The programming characteristics of the Nintendo 64 present unique challenges, with distinct potential advantages. As with many other game consoles and other types of embedded systems, the Nintendo 64's architectural optimizations are uniquely acute, yielding weaknesses and thus specific software engineering challenges. First released in 1996, the Nintendo 64's architecture yields programming requirements which The Economist described as "horrendously complex." The weaknesses were said to be caused by a combination of oversight on the part of the hardware designers, limitations on 3D graphics and general computing technology of the time, and manufacturing capabilities. Ultimately, these limitations would be overcome and the advantages would be more thoroughly realized by sufficiently experi