Flash cart setup

A Cart64 cartridge is one ordinary .z64 file. Any N64 flash cart that runs homebrew .z64 files can start it, including SummerCart64, EverDrive 64 and 64drive. Copy the file to the flash cart, pick it in the menu, and play.

The short version

1. Make the .z64 on cart64.com (see the main guide).
2. Copy it to your flash cart's SD card. Any folder works; a folder such as GBC keeps things tidy.
3. Put the flash cart in the console, switch on, and pick the file in the menu.

Cart64 files are homebrew, so the flash cart treats them like any other homebrew program. You do not need to change any special setting to start one.

SummerCart64

• Where the file goes: anywhere on the SD card the flash cart's menu can browse. Copy the .z64, put the SD card back, and pick the file in the menu.
• Saves: Cart64 writes the save type into the cartridge header, and a menu that reads the header sets it up for you. If your menu has a save type setting for the file, choose the type Cart64 showed on the game card (SRAM or FlashRAM).

EverDrive 64

• Where the file goes: anywhere on the SD card outside the EverDrive's own system folder. Pick it in the EverDrive menu.
• Saves: if the menu asks for a save type, or offers one in the file's options, choose the type Cart64 showed on the game card: SRAM (32 KB) or FlashRAM.

64drive

• Where the file goes: a 64drive is loaded from a computer over USB with its loader tool. Send the .z64 file to the cart the way you load any homebrew.
• Saves: set the save type in the loader to match the game card: SRAM 256 kbit (32 KB) or FlashRAM 1 Mbit.

How saves work

A Game Boy game with a battery save keeps its save in the flash cart's save memory, the same place an N64 game would. Cart64 chooses the save type from the game's own cartridge header:

Saves survive turning the console off. Many flash carts copy the save to the SD card when you press Reset or go back to the menu, so if a save goes missing:

• Save in the game, then press Reset and let the flash cart's menu load once before switching off.
• Check that the save type for the file matches the game card (SRAM or FlashRAM).
• Update the flash cart's menu or firmware if it is old, and check its manual for how it stores saves.

Games with a clock

Games with a real-time clock, such as Pokemon Gold, Silver and Crystal, keep their clock running while you play. Time does not pass while the console is off yet. A version that uses the flash cart's own clock is coming.

Region

There is no regional version to pick: Cart64 makes one .z64 file for every console. The N64's region check is handled by your flash cart, as it is for any homebrew program.

Expansion Pak

Not required. Games over about 2.5 MB load in pieces, and the Expansion Pak helps with that. In the rare case a game needs it, the cartridge tells you with code 7 (see troubleshooting).