GLOSSARY
128-bit
Refers to the generation of video game consoles (circa 2000-2006) that includes Nintendo GameCube, Sony PlayStation 2, Microsoft Xbox, and even the Sega Dreamcast. "Bits" suddenly have become less important in this generation.
16-bit
Refers to the generation of video game consoles (circa 1989-1996) that includes Super Nintendo, Sega Genesis, NEC TurboGrafx-16, and SNK Neo Geo.
2D
Stands for "two dimensional." This term can mean the following: 1) The graphics are made of sprites, or 2) The game action only moves left, right, up, and down.
32-bit
Includes these video game consoles: Sony PlayStation, Sega Saturn, and 3DO. Game Boy Advance and Virtual Boy are technically 32-bit, too.
32/64-bit generation
Refers to the generation of video game consoles (circa 1994-2001) that includes Nintendo 64, Sony PlayStation, Sega Saturn, Atari Jaguar, and 3DO.
3D
Stands for "three dimensional." This term can mean the following: 1) The graphics are made of polygons, or 2) The game action can move in any direction, including forward and backward.
3DO
Introduced the first 32-bit video game system in America -- the self-named 3DO -- in 1993, which was not successful. Worked on a follow-up system codenamed "M2" that never materialized. Eventually became a third-party publisher for competing systems, including N64. The company's most well-known franchise was Army Men. After years of struggling, the company filed for bankruptcy and closed in May 2003.
64-bit
Includes these video game consoles: Nintendo 64 and Atari Jaguar. In reality, the difference between 32-bit and 64-bit video games was less than any other generation gap. This is why 32-bit and 64-bit are lumped together as one generation.
64DD
Used as an abbreviation for the Nintendo 64 Disk Drive, which is an obscure accessory that was only released in Japan. It is a magnetic storage add-on that plugs into the bottom of the Nintendo 64. Each disk can store a maximum of 64 megabytes (eight times the size of Super Mario 64). Its main selling point was that the disks were writable, much like a CD burner.
8-bit
Refers to the generation of video game systems (circa 1985-1991) that includes the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) and Sega Master System. The handheld Nintendo Game Boy, Atari Lynx, and Sega Game Gear systems are also 8-bit.
accessory
Used to describe add-on items that are released separately from the system package. Notable accessories include memory cards, steering wheels, extension cables, and toy guns.
AI
Stands for "Artificial Intelligence." When this term is used with video games, it describes how smart (or how dumb) the computer plays.
analog
Describes information or data in variable quantities. The Control Stick on the N64 controller is analog, because it is pressure sensitive. For example, if push the Control Stick lightly, your character walks. If you press a little more, the character jogs. And if you press the entire way, the character runs. See digital for a contrast.
AV
Stands for "audio/video." When talking about video games, this refers to a type of TV hookup. A stereo A/V cable contains the yellow, red, and white plugs. With this connection cable, sound comes out in stereo.
bit
Short for "binary digit." A single bit can hold only one of two values: 0 or 1. More meaningful information is obtained by combining consecutive bits into larger units. For example, one "byte" is composed of eight consecutive bits. When referring to video game systems, for example, a 32-bit system refers to the number of bits (i.e., 32) that can be processed at one time.
bitmap
Refers to an image represented with pixels instead of mathematical formulas (i.e., polygons). Typically, a bitmap is a single image. For instance, a single frame in a 2D animation sequence may be a bitmap. Alternatively, when a texture is placed over a polygon, the texture is a bitmap as well.
blockiness
Used to describe what happens to a texture when it is zoomed in on too much.
byte
Short for "binary term." It is a unit of storage capable of holding a single character. Large amounts of memory are indicated in terms of kilobytes, megabytes, and gigabytes.
C buttons
Refers to the four small, yellow buttons on the N64 controller. Each yellow button is called "C." The buttons are differentiated by the relative position in the group: Top C, Bottom C, Left C, and Right C.
C group
Used as an alternate name for the yellow C buttons on the N64 controller.
cartridge
Refers to the storage medium used in the 8- and 16-bit generations, Game Boy and 8-bit handheld systems, and Nintendo 64. On the plus side, cartridges do not require any load time, and data can be saved directly to the cartridge rather than a separate memory unit. On the negative side, cartridges contain far less storage space compared to a CD, and they are much more expensive to manufacture.
CD-ROM
Short for "Compact Disc-Read Only Memory." This is the storage medium used in the 32-bit generation. The term is used interchangeably with "CD."
clipping
Refers to the process of excluding portions of a polygon that are outside the current view in order to reduce the amount of data being processed during rendering. In layman's terms, it means when your view or location causes you to see through a polygon-based object that should otherwise be solid.
console
Refers to the video game systems that hook up to a television (e.g., Nintendo 64, PlayStation, Super NES). Therefore, portable or handheld video game systems, such as Game Boy, are excluded when talking about consoles.
Control Deck
Designated trademark that is used by Nintendo as an alternate name for "console" or "system."
Control Pad
Refers to the pad on the left side of the N64 controller that looks like a plus (+) sign. Although the Control Pad is the main method of control in previous generations, it is the secondary method of control on N64. Not all N64 games let you use the Control Pad. Movement with the Control Pad is digital.
Control Stick
Refers to the stick in the lower-middle of the N64 controller. It is the main method of control with N64 games. Movement with the Control Stick is analog.
Controller Pak
Designated trademark by Nintendo that refers to a removable memory unit that plugs into the back of the N64 controller. It is used to store game data (e.g., progress, options, statistics) outside the game cartridge, which allows for more storage capacity and portability. The capacity is 256 Kbit (32 Kbytes) in size.
deathmatch
Used to describe a multi-player mode in 3D shooting games where human and/or computer opponents run around a level and try to kill each other as many times as possible.
digital
Represents information or data only as two values: 0 or 1, on or off, true or false, etc. The Control Pad on the N64 controller is digital, because no matter how hard or soft you press in a certain direction, you will get the same response (e.g., you only can run). See analog for a contrast.
DKC
Short for "Donkey Kong Country." It was released on the Super NES in 1994 and was the first game to use pre-rendered graphics.
Dream Team
Represents American and European companies that signed with Nintendo of America to develop games and/or provide technologies exclusively for use with Nintendo 64. All "Dream Team" partners agreed to one-year exclusivity for one game under development. In exchange for an exclusive title, "Dream Team" partners received early access to the development kits and early development help from Nintendo and Silicon Graphics. Some members of the "Dream Team" included Acclaim, DMA Design, Electronic Arts, Midway, Ocean, and Paradigm Simulation.
Dreamcast
Refers to a 128-bit system released by Sega in 1999. It was the last video game system made by Sega. In March 2001, Sega announced that it was leaving the hardware business and would develop games for competing systems, such as Nintendo GameCube, PlayStation 2, and Xbox.
DS
Used as an abbreviation for Nintendo DS, which is a portable, dual screen system that was released in late 2004. It is not supposed to be a replacement for the Game Boy line. One of the two screens on the Nintendo DS is a touch screen. It also is the first Nintendo system to feature online gaming.
DVD
Short for "Digital Versatile Disc." This is the storage medium used in the 128-bit generation. It is a read-only format.
E3
Short for "Electronic Entertainment Exposition." It is the world's largest trade show for digital entertainment (i.e., video games). This U.S.-based show is held annually in May.
EAD
Stands for "Entertainment, Analysis and Development." EAD refers to the development teams located inside Nintendo's Japanese headquarters. Shigeru Miyamoto and his EAD teams have been responsible for creating classic series such as Donkey Kong, Mario, Zelda, Punch-Out!!, F-Zero, Metroid, Pilotwings, Mario Kart, Star Fox, Wave Race, 1080 Snowboarding, Pikmin, and many more.
early adopter
Used to describe a person who embraces and/or purchases new technology as soon as it is available -- no matter the cost.
EEPROM
Short for "Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory." It is a special type of memory that can be erased by exposing it to an electrical charge, yet retains its contents when the power is turned off. Compared to previous generations, N64 games use EEPROM chips to save data instead of less reliable battery back-up. Because using EEPROM chips adds to the already-expensive costs of manufacturing cartridges, many companies opted only for Controller Pak support in their N64 games.
Expansion Pak
Designated trademark by Nintendo that refers to a 4MB memory cartridge that plugs into the Memory Expansion slot on top of the N64 system. It was packaged with Donkey Kong 64. With the Expansion Pak, the N64's system RAM jumps from 4 megabytes to 8 megabytes. The extra memory increases the graphical performance of the system. Many later N64 games support -- but not required -- this accessory to increase a game's resolution or to increase the number of objects that can be displayed on-screen. Examples of Expansion Pak compatible games include Tony Hawk's Pro Skater, Madden NFL 2000, Quake II, Top Gear Overdrive, Castlevania: Legacy of Darkness, Turok 2, Rogue Squadron, and many more. Furthermore, a few games require the Expansion Pak to run, such as Donkey Kong 64, Zelda: Majora's Mask, and Perfect Dark (solo missions and four-player modes).
Factor 5
Created the M.O.R.T. sound compression and MuSyx surround sound tools for N64, which enabled developers to maximize and increase their use of audio within the space limitations of a cartridge. Game-wise, Factor 5 was responsible for Star Wars: Rogue Squadron and Star Wars: Battle for Naboo on N64. Additionally, the company created sound tools for Nintendo GameCube.
fanboy
Refers to a video game fan who loves and defends his or her system of choice. Typically, this person is very knowledgeable of the system and its games and likes to talk about it on the Internet.
flat shading
Describes the way a polygon is rendered with a single, constant color across its face.
flicker
Describes sprites (or portions of them) that rapidly appear and disappear. When talking about video games, flicker is a technical problem that plagued many video games in the Atari and 8-bit eras. The problem occurs when too many sprites are displayed on a horizontal line.
FMV
Short for "Full-Motion Video." Refers to digitized video or pre-rendered graphics scenes usually shown as an introduction to a game. Also used in various other parts of games. Sometimes games can consist solely of FMV, too.
fps
Short for "Frames Per Second," or "First Person Shooter," depending on the context. When talking about frame rates, each frame represents an image in a sequence of images. In general, the minimum fps needed to avoid jerky motion is about 30. This became a consideration with 3D games. Therefore, anything less than 30 fps may seem to be jerky or slow. Conversely, if a game runs at 60 fps, it may seem to be very smooth and quick.
frag
Refers to a single kill in a deathmatch.
frame rate
Used to discuss how smoothly or how choppy a 3D game moves. See fps for more information.
Game Boy
Used to refer to Nintendo's 8-bit handheld systems: Game Boy, Game Boy Pocket, and Game Boy Color. The original Game Boy, with a black and white screen, was released in 1989. When Game Boy interest started to wane, Nintendo introduced the "Play It Loud!" series of colored Game Boy systems in 1995. Then in 1996, Nintendo introduced Game Boy Pocket, a smaller version of the original unit. Finally, the Game Boy Color, which had a color screen, was released in 1998.
Game Boy Advance
Refers to Nintendo's 32-bit successor to the handheld Game Boy. Game Boy Advance was released in 2001. A trendier model called Game Boy Advance SP was released in 2003.
Game Boy Player
Refers to an accessory released for Nintendo GameCube in 2003 that lets you play any Game Boy Advance or Game Boy cartridge on your TV screen. The accessory plugs into the underneath of the GameCube.
Game Pak
Designated trademark that is used by Nintendo as an alternate name for "cartridge."
gameplay
Used as a general term to discuss how fun and how well a game plays. For instance, here are some questions to ask: How many options are available? Are the options useful? Were the levels designed so that skill will get you through them? Are there any cheap hits that you cannot avoid? Is there enough variety in the stages and items? Is the game realistic? Does the computer play fairly? Is the difficulty level too easy or too hard? Does the game have an original theme to it? Was the game too short or too long? Are the multi-player modes even more fun, or do they seem like an afterthought? And, most importantly, did you have fun playing the game?
gamers
Used to describe people who like to play video games.
GB or GBC
Stands for "Game Boy" or "Game Boy Color." The abbreviation GB is also short for "gigabyte."
GBA
Stands for "Game Boy Advance."
GC
Used as an unofficial abbreviation for "GameCube."
GCN
Short for "Nintendo GameCube." This is a designated trademark and the official abbreviation used by Nintendo.
gigabyte
Used to describe data storage. One gigabyte is equal to 1,024 megabytes. With video games, the 128-bit, DVD-based systems like PlayStation 2 and and Xbox can hold up to 4.7 gigabytes on a single DVD. Nintendo's proprietary mini-DVD GameCube discs can hold up to 1.5 gigabytes.
gouraud shading
Describes the way a polygon is rendered by smoothly changing color across its face.
hardware
Refers to objects that you use to play video games. For instance, this term not only includes the system but controllers and accessories as well.
high resolution
Describes an N64 video mode that runs at 640 x 480. This is twice as high as the standard resolution in N64 games and sharply improves the clarity of the graphics. Typically, the Expansion Pak is required to enable N64 games to run in a high-resolution mode. Examples of high-resolution games include All-Star Baseball, NFL Quarterback Club, Top Gear Overdrive, Turok 2, and Vigilante 8.
hot swapping
Refers to a process that involves switching between the Rumble Pak and the Controller Pak during the middle of a game. Most N64 games support the Rumble Pak during gameplay, but many N64 games also require the Controller Pak to save data. Therefore, games that use both accessories will tell you during the game when you should remove the Rumble Pak, plug in the Controller Pak to save, and then reinsert the Rumble Pak.
ISS64
Short for "International Superstar Soccer 64," which was Konami's first soccer game for N64.
Jumper Pak
Refers to a small cartridge found under the Memory Expansion cover on top of the N64. This pak completes the N64 circuit so that it will work. It is replaced by the Expansion Pak when the extra memory is installed.
KI or KI2
Short for "Killer Instinct" or "Killer Instinct 2," which are part of a popular fighting game series in the mid 1990s. The series was developed by Nintendo and Rare.
killer app
Short for "killer application." When referring to video games, a "killer app" is a game that will cause millions of people to go out and buy a video game system for just that one game. Examples of past "killer apps" are Tetris for Game Boy, Street Fighter II for Super NES, and Super Mario 64 for Nintendo 64.
kilobit
Used to describe data storage. One kilobit is equal to 1,024 bits. With regard to video games, the size of cartridges in the Atari and 8-bit eras were usually measured in kilobits.
kilobyte
Used to describe data storage. One kilobyte is equal to 1,024 bytes. With regard to video games, some of the earlier system had system memory measured in kilobytes.
letterboxed
Refers to the two black bars that appear above and below the picture area, which has become common with DVD movies. Regarding N64, there are a few games with letterboxing. Although it can be used for effect, it is speculated that certain N64 games use letterboxing as a cheap way to draw less screen and have more processing power.
light sourcing
Refers to a graphical technique that shrouds an object in darkness unless a source of light shines on it. For instance, firing a weapon may produce light. Or a window in a dark room may have light coming through it, which will illuminate anything near it.
low resolution
Describes an N64 video mode that runs at 320 x 240. Most N64 games run in this resolution. This term is used interchangeably with normal resolution.
M2
Used as a codename for a follow-up to the 3DO video game system. It was never released. See 3DO for more information.
Mario Club
Refers to a group of quality assurance personnel who reside at Nintendo's headquarters in Japan.
medium resolution
Describes an N64 video mode that runs at 512 x 240. It is used to increase the clarity of the graphics without the need for additional RAM. Examples of medium-resolution games include FIFA: Road to World Cup 98, NFL Blitz, NHL Breakaway '98, and WWF: War Zone.
megabit
Used to describe data storage. One megabit is equal to 1,024 kilobits. With video games, the size of cartridge games is measured in megabits. For instance, most N64 games were 64, 96, 128, or 256 megabits. Most games in the 16-bit generation were between 4 and 16 megabits. And although some NES games reached 1 or 2 megabits, many games in the 8-bit generation were less than 1 megabit -- as low as 192 kilobits.
megabyte
Used to describe data storage. One megabyte is equal to 8 megabits. With video games, a 32-bit, CD-based system like Sony PlayStation can hold up to 650 megabytes on a single CD. In contrast, the largest N64 games ever released (Resident Evil 2 and Pokemon Stadium 2) are on 64 megabyte cartridges.
Miyamoto
Known as the greatest game designer in the world. Shigeru Miyamoto is the brainchild behind Mario, Donkey Kong, The Legend of Zelda, and numerous other characters and franchises. Because of his games' commercial and critical successes, he has been called the "Steven Spielberg of the video game industry."
MK
Short for "Mortal Kombat." This fighting series by Midway ventured into new territory with its graphic violence.
monaural
Refers to sound being reproduced from a single channel. Audio only sounds like it is coming from the center of your speakers. Therefore, if you have stereo speakers and a game has monaural sound, then there will be no left-right separation of the sound.
mono
Short for "monaural."
MRC
Short for "Multi-Racing Championship," which is an early N64 racing game released by Ocean.
N64
Short for "Nintendo 64." This 64-bit system was released in 1996.
NCL
Short for "Nintendo Company, Ltd." This is the abbreviation for Nintendo of Japan.
NDS
Used as an unofficial abbreviation for "Nintendo DS."
NES
Short for "Nintendo Entertainment System." This is the 8-bit system with which Nintendo had a virtual monopoly.
NGC
Used as an unofficial abbreviation for "Nintendo GameCube."
Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection
The official name for Nintendo's online wireless game play service. Gamers may play through their broadband connection at home or at hotspots that contain WI-Fi access (e.g., McDonald's). Only Wi-Fi compatible games are playable through the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection.
NOA
Short for "Nintendo of America." This is the abbreviation for Nintendo's U.S. headquarters.
normal resolution
Describes the N64's standard 320 x 240 resolution. This term is used interchangeably with low resolution.
on rails
Refers to game design that restricts your freedom of action. Typically, this term refers to forward-moving games that do not give you 360 degrees of freedom. Examples on N64 include Star Fox 64 (most levels), Pokémon Snap, and Knife Edge.
on the fly
Refers to graphics that are generated mathematically or characters that are switched manually as you play a game. The term "on the fly" is most often associated with the cinema scenes in N64 games. Rather than use pre-rendered graphics or FMV to advance a story, which takes a lot of space, N64 games typically use polygons to generate the story scenes.
pixel
Short for "picture element." A pixel represents a single dot on the screen.
pixelated
Used to describe textures or sprites that have been zoomed in on or stretched too much. In particular, this problem plagues the 32-bit generation.
platformer
Refers to action games where you run and jump your way to the end of a level. The term came about as a result of the mid-air platforms in Super Mario Bros. Other well-known examples include Sonic the Hedgehog, Rayman, and Donkey Kong Country. Platformers can be 2D or 3D.
platinum-selling
Used in association with video games that have sold over one million copies.
Player's Choice
Designated trademark by Nintendo to showcase games that have reached a certain level of sales. Nintendo re-releases these games in special packaging and at a discounted price, just like PlayStation's Greatest Hits. With the Super NES, Game Boy, and N64, games had to sell more than one million copies to receive a Player's Choice designation. With the GCN, the benchmark has been lowered to 500,000.
polygon
Refers to the building blocks of 3D graphics. A polygon is a 2D area defined by lines. To have a polygon, you must have at least three lines -- triangles and rectangles are typically used. The lines connect a series of coordinates in a three-dimensional "space." The point where the lines connect is known as a "vertex." Each vertex has X, Y, and Z coordinates. Once each polygon has a set of vertices to define its shape, a texture map or a type of shading may be applied.
pop-up
Classified into two categories: background and object. Background pop-up is when you see the background of a 3D game being drawn in by the computer as you go along. Object pop-up is when an object, which is not part of the background, mysteriously pops-up out of nowhere instead of smoothly coming into view.
pre-rendered
Refers to images (e.g., sprite animation or computer-generated video) that were originally created as 3D polygons on high-end computers. Pre-rendered graphics are not created "on the fly."
PS
Short for "PlayStation."
PSX
Used as an abbreviation for the Sony PlayStation.
RAM
Short for "Random Access Memory." RAM is memory that can be both read from and written to at any location. A system's main memory is where software stores and retrieves information temporarily.
RCP
Short for "Reality Co-Processor." This custom chip is the heart of the N64; it performs all graphics and audio processing.
RDRAM
Short for "Rambus Dynamic RAM." Developed by Rambus, Inc., this patented type of RAM can be accessed more quickly than regular dynamic RAM, without huge cost differences. RDRAM is used for the N64's system memory.
red book audio
Refers to when music is played directly from a CD during a game.
resolution
Refers to the sharpness and clarity of an image. The higher the resolution, the more detail that can be displayed on a screen.
RFU
Short for "Radio Frequency Unit." When talking about video games, a RFU adapter is used to hook up a system to the coaxial input on your TV. However, the video quality is slightly lower and sound output is only monaural with this connection cable.
ROM
Short for "Read Only Memory." It is the type of memory used in game cartridges. ROMs are usually measured in megabits.
Rumble Pak
Designated trademark by Nintendo that refers to a vibration accessory that plugs into the back of the N64 controller. It was packaged with Star Fox 64. The Rumble Pak "jiggles" your controller, with different levels of vibration, when used in conjunction with a compatible game.
Saturn
Refers to a 32-bit system released by Sega in 1999.
SF
Short for "Street Fighter." Capcom released a fighting game series called Street Fighter II in the early 1990s, which broke new ground and, hence, was often used as a basis for comparison. This abbreviation also might stand for "Star Fox."
shading
Refers to the way polygons are colored mathematically. The two main types of shading used in video games are flat and gouraud.
Shoshinkai
Refers to a video game trade show that used to be held in Japan every November. This show was organized by Nintendo, so only products were shown from Nintendo and its licensed third-party developers. The last Shoshinkai show was in held in 1996, after which it became known as "Spaceworld."
sleeper
Defined as a surprising achiever of success or an unexpected hit. With video games, "sleeper" games are very much decided by individual opinion.
slowdown
Describes what happens when too many objects appear on a screen. This problem plagued many 8-bit games and early 16-bit games.
SMS
Short for "Sega Master System." This 8-bit system was released in 1986 as a competitor to the NES. Nintendo completely dominated the Master System, however.
SNES
Short for "Super Nintendo Entertainment System." This 16-bit system was released in 1991.
software
Refers to the games you play on your video game systems.
Spaceworld
Refers to a video game trade show held in Japan by Nintendo. It took the place of the Shoshinkai show in 1997, but it has not been held every year consistently. There were no Spaceworld shows in 2002 or 2003.
sprite
Refers to an animated 2D graphic. Sprite animation was the technique typically used for graphics in the 8- and 16-bit generations.
Super Game Boy
Refers to an accessory released for Super NES in 1994 that lets you play any original Game Boy game on your TV screen. The accessory works by inserting a Game Boy game into the Super Game Boy cartridge and then plugging it into the SNES cartridge slot.
Super NES
Used as an alternate name for "Super Nintendo." It is an official trademark.
texture mapping
Refers to the process of placing a bitmap image (texture) onto a surface, such as placing a photograph of bricks onto a polygon to create the illusion of a brick wall. Texture mapping is essential to create realistic 3D worlds.
texturing
Used in reference to the quality of texture mapping.
Transfer Pak
Designated trademark by Nintendo that refers to a Game Boy-to-N64 accessory that plugs into the back of the N64 controller. It was packaged with Pokémon Stadium. The Transfer Pak lets you transfer data between Game Boy and N64 versions of games. This accessory was design for Pokémon Stadium, but it also supported by Mario Golf, Mario Tennis, and Perfect Dark.
turtler
Refers to a person whose strategy in a fighting game is to block all the time.
VB
Short for "Virtual Boy." This 32-bit "virtual immersion" system was released by Nintendo in 1995. The Virtual Boy utilized two screens, one for each eye, in order to provide its user with a stereoscopic (3D) effect. Additionally, the system had an annoying quirk in that all images were red on a black background.
WFC
Short for "Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection."
Wi-Fi
Designated trademark by the Wi-Fi Alliance. Refers to a set of product compatibility standards for wireless local area networks based on the IEEE 802.11 specifications. This term is used to describe wireless networks.
