Games for the Nintendo 64 video game console were released over time in plastic ROM cartridges. Two small indents on the back of the cartridges allow them to connect or pass through the system's cartridge dustcover flaps. Of the console's 387 official releases, 84 were exclusive to Japan, 47 to North America, and 4 to Europe. The Nintendo 64 was first launched in Japan on June 23, 1996 with Super Mario 64, Pilotwings 64, and Saikyo Habu Shogi; in North America with Super Mario 64 and Pilotwings 64; and in Europe with Super Mario 64, Pilotwings 64, Star Wars: Shadows of the Empire and Turok: Dinosaur Hunter. The last game to be published for the system was the North American-exclusive Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3 on August 20, 2002. Despite the higher cost of producing cartridges and continued criticism over releasing a cartridge-based system, the total sales of the Nintendo 64 software outsold the total amount of Nintendo GameCube software. (Full list...)