Title: Title: GameShark
    Platform: Nintendo 64
    Genre: Peripheral
    Manufacturer: InterAct

Those of you who read my column each and every month will probably remember that I reviewed the Playstation GameShark a few months back. Well, as you probably guessed or know, there's also a GameShark for the Nintendo 64. While serving the same function as the Playstation GameShark, the Nintendo 64 GameShark has some major differences. First of all, because the Nintendo 64 is a cartridge based system, the Nintendo 64 GameShark is itself a cartridge. It plugs directly into the Nintendo 64 and has a slot across the top of it where the actual game is plugged in. In function, the Nintendo 64 GameShark is essentially the same as its Playstation counterpart, with one potential capability that I'll address later in this review. Let's review the similarities, and then I'll go over the differences.

The first thing you'll notice upon powering up is the GameShark logo screen which is then quickly followed by the main screen. At the top of the screen it'll say what version your GameShark is, and then you'll see a bar labeling the screen as the main menu. Below that are four options that lead you into other functions of the GameShark, and below that you'll see a number telling you how many games are currently supported by the GameShark as well as the total number of cheats available. You'll also see whether or not a game is currently selected and whether or not there are any cheat codes on. Now, on to the four main menu options.

The four Main Menu options are Start Game, Select Cheat Codes, Memory Card Manager, and Keycode Entry. Start Game simply lets you start whatever game you have plugged into the GameShark utilizing cheats or no cheats. Select Cheat Codes, as you all might've guessed, allows you to select a game from the list of currently supported games on the GameShark and then a code that's already on the GameShark for that game. If the GameShark doesn't have a listing for a game you want to use it with, then you have the option of selecting New Game from the top of the games list. This allows you to input the name of the game you have and any cheat codes you might happen to have gleaned from a magazine or website. There are many sites on the Internet that have GameShark codes, and new codes pop up daily. The Memory Card Manager option is very similar to the Memory Card Manager option that's built into the Nintendo 64. You can copy, edit, and delete saved game files from any memory paks you happen to have. Finally, you have the Keycode Entry option. Some games require a specific activation code be entered in order for it to work with the GameShark. Some games may share a specific keycode while others may require their own specific keycode, and not all games will require one. You'll know a keycode is needed if the game you're trying to use the GameShark with won't load. The GameShark comes preloaded with keycodes for many popular games such as Diddy Kong Racing, 1080 Snowboarding, F-Zero X, and The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time. Other keycodes can be obtained via InterAct's website, which is located at www.interact-acc.com The one thing you have to avoid doing is entering a keycode without the game that needs that code. Doing so will cause the GameShark to lock up until that specific game is inserted.

Another unique feature of the Nintendo 64 GameShark is the Smart Card Port located on the back of the GameShark. This port will utilize a range of RAM, ROM, and Flash ROM cards that will contain special cheats and memory card support. InterAct has yet to release any of these cards, but they'll probably find their way to store shelves eventually. There is also a button on the front of the GameShark as well as an LED indicator that are both designed to work with the Smart Card Port when and if the RAM, ROM, and Flash ROM cards are released.

Just like its Playstation counterpart, the Nintendo 64 GameShark is a great peripheral for those people who want to add a little more life to an old game or perhaps can't get through an incredibly difficult and frustrating game. If you're a code fiend or just need something to make an old game interesting again, go out and get yourself a GameShark.

    Title: SuperPad 64 Colors
    Platform: Nintendo 64
    Genre: Peripheral
    Manufacturer: InterAct

There are always a group of gamers that don't want or need a controller with auto fire, slow motion, or any other special feature. Some gamers just want a durable pad that fits well in their hands and works well. Enter the SuperPad 64 Colors.

The SuperPad 64 Colors is so named because it comes in red, black, green, and blue. Like the SharkPad Pro 64^2, the SuperPad 64 has some distinguishing features. Unlike the stock Nintendo 64 controller, the face of the SuperPad 64's directional pad is titled. This is really helpful because it lets your thumb rest comfortably while also stopping your thumb from slipping off while playing. The SuperPad's analog stick has a steel shaft unlike the stock Nintendo 64 controller, and that invariably means that it'll withstand more use and abuse. Finally, the SuperPad 64 has the single handle design that the SharkPad Pro has. This makes holding the controller less awkward which makes it more comfortable for those marathon gaming sessions.

The SuperPad 64 Colors is a fantastic controller for those people who just want an inexpensive no frills controller that'll last them a long time. If you're one of those people then the SuperPad 64 Colors is the controller for you.

    Title: UltraRacer 64
    Platform: Nintendo 64
    Genre: Peripheral
    Manufacturer: InterAct

The UltraRacer 64 from InterAct is essentially an evolution of those old rotary controllers some of you may remember from well over a decade ago. However, the UltraRacer 64 has been specifically designed for driving games, and it definitely has plenty of options.

The most prominent aspect of the UltraRacer 64 is definitely the sleek design. It looks nothing like most controllers, but its design lends itself well to the games it is meant to be used with. It's also one of the few controllers available that can be used by both right and left handed people. There are a total of fifteen buttons on the UltraRacer 64, as well as the Analog Mini Wheel and the A/B Throttle Control Trigger, which is located on the underside of the controller. On the face of the wheel you'll find the four C-buttons, and right below the wheel are four digital direction control buttons. The four digital direction control buttons function as the D-pad. Below the four digital direction control buttons are the L, R, and Z buttons as well as the "Extra" button which isn't mentioned in the manual at all. There's also a start/pause button, and an "A/B On/Off" switch that either activates or deactivates the A/B Throttle Control Trigger located on the underside of the UltraRacer 64. Along with the many buttons is an LED display which indicates program options. The program button makes a beep when it is pressed, and that is followed by the LED display lighting up. All the buttons on the UltraRacer 64 can be relocated and swapped around except for the Set and Start buttons. The Analog Mini Wheel is two inches in diameter, and is auto centering while also having a forty-five degree rotation. It also happens to be wrapped in soft rubber, so it's very easily gripped and manipulated. The UltraRacer 64 also has non-volatile memory which means that once you've set the buttons just as you want them they'll stay that way even when the Nintendo 64 is turned off.

As I said when I reviewed the Playstation UltraRacer, I personally prefer to use an actual steering wheel with gas and brake pedals for driving games, or else a controller that happens to have and analog stick or sticks attached. However, the UltraRacer 64 is very well designed and will surely appeal to some people. It's solidly constructed, just like its Playstation counterpart, and it definitely works well with whatever driving game you choose to play it with. If you're not into big steering wheels, and analog sticks don't quite work for you, the UltraRacer 64 is definitely a controller you should take a look at.

    Title: SharkPad Pro 64^2
    Platform: Nintendo 64
    Genre: Peripheral
    Manufacturer: InterAct

As is the case with the Playstation, the Nintendo 64 controller market is absolutely flooded year in and year out with every manner of controller imaginable. For some people, like myself, the stock Nintendo 64 controller is a bit too big and a bit too clunky. Enter the SharkPad Pro 64^2. The SharkPad Pro 64^2 is about the same size and shape as the stock Nintendo 64, but it has a few significant differences which make it a better pad.

First and foremost, the SharkPad Pro 64^2 doesn't have the three handle design that the stock Nintendo 64 controller has. Instead, it simply has one handle protruding below the analog stick. Those two extra handles on the stock controller were nothing but a nuisance as far as I'm concerned, so I was quite pleased to see that InterAct didn't put them on the SharkPad Pro 64^2. Secondly, the SharkPad Pro 64^2 has slow motion and auto fire capability, which is always nice for those games that require a button be pressed rapidly or methodically. The analog stick on the SharkPad Pro 64^2 has a steel shaft, as opposed to the analog stick on the stock Nintendo 64 controller which has a plastic shaft. This means that the analog stick on the SharkPad Pro 64^2 can take a lot more wear and tear than the analog stick on the stock Nintendo 64 controller can. The D-pad on the SharkPad Pro 64^2 is raised and curved, which allows your thumb to rest comfortably on it and helps prevent your thumb from sliding off due to sweat. The SharkPad Pro 64^2's two other distinguishing features are minor and purely cosmetic. Those being that the pad is clear allowing you to see its insides, and that there's a removable plastic tab which covers the auto fire and slow motion buttons. The SharkPad Pro 64^2 comes with a set of colored inserts, and so you can remove said piece of plastic and insert the colored tab of your choice.

There really aren't any drawbacks to the SharkPad Pro 64^2 that I can think of. It's solidly constructed, fits well in my hand, and has some nice features. If you need a good Nintendo 64 pad you can't go wrong with the SharkPad Pro 64^2.

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Copyright © 1998 Ian Johnston

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