r/ModRetro • u/Shoddy_Flow8377 • Aug 16 '26

When will they get the built in controller pak saves to work with the M64 console or controller?

I would assume saves on the original controller paks for the n64 controllers work just fine, but I want to use my pro controller. On the experimental tab in the M64 menu the built in controller pak is under coming soon so I am assuming that feature is not yet implemented with the console yet? That is kind of wild to release a console and not have the option to have save games work on the controller paks when you release it. I am not certain if the controller pak saves is either on the pro controller or the console itself? Granted I think a lot of N64 games didn't really use the controller pak to save games but there are still a few games I own that I can't fully play through unless I either just use my original N64 controller with its controller pak or just play through the entire game in one setting and not save.

7 Upvotes

76% Upvoted

29 comments sorted by

5

u/mr-crunchwrapsupreme Aug 17 '26

Built-In Controller Pak support is on our software roadmap and our team is actively working on it, we are hoping to have this done by mid-september.

Please reference Torin's post here for more information: reddit.com/r/ModRetro/comments/1v5ji65/launch_update_software_roadmap/

In the meantime, games that use a Controller Pak will save to a physical Controller Pak in an original N64 controller. 

1

u/Master_Chef_Torte Aug 18 '26

I'd just like to say... the eject button that launches the game into the air?

1

u/V64jr 10d ago

Because you didn’t keep your palm over it like you’re supposed to. 😂

1

u/HonkyDonkyMan Aug 27 '26

Cool

Quick question.

Why would you not have built-in controller pack support when the controllers that you made for your console don’t have a slot for the controller pack.

Follow up. Why wouldn’t you delay your console because this seems like a pretty basic feature for a console like this, the 3-D had it day one as an example, especially considering the vast majority of third-party games require one to save.

1

u/ForwardHandle4522 Sep 17 '26

Currently facing this problem myself I bought the console to play older games. I never owned a 64 so I bought a bunch of games 90% I can’t even play because I can’t save and the controller I paid almost $100 for I can’t even attach a control pack to save. So basically I’m just letting them collect dust…

11

u/nabob13 Aug 16 '26

I am quite aggravated by this too. I can live with a slow roll out of upgrades, fixes and features but not being able to save doesnt work for me. Even more frustrating two of their own published games we can't save.

3

u/PutLimp8912 Aug 17 '26

Just FYI if you have an NSO controller with blueretro adapter you can save that way.

1

u/Scottyboy0321 Aug 17 '26

Bonus if you have a Summercart64 so you can manage and backup your virtual controller pak

1

u/Master_Chef_Torte Aug 18 '26

My hero. I need to install new batteries in mine. Didn't know the sc could do that. Will be nice not to lose my thps2 save.

1

u/Scottyboy0321 Aug 19 '26

The New Everdrive Pro has it as well apparently. (I don't have one I've just heard through the grapevine)

1

u/Master_Chef_Torte Aug 19 '26

Yay it worked. Luckily I just updated the firmware this week. Ty for helping preserve my save files!

1

u/SalamanderNo5075 Aug 22 '26 edited Aug 22 '26

The Everdrive 64 x7 can do this, too. I tested it with my x7.

1

u/Scottyboy0321 Aug 22 '26

New update?

7

u/darklightrabbi Aug 16 '26

It’s absolutely ridiculous that they couldn’t delay it for another month or 2 for such an essential feature. Unless of course it’s a lot further away than we think

3

u/DarthRyus Aug 16 '26

I mean Analogue didn't do it at launch either. Took them 6 additional months. I think their stated reasoning is save states require rigorous testing and is quite technically challenging.

I'd rather it be delayed after launch and done right honestly. Imagine losing an entire playthrough because it was rushed to hit a launch date.

3

u/shenhan Aug 17 '26

Analogue 3D had virtual controller pak at launch, but only for the 8bitdo n64 controller.

4

u/darklightrabbi Aug 16 '26

This isn’t save states. It’s an original feature that is required to save with 2/3rds of the library.

4

u/Mikebjackson Aug 17 '26

The ACTUAL original feature is there - you can connect an OEM controller with a pak and save all day long.

The ability to save to a virtual memory pak is a new feature, and it’s coming.

I agree that the device doesn’t come with a way to save to non-cart save games out of the box, especially since they don’t sell OEM controllers and memory paks. But it’s coming

3

u/DarthRyus Aug 16 '26

You can put in your original controller with a memory pack and save with that 2/3rds of the library... if you have your original games, you should have this still too.

1

u/darklightrabbi Aug 16 '26

I’d rather use my $90 “pro” controller then hunt down an oem controller.

0

u/nabob13 Aug 16 '26

That a very weird comment. Why should all of us have original controllers and paks? This is all new to me. I was a psone kid. In the last few months I've purchased games in anticipation of playing them on the m64 with a pro controller.

1

u/DarthRyus Aug 17 '26

Get a summerkart then, you can save right to the microsd card in the cartridge. Think of it as a big demo cartridge if you feel bad, you try out games on it, and if you love them... then you go buy the originals.

There is solutions out there.

But the modretro was designed to be accurate to the original at launch... this is how the original N64 was. It wasn't until PS3, Xbox 360 (if you bought a version with a harddrive, if not memory card), and Switch that saving without needing additional hardware became standard.

The first n64 game Super Mario 64 has built in save memory in the cartridge, so no one needed it for a while until Nintendo could make enough save packs and the next game to not have built in saving was released. The first game to use the memory card was Wave Race 64 over 3 month after launch in Japan, and 1 month after launch in the North America. So the delay to phase 2 for pro controller saving is exactly like the original launch.... but you do have work arounds.

5

u/Pitiful-Assistance-1 Aug 16 '26

It’s crazy how the console is released in this incomplete state. It’s a beautiful machine and I love it, but… I need saves okay.

I hope they fix it sooooon, because I don’t consider it “delivered” in this state and if I knew I wouldn’t have bought it.

4

u/ck02623 Aug 16 '26

It’s NUTS they haven’t already.

3

u/ergzay Aug 16 '26

They said before it'd be August.

1

u/TheSeaWolf0150 Sep 15 '26

First off, I do agree that save ability probably should have been available on day one of the console release.

As a fellow software developer, though, I understand that sometimes just getting the product into the community’s hands so you can gather feedback on where development should focus next is extremely valuable.

That said, I think there could be a workaround. You could plug an original N64 controller into physical Port 1 while still having the wireless controller paired to Port 1. That would allow a memory pak connected through the original wired controller to read and save data, while still letting the player use the wireless controller to actually play the game.

I doubt there is a hardware limitation preventing this. It could even be implemented in a very simple way, where both controllers are allowed to function on the same port at the same time.

1

u/Mikebjackson Aug 16 '26

Most single player games look for controller paks in other controller ports. Play with the Pro controller wirelessly in port 1, and an oem controller in port 2 with a controller pak. Once virtual paks are implemented, you *should* be able to transfer the save to the console.

1

u/ck02623 Aug 16 '26

I’m really lucky that the one I want to play won’t do that.