Though it’s nearly 30 years old, the Nintendo 64 has managed to stay in the limelight, and it’s all because of how well the best N64 games have held up.
Since its 1996 release, gamers and critics have joined hands to sing the console’s praises and wax poetic about its most successful releases.
Reach into storage and ready your palms — from platformers, fighting games, shooters, and everything in between, these nostalgic games still top our list of go-tos.
Note: These are in no particular order. I can’t rank these. That’s like asking a parent to pick their favorite child.
Banjo-Kazooie (1998)
Banjo walked so your favorite modern platformer could run. Even after two decades of continued industry innovation, Banjo-Kazooie still manages to outshine many other 3D adventure titles. Banjo and the bright-red bird still handle smoothly, gracefully collecting jiggies and jumping jinjos. Charming characters, smart storytelling, and captivating stages all contribute to Banjo-Kazooie‘s spot on our list.
GoldenEye 007 (1997)
The near-perfect first stage and its movie-mirroring Byelomorye dam jump are enough to earn GoldenEye 007 a slot on the list. But combined with its revolutionary multiplayer options, impressive gameplay customization, and invigorating score, the film adaptation remains one of the most iconic first-person shooters of all time.
Say what you want about how it plays today, but back in the ’90s? Yeah. This was gold and an easy inclusion on our list of the best N64 games.
Conker’s Bad Fur Day (2001)
Yes, one of the best N64 games was also one of the last ever made for the system.
The raunchy, adult-oriented adventures of Conker the squirrel caught the attention of many. At the time, naysayers vocally criticized its mature themes and gratuitous violence, but lush Conker’s slacker demeanor appealed to laid-back college-aged Gen Xers. The controversial game didn’t fare well commercially but developed a devout cult following, earning it a 2005 remake and a 2015 Rare Replay rerelease.
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Mario Party 2 (1999)
The still-popular Mario Party IP released its first installment in 1998, but Mario Party 2‘s release the following year cemented the franchise’s position among the all-time greats. The sequel implemented new minigame modes — Battle, Item, and Duel — and introduced exciting new boards to keep gameplay fresh. Additionally, the second in the series was the first to allow players to practice minigames before they begin, and to that, we collectively say, “Thank you!”
Donkey Kong 64 (1999)
DK Rap. That’s it. That’s the blurb. That alone makes this one of the best N64 games.
A blueprint for platformers industry-wide, Donkey Kong 64 was a blockbuster people couldn’t get enough of. Interchangeable Kongs with varying abilities, explorable new worlds, challenging Kong-specific stage elements, eye-popping 3D graphics, and neat multiplayer options all positioned the Kongs as Kings of the Jungle (and Queen — sorry, Tiny).
Super Smash Bros. (1999)
Say this title loud enough, and its loyal fans worldwide will tingle in anticipation. The smash hit pits Samus, Captain Falcon, Kirby, and other iconic Nintendo characters against one another in battle. Thanks in part to strong critical reviews and positive audience reception, the franchise is still going strong. In 2018, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate hit the Nintendo Switch and quickly became one of the console’s bestselling titles.
Pokémon Stadium (1999)
While would-be Pokémon trainers heralded the IP’s Game Boy titles, many praised Pokémon Stadium for its immersive turn-based gameplay. These novel combat modes, combined with 3D art design and multiplayer options, put players closer to Pokémon battles than ever before.
Star Fox 64 (1997)
“Do a barrel roll!” Star Fox 64 catapulted players to Corneria, where they controlled sharp, witty protagonist Fox McCloud. The rail shooter kept gamers locked in position as they piloted still-recognizable vehicles like the Arwing and Landmaster.
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time (1998)
As innovative and revolutionary as the modern Zelda games have been, they owe it all to Ocarina of Time.
The Zelda franchise’s N64 debut is a breakthrough title that’s often regarded as one of the best games ever made. Its graphics may look and feel dated, but the gameplay, presentation, and level design all hold up extremely well today.
Perfect Dark (2000)
Perfect Dark took everything that made GoldenEye 007 great and made things bigger and better. Improved graphics, more detailed environments, and an intriguing original story all help make Perfect Dark a classic in the console FPS space.
It may not have the same iconic stature as its predecessor, but we lost just as many hours to this all-time classic. You better believe it’s one of the best N64 games of all time.
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