Why This Obscure Audio Codec Is a Perfect Fit for the N64

The N64 faced severe audio storage limitations due to cartridge space constraints, forcing developers to use tracker-based music instead of recorded audio. While Nintendo's ADPCM codec and later MP3 decoding via direct RSP access offered some solutions, they were either space-inefficient or too CPU-intensive for continuous gameplay. A researcher discovered that an obscure audio codec can deliver 44100 Hz stereo audio at near-Opus compression quality while using only 4% of the N64's CPU time, offering a practical solution to the platform's audio challenges.