[2020 Updated] Top Best N64 Games

When it was initially released in 1996 that the N64 stood beside the console audience with its devotion to capsules, ground-breaking control, and above all, its games was one of the very best of the creation, and several still hold up to modern scrutiny, while more stay a source of comforting nostalgia.

Sure, relatively, there were not a massive number of N64 games, but they were top quality, and a few of them made this impression which their characters and franchises are still moving now.

Titles like Super Mario 64 and Banjo-Kazooie still loom large in the memories of lots of players. There are continuing calls for different games that predicted the console house, such as Pokémon Snap, GoldenEye, and Perfect Dark, to get remakes or reboots.

Whether you are just seeking to bask in nostalgia or you are putting together a wish list of names you expect may one day become accessible on Nintendo Shift Online.

These are the best N64 games that you can’t afford to overlook:

Check out our listing of best multiplayer Wii games

1. Mario Kart 64

Nintendo packed so much pleasure into Mario Kart 64–the sights, the sounds, the audio. It is similar to a family-friendly carnival ride wrapped to a game cartridge. Even though Super Mario Kart for the Super NES originally architected that the Nintendo kart-racing encounter, Mario Kart 64, allows the idea to breathe with fully polygonal 3D paths, new combat modes, and support for as many as four simultaneous racers–making this a great party game.

Even if you’re done beating all of the GP cups in three rates and mirror monitors for solo players, you still have loads of Time Attack challenges before you. The replay value is immense.

2. The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time

Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time is still one of the greatest console games ever produced. Though I would still give the nod for the best Zelda name to Link to the Past on the SNES, Ocarina of Time is one of those rare titles which gets better the more time you play with it. Like all Zelda games, it starts slow and gives gamers a lot of time familiarizing themselves with all the controllers and the surroundings.

As you research your environment, you collect an increasing number of things which can assist you with your quest — and after that, before you know it, the experience sucks you into. The minute I stepped to the Forest Temple — that is undoubtedly one of the very best game amounts of time — that this game had me hooked for good. The images, the haunting score, the camera control, the diverse puzzles, and wide-open surroundings are equally striking as the perfect implementation of this game’s most tools and things. Sleep? Who needs to sleep?

This game should have been a tester’s nightmare. There are many things to do and so many areas to explore; it is a genuine accomplishment of game design and programming, which it all gels together to make an enjoyable, constant pursuit. While the narrative is secondary to action and exploration, superbly written cutscenes make sure things never get dull.

And when you put eyes on the last boss, you immediately realize that this is the real climax of this game — the end just must be a low-key denouement that wraps up things but makes you crave another Zelda game much more. Fortunately, Nintendo has the next installment from the show prepared for launch this November. I recommend you book a replica of Majora’s Mask at the moment. And keep in mind to take another three days away.

3. Super Mario 64

The transition into 3D was a technological marvel to its gambling sector from the 90s, but not all franchises created the transition into 3D as easily as others. As an instance, Sonic the Hedgehog never really found its stride after transitioning to 3D, which it struggles with today.

Nintendo, together with Mario, because its primary mascot, didn’t have this problem. Super Mario 64 is still large and by the golden standard for 3D platformers. Nintendo perfectly transitioned from 2D by revamping the whole formula. Rather than simply running to a single end of this amount and collecting coins, players progressed in Super Mario 64 by collecting stars through easy but enjoyable platforming gameplay.

Players researched different degrees by leaping to Princess Peach’s castle paintings, and every one had its distinct design aesthetic and publication mechanics. The game also comes with many moves and tricks to assist Mario in traverse the degree.

This sport is important because it had a huge influence on platformers and 3D games as a whole. Additionally, it became one of the standout games on the Nintendo 64, and it is the first game many people today think about when they consider the console. It is no surprise that a match so impactful made it on this list.

4. Jet Force Gemini

Jet Force Gemini is still one of the most unique and enjoyable adventures on the Nintendo 64. Produced by Rare — the studio behind GoldenEye, Perfect Dark, and Battletoads — and released by Nintendo, this match set players on an epic sci-fi experience.

It combined third-person shooting, platforming, and running-and-gunning mechanisms to produce an outcome unlike many what the N64 had witnessed so far. While playing through every level, players had access to three distinct members of the group; Juno, Vela, and Lupus. Every planet featured its enemies, surroundings, and platforming puzzles that were greatest defeated by using every personality’s strengths. For example, Juno could walk through magma unharmed. Participants were invited to explore every nook and cranny to progress to another world.

5. GoldenEye 007

After Rare’s GoldenEye first arose in 1997, first-person console shooters were immediately given a huge shot in the arm (pun entirely intended). Its effect sent shockwaves throughout the industry that continue to be felt to this day. Sniper rifles, four-way split display, multiple assignments, even dual analog service (through two N64 pads) all made their first-person console introduction from Rare’s excellent shooter, and even now, it remains incredibly enjoyable to play with.

With its superbly designed missions, semi-structured flat layout, superb collection of weaponry, and amazing multiplayer, it must come as no real surprise to find out that the only N64 game to succeed is the advancement team’s Perfect Dark. High praise indeed.

6. The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask

Thrown to a parallel universe by the mischievous activities of an owned Skull Kid, Link finds a grave threat. The dark power of a relic called Majora’s Mask has wreaked havoc on Termina’s citizens, but their most pressing problem is a suicidal moon moving toward the entire world. Connect has just 72 hours to discover a way to prevent its descent.

7. Super Smash Bros

By no means the very best in the show — that is still up for discussion, although the modern Switch variant is easily the most comprehensive — it is difficult to describe the utter novelty of seeing Mario, Link, Pikachu, Samus Aran, and much more in one match back in the late’90s. It was exciting. The first Smash Bros is a remarkably mild affair in contrast to after offerings in its assortment of fighters and degrees, and decent god Kirby is OP within this one. However, its multiplayer has been yet another fantastic use of these four control ports on the N64.

8. Doom 64

Owing to its launch date, Doom 64 tends to get overlooked compared to shooters such as GoldenEye: 007, which landed later in 1997. However, this dark and brooding title must be about every FPS lover’s playlist. Paradoxically, while Doom 64’s non-polygonal images were considered obsolete at the moment, those pictures have made it better than several other 3D shooters on the console. The controllers have also aged well: as the first Doom name with proportional analog motion, Doom 64 nevertheless feels like a contemporary spin on a retro shooter adventure.

The absence of leap and appear up/down performance that critics cited drawbacks in 1997 also excel in retrospect, maintaining the demon-slaying experience excruciating, arcade-like, and easy to enter. Pulse-pounding and scary occasionally, it is the very best single-player FPS on the N64.

9. Excitebike 64

The first Excitebike surfaced in 1981. It was a 2D side-scrolling racer. The sport was simplistic in style, but it felt fantastic, letting players level outside their bicycles in mid-air to stop crashes, even strafe through different lanes, and grab substantial air. Left Field has truly appeared to the timeless name for inspiration, and also this shines through in Excitebike 64’s layout.

Sure, it is a 3D dirt bike racer full with an unbelievably superb physics engine which provides a mad sense of precision and over-the-top arcade joys at precisely the same moment. Sure, it comes to life in glorious 3D with brightly detailed images constructed of top-notch texture layout, exquisite 3D environments, and models, fluid animation, particle effects, an impressive draw distance, plus a frame rate that’s generally quite sleek.

Sure it has plenty of eye-popping paths, an uphill climb mode that will have you addicted, a multiplayer soccer manner, desert trails, and the first Excitebike included as a bonus. And trust me — every one the above comes together to solidify Excitebike 64 among the strangest racers to strike some video game system — PC or console –. But more than the terrific images and never-ending well of alternatives, this game seems fabulous.

Just after you have struck a jump straight, jumped across a chasm, and straightened your bicycle out before landing with no reduction of rate — with a sense of control so quite reminiscent of the first Excitebike — would you understand Excitebike 64 was chosen over Nintendo’s very own Wave Race 64 as our favorite racer on the console.

10. Star Fox 64

Star Fox 64 is considered by plenty of fans as the great final match of this series, and it’s also among the greatest games on the Nintendo 64. The game was not even the very first 3D game in the franchise. The first Star Fox on the SNES was 3D in how it utilized the 16-bit technology. Star Fox 64 reap the benefits of the Nintendo 64’s better specs to crank out a game that sticks to the identical formulation but improves the expertise in just about any way.

The game follows Fox McCloud and his group of anthropomorphic creature pilot teams. It is an on-rails shooter that attracts players along via a degree, and players need to burst, Dodge, and barrel roll throughout the sport. But, several boss battles take off the railings and provide players free reign to battle because they please.

It is a sport that has a powerful formula. The series never really recaptured. Nonetheless, it is a sport people fondly return on, plus it is still a great deal of fun to perform with.

11. Star Wars: Shadows of the Empire

When Star Wars: Shadows of the Empire were published in 1996, players initially lamented that they could not play one of the series’ celebrities such as Han Solo or Luke Skywalker. However, as soon as players assumed the function of Dash Rendar and were thrust to the Battle of Hoth, they immediately forgave the programmers. Although bogged down with occasional embarrassing camera difficulties, the third-person shooting controls were easy to pick up and love.

Fans of the Star Wars world will immediately comprehend the franchise’s different locales since Rendar travels far and wide. Additionally, players can still fight along with Han Solo, Luke Skywalker, Lando Calrissian, and Chewbacca to assist the captured Princess Leia throughout the effort.

Along with this game’s remarkable levels and fascinating narrative, its boss struggles were outstanding. From fighting an Imperial AT-ST (on foot! ) ) Moving head-to-head together with all the ruthless Boba Fett, Shadows of the Empire did not skimp on hard bosses.

The developers set out to make a match bridging the difference between The Empire Strikes Back and the Return of the Jedi within the span of the game’s ten missions. However, it could seem prehistoric now. It had been among the N64’s defining moments as it was published almost 20 decades back.

12. Lylat Wars

Playing Lylat Wars (or even Starfox 64 if you are abroad ) is similar to taking part in your area film — hell, it is better than many of those Star Wars games. What about the Lylat Wars? Out of the towering music, to its jaw-dropping visuals was achieved on this kind of impressive scale, which you can not help but get completely immersed inside the on-screen activity.

This feeling of immersion is captured perfectly by your more-than-able Arwing co-pilots. Slippy, Peppy, and Falco are now completely fleshed-out characters, although the opposing Starwolf team ignites an intense competition that was not clear in Starwing. Assessing the forces of Andross hasn’t been so much pleasure.

13. Perfect Dark

Step to the Dark Since Carrington Institute’s most promising new Agent, Joanna Dark, has to discover the facts behind the dataDyne Corporation’s recent technological discoveries — breakthroughs that could have severe consequences for humanity.

14. WWF Wrestlemania 2000

What might look like THQ has turned a pantomime from the ring to a chunky brawler at WWF Wrestlemania 2000? Staying among the greatest wrestling games ever, it had been marginally slower than the likes of WWF Attitude, focusing on heavy and light grapples that could eventually become struggles to pull off moves and counter strikes. Concerning pacing, nothing else has managed to give the impression that you are getting involved in a valid wrestling game, all, as WWF Wrestlemania 2000. Its follow up, No Mercy can be worth a look.

15. Mario Party 2

Back in 1998, Mario and the team invaded board game property together with Mario Party for the N64. It delivered a book turn-based 1-4 player party game punctuated with exciting and frantic action-based miniature games at the end of each turn.

Alas, lots of those intensely physical miniature games (i.e., “rotate the pole as quickly as possible”) from the very first Mario Party game-worn outside thumbsticks and gave gamers blisters. Mario Party 2, published the next year, improved this by taming the thumb-busting games, including new planks, and projecting in lively features like theatres. Most Mario Party fans still consider this game the finest in the sequence. They were considering that 15 Mario Party games launched around eight distinct platforms because then, that is saying a whole lot.

16. Wave Race 64

Two months later, Super Mario 64 dazzled US players with its nearly perfect 3D platform gameplay, Nintendo unleashed what might become its best racing game so far. Wave Race 64. Produced by one of EAD’s most talented teams, this newest masterpiece by legendary designer Shigeru Miyamoto revealed there was plenty of room for expansion in the crowded racing genre.

Up to 2 players put behind the controllers of Yamaha-licensed jet-skis and attempt to conquer eight unique watercourses. Add to these realistic audio effects and ground-breaking water effects, and you have got an instant Nintendo water rushing classic, which has yet to be dethroned.

17. Donkey Kong 64

The Nintendo 64 was a fantastic console for each of Nintendo’s large mascots, epitomized at the excellent Donkey Kong 64. Donkey Kong became a family name with Donkey Kong Country, which turned Donkey Kong out of a titular arcade game villain into a lovable household name. Donkey Kong 64 in no way follows the formulation of Donkey Kong Country but rather is much more akin to Rare’s other big hit, Banjo-Kazooie. You play as the titular ape because he defends his house from the invading King K. Rool and his army of Kremlings.

However, contrary to Banjo-Kazooie, players can switch between different characters in Kong’s household, each with their special skills. Players are invited to utilize all of the characters also, instead of sticking with their favorites. If you would like to receive all the collectibles and find out what the game offers, you will need to master every personality quirk.

And in case you are not a collector, then well, you could be somewhat overwhelmed by the sheer number of items to locate. If collect-a-thons are not something, you might get the game somewhat tedious. But, there’s still a great deal of pleasure to get beyond this, particularly with all the unique gadgets and weapons that the game provides.

For a game with a great deal to do and catches each the light-hearted soul of this console, Donkey Kong 64 is particularly enjoyable. Just be ready to catch a lot of bananas.

18. WinBack

Koei’s WinBack not just gave N64 gamers their first taste of this strategic, stealth-action genre, but it helped set the stage for most iconic movie games which followed. In WinBack, players assumed Jean-Luc Cougar, a part of the United Nations’ anti-terrorist unit (SCAT). As soon as the Secretary of Defense subsequently actions your device with regaining a laser weapon in the hands of a terrorist group known as the”Crying Lions,” that you haven’t any other choice but to oblige.

At first glance, WinBack appears a rip-off of the Metal Gear Solid franchise, even though it changed much of the gameplay seen in Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty. For example, Metal Gear Solid 2’s programmers adopted the match’s unique cover fashion and utilized its own revolutionary laser sight mechanic when crafting their particular name.

19. Paper Mario

Mario pals around in an all-new activity experience! Mario’s back in his very first experience because Super Mario 64,’ and this time, Bowser’s bent on preventing a storybook ending. After Princess Peach is contested, Mario plots to rescue the seven Star Spirits and clears the Mushroom Kingdom of Koopa’s barbarous cohorts. Since he travels from the tropical jungles of Lavalava Island into Shiver Mountain’s frosty heights, he will meet up with seven all-new companions. He will need support from each person, or there will be no happily ever afterward.

20. Banjo-Kazooie

Mario might have become the mascot for Nintendo, but Rare’s Banjo and Kazooie gave him a run for his money as it came into pure, joyous gameplay. Colorful, inventive, and densely-packed floors, Banjo Kazooie, discovered a fantastic balance between tight 3D platforming and the age’s collect-all-the-things gameplay version.