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Which Nintendo 64 Games Require a Memory Card to Save?

Key Highlights

Many classic N64 games used memory cards to save your progress.
Memory cards stored game data over time, which was not possible with just cartridges.
Games such as Zelda: Ocarina of Time and Resident Evil 2 used memory cards.
This article lists important N64 games that required memory cards for saving.
We will also look at how cartridge saving is different from memory card saving.

Introduction

Ah, the Nintendo 64. This console gave us many happy hours (and, sometimes, a bit of rage quitting). Yet, among all the fun, there was one important tool that some games needed: the memory card. This small piece of plastic stored our save data, saving us from the awful "start over" situation. Let’s look back and remember the games that made us need those valuable memory cards.

Comprehensive List of Nintendo 64 Games That Require a Memory Card for Saving

Do you remember those exciting times when your N64 controller started to vibrate while playing the game Star Fox? It was a signal telling you that your game needed a memory card. While some games let you save your progress directly on the cartridge, many others needed external memory cards.

From thrilling adventures to fast-paced racing games, a lot of games like Namco titles used memory cards to keep your saved progress safe. Here are some of the favorite N64 games that wouldn't let you save without a memory card.

N64 Save Game Information

Title	Primary Save	Secondary Save
1080º Snowboarding	Save On Cartridge
Aero Gauge	N64 Memory Card
AeroFighters Assault	Save On Cartridge
All-Star Baseball 2000	N64 Memory Card
All-Star Baseball 2001	N64 Memory Card
All-Star Baseball '99	N64 Memory Card
All-Star Tennis '99	Save On Cartridge
Armorines: Project S.W.A.R.M.	N64 Memory Card	Password
Army Men: Air Combat	N64 Memory Card
Army Men: Sarge's Heroes	N64 Memory Card
Army Men: Sarge's Heroes 2	N64 Memory Card
Asteroids Hyper 64	N64 Memory Card
Automobili Lamborghini	N64 Memory Card
Banjo-Kazooie	Save On Cartridge
Banjo-Tooie	Save On Cartridge
Bassmaster 2000	N64 Memory Card
Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker	None
Battle Tanx	N64 Memory Card
Battle Tanx: Global Assault	N64 Memory Card
Battlezone: Rise of the Black Dogs	N64 Memory Card
Beast Wars Transmetals	None
Beetle Adventure Racing	N64 Memory Card
Big Mountain 2000	Save On Cartridge	N64 Memory Card
Bio F.R.E.A.K.S.	N64 Memory Card
Blast Corps	Save On Cartridge	N64 Memory Card
Blues Brothers 2000	N64 Memory Card
Body Harvest	Save On Cartridge
Bomberman 64	Save On Cartridge	N64 Memory Card
Bomberman 64: The Second Attack	Save On Cartridge	N64 Memory Card
Bomberman Hero	Save On Cartridge
Bottom of the 9th	N64 Memory Card
Brunswick Circuit Pro Bowling	N64 Memory Card
Buck Bumble	N64 Memory Card
Bug's Life, A	N64 Memory Card
Bust-A-Move 2: Arcade Edition	N64 Memory Card
Bust-A-Move '99	N64 Memory Card
California Speed	N64 Memory Card
Carmageddon 64	N64 Memory Card
Castlevania	N64 Memory Card
Castlevania: Legacy of Darkness	N64 Memory Card
Chameleon Twist	Save On Cartridge
Chameleon Twist 2	N64 Memory Card
Charlie Blasts Territory	Password
Chopper Attack	Save On Cartridge
Clay Fighter 63 1/3	None
Clay Fighter: Sculptor's Cut	None
Command & Conquer	Save On Cartridge
Cruis'n Exotica	Save On Cartridge
Cruis'n USA	Save On Cartridge	N64 Memory Card
Cruis'n World	Save On Cartridge
CyberTiger	N64 Memory Card
Daikatana	N64 Memory Card
Dark Rift	None
Deadly Arts	N64 Memory Card
Destruction Derby 64	N64 Memory Card
Diddy Kong Racing	Save On Cartridge	N64 Memory Card
Donald Duck: Goin' Quackers	Save On Cartridge
Donkey Kong 64	Save On Cartridge
Donkey Kong 64 Kiosk	None
Doom 64	N64 Memory Card	Password
Dual Heroes	N64 Memory Card
Duke Nukem 64	N64 Memory Card
Duke Nukem: Zero Hour	N64 Memory Card
Earthworm Jim 3D	Save On Cartridge
ECW: Hardcore Revolution	N64 Memory Card
Elmo's Letter Adventure	None
Elmo's Number Journey	None
Excitebike 64	Save On Cartridge	N64 Memory Card
Excitebike 64 Kiosk	N64 Memory Card
Extreme-G	N64 Memory Card	Password
Extreme-G 2	N64 Memory Card	Password
F1 Pole Position 64	N64 Memory Card
F-1 World Grand Prix	Save On Cartridge
FIFA '99	N64 Memory Card
FIFA Soccer 64	N64 Memory Card
FIFA: Road to World Cup 98	N64 Memory Card
Fighter Destiny 2	N64 Memory Card
Fighters Destiny	Save On Cartridge	N64 Memory Card
Fighting Force 64	N64 Memory Card
Flying Dragon	N64 Memory Card
Forsaken 64	N64 Memory Card
Fox Sports College Hoops '99	N64 Memory Card
F-Zero X	Save On Cartridge
Gauntlet Legends	N64 Memory Card
Gex 3: Deep Cover Gecko	N64 Memory Card
Gex 64: Enter the Gecko	N64 Memory Card	Password
Glover	Save On Cartridge
Goemon's Great Adventure	N64 Memory Card
Golden Nugget 64	N64 Memory Card
GoldenEye 007	Save On Cartridge
GT64 Championship Edition	Save On Cartridge	N64 Memory Card
Harvest Moon 64	Save On Cartridge
Hercules: The Legendary Journeys	N64 Memory Card
Hexen	N64 Memory Card
Hey You, Pikachu!	Save On Cartridge
Hot Wheels Turbo Racing	N64 Memory Card
Hybrid Heaven	N64 Memory Card
Hydro Thunder	N64 Memory Card
Iggy's Reckin' Balls	N64 Memory Card
In Fisherman Bass Hunter 64	Save On Cartridge
Indiana Jones and the Infernal Machine	Save On Cartridge
Indy Racing 2000	Save On Cartridge
International Superstar Soccer 2000	N64 Memory Card
International Superstar Soccer 64	N64 Memory Card
International Superstar Soccer '98	N64 Memory Card
International Track & Field 2000	N64 Memory Card
Jeopardy!	None
Jeremy McGrath Supercross 2000	N64 Memory Card
Jet Force Gemini	Save On Cartridge
Jet Force Gemini Kiosk	Save On Cartridge
Ken Griffey Jr's Slugfest	Save On Cartridge
Killer Instinct Gold	Save On Cartridge	N64 Memory Card
Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards	Save On Cartridge
Knife Edge: Nose Gunner	None
Knockout Kings 2000	N64 Memory Card
Kobe Bryant in NBA Courtside	Save On Cartridge	N64 Memory Card
Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask, The	Save On Cartridge
Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, The	Save On Cartridge
LEGO Racers	N64 Memory Card
Lode Runner 3D	Save On Cartridge
Looney Tunes: Duck Dodgers	Save On Cartridge
Mace: The Dark Age	None
Madden 2000	N64 Memory Card
Madden 64	N64 Memory Card
Madden '99	N64 Memory Card
Madden NFL 2001	N64 Memory Card
Magical Tetris Challenge	None
Major League Baseball Featuring Ken Griffey Jr.	Save On Cartridge
Mario Golf	Save On Cartridge
Mario Kart 64	Save On Cartridge	N64 Memory Card
Mario Party	Save On Cartridge
Mario Party 2	Save On Cartridge
Mario Party 3
Mario Tennis	Save On Cartridge
Megaman 64	Save On Cartridge
Mia Hamm Soccer 64	N64 Memory Card
Mickey's Speedway USA	Save On Cartridge
Micro Machines 64 Turbo	N64 Memory Card
Midway's Greatest Arcade Hits Volume 1	N64 Memory Card
Mike Piazza's Strike Zone	N64 Memory Card
Milo's Astro Lanes	N64 Memory Card
Mischief Makers	Save On Cartridge
Mission: Impossible	Save On Cartridge
Monaco Grand Prix	N64 Memory Card
Monopoly	Save On Cartridge
Monster Truck Madness 64	Password
Mortal Kombat 4	N64 Memory Card
Mortal Kombat Mythologies: Sub-Zero	N64 Memory Card	Password
Mortal Kombat Trilogy	None
Ms. Pac-Man Maze Madness	N64 Memory Card
Multi-Racing Championship	Save On Cartridge	N64 Memory Card
Mystical Ninja Starring Goemon	N64 Memory Card
Nagano Winter Olympics '98	N64 Memory Card
Namco Museum 64	N64 Memory Card
Nascar 2000	N64 Memory Card
Nascar '99	N64 Memory Card
NBA Courtside 2 Featuring Kobe Bryant	Save On Cartridge
NBA Hang Time	N64 Memory Card
NBA In the Zone 2000	N64 Memory Card
NBA In the Zone '98	N64 Memory Card
NBA In the Zone '99	N64 Memory Card
NBA Jam 2000	Controllre Pak
NBA Jam '99	N64 Memory Card
NBA Live 2000	N64 Memory Card
NBA Live '99	N64 Memory Card
NBA Show Time: NBA on NBC	N64 Memory Card
New Tetris, The	Save On Cartridge	N64 Memory Card
NFL Blitz	N64 Memory Card
NFL Blitz 2000	N64 Memory Card
NFL Blitz 2001	N64 Memory Card
NFL Quarterback Club 2000	N64 Memory Card
NFL Quarterback Club 2001	N64 Memory Card
NFL Quarterback Club '98	N64 Memory Card
NFL Quarterback Club '99	N64 Memory Card
NHL '99	N64 Memory Card
NHL Blades of Steel '99	N64 Memory Card
NHL Breakaway Hockey '98	N64 Memory Card
NHL Breakaway Hockey '99	N64 Memory Card
Nightmare Creatures	N64 Memory Card	Password
Nuclear Strike 64	N64 Memory Card
Off Road Challenge	N64 Memory Card
Ogre Battle 64: Person of Lordly Caliber	Save On Cartridge
Olympic Hockey '98	N64 Memory Card
Paperboy	N64 Memory Card
Penny Racers	Save On Cartridge	N64 Memory Card
Perfect Dark	Save On Cartridge	N64 Memory Card
PGA European Tour	Save On Cartridge
Pilotwings 64	Save On Cartridge
Pokémon Puzzle League	Save On Cartridge
Pokémon Snap	Save On Cartridge
Pokémon Stadium	Save On Cartridge
Polaris Snocross	N64 Memory Card
Power Rangers: Lightspeed Rescue	N64 Memory Card
Quake	N64 Memory Card	Password
Quake II	N64 Memory Card
Quest 64	N64 Memory Card
Rainbow Six	N64 Memory Card
Rally Challenge 2000	N64 Memory Card
Rampage 2: Universal Tour	N64 Memory Card	Password
Rampage: World Tour	N64 Memory Card
Rat Attack	N64 Memory Card
Rayman 2: The Great Escape	N64 Memory Card
Ready 2 Rumble Boxing	N64 Memory Card
Ready 2 Rumble Boxing Round 2	N64 Memory Card
Resident Evil 2	Save On Cartridge
Re-Volt	N64 Memory Card
Ridge Racer 64	Save On Cartridge
Road Rash 64	N64 Memory Card
Roadsters	N64 Memory Card
Robotron 64	N64 Memory Card
Rocket: Robot on Wheels	Save On Cartridge
Rugrats in Paris: The Movie	N64 Memory Card
Rugrats: Scavenger Hunt	None
Rush 2: Extreme Racing USA	N64 Memory Card	Password
S.C.A.R.S.	N64 Memory Card	Password
San Francisco Rush 2049	N64 Memory Card
San Francisco Rush: Extreme Racing	N64 Memory Card	Password
Scooby-Doo: Classic Creep Capers	N64 Memory Card
Shadow Man	N64 Memory Card
Shadowgate 64: Trials of the Four Towers	N64 Memory Card
Snowboard Kids	N64 Memory Card
Snowboard Kids 2	Save On Cartridge
South Park	N64 Memory Card
South Park Rally	N64 Memory Card
South Park: Chef's Luv Shack	None
Space Invaders	N64 Memory Card
Space Station Silicon Valley	Save On Cartridge
Spider-Man	N64 Memory Card
Star Fox 64	Save On Cartridge
Star Soldier: Vanishing Earth	Save On Cartridge
Star Wars Episode 1: Battle for Naboo	Save On Cartridge
Star Wars Episode 1: Racer	Save On Cartridge
Star Wars: Rogue Squadron	Save On Cartridge	Password
Star Wars: Shadows of the Empire	Save On Cartridge
Starcraft 64	Save On Cartridge
Starshot Space Circus	Save On Cartridge
Stunt Racer 64	N64 Memory Card
Super Bowling	N64 Memory Card
Super Mario 64	Save On Cartridge
Super Smash Bros.	Save On Cartridge
Supercross 2000	N64 Memory Card
Superman	N64 Memory Card
Tarzan	N64 Memory Card
Tetrisphere	Save On Cartridge
The World Is Not Enough	N64 Memory Card
Tigger's Honey Hunt	Save On Cartridge
Tom & Jerry in Fists of Furry	Save On Cartridge
Tonic Trouble	N64 Memory Card
Tony Hawk's Pro Skater	N64 Memory Card
Top Gear Hyper Bike	N64 Memory Card
Top Gear Overdrive	Save On Cartridge
Top Gear Rally	N64 Memory Card
Top Gear Rally 2	N64 Memory Card
Toy Story 2	N64 Memory Card
Triple Play 2000	N64 Memory Card
Turok 2: Seeds of Evil	N64 Memory Card
Turok 2: Seeds of Evil Kiosk	None
Turok 3: Shadow of Oblivion	N64 Memory Card
Turok: Dinosaur Hunter	N64 Memory Card
Turok: Rage Wars	N64 Memory Card
Twisted Edge Extreme Snowboarding	N64 Memory Card
Vigilante 8	N64 Memory Card	Password
Vigilante 8: 2nd Offense	N64 Memory Card
Virtual Chess 64	N64 Memory Card
Virtual Pool 64	N64 Memory Card
V-Rally Edition '99	Save On Cartridge
Waialae Country Club: True Golf Classics	Save On Cartridge
War Gods	None
Wave Race 64	Save On Cartridge	N64 Memory Card
Wayne Gretzky's 3D Hockey	N64 Memory Card
Wayne Gretzky's 3D Hockey '98	N64 Memory Card
WCW Backstage Assault	N64 Memory Card
WCW Mayhem	N64 Memory Card
WCW Nitro	N64 Memory Card
WCW vs nWo: World Tour	N64 Memory Card
WCW/NWO Revenge	Save On Cartridge
Wetrix	N64 Memory Card
Wheel of Fortune	None
WinBack: Covert Operations	N64 Memory Card
Wipeout 64	N64 Memory Card
World Cup '98	N64 Memory Card
World Driver Championship	N64 Memory Card
Worms Armageddon	Save On Cartridge
Wrestlemania 2000	Save On Cartridge	N64 Memory Card
WWF: Attitude	N64 Memory Card
WWF: No Mercy	Save On Cartridge	N64 Memory Card
WWF: Warzone	N64 Memory Card
Xena: Talisman of Fate	N64 Memory Card
Yoshi's Story	Save On Cartridge

Understanding Memory Cards and Nintendo 64 Cartridges

To really understand memory cards, we should see how they worked with N64 game cartridges. Think of the cartridge like a book that holds a game's code and some save slots. Now, the memory card is like an extra notebook. In this notebook, you can write down more notes and important details.

This smart setup helped game developers save more data than what the cartridge could hold. It made sure that even big games could keep your progress safe.

The Evolution of Game Saving Mechanisms

Before memory cards, gamers had to use passwords or start all over again each time they played. Passwords were often long and hard to remember, like messy Wi-Fi codes that made no sense. It was really annoying to lose your progress just by turning off the console by mistake.

Luckily, memory cards changed the game. They provided a good and easy way to save data. It was like moving from writing notes on bits of paper to using a proper notebook. The future of gaming looked bright – and you could actually save it!

How Memory Cards Enhanced the N64 Gaming Experience

Imagine being in Hyrule Field, training your Pokémon, or racing in Mario Kart without saving your progress. It would feel like eating soup with a fork – messy and very annoying. Luckily, memory cards were here to help us.

Memory cards let game developers make larger and more detailed games. Players didn’t have to start all over every time they turned on their console. Also, sharing saved games with friends brought in another way to connect and compete.

Cartridge vs. Memory Card: Benefits and Limitations

Cartridge-based saving was easy because it stored everything on the game cartridge. But cartridges faced problems due to limited storage. This often made developers cut back on some things.

Memory cards provided much more storage. However, they came with the need for an extra accessory. On top of that, losing or damaging a memory card could be really upsetting. It could mean losing many hours of progress.

Hybrid Saving Systems in N64 Games

Some N64 games really used the memory card. Others took a balanced path and used a mix of saving systems. These clever games stored important info on the cartridge. They kept extra stuff or player profiles on the memory card.

This teamwork gave players a good balance. Even if they did not have a memory card, they could still enjoy the game. Still, there were a few limitations.

Examples of Games Utilizing Both Cartridge and Memory Card Saves

Mario Kart 64 is a great example of a game that used both saving methods well. Your progress in championships was saved on the cartridge. This meant you could keep your hard-earned gold trophies. But the ghost data, which are your digital rivals, had to be saved on a memory card.

Another game worth mentioning is Star Wars: Shadows of the Empire. This exciting adventure let you save your game directly on the cartridge. But if you wanted to keep those high scores in the bonus missions, you needed to use a memory card.

Advantages of Hybrid Saving Mechanisms for Gamers

Hybrid saving systems gave gamers a better way to manage their saved data. Here’s why it was great for everyone:

Accessibility for All: Players without a memory card could still play the game and save their progress.
Expanded Content Storage: Memory cards were great for extra content, like ghost data in racing games or profiles for multiplayer.
Customization Options: Players could decide what data to save, keeping important items on their memory card.

Conclusion

In the Nintendo 64 gaming world, memory cards are our helpful tools to save our game progress and achievements. Games like The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask and Resident Evil 2 need these memory cards to keep track of character growth and puzzle answers. Perfect Dark and Turok 2: Seeds of Evil save game settings and level progress, which makes gaming better. As you enjoy N64 classics, remember how important memory cards are for tracking high scores, championship standings, and more. These mixed saving systems give you the best of both worlds, making your gaming journey more exciting and smooth. Be smart with your saves, fellow gamers, because your next adventure is right at your fingertips!

Frequently Asked Questions

Do all N64 games require a memory card to save progress?

Not all N64 games needed a memory card. Some games saved directly to the cartridge. Others, especially third-party games, only used the Controller Pak for save data.

Can I transfer saved games from one memory card to another?

Yes, you can usually move saved games between N64 memory cards. Both memory cards must work with the N64 console. You will also need a controller that has more than one memory card slot to help with the transfer.

What are the storage capacities of N64 memory cards?

N64 memory cards, known as Controller Paks, usually had a storage size of 256 kilobits, which is equal to 32 kilobytes of RAM. Some other brands, not from the main company, made bigger sizes too.

How do I troubleshoot issues with my N64 memory card?

If you are having issues with your N64 memory card, try these steps: First, check that the memory card is in the right place. Next, clean the contacts on the memory card. You can also try using a different controller slot. If the problems continue, your memory card could b