Similarities between the NES and N64

The NES and N64 without a doubt have more similarities than can be counted. They were both console revolutions in gameplay. A new controller was introduced for both of them. The way the concepts for the games worked weren't too different as well. Some of the more obscure similarities are the Disk Drive that could go online and the way Nintendo limited their 3rd parties. In many ways, the N64 was the true successor to the NES, with games that were insanely creative and felt fresh. The two consoles are a lot more closely related than one might think.
  
We will start with the obvious: The graphics leap. Now this would seem like a difference, seeing how the NES was 2D and the N64 was generally 3D (for every game. In fact, games like Yoshi's Story had to be rendered in a 3D environment on a fixed camera to make it look 2D). However the leap from the previous generations is where the similarity is made. Look at the home consoles of the late 70s and early 80s. Games were in general, (more) pixilated, only had a few colors (sometimes only 1 or 3 :O) and were quite primitive graphics-wise. There were a few Side scrolling titles on the 2600 but not too many. The NES's graphic power allowed smooth-scrolling without a lot of stress on the CPU and allowed many games to leap forward in gameplay. Now let's take a look at the N64's graphic leap situation from the previous era. 3D games on the SNES and the early 32-bit competitors were quite generic, and if there were any textures, they were very pixilated. Take a look at the PC games Wolfenstein 3D and Doom. They feature 3D graphics (well, Wolf 3D technically wasn't true 3D) but are quite ugly looking. Even the early play station games had pixilation and/or draw-distance problems. In fact, just about every game that I can recall had some sort of common 3D error at the time. The N64 however, was sharp, offered absolute pure 3D, no pixilation (if the game was designed right) less slowdown, and better draw-distance. The only thing that the PS and Saturn were superior in was media format. The CDs allowed more space. I think that there is really a very heavy resemblance to the graphics leap in gaming for N64 and NES.

The games are what make up the system. To make a good game, they must be fun, offer a decent challenge, have a few bells and whistles, and perhaps most importantly after fun factor, have to have something innovative about it. Luckily, there were several excellent games on both systems. New concepts were created on them. The NES changed the game with games like Super Mario Bros and The Legend of Zelda. The N64 changed gaming with games such as Super Mario 64 and Ocarina of Time. This is definitely not a coincidence. Also, you may have noticed that SMB was released at launch for NES and that Zelda was released about 2 years later, and that the case is the same with SM64 and OoT for the N64. They are the true sequels to these spectacular games. However game pattern wasn't the only thing in common. A revolutionary form of gaming was formed with the true 3D graphics. Controlling your character and your viewpoint at the same time was something that had never been done before. All 3D platformers borrow something from Super Mario 64. All 2D platformers borrow something from Super Mario Bros. While I won't get in depth about Zelda (That will be next week's article), I will say that OoT had concepts that influenced an entire generation of adventure gaming. It was far from the first 3D adventure game but the concepts in it made it stand out. The original Zelda wasn't the first 2D adventure game but the concepts in it made it stand out way back in 1987. It doesn't stop at the two main Nintendo franchises, some old school favorites such as Excitebike got updates/sequels. The sports titles that Nintendo released could be considered spiritual successors to those NES classic sport titles. The games, their concepts, the philosophies, and their patterns had a close resemblance to each other.

The controllers for both systems were unique at the time. Every console before the NES had used Joysticks for control. The NES however replaced it with a nice and comfortable D-pad. Every controller for every successful console since then has had a D-pad on it. Even the Wii-mote, which is considered the next leap in console controls, has a D-pad. The N64 has left a similar influence also. It was the first (and still one of the few) controllers where you could hold it in different ways. It had a slot in the back for accepting accessories such as Memory cards and Rumble packs. Most importantly was the Analog stick. While similar technologies existed before this, it was really the first "Real" analog "Thumb-stick." Practical use was made of the 360 degree movement for 3D games. Ever since then, every controller for any successful home console has featured an analog stick on it. Sound familiar at all? Both consoles influenced the future with their innovative controllers.

Less noticeable differences include the Famicom Disk System and how 3rd parties were limited. The 64 DD and FDS were both disk drive add-ons that never made it to the western world. What is even more coincidental is that both of them had online capabilities. The FDS however, was fairly successful in Japan while the 64DD flopped. Oh, and did anyone else notice that the 64DD had "Ura Zelda," a More difficult version of Ocarina of Time (Exem, Super Mario Bros For Super Players anyone?). It was eventually released a few years later as a bonus disk for Wind Waker It reminds me of how SMB2 for Super Players (It was the original tagline, I swear) was eventually released "The Lost Levels" and Ura Zelda was released as "Master Quest." The 3rd parties that I was talking about had some limitations on them in both NES and N64 eras. While the limitations were different, all the reasons gave Nintendo a bad reputation with 3rd parties later on. In the NES Era, Nintendo limited them with strict licensing and censorship (in America. Licensing was just as strict in Japan though.) In the N64 era, Licensing costs due to the cartridges and space limitations for the console limited 3rd party developers. The NES and N64 were not only innovative consoles but gave the 3rd parties a bad relationship with Nintendo for several years. Nintendo has been slowly regaining their support since the Gamecube era.

Two consoles, one 2D, one 3D. One made side scrolling very mainstream; the other made 3D gaming very mainstream. The NES and N64 are related in many ways. Super Mario 64 for example, in the words of Miyamoto is "The sequel to the original Super Mario Bros." Concepts were born on both systems. A revolutionary way to play disrupted the market for good in both eras. The two systems are truly brothers.

Written By: WillBillXP
Date Submitted: October 15th, 2006

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