The Top 10 Nintendo 64 Games

When the Nintendo 64 was released in 1996, it was a bit late to the party, as the Sony PlayStation had been dominating the gaming market for over a year. To withstand this fierce competition, Nintendo dove deep into the concept of 3D gameplay, pushing their most beloved franchises into a whole new dimension. With more creative freedom than ever before, N64 developers started to churn out some fantastic new experiences. Between genre-defining titles, all-time masterpieces, and some of the greatest multiplayer games ever made, there was no shortage of awesome software on N64. Thanks to this impressive library, the Nintendo 64 duked it out with the PlayStation and survived, affording gamers a treasure trove of entertainment. Today, we're looking back at the very best games from this beloved console as we dig into the top 10 Nintendo 64 games of all time!

The Best Nintendo 64 Games of All Time

10. Conker's Bad Fur Day

In its time on the market, the Nintendo 64 established itself as the frontrunner for family-friendly gaming entertainment. However, Conker's Bad Fur Day stands out as not just one of the best 3D platforming adventures on the system, but a hilariously rude game that was made explicitly for adults. Players control Conker, an alcoholic squirrel who goes on a quest to grab as much cash as possible, all while exploring a risque, cartoon-like fantasy world. Conker's Bad Fur Day hosts a ridiculous amount of memorable characters, some shockingly funny puzzles, and quite a few truly controversial moments. Honestly, it's surprising just how borderline offensive Conker's Bad Fur Day gets, all while producing some unforgettable N64 gameplay.

9. Diddy Kong Racing

The Nintendo 64 was no slouch in the racing genre, with numerous top-tier titles like Mario Kart 64, F-Zero X, and Wave Race 64. That said, most of these games pale in comparison to Diddy Kong Racing, which revitalized the genre with open-world exploration. In this game, you're not just racing in go-karts, but also hover boats and planes, offering multiple paths through each track. Instead of competing in tournament-style circuits, you drive around a hub area and pick specific races scattered throughout various themed worlds. After clearing enough races in each world, you'll challenge one of the several massive bosses, leading to a final race against the villainous Wizpig. Fun power-ups, effective track themes, and a true sense of adventure make this the best racing game on Nintendo 64 by far.

8. Star Fox 64

The first Star Fox game on the Super Nintendo was received very well despite its graphical limitations, so when Star Fox 64 finally offered true 3D, arcade-style space combat to the N64, it was swarmed with accolades. This on-rails shooter offers all the fast-paced sci-fi blasting you could want, with multiple paths through the game, big boss fights, and some free-form arena battles. Playing as the skilled pilot, Fox McCloud, you navigate your agile Arwing ship through a variety of cosmic battlefields on a trip around the Lylat star system. Thanks to its high replayability, secret objectives and hidden paths, and smooth space combat, Star Fox 64 is a must-play Nintendo 64 title for any kind of gamer.

7. Mario Party 2

The Mario Party franchise has seen a slew of sequels, but many fans will tell you that the original Nintendo 64 trilogy is the best of the bunch. While all three games offer an addictive mixture of board game strategy and mini-game excitement, Mario Party 2 is often the favorite. In this sequel, there are six different boards to explore, ranging from the rootin' tootin' Wild West Land to the ever-spooky Horror Land. 65 different mini-games are also available to unlock and play, including classics like “Bumper Balls”, “Roll Call”, “Shell Shocked”, and many more. Not only is this game a staple of N64 multiplayer, but it also contains a great single-player mode in the form of “Mini-Game Coaster”. Mario Party 2 was a sequel that improved on its predecessor in every way, making it one of the best Nintendo 64 games of all time.

6. The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask

Where other sequels simply build on the series' formula bit by bit, The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask introduces radical new gameplay ideas, altering the very foundation of the franchise. Using the same engine as Ocarina of Time, Majora's Mask revolves around the heroic protagonist Link as he tries to protect the fantasy world of Termina from a massive moon that threatens to fall from the sky. With only three days to prevent this disaster, Link must chat with the citizens of Clock Town, don different mask disguises, and even bend time to complete his quest. Although the combat and dungeon exploration are comparable to previous Zelda games, Majora's Mask has a very distinct identity, mixing dark themes with colorful locations and eccentric characters. Like Zelda II: The Adventure of Link on the NES, The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask is a black sheep sequel that defies expectations, but offers a unique brand of high-quality gameplay.

5. Banjo-Kazooie

The Nintendo 64 is home to many excellent 3D platformers, but Banjo-Kazooie is one of the absolute best in the entire library. Stepping into the shoes of the eponymous bear, Banjo, and his backpack-bound bird sidekick, Kazooie, you must hunt down jigsaw pieces and save Banjo's sister from the evil witch, Gruntilda. To do so, you explore nine thematic worlds, each one filled to the brim with collectibles to find, enemies to defeat, and puzzles to be solved. Whether you're battling snowmen in the winter-themed “Freezeezy Peak” or helping out pirates in “Treasure Trove Cove”, Banjo-Kazooie never stops delivering charming challenges for you to tackle. The fantastic sequel, Banjo-Tooie, also deserves an honorable mention, but Banjo-Kazooie is a timeless classic that has earned its spot on our top 10 Nintendo 64 games list.

4. GoldenEye 007

In the 1990s, truly great first-person shooters were mostly a PC affair, especially where multiplayer was concerned. Then, GoldenEye 007 was released in 1997 and showed everyone that FPS could excel on consoles. Based on the James Bond film of the same name, GoldenEye 007 was a movie tie-in game that defied all expectations. The exciting and complex single-player campaign has 18 unique missions to complete, with various story objectives to tackle depending on your difficulty level. While the campaign is tons of fun, it's the four-player split-screen multiplayer that makes GoldenEye 007 so legendary. With 11 different maps, 33 unlockable characters, and a slew of game modes to choose from, it's hard to find a better multiplayer FPS game on the N64. Silly cheat codes like “Paintball”, “Big Heads”, and “Tiny James Bond” make the action even more ridiculous. Between the stellar story campaign and endlessly fun multiplayer, no list of the best N64 games is complete without GoldenEye 007.

3. Super Smash Bros.

The N64 was the system that brought all the major Nintendo characters into the fold with brand new games, including Link, Mario, Donkey Kong, Kirby, and many more. Super Smash Bros. is the pinnacle of this all-star mentality, offering a four-player fighter that spawned an entire sub-genre. In this iconic N64 multiplayer title, players get to choose their favorite Nintendo character and wail on their friends in exciting brawls, complete with wacky items, signature stages, and an accessible set of moves. Unlike other popular fighting games such as Street Fighter or Mortal Kombat, Super Smash Bros was less about crazy combos and more about aggressively dominating the platform-style arena by knocking your friends off the edge of the stage. While the single-player offerings left a bit to be desired, Super Smash Bros. was always a go-to game when playing with friends, and the humble beginnings of one of the best Nintendo franchises in history.

2. Super Mario 64

Usually, when a new home console is released, there are a few fresh games to go with the launch. The Nintendo 64 only had a couple, but players didn't seem to mind, as Super Mario 64 was available from day one. Simply put, Super Mario 64 replicated the incredibly fun platforming of the classic 2D Super Mario Bros games and took it into 3D. As a launch title, it showcased the immense power of the Nintendo 64, but that's not what earns it the spot on our list. Super Mario 64 is still an absolute masterpiece of 3D platforming, with impeccable stage design, tight controls, imaginative environments, and a wonderful variety of objectives. Even the basic act of running around as Mario is enjoyable, thanks to the nuanced traversal options, like the long jump, wall-kick, and high-flying backflip. Best of all, Super Mario 64 is just as fun to play today as it was on release, proving that great game design is truly timeless.

1. The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time

Just as the original Legend of Zelda game on NES renewed our understanding of adventure video games, The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time was a showstopping demonstration of the immersion that 3D graphics provide. Playing as Link, you set out on an epic quest across the fantasy kingdom of Hyrule, traveling back and forth through time to defeat the tyrannical Ganondorf. Besides an incredibly immersive game world, Ocarina of Time has it all: thought-provoking puzzles, beautifully designed and thematic dungeons, climactic boss fights, and an unforgettable story. There's a remarkable feeling of adventure in every step of the journey, affording a huge amount of player discovery in the process. The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time is an all-time classic that remains nearly flawless to this day. Not only is it the best Nintendo 64 game of all time, but depending on who you ask, it's also the best video game ever made.