List of Nintendo 64 games
The Nintendo 64 video game console has a library of games, which were primarily released in plastic ROM cartridges. Two small indentations on the back of each cartridge allows it to connect or pass through the system's cartridge dustcover flaps. All regions have the same connectors, and region-locked cartridges will fit into the other regions' systems by using a cartridge converter or by simply removing the cartridge's casing. However, the systems are also equipped with lockout chips that will only allow them to play their appropriate games. Both Japanese and North American systems have the same NTSC lockout, while Europe has a PAL lockout. A bypass device such as the N64 Passport or the Datel Action Replay can be used to play import titles, but a few games require an additional boot code before they can be played.
Of the console's 388 official releases, 85 are region-locked to Japan, 50 to North America, and 4 to Europe. The Nintendo 64 was first launched in Japan on June 23, 1996 with Super Mario 64, Pilotwings 64, and Saikyo Habu Shogi; in North America with Super Mario 64 and Pilotwings 64; and in Europe with Super Mario 64, Pilotwings 64, Star Wars: Shadows of the Empire, and Turok: Dinosaur Hunter. The last game to be published for the system was the North American-locked Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3 on August 20, 2002. The best-selling game is Super Mario 64 with 11 million units as of May 21, 2003. Regardless of the higher cost of cartridge production and of continued criticism over releasing a cartridge-based system, the total unit sales of Nintendo 64 software has exceeded the total unit sales of Nintendo GameCube software.