About this game
Quake is a 1996 first-person shooter for the nintendo 64, developed by id Software, directed by John Romero, with music by Trent Reznor. It belongs to the Quake series.
Collector's Guide
Region & Compatibility
The N64 uses a mechanical region lock rather than a software one: Japanese and North American cartridges share the same NTSC signal, but the physical shape of the cartridge's back shell and the console's slot are different, so a Japanese cartridge will not slide fully into a North American console without modification, and vice versa. The simplest fix is removing the two plastic tabs inside the console's cartridge slot, or swapping the cartridge's back shell — neither requires any electronic modification. PAL (European) cartridges and consoles are a separate case: 50Hz vs 60Hz incompatibility means simple physical modifications are not enough, and a frequency mod is also required.
Maintenance Tips
The N64 cartridge connector is the most common failure point — clean the edge contacts with 90% or higher isopropyl alcohol on a cotton swab every 6 to 12 months, and avoid blowing into the cartridge slot as moisture accelerates pin corrosion. The original analog stick is made with a plastic-on-plastic gear mechanism that wears into a gritty, loose feel over decades of use; check for smooth snap-back to center before buying, and know that replacement sticks are widely available but none have fully matched the original feel. Store cartridges in a cool, dry place and handle them by the plastic shell, not the gold contacts.
Going deeper
Explore the machine this game ran on, and what to check before you buy or care for one:
What to Watch Out For
Before buying, these are the points worth knowing — from someone who handles original Japanese Quake copies regularly.
Do I need the Expansion Pak to play all N64 games?
Not for most games, but two titles — Donkey Kong 64 and The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask — will not run at all without the Expansion Pak. Perfect Dark is technically playable without it, but the core multiplayer mode is locked unless the Pak is installed. If you are buying these titles, confirm the Expansion Pak is included or budget for one separately.
How do I tell if an N64 controller's analog stick is worn out?
Move the stick in all directions and release it. On a healthy stick it snaps back firmly to center. A worn stick will feel gritty or sandy, show noticeable wobble, or drift and not return to neutral. Worn sticks are very common on used controllers — there is no N64 controller old enough to be guaranteed original condition. Replacement sticks are readily available, but expect a slightly different feel compared to a new original.
Will a Japanese N64 game work on a North American console?
The electronics are compatible (both are NTSC), but the different cartridge shape means a Japanese cart will not physically insert into a North American console without removing two plastic tabs inside the cartridge slot, or swapping the cartridge shell. No soldering or chip modification is needed for Japan-to-North America play. PAL consoles require additional modifications beyond the physical fix.
Before You Buy
Things worth knowing before you buy Quake
A short checklist for buying a used Nintendo 64 cartridge wisely — useful with any seller, anywhere.
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Choose a seller who tests it before shipping
A copy that has actually been powered on and checked is a known quantity. An untested one is a gamble you only settle after it arrives.
Look for a seller who states it was function-tested and says what they confirmed. A serious seller can tell you exactly what was checked.
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Make sure it fits your console
This is a Japanese N64 cartridge. The N64 is region-locked by shape and lockout, so a Japanese cart needs a Japanese console or an adapter.
Play it on a matching Japanese console or a region-free system, and confirm the listing states the region.
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If this title saves your progress, check the battery
Cartridges that save use a small coin-cell battery that fades over decades — a dead one wipes your save without warning.
Ask the seller whether the save function was tested. Replacing the battery is possible, but doing so erases any existing save.
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Check that the contacts are clean
Dirty edge contacts are the most common cause of startup and sound trouble in cartridges of this age.
Choose a seller who cleans the contacts before shipping. A note that it was tested and cleaned means the basics were handled.
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Read the seller's reviews and return policy
A 100% positive record across thousands of sales is close to a guarantee — packing, communication and problem-solving all work for everyone. A return policy protects you if something is off.
Read the feedback and confirm a clear return window before you buy.
The last step before buying anywhere is knowing what it's worth.
See what it's selling for on eBay →Unexpected Discoveries
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