Best N64 Games

Best N64 Games

Best N64 Games: September 29, 1996 remains forever etched in the minds of video game fans as one of the industry’s most defining moments. The sun rose that Sunday morning and people across America flocked to the closest electronics store in hopes of securing a Nintendo 64 to experience Mario’s foray into 3D. But even those who bought the system on launch day probably had no idea just how iconic the system would become. Super Mario 64 wasn’t the only standout, though, which is why we’ve sifted through the console’s entire back catalog in an effort to identify the absolute best N64 games.

We took into account everything from a game’s lasting appeal, to how revolutionary it was when first released, to its overall fun factor. Then we broke the list down into genres. So for all of you N64 lovers out there, here are the N64 games we feel most deserve a playthrough. Nintendo currently has no plans to make an N64 Classic, so you may need to hunt down the original console or check out an N64 emulator to play these classic games.

Best N64 Games
Best N64 Games

Best Selling N64 Games

Super Mario 64

Super Mario 64 is the best-selling N64 game of all time, and it is easy to see why. This platform game was the first in the Super Mario series to use 3D gameplay and it is implemented masterfully into the different playable open-world environments found throughout the game.

Developer: Nintendo EAD

Publisher: Nintendo

Release Date: June 23, 1996

Number of Worldwide Sales: 11,910,000

Mario Kart 64

Mario Kart 64 is a racing game that is the second installment in the Mario Kart series. It is a true classic and a game that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. Players can play as one of eight Mario characters and choose from 16 different race courses.

Developer: Nintendo EAD

Publisher: Nintendo

Release Date: December 14, 1996

Number of Worldwide Sales: 9,870,000

GoldenEye 007

GoldenEye 007 is a first-person shooter game that, for many, is the platform-defining title for the Nintendo 64. It is based on the 1995 James Bond film, GoldenEye and features both a single-player campaign and a split-screen multiplayer mode.

Developer: Rare

Publisher: Nintendo

Release Date: August 25, 1997

Number of Worldwide Sales: 8,090,000

The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time

The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time is an action-adventure game, and the fifth game in the Legend of Zelda series. It is not only considered to be one of the best Nintendo 64 titles around, but is often included in multi-platform lists of the best games of all time

Developer: Nintendo EAD

Publisher: Nintendo

Release Date: November 21, 1998

Number of Worldwide Sales: 7,600,000

Super Smash Bros

Super Smash Bros. is a crossover fighting game that was the first to be released in the hugely popular Super Smash Bros. series. Characters from several Nintendo franchises are included in the game, and players can choose characters from Mario, Donkey Kong, Pokémon, Star Fox, and the Legend of Zelda, among others.

Developer: HAL Laboratory

Publisher: Nintendo

Release Date: January 21, 1999

Number of Worldwide Sales: 5,550,000

Best Multiplayer N64 Games

Modern games may no longer support local multiplayer, but that doesn’t mean you can’t go back to your N64! Find a game for you and your mates with our list of the best N64 multiplayer games to play today.

Perfect Dark

Perfect Dark offers an unrivalled amount of choice when it comes to game modes, maps, weapons and playable characters.

Best Multiplayer N64 Games
Best Multiplayer N64 Games

Up to four players can face off, but you can also add up to eight AI bots. In addition to the standard deathmatch modes, you can play cooperatively through the campaign and “Challenge” scenarios.

Super Smash Bros

Super Smash Bros. has a small selection of characters and stages compared to more recent entries in the series. But that doesn’t matter, because it’s still ridiculously good fun.

It’s the game’s simplicity that helps to make it so enjoyable even today. It’s great with both newcomers and experienced players. It far from the prettiest N64 game, but this means it’s able to maintain a near-solid frame rate. You only ever see slowdown when there’s a lot happening on screen in four-player battles.

Mario Kart 64

While Mario Kart 64‘s single-player mode is a drag, the multiplayer is both fun and accessible. The game’s famous item system throws an element of chaos into every race. Even the most skilled racers are rarely safe from the wrath of a blue shell or lightning bolt.

There’s also the Battle Mode, should you want a change from vanilla racing. While there are only four maps, this mode does include Block Fort – the greatest Battle Mode map of all!

Mario Tennis

Don’t let the cute and whimsical cast of characters fool you. Mario Tennis is actually a surprisingly down-to-earth and somewhat serious tennis game.

That said, there’s also a special mode with items (like Mario Kart 64) if you’re after a sillier experience. The control setup primarily uses the A and B buttons, keeping the gameplay nice and simple.

Best N64 Racing Games

Beetle Adventure Racing

It might be difficult to believe now, but the Volkswagen Beetle saw a huge re-birth in the late 90’s. Everywhere you went, it seemed like someone was driving a new Beetle, and as such, Beetle Adventure Racing! was born, and this game is without a doubt, one of the most underrated racers of all-time. The track design in BAR is simply amazing. Six huge tracks are available, with tons of shortcuts on each, and they look great on the N64.

San Francisco Rush Series

Originally a successful title in the arcades, San Francisco Rush made it’s debut on home consoles in 1997, adding more tracks and cars. With the Rush series, it’s all about speed, tricks, stunts and big air. All three games are great, but the jewel of the trifecta is the final game, San Francisco Rush 2049.

F-ZERO X

Remember when I talked about Nintendo making people wait for sequels, specifically mentioning the Excitebike franchise? Well, you can put F-Zero on that list as well. The smash SNES hit was released in 1990, and outside of a couple Japan-only releases, the franchise took eight years off. That SNES title was definitely a pioneer in futuristic, edge of your seat racing, and the N64 title is basically the original on steroids.

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