Screenshots of the best Nintendo 64 games

100 Best N64 Games

These are the 100 N64 games players recommend most. We surveyed players: 39,225 recommendations from people asking what to play on the N64, with every game they named counted. A pick hundreds of players backed beats one person's favourite.

The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time takes #1, named more often than any other N64 game. GoldenEye 007 holds #2, and Super Mario 64 is right behind it at #3. One well placed proximity mine would settle that argument. Perfect Dark takes #4.

Gauntlet Legends is missing on purpose. Plenty of players recommend it on the N64, but it started in arcades a year earlier, so it stays off.

The best Nintendo 64 games
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100. Hey You, Pikachu! (1998)

Hey You, Pikachu! gameplay on Nintendo 64Hey You, Pikachu! box art

Hey you, Pokémon fanatic! Have you ever wanted to control your very own Pokémon? Now you can with HEY YOU, PIKACHU! for the Nintendo 64. It's as simple as speaking into the microphone that connects to your controller. If Pikachu understands you, he'll respond. The little yellow pocket monster has a vocabulary of approximately 200 words, and Professor Oak is even on hand to train you in the ways of creature communication. Wake up Pikachu each day by shouting "Good Morning!" and decide what games to play and activities to engage in. You can play Pokémon trivia on the in-game TV, gather food, hunt for treasure, collect seemingly endless goodies, go fishing, baby-sit Caterpie, and much more. You'll also play a variety of mini-games while guiding Pikachu along with friendly commands. As you bond and converse with your cartoon pal you'll investigate the Ochre Woods, head for the campground, check out Bulbasaur's picnic, and even solve clever puzzles. HEY YOU, PIKACHU! is an interactive romp that gives the younger set a chance to get up close and personal with their favorite Pokémon character.

Hey You, Pikachu! screenshot 1
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99. Animal Crossing (2002)

Animal Crossing gameplay on Nintendo 64Animal Crossing box art

Occasionally strange but completely addictive, Nintendo's Animal Crossing for the GameCube is not so much a game as a simulation of life on a small town. Players begin the game by setting out to live life on their own in a colorful town, where they are greeted by a seemingly endless supply of things to do and characters to meet.

Time passes in Animal Crossing in real-time, as the month, day, season, and time of day matches that of the player's. Holiday seasons come and go in Animal Crossing, just as they would in the real world. Experience the freedom to fish, decorate your house, go bug catching, garden, write letters, and even play original Nintendo NES games in this imaginative, and addictive game.

Animal Crossing screenshot 1Animal Crossing screenshot 2
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98. Top Gear Overdrive (1998)

Top Gear Overdrive on Nintendo 64: box art and gameplay

In the main mode of play, the player races through six seasons, each season containing more races from more tracks, and with faster cars competing.
At the beginning of the race the player would start at the back of the grid, at the start line. Computer players at the front of the grid would often start a third of the way around the first lap. Players started with three charges of nitrous oxide, which were used to give the player a temporary speed boost.
Shortcuts were available on each track, and often the use of these decided the outcome of the races, particularly in later seasons.
At the end of each race the player would be presented with a screen to allow for various upgrades to their car, such as to acceleration and handling. The player was also able to change their car for a better (or worse) vehicle and could buy extra nitrous oxide to use in the next race.

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97. Shadowgate 64: Trials of the Four Towers (1999)

Shadowgate 64: Trials of the Four Towers gameplay on Nintendo 64Shadowgate 64: Trials of the Four Towers box art

Ages have past since the vile Warlock Lord was banished to another dimension by the brave Lord Jair. The famous deed is now only spoken of as legend and myth. However, recent incidents have transpired in an attempt to resurrect the Ultimate Evil One. Caught up in a chain of events beyond his understanding or control, the Halfling Del must explore the ruins of the dilapidated Castle Shadowgate in order to unravel the mysteries set before him, and thwart the dark plans now in motion.

Shadowgate 64: Trials of the Four Towers screenshot 1Shadowgate 64: Trials of the Four Towers screenshot 2
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96. Mickey's Speedway USA (2000)

Mickey's Speedway USA gameplay on Nintendo 64Mickey's Speedway USA box art

Buckle up and get ready to race! Rally across America with Mickey and friends! Race around 20 All-American courses - from Alaska to the Everglades - as you try to track down the Weasels and rescue poor dognapped Pluto. Use Ludwig Von Drake's wacky weapons - such as the "Antigrav-o-Kit Magno Flyer" or the "Stormy Weather Whenever Engager" - to give you the edge. Then blast past your friends and listen as the drivers taunt each other using Disney's original character voices!

Mickey's Speedway USA screenshot 1Mickey's Speedway USA screenshot 2
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95. Tonic Trouble (1999)

Tonic Trouble gameplay on Nintendo 64Tonic Trouble box art

Tonic Trouble is a 3D platforming video game by Ubisoft Montreal. The story follows the main character, Ed, after a magic potion spills on the Earth and causes vegetables to become living killers. The game was received poorly; critics cite poor controls, a wordy exposition, and sloppy graphics (on the N64 version). The N64 version of the game is a port of the PC version with noticeable differences, such as a substantially different opening due to the lack of processing power needed to render cutscenes, and different music in certain places. The game is often compared to another game published by Ubisoft called Rayman 2: The Great Escape, because both are 3D platformers, both have main characters of a similar design (hands and feet without arms or legs), and both were released around the same time.

Tonic Trouble screenshot 1Tonic Trouble screenshot 2
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94. International Superstar Soccer 64 (1997)

International Superstar Soccer 64 gameplay on Nintendo 64International Superstar Soccer 64 box art

Are you ready for the most realistic soccer game the world has ever seen? Get ready for: Incredible, seemless game control; Awesome animation with over 17,000 motion captured animations; Live, intelligent commentary; Every conceivable soccer move from headers to heel passes; Multiple formations to team strategies; Trade & create your own players; 36 International teams with 16 players per team. Everything a soccer fan wants!

International Superstar Soccer 64 screenshot 1International Superstar Soccer 64 screenshot 2
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93. World Driver Championship (1999)

World Driver Championship gameplay on Nintendo 64World Driver Championship box art

One of the last racing simulations to be released for Nintendo 64, this graphically intensive title used custom microcode optimization and high polygon count modelling. The development team was able to optimize the usage of the various processors within the N64 to allow far draw distance (reducing the need for fog or pop-up), high detail texturing and models, Doppler effect audio, and advanced lighting and fog effects for realistic weather conditions. Impressively the game has a high resolution 640x480 mode that does not require the add-on N64 RAM Expansion Pak. Additionally, unlike many other games of its type on the platform, the game runs high resolution at a sufficiently playable pace, undoubtedly due to the use of a reduced screen area letterbox mode that lessens the number of pixels needing to be displayed.

World Driver Championship screenshot 1World Driver Championship screenshot 2
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92. Dr. Mario 64 (2001)

Dr. Mario 64 gameplay on Nintendo 64Dr. Mario 64 box art

The flu season has come about, and it's Dr. Mario's duty to use his Megavitamins to heal the people of the land. However, Wario, wanting to have the fame that Dr. Mario has, attempts to steal the Megavitamins, but to no avail. Afterwards, Mad Scienstein and Rudy the Clown (from Wario Land 3) steal the Megavitamins, and both Dr. Mario and Wario give chase.

Dr. Mario 64 screenshot 1Dr. Mario 64 screenshot 2
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91. Extreme-G 2 (1998)

Extreme-G 2 gameplay on Nintendo 64Extreme-G 2 box art

Extreme-G is a futuristic racing game with an emphasis on speed. It also features many weapons and an F-Zero style energy shield and regeneration. You are able to break the sound barrier where you hear a sonic boom and all game audio drops out.

Extreme-G 2 screenshot 1Extreme-G 2 screenshot 2

Every issue features one game worth playing, plus the latest retro news.

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