N64 PASSPORT PLUS 3

This is one of the adaptors which has been on the market for the longest time. The Passport 3 converter consists of two things, one being the function as a cheat cartridge, just like the GameShark/Action Replay, well it actually has an action replay built-in. The most unfortunate thing about this that the list of cheats cannot be updated, and the cheat list included has a very limited number of games, the list says 38 but since some games are listed double (like UK and JAP version), there's far from.

But the cool thing is that you're able to visit Datel's (www.codejunkies.com) or Interact's (www.gameshark.com) and obtain new codes, since the Passport 3 also has the feature of entering new codes into the cartridge, that makes everything a lot better, else the cheat menu would've been a bit unuseful.

To be able to get the converter to work it needs a PAL or NTSC cartridge inserted into its back, cartridge type is depending on in which part of the world you're located, so basicly this means that you need to insert a cartridge from your own country. The foreign cartridge goes on top of the converter, which by the way is shaped exactly like Datel's Action Replay.

the lot fits nicely into the N64 and once the system is booting, you're shown a nice EMS logo on a blue screen, which a few seconds later takes you to the menu. The converter is capable of changing the game's bootcode, which is something that prevents games from being used in areas they weren't intended by Nintendo to be used, like an American N64 cartridge in a European N64. Fortunately these converters exist so that everyone will be able to play anything they want, especially since some games are released only in one area, the European release of Taz Express.

Besides the cool built-in Action Replay/Game Shark you get a memory card manager, which is very useful if you wanna give one of your hot controller pak saves to a friend for him to check out on his own Nintendo64. But this feature can also be used to back up game cartridge saves, wouldn't it be a pain if you lost your Legend of Zelda save, or the 105 coins in Mario 64?

Unfortunately the Passport 3 has the save problems as the Action Replay when it comes to backing up SRAM, it was only able to back up one of my 4 games using SRAM. It also had problems backing up 16k eeprom saves, which Star Wars Racer, Ridge Racer, Donkey Kong 64 and other games uses, it stalled when I tried to back up my Star Wars Racer save. But the unit works great with the most common save type, which is 4k eeprom, a save type most older games uses. In case you're wondering, no it can't backup flash saves either.

This thingy can be used by Doctor V64 and CD64 backup system users aswell, on the V64 you simply plug the Passport 3 in between the V64 emulator cartridge and the N64 and you're able to use the Passport 3 adaptor with any of you game backups.

In all this is a pretty cool item and a cheap way to get an Action Replay/GameShark, plus you get the country code crushing feature, allowing you to play import cartridges. It works on both PAL and N64 tv's, I was afraid that the menu might flicker on PAL since most most other accessories does, like the Game Shark, but it worked great.

You can get the N64 Passport 3 Plus from Lik Sang, click here to check out their site.