I remember the first time I fired up my Nintendo 64. That console changed everything for me and millions of other gamers.

The N64 brought us 3D worlds we’d never seen before, and some of those titles still hold up today.

I’m going to show you the absolute Nintendo 64 games of all time that earned their spot in gaming history. These aren’t just nostalgic favorites; they’re the games that defined a generation and still feel great to play.

You’ll find out which titles made the cut, why they matter, and what made each one special. Let’s get started!

The Golden Era of Nintendo 64 Gaming

The N64 hit store shelves in 1996, and it kicked off something special. This wasn’t just another console launch.

Nintendo took a risk with cartridges when everyone else went with CDs, but that choice paid off with lightning-fast load times.

I watched this console bring 3D gaming into our living rooms in ways we’d never experienced. Four controller ports meant my friends and I could all play together without buying extra equipment.

The games looked different, felt different, and played differently from anything before.

From 1996 to 2001, developers pushed that hardware to its limits. They created worlds we could actually expedite in, not just move through. That five-year stretch gave us some of the most memorable gaming experiences ever made.

Criteria for Choosing the Best Nintendo 64 Games of All Time

I used specific standards to pick these games. Here’s what mattered:

Innovation at release – did the game introduce something new to gaming

• Graphics and performance – how well it ran on N64 hardware without major slowdowns
• Gameplay quality – controls that felt tight and responsive from start to finish
• Replay value – games you wanted to play again after beating them once
• Cultural impact – titles that influenced other games or became part of gaming conversations
• Critical reception – what reviewers and players said when it launched
• Longevity – does it still hold up when you play it today
• Fun factor – the most crucial test of all

These benchmarks helped me separate the great games from the truly legendary ones.

Top 11 Best N64 Games of All Time

The N64 library has hundreds of games, but only a select few deserve the Hall of Fame title. I’ve ranked these eleven based on the criteria above, and each one changed gaming in its own way.

11. Wave Race 64

Nintendo launched this water racing game alongside the N64, and it blew everyone away. The water physics felt real in ways games had never managed before.

I spent hours mastering each course and learning how waves affected my jet ski. The game demanded precision, and every race felt like a test of skill.

• Water behaved like actual water with realistic wave patterns
• Weather conditions changed how you approached each track
• Stunt mode lets you show off between serious races
• Championship mode kept you coming back to beat your times

10. Star Fox 64

Nintendo took the original Star Fox concept and made it bigger and better. The Rumble Pak came bundled with this game, and it changed how we experienced action.

I can still hear Fox’s teammates shouting at me through every mission. The voice acting brought these characters to life in ways N64 games rarely attempted.

• Branching paths meant multiple playthroughs felt different
• All-Range Mode opened up the gameplay beyond on-rails shooting
• Multiplayer dogfights got intense with four players
• The medal system rewarded skillful play and opened new content

9. Paper Mario

Intelligent Systems took Mario in a completely different direction with this RPG. The paper-thin art style looked charming and ran perfectly on N64 hardware.

I got hooked on the turn-based combat system. It wasn’t just menu selecting; you had to time button presses to maximize damage and defense.

• The badge system lets you customize Mario’s abilities however you want
• Partner characters added depth to battles and exploration
• Humor and storytelling felt more mature than typical Mario games
• Action commands kept battles engaging instead of repetitive

8. Mario Kart 64

This game defined multiplayer racing for an entire generation. Four friends, one screen, and absolute chaos every single race.

I remember the screaming matches over blue shells and lightning bolts. Battle Mode alone justified owning this game.

• Four-player split-screen worked smoothly without major slowdown
• Course design encouraged different racing strategies
• Items felt balanced enough to keep races competitive
• Battle Mode arenas created their own form of entertainment

7. Super Smash Bros.

HAL Laboratory created something nobody knew they wanted. A fighting game with Nintendo characters that anyone could pick up and play.

I loved that button-mashing could only get you so far. The game had depth hidden under its accessible surface.

• Simple controls meant new players could jump in immediately
• The percentage-based damage system changed the fighting game rules
• Unlockable characters kept you playing to see who appeared next
• Four-player matches created unpredictable moments every time

6. Banjo-Kazooie

Rare took the collectathon formula and perfected it with this bear-and-bird duo. The game felt fresh, looked beautiful, and kept you hunting for every last puzzle piece.

I loved how each world felt completely different from the last. You weren’t just running through generic levels. Rare created themed areas with their own characters, challenges, and secrets to find.

• Tight platforming controls that responded exactly how you wanted
• Humor that actually made you laugh out loud
• Musical notes and Jiggies scattered everywhere gave you reasons to explore every corner
• Transformation abilities let you experience levels in totally new ways

5. Perfect Dark

Rare followed up GoldenEye with something even more ambitious. This sci-fi shooter is one of the best Nintendo 64 games of all time that pushed the N64 to its absolute limits.

I couldn’t believe how much content Rare packed into this cartridge. The game offered more modes, more weapons, and more ways to play than seemed possible.

• Campaign missions with multiple difficulty paths and objectives
• Bots in multiplayer meant you could practice alone
• Weapons with alternate firing modes added tactical depth
• Graphics that somehow looked better than GoldenEye

4. The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask

Nintendo took a risk with this darker, weirder Zelda game. The three-day time loop created constant tension that never let up.

I felt genuine stress watching that moon get closer. The game made you care about the world and the people living in it.

• The time loop mechanic forced you to plan and prioritize
• Transformation masks completely changed how you played
• Side quests felt meaningful with real character stories
• Atmosphere created a mood unlike any other Zelda game

3. GoldenEye 007

Rare proved that first-person shooters could work on consoles. This Bond game set the standard for every shooter that followed.

I remember the first time I played multiplayer in Facility. Nothing else mattered for months after that.

• Mission objectives changed based on the difficulty setting
• Split-screen multiplayer became the reason to own an N64
• Stealth and strategy mattered as much as shooting
• Every weapon felt different and served specific purposes

2. Super Mario 64

Nintendo’s launch title showed everyone what 3D gaming could be. Mario moved in ways that felt natural from the first moment you touched the controller.

I spent hours just running around the castle grounds. The freedom to roam anywhere felt incredible after years of side-scrolling games.

• Analog stick control that other games tried to copy
• The camera system mostly worked despite being brand new
• Each star presented a unique challenge in the same world
• Movement options like long jumps and wall kicks added depth

1. The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time

This game didn’t just define N64; it redefined what games could be. Nintendo created a world that felt alive and an adventure that stuck with you long after finishing.

I’ll never forget stepping into Hyrule Field for the first time. The sense of scale and possibility hit differently than anything before it.

• Z-targeting revolutionized 3D combat forever.
• A story that balanced light and dark perfectly
• Dungeons that required both combat skills and puzzle-solving
• Music that still gives me chills when I hear it today

Best Nintendo 64 Games Available on The Nintendo Switch Platform

Nintendo brought several N64 classics to the Switch through their online service. You’ll need the Expansion Pack subscription to access these titles, but it’s worth it for the nostalgia.

Why N64 Games Still Rule in 2026

These games hold up because they focused on what mattered most: fun. Developers couldn’t hide behind fancy graphics or huge file sizes, so they built solid gameplay instead.

I fire up my N64 today, and the best N64 games of all time still feel great to play.

The controls respond instantly. The level design makes sense. The challenge feels fair but tough.

Modern games often prioritize realism over enjoyment. N64 titles did the opposite. They created experiences that felt good in your hands, and that never go out of style.

The multiplayer especially stays relevant. Four people on one couch beats online gaming for pure fun. No lag, no toxic chat, just friends competing face to face.

That’s something we’ve lost with newer consoles, and it’s why people keep coming back to these classics.

How to Play These Classics Today

You’ve got several ways to experience these classics right now. Here are your best options:

• Original Hardware: Hunt down a working N64 console and cartridges from retro game stores or online marketplaces
• Nintendo Switch Online: Subscribe to the Expansion Pack tier for access to select N64 titles with online multiplayer
• Emulation: Use software emulators on PC or other devices, though legality depends on game ownership
• Remasters and Remakes: Grab updated versions like Ocarina of Time 3D or Super Mario 3D All-Stars when available
• Retro Gaming Cafes: Visit local gaming lounges that keep original consoles set up and ready
• Everdrive Cartridges: Invest in flash cartridges that play multiple games on original hardware

Each method offers different benefits depending on your budget and how authentic you want the experience.

Final Thoughts

The N64 era gave us games that refused to fade away. I’ve shown you eleven titles that earned their legendary status through innovation, gameplay, and pure fun factor.

These Nintendo 64 games prove that great design beats flashy graphics every time.

Doesn’t matter if you’re playing on original hardware or through modern platforms; these classics deliver experiences worth your time.

So what’s next? Pick one game from this list you’ve never tried. Fire it up and see why these titles still matter three decades later.

You might just understand what made this console generation so special.