40 Winks (N64)

40 Winks – The Platformer That Almost Never Was

Imagine a game being fully developed, review copies sent to magazines, Nintendo Power printing a full strategy guide – and it still never makes it to store shelves. That's exactly what happened to 40 Winks. Developed by Eurocom and planned for N64 in 1999/2000, the port was cancelled at the last minute by publisher GT Interactive. For over 20 years it remained a lost piece of gaming history.

The Rescue: Piko Interactive & Kickstarter

In 2018, Piko Interactive acquired the rights and launched a Kickstarter campaign to finally release 40 Winks officially on real N64 cartridges. The $20,000 goal was smashed on day one, ultimately raising over $131,000. A clear message from the retro community: everyone wanted this game.

The Game: Nightmare Platforming in Dreamland

You control Ruff or Tumble – brother and sister on a mission to save the dream world from the sinister Nitekap. Nitekap wants to kidnap all 40 Winks and transform them into nightmare monsters. Your job: collect the 40 Winks, find 12 dream keys, and stop the villain – before no one can ever sleep peacefully again.

Costume System

The heart of the gameplay is the costume system. You temporarily slip into different outfits that grant special abilities:

• Ninja – increased agility, rope climbing, boosted jump height
• Superhero – invulnerable to enemies and drowning, powerful jumps
• Prehistoric Man – powerful melee attacks
• Jester – unique attack and movement variants

6 Dream Worlds, Tons of Variety

Each of the 6 worlds has its own hub area and three levels – from a spooky castle to underwater adventures, outer space, prehistoric lands, and the ghost world. Plus tons of mini-games: dragon racing, rocket rides, and more.

N64-Exclusive Features

• Co-op 2-Player Mode: Play through the entire game in split-screen with a friend – exclusive to N64!
• Expansion Pak Support: Higher resolution and improved lighting effects with the Expansion Pak
• Anamorphic Widescreen: Widescreen mode unlockable via cheat code

Who Is 40 Winks For?

For every N64 fan looking for a solid 3D platformer experience in the spirit of the great classics – without being Super Mario 64 or Banjo-Kazooie. The game is accessible, charming, and offers genuine unique features with its co-op mode and costume system. A piece of gaming history that finally deserves its place on your shelf.