They were part of our childhoods, pure, pixelated magic. The Nintendo 64 wasn’t just a console; it was the console for an entire generation. Whether you grew up with an NES or jumped in here, the Nintendo 64 was a turning point. And the games? Legendary.
These titles entertained us and defined our gaming taste. They were wild, weird, groundbreaking, and completely unforgettable. The graphics might not hold up to today’s standards, but honestly, who cares? These games made a lot of us fall in love with video games in the late ’90s and early 2000s.
So, in honor of that weird three-pronged controller and all the hours we lost to couch multiplayer and cartridge-blowing rituals, here are the best Nintendo 64 games that passed through our Millennial mittens. Let’s go!
Banjo-Tooie
If Banjo-Kazooie was your intro to bear-and-bird platforming greatness, Banjo-Tooie was the moment Rare said, “Oh, you liked that? Let’s go bigger.” With massive interconnected worlds, wild power-ups, and a darker tone, this sequel wasn’t just more of the same, it was a full-on upgrade. And the multiplayer mode? Pure chaos. It pushed the Nintendo 64 to its limits and gave us one last trip to Spiral Mountain that we’re still not over.
Blast Corps
Let’s be real, there’s never been another game quite like Blast Corps. You’re literally in charge of destroying cities to save them (so Nintendo 64 started this trend, I see). It’s demolition with a side of existential panic, and we loved every second of it. Between mech suits, dump trucks, and a runaway nuclear missile, it felt like playing out every action movie in your toy box. Totally bonkers. Totally awesome.
Space Station Silicon Valley
One of the weirder (and most underrated) titles on the console, Space Station Silicon Valley had you controlling robotic animals to solve puzzles and complete objectives. It was quirky, weirdly charming, and just plain fun. Plus, the humor was next-level for the time, an underrated gem that deserved more love.
F-Zero X
Speed. That’s it. That’s the game. F-Zero X was fast, brutal, and unapologetic. With 30 racers on the track and no mercy in sight, it demanded perfection. And if you were good enough to unlock the X Cup? You were basically a gaming god. No story, no fluff, just pure adrenaline.
1080° Snowboarding
This was the Tony Hawk of snowboarding before Tony Hawk even showed up on the Nintendo 64. 1080° Snowboarding was slick, stylish, and surprisingly hard. Pulling off tricks took skill, and landing a 1080 spin was like winning the Olympics. We weren’t all Shaun White, but for a second, we sure felt like it.
Ogre Battle 64: Person of Lordly Caliber
You know a game is epic when the title alone feels like a final boss. Ogre Battle 64 was a tactical RPG masterpiece that flew under the radar for many kids, but for those who played it? Instant obsession. Political drama, deep strategy, and a killer soundtrack make this a crown jewel for fantasy lovers. And that name? Chef’s kiss.
Wave Race 64
Before realistic water physics were a thing, Wave Race 64 said, “Hold my jet ski.” This game was surprisingly immersive, with waves that actually felt alive and tracks that changed mid-race. The controls were tight, the tricks were smooth, and yeah, we all remember trying to ride under those ramps without wiping out.
Star Wars: Rogue Squadron
This was the game that made us all believe we could fly an X-Wing. Rogue Squadron delivered that Star Wars fantasy in glorious detail, letting you blast TIE fighters and take down AT-ATs like the Rebel ace you knew you were. The medal system was brutal but worth it for unlocking the Naboo Starfighter (if you knew the cheat code, that is).
Perfect Dark
GoldenEye walked so that Perfect Dark could sprint with a laptop gun. Joanna Dark took everything that made its predecessor great and added more: better graphics, smarter AI, alien conspiracies, and co-op missions that wrecked friendships in the best way. It was ahead of its time and one of Rare’s finest hours.
Star Fox 64
DO A BARREL ROLL. That’s it. That’s the memory. But also, cinematic gameplay, branching paths, and surprisingly emotional story beats made Star Fox 64 an icon. It was one of the first games to support the Rumble Pak, and it used it like a boss. That Hoth-style battle on Macbeth still lives rent-free in our brains.
Banjo-Kazooie
Wholesome chaos. Banjo-Kazooie was the bright, colorful, endlessly clever platformer that didn’t take itself too seriously but still had the heart to hook you for hours. Collecting jiggies, learning moves from Bottles, and dodging Gruntilda’s rhymes made this an instant classic. Also, let’s not pretend we didn’t hum the theme song for weeks.
WWF No Mercy
The definitive wrestling game of the Nintendo 64 era. No Mercy had smooth grappling mechanics, a deep roster, and more customization than any game had a right to. Whether you were climbing the ladder or pummeling your friend with a steel chair, this game made you feel like a legend in the ring. Still the gold standard for Nintendo 64 wrestling fans.
Diddy Kong Racing
You thought Mario Kart 64 had it all, then Diddy Kong Racing showed up with cars, hovercrafts, planes, and a full-on story mode. This Nintendo 64 was more than just racing, it was an adventure. The bosses were no joke (looking at you, Wizpig), and the soundtrack was a total bop. It was bright, bold, and endlessly replayable.
Pokémon Puzzle League
Forget Tetris, this was the puzzle game that fried your brain in the best way possible. Pokémon Puzzle League took the frantic gameplay of Panel de Pon and slapped Pikachu’s face on it. Suddenly, you were battling Gym Leaders with combos and chain reactions, not Pokémon. The anime cutscenes? Chef’s kiss. Also, that soundtrack still slaps.
Mario Golf
Swing mechanics that made sense, Mushroom Kingdom charm, and the most passive-aggressive taunts imaginable. Mario Golf turned us all into digital caddies. This Nintendo 64 game wasn’t just good “for a golf game.” It was genuinely addictive. Whether you were sinking birdies or rage-quitting in the rough, it had serious “one more round” energy.
Mario Party 3
The Mario Party trilogy ended its Nintendo 64 run with a bang,and a friendship-ending slap. Mario Party 3 refined everything the first two games built: better boards, new duel mode, and mini-games that were fun and unfair (looking at you, “Cheep Cheep Chase”). It was the party game of sleepovers,and the source of more than a few controller-throwing moments.
Paper Mario
Mario, but flat and fabulous. Paper Mario turned the Mushroom Kingdom into a living storybook with RPG elements that hit way harder than expected. The timing-based combat, hilarious dialogue, and adorable partner system made this one of the most unique games on the Nintendo 64. It wasn’t just good, it was unexpectedly emotional. Yes, we cried when Goombario got replaced.
Pokémon Stadium
It’s what we dreamed of: our Game Boy teams brought to full 3D glory on the Nintendo 64. Pokémon Stadium let us battle on the big screen, complete with flashy animations and commentary from the most enthusiastic announcer of all time (“It’s super effective!”). And those mini-games? Iconic. Clefairy Says and Sushi-Go-Round live in our hearts forever.
Super Smash Bros.
The chaos began here. Super Smash Bros. took the wild idea of Nintendo 64 characters beating each other up and made it gold. The roster was small but mighty, and the stages? Classic. There’s something pure about Pikachu spiking Mario off the edge of Hyrule Castle that still hits in 2025. This was the start of a dynasty, and we were there for it.
GoldenEye 007
Licensed games aren’t supposed to be this good. GoldenEye 007 on the Nintendo 64 redefined multiplayer shooters and gave us everything: stealth, gadgets, epic levels, and four-player split-screen mayhem. Every Millennial remembers screen-peeking during Facility, raging over Oddjob, and trying to unlock every cheat code like it was a second job. “No Russian”? Nah, GoldenEye was our first digital controversy.
Mario Kart 64
Banana peels. Blue shells. That one friend who spammed red shells. Mario Kart 64 brought the racing party to the living room and never left. It perfected the formula: chaotic item balance, iconic tracks (Rainbow Road forever), and rubberband AI that made every win feel earned. And Battle Mode? Legendary. Don’t trust anyone with three balloons.
The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask
The darker, weirder little sibling to Ocarina of Time, Majora’s Mask, gave us time loops, existential dread, and one terrifying moon. This game asked us to wear masks, manage a ticking clock, and stop an apocalypse- no pressure. It was bold, haunting, and incredibly ahead of its time. Three days. That’s all you had. And it was brilliant.
Super Mario 64
The game that redefined 3D platforming. Super Mario 64 wasn’t just revolutionary, it was straight-up magical. Every level was a playground, every star a new adventure. From the first time you leapt into Bob-omb Battlefield to that final Bowser fight, it was unforgettable. Even today, people speedrun it like their lives depend on it. Pure, unfiltered gaming joy. Especially when you almost break your Nintendo 64 controller to make use of the game glitches.
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time
You already know. Ocarina of Time was, and still is, a masterpiece. Time travel, swordplay, dungeons, music that lives rent-free in your soul. This game gave us everything: a sweeping epic, an emotional journey, and arguably one of the best video game soundtracks of all time. It defined the Nintedno 64 era. And honestly? It still defines a generation of gamers. We all recognize Song of Storms!
Final Thoughts: Blow on the Cartridge and Hit Start
The Nintendo 64 wasn’t just a console, it was a cultural moment. These weren’t just games; they were memories, forged in basements and bedrooms, with friends huddled around tiny CRTs and controllers covered in Cheeto dust. The lineup was chaotic, genre-defining, and unforgettable. These titles didn’t just age well, they became the blueprint for the games we love today.
Sure, the graphics look chunky now, and yes, the controller still feels like a trident designed by aliens. But none of that matters when you hear the opening jingle of Mario 64 or feel the panic of a GoldenEye proximity mine.
These games weren’t perfect, but they still hit like a well-timed Smash attack.
So, if you’ve still got your old Nintendo 64 sitting in a closet somewhere, dust it off. The best nostalgia trip of your life is just a power button away.
