The Nintendo 64 changed gaming forever. Released in 1996, this console introduced millions of players to 3D worlds, analog stick controls, and four-player split-screen mayhem. Many Nintendo 64 examples still influence game design today, from the way cameras work in action games to how multiplayer modes are structured.
This article explores the best Nintendo 64 examples across different categories. Readers will find legendary first-party titles, groundbreaking third-party releases, beloved multiplayer classics, and hidden gems that deserve more attention. Whether someone grew up with the N64 or wants to understand its lasting impact, these games tell the story of a console that shaped an entire generation.
Key Takeaways
- The Nintendo 64 revolutionized gaming with 3D worlds, analog stick controls, and four-player split-screen capabilities starting in 1996.
- Iconic Nintendo 64 examples like Super Mario 64 and Ocarina of Time established blueprints for 3D platformers and action-adventure games still used today.
- GoldenEye 007 proved first-person shooters could thrive on consoles and pioneered local multiplayer deathmatch gaming.
- The console’s four controller ports made it the ultimate platform for multiplayer classics like Super Smash Bros., Mario Party, and Mario Kart 64.
- Hidden gems like Mischief Makers, Blast Corps, and Sin and Punishment offer unique gameplay experiences worth revisiting beyond the blockbuster titles.
- Many Nintendo 64 examples continue to influence modern game design, from camera systems to multiplayer structures.
Legendary First-Party Titles
Nintendo’s own studios created some of the most memorable Nintendo 64 examples. These games showcased what the hardware could do and set standards that lasted for decades.
Super Mario 64
Super Mario 64 launched alongside the console in 1996. It was the first fully 3D Mario game and redefined platforming. Players controlled Mario through 15 worlds, collecting Power Stars and learning new moves like the triple jump and wall kick. The game sold over 11 million copies and remains a blueprint for 3D platformers.
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time
Ocarina of Time arrived in 1998 and earned near-universal acclaim. It introduced Z-targeting, a lock-on system that made 3D combat manageable. The game’s mix of dungeon puzzles, time travel, and memorable music created an experience many still call the greatest game ever made. Its influence shows up in countless action-adventure titles released since.
Mario Kart 64
Mario Kart 64 brought the kart racing series into 3D. Four players could race simultaneously on iconic tracks like Rainbow Road and Koopa Beach. The game sold over 9 million copies and established the multiplayer formula the series still uses today.
Star Fox 64
Star Fox 64 delivered intense space combat with branching paths and memorable voice acting. The phrase “Do a barrel roll.” became a cultural touchstone. It also introduced the Rumble Pak, letting players feel explosions and hits through controller vibrations, a feature now standard in gaming.
Groundbreaking Third-Party Games
Third-party developers produced essential Nintendo 64 examples that pushed creative boundaries. These games proved the console could host diverse experiences beyond Nintendo’s own franchises.
GoldenEye 007
Rare’s GoldenEye 007 launched in 1997 and changed console shooters forever. Based on the James Bond film, it offered a full single-player campaign with stealth elements and objective-based missions. But its four-player deathmatch mode became legendary. Friends gathered around TVs for hours, battling in facilities and temples. GoldenEye proved first-person shooters could thrive on consoles.
Banjo-Kazooie
Another Rare masterpiece, Banjo-Kazooie combined platforming with collect-a-thon gameplay. Players controlled a bear and bird duo through colorful worlds filled with puzzles, characters, and secrets. The game’s humor, tight controls, and memorable soundtrack made it a standout Nintendo 64 example.
Turok: Dinosaur Hunter
Turok brought violent, mature-themed action to the N64. Players hunted dinosaurs and aliens with an arsenal of weapons. It demonstrated that the console could attract older audiences and handle darker content.
Resident Evil 2
Capcom compressed its survival horror hit onto the N64 in 2000. Even though the console’s cartridge limitations, the port included everything from the PlayStation version. This technical achievement showed developers could overcome hardware constraints with creative solutions.
Multiplayer Classics That Brought Friends Together
The Nintendo 64 excelled at local multiplayer. Its four controller ports made it the go-to console for group gaming. These Nintendo 64 examples created memories that players still talk about decades later.
Super Smash Bros.
Super Smash Bros. debuted in 1999 and launched a franchise that continues today. Players picked Nintendo characters and battled on stages inspired by classic games. The simple controls but deep combat mechanics made it accessible yet competitive. This original entry laid the groundwork for one of Nintendo’s biggest series.
Mario Party
Mario Party combined board game mechanics with mini-games. Four players competed across themed boards, earning coins and stars. The frantic mini-games tested reflexes, timing, and sometimes friendship. The series has produced over a dozen sequels, but it all started on the N64.
Perfect Dark
Rare followed GoldenEye with Perfect Dark in 2000. It added bots to multiplayer matches, meaning players could enjoy deathmatch modes even without four human players. The game also featured a co-op campaign and counter-operative mode where one player controlled enemies.
WWF No Mercy
Wrestling fans consider WWF No Mercy the peak of the genre. Its grappling system felt intuitive and deep. Create-a-wrestler options and career modes added hours of content. Multiplayer matches with four wrestlers created chaotic, entertaining brawls.
Hidden Gems Worth Revisiting
Beyond the blockbusters, several Nintendo 64 examples deserve attention. These games didn’t sell millions but offered unique experiences.
Mischief Makers
Treasure’s Mischief Makers was a 2.5D platformer with grab-and-throw mechanics. Players shook objects to reveal secrets and solved puzzles by manipulating the environment. Its style and gameplay felt different from anything else on the system.
Blast Corps
Rare’s Blast Corps tasked players with clearing paths for runaway nuclear missiles. They controlled vehicles to demolish buildings before the carrier crashed. The puzzle-destruction hybrid offered satisfying gameplay that no other game has replicated quite the same way.
Jet Force Gemini
Another Rare title, Jet Force Gemini mixed third-person shooting with exploration and collectibles. Players rescued alien teddy bears across planets filled with insect enemies. It was ambitious, challenging, and visually impressive for its time.
Sin and Punishment
This on-rails shooter from Treasure only released in Japan initially. It featured fast-paced action, wild boss battles, and a bizarre story. Import gamers discovered it, and it later appeared on Virtual Console services. It remains one of the most thrilling Nintendo 64 examples for action fans.
