mmmonkey

NTSC Nintendo 64 RGB

The N64 console doesn't officially support RGB.  It can be added to some models of the console, it has to be an NTSC console (although mmmonkey has read that there is an early French Secam model that is also compatible), be careful though - as there are 2 different NTSC versions, only the earlier one is compatible.

Unfortunately there isn't a easy way of identifying if a console is compatible without actually opening it up (some people say that the later limited edition coloured consoles are generally not compatible).  You have to take your console apart (Gamebit needed), remove all of the heat sinks and shielding etc until you can see the upper side of the motherboard.  If your console can be modified then the chip at location U1 will have "VDC-NUS BU9801F" printed on it, if it can't be modified then the chip at location U4 will have "MAV-NUS RS5C282 (or RS5C382)" written on it.

Update - thanks to ConsoleFun on the Assembler forums I now have a clear picture showing which N64's can and cannot be modified.

If you're lucky enough to have a compatible console, pat yourself on the back and get on with the mod.  If only it was that simple!  There are a number of different ways of doing this, it seems that some people experience varying results.

Method One

As featured on GamesX - if you follow this guide you have 2 options - although it's not clear from the guide.  When the 3 wires are attached to the chip at location U4 you can either lift the legs of the chip or leave them attached to the motherboard.  If you don't lift the chip legs then the RGB image may be too dark for you (an amplifier can be built), if you do lift the legs then the image may be too bright and/or have interference.  I've read and been told that if you do this method then you may not need any kind of amplification at all.

UPDATE - a few people have said that doing Method One and lifting the legs of the chip give the best and easiest  RGB picture without the need for any amplification (it may depend on the exact model of N64).  I recommend trying this first!.

Method Two

A very quick job, only 3 wires on the under side of the motherboard (it's this method that mmmonkey uses).  Simply link up the points as shown in the following photo's and table.

Signal Point AV Plug Pin
Red R8 1
Green R9 2
Blue R10 4

Again, you may find the image may be too dark for you (an amplifier can be built), alternatively there is a quick and easy internal amplification mod - although this can sometimes cause interference on the screen.  If you want to try it then link the points as shown in this photo using a small piece of wire.

mmmonkey has gathered all of this information from GamesX webpage and forum, as well as the forums at NTSC-UK and Rllmuk, thanks to Papercut at NTSC-UK for the information regarding which models can be modified.

web@mmmonkey.co.uk

 !! H E L P !!

Game console modifications