NTSC
Rev.1 (NUS-CPU-01)
Known Serial Numbers: NUJ10185860 (Japan)
Distinguishing Features: RGB Moddable (VDC-NUS), buffered Csync output
Notes: These have never been seen in North American N64s. However, they have been found in Japanese ones. Possibly used as pre-release demos in game stores.
Rev. 2 (NUS-CPU-02)
Serial Numbers: NUJ10379732, NUJ10961070 (Japan) NS100086232 (USA)
Distinguishing Features: RGB Moddable (VDC-NUS), buffered Csync output
Notes: Only seen as promo/store demo models in the US. Actually sold only in Japan.
Rev. 3 (NUS-CPU-03)
Serial Numbers: NUJ11284943 (Japan) NS100932881, NS133598474 (USA)
Distinguishing Features: RGB Moddable (VDC-NUS or VDC-NUS A), buffered Csync output
Notes: The first models actually sold, in the US anyway.
Rev. 4 (NUS-CPU-04)
Serial Numbers: NUJ13319819 (Japan) NS136718770, NS180431212 (USA) NS601623141, NS603358522 (Canada)
Distinguishing Features: RGB Moddable (VDC-NUS A)
Notes: No more buffered Csync, and a new CPU revision (CPU-NUS A) that may be better for overclocking. Also the last model that is RGB moddable.
Rev. 5 (NUS-CPU-05/NUS-CPU-05-1)
Serial Numbers: NUJ13624446, NUJ14712392 (Japan) NS205730658, NS254977622 (USA) NS605180732, NS610192102 (Canada)
Distinguishing Features: Not RGB Moddable (AVDC-NUS, MAV-NUS)
Notes: Guess what? No more RGB! This revision features the AVDC-NUS chip and later the MAV-NUS chip. Also, there is a sub-revision (NUS-CPU-05-1) with a MAV-NUS chip and no significant differences.
Rev. 6 (NUS-CPU-06)
Serial Numbers: Unknown
Distinguishing Features: Not RGB Moddable (MAV-NUS), Single RAM Chip
Notes: This one is so rare that the Benheck versions guide states that it does not exist. It is the first version with a single 4MB RAM chip.
Rev. 7 (NUS-CPU-07)
Serial Numbers: NS245115552 (USA)
Distinguishing Features: Not RGB Moddable (MAV-NUS), Single RAM Chip
Notes: Not much different than the prior revision. Still rare, but common enough for it's exsistence to be confirmed. According to marshallh, this is where the N64 starts to get less stable.
Rev. 8 (NUS-CPU-08/NUS-CPU-08-1)
Serial Numbers: NS270238981, NS292228809 (USA)
Distinguishing Features: Not RGB Moddable (MAV-NUS), Single RAM Chip
Notes: Apparently these are real junk. These are the ones in the clear "Funtastic" cases. Different clock generation IC (is this the reason?). Avoid if possible. Also, has a sub-revision, with no major changes.
Rev. 9 (NUS-CPU-09)
Serial Numbers: NS901672245 (USA)
Distinguishing Features: Not RGB Moddable (MAV-NUS), Single RAM Chip, Stamped Heatsink
Notes: The last revision of N64. Possibly cobbled together from spare parts or are refurbs. Has a completely out of place serial number. The heatsink is stamped instead of having the heat blocks below and the cart slot holder is green, possibly leftover from "Funtastic" N64s. Avoid these, they are unstable junk.
PAL/European
Rev. 1 European (NUS-CPU(P)-01)
Serial Numbers: Unknown
Nearest NTSC Revision: NUS-CPU-05
Distinguishing Features: Not RGB Moddable (DENC-NUS)
Notes: The first European N64 revision. Not RGB moddable; uses a DENC-NUS chip which can be considered the European equivalent of the AVDC-NUS chip. Other than that one caveat, there's nothing really wrong with it.
Rev. 1 French (NUS-CPU(R)-01)
Serial Numbers: Unknown
Nearest NTSC Revision: NUS-CPU-04
Distinguishing Features: RGB Moddable (VDC-NUS), NUS-001 (FRA) on sticker
Notes: A rare France-only revision. The only RGB-moddable PAL version. Uses a VDC-NUS chip and is the only console to contain an S-RGB A video encoder which outputs amplified RGB.
Rev. 2 European (NUS-CPU(P)-02)
Serial Numbers: Unknown
Nearest NTSC Revision: NUS-CPU-07
Distinguishing Features: Not RGB Moddable (MAV-NUS), Single RAM Chip
Notes: The second PAL revision. Also the only version of N64 to use discrete buffers instead of a buffering chip... whatever that means. Not RGB moddable, and uses the MAV-NUS chip. Single RAM chip, so it may be more desireable for some.
