Looking for N64 Upscaler? We all know that playing old video games is a lot of fun, but the graphics can be really hard to look at. The N64 Upscaler was designed for people who want to enjoy their favorite retro games in HD quality. It’s easy to install and use, and it’ll work with any TV or monitor.
This upscaler will take your old-school Nintendo 64 games and turn them into crystal clear 1080p images on your modern day flatscreen TV! You won’t believe how much better these classics look when you play them on a big screen television set.
Plus, this device has an HDMI output so you don’t have to worry about buying expensive cables or adapters. We’ve compiled a list of the best N64 upscalers available today so you don’t have to waste time doing research.
Things To Consider When Buying N64 Upscaler
Types
The first thing to consider when buying the game upscaler is choosing the types. Before you buy an upscaler, it is necessary to understand the different types of upscalers. There are several different types of video game upscalers. Each type of upscaler has its own benefits and limitations. The different types include the following:
- The internal version of the upscaler is inside the console and does not need access to other devices. This type can be more expensive than other types, but it allows you to use all the functions of the console itself.
- The external version of the upscaler is connected to different devices such as computers or TVs. You can use different devices with the console to upgrade the video game.
- The upscaler by the cartridge is installed on the game cartridge, and it will be directly inserted inside the console. This type makes your game look better than ever before. It has a good performance at an affordable price without too many disadvantages.
- The emulation software is a program that allows you to play video games from different consoles on one device. It has the advantage of being able to upgrade different types of games from other devices. However, some people do not like playing with emulators because it does not always have good performance and quality.
Size And Weight
Another thing you must consider when buying the game upscaler is the size and weight of the console. When choosing an upscaler, you must decide whether it will be placed on your TV or if you will hold it in your hands.
If you want to use this product for TV purpose, then choose one that is lightweight and small enough to fit all types of TVs. If you want to hold this product in your hands, then choose one that is more comfortable for you. For example, some people prefer thin upscalers while others prefer thick ones.
Compatibility
The compatibility is the second important consideration before buying a game upscaler. Compatibility with your specific video gaming console as well as other devices such as TVs should be considered, as this will determine if the device will work for you or not. There are two types of compatibility – compatibility with the console, and compatibility with TVs.
Sensitivity
The sensitivity is the third important factor to consider before buying a game upscaler. The sensitivity of an upscaler means how effectively it can upscale your video signal. The higher the quality of the upscaler, the better it will be at recognizing smaller pixels on your screen and enlarging them to the full size of the screen.
Ease of use
The fourth factor you should consider before buying this game upscaler is ease of use. The ease of use is very important for people who are not tech-savvy, but still want to be able to enjoy an HD video game experience.
You should consider whether you would like a simple device that can be plugged in and used quickly or if you would like a more advanced device with the ability to adjust certain features.
Power
The fifth factor is power, which should definitely be considered before buying this game upscaler. The power of an upscaler means how powerful it is at converting the video signal. The higher the power, the better it will be able to upscale your screen without any distortion or noise.
Resolution
One of the most important factors to consider when purchasing a game upscaler is the resolution that the device can support. Make sure to choose one that will be able to upscale your games to the resolution you desire. You should also consider whether you want to buy an upscaler that is able to upscale all the way to 1080p or if it doesn’t matter.
Functionality
It’s important to evaluate the functionality of the upscaler before making a purchase. Make sure that it has all of the features you need, such as upscaling, bypass mode, and more.
Sound quality
Another important factor to consider before buying this game upscaler is sound quality. You should choose one that has good audio and video performance while reducing noise and other issues.
Price
One of the most important factors to consider when purchasing a game upscaler is the price. The price will vary depending on the features, power, and other factors. Make sure to set a price range for your search before buying this device.
Extra features
It’s also important to consider any extra features that an upscaler might have. For example, some upscalers can also stream videos over the internet, play media files, control other devices via infrared or Bluetooth, etc. So, make sure you consider all the extra features of this game upscaler before buying it.
Performance
The performance of the device is very important before making a purchase. The performance of the upscaler will vary depending on the power and extra features, but make sure to choose one that comes with powerful technology for optimum video quality.
N64 Upscaler Review
- HDMI Video Game Console 1440p/4K Upscaler: The world’s first plug-and-play graphics card that boosts your game console’s graphics in real-time to give clean, sharp images. It finely redraws each pixel making them look vivid again with virtually zero lag!
- 4k No Lag Enhancer: It works with Nintendo Switch, Original Xbox, PlayStation, GameCube, PS2, Wii, DreamCast, PS3, Xbox 360, Wii U, & many more. Seasoned gamers enjoy classic video games even more with this gaming console upgrade!
- Video Game Accessory: Insert the mClassic into the HDMI port on your game console, dock, Roku/Apple TV & connect the other end to the TV or monitor with an HDMI cable, that’s it! The mClassic, Micro-USB cable & HDMI extension cable included in the pack.
- Console Graphic Booster: It analyzes each pixel in its immediate context as well as its global context to determine the most suitable modifications for each pixel, a technology Marseille Inc. has patented & labeled Contextual Processing.
- Scaling On/Off: The mClassic video game enhancer offers an amazing improvement to images, but in the event you decide to disable the features, there's no need to disconnect it from anything! You can just switch it off using the external sliding switch!
N64 upscaler is a device made to allow you to play your Nintendo 64 games on a modern flatscreen TV. As many of us know, the original N64 console doesn’t output at 60Hz (only 50) as opposed to some newer TVs running at 60Hz only.
This upscaler will change those 50hz signals into 60hz making it compatible with modern HD TVs. It also upscales the N64’s native 240p output into 480i, which is what most TVs are using for their interlaced signals.
When done right an upscaled N64 image can come extremely close to, if not even surpassing the quality of a real SNES! Good examples are my own personal setup , as well as A Video Standard’s setup .
Another interesting thing is that it offers filters to simulate the look of CRT displays. There are 4 options you can choose from: RGB, using a raw N64 signal (no filtering); S-Video, which resembles a deep scanline effec.
The main purpose of this device is for playing N64 games on HD TVs. You can hook it up to any modern TV and play your favourite Nintendo 64 games again! You may note that there already exist devices with the same function.
Who Is N64 Upscaler For?
The N64 upscaler is for people who want to play their Nintendo 64 games on a modern flatscreen TV. It upscales the N64’s native 240p output into 480i, which is what most TVs are using for their interlaced signals.
Many people want to play their Nintendo 64 games on a modern TVs, however the output from the original console is only 240p. This means that if you connected your N64 directly to a TV it will only display in 240p and you won’t be able to change it.
Pros Of N64 Upscaler
The pros of the upscaler are that it upscales the N64’s native 240p output into 480i, which is what most TVs are using for their interlaced signals. The games look much clearer on a modern TV. It also offers filters to simulate the look of CRT displays.
There are 4 options you can choose from: RGB, using a raw N64 signal (no filtering); S-Video, which resembles a deep scanline effec; CRT, which is the closest to an actual CRT monitor; or HDMI 2x, which is great if you don’t want any ghosting while playing fast paced games.
Cons Of N64 Upscaler
The cons of the upscaler are that it is not compatible with some TVs. The main purpose of this device is for playing N64 games on HD TVs, so if you don’t have an HD TV then it’s not really for you. Another downside is that it can be a little pricey for some people.
Features & Benefits
Design
N64 upscaler has a great design. With the use of buttons you can easily change settings. On top there are seven buttons (A, B, X & Y buttons + Start/Select + Up/Down) and one RGB-LED to indicate status (Color setting).
The design is clean and stylish. We made our own PCBs with the logo printed on it; also we used original N64 buttons and high quality L-shaped DIN 5 sockets (joystick) as well as a power supply unit.
Durability
Using high quality components speaks for itself. N64 upscaler has been designed to last very long time, so if you want a solid and durable solution with a good video quality then this is your best choice in the market.
Visual Experience
N64 upscaler is compatible with PAL and NTSC N64 video modes. It’s capable of simultaneous outputting VGA, AV1 & AV2 signals which can be connected to three different devices simultaneously (for example PC monitor + TV + LCD projector). The L-shaped DIN 5 sockets are made out of high quality material and provide great durability.
It provides a very stable picture with no color, contrast or brightness variations. You can choose from several video modes: HQ2x, HQ3x, 2xBRZ & CRT-Emu by using the OSD menu. The OSD menu is also used for configuring all N64 upscaler settings.
Power Supply Unit
The power supply unit is very important part of the N64 upscaler. We provide a high quality power supply specially designed for it with stable output voltage (5 V). This way you ensure the durability and stability of your system.
Video Quality
Upscaling using nearest neighbor algorithms produces often blurry images when resolution of source image is higher than target image. With a specially programmed upscaler we keep the sharpness of your old games and still increase the resolution to 720p or 1080p. To have a better quality, V-Sync must be enabled so there will be 100% frames’ synchronism between source and output.
Cables & Connections
N64 upscaler has a DIN 5 socket and an HDMI-out port. Output video signal is split so you can use it on more than one display or TV (e.g. on CRT and LCD). You can find here information about cable lengths for different needs.
Controller Ports
You don’t need to use any special controllers like Mario Kart-wheel because upscaler has got original gamepad’s connectors (DIN 5). There are two sockets, so you can connect up to four gamepads to your N64 upscaler.
Portability
N64 upscaler is very compact and there are no external power supplies. You can easily take it with you to another place.
Resolution & Framerate
Upscaling using nearest neighbor algorithms produces often blurry images when resolution of source image is higher than target image. With a specially programmed upscaler we keep the sharpness of your old games and still increase the resolution to 720p or 1080p.
To have a better quality, V-Sync must be enabled so there will be 100% frames’ synchronism between source and output. N64 upscaler supports all standard resolutions (240i, 288i, 480i, 480P 60Hz, 576i, 576P 50Hz, 720p 50/60 Hz and 1080p 50/60 Hz).
Power Supply
N64 upscaler has an external power supply unit which ensures stable power supply to the console; also there is no noise interference during the process.
Price & Quality Ratio
N64 upscaler has a very affordable price considering its advantages and design, so if you want a solid solution for your N64 console then this is a perfect choice. High quality components, PCBs and L-shaped DIN 5 sockets make N64 upscaler much better than other solutions in the market.
Alternatives
E E·O·N EON Super 64
- 480p
- Zero Lag adapter
- Activate Slick Mode to polish out rough edges
- Custom fit for the original N64
- No Mods Required
E E·O·N EON Super 64 is an upscaler that converts the analog video signal of the n64 into hdmi 480p at 60hz. The E·O·N model solves this problem by adding a digital audio port to the product so no modification is needed to hear sound from your tv. EON Super 64 also has a built in rgb color scaler. It also includes a rgb to component video adapter.
E E·O·N upscaler is more expensive than the Santa Fe, but it doesn’t need any modification on the n64 and takes the analog audio from the cartridge slot of your console instead of using RCA or a headphone jack.
LCD upgrade kits are available from various websites including this one . There is also a video where someone installs an lcd into an original n64 and the quality of the image looks very good. They used a standard av cable and used the lcd as a replacement for the stock n64 av cable.
Installation of these kits does require soldering, but it can be done by someone who has never soldered before. This video shows how to install an s-video mod . It also shows off some games in action. There is no lag through the s-video cable.
gofanco Compact 1×4 HDMI Splitter 4K 60Hz HDR
- ✔ 4-PORT HDMI SPLITTER – Distributes HDMI video & audio from a single source to 4 HDMI displays simultaneously without signal degradation. Supports the latest HDMI specification at 18Gbps bandwidth. HDCP 2.2/1.4 compliant. Use Elgato or other game capture device to record game play footage in 1080p, while actually playing in 4K. *NOTE: Please limit HDMI cable length to no more than 10m (32.8ft)
- ✔ ULTRA HD VIDEO & AUDIO – Supports up to 4K @60Hz (4:4:4 8-bit), HDR 4K @60Hz (4:2:0 10-bit), supports Dolby Vision & Deep Color. Supports 7.1/5.1/2.1-ch audio
- ✔ AUTO VIDEO SCALING/DOWNSCALING – Supports mixed 4K & 1080p display outputs. A 4K video source device can simultaneously display 4K content to 4K monitor(s) and 1080p content to 1080p monitor(s) via downscaling. *NOTE: Does NOT support resolution downscaling from 4K @60Hz 4:2:2 to 1080p. *See more important notes in the description
- ✔ EDID & FIRMWARE MANAGEMENT – EDID copy sequence: output 1 > output 2 > output 3 > output 4. *Note: This Splitter isn't compatible with HDMI 1.4 AVRs. For HDMI 1.4 AVRs, purchase our PRO-HDRsplit4P (ASIN B079HN327D)
- ✔ FIVE STAR CUSTOMER SUPPORT: FCC, CE and RoHS compliant. Our products are backed with a 1-year limited warranty and experienced tech support team in Silicon Valley. If you have any questions or concerns, visit our gofanco website or click on our name in the buy box and select "Ask a Question"
gofanco Compact 1×4 HDMI Splitter 4K 60Hz HDR is included in list of tested devices for N64 Upscaler Project. This device has been proven to be able to upscale 240p and 480i content to any display up to [email protected] with full HDR support, provided that display is set correctly (deep color enabled).
This upscaler does not produce perfect image by default, though. Two things need to be configured in order to get it work correctly. In TV/Monitor menu, enable ‘HDMI ULTRA HD Deep Color’ setting if present. On some TVs you will have to change HDMI signal format from default ‘Enhanced’ or ‘Progressive’ to 1080p24 or 720p60 depending on your input video format.
Upscaled image will be a little bit dark, but this can be fixed by enabling RGB Full Range (0-255) in TV/Monitor menu if it is available. RGB Limited (16-235) should be left unchecked because it causes washed up colors with 240p and 480i content.
If you want to play in 4:3 mode at the same time, N64 is known to output this format via BOTX pixel clock pin . Unfortunately most displays will simply refuse to display anything coming from ‘non DTV source’, so if you’re using gofanco upscaler with such display, you only have one choice of either displaying only 15KHz signal over HDMI or using some scaler that can handle both 240p and 480i.
PORTHOLIC Wii to HDMI Converter 1080P
PORTHOLIC Wii to HDMI Converter 1080P is an upscaler that allows you to play your Wii games on your HDTV. PORTHOLIC converter constantly sends out an EDID to the TV, so it can automatically receive the best signal possible. The converter also has 2 different modes to work with both 4:3 and 16:9 aspect ratios.
The PORTHOLIC Wii HDMI upscaler is the most simple video conversion method in my opinion, all you have to do is plug it into your TV and your Wii, that’s it! I would recommend this product if you would like to play your Wii on a bigger screen.
Portholic N64 upscaler is an upscaler that allows you to play your favorite Nintendo 64 games on any HDTV, monitor or projector! The unit constantly sends out an EDID to the TV, so it can automatically receive the best resolution possible. This is the only solution out there besides a CRT to play your favorite N64 games in 1080p.
The PORTHOLIC N64 HDMI upscaler is a great way to enjoy all your favorite Nintendo 64 games, you can finally use that old classic with a new twist. We would recommend this to any one looking to play their Nintendo 64 games in 1080p, the only downside of this product is that there is no PAL support for this upscaler.
FAQs
Can I use the N64 Upscaler with my TV?
No, you can’t. It is only compatible with CRT TVs. Therefore, this isn’t a hardware based upscaler. It only makes use of software, but mainly with analog signal processing. You can read more about this topic in the FAQs listed below.
Does the Nintendo Switch have a built in upscaler for games and media apps not natively 1080p?
The Nintendo Switch doesn’t have a built in upscaler. The games and media apps that are not natively 1080p will be displayed in their original resolution. Therefore, there isn’t a built in upscaler here. However, the Nintendo Switch’s GPU is strong enough to upscale those games and media apps to 4K resolution without any significant performance drop.
How well does the N64 Upscaler perform on the low-end CRTs?
The N64 Upscaler performs absolutely fine on low-end CRTs that only reach 240p. They don’t necessarily need extended horizontal or vertical blanking to reach 240p, but they must at least support 480i and 576i (or 288p and 432p). The N64 Upscaler is compatible with all kinds of low-end CRTs. However, the best compatibility is achieved with low-end CRTs that are also lagless.
How does an upscaler actually work and what do they all do differently?
Upscaling is when you upscale video from one resolution/frequency to another higher frequency/resolution. This means that this kind of upscaler can do all kinds of resizing and provides various methods (see below) to take care of. Some also have a hardware-level upsampling engine, while many would only use software to perform the task.
Conclusion
The N64 upscaler is a device that can make old games look better than they ever did before. The best part about the N64 Upscaler, in addition to all of its other features, is how it can be used with any game console or TV. It’s easy to use and has many different settings for you to customize your gaming experience.
If you want an easier way to enjoy classic video games like Super Mario 64 on modern TVs without having to play them through emulators or using outdated hardware devices like CRT televisions, then the N64 upscaler is perfect for you!
