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The best collection of N64 games really shows how many great games were made for Nintendo’s famous system. During the fifth-generation of gaming, this system had a lot of experimental and risky games, as well as a lot of games from Nintendo’s well-known series. The list of the best Nintendo 64 games is a treasure trove of great games, from the first 3D adventures to cute games that are still fun to play today.
The N64 came out in 1996, going up against strong competitors like the Sega Saturn and the PlayStation. But the N64 made a place for itself, with a library of games that has since become famous. Games like Super Mario 64 and The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time stand out as some of the best Nintendo 64 games. But besides these first-party classics, there are a lot of other great games that have left their mark on gaming history. So, if you’re ready to go on a trip down memory lane and celebrate this legendary system with us, keep reading to see our picks for the best Nintendo 64 games of all time.
Why Nintendo 64 Games Remain Popular?
The Nintendo 64 (N64) is very important to players all over the world. When it came out in 1996, this famous console started a new era of 3D gaming and gave gamers moments they will never forget. N64 games are still popular and nostalgic after all these years. Let’s look at why Nintendo 64 games have lasted and why players of all ages still love them.
- New ideas in 3D games: The Nintendo 64 was one of the first games to use 3D. It was a big step up from its 2D predecessors because it was more engaging. Games like “Super Mario 64″ and “The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time” set new standards for how 3D games should be played.
- Characters and series that everyone knows: In N64 games, well-known Nintendo characters like Mario, Link, and Donkey Kong were the main players. Over the years, these characters and their various franchises have stayed popular, bringing in both old and new fans.
- Magic in Multiplayer: The N64 was known for its games that could be played with more than one person. Games like “Super Smash Bros.,” “Mario Kart 64,” and “GoldenEye 007” gave people hours of fun playing together and against each other.
Best Nintendo 64 Games Comparison Table
The N64 had a wide range of games, so everyone could find something they liked. It had a wide range of games, from platformers and RPGs to racing and first-person shooters, so it was good for a lot of different types of gamers.
| Game | Release Year | Genre | Developer | ESRB Rating | Single-player | Multiplayer |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Super Mario 64 | 1996 | Platformer | Nintendo EAD | E (Everyone) | Yes | No |
| The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time | 1998 | Action-Adventure, RPG | Nintendo EAD | E (Everyone) | Yes | No |
| PERFECT DARK | 2000 | First-Person Shooter | Rare | M (Mature) | Yes | Yes |
| Super Smash Bros. | 1999 | Fighting, Party | HAL Laboratory | E10+ (Everyone 10 and older) | Yes | Yes |
| Paper Mario | 2000 | Role-Playing, Adventure | Intelligent Systems | E (Everyone) | Yes | No |
List of the Best Nintendo 64 Games
Both the superficiality and the complexity of the N64’s gameplay have stood the test of time admirably. Games were developed with player enjoyment and ease of use in mind, making them suitable for players of varying levels of expertise. Many gamers who came of age during the era of the Nintendo 64 platform feel a strong feeling of sentimentality while thinking about these games. They are able to revisit memories from their youth that they hold dear by reading these publications again.
Super Mario 64
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Release Date | June 23, 1996 |
| Platform | Nintendo 64 |
| Genre | Action-Adventure, Platformer |
| Players | Single-player |
| Developer | Nintendo EAD |
Mario was exclusive to side-scrolling platformers before 1996. The formula had worked for Nintendo since their initial console. Mario made the transition from 2D to 3D smoothest as hardware improved. Super Mario 64, a system launch game, is still considered a classic for 3D world design and character movement, which is crazy since it had a lot working against it!
Mario was already a 2D side scrolling legend, but Super Mario 64 included a lot of adjustments and improvements that seem regular now but were enormous risks back then. First, it was Nintendo’s first single-player Mario game, excellent for loners.Power ups were overhauled and converted into caps, and the power star, which originally made Mario unstoppable, became the thing you gathered. Yes, this game was unusual.
The Good
- Groundbreaking 3D platforming gameplay.
- Iconic and memorable level design.
- Innovative camera system for its time.
The Bad
- Outdated graphics by modern standards.
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Release Date | November 21, 1998 |
| Platform | Nintendo 64, Various Ports |
| Genre | Action-Adventure, RPG |
| Players | Single-player |
| Developer | Nintendo EAD |
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time seemed like a message from the future when it came out in 1998. The famous EAD team at Nintendo, led by Shigeru Miyamoto, didn’t just make an interesting 3D version of the classic Link to the Past with two different time zones and puzzle-filled dungeons; it also wrote the book on 3D exploring and adventure games.
The natural, fully explorable world of Ocarina of Time blew people away. A mountain in the distance wasn’t just a part of the scene (well, it was, but only kind of). Players quickly learned that everything on the horizon was a place to find and explore. All you had to do was figure out how to get there.
The Good
- Pioneering 3D action-adventure gameplay.
- Epic, immersive world of Hyrule.
- Engaging story and memorable characters.
The Bad
- Some may find the Water Temple’s design challenging.
PERFECT DARK
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Release Date | May 22, 2000 |
| Platform | Nintendo 64 |
| Genre | First-Person Shooter, Action |
| Players | Single-player, Multiplayer |
| Developer | Rare |
Three years later, Rare’s Perfect Dark surpassed Goldeneye 007 in every aspect. Perfect Dark was the best first-person shooter on N64 in 2000, as near as Nintendo’s aging 64-bit technology could get. Players could use dozens of fascinating weaponry, including the x-ray railgun FarSight XR-20. The extremely customizable Combat Simulator topped split-screen gaming around the turn of the century. Four pals, a few bots with different playstyles, and many evenings of gaming were set.
Perfect Dark is slower than other modern shooters, but it’s still entertaining and playable. In the single-player campaign, adding mission objectives on higher levels was a smarter strategy to regulate difficulty than raising monster health and damage. Goldeneye made greater money because to its movie tie-in.
The Good
- Advanced first-person shooter gameplay for its time.
- Deep and engaging single-player campaign.
- Robust multiplayer with various modes.
The Bad
- Aging graphics and AI by today’s standards.
Super Smash Bros.
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Release Date | April 26, 1999 (N64), Various Later Releases |
| Platform | Nintendo 64, Various Platforms |
| Genre | Fighting, Party |
| Players | Single-player, Multiplayer |
| Developer | HAL Laboratory |
Very few corporations have been able to combine their many intellectual properties with the level of success that Nintendo has achieved with Super Smash Bros. Nintendo’s boisterously enjoyable brawler works on multiple levels, enabling you to indulge in nostalgia while also putting a stop to the countless discussions you would have had at school (or in our case, work) over the fighting ability of your favorite Nintendo characters.
Although it’s possible that Hal Laboratory’s game isn’t the most well-balanced fighter out there, this criticism may also be leveled towards the franchise’s subsequent installments. Whether or not they are balanced, the battles in Super Mario Odyssey are a lot of fun and helped lay the groundwork for one of Nintendo’s most popular and lucrative franchises.
The Good
- Iconic crossover fighting franchise.
- Extensive roster of Nintendo characters.
- Fun and accessible gameplay for all ages.
The Bad
- Limited single-player content in some versions.
Paper Mario
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Release Date | August 11, 2000 |
| Platform | Nintendo 64, Various Ports |
| Genre | Role-Playing, Adventure |
| Players | Single-player |
| Developer | Intelligent Systems |
There aren’t many fantastic role-playing games available for Nintendo’s 64-bit machine, so it’s no surprise that this lovely adventure featuring Mario has become so sought after. Paper Mario, which was developed by Intelligent Systems, not only lays the framework for the later Paper Mario games – which, we’d say, aren’t a patch on this one – but it also has the same cutting comedy and solidly built battle mechanics that would become so common in the Mario & Luigi franchise.
Developed by Intelligent Systems. This game also marked the beginning of the series’ flat, 2D aesthetic and served as an example of how good 2D-styled games might appear on Nintendo’s 3D-focused machine.
The Good
- Charming and unique paper-crafted art style.
- Engaging turn-based combat with action commands.
- Memorable characters and witty humor.
The Bad
- Some players may find certain puzzles challenging.
Questions and Answers
Some of the best Nintendo 64 games of all time are “Super Mario 64,” “The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time,” “GoldenEye 007,” “Super Smash Bros.,” “Mario Kart 64,” and “The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask.”
People often say that “The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time” is one of the best video games ever made. It has gotten a lot of praise for its innovative 3D world, interesting story, and new ways to play.
Answer: Yes, the Nintendo 64 did have some popular games for parties with more than one person. For multiplayer gaming, the “Mario Kart 64,” “Super Smash Bros.,” “GoldenEye 007,” and “Mario Party” series are all great picks.