
The Mr. Backup Z64 is a
game backup device
A game backup device, informally called a copier, is a device for backing up ROM data from a video game cartridge to a computer file called a ROM image and playing them back on the official hardware. Recently flash cartridges, especially on the ...
designed by Harrison Electronics, Inc., able to store
Nintendo 64
The (N64) is a home video game console developed by Nintendo. The successor to the Super Nintendo Entertainment System, it was released on June 23, 1996, in Japan, on September 29, 1996, in North America, and on March 1, 1997, in Europe and ...
games as
ROM image
A ROM image, or ROM file, is a computer file which contains a copy of the data from a read-only memory chip, often from a video game cartridge, or used to contain a computer's firmware, or from an arcade game's main board. The term is frequ ...
s on
Zip Diskettes. Units such as this can make copies of a game which can be played in a Nintendo 64
emulator
In computing, an emulator is hardware or software that enables one computer system (called the ''host'') to behave like another computer system (called the ''guest''). An emulator typically enables the host system to run software or use peri ...
.
Design

Unlike the
Doctor V64
The Doctor V64 (also referred to simply as the V64) is a development and backup device made by Bung Enterprises Ltd that is used in conjunction with the Nintendo 64. The Doctor V64 also had the ability to play Video CDs, audio CDs and had a ...
, which plugs into the expansion slot in the bottom, this backup unit plugs into the cartridge slot, so the Nintendo 64 perceives it as a regular game cartridge. The unit features an upgradable BIOS, a basic back lit black text LCD panel, and buttons enabling users to unlock and use features of this backup unit. Some units include the ability to add
Game Genie
Game Genie is a line of video game cheat cartridges originally designed by Codemasters, sold by Camerica and Galoob. The first device in the series was released in 1990 for the Nintendo Entertainment System, with subsequent devices released for th ...
codes and various other cheats and saved games.
Hardware revisions
The original Z64 has a hardware set limit of 128 megabits. Because it is not capable of addressing any RAM above 16 megabytes, the user can not upgrade the RAM in order play bigger games. Once 256 megabit games became more prevalent, the parent company released hardware version 2.0 which includes a fully addressable 32 megabyte RAM chip, allowing the larger games to play. The 1.0 units can not be upgraded to 2.0. No further hardware revision has been made to allow for the playing of the few 512 megabit games that were released.
Features
Features of the Z64 include the following:
* Independently operating without connecting to computers or any peripherals
* Simple installation, plug and play with only a few buttons
* Capable of automatically detecting a defective game cartridge
* Capable of backing up game cartridge data into Zip Disk
* Capable of playing games from the cartridge
* Capable of playing game files stored on the Zip Disk
* Capable of storing the game record on EEPROM and SRAM
* Capable of clearing data files stored in the diskette
* With built-in 256 megabit memory (32 megabyte DRAM)
* With built-in ZIP-100 disk drive
* Store average 6–12 files in one ZIP-100 diskette
* Average 16–64 seconds to back up each cartridge depending on game size
* Flash BIOS for convenient upgrade from Zip Disk
Specifications
The Z64's system specifications are the following:
* Range of
operating temperature
An operating temperature is the allowable temperature range of the local ambient environment at which an electrical or mechanical device operates. The device will operate effectively within a specified temperature range which varies based on the de ...
: 0 to 55 °C*
* Range of Storage Temperature: -25 to + 80 °C
* Net Weight: 1.5 kg
* Power: 5 W
* Input: 100–240 V AC, 0.2 A
* Output: DC +5 V / Maximum: 1.6 A
* Dimension: 24 cm x 14 cm x 13 cm (L x W x H)
* Internal RAM: 256 Mbits (32 MB, 8x32 72-pin NP EDO SIMM) Standard
* Media: 100 MB PC format Zip disk
* CPU: 386SX/40 MHz
* BIOS: Flashable
References
External links
Mr. Backup Z64 user manualZ64 FAQ Mirror
{{Nintendo 64
Nintendo 64 accessories
Unlicensed Nintendo hardware