20 Games For the Inevitable Nintendo 64 Classic Edition
Star Fox is far and away the best title in the series, and one of the most beloved Nintendo games of all time to boot. The tight controls, epic space battles, and multiple routes created an experience that you could go back to time and again, especially since you can beat one path in roughly two hours. On top of that there’s a four player multiplayer mode that’d be a blast on a Nintendo 64 Classic system.
Super Mario 64 absolutely revolutionized platformers, as the title that truly brought the genre into the 3D realm. Going back to Mario 64 feels as tight and responsive as it did then, and there’s plenty of content to sink into. Even after all these years it remains one of the best platformers and Mario games around, and should be on the Nintendo 64 Classic.
It practically goes without saying that an Nintendo 64 Classic would have to include Ocarina of Time, one of the most beloved games ever made. This adventure was one of the very best titles on Nintendo 64, and helped define the course the Zelda series would take for years to come. It’s one epic journey that no one should miss out on.
Despite the overwhelming success of Ocarina of Time on Nintendo 64, Nintendo managed to follow it up with a Zelda game every bit as good, even if it took some years for it to gain that appreciation. The time and three day system in Majora’s Mask is still something wholly unique that we’ve never seen replicated as well, and the atmosphere of the game is still absolutely creepy.
Goldeneye 007 is considered by many to be the best James Bond game ever released, and for good reason. In addition to a lengthy campaign, the game featured stellar multiplayer. Almost everyone that owned an Nintendo 64 can remember sinking hours into the mode with their friends, throwing Oddjob’s hat and using the numerous other weapons to blow each other up. Nintendo 64 Classic.
NFL Blitz is basically the opposite of Madden, and arcade-style Football game that really lets you go all out. I mean like after the play is over you can body slam opposing players go all out. NFL Blitz was an incredibly fun game to play with others with its ridiculous speed and gameplay, and the ability to use things like big head mode to up the wackiness even more. It’s the perfect sports title for the Nintendo 64 Classic.
Pokemon Snap is one of the most novel spinoffs the series has ever seen, giving you a handful of levels where you guessed it, you take pictures of Pokemon. Each level is brilliantly packed with creatures and secrets to snap pictures of though, with Professor Oak rating you at the end. It’s a darn shame we still haven’t gotten a sequel to this on mobile phones or 3DS.
Hot on the heels of Mario Kart 64 is F-Zero X, a blazingly fast racer from the classic system. This racer is distinctly different from the more casual style of Mario Kart, with its metal soundtrack and demanding gameplay. Even by today’s standards F-Zero X feels fast, as you blaze along intergalactic highways and tunnels. Perfect for the Nintendo 64 Classic.
Rare was in its heyday on the Nintendo 64 Classic. , and few of their titles are looked back on as fondly as Banjo-Kazooie. This whimsical platformer featured a wealth of content and items to find, along with some fun level design and characters. It’s no wonder it’s looked up to as one of the greats all these years later.
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Star Fox 64
Star Fox 64 is far and away the best title in the series, and one of the most beloved Nintendo games of all time to boot. The tight controls, epic space battles, and multiple routes created an experience that you could go back to time and again, especially since you can beat one path in roughly two hours. On top of that there's a four player multiplayer mode that'd be a blast on a Classic system.
Super Mario 64
Super Mario 64 absolutely revolutionized platformers, as the title that truly brought the genre into the 3D realm. Going back to Mario 64 feels as tight and responsive as it did then, and there's plenty of content to sink into. Even after all these years it remains one of the best platformers and Mario games around.
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time
It practically goes without saying that a Nintendo 64 Classic would have to include Ocarina of Time, one of the most beloved games ever made. This adventure was one of the very best titles on Nintendo 64 and helped define the course the Zelda series would take for years to come. It's one epic journey that no one should miss out on.
The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask
Despite the overwhelming success of Ocarina of Time, Nintendo managed to follow it up with a Zelda game every bit as good, even if it took some years for it to gain that appreciation. The time and three day system in Majora's Mask is still something wholly unique that we've never seen replicated as well, and the atmosphere of the game is still absolutely creepy.
Goldeneye 007
Goldeneye 007 is considered by many to be the best James Bond game ever released, and for good reason. In addition to a lengthy campaign, the game featured stellar multiplayer. Almost everyone that owned an N64 can remember sinking hours into the mode with their friends, throwing Oddjob's hat and using the numerous other weapons to blow each other up.
NFL Blitz
NFL Blitz is basically the opposite of Madden, an arcade-style Football game that really lets you go all out. I mean like "after the play is over you can body slam opposing players" go all out. NFL Blitz was an incredibly fun game to play with others with its ridiculous speed and gameplay, and the ability to use things like big head mode to up the wackiness even more.
Mario Kart 64
Mario Kart is a staple on almost every single Nintendo system, and Mario Kart 64 is definitely one of the best. This was the title to take Mario Kart into 3D, just like Super Mario 64, and it still remains an absolute blast to play to this day, Blue Shells and all.
F-Zero X
Hot on the heels of Mario Kart 64 is F-Zero X, a blazingly fast racer from the classic system. This racer is distinctly different from the more casual style of Mario Kart, with its metal soundtrack and demanding gameplay. Even by today's standards F-Zero X feels fast, as you blaze along intergalactic highways and tunnels.
Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards
Kirby 64 is a lengthy adventure for the pink puffball on Nintendo 64, introducing a dynamic new power system for Kirby that lets you combine two powers. There's some imaginative level design in the game that really makes it engaging, and Kirby even gets some pals along for the ride that you get to play as like King Dedede. Not to mention the plethora of minigames available.
Paper Mario
The first Paper Mario may not be looked on quite as fondly as its sequel, but it's still a more than worthy Mario spinoff. On the N64 this was quite a change for everyone's favorite plumber, dropping him into a gorgeous paper world that required exploration, puzzle solving, and a bit of basic turn-based combat as well.
Pokemon Snap
Pokemon Snap is one of the most novel spinoffs the series has ever seen, giving you a handful of levels where, you guessed it, you take pictures of Pokemon. Each level is brilliantly packed with creatures and secrets to snap pictures of, with Professor Oak rating you at the end. It's a darn shame we still haven't gotten a sequel to this on mobile phones or 3DS.
Pokemon Stadium
While Pokemon Snap may have brought a fresh take to the series, Pokemon Stadium brought the traditional battling to the Nintendo 64. Although there wasn't much of a story mode it was still great to build your favorite party of Pokemon and battle it out with others in full 3D.
Star Wars: Rogue Squadron
The Rogue Squadron series are some of the best Star Wars games around, and it all started here. The title sees you controlling Luke Skywalker as he commands the Elite Rogue Squadron of X-Wing fighters. There were some intense dogfights and memorable missions to be found here, all with fairly tight controls. The sequel may be better, but it's still worth returning to the first.
Banjo-Kazooie
Rare was in its heyday on the Nintendo 64, and few of their titles are looked back on as fondly as Banjo-Kazooie. This whimsical platformer featured a wealth of content and items to find, along with some fun level design and characters. It's no wonder it's looked up to as one of the greats all these years later.
Super Smash Bros.
The game that started it all, Super Smash Bros. was a meeting of video game icons like never before. The title let you battle it out as your favorite Nintendo characters in an incredibly fun beat-em-up style. Smash Bros. has become one of Nintendo's very best and most popular series, and the original can easily show you why.
Perfect Dark
Another gem from Rare on the Nintendo 64, Perfect Dark was unprecedented for a console shooter when it came out. Featuring voice acting, a musical score, and impressive textures and lighting, this was one exceptional shooter that could even equal Goldeneye 007. Of course after you've finished the story, there's plenty of multiplayer content to jump into.
Jet Force Gemini
Rare strikes again, this time with the arcade-style shooter Jet Force Gemini. The title sees you going up against hordes of insectoid enemies and their leader Mizar. There's plenty of levels to blast your way through, as well as a co-op mode and multiplayer, meaning there's plenty of content for both you and your friends.
Donkey Kong 64
Joining the ranks of Super Mario 64 and Banjo-Kazooie is Donkey Kong 64, another collectible-filled platformer. Although it may not have quite reached the heights of other platformers of the system, it was still filled with memorable puzzles and minigames. There's plenty of content to partake of in Donkey Kong 64 as well, with up to 30 hours of gameplay.
Bomberman 64
Just like Mario, Bomberman received his very first 3D entry on the Nintendo 64. Unlike other entries, however, Bomberman 64 switches things up with action-adventure elements and platforming stages, in addition to the traditional gameplay. Not everything works exceptionally well, but Bomberman 64 still managed to be an exciting and varied experience on the Nintendo 64.
Blast Corps
Blast Corps, also from Rare, is a pretty unique game that sees you using various vehicles to destory buildings in the way of a runaway nuclear missile carrier. It was one of Rare's first games for the system, and its novel gameplay and concept make it an incredibly unique title.
About the author
Hayes Madsen
A connoisseur of all things RPG related, and always looking for the artistic expression in gaming. His love of Gundam is only matched by his love of Pizza. Playing Games Since: 1991 Favorite Genres: RPGs, JRPGs, Strategy,