10 N64 Games That Are Still Worth Playing
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VOICE OVER: Johnny Reynolds
WRITTEN BY: Johnny Reynolds
The Nintendo 64 has a relatively small library of games, but some of them are still all-time classics! For this list, we'll be looking at games from Nintendo's first 3D console that have aged the best. Our list includes “Star Wars: Rogue Squadron” (1998), “Star Fox 64” (1997), “Banjo-Tooie” (2000), “Paper Mario” (2001), “Conker's Bad Fur Day” (2001) and more!
Script written by Johnny Reynolds
Welcome to MojoPlays, and today we’re looking at 10 N64 Games That Are Still Fun to Play.
For this list, we’ll be looking at games from Nintendo’s first 3D console that have aged the best.
Which N64 games do you still pick up and play today? Be sure to let us know.
Factor 5 and LucasArts took the most thrilling thing about Star Wars that doesn’t involve lightsabers and the Force and made a fantastic flight combat game. While the use of distance fog definitely shows the game’s age, there’s no denying how it controls. Gameplay is as smooth as it ever was, putting players in the middle of treacherous dogfights against the minions of the Empire. With recognizable locations and a plot set between Episodes IV & V, there’s plenty of nostalgia to enjoy. And with different objective types, a range of combat vehicles for mission replays, and enticing unlockable content, it gives you everything you could ask for…except for multiplayer.
Nintendo knows a thing or two about making its own flight combat game as well. Still considered the gold standard when it comes to Fox’s adventures, “Star Fox 64” has aged incredibly well. Flying through the Lylat system, shooting down enemy pilots and bots never gets old thanks to the precise mechanics. Branching paths offer variety for any playthrough while its multiplayer modes make it a great party game. And its stellar voice acting gave us some of the most iconic lines in all of gaming (“Do a barrel roll!”). With this release, Nintendo also introduced the world to Rumble in controllers via the Rumble Pak peripheral, an immersive feature that’s still evolving today. If you’ve never played this historic game, it’s time for a little homework.
Rare showed it didn’t know the meaning of sophomore slump when it released this follow-up to the incredible “Banjo-Kazooie.” It follows the bear and bird after Gruntilda, their witchy nemesis, returns to wreak more havoc. Wonderfully complimenting the game’s brightly colored landscapes are the increasingly whackier characters and joyful writing. Even if you didn’t play it as a kid, the Saturday Morning Cartoon vibe will still make you feel like one. Rare improved on everything that made the first game great. But more importantly, players kept all the moves and power-ups unlocked in the first game while loading on a ton of new ones for the sequel. You can even transform Kazooie into a dragon, which clearly makes the sequel better.
A lot of early 3D games showed their age only a few years after their release. But as you can see, “Paper Mario” doesn’t really have that problem. The storybook-inspired art style is timeless and charming, with Nintendo enhancing it only slightly with each subsequent entry for the last 2 decades. But there’s more going on here than its visually unique presentation. It’s also a great way to get into RPGs as the mechanics aren’t overly complex. While the story doesn’t break any new ground, the delightful supporting cast makes the Mushroom Kingdom feel more alive than it ever had before. There aren’t a lot of RPGs on the N64 and this one is still the absolute best.
Part of what makes “Conker” so great is Rare’s continued perfection when it comes to platforming mechanics. But another part is the subversion of what anyone would expect a game about a cute squirrel to be. Suffering from the worst hangover imaginable, Conker must make it through a series of hilarious sidetracks on his way home. Mountains of mature humor and violence blended with the kid-friendly image resulted in a game unlike any before or since. And with every level themed around a different genre, they all feel fresh and exciting. Conker goes from fighting a giant pile of feces to adventuring in prehistoric times to surviving hordes of the undead. And it is all just as wild as it sounds.
Although its camera hasn’t aged well, just about everything else in “Super Mario 64” has. And it impeccably showcases how much of a master developer Nintendo is. The world’s sandbox environments gave an element of exploration not seen in past Mario games. And the mascot’s controls feel so great that exploring is an absolute treat. Given the game’s structure of collecting Stars, there’s also an openness to it as you’ll unlock different worlds before completing the objectives in any single world. While none of this may sound that impressive now, it’s because of “Super Mario 64”’s success that so many followed in its footsteps. There’s a reason it’s considered a pinnacle in game design and every player owes it to themselves to experience it.
While it’s often overshadowed by a certain other kart racer, “Diddy Kong Racing” still has plenty for players to enjoy more than 20 years later. It offers a surprising amount of variety for the time it was released that could affect a player’s experience. Different weight classes and vehicle types, which include kart, airplane, and hovercraft, need to be considered for the different terrain of each course. Different colored balloons also give racers a specific item, so there’s a bit more strategy overall and a bit less randomness. Additionally, a Story Mode gives single players more enjoyment than simply racing computers.
We’re bending the rules a bit, but it wouldn’t feel right leaving either entry off the list. “Ocarina of Time” is a definitive must-play. It transitioned the franchise into 3D almost flawlessly with engaging world design, fantastic dungeons and puzzles, and a targeting mechanic still used today. Its classic adventure story makes it relatable for any player. “Majora’s Mask” is another astounding feat for different reasons. The requirement of the N64’s Expansion Pak led to better graphics while its dark themes of loss and grief make it a much more nuanced tale. The transformation mechanic via masks brought new layers to the already-incredible gameplay of “Ocarina.” With “Majora” being a direct although very different sequel to “Ocarina,” they’re each an excellent companion to the other. And both are standouts in one of Nintendo’s most revered IPs.
It can be difficult for new players to jump into the “Super Smash Bros.” series considering how much it has evolved over the years. But any type of player can still enjoy the original. The first of Nintendo’s fighting crossovers still shows how genius of an idea it was, pitting characters like Mario, Link, Pikachu, and Samus against one another. Although characters move more slowly and have one less special attack, that doesn’t deter from the fun. There’s still a level of chaos that comes when a Pokeball appears and still an air of competition between you and your friends. But everything is more manageable. Plus, it can be nice to visit the simple origins of gaming’s most inventive fighter.
Before we wrap up, here are a few honorable mentions:
No matter where you are or who you’re with, if you bust out “Mario Kart 64” and a few controllers, you’re bound to have fun. While it doesn’t feature the level of variety in “Diddy Kong Racing,” its quick-paced gameplay, frantic items, and wonderful, hazard-filled tracks more than make up for it. It has aged much better than its predecessor in every way from its track design to its addictive Battle Mode that tested friendships the world over. “Mario Kart 64” is the definition of a classic party game that would send many into a nostalgia-induced haze of fond memories. And for anyone playing it for the first time, the building blocks for future entries will clearly be seen.
10 N64 Games That Are Still Fun to Play
Welcome to MojoPlays, and today we’re looking at 10 N64 Games That Are Still Fun to Play.
For this list, we’ll be looking at games from Nintendo’s first 3D console that have aged the best.
Which N64 games do you still pick up and play today? Be sure to let us know.
“Star Wars: Rogue Squadron” (1998)
Factor 5 and LucasArts took the most thrilling thing about Star Wars that doesn’t involve lightsabers and the Force and made a fantastic flight combat game. While the use of distance fog definitely shows the game’s age, there’s no denying how it controls. Gameplay is as smooth as it ever was, putting players in the middle of treacherous dogfights against the minions of the Empire. With recognizable locations and a plot set between Episodes IV & V, there’s plenty of nostalgia to enjoy. And with different objective types, a range of combat vehicles for mission replays, and enticing unlockable content, it gives you everything you could ask for…except for multiplayer.
“Star Fox 64” (1997)
Nintendo knows a thing or two about making its own flight combat game as well. Still considered the gold standard when it comes to Fox’s adventures, “Star Fox 64” has aged incredibly well. Flying through the Lylat system, shooting down enemy pilots and bots never gets old thanks to the precise mechanics. Branching paths offer variety for any playthrough while its multiplayer modes make it a great party game. And its stellar voice acting gave us some of the most iconic lines in all of gaming (“Do a barrel roll!”). With this release, Nintendo also introduced the world to Rumble in controllers via the Rumble Pak peripheral, an immersive feature that’s still evolving today. If you’ve never played this historic game, it’s time for a little homework.
“Banjo-Tooie” (2000)
Rare showed it didn’t know the meaning of sophomore slump when it released this follow-up to the incredible “Banjo-Kazooie.” It follows the bear and bird after Gruntilda, their witchy nemesis, returns to wreak more havoc. Wonderfully complimenting the game’s brightly colored landscapes are the increasingly whackier characters and joyful writing. Even if you didn’t play it as a kid, the Saturday Morning Cartoon vibe will still make you feel like one. Rare improved on everything that made the first game great. But more importantly, players kept all the moves and power-ups unlocked in the first game while loading on a ton of new ones for the sequel. You can even transform Kazooie into a dragon, which clearly makes the sequel better.
“Paper Mario” (2001)
A lot of early 3D games showed their age only a few years after their release. But as you can see, “Paper Mario” doesn’t really have that problem. The storybook-inspired art style is timeless and charming, with Nintendo enhancing it only slightly with each subsequent entry for the last 2 decades. But there’s more going on here than its visually unique presentation. It’s also a great way to get into RPGs as the mechanics aren’t overly complex. While the story doesn’t break any new ground, the delightful supporting cast makes the Mushroom Kingdom feel more alive than it ever had before. There aren’t a lot of RPGs on the N64 and this one is still the absolute best.
“Conker’s Bad Fur Day” (2001)
Part of what makes “Conker” so great is Rare’s continued perfection when it comes to platforming mechanics. But another part is the subversion of what anyone would expect a game about a cute squirrel to be. Suffering from the worst hangover imaginable, Conker must make it through a series of hilarious sidetracks on his way home. Mountains of mature humor and violence blended with the kid-friendly image resulted in a game unlike any before or since. And with every level themed around a different genre, they all feel fresh and exciting. Conker goes from fighting a giant pile of feces to adventuring in prehistoric times to surviving hordes of the undead. And it is all just as wild as it sounds.
“Super Mario 64” (1996)
Although its camera hasn’t aged well, just about everything else in “Super Mario 64” has. And it impeccably showcases how much of a master developer Nintendo is. The world’s sandbox environments gave an element of exploration not seen in past Mario games. And the mascot’s controls feel so great that exploring is an absolute treat. Given the game’s structure of collecting Stars, there’s also an openness to it as you’ll unlock different worlds before completing the objectives in any single world. While none of this may sound that impressive now, it’s because of “Super Mario 64”’s success that so many followed in its footsteps. There’s a reason it’s considered a pinnacle in game design and every player owes it to themselves to experience it.
“Diddy Kong Racing” (1997)
While it’s often overshadowed by a certain other kart racer, “Diddy Kong Racing” still has plenty for players to enjoy more than 20 years later. It offers a surprising amount of variety for the time it was released that could affect a player’s experience. Different weight classes and vehicle types, which include kart, airplane, and hovercraft, need to be considered for the different terrain of each course. Different colored balloons also give racers a specific item, so there’s a bit more strategy overall and a bit less randomness. Additionally, a Story Mode gives single players more enjoyment than simply racing computers.
“The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time” (1998) & “The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask” (2000)
We’re bending the rules a bit, but it wouldn’t feel right leaving either entry off the list. “Ocarina of Time” is a definitive must-play. It transitioned the franchise into 3D almost flawlessly with engaging world design, fantastic dungeons and puzzles, and a targeting mechanic still used today. Its classic adventure story makes it relatable for any player. “Majora’s Mask” is another astounding feat for different reasons. The requirement of the N64’s Expansion Pak led to better graphics while its dark themes of loss and grief make it a much more nuanced tale. The transformation mechanic via masks brought new layers to the already-incredible gameplay of “Ocarina.” With “Majora” being a direct although very different sequel to “Ocarina,” they’re each an excellent companion to the other. And both are standouts in one of Nintendo’s most revered IPs.
“Super Smash Bros.” (1999)
It can be difficult for new players to jump into the “Super Smash Bros.” series considering how much it has evolved over the years. But any type of player can still enjoy the original. The first of Nintendo’s fighting crossovers still shows how genius of an idea it was, pitting characters like Mario, Link, Pikachu, and Samus against one another. Although characters move more slowly and have one less special attack, that doesn’t deter from the fun. There’s still a level of chaos that comes when a Pokeball appears and still an air of competition between you and your friends. But everything is more manageable. Plus, it can be nice to visit the simple origins of gaming’s most inventive fighter.
Before we wrap up, here are a few honorable mentions:
“Yoshi’s Story” (1998)
A Breezy, Delightful Platformer“Donkey Kong 64” (1999)
Packed with Kong Power & Plenty of Collectibles“Pokemon Stadium 2” (2001)
Battles & Mini-Games Make a Great Couch Multiplayer Concoction“Mario Tennis” (2000)
A Simple Game With Surprising Variety“Mario Kart 64” (1997)
No matter where you are or who you’re with, if you bust out “Mario Kart 64” and a few controllers, you’re bound to have fun. While it doesn’t feature the level of variety in “Diddy Kong Racing,” its quick-paced gameplay, frantic items, and wonderful, hazard-filled tracks more than make up for it. It has aged much better than its predecessor in every way from its track design to its addictive Battle Mode that tested friendships the world over. “Mario Kart 64” is the definition of a classic party game that would send many into a nostalgia-induced haze of fond memories. And for anyone playing it for the first time, the building blocks for future entries will clearly be seen.
Prince-Taita Mubangu
“mario 64 didnt age well
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