What does the Reset button on an N64 actually do?

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What does the Reset button on an N64 actually do?
Posted On: August 17, 2023

The question struck me this morning when I saw my old N64; there's a reset button on it. What does it actually do? Can't remember a moment where I did have to push it.


Is it simply a button that does exactly the same as if you were to turn off the console and back on, just in a fraction of a second? I feel it would be weird because its not like the on/off switch isn't right next to it and could be used to reset the console anyways.


So what does the 'Reset' button do? Is it just turning it off and back on again or is there more going on when you press it?


Question from user Fredy31 at stackexchange.


Answer:

Please use the Reset Button!! The difference is Save Game corruption.


The Power Switch is an "order" to absolutely right now, power off the console. So if you are saving your progress it will corrupt your save file. The save file may be on EEPROM or FLASH memory that is inside the cartridge, so it may not prompt for a Controller PAK, this could also affect GB/GBC cart save data if you are using the Transfer PAK.


The reset button is treated as a "request" which notifies the game code that it has 1/2 of a second to do anything it needs to before it will be reset. This would include to finish writing save game data.


Answer from user James at stackexchange.



[BACK]
What does the Reset button on an N64 actually do?
Posted On: August 17, 2023

The question struck me this morning when I saw my old N64; there's a reset button on it. What does it actually do? Can't remember a moment where I did have to push it.


Is it simply a button that does exactly the same as if you were to turn off the console and back on, just in a fraction of a second? I feel it would be weird because its not like the on/off switch isn't right next to it and could be used to reset the console anyways.


So what does the 'Reset' button do? Is it just turning it off and back on again or is there more going on when you press it?


Question from user Fredy31 at stackexchange.


Answer:

Please use the Reset Button!! The difference is Save Game corruption.


The Power Switch is an "order" to absolutely right now, power off the console. So if you are saving your progress it will corrupt your save file. The save file may be on EEPROM or FLASH memory that is inside the cartridge, so it may not prompt for a Controller PAK, this could also affect GB/GBC cart save data if you are using the Transfer PAK.


The reset button is treated as a "request" which notifies the game code that it has 1/2 of a second to do anything it needs to before it will be reset. This would include to finish writing save game data.


Answer from user James at stackexchange.



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