El día de Navidad de 1998 fue un momento muy especial para mí. Fue el día que cambió mi vida de jugador para siempre y comenzó mi obsesión por coleccionar los mejores juegos de N64.
Todavía recuerdo haber retirado el papel de regalo y haber visto esos tres caracteres impresos en la esquina de la caja: N64.
Claro, ya me había unido al club de juegos con mi GameBoy gris original y algunos de los mejores juegos de GameBoy, pero ahora era el momento de dar un paso adelante en las grandes ligas.
Desde ese día, he jugado y coleccionado más juegos de Nintendo de los que puedo contar.
Desde derribar naves espaciales con Fox McLoud hasta tratar de descubrir qué diablos era eso de Ice Key en Banjo Kazooie, he tenido muchos momentos divertidos con esta consola clásica.
Si eres nuevo en los juegos retro o simplemente quieres revivir algunos de los mejores, aquí tienes una lista de los 75 mejores juegos N64 de todos los tiempos.
¡Prepárate para una patada nostálgica en el cerebro del juego!
Índice
75. Dragón volador (1997)
74. Snowboard Niños 2 (1999)
73. Ninja místico protagonizado por Goeman (1997) ~ 253 ~ 72. Ridge Racer 64 (2000)
71. Pecado y castigo (2000)
70. Trilogía de Mortal Kombat (1996)
69. Gauntlet Legends (1998)
68. Parque del Sur (1998)
67. La venganza de WCW/nWo (1998)
66. Aidyn Chronicles: El primer mago (2000) ~ 253 ~ 65. Extreme-G (1997)
64. Cuerpo explosivo (1997) ~ 253 ~ 63. Shadowgate 64: Las pruebas de las cuatro torres (1999)
62. Oro del instinto asesino (1996)
61. ¡Carreras de aventuras de escarabajos! (1999)
60. Mario Golf (1999)
59. Patinador profesional de Tony Hawk 2 (2001)
58. Snowboard Niños (1997)
57. Ogre Battle 64: Person of Lordly Caliber (1999) ~ 253 ~ 56. Rayman 2: El gran escape (1999)
55. Cuerpo explosivo (1997) ~ 253 ~ 54. Luna de cosecha 64 (1999)
53. Fiesta de Mario (1998)
52. Excitebike 64 (2000)
51. Reckin Balls de Iggy (1998) ~ 253 ~ 50. El nuevo Tetris (1999)
49. El hombre de las sombras (1999)
48. Buck Bumble (1998)
47. Mega Man 64 (2000)
46. Alas de piloto 64 (1996)
45. Resident Evil 2 (1999)
44. Castlevania: El legado de la oscuridad (1999)
43. Gran Premio Mundial de F-1 (1998)
42. Hidrotrueno (2000)
41. Carrera de olas 64 (1996)
40. Misión Imposible (1998)
39. Duke Nukem (1997)
38. F-Zero X (1998)
37. Kirby 64: Los fragmentos de cristal (2000)
36. Actitud de WWF (1999)
35. Superestrella internacional de fútbol 98 (2000)
34. El mundo nunca es suficiente (2000)
33. Castlevania (1999)
32. Mario de papel (2000)
31. Muerte 64 (1997)
30. Diddy Kong Racing (1997)
29. Star Wars Episodio 1: Corredor (1999)
28. El día de las malas pieles de Conker (2001)
27. Mario Party 2 (1999)
26. Oscuridad perfecta (2000)
25. Holy Magic Century/Quest 64 (1998)
24. Pokémon Snap (1999)
23. Bomberman 64 (1999)
22. Turok 2 – Semillas del mal (1998)
21. Jet Force Gemini (1999) ~ 253 ~ 20. Mario Tenis (2000)
19. LylatWars/Starfox 64 (1997)
18. Star Wars – Escuadrón Pícaro (1998)
17. Estadio Pokémon (1999)
16. Gex 64 – Entra el gecko (1998)
15. Glover (1998)
14. Banjo-Tooie (2000)
13. Ninja místico protagonizado por Goemon (1997) ~ 253 ~ 12. Sombras del imperio (1996)
11. 1080 Snowboard (1998)
10. La historia de Yoshi (1997)
9. Silicon Valley (1998)
8. Leyenda de Zelda – Máscara de Majora (2000) ~ 253 ~ 7. Banjo Kazooie (1998)
6. Super Smash Bros. (1999)
5. Ojo dorado (1997)
4. Mario Kart 64 (1996)
3. Súper Mario 64 (1996)
2. Donkey Kong 64 (1999)
1. La Leyenda de Zelda – Ocarina Of Time (1998)
75. Dragón volador (1997)
VER EN EBAY
Flying Dragon ocupa el puesto 75 en esta lista de los mejores juegos de N64 de todos los tiempos. Es un juego de rol disfrazado con algunos elementos épicos con los que hemos estado obsesionados desde el ’97.
Sabes que Mario Golf tiene características de juego de rol en el sentido de que los jugadores se mueven entre las casas de los clubes de golf. Bueno, Flying Dragon tiene la misma sensación de juego de rol suelto en el sentido de que los jugadores deben mejorar las estadísticas de su personaje a medida que avanzan.
El objetivo principal: crear el luchador definitivo para derrotar a los oponentes más duros en el modo Torneo.
Así que Tekken con el saqueo… lo tengo.
Mirando la imagen de arriba, hay una fuerte vibra de Virtua Fighter en este juego. Sé que todos estamos acostumbrados a jugar el icónico Smash Bros en el N64 (que definitivamente verás más adelante en esta lista), pero siempre es bueno jugar luchadores más realistas para variar.
Y, este juego tiene un modo 2D y 3D para aquellos que quieren un ambiente de la vieja escuela o más moderno. Y aún se ve bastante bien para un juego de 1997, ¡especialmente con los mejores cables y adaptadores N64 HDMI!
74. Snowboard Niños 2 (1999)
VER EN EBAY
Encontrarás más información sobre mi primera experiencia con Snowboard Kids a continuación, pero todavía tuve algunos momentos emocionantes jugando Snowboard Kids 2 en el pasado.
¿Cuál es la única manera de hacer que el snowboard sea más divertido? ¿Qué tal si le agregamos un estilo de juego de disparos arcade a la mezcla?
¡Sí, eso bastará!
Una de las cosas que me encantan de los títulos de Snowboard Kids es que son increíblemente simples. Los modos de historia no intentan ser súper complicados y la jugabilidad es fácil de entender. Todo el juego se trata de divertirse.
Los jugadores obtienen puntos que pueden usar para obtener mejores tableros cuando hacen trucos épicos y ganan carreras.
Y a pesar del nombre, hay muchos campos que en realidad no incluyen nieve. ¿Alguna vez has disparado un muñeco de nieve a otro jugador mientras disparas a través de una estación espacial o un castillo?
Si quieres un juego de snowboard más realista, usa 1080 cada vez. Sin embargo, si solo quieres divertirte un poco, ¡Snowboard Kids 2 siempre te hará sonreír!
73. Ninja místico protagonizada por Goeman (1997)
VER EN EBAY
Mystical Ninja Starring Goemon ocupa el puesto 73 en esta lista de los mejores juegos de N64 de todos los tiempos.
Sé que estás pensando ‘Goemon… ¿un RPG?’, pero tiene tareas de RPG que lo convierten en uno de los mejores títulos de RPG para la consola.
Si nunca lo has jugado antes, déjame decirte que pelear en un Battle Mech masivo que no se vería fuera de lugar como un villano de los Power Rangers nunca pasa de moda. Juego de plataformas con increíbles momentos cómicos; ¡tiene un poco de todo!
Al igual que el título en el puesto 69, hay una palabra en este juego que siempre me hace pensar en Goemon cada vez. Y cuando escuches a alguien decir “Plasma” después de jugar este juego, también pensarás de la misma manera.
Lanza a Ryu desde la cima del monte Fuji, colecciona personajes y mejora las armas a medida que avanzas en el juego, y come tantas albóndigas como puedas.
Suena como la mejor vida para mí.
72. Ridge Racer 64 (2000)
VER EN EBAY
Ridge Racer 64 es uno de esos títulos cruzados de plataformas que sorprende a mucha gente. Creo que porque Ridge Racer es solo uno de esos títulos que todos recordamos haber estado en PlayStation, por lo que ver ’64’ en el título tiende a desconcertar un poco a la gente.
Y esta fue la primera vez que la serie apareció en una máquina de Nintendo. Es básicamente una parte integral de la historia de Sony/Nintendo, ¡así que eso significa que tiene que estar en esta lista!
Al igual que muchos otros juegos de carreras de la época, Ridge Racer es fácil de controlar y cuenta con esa sensación de ‘recoger en cualquier momento’ que significa que es perfecto para simplemente pasar el tiempo hasta que sea hora de salir o mientras tu pizza se cocina en el horno,
Con 9 pistas y 25 autos para competir, hay muchas formas diferentes de jugar, lo que brinda a los jugadores una excelente relación calidad-precio.
Pasé mucho tiempo jugando el modo multijugador de este juego con mis amigos y mi papá. No creo que gané tan a menudo; Yo era más un aficionado al lanzamiento de Red Shell.
71. Pecado y castigo (2000)
VER EN EBAY
¡Sin and Punishment ocupa el puesto 71 en nuestro último compendio de juegos de N64!
Algunos de ustedes pueden haber jugado este juego en Wii, Wii-U o Switch, pero comenzó su vida en el N64 en el año 2000.
No te sorprenderá saber que un plan en el que se hizo que los mutantes se hicieran cargo de la producción de alimentos en una versión de la Tierra en la que todo se había ido al garete no funcionó bien.
Quiero decir… salió muy mal.
Los mutantes han decidido que ya no quieren recibir órdenes y están en pie de guerra.
Dos adolescentes, al estilo Jet Force Gemini, deben enfrentarse al ejército de cretinos mutantes y salvar la Tierra.
Simple, ¿verdad?
¿Puedes acabar con las hordas y traer la paz al planeta antes de que vaya más allá de ser salvado? El tiempo está en tu contra, y los mutantes tienen una agenda secreta bajo la extraña manga.
70. Trilogía Mortal Kombat (1996)
VER EN EBAY
Mortal Kombat Trilogy hace exactamente lo que dice en la lata. Es como lo mejor de los primeros tres juegos de Mortal Kombat, con todos los personajes apareciendo para causar el máximo daño y fatalidades increíbles.
Estamos hablando de Cyrax, Jax, Sheeva, Shao Kahn y muchos más personajes épicos para elegir.
Tendrás que reservar un par de semanas cuando tengas este juego; ¡Es imposible dejarlo! ~ 153 ~
Si has jugado alguno de los otros juegos de Mortal Kombat en SNES o Genesis, entonces ya sabrás cómo funciona este título. Acción lateral, al mejor de tres rondas y movimientos especiales épicos con sangre máxima.
Ok, no es tan retorcido como algunos de los mejores juegos de Mortal Kombat que existen, pero sigue siendo increíblemente genial.
Y una cosa que me encanta de MK Trilogy es tener la oportunidad de jugar contra versiones antiguas y nuevas del mismo personaje. ¿Quién ganará en una batalla entre Classic Sub-Zero y Unmasked Sub-Zero?
69. Gauntlet Leyendas (1998)
VER EN EBAY
Gauntlet Legends ocupa el puesto 69 en esta lista de los mejores juegos N64 de todos los tiempos. Si eres un aficionado a Game Cube, quizás pienses que se parece mucho a Gauntlet Dark Legacy, uno de los mejores juegos de Game Cube de todos los tiempos.
Bueno, eso es porque Dark Legacy es una versión actualizada del título N64. El mismo juego, la misma acción, ¡pero este es uno de los títulos más retorcidos del N64 con diferencia!
La acción de hack and slash nunca pasa de moda, y este título fue uno de los mejores juegos cooperativos locales en el N64 que solía jugar con mis amigos. Hasta que hayas arrojado una poción que explota en una horda de duendes monstruosos verdes, ¡nunca has vivido! ~ 153 ~
¿Alguien ha jugado este juego y luego no ha dicho “SUSTENTANCE” cada vez que ha comido un muslo de pollo después?
Puede que este juego no lo parezca, pero en realidad es un juego de rol muy bien pensado. Los jugadores encuentran tesoros mientras juegan y luego los gastan para mejorar sus personajes.
Los movimientos se vuelven más poderosos, los personajes se vuelven más impresionantes y su defensa aumenta cuando se enfrentan a enemigos brutales.
Claro, es divertido jugar solo, pero no hay mejor manera de jugar Gauntlet Legends que con 3 compañeros a tu lado. ¡QUE COMIENCE LA BATALLA!
68. Parque del Sur (1998)
VER EN EBAY
RESPETO MI AUTORATAYYY; ¡South Park es el próximo! ~ 153 ~
No creo haber encontrado un arma más extraña que el lanzador de vacas en este juego. Ok, existe la opción de orinar en tus bolas de nieve para hacerlas más difíciles al lanzarlas a los enemigos, lo cual también es bastante extraño, pero el lanzador de vacas aún se lleva el primer premio.
Si no te gusta South Park, entonces este juego no es para ti. Sin embargo, si te ha encantado la serie desde el principio, ¡obtén esto en tu colección ahora! ~ 153 ~
Juega como Cartman, Kenny, Kyle y Stan mientras te mueves por South Park. Un cometa está causando que todo actúe de manera extraña, y muchos enemigos, incluidos los pavos mutantes, están tratando de derribarte.
Juega en el modo historia y salva la ciudad, o entra en el modo multijugador y derrota a tus compañeros usando armas extrañas y maravillosas del modo historia.
Y, como es un título en primera persona, se siente como si estuvieras protagonizando un episodio de la caricatura. ¡Qué no amar de eso! ~ 153 ~
67. La venganza de WCW/nWo (1998)
VER EN EBAY
WCW/nWo Revenge se hizo para los sábados por la mañana. Veíamos Smackdown y luego nos metíamos directamente en la N64 y jugábamos como nuestros luchadores favoritos.
Una de las cosas más ingeniosas de este juego es que tuvo en cuenta la complexión del luchador. Los luchadores más pesados no podían realizar los mismos movimientos que los más ligeros, así que, en la medida de lo posible, se mantuvo fiel a la vida real y a la verdadera física de los personajes del programa de televisión.
Si ya has jugado un juego de lucha libre, entonces conoces el ejercicio. Múltiples modos, batallas reales épicas y toda la acción de pelea con repeticiones ingeniosas para que tus compañeros vean cuando los vences.
Agarra, zambúllete, logra finalistas y mira películas de entrada como en el programa.
Esta podría ser la forma perfecta de ajustar cuentas con tus compañeros. Si te avergonzaron en público, ¡arréglalo en el ring!
66. Aidyn Chronicles: El primer mago (2000)
VER EN EBAY
Aidyn Chronicles: ¡The First Mage es el siguiente en nuestra lista de los mejores juegos de N64 de todos los tiempos!
Si eres un fanático de la fantasía y estás buscando un viaje inmersivo en el que perderte, entonces has llegado a tu punto máximo bastante pronto. Esto es como jugar un libro de fantasía virtual y, como escritor de fantasía, ¡obtiene puntos máximos para mí! ~ 153 ~
Cualquier línea argumental que presente duendes, veneno y un reino en peligro satisface todas mis necesidades de RPG al instante. Es 3D, está lleno de elementos y hay tantas misiones para completar que lo jugarás durante mucho tiempo.
Estas batallas por turnos no serán nada nuevo para los fanáticos de los juegos de rol, con jugadores que mueven personajes en tiempo real a medida que entran y salen de campos de ataque circulares pateando traseros y tomando nombres.
Una cosa que me encanta de este juego es que las batallas tampoco son aleatorias. Puedes elegir a quién atacar y esquivar enemigos más difíciles hasta una fecha posterior.
Añade un PNJ sabelotodo a la mezcla, y aquí tienes todo lo que necesitas para una relajante tarde de domingo, ¿qué más puedes pedir?
65. Extreme-G (1997)
VER EN EBAY
Extreme-G cae en 64, que es un número un poco especial considerando la consola de la que estamos hablando.
Después del gran éxito de Wipeout, más y más corredores futuristas se unieron al redil. Las carreras de bicicletas de ritmo rápido y la banda sonora intensa de Extreme-G lo convirtieron en un éxito instantáneo entre los jugadores de los 90.
Quiero decir, básicamente se sintió como un delirio, ¡con los Chemical Brothers y las imágenes de neón!
Las carreras de motos se sienten mucho más peligrosas y nerviosas que los autos normales de todos modos. Agregue bicicletas que parecen de la era espacial a la mezcla en pistas que podrían ser montañas rusas, y tendrá un verdadero juego en sus manos.
Los aumentos de potencia, velocidades masivas y cuatro jugadores compitiendo entre sí (ignorando la caída de la velocidad de fotogramas), hacen de este uno de los juegos de carreras multijugador más retorcidos del N64.
Definitivamente un título de Nintendo diseñado para competir con el catálogo de carreras de PlayStation y el sustituto perfecto para aquellos que no tienen una PS1 a mano.
64. Cuerpo explosivo (1997)
VER EN EBAY
Normalmente, un arma nuclear en un alboroto no sería algo por lo que emocionarse, pero Blast Corps ve a los jugadores despejar el camino para que corra en un rompecabezas lleno de acción.
El objetivo del juego: destruir todo en el camino de los misiles para que no explote y destruya la tierra.
Suena simple, ¿verdad?
Al principio, solo puedes usar ciertos vehículos mientras destruyes cosas, pero a medida que avanza el juego, necesitarás usar vehículos destructivos más grandes mientras derribas todo, desde monumentos hasta complejos de edificios completos.
Mientras corres contra el reloj para causar tantos estragos como sea posible, también necesitas encontrar científicos que puedan trabajar juntos para intentar descubrir cómo salvar el mundo.
Sin presión…
Encuentra Unidades de Dispersión de Radiación escondidas en cada nivel y recoge montones de secretos para conseguir medallas. Si eres el tipo de jugador que solo se conforma con el 101 %, jugarás este juego durante muchísimo tiempo. Hay mucho valor por su dinero, ¡eso es seguro! ~ 153 ~
63. Shadowgate 64: Las pruebas de las cuatro torres (1999)
VER EN EBAY
Shadowgate 64: Trials of the Four Towers es un gran juego de rol. También está muy subestimado a pesar de ser como el hijo de Thief and Dungeons and Dragons.
Sí, suena como una receta de la que todos queremos un pedazo, ¿verdad?
Repleto de emocionantes misterios y PNJ con los que conversar mientras descubres extraños secretos, este mejor amigo de los amantes de los rompecabezas tiene todo lo que podrías desear de un festival de magia de exploración de mazmorras.
El escenario principal de este juego: Castle Shadowgate. No es el nivel de genialidad de ‘El castillo de cristal’, pero se parece mucho a algo de una novela de Terry Pratchett.
Entra la escoria que bordea las calles, los villanos y un mago malvado alborotado.
Un mago rampa, por así decirlo. Ayuda a Del Cottonwood mientras intenta escapar de Shadowgate, solo para encontrarse con un problema aún más difícil de resolver. Salvar al mundo de un brujo, para ser exactos…
Castle Shadowgate proporciona el telón de fondo principal para Trials of the Four Towers. Si alguna vez has leído alguna novela de Mundodisco, entonces es un poco como Ankh Morpork. Ladrones, villanos y escoria en general llenan las calles, y hay un mago malvado alborotado.
62. Oro del instinto asesino (1996)
VER EN EBAY
Killer Instinct Gold bien podría ser uno de mis títulos de lucha favoritos de todos los tiempos. Una actualización de Killer Instinct 2, es un título increíble para N64 y ve a los personajes clásicos que amaba en Gameboy a todo color.
¡Fulgore por la victoria!
Juega con todos los luchadores de los juegos anteriores y adéntrate en nuevos modos como Eliminación por equipos y Niveles de velocidad.
Así que los movimientos especiales no son exactamente dignos de Mortal Kombat, pero Killer Instinct tiene algo que lo convierte en un título clásico.
Sí, ese algo es el juego Gameboy que rompí tantas veces cuando era niño, ¿a quién estoy engañando? Para mí, este es un viaje de nostalgia que siempre superará a Street Fighter y los títulos cruzados de Marvel Capcom.
61. ¡Carreras de aventuras de escarabajos! (1999)
VER EN EBAY
Carreras en VW Escarabajos; ¡Qué manera de continuar con esta lista de los mejores juegos de N64!
Sí, Beetle Adventure Racing enfrenta las habilidades de los conductores en una variedad de tipos de pistas y superficies mientras usan uno de los autos más icónicos de nuestra era.
¡A mí tampoco me importaría una versión VW T2 Bus!
Las pistas también se ven bastante bien detalladas, aunque pasarás demasiado tiempo imaginándote en los asientos del conductor de estos épicos VW como para prestar demasiada atención a las montañas y los campos.
En un giro al estilo Mario Kart, hay armas que los jugadores pueden usar para adelantarse en el juego.
Estamos hablando de todo, desde minas hasta magia; ¡las cosas se pusieron serias muy rápido! ~ 153 ~
¡El modo multijugador es donde este juego realmente brilla, con un modo de batalla de 4 jugadores que te permite a ti y a tus compañeros realmente sacarse siete campanas del infierno uno del otro!
60. Mario Golf (1999)
VER EN EBAY
¿Qué hace un héroe una vez que ha rescatado a su princesa de un malvado Koopa en su primer juego de N64? Sencillo, crea su propio juego de tenis, una franquicia de juegos de mesa virtuales y juega con los karts y el golf.
Desde la plomería hasta el golf, Mario puede hacer cualquier cosa que se proponga, y Mario Golf 64 ve a Mazza y compañía en el campo de acción deportiva en 3D.
Si alguno de ustedes lee las tonterías con las que salgo en mis artículos, entonces sabrá que no soy un gran fanático del golf en la vida real. Aún así, este es uno de los juegos más relajantes para jugar después de un largo día de aguantar la mierda de Brandon… quiero decir, de trabajar con Brandon aquí en Retro Dodo HQ.
Con 6 campos y 10 jugadores para elegir, hay mucha acción de golf en la que puedes participar para perfeccionar tus habilidades virtuales.
Enfréntate a la dirección del viento y al giro mientras logras los mejores golpes e intentas completar esos recorridos con la menor cantidad de golpes.
¡No habrá Bogeys bajo nuestra vigilancia!
59. Patinador profesional de Tony Hawk 2 (2001)
VER EN EBAY
Tony Hawks Pro Skater 2 siempre será uno de esos juegos por los que tengo debilidad. La música sigue siendo épica hoy, los movimientos son atemporales y tengo tantos buenos recuerdos de jugar este juego con mis amigos en varias consolas diferentes.
Además, con una nueva versión de los dos primeros juegos ahora en Switch, no hay mejor momento para regresar y ver el título original en el N64.
Sé que el título original es el que debería recibir todos los elogios, ya que sin él no tendríamos la serie épica que generó. Pero para mí, Número 2 perfeccionó la fórmula y actuó como plantilla principal para los otros títulos.
¡Simplemente funciona!
¿Alguno de ustedes también tuvo que esperar hasta que sonara su canción favorita antes de poder llevar a cabo ciertas misiones, o solo soy yo?
Nunca en toda mi vida he logrado hacer un heel flip o un grinder. Pero en THPS2, era un profesional absoluto.
Y no olvidemos que jugar como un alienígena de Roswell también formaba parte de este juego. Hasta que hayas visto a un tipo verde volviéndose loco en un medio tubo, ¡nunca has vivido! ~ 153 ~
58. Snowboard Kids (1997)
VER EN EBAY
La primera vez que recuerdo haber jugado Snowboard Kids fue en el hospital después de una operación. Tenían un N64 en la sala de estar de los niños y no podía creer mi suerte.
Nunca quise salir de esa habitación, pero lamentablemente tenía que mejorar y volver a mi vida normal. Compré una copia de este juego tan pronto como ahorré suficiente dinero y jugué casi hasta morir.
1080 El snowboard siempre será el mejor juego de snowboard de todos los tiempos, pero hay algo en los gráficos estilo Mario de este juego y los personajes estilo Goeman que me enganchó desde el principio.
Juega como uno de los cinco personajes mientras desciendes colinas épicas antes de volver a la cima en un telesilla para dar otra vuelta.
¿Cuántos juegos de snowboard conoces que te lleven a través de un desierto o un parque temático? ¿Cuántos hacen eso y agregan armas, acrobacias y contenido desbloqueable? ¡Ninguno, aparte de Snowboard Kids!
57. Ogre Battle 64: Person of Lordly Caliber (1999)
VER EN EBAY
El siguiente en nuestra lista de los mejores juegos de N64 es Ogre Battle 64: Person of Lordly Caliber, uno de los mejores juegos de rol de mi consola Nintendo favorita.
Qué nombre para un juego; Siempre deseé poder decirle a la gente que era una persona de calibre señorial en lugar de un escritor… ¿quizás Brandon pueda resolver mi título oficial? ~ 153 ~
Entonces, ¿cuál es el problema aquí? Bueno, los jugadores llevan a un muchacho llamado Magnus Gallant a una valiente aventura para salvar su reino (¿ves lo que hice allí?).
Este es un juego de rol tradicional de cabo a rabo. Es bondad táctica y mágica con muchas armas para elegir y donde defender es a veces más crucial que atacar.
Se trata de golpear en el momento adecuado y hacer que cada golpe cuente.
Hay muchas maneras diferentes de jugar y misiones secundarias opcionales en las que los jugadores pueden hincar el diente. Si eres un jugador que completa el 101 % como yo, entonces Ogre Battle 64 te mantendrá agradablemente ocupado durante mucho tiempo.
56. Rayman 2: El gran escape (1999)
VER EN EBAY
Algunos de ustedes pueden haber experimentado Rayman 2: The Great Escape en la poderosa Nintendo DS como Rayman DS. Los juegos son los mismos, pero la historia sucedió primero aquí en el N64.
Esta es en realidad la versión original del juego y, a menudo, se la cita como la mejor versión en cualquier plataforma, superando sin duda alguna a PlayStation y Dreamcast.
También es el primer juego en el que Rayman deambula por un mundo completamente en 3D. Con Super Mario 64 y Mario Kart 64 literalmente mejorando el juego con sus gráficos, Rayman 2 realmente tenía que dar un paso al frente…
… ¡lo cual es difícil cuando tus pies flotan y no tienes piernas!
¿Qué trama Rayman esta vez? Bueno, Rayman y Globox deben detener al Almirante Razorbeard. Él y sus secuaces de metal han esclavizado a casi todos en el mundo de Raman, incluidas las criaturas que mantienen vivo el planeta.
Usando sus característicos puños disparadores y saltos increíblemente altos, Rayman debe reunir Lums y despertar el espíritu del planeta. Reúne máscaras, encuentra potenciadores y libra al mundo de ese molesto pirata de una vez por todas.
Es posible que Rayman no tenga extremidades, pero eso no le impide lanzar barriles de pólvora explosivos o misiles a horcajadas mientras se abren camino a través de las hordas de sus enemigos. En serio, si te encantan los juegos de Mario pero nunca has jugado este título, ¡entonces a qué estás jugando!
55. Cuerpo explosivo (1997)
VER EN EBAY
Blast Corps ocupa el puesto 55 en esta lista de los mejores juegos de N64 de todos los tiempos. Este es uno de los fanáticos del derby de demolición, un juego de carnicería real donde la destrucción podría salvar al mundo.
¿Qué es lo peor con lo que te puedes imaginar chocar? ¿Un camión de anchoas? ¿Un camión de purines? ¿O qué tal un portamisiles nuclear fuera de control que explotará si toca algo?
… Sí… ¡eso es suficiente!
Para decir que el objetivo del juego es hacer estallar cosas, en realidad también hay un elemento de rompecabezas.
Los jugadores deben pilotar diferentes máquinas, como guerreros mecánicos y excavadoras, en un intento por romper y destrozar todo lo que se encuentre en el camino de los portadores de misiles.
Sin embargo, no es tan fácil como eso. Los agujeros deben cubrirse y es posible que sea necesario quitar otros obstáculos con una grúa. Y todo el tiempo, el transportista se está moviendo continuamente.
Es un juego realmente tenso y en el que es demasiado fácil invertir mucho.
Los jugadores tienen que encontrar científicos para tratar de resolver el problema del portaaviones al mismo tiempo que rompen cosas también. Realmente eres la última esperanza que tiene el mundo para resolver este problema, ¡así que ponte manos a la obra!
54. Luna de cosecha 64 (1999)
VER EN EBAY
El siguiente es Harvest Moon 64, el simulador de agricultura favorito de todos…
… Apuesto a que no sabías que tenías un simulador agrícola favorito hasta ahora, ¿verdad?
La premisa de Harvest Moon 64 es la misma que la de todos los demás juegos; haga que una granja vieja y cansada vuelva a su antigua gloria y funcione como una máquina bien engrasada.
¡Y usarás muchas máquinas para mantener tu nuevo estilo de vida funcionando!
Podría describir mejor a Harvest Moon como una versión de Animal Crossing dedicada exclusivamente a la agricultura. Puedes casarte (muestra A anterior), tener una familia y hacer cosas cotidianas como ir a las carreras. Pero la agricultura es su pan y mantequilla.
La aldea de Harvest Moon es como el centro social del juego. Los aldeanos te ayudarán con los intercambios, y siempre podrás obtener consejos amistosos de los transeúntes.
Cuida el ganado, presume de tus preciados animales y haz todo lo que puedas para mantenerlos a todos con vida.
Si eres un granjero, entonces jugar tu vida real probablemente se sienta como tu peor pesadilla. Aún así, para aquellos de ustedes, como yo, que nunca han trabajado en una granja, este es un juego divertido que les da una idea vaga de cómo es vivir la buena vida.
53. Fiesta de Mario (1998)
VER EN EBAY
Mario Party ocupa el puesto 53 en nuestra lista de los mejores juegos de N64.
No tendríamos una de mis series favoritas de todos los tiempos sin el juego Mario Party original. Es cierto que no es mi favorito del grupo, ¡pero todos tenemos que comenzar en alguna parte!
Si no has jugado a Mario Party y estás leyendo esta lista, entonces realmente necesitas hablar contigo mismo. Es un juego de mesa virtual en el que los jugadores recolectan monedas jugando minijuegos para comprar estrellas.
Una cosa que diré sobre el Mario Party original es que es bastante simple, lo cual no es malo. ¡Sabes lo que obtienes cuando te subes al tablero, y no hay forma de perder el tiempo con esa molesta máquina de cápsulas de Mario Party 5! ~ 153 ~
Al igual que jugar Mario Kart 64 por primera vez, jugar este juego por primera vez es un recuerdo que nunca olvidaré.
Es probablemente la razón por la que guardo mis monedas más que un Niffler en una reserva de oro también. Eso o el hecho de que soy italiano, o probablemente ambos.
52. Excitebike 64 (2000)
VER EN EBAY
Excitebike 64 hace lo que ninguno de nosotros creía posible; ¡mejoró la fórmula Excitebike por la que todos perdimos la cabeza en la NES!
Parecía que esos corredores 2D y saltos retorcidos serían imposibles de vencer, pero todo cambió cuando el N64 trajo gráficos 3D a la mesa.
Pero, ¿qué es Excitebike y por qué me emociona tanto?
Bueno, es motocross en su máxima expresión, con múltiples pilotos luchando para llegar primeros en una serie de carreras…
… ¡o simplemente tratando de llegar al final de una pieza!
Excitebike 64 está llena de carreras de alta velocidad y pistas épicas. Compite en una temporada y lucha contra ciclistas con diversos grados de habilidad, luego desbloquea secretos y funciones adicionales al llegar a la cima del grupo. ~ 153 ~
Por supuesto, siempre puedes jugar el modo de exhibición solo o con amigos para algo de acción emocionante. ¡Los jugadores pueden incluso construir sus propias pistas desde cero y hacer algunos de los mejores saltos en cualquier juego de motocross!
Y, nunca has vivido hasta que hayas jugado el modo especial de fútbol de motocross… Me pregunto de dónde sacó Rocket League la idea para su juego.
51. Iggy’s Reckin Balls (1998)
VER EN EBAY
El siguiente en nuestra lista de los mejores juegos de N64 es un título que todavía recuerdo haber comprado en una tienda de juegos de segunda mano cuando tenía catorce años.
Las bolas Reckin de Iggy se veían bastante raras, y resultó que era un poco como un juego mental. Aún así, Iggy y la pandilla proporcionaron un título de carreras con vibraciones de Super Monkey Ball que resultaron en un juego adictivo.
Iguana Entertainment desarrolló Reckin Balls de Iggy, de ahí el nombre y la apariencia de los personajes principales. Hay ocho bolas de personajes disponibles desde el comienzo del juego, con otras nueve disponibles para desbloquear.
Los jugadores corren por una serie de recorridos dentro de diferentes torres. Cada torre tiene diez niveles y hay diez torres en total. Corre hacia la cima, teletranspórtate hasta el fondo y repite. Después de tres vueltas, una bola será coronada victoriosa.
Al igual que Mario Kart, Iggy y compañía pueden usar armas para detener a los oponentes y garfios para adelantarse a sus competidores. ¡Hasta 4 jugadores también pueden luchar, creando un caos multijugador! ~ 153 ~
50. El nuevo Tetris (1999)
VER EN EBAY
Justo cuando pensabas que Tetris no podía mejorar, llega The New Tetris para N64.
Este fue uno de los mejores juegos de N64 que solía jugar con mi mamá cuando era niño. ¡A veces, bajaba a probar mi N64 por la mañana y la encontraba jugando mientras tomaba una taza de té! ~ 153 ~
Tetris es un éxito universal que cualquiera puede jugar, y The New Tetris combinó el juego clásico que todos conocemos y amamos con una nueva dinámica de juego que lo hizo aún más adictivo.
El Nuevo Tetris funcionaba igual que el antiguo Tetris en muchos sentidos. Cayeron bloques y había que encajarlos todos juntos. It differed in the fact that the blocks had bolder colours, and linking shapes together in squares made gold or silver segments.
These gave the player more points depending on whether all of the same shape had been used to make a square, or whether the player had mish-mashed other shapes together in order to build them.
It sounds complicated, but it was a simple addition that worked well!
Completed lines added up to a tally that players collected throughout single player and multiplayer games. These lines eventually made up one of the seven wonders of the world, almost like Lego bricks, giving players something to work towards.
49. Shadow Man (1999)
VER EN EBAY
Next up on our list of the best N64 games is Shadow Man, a spooky, voodoo adventure with more demons than a Dark Souls game on steroids.
Shadow Man is based on the popular comic of the same name and has recently received new fans thanks to an upcoming remastered version hitting the internet. Unlike Digimon Survive, fans know that this title will definitely be coming out in 2021 for all major consoles.
The Game starts with Jack the Ripper agreeing to kill himself in return for a job prospect in deadside; creating an asylum for brutal killers. Ripper works for a man named Legion, who plans to wreak havoc on the world above.
They forgot about one thing, however; the Shadow Men
Shadow Men protect the land of the living, Liveside, from evil demons that try to break through from the spiritual plain where dead people go, Deadside.
Michael LeNoir receives the mask of shadows and becomes an immortal Voodoo Warrior, the latest Shadow Man and Lord of Deadside. He must use his powers to put an end to Legion once and for all and bring balance back to Deadside, shooting and cursing everything in sight!
48. Buck Bumble (1998)
VER EN EBAY
What happens when you give a Bumble Bee a laser blaster? Buck Bumble happens, that’s what!
The year is 2010, and a chemical spill has mutated insects in London, England. Mutant creatures form together into an army called ‘The Herd’ with plans to first take over a small garden, and then, the world!
Buck Bumble is a bee with cyborg technology fused into him. He can wield up to eleven weapons and flies around different garden levels kicking ass and fighting insect crime.
This title is set out in a similar way to Star Fox 64, with Buck being controlled from behind in flying-shoot-em-up style gameplay.
Buck must complete certain missions including stopping supply lines Rogue Squadron-style and pushing back The Herd’s forces with other members of The Resistance!
With an added multiplayer mode that is fun and easy to pick up, Buck Bumble is a cracking title that you should definitely add to your collection.
47. Mega Man 64 (2000)
VER EN EBAY
The next entry in our list of the best N64 games needs no introduction. At least, that’s what a lot of you will be thinking, though this isn’t the Mega Man that you know from previous games!
Does the name ‘Volnutt’ ring any bells? Well, Mega Man 64 stars Mega Man Volnutt as the main protaganist, a digger who is in charge of investigating the remains of a flooded Earth.
Mega Man 64, known as Mega Man Legends on the PS1, is the second 3D adventure featuring our blue-suited wonder in one of his guises, and it’s very different from the original series that you might have played on the SNES.
Turns out Mega Man does need an introduction, after all!
Most of our hero’s previous titles have been side-scrolling games. Legends, on the other hand, is more of a cross between Mario 64 and Holy Magic Century.
The game is set in the year 80XX, which hasn’t appeared in my iPhone calendar, so I’m going to guess that it’s made up. Humans have been replaced by fast-breeding cyborg imitations, and a large portion of the planet now lies underwater.
Mega Man must try his luck against a whole host of antagonists during the course of the game. Fight the meddlesome Reaverbots, battle the fourty-one Servbots, and make mincemeat of the Bonne pirate family.
The characters are a motley bunch (not to be mistaken with Mötley Crüe), but they sure make memorable villains and give gamers a run for their money!
46. Pilot Wings 64 (1996)
VER EN EBAY
It’s tough when a launch title has to go up against something as iconic as Super Mario 64, but Pilot Wings 64 managed to hold its head high and go on to sell over 1-million copies regardless.
Much like the original Pilot Wings for the SNES, this aviation game proves as a bit of a show-off title, demonstrating the sheer power of the N64. It still looks incredible today, and the lush open-world adventures are fun to soar through even now.
Gamers control one of six different pilots using a variety of flying apparatus. Choose from a jetpack, a glider, or an autogyro.
Rumour has it that there’s even a Bird Man, though I can’t possibly confirm or deny this…
The aim of the game is to obtain a pilots license by completing in a series of courses and tasks. And when that gets too boring, there’s always the human cannonball test to have a bash at!
45. Resident Evil 2 (1999)
VER EN EBAY
In my opinion, Resident Evil 2 remains one of the best titles in the series. Ok, so it’s pretty high up in this list, I’ll admit. The truth is that I had tonnes of games for this system, and there were others that I played on more.
Having said that, the second outing into Racoon City will always stick with me as one of the most jumpy adventures that I played on the N64.
You might find it hard to believe, but this survival horror title was scary back in the day. The graphics look pretty tame now, but it was creepy beyond belief when it first came out!
Resident Evil 2 is set just two months after the events of the first R.E game.Players must escape the fictional Racoon City and avoid being devoured by hungry, flesh-eating zombies.
There are a couple of instances where players experience events from two different character perspectives, adding more storyline elements and more immersive gameplay.
Also, in addition to pumping Zombies full of lead, gamers must use their brains to solve puzzles, using their wits to stay alive and progress through the dead-creepy levels.
44. Castlevania: Legacy Of Darkness (1999)
VER EN EBAY
Konami sure knows how to make a good horror/RPG game, and Castlevania; Legacy of Darkness was an unprecedented success. That’s largely due to the success of another Castlevania game that you may well find further down this list, and for very good reason.
Legacy Of Darkness acts as a prequel to the first 3D Castlevania game, yet at the same time, is also a re-imagination of the original title. Redesigned levels make up a large portion of the game’s structure, with previously unreleased or written-off characters making an appearance.
The year is 1844, and Dracula has burned a village to the ground. Instead of featuring Reihnardt as the main character, gamers control a wolf-man named Cornell.
Cornell sniffs out his sister’s scent in the burned village and tracks it to Dracula’s castle, where he must battle various undead minions in a bid to avenge his sister.
Legacy of Darkness includes an updated version of the original Castlevania adventure, but it can only be unlocked after completing the game twice! If you don’t want to waste time with beast-men, then I suggest you keep scrolling!
43. F-1 World Grand Prix (1998)
VER EN EBAY
This is the game will forever be linked with the phrase ‘TONY, PUT YOUR HEADPHONES ON!’
Tony is my dad, and the person shouting this to him is my mum. F1 cars, as I’m sure you know, make a racket when they’re accelerating, and my dad used to play this game when he got home from work late at night.
It’s a pretty realistic driving game, giving players the ability to view races from the cockpit of the car as well as a traditional rear-view, and we would spend hours bossing the multiplayer mode on weekends.
From official racing names to sponsorships on the side of the tracks, F-1 World Grand Prix had it all and more. It was the most immersive F-1 experience you could get bar hurtling around a track in real life, and I didn’t have a driving license or the balls for that!
Unlocking the legendary Silver and Gold racers opened up a whole new style of speed, and the fictional Hawaiian circuit was a classic course!
The game followes the 1997 season from start to finish, so this is a great title for nostalgic racing fans wishing to relive the action!
42. Hydro Thunder (2000)
VER EN EBAY
Next up on our list of the best N64 games is Hyrdo Thunder, a high-octane speed boat racing game that could compete with F-Zero X!
The speeds in this game were phenomenal, with racers piloting a variety of futuristic boats through stunning courses.
Race rings around the Arctic Circle, power through green valleys, or delve into the mysteries of a post-apocalyptic and very-much flooded New York City!
A selection of easy to handle boats and boats as erratic as a bull on speed are available for gamers to select. Experience high-flying stunts thanks to speed ramps, and try to get to the end of the course without crashing into a mountain or another opponent… or both at the same time.
41. Wave Race 64 (1996)
VER EN EBAY
Wave Race 64 takes the Number 41 spot on our list of the best N64 games of all time!
Many readers may have tried their luck on this game on the Game Boy before it became a home console classic. It’s a great little racer and perfect for fans of water-sports who don’t enjoy blasting around in supersonic speed boats!
Bouys and other obstacles make racing even more challenging, as does the changing weather conditions that affect visibility and other factors. Red and Blue bouys must be passed in the correct order in order to charge up your ski’s speed.
Wave Race 64 isn’t a revolutionary game, but it is great fun and has a good multiplayer if gamers need a change from throwing blue shells or bananas.
40. Mission Impossible (1998)
VER EN EBAY
Now this game was impossible, living up to it’s title 100%.
I always wanted to be a spy as a kid, and Mission Impossible made that dream come true. I was a little bit young to fully appreciate this game when I first got it, but I enjoyed it all the more when I came back to it later in life.
From assassinating people and stealing their identity to the world-famous vault-laser scene, Mission Impossible was a great and compelling movie remake… even if it was only loosely based on it!
Mission Impossible will forever be compared to Goldeneye, and although it isn’t in the same league, there are still lots of elements that make this game worthy of being in this list.
For starters, there are many more ‘spy’ elements to this title, with gameplay focusing on infiltrating areas and and going undercover rather than focusing on shooting enemies.
Ethan Hunt has an array of gadgets at his disposal too to aid him across 20 different levels. If you liked Goldeneye, then this is certainly worth a look.
39. Duke Nukem (1997)
VER EN EBAY
Duke Nukem 64 twinned with a Rumble Pak provided the ultimate shooting game experience.
Unfortunately for Duke Nukem fans, the N64 version had all of the swearing, sex, drugs, and basically every adult reference taken out of it. It even has new dialogue to remove any adult references.
What’s the point in killing gun-wielding pigs if you can’t swear while doing it!
In all seriousness, it doesn’t need all that stuff anyway. Duke Nukem 64 is a classic in its own right with a multiplayer that could match the bedlam my mates and I created on Goldeneye.
With four player split-screen action and a barrage of weapons at our disposal, anything could have happened, though usually it ended with me being victorius!
Duke Nukem 64 is considered by many critics to be one of the pioneering games in the first-person-shooter genre. Titles like Halo and Destiny wouldn’t be here today without it, making it a must-have item in our collections.
It would be rude not to pay it respect!
38. F-Zero X (1998)
VER EN EBAY
Now we’re talking! F-Zero X was one of my all-time favourite racing games long before Captain Falcom kicked his way into the Smash Bros. franchise!
Plasma powered space racers hurtling around insane courses where death and destruction are occupational hazards. What’s not to love!
F-Zero X largely follows the same gameplay style as the original F-Zero game, the difference being that there are many more courses to choose from on the new title. Plus, gamers can enjoy the action in 3D for the very first time.
Eagle-eyed readers might spot James McCloud up there on the leader board as one of the racers. With 30 character to choose from, you’ll never get bored of switching things up, and the added Death mode certainly makes things interesting!
Fans of Burnout know how exciting Death mode is! Players must destroy all 29 other vehicles before the end of the race. It’s the ultimate destruction derby… in space!
37. Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards (2000)
VER EN EBAY
Up next on our list of the best N64 games is Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards, another 3D first that made it’s debut on the N64!
In another world, we may have been playing this game on the 64DD. Sadly, the 64DD failed miserably, but Kirby transitioned to the N64 with no hiccups whatsoever.
It’s a bright and vibrant game, as many Kirby fans would expect, and fans of Kirby’s Epic Yarn should definitely go back to give this title some love.
Unusually, gamers play this title using the D-pad rather than the N64 analog stick. It actually makes for a pleasurable gaming experience with zero claw-hand pain!
Although displayed in 3D, The Crystal Shards maintains the side-scrolling theme of the previous Dream World titles. Suck up enemies, float around, and play as King Dedede to break certain objects.
Fans of Klonoa and other 2.5D platformers will be all over this Kirby adventure!
36. WWF Attitude (1999)
VER EN EBAY
Saturday mornings in my household used to consist of watching Wrestling on Sky and then playing WWF Attitude until our thumbs dropped off.
Recreating the best wrestling moves and fighting with wrestlers such as Kane and Mankind; it didn’t get much better than that!
Attitude followed on from WWF War Zone, bringing full wrestler entrance videos and a career mode where players competed to become the World Heavyweight Champion.
If fighting to win titles and eventually showing off your skills at WWF RAW wasn’t enough, then you could make your own tournaments and wrestling matches. Players picked everything from the venue to the colour of the ropes around the ring!
Yep, Attitude had it all and much more. It was also the final WWF game that Acclaim made, marking the end of an era for Wrestling fans.
This wrestling game will always hold a special place in my heart, and it’s one of the best N64 games for it’s sheer addictive playability.
Oh and because gamers can Stone Cold Stunner characters into oblivion!
35. International Superstar Soccer 98 (2000)
VER EN EBAY
Where else can you see ‘Klinsnam’ face off against ‘Gascone’ or Roberto ‘Boggio’ chasing down ‘Ronoldo’?
The only place is on International Superstar Soccer 98, the game that doesn’t have the licenses to use players real names.
Not only was this title a great little title with intuitive controls, but it made my mates and I crease whenever the stupid names popped up at the bottom!
If the amount of red cards that I received in this game actually counted towards a real career, then I would have probably been banned for life!
Tackling never felt easier than in Superstar Soccer 98, and users had full control over everything from making substitutes to what the weather would be like during the match.
I loved the penalty shootout mode the best, squaring up against my mates to recreate some of the best shootouts in football history.
Needless to say, I lost most of the time, but it was still fun!
34. The World Is Not Enough (2000)
VER EN EBAY
Next up on our list of the best N64 games is The World Is Not Enough, the follow up N64 title to the legendary Goldeneye, which I’m sure you will see later down this list.
The World Is Not Enough had a pretty good multiplayer mode with new characters joining the fray. It had the same appeal as Goldeneye and some fresh new levels, but it just wasn’t Goldeneye.
Admittedly, Brosnan’s new outing had some big shoes to fill, and it did have its merits. The 14 missions are well thought out and follow the film fairly closely, but you just can’t beat Goldeneye for multiplayer madness.
Let’s talk about the positives though. The World Is Not Enough featured enhanced graphics thanks to the Expansion Pak and remains a stunning game for the time in terms of graphics.
Many of the characters from the films are actually voiced by the original cast too, giving gamers that quintessential Bond experience.
Bond’s guns are the main stars of the show though, with many impressive weapons on display for gamers to wield while skulking through levels.
The World Is Not Enough remains the first 1st-person-shooter James Bond title where players have control over silencing options and other weapon operation modes.
33. Castlevania (1999)
VER EN EBAY
Does anyone else remember reading about Castlevania in Nintendo Magazine back in the day?
I read so much about this game before it came out that it felt like I was meeting a legend when I finally plugged it into my N64.
Castlevania 64 marked the first 3D adventure in the series and gave gamers a chance to pick from two different characters.
Gamers played using either Carrie Fernandez, an orphan girl with mystical powers, or Reinhardt Schneider, the heir to the Belmont clan.
Die-hard Castlevania fans know that Reinhardt Schneider wields a whip like his Belmont betherin, the weapon that many protagonists throughout the Castlevania series have used against Dracula and his minions.
Seeing Castlevania in glorious 3D for the first time felt incredible, and the lock and target battles made long-range attacks so much sweeter.
32. Paper Mario (2000)
VER EN EBAY
Paper Mario might be the king of the best N64 RPG games, but it’s settling into 32nd place in our best N64 games list today
So many people discount Mario’s RPG adventures, and I just don’t know why. Turn-based antics and explorative action with a Mushroom Kingdom twist; what’s not to love?
And because of the stylistic choices that run throughout this series, the N64 adventure still looks pretty damn good today.
How many have you played it on the Switch using the Nintendo 64 Expansion pack?
Team up with characters to take on Goombas and Koopas, using items and other weapons to knock back pesky foes that you come across in the colourful levels.
Recruiting teammates and collecting badges brings a nice change to collecting Stars and Shines in Mario’s other console adventures, and I for one prefer the Paper series anyway!
Plus, without this title we’d never have The Thousand Year Door which is one of my favourite games of all time!
31. Doom 64 (1997)
VER EN EBAY
Next up on our list of the best N64 games is an absolute classic. Doom 64 remains one of the most played N64 games ever, with a cult following that would follow ‘Doom Guy’ into war!
If Doom 64 remains a mystery to you, then imagine having to battle through hordes of hellish demons while collecting keys to escape to freedom. Then imagine that happening 32 times, each with more terrifying monsters than the last.
In my opinion, Doom 64 is the best in the series. Most of the features from Doom II remain, but the whole thing feels more polished and boasts immersive features which draw players in.
The weapons have had a redesign, and new guns such as the ‘Unmaker’ make an appearance for the first time.
Expect the same hell-raising antics and barrages of undead cretins to mow down as you plow through each of the creepy levels. Doom 64 is certainly a great game to blow off some steam with!
30. Diddy Kong Racing (1997)
VER EN EBAY
Diddy Kong Racing might not have been as popular as another shell-fuelled banana-strewn racer that will undoubtedly be appearing later on, but it sure made a nice change and provided some cool new ways of travelling that plumbers and princesses hadn’t got around to handling at the time.
As well as Diddy Kong, this racing game features a host of other famous RARE characters such as Banjo and Conker.
There were racers to unlock, and the courses felt fresh and exciting due to the hidden collectibles that you had to pick up along the way.
That’s right; Diddy Kong Racing wasn’t just about racing…
… well, it was, but it had other elements too!
You started off the single-player mode with that mystical Elephant genie telling you to head to a race area. There were levels to complete, and certain stages that had to be done in specific vehicles.
You could race in a plane, a car, or a hovercraft.
Seeing Banjo in a plane diving under arches and trying to avoid magma will never get boring.
A racing game with an adventure platform feel; Diddy sure knows how to create addictive titles!
29. Star Wars Episode 1: Racer (1999)
VER EN EBAY
Climbing into a Pod racer and blasting through caverns at break-neck speeds; could life get any better?
The best bit about the Star Wars Episode 1 movie (apart from the credits at the end) was undoubtedly the Pod Racing competition.
Anakin Skywalker might have shown his skills against Sebulba in the film, but now you and up to three other players can recreate your own races with your favourite characters.
If you’re a fan of F-Zero X, then Episode 1: Racer will be right up your street. This is a fast game, and one wrong move could be all it takes to smash you into a million pieces.
If you remember the film, then you’ll know that a pod racer’s engines take damage as they collide with other racers or objects.
You can heal them periodically as you race, but taking on too much damage will undoubtedly end in your craft’s destruction.
And you need all the skills that the Force provides to be able to control your pod when you hit that boost button!
High speed fun in some of the coolest crafts ever; it’s a must have for Star Wars fans and a damn good weekend multiplayer title to play with your mates.
28. Conker’s Bad Fur Day (2001)
VER EN EBAY
I never played Conkers Bad Fur Day until later on in life, and I can’t remember a game ever making me laugh as much as this one.
If you’ve never played it before, then imagine Banjo Kazooie for adults, and that should give you a good idea of the content and gameplay.
Conker looks like a cute, innocent squirrel, but he’s actually a loud-mouthed, crude, horny little dude who lives life large.
Conker’s Bad Fur Day is another RARE classic; you can recognise their work instantly as you move your way down this list. Plus their games are always memorable and highly engaging.
As well as a giant poo and levels that require Conker to get drunk, there are lots of different film references in the game. There’s even a scene that sees Conker and Berri dressed as Neo and Trinity from the Matrix.
You’ll enjoy every minute of this title and have plenty of laughs as you’re playing through it. It’s one that I frequently go back to and certainly one of the Best N64 Games I’ve ever played!
27. Mario Party 2 (1999)
VER EN EBAY
Next up on our list of the Best N64 Games ever made is the most family-friendly multiplayer series ever created.
Mario Party is true ‘fun-for-all-the-family’ gaming and a title I’ve enjoyed playing with my Mum and Dad ever since I was a kid.
For those of you that haven’t played a title from the series before (where have you been all your lives!) it revolves around players taking it in turns as they move around a board by rolling a dice.
But it’s as far from being a boring old board game as you could possibly get!
Players have to complete mini-game challenges at the end of each turn. a turn ends once everyone has rolled their dice.
Winning a mini-game gets you coins, and coins can be traded for items and stars!
And how many board games can you play as Yoshi or Wario?
Up to four players can join in the multiplayer-madness, or you can go it alone in one player mode.
Will you be the party champion or come in last place all the time?
26. Perfect Dark (2000)
VER EN EBAY
Move out of the way Lara Croft, Joanna Dark is officially the most bad-ass heroine in gaming history.
What a game Perfect Dark was! If I had to describe it to non-N64-nerds, I’d say that there are obvious elements of Goldeneye in it…
… Goldeneye mixed with a touch of Metroid Prime-style gameplay.
That’s a cocktail for success if ever I heard one!
Joanna is a special agent attempting to stop an extraterrestrial conspiracy. It has a kick-ass multiplayer mode and even a couch-co-op mode where players can team up together.
In many ways, this epic RARE title is the unofficial successor to Goldeneye. It’s a classic first-person-shooter that is action packed from start to finish.
And twinned with the Expansion Pak, the graphics looked stunning!
It was a game that drew you in from the moment that you flicked your N64 on, and it’s often classed as one of the best shooting games ever made.
It’s even won a BAFTA!
25. Holy Magic Century/Quest 64 (1998)
VER EN EBAY
Next up on our list of the Best N64 Games is a title that is very close to my heart (but then again, I think all of the games in this list are!)
Holy Magic Century, or Quest 64 depending on your region, is a magical RPG with one of the biggest worlds to explore in any N64 game.
You play as an apprentice mage, but can you guess what his name is?
Gandalf Jr? The Great Mephisto? Baldur the Wise?
Nope; it’s Brian!
Name aside, Brian is a fearless fighter, and he shows great courage as he sets off to find his father and to collect elemental gems that will help him on his journey.
Some of you might have played Chrono Trigger, one of our best rare SNES games. If you have, then Holy Magic Century has the same in-game battle mechanics
Instead of being transported to a battle field like in Paper Mario, you lock into an enemy skirmish right where you are, keeping the action fast paced and removing the need for loading screens.
Brian can strike enemies with his staff or use magical spells to wipe them out. The wolves are tough at the start of the game, and you’ll be relieved when you finally get to an inn to save your progress.
Give it a go; you won’t be dissapointed!
24. Pokemon Snap (1999)
VER EN EBAY
Who’s excited for the new Pokemon Snap game coming out for the Switch?
While you wait for the new adventure to drop, you should go back and play the original title all over again; it would be rude not to, right?
Stick Pokemon on anything and it will undoubtedly sell, but Pokemon Snap was anything but a quick ploy to grab a gamer’s hard earned cash!
It made a refreshing change to the ‘battle and catch’ format and became an instant hit with fans around the globe.
As the player, you travel around a host of different levels on a vehicle that runs along a train track.
Your mission is to find and snap Pokemon as you travel through the peaceful levels on Pokemon Island.
You can throw fruit to keep the little critters occupied, but you’ll need to get a good shot if you want Professor Oak to award you a good score once you get back to base.
Only 60 shots can be taken per level, and you get scored on the size of the Pokemon, their pose, and the general composition of the photo.
As you progress, items such as a Poke Flute and Pester Balls can be used to create the ultimate photo.
How many times will you replay a certain level to get that ultimate snap?
23. Bomberman 64 (1999)
VER EN EBAY
If you’ve reed my article on the best Sega Mega Drive games, then you’ll know how much I love Bomberman.
I couldn’t wait to give Bomberman 64 a try after the multiplayer madness I experienced in Mega Bomberman, and it certainly didn’t disappoint.
In this adventure, Bomberman has to fight Space Pirates with a Rocket Knight named Sirius (not Harry’s Godfather, unfortunately) in a bid to protect Planet Bomber from having its essence sucked away.
Bomberman 64 is a pivotal game in the series for two very important reasons.
Firstly, it was the first 3D adventure in the franchise and one that saw our white-helmeted-hero being able to move in 8-different directions.
Secondly, it had an action/adventure platform feel to it rather than consisting of specific arena stages to clear. Puzzles had to be solved, and there were lots of bad-guys to battle against.
One thing remained, of course – bomb-throwing, explosive action from start to finish.
And it still had an epic multiplayer mode; it wouldn’t be a Bomberman game without one!
22. Turok 2 – Seeds Of Evil (1998)
VER EN EBAY
Next up on our list of the Best N64 Games list is a title that I spent many mindless hours on during my youth.
Turok was an absolute hero, slaying dinosaurs and aliens of any size with everything from a bow and arrow to the almighty Cerebral Bore (that was always my favourite!).
The storyline sees Turok in a battle to stop an Alien force from taking over his lightship, and essentially kicking the ass of anything with two or four legs along the way.
You have the option of playing a solo campaign and taking on the forces of evil on your own or teaming up with friends in a multiplayer battle of epic proportions, playing as a host of characters including the ever-popular velociraptor.
This game has some series play value to it, and while the main solo campaign only has six levels (they’re massive though and never get boring), the multiplayer mode will keep your Turok 2 Cartridge from ever getting dusty.
Sofa gaming with your friends is one of the best things about retro gaming, and the rich landscapes on the multiple maps will keep you coming back time after time.
Try and find that Cerebral Bore; no te arrepentirás.
21. Jet Force Gemini (1999)
VER EN EBAY
Any game with a dog that flys around with a jet pack and a gun on its back deserves a place in our list of the Best N64 Games of all time.
I can still remember opening Jet Force Gemini on Christmas morning and playing for the majority of the day, amazed by the ant drone soldiers swarming around and the superb arsenal of weapons that you could use to fight your way through the different worlds.
The gameplay in this game was and still is fantastic, with a multiplayer mode that, while not in the same league as Goldeneye, is still pretty spectacular.
Juno, Vela, and Lupus must travel through different levels and save the enslaved tribals from the evil Mizar and his ant army, harnessing futuristic firepower and using their individual abilities to help you complete each stage.
From collecting health and ammo to hoarding ant heads, Jet Force Gemini is a space-age third-person shooter like no other.
RARE made some incredible games during the N64’s reign (a lot of which are in this list), but Jet Force Gemini will always stand out as being one of the most badass.
20. Mario Tennis (2000)
VER EN EBAY
It’s mega hard to chose just 60 of the Best N64 Games, but putting Mario Tennis into the list is an easy decision.
If you like the idea of tennis but prefer to play it sitting down and with Donkey Kong wielding the bat instead of Roger Federer, then this game will definitely be for you.
It’s another amazing multiplayer game that you can easily lose five hours playing and is one of the most addictive games of all time.
The thought of trying to get the fastest serve against your opponent still gets me pumped up!
Not only does Mario Tennis have a stellar one player campaign mode that you can use to unlock different courses and characters, but it also marked the first time that we met Luigi’s arch-nemesis; the gangly-legged, hook-nosed Waluigi.
His big strides across the court made him a perfect choice for anyone who wanted to wipe the smile of that annoying little Koopa Paratroopa, and this game was the platform that would launch Waluigi into tonnes of future Nintendo titles.
Even if you don’t like tennis, you have to thank Mario Tennis for giving Wario a partner in crime!
19. LylatWars/Starfox 64 (1997)
VER EN EBAY
Andross’ face still makes me feel the tension of space battle and the need to save Corneria from his evil tyranny even after all these years, but I suppose that’s what you’d expect from one of the Best N64 Games of all time.
Plus, anyone who is heartless enough to kill the mighty James McLoud at the very start of the game is asking for trouble!
There will never be a greater space fighter team than the Star Fox crew; Fox McLoud, Peppy Hare, Slippy Toad, and Falco Lombardi.
These guys rocked and still do today; it doesn’t matter whether you’re shooting torpedos at enemy ships while cruising through the sky or racing over rough terrain in the uber-cool Landmaster, this game has so many amazing moments that will make you feel about 10-years-old all over again.
It’s also one of the hardest games that I can remember playing too, but maybe I just wasn’t very good at it.
Three things stand out about this game in my mind; the insanely massive box, loop the loops while avoiding my friends in the multiplayer mode, and the fact that this marked the very first time that I played with a Rumble Pak.
Lylatwars just wouldn’t be the same without that sweet rumble vibrating your hands every time you scraped against a mountain or took a hit from an opposing enemy.
The interaction between the on-screen characters also made me feel like I was right there with them, fighting space-crime as one of the gang.
I URGE you to give this game a try if you haven’t already – it wouldn’t have made our Best N64 Games list if it wasn’t an absolute classic.
18. Star Wars – Rogue Squadron (1998)
VER EN EBAY
Nothing, and I mean NOTHING, is better than flying around in an X-Wing destroying Tie Fighters.
Ok, maybe using the cheat codes to fly around in the Millennium Falcon, but it’s a close call for sure.
Taking down probe droids and helping the rebels to fight back the Imperial Forces was a strong part of my childhood, which is probably why I never had time for a paper round.
I can still remember hearing the sounds of the Tie Fighters for the very first time, piloting a Y-Bomber and dropping bombs on the enemies generators, and hearing the commentary between Luke and Wedge as they soared over rocky landscapes and hurtled through the depths of space.
From Mos-Eisely to Beggars Canyon, Rogue Squadron takes you to some of the best places in the Star Wars universe, piloting different ships and cruisers from the iconic film series.
Luke Skywalker has formed the Rogue Squadron to cope with the Imperial backlash after the destruction of the Death Star, hoping to help defend the rebels in their fight for freedom against the Empire. T
This is one of the toughest Star Wars games that I have ever played, and I can only thank Nintendo for making strong controllers that don’t break whenever you throw them onto the floor in a fit of rage after dying for the eighteenth time in a row.
Rogue Squadron will always be one of the Best N64 Games of all time just for the Millennium Falcon cheat alone, but the gameplay firmly cements it as a winner in the hearts of Star Wars fans everywhere
17. Pokemon Stadium (1999)
VER EN EBAY
What’s better than playing Pokemon Red or Blue on your classic GameBoy?
How about seeing your favourite pocket monsters on the big screen and being able to battle with them in an arena.
If that doesn’t interest you, then how about getting a free GameBoy cartridge holder that you can use to transfer your own Pokemon to your team and walking through Lavender Town in colour on your TV?
Yes, this game had so many amazing qualities to it that it’s hard to list them all in a short paragraph. If like me you love all things Pokemon, then this classic N64 game has to be in your collection.
From the solo/multiplayer Stadium mode to the Gym Leader Castle, this game has everything that a Pika fan could ever hope for and more.
Transferring MewTwo and Mew from your GB Cartridge and seeing them on the big screen for the first time was incredible.
I’m not going to lie, it made me feel invincible.
Battling against the mighty Blastoise or the ferocious Pinsir up close and in glorious colour blew my young mind, and I still get the same chills whenever I slot the cartridge in and have a play.
Pokemon Stadium also had one of the best party modes of any Pokemon game, with multiplayer classics like Ekans Hoop Hurl and Sandshrew’s ‘Dig Dig Dig’.
Even my Mum got involved with this crazy button-mashing action, and she was pretty good at it too!
16. Gex 64 – Enter The Gecko (1998)
VER EN EBAY
Number 16 on our list of the Best N64 Games sees the arrival of one of the coolest Geckos in town.
After saving the world once and hoping for a quiet life, Gex is thrown back into the limelight (literally) to stop the evil Rez once more.
His adventures through Media World see you jumping into large TV Screens and playing through levels that are inspired by popular TV series or films.
Suit up like James Bond or get caught up in a Rabbit Hunt with Elmer Fudd; the scenarios are crazy, but the gameplay is second to none.
Enter The Gecko was the first time that we saw Gex in glorious 3D, and it remains one of my favourite games to this day.
With a whole host of gadgets at your disposal and more items to collect than you can shake a tail at, this game has hours of fun and a shelf life that will go way past the proposed play time.
There’s no learning crazy controls or getting to grips with the storyline; just tail whip your way through life and try to guess as many of the different TV shows along the way.
This is definitely one game that’s hard to put down!
15. Glover (1998)
VER EN EBAY
Another game that can quickly swallow up the daylight hours is Glover, a story about a magical Glove that needs to restore his home of the Crystal Kingdom back to it’s former glory.
Move, slap, bounce and roll around on your circus ball as you navigate through different worlds in a bid to save both the Crystal Kingdom and your solidified Wizard friend, and to beat the evil Cross Stitch, Glover’s left-handed brother.
This game is hands-down (pun intended) one of the hardest games I have ever played.
Age ratings mean nothing when it comes to Glover; it might say that it’s designed for 7-years+, but you have to have the patience of a saint to navigate around some of these courses.
Even though it was a difficult cookie to crack, it’s still one of the first games that I think about whenever someone mentions the N64.
And like many of our Best N64 Games, the arrival of cheat codes made Glover even more fun, with super bouncy balls and ‘big-glove’ modes making the tasks that once seemed impossible super easy.
Cheating isn’t always a good idea, kids, but sometimes it’s necessary to keep your sanity intact.
14. Banjo-Tooie (2000)
VER EN EBAY
Banjo-Tooie might not have been as popular as Banjo-Kazooie due to this RARE game’s rare availability, but it sure was a cracking title and a worthy entry in our list of the Best N64 Games.
Grunty is dead, and Banjo thinks his work is finally done…
… until Grunty’s sisters arrive to take her body away and attempt to resurrect her, that is!
Banjo and Kazooie start the game with all of the moves that they learnt in the first title, including the ability to fly and use Kazooie’s wings as an invulnerable shield.
Mumbo Jumbo is back to give our dynamic-duo new forms and special skills, and we also see the arrival of Humba-Wumba who delivers even more exciting transformations as you progress through the games levels.
Expect the same ‘Jiggy’ collecting action and RARE platform thrills in this classic title, but make sure that you take a minute to mourn the death of Bottles the Mole once in a while.
13. Mystical Ninja Starring Goemon (1997)
VER EN EBAY
I will never hear or see the word ‘Plasma’ without thinking about the mysterious fortune teller in this game, and what a game it was!
Climbing Mount Fuji as Goemon and upgrading your ninja pipe, playing as the bumbling Ebisumaru and the kick-ass mechanical ninja doll Sasuke as you make your way through Edo and beyond, and taking down some of the biggest robot bosses I’ve ever seen in a computer game are all in store for anyone who purchases this game.
Mystical Ninja uses Japanese landmarks and Japan’s historical culture and fuses it with one of the Best N64 Games of our lives.
The forest and mountain landscapes are jam-packed full of enemies that meet their demise at the hands of Goemon and his flying Ryu, and the little platters of coloured dumplings that give you health are probably the reason that I love Japanese food so much today.
This was one of the first games that I can remember playing where the thrill of upgrading your weapons and collecting new characters would keep me thinking about playing even after I had turned the console off.
Sasuke’s chain pipe or Ebisumaru’s upgraded paddles would make mincemeat out of some of the lesser monsters and make you feel unstoppable, even though Ebisumaru’s fart ultimately ends up being one of the most powerful weapons in the game.
12. Shadows Of The Empire (1996)
VER EN EBAY
Playing as a rebel fighter is all well and good when you’re up in the sky, but sometimes you really need to experience what it’s like to get up close and personal with a vicious troop of Stormtroopers.
Skulking through snowy mountain canyons and blasting Stormtroopers into the abyss will always be one of my favourite past times, and that one level in on the garbage train was so stressful that it will always haunt my dreams.
Shadows of the Empire sees you controlling Dash Render, a rebel fighter who has been set with the task of aiding Luke Skywalker in a time between ‘The Empire Strikes Back’ and the ‘Return Of The Jedi’ movies.
Race on speeders through Mos Eisley, battle on the snowy plains of Hoth, search for Boba Fett and much more in this Lucas Arts classic.
This game was full of classic characters and dangerous missions, made even more stressful by the fact that you had to wait for your blaster to recharge while battlings enemies and some of the jumps always seemed a little bit too far, meaning you had to try them again and again for around fifteen tense minutes.
Still, this Star Wars game would continue to be my favourite until Star Wars Bounty Hunter was released on the GameCube, which meant that Dash Rendar and I spent many joyous years kicking ass throughout the Galactic Empire together.
Ah, the memories.
11. 1080 Snowboarding (1998)
VER EN EBAY
It’s impossible for me to hear the word snowboarding without saying ‘Kensukaaayyy Kimachie’ or ‘Dioonnn Blasterrrr’ out loud.
Only a select few people who spent their childhood trying to perfect the method of performing a 1080 or pulling off the perfect Indy Flip know what I’m talking about, so it’s fun to watch the confused expressions on 98% of the faces that I come into contact with.
This game was a slice of multiplayer heaven, from the very moment that you choose your characters in the cosy club-house with its roaring fire and seemingly disinterested competitors to the secret shortcuts and epic forest jumps on the multitude of courses.
Don’t be fooled into thinking that 1080 snowboarding was just for multiplayer action though; games have to have a solid single player platform to make our Best N64 Games list!
Perfecting tricks in the half-pipe training mode and beating time trials down the toughest hills made me the extreme sports lover that I am today.
The fact that I enjoy watching sports more than competing is irrelevant, it’s 1080 that gave me that love, which is why I’m putting it into this list.
10. Yoshi’s Story (1997)
VER EN EBAY
It doesn’t matter what age you are or what your gaming ability is, Yoshi is and always will be one of the best Nintendo Characters of all time.
This game might have been simple for more advanced players, but the storyline, the amazing backdrops, and the cleverly designed worlds will forever be imprinted into my mind.
From collecting all of the fruit in a level to unlocking different coloured Yoshi’s and defeating the meddlesome Baby Bowser, this game is a classic that went on to inspire Yoshi’s Wooly World and Yoshi’s crafted world, two more games that would later see me putting all of my work on the back burner for a rainy day.
The premise behind Yoshi’s Story and making your way up the different branches of the Super Happy Tree seemed so clever and completely different to everything that had come before it at the time.
This game also featured one of my favourite Nintendo Characters and my all-time favourite Mario Kart Racer; Shy Guy.
He’s usually kicking about trying to make things tough for the Yoshi’s, but deep down he’s just a bit of a misunderstood dude.
You can’t love Nintendo without having a soft spot for Yoshi, which is why he’s secured the number 10 spot on our Best N64 Games list. Watch out for that tongue guys!
9. Silicon Valley (1998)
VER EN EBAY
Silicon Valley is without a doubt one of the weirdest games I ever played on the N64, but it was also one of the most memorable too.
After a spaceship crashes into unknown territory, a Robot named Evo is reduced to a tiny crawling computer chip that can only latch onto animals that have fused with space technology.
This finds you controlling sheep that can bounce and float around, a motorised rat, bears, dogs, foxes and more.
Each animal has different characteristics that you will need to harness in order to collect Evo’s power cells and complete the tasks set out by Dan Danger, Evo’s human pilot friend who is trapped inside the broken spaceship.
If this all sounds completely mental, then you’re already on your way to understanding the concept of this game.
I still remember the panic involved with making my dog run away from a pack of motorised foxes; that is one thing that no human should ever have to experience.
You need to try this game for the sheer insanity of it, and to make sure that Dan Danger gets back home in time for tea.
8. Legend Of Zelda – Majora’s Mask (2000)
VER EN EBAY
It might be a little bit controversial to put a Zelda title at number 8 in our list, but while Majora’s Mask is a great title, it just doesn’t rank as highly as the remaining 7 Best N64 Games in our list.
Don’t get me wrong, it’s an incredible game, and any foray into Hyrule is one that is worth having a look at. But for me, Majora’s Mask just seemed a little too complicated and ‘drawn-out’.
The constant mask changing had its pros and cons, and sometimes the continuous need to change time made things a little repetitive compared to the flowing storyline in Ocarina Of Time.
Despite all of those things, I still love it.
Why? Because Link is the greatest gaming hero in any form, and playing as both a Goron and a guitar-wielding Zora will never, ever get old.
Despite the odd rules of the game, Majora’s Mask has so many amazing elements that cement it as a solid title in the franchise, and cameos from characters in Ocarina Of Time such as the ghost of Darunia and the Kakariko builders make it even more enjoyable.
For those of you that haven’t played the game before, an evil Skull Kid wearing a mysterious mask steals Link’s horse and causes a whole heap of trouble, including bringing the moon down on Hyrule.
After being given the mission of returning the stolen mask to the Happy Mask Salesman of Ocarina fame, you must travel to the four corners of the land and defeat four bosses, releasing the giants who will eventually hold up the moon and finally set up a showdown between you and that pesky Skull Kid.
It’s not as action-packed as Ocarina, but it’s still a damn good adventure.
7. Banjo Kazooie (1998)
VER EN EBAY
Is there another gaming duo as tough and reckless as Banjo and Kazooie?
Maybe Yooka-Layle, one game that many people have tested out on their chosen best Nintendo Switch Emulator, but they learnt everything they know from Banjo and his bird-brained friend,
This RARE classic pretty much defines my childhood, and whenever I see a molehill while out on my travels, I prepare myself to learn a new move from old Bottles himself.
Gruntilda will forever be the name that I use to describe unsavoury characters, and Banjo’s timeless ‘Gu-ha!’ laugh will always be my go-to noise whenever I finish a jigsaw puzzle.
RARE have made some of the Best N64 Games on the planet, and the amazing world that they created in Banjo-Kazooie was so far ahead of it’s time.
From the colourful Jinjos to the mysterious Mumbo Jumbo, there are so many elements that keep you coming back for more, all adding to the richness and the individual textures in each level.
If you can get your hands on the rare sequel, Banjo-Tooie, then I would recommend buying both together and playing all the way through.
They are two games that should definitely not be missed.
6. Super Smash Bros. (1999)
VER EN EBAY
Would it be a list of the Best N64 Games without the title that started one of the most famous franchises of all time?
Super Smash Bros was like nothing that I had played before. A 3D fighting game with all of my favourite Nintendo characters in it – it was too good to be true!
Squaring up against Samus as Fox McCloud or that moment that Captain Falcon appeared as an unlockable fighter; those are the kinds of moments that defined my life as a gamer.
The levels were memorable, as were the special moves. And while Super Smash Bros Ultimate has made a name for itself as having one of the largest roster of fighters in any game, I liked the fact that there were only a select number of characters to choose from in the original title.
Super Smash Bros was button-mashing fighting at it’s best. Throwing enemies over the edge and batting them off with an item was always my go-to system, but I also enjoyed smashing the B button to pull off some trademark character moves whenever possible.
If you’ve played any of the Smash Bros games over the years but never got hold of the original, then you owe it to yourself to experience the very first title that Nintendo released.
Just don’t get too excited when Jigglypuff appears as a character…
5. Goldeneye (1997)
VER EN EBAY
Lasers, Bunker, Bond, and Trevellyan.
If anyone asks you what the perfect multiplayer recipe is, just tell them that and walk away.
Goldeneye was always going to have a place in our Best N64 Games list because of its iconic status in the gaming world.
Whether you preferred hand-to-slap-combat or running blindly into battle holding an RC-P90, this game is, and always will be, one of the most exciting multiplayer games in existence.
Everyone who has ever owned an N64 will know the pain of searching frantically for the Golden Gun, only to see the all too familiar red blood trickling down their screen along with the agonising ‘der der na naaaaa’ to mark their defeat.
If you’ve seen the movie, then Goldeneye the game pretty much follows what happens in the film.
The same characters are there, but there’s more weapons to choose from and a lot more attention to detail when it comes to finding key cards on dead soldiers.
From the very first selection screen where you open your individual spy case files to the amazing cutscenes that show Bond getting up to his usual tricks, this game is a quintessential classic for anyone who is serious about retro gaming.
Daniel Craig might be the Bond that everyone talks about these days, but Pierce Brosnan will always be the guy on the front of the Goldeneye game box.
And that’s the only accolade that really counts!
4. Mario Kart 64 (1996)
VER EN EBAY
It goes without saying that Mario Kart should make an appearance in our final 5 Best N64 Games.
Ask anyone around the world if they’ve ever played a computer game, and 99% of them will say that they’ve dabbled in a bit of Mario Kart.
It’s a simple game where the only rules are getting to the end without crashing, making it accessible to people of all ages and ability, but it’s also a right of passage into the Nintendo gaming universe.
Have you really achieved gaming greatness if you haven’t got gold trophies on all four of the cups? Can you call yourself a racing expert if you can’t even navigate Rainbow Road without getting blown off the course or falling foul to the chain chomp half way round?
The answer to both of these questions is obviously no.
It doesn’t matter if you opt for red shells or bananas, mushrooms or stars, this game has some of the best weapons of any racing games on the planet.
I also like the simplicity of Mario Kart 64; the switch version is incredible and has lots of amazing vehicles, but the no-nonsense approach to only having a handful of characters and one car is still the best in my book.
Hurry up and get to the end of the list so you can go blow out your cartridge and try to beat your time trial ghost from ten-years ago.
3. Super Mario 64 (1996)
VER EN EBAY
How many of you have revisited Super Mario 64 after reading our Super Mario 3D All Stars review?
Bowser has to be up there as one of the worst villains in the gaming world, constantly stealing Peach and causing trouble for our favourite Italian plumber.
Mario 64 rightfully takes a top spot in our Best N64 Games of all time because of its ability to still be interesting over 20 years later. From the very first meeting with King Bob-Omb to swinging Bowser around by the tail in those insane puzzle dungeons, this game has everything that a classic Nintendo adventure story needs.
Battle Boo’s in a haunted house, find the Metal Mario caps and sink to the bottom of hard to reach rivers, seek out short cuts on Bob-omb mountain, and soar through the sky with a handy winged cap.
This game is a true treasure trove of hidden surprises and neat little puzzles just waiting to be solved.
Some people might say that Super Mario Sunshine is the best Mario game of our time, but for me the ‘Gwa-ha-ha’ floating through the empty castle and the shimmering paintings just waiting to be explored will always make Super Mario 64 the most exciting Mario game of my life.
Successfully ground Pounding a Thwomp is probably one of my earliest gaming achievements; I still tell people about it today!
2. Donkey Kong 64 (1999)
VER EN EBAY
Donkey Kong has always been one of my favourite Nintendo characters. I used to watch the cartoon with Kranky, Diddy and the gang on TV, and I spent countless hours trying to complete Donkey Kong Country on the SNES and attempting to ace those nail-biting barrel rides.
So when the N64 game came out, you can imagine my excitement.
Playing as Donkey Kong and shooting coconuts from his Coconut Gun was one thing, but being able to play as Diddy, Lanky, Chunky and Tiny as well just blew my mind!
This game often gets overlooked when it comes to the Best N64 Games of our time, so it’s a pleasure for me to be able to stick it into the second spot on our list.
There’s nothing quite like the feeling of working your way through Kong Island and thwarting King K.Rool at every turn.
It’s no surprise that this is also a RARE classic and will forever be hailed as the game that included the all-important N64 expansion pak.
Is there nothing that Donkey and the gang can’t do!
1. The Legend Of Zelda – Ocarina Of Time (1998)
VER EN EBAY
It goes without saying really, doesn’t it?
Ocarina Of Time is a work of art. The storyline is breathtaking, the gameplay is fantastic, and it has some of the best bosses that the world has ever seen.
I still think about characters like Twinrova and Bongo Bongo to this day when playing modern Zelda games, and somehow, the older villains always turn out to be the best. No other levels on any games I’ve played will ever have the same creepy feeling as the Forest Temple or the Shadow Temple under the Kakariko well.
For me, Ocarina Of Time also has the definitive version of Hyrule, with the exception of the fantastic open world in BOTW of course. When I hear Kakariko Village, I think about the guard wearing the Keaton Mask and overly-happy builders.
I still can’t walk past a graveyard without thinking about racing Dampe The Gravekeeper and winning that all-important hook shot.
Yeah; I think it’s fair to say this game had a pretty big impact on my life!
If Darth Vader is the king of the film villains, then Ganondorf has to be one of the evilest game antagonists of our age.
He’s a magical wizard that just doesn’t seem to want to die and that can also turn into a weird pig monster when his physical form is defeated.
Lesser men and women would run, but Link and Zelda are made of stronger stuff.
Can you remember the first time that you placed your gemstones into the Temple Of Time and transformed into Adult Link, wielding the Master Sword and trying to avoid the Zombies in the destroyed village square in Hyrule Town?
I’m getting goosebumps just thinking about it!
Yes, Ocarina Of Time rightfully takes the top spot on our Best N64 Games list, and long may the Legend Of Zelda continue to enchant fans new and old around the world.
Think we’ve missed a title out? Have we overlooked your favourite game? Join the conversation on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram and let us know your thoughts!