5 classic Nintendo 64 games that still hold up today

Launched in 1996, the Nintendo 64 marked a huge technological leap for Nintendo and the video game industry as a whole. The console made 3D gaming possible in a way Nintendo had never done before, while the console doubled down on local multiplayer and other peripheral features. Many classic Nintendo franchises have been revamped thanks to technical advancements in N64 hardware, while other series have debuted on the console. Some of these beloved titles don’t hold up decades later, but many of the N64 fan favorites retain their appeal.

We look at games that have retained their fun side, with their old technical presentations retaining a timeless quality. From the console’s earliest titles to the games that pushed the N64 to its limits, there are plenty of games that remain thoroughly enjoyable. As a bonus, all of the games we mention here are available to play to some extent on modern platforms.

Here are five classic Nintendo 64 games that still hold up today and are worth revisiting.

The flashiest launch title released alongside the Nintendo 64 was “Super Mario 64,” one of the best “Super Mario” games of all time. The game offers another twist on Mario trying to save Peach from the evil Bowser, but it abandons the typical side-scrolling perspective for a full 3D platforming experience. Each world contains numerous objectives in order to obtain Power Stars to progress, and Mario himself receives a variety of new moves to aid him in his quest. This is punctuated by confrontations against Bowser during breaks, putting players’ skills to the test.

It’s hard to underestimate the importance of “Super Mario 64” when it debuted in 1996, with fans seeing and controlling the iconic character like never before. Many 3D platformers followed in the game’s wake, but few could match the quality of the Nintendo title. And by giving the character and environment design a more cartoonish depiction rather than an attempt at realism, the game’s presentation has also aged wonderfully. Still one of the best 3D Mario games 30 years later, “Super Mario 64” is an enduring showcase of what the Nintendo 64 was capable of.

Of all the spin-off games in the “Super Mario” series, one of the most popular is “Mario Kart”, which debuted on the Super Nintendo. “Mario Kart 64” debuted during the first year of the Nintendo 64, significantly revamping the spinoff series from a visual standpoint. The game features the usual classic roster of characters but drops them on more immersive tracks, from the cosmic Rainbow Road to the chaotic Toad’s Turnpike. Nintendo is also updating the series’ usual battle mode, with up to four players able to battle it out in special stages designed to amp up the frenetic action.

“Mario Kart 64” is one of the best retro racing games of all time, regardless of the platform it was originally released on. This distinction comes from imaginatively crafted tracks, a memorable original score, and effective implementation of the console’s multiplayer capabilities. What “Mario Kart 64” brings that its sequels struggle to recapture is a visibly fun personality that permeates the characters, the tracks and the overall experience. Still one of the best “Mario Kart” games ever made, “Mario Kart 64” is arguably the greatest racing title on the Nintendo 64.

While movie-related games understandably have a bad reputation, James Bond has a relatively decent track record when it comes to property-based games. It really began with 1997’s “GoldenEye 007,” which offers a retelling of the 1995 film, in which Bond faces off against friend-turned-enemy in the aftermath of the Cold War. But as fun as the single-player campaign is, the game’s real highlight is the four-person multiplayer mode. With a variety of ways to play, different weapon loadouts, and memorable scenes, the game’s multiplayer mode is one of the ultimate party experiences on Nintendo 64.

Some people think that “GoldenEye 007” has aged poorly, but I completely disagree with that assessment. Revisiting the game upon its final release on Xbox Game Pass and Nintendo Switch Online, I still found it very joyful to play. Yes, the presentation is a bit dated, especially with its character models, but the actual gameplay and weapon variety are solid. James Bond is eternal, and “GoldenEye 007” remains one of the best games based on the character almost 30 years later.

“The Legend of Zelda” is a constant on virtually every major Nintendo platform and the Nintendo 64 was no different. 1998’s “Ocarina of Time” officially introduced the beloved franchise into a fully 3D experience, giving fans their most immersive iteration of its fantasy realm at the time. The game’s story tells of the iconic hero Link facing off against the evil Ganondorf for the fate of Princess Zelda and their kingdom of Hyrule. It involves an epic adventure that includes time travel and adventuring through element-based temples to battle fearsome bosses.

“The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time” is one of those games that proved 1998 to be the best year for gaming. The game seems even more ambitious than “Super Mario 64”, offering a more richly imagined world and truly exciting battles. This was enhanced not only by its technical presentation, but also by an innovative combat system that made 3D combat more naturally intuitive. Nintendo is preparing a remake of “Ocarina of Time” for the Switch 2 this year, so it will be interesting to see how faithful it stays to the 1998 masterpiece.

There’s always been debate over whether “GoldenEye 007” or its spiritual successor “Perfect Dark” is the best first-person shooter on the Nintendo 64. We’re going to avoid that talk entirely and just include both games here because they both really retain their appeal. Also developed by Rare, the game takes place in the near future where secret agent Joanna Dark uncovers an alien plot to subjugate humanity. Even more impressive are the game’s multiplayer modes, including the ability to add bots with different personalities and completely customize matches.

Fittingly given its title, “Perfect Dark” is one of the few near-perfect games according to Metacritic. The game really pushes the N64 hardware as far as it can go, benefiting significantly from the Expansion Pak peripheral to increase the console’s virtual memory. The game was remastered for modern platforms in 2010, wisely avoiding making major changes to the experience. A game from the early 2000s that has aged better than expected, “Perfect Dark” is one of the last great games released on N64.