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The Nintendo 64 was the world's first, true 64-bit console system. With real-time rendering and anti-aliased graphics, the Nintendo 64 was designed from the ground up for 3-D gaming. But its controversial design prompted some to question Nintendo's wisdom. Unlike every other system of the day, Nintendo chose to use cartridges, a 20 year old technology. The Sony PlayStation, Sega Saturn and 3DO all used CD-ROMs which are cheaper to make and can hold far more data. But cartridges are much faster than CD-ROMs, and for this reason Nintendo chose to make them its software medium. Either way, the Nintendo 64 was launched with much fanfare. Super Mario 64, featured incredible, ground-breaking graphics and was hailed by some as the greatest video game of all-time. Other major hits for the Nintendo 64 include Star Fox 64 (a space shooter), Killer Instinct Gold (fighting) and Goldeneye 007 (Doom-style game). Another controversial aspect of its design was its 14 button, analog controller - something that caught on with gamers in a big way. Ultimately, it was Nintendo's decision to use cartridges that was this system's biggest downfall. Because it was far more expensive to make games for the Nintendo 64, both third-party developers and gamers chose for Sony's CD-ROM-based PlayStation.
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