Top 15 Nintendo 64 Era Video Games of All Time

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Ignacio Weil

Gaming - November 24th 2025, 19:00 GMT+1

Cropped Conkers Bad Fur Day — 15. Conker’s Bad Fur Day (2001)

Anyone expecting a cuddly platformer quickly learns this one had other plans, leaning into crude humor, cinematic parody, and surprisingly sharp writing. Each level shifts gears in ways that feel both chaotic and calculated, pulling players into a wild ride that has no interest in subtlety. The contrast between its cartoony visuals and adult tone gives it an edge that set it apart as one of the console’s boldest swings. Its commitment to the bit – every bit – makes it weirdly endearing, if also completely unpredictable. Even the multiplayer feels like a genre experiment disguised as party chaos. Somehow, all that irreverence turns into a cult classic that’s impossible to forget. | © Rare

Diddy Kong Racing n64 — 14. Diddy Kong Racing (1997)

There’s an undeniable charm in jumping into a kart, a hovercraft, or even a plane and realizing you’re not just racing – you're navigating a surprisingly ambitious adventure mode. What starts as a colorful competition quickly becomes a quest filled with boss battles and a soundtrack that practically hums childhood back into existence. The mix of exploration and speed gives this racer a personality all its own, one that still feels distinct even decades later. And while the cast might not be as iconic as other Nintendo staples, their quirks grow on you faster than expected. It’s a game that refuses to be boxed in, always offering one more challenge to chase. | © Rare

Cropped Star Wars Rogue Squadron — 13. Star Wars: Rogue Squadron (1998)

Jumping into the cockpit and hearing engines roar to life is all it takes to feel like you’ve stepped straight into the Star Wars universe. The missions push you through dogfights, canyon runs, and daring rescue ops that keep the pace snappy and the tension high. It nails the fantasy of being a Rebel pilot, balancing arcade-style accessibility with enough challenge to keep you sweating through tight turns. And those crisp visuals – especially for the time – really help the action pop. Every stage feels cinematic without sacrificing gameplay flow, giving space combat fans something to truly savor. It’s one of those games that makes you want to replay “just one more mission.” | © LucasArts

Cropped F Zero X — 12. F-Zero X (1998)

Speed stops being a concept and becomes a lifestyle choice the moment the track drops you into its gravity-defying twists. The blistering pace pushes reflexes to their absolute limit, turning every race into a high-stakes battle for survival as much as first place. There’s an elegance to its minimalist style: fewer distractions mean more focus on pure, adrenaline-packed momentum. The roster and tracks keep things fresh, offering enough variety to reward mastery. And once the difficulty spikes, the game reveals just how deep its mechanics really are. It’s fast, it’s brutal, and it feels incredible once it clicks. | © Nintendo

Cropped Mario Party 2 — 11. Mario Party 2 (1999)

Somewhere between the costume changes, the clever boards, and the delightfully chaotic minigames, this installment manages to refine the entire formula. It transforms friendly gatherings into competitive marathons where coins matter, stars matter more, and grudges last for years. The themes of each board add just enough charm to make every map feel like its own little world. Minigames strike a sweet balance between skill and silliness, keeping everyone on edge without turning the experience into pure chaos. And that iconic aesthetic gives it a timeless quality that still makes it a favorite today. It’s party fuel in cartridge form – simple as that. | © Nintendo

10. Star Fox 64 (1997)

Right from the opening scramble, the energy of this rail-shooter grabs you with a confidence that never fades, making every mission feel like a small blockbuster. The tight controls let you pull off dramatic maneuvers with ease, and the branching paths add just enough mystery to keep you experimenting. Its cast of characters injects personality into every dogfight, delivering one-liners that have lived rent-free in players’ heads for decades. The Arwing handles with a satisfying mix of precision and flair, keeping the pace fast without ever feeling overwhelming. Even today, its structure feels refreshing – short, punchy missions that reward repetition and mastery. It’s pure arcade adrenaline, wrapped in charm. | © Nintendo

Cropped Resident Evil 2 1998 — 9. Resident Evil 2 (1998)

Dropping survival horror onto the Nintendo 64 shouldn’t have worked as well as it did, yet here it is – tense, moody, and atmospheric even with the hardware’s limitations. The dual-scenario structure keeps the story moving in surprising directions, giving every playthrough a reason to exist beyond nostalgia. Its slower pace builds an uneasy rhythm where every stray bullet matters, making the city’s claustrophobic alleys and hallways feel even more oppressive. The characters’ arcs unfold through a mix of desperation and grit, elevating the dread rather than drowning in it. And despite the cartridge squeeze, the game’s tone remains impressively intact. It’s a landmark horror experience that somehow fits in the palm of an N64 controller. | © Capcom

Cropped Super Smash Bros 1999 — 8. Super Smash Bros. (1999)

What begins as a playful crossover quickly becomes a competitive obsession, especially once you realize how deceptively deep this brawler really is. The chaos of four-player matches produces unforgettable moments, where skill and randomness collide in ways that feel perfectly tuned. Each stage carries its own personality, pushing you to stay alert as you’re launched, dodged, or meteor-smashed off the map. The roster is small by today’s standards, yet every fighter brings something distinct to the table. And the physics – light, floaty, but full of nuance – give the combat an identity that can’t be replicated. It’s the kind of game that turns friendly gatherings into epic showdowns. | © Nintendo

Perfect Dark 2000 — 7. Perfect Dark (2000)

Walking into its world feels like stepping into a futuristic spy thriller, complete with an arsenal that manages to be both imaginative and practical. The campaign plays with mission structure in ways that make each level feel carefully engineered, using objectives instead of simple shootouts to keep the pace varied. Its weapons include alternate firing modes that still feel clever years later, giving the combat a layer of creativity. The tone shifts smoothly between stealth and high-octane firefights, offering something different every step of the way. And once the multiplayer opens up, its depth becomes even more impressive. It’s a masterclass in ambition on aging hardware. | © Rare

Banjo Kazooie 1998 — 6. Banjo-Kazooie (1998)

Between the vibrant worlds, witty dialogue, and delightfully oddball characters, this platformer radiates personality from its very first notes. Its levels reward curiosity, making exploration feel joyful rather than overwhelming. The duo’s move set evolves at just the right pace, giving players new tricks precisely when they need a fresh boost of momentum. Each world feels handcrafted, with challenges that balance charm and challenge in a way few platformers manage. The humor lands without trying too hard, leaning into a style that feels both goofy and smart. Few games capture the spirit of adventure with this much confidence. | © Rare

Cropped Paper Mario 2000 — 5. Paper Mario (2000)

There’s a charm in watching familiar Mushroom Kingdom faces flatten into crisp, papercraft personalities, all while delivering an RPG that feels breezy without ever becoming shallow. Its turn-based combat cleverly mixes timing-based inputs, giving battles a rhythmic quality that keeps encounters engaging. The writing leans into whimsy with a confidence that makes every character – hero or villain – feel memorable. Exploration has a relaxed, storybook flow, inviting you to poke around its colorful corners for secrets and upgrades. And the partners who join along the way add layers of strategy without weighing things down. It’s light, clever, and imaginative in ways that still feel refreshing. | © Nintendo

Cropped Golden Eye 007 1997 — 4. GoldenEye 007 (1997)

Multiplayer mayhem and tense spy missions collide in a shooter that reshaped expectations for what first-person action could look like on a console. Each level feels like its own carefully designed sandbox, rewarding players who approach objectives with creativity rather than brute force. The gunplay carries a grounded heft, but the game never sacrifices fun in pursuit of realism. And then there’s the split-screen mode, which turned living rooms into battlegrounds and friendships into temporary cold wars. Its pacing, gadgets, and mission design still feel surprisingly modern. This is the rare adaptation that doesn’t just honor its source material – it outshines it. | © Rare

The Legend of Zelda Majoras Mask 2000 — 3. The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask (2000)

Stepping into this strange, looping world feels instantly disorienting in the best possible way, pulling you into a story that’s darker and more introspective than its predecessor. The three-day cycle creates a constant undercurrent of tension, pushing you to learn patterns, plan ahead, and make every hour count. Characters live believable routines, giving the world a lived-in melancholy that deepens the stakes of every quest. Mask transformations reshape gameplay in surprising ways, opening new paths and shifting the tone moment to moment. The sense of dread is balanced by moments of warmth, creating a contrast that lingers long after the credits roll. It’s haunting, bold, and unforgettable. | © Nintendo

Cropped Super Mario 64 1996 — 2. Super Mario 64 (1996)

From the moment you leap through your first painting, it becomes clear just how effortlessly this platformer redefined the possibilities of 3D movement. Mario’s weight, speed, and momentum feel tuned with a precision that encourages playful experimentation. Each world, whether icy, fiery, or whimsical, offers layers of challenges that unfold naturally as you grow more confident. The castle hub ties everything together with a sense of mystery that makes exploration feel rewarding even without collecting stars. Its camera and controls set standards the genre still follows. Decades later, that freedom of movement still feels unmatched. | © Nintendo

Cropped The Legend of Zelda Ocarina of Time 1998 — 1. The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time (1998)

Adventure takes on a grander scale here, blending puzzle-driven dungeons, emotional storytelling, and an expansive world into something that feels timeless. The transition between eras adds weight to Link’s journey, showing a world shaped by the consequences of your actions. Combat introduces mechanics that became genre staples, while the dungeons balance logic and creativity in ways that still inspire imitators. Music isn’t just atmosphere – it’s a tool, woven directly into exploration and storytelling. Every region feels distinct, alive, and connected through a sense of purpose. It’s not just influential; it’s a benchmark for what an epic fantasy game can be. | © Nintendo

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There’s something magical about the Nintendo 64 era, a time when blurry polygons and chunky controllers somehow produced some of the most unforgettable adventures in gaming history. Looking back now, it’s wild how many of these classics didn’t just survive the jump to 3D – they defined what 3D gaming was. From iconic mascots reinventing themselves to entire genres rewriting their own playbooks, the N64 carved out a legacy that still shapes modern games.

This list rounds up the absolute best of that era, celebrating the titles that stuck the landing and then some. Expect world-saving quests, chaotic battles, and enough late-night nostalgia to power a cathode-ray tube TV. And hey, if you want to see what were the best games of the SNES, Nintendo 64, Wii and GameCube era, we got you covered!