{
  "id": 16063346,
  "title": "I played three of the biggest N64 games in 4K, and found tricks Nintendo has hidden since 1996",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/22/i-played-three-of-the-biggest-n64-games-in-4k-and-found-tricks",
  "topic": "tech",
  "section": "Tech",
  "published": "2026-10-22T15:30:22.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "XDA Developers",
    "slug": "xda-developers",
    "url": "https://www.xda-developers.com/i-played-three-of-the-biggest-n64-games-in-4k-and-found-a-trick-nintendo-has-hidden-since-1996/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Playing three of the biggest N64 games in 4K on a modern gaming PC reveals hidden tricks from Nintendo's 1996 era. Super Mario 64, a landmark title, utilizes billboarding, rendering flat 2D images that adjust their angles to trick the player's eyes into seeing 3D objects. This technique extends to other characters and vegetation in the game. Mario Kart 64 presents pre-rendered sprites for the racers and tracks, while other track obstacles remain 2D. Ocarina of Time, however, takes a different approach, with pre-rendered images for certain locations and 3D characters placed on top of them. The Castle Town Market, Temple of Time entrance, and smaller buildings are examples of this technique. This creates a striking contrast between pre-rendered visuals and interactive assets, as seen in a Kokiri house. Upscaling these games to 4K makes the compromises more apparent, but it also highlights the craftsmanship of the developers who meticulously crafted details by hand.",
  "summary": "Objects in the game may be less 3D than they appear",
  "key_points": [
    "Super Mario 64 uses billboarding to create 3D effects with 2D images",
    "Mario Kart 64 features pre-rendered sprites and 2D track obstacles",
    "Ocarina of Time combines pre-rendered backgrounds with 3D characters"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}