Super Mario 64 Test Cartridge

     There are various thoughts as to why this test cartridge is in existance...some people don't even believe it is a real test cartridge due to the fact that it is just a standard Super Mario 64 cart with a generic white label placed over the front. The main assumption I have heard is that these were used as a way for Nintendo to make more money off of the Service Centers by supplying them with an official 'test cartridge' rather than just allowing them to use a regular store-bought cartridge. There was also another speculation that Nintendo forced the service centers to purchase a regular retail version of Super Mario 64 and sent out labels through the mail for them to use to distinguish the game in their shop from other games they may have had lying about. However, neither of these guesses are the true case!

     When Nintendo came out with an updated model of the N64, a defect was detected in the current official test cartridges. If one of these cartridges was used to test the newer units, there was a high probability that the LED would light up, indicating there was something wrong with the internal workings of the console. This was a false indication...if other means of testing were used, it would prove these units said to be faulty were in fact actually working perfectly. Nintendo responded by issuing a recall of all N64 Test Cartridges from all Service Centers so a new revision could be produced as a suitable replacement. Rather than leaving the Centers to fend for themselves in trying to obtain a suitable substitute until an updated test cartridge was sent to them, Nintendo came up with an easy solution to this problem. They took extra Super Mario 64 cartridges they had available in their production plant, placed labels that had 'TEST CARTRIDGE' written in generic bold text on them and shipped these cartridges out to all their Service Center locations. 

     A memo was sent stating the need to recall all N64 test cartridges. In the interim, Nintendo wrote that they were going to send out temporary test cartridges to all facilities to be used as a substitute to test any questionable N64 systems. This was to be used until the newly revamped test cartridges could be sent out. Nintendo never issued a notice for Servicers to return these temporary test cartridges.