same problems on my grandma's
SNES, too, so I don't know if it's the game or the Tristar. But I've heard
of other people having trouble getting it to work. If you want to mess
around with it, go on. But it can get expensive to play around with it, so
it's your call. Super Mario All Stars w/Super Mario World is said to have
problems.
I have received word from Andrew "MikeSanders" Harris about some more games
containing the SA-1 chip, or the chip Super Mario RPG uses. All of his new
additions are not guaranteed not to work, it is just assumed from the fact
that they use the same chip. The SDD1 chip and the SPC7110 chip are also
assumed incompatible. He has also told me that he would provide a complete
list of the SNES games that use the Super FX chip (Star Fox, Super Mario
World 2, Doom) or the DSP chip (Super Mario Kart, Pilotwings).
Unfortunately, I do not have any of these games to test, and I don't want to
scare you off from potentially buying one of these games (I've played most of
them before, and they are pretty good games), but for the meantime shy away
until someone can confirm this.
Problem Games- Again, like above, this is the official list from Future
Laboratories. These were the only games out of 350 something games tested at
the time. The list was not completed due to the company's going out of
business, I suppose. If you are wondering, 98% of the games they tested
work.
PGA Tour 96
PGA European Tour
Super Mario All Stars + SM World
Super Mario RPG: Legend of the 7 Stars
Joe & Mac
Full Throttle
Street Fighter Alpha 2
Kirby's Super Star- Works partially
Dragonball Z:Hyper Dimension
Kirby's Dreamland 3
Pebble Beach No Hato 2 Tournament Edition
Power Rangers:Zeo Battle Racers
Street Fighter Alpha 2
Star Ocean (Super Famicom)
Far East of Eden Zero (presumed)
Since the Super Scope can not be attached to the N64, I assume that, while
these games may work, you are incapable of playing them. This is true for
games requiring the SNES mouse, too.
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4.0-My Review
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The Tristar 64 is an awesome machine. For people whose next-gen system(s)
and/or an N64 or PSX clutter their entertainment display, or for people
who've never experienced the joy of these classic games, it's a must buy.
You get 3 system support plus the ability to play imports. What could be
better?
It has its flaws, like anything else. Sometimes you may have trouble getting
a game to start, or getting some games to work at all. While it's picture is
not incredibly washed out as IGN64 stated, games with 1-color backgrounds
appear to have some flickering. You get a slight drop in the picture quality
of your N64, but nothing major. Be careful when playing games with keycodes,
as they are prone to occasionally freeze.
NES support is pretty good. Like I said, you have some trouble getting some
games to start, but it's mostly due to the age of the cartridge and how good
of a converter you own. The NES controls are top-notch. The N64 pad feels
better in my hands than an NES controller.
SNES support is spectacular. The only things you might have trouble with are
games like Mario RPG due to the MODE 7 chip or something along those lines.
It should also be noted that the Super Gameboy works on it, too. My only
complaint is the controls. When you play with the SNES control pad, most
important controls are assigned to the buttons on the right, which works well
for that pad. However, when you switch to the 64 controller, the tiny C
buttons can make things difficult.
Overall, the Tristar is worth your money. It can replace a yellowed NES or
SNES or just add to a collection deprived of these classics.
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5.0-Contributor Help
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As you may have noticed, some of my information is incomplete. I am not yet
sure of the compatibility of FC, SFC, or even American games. I'm still
working on the manual translation, but I'm not good with Japanese. If you
have a Tristar or get one soon, and find incompatibilities or the like please
E-mail me at
[email protected]. Your efforts will not go unrecognized.
Your GAMEFAQS username or whatever you prefer will be added to
Credits/Disclaimer/Copyright section and you will help the people who own or
plan to own a Tristar not make a bad purchasing decision.
The S-Video cable does not work- Lee Rodgers
Game Incompatibilities-Andrew "MikeSanders" Harris
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6.0- Credit/Disclaimer/Copyright
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Credits: Lee Rodgers
Andrew "MikeSanders" Harris
This guide is the property of PerfectB12345. However I do not care if you
use it on your website as Tristar FAQS are hard to come by! Just make sure
my name's on it and not your name, because you didn't write it! Don't print
it out and sell it to little kids for $20 a pop; if there was a way to make
money off of it I wouldn't offer it for free, now would I?
And with my above e-mail I trust you to make a competent decision about what
to send. Contributions, praise, and SMART questions are welcome! However do
not send me stupid e-mails like "My sister is hot nude, now make money from
home!!" or "wut N3S gms d0ont work duuu|_|ude I cant look at faq |2o><0rs
boXXors L337ness". That is ignorant and wastes what time I have to be
wasted.
The Tristar 64 is a product of Future Laboratories and is not affiliated with
Nintendo of America, Nintendo of Japan, Nintendo of Anything, or me.
Thanks for reading and be sure to rate it!
