Resetting Your Cartridge

Have you discovered, to your dismay, that the game has somehow switched itself to Japanese mode and won't switch back?  Is the game constantly crashing before it gets to the File Select screen?  Well, if you have the right kind of screwdriver you may be able to reset your cartridge so that all of the data is erased.  This effectively deletes all of your files, option settings, and even which language the game is in (if you're playing the PAL version).
Exact details elude me, so hopefully this procedure is complete.  If I'm messing a step (or you've found illustrations for this), please e-mail me so I can add them in.

WARNING: ZSO is in no way liable for any damage incurred by following this procedure.  Do this at your own risk.

1. Remove the cartridge from the N64.
2. Take a special screwdriver (I don't remember the name for the one Nintendo uses, unfortunately) and remove all of the screws from the game.  Alternatively, you can try wedging something small inside and turning the screw that way, though it will take a lot of patience and force.
3. Carefully pry apart the two halves of the cartridge.  Emphasis on the word carefully.
4. If you are skilled with a soldering iron, unsolder the circular battery and remove it, then re-install and solder back in.  Otherwise, it's reported you can short-circuit it with your tongue but I would strongly advise against doing this.
5. Put back together the halves and insert the screws.

Now when you start up the game, it will act as if it was brand new!
(NOTE: PAL users will be asked to select their language the first time they start the game.  I'm unsure as to why it acts this way, since the U.S. and Japanese versions seem to retain their region settings.)

ALTERNATIVELY, if you aren't incredibly desperate, you can always send it to Nintendo for repairs.