Scottish slam metal band Party Cannon has launched its new EP, 'Subjected to a Partying,' in an unconventional format: a Nintendo 64 cartridge. Limited to just 100 copies, the release sold out its US inventory in under a day. This nostalgic move celebrates the band's new vocalist and taps into the resurgence of physical media.
The trend of physical music formats has gained momentum, with vinyl sales reaching their highest level since 1984 last year. Cassette tapes are also resurging, as seen with releases from artists like Billie Eilish and Taylor Swift. Building on this, Party Cannon, a self-described 'party slam' metal band from Scotland, has pushed boundaries by issuing its EP on an N64 cartridge.
The band announced the release to mark Daryl 'The Frogman' Boyce's debut as their new vocalist. 'We are going where no slamming death metal band has gone before — Nintendo 64,' they stated on Instagram. 'That’s right, it’s time to get N or get out.' They added, 'To celebrate Daryl ‘The Frogman’ Boyce’s first release as our new vocalist, we decided to make it something truly special, and there’s nothing more special than a console that’s lifespan ended in 2001.'
Technical constraints shaped the release: N64 cartridges hold up to 64 megabytes, with early versions limited to 12 megabytes, requiring an N64 console and compatible TV for playback. As a result, the cartridge includes only four songs, while the full EP features eight tracks with live recordings and remixes. It also contains ROMs with live festival video at 320 by 240 pixel resolution.
The band embraced the format's quirks, describing it on their website as a chance to 'Load up your N64 and have an IQ-lowering blast from the past.' They praised the audio, noting, '[Vocalist] The Frogman sounds like unfettered pressurized sewerage pouring all over these tracks, and we couldn’t be happier with how disgusting these vocals are, it’s a new era of Party Slam.'
This is not Party Cannon's first retro gaming release; last year, they issued a single on a Sega Genesis cartridge, a console discontinued in 1999. The quick sell-out underscores enthusiasm for such defiant nods to analog eras amid streaming dominance.