Is N64 3D homebrew possible?

[Jeckidy]

It seems all homebrew games are generally in 2D, which is great. However, I am tempted by the idea of making a new 3D game for an older platform like N64. I mean I love 2D, but if I wanted to do 3D development for it, is it really that difficult? What kind of programs would you use for rendering polygons for an N64 homebrew without an official devkit?

[j_factor]

Unless something's changed recently, there's not a lot of good documentation out there on the N64, because Nintendo was really secretive about their hardware. Even legitimate third parties during the normal life of the system weren't given full access.

Besides, it would probably be a lot easier on Dreamcast.

[Chilly Willy]

I haven't looked into N64 homebrew. I probably will once the Neo flash cart for the N64 comes out - I plan to get one.

[Jeckidy]

Same - I've had my N64 since it first came out in 1996, and got it for christmas, still works great too. I also plan to get Neo's PC Engine and Megadrive flashcarts very soon. I look forward to their SNES one as well, if they are indeed making it.

[Jeckidy]

Regardless of how easy it is to dev on N64, I would be interested in trying to homebrew both 2D and 3D games for it. It seems exciting to be able to test its limits.

[tomaitheous]

Unless something's changed recently, there's not a lot of good documentation out there on the N64, because Nintendo was really secretive about their hardware. Even legitimate third parties during the normal life of the system weren't given full access.

That was then, this is now. I've haven't looked into it, but I'm sure there might be some leaked dev manuals (there are for GB/C and SNES). But regardless, emulators know enough about the system to get the games to run. So there's definitely enough information out there. Finding it, might be another thing altogether. But if you've got enough info, you can do you're own R&D to figure out the rest. It's not uncommon. Usually recommend to sort out any hardware quirks that aren't emulated :/

[Honey the Cat]

I haven't looked into N64 homebrew. I probably will once the Neo flash cart for the N64 comes out - I plan to get one.

Use Doctor V64.