Random Modder Makes Ganondorf A Playable Fighter In Smash Bros. 64
The king of the Gerudo tribe joins the battle
Anniversary Pokémon Snap Turns 20 Years Old Today
And we still don't have a sequel
News Zelda: Ocarina Of Time Mod Adds Online Co-Op
Explore Hyrule together
Video Player Beats Bowser In Super Mario 64 Without Using A Joystick
This looks so frustrating
Nintendo 64 - News
May2019
Random Mario Gets A Safer Sleep In His Original 3D Outing On Nintendo 64
Sweet dreams
If you've ever taken a break from Super Mario 64 or Super Mario Odyssey and left either game running, there's a good chance you've returned to find Mario sleeping on the job. In Odyssey, Mario could get some shuteye wherever he liked. He was such a solid sleeper, in fact, he didn't even need a proper ledge to nod off. It turns out his...
Random Modder Makes Ganondorf A Playable Fighter In Smash Bros. 64
The king of the Gerudo tribe joins the battle
When Super Smash Bros. started out life in 1999 on the Nintendo 64, there were only 12 fighters to select from. As "all-star" as this original cast was, unfortunately, Link was unable to duke it out with Ganondorf. Now, 20 years on, a modder by the name of JSsixtyfour has released a new ROM hack...
April2019
News Switch Overtakes Nintendo 64 Lifetime Sales, According To New Estimates
Next target: SNES
The Nintendo Switch has now sold more units than those achieved by the Nintendo 64 throughout its lifetime, new estimates reveal. The data comes from VGChartz, which says that the Switch sold 217,096 units for the week ending 6th April and believes that the Switch has therefore shifted 33.15 million units as of that date. Official...
March2019
Anniversary Pokémon Snap Turns 20 Years Old Today
And we still don't have a sequel
Twenty years ago today, on 21st March 1999, Pokémon Snap was first released in Japan. A Nintendo 64 exclusive, Pokémon Snap follows the adventures of Todd Snap, a Pokémon photographer who is tasked with taking perfect shots of the adorable critters and showing them to Professor Oak for inspection. It features 63...
News Zelda: Ocarina Of Time Mod Adds Online Co-Op
Explore Hyrule together
One of the most famous video games of all time, and arguably one of the most important and influential, is The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time. Sitting at the very top of many players' lists of favourite games, Ocarina of Time is one of those titles that really is a 'must-play' experience, partly thanks to that level of hype...
Video Player Beats Bowser In Super Mario 64 Without Using A Joystick
This looks so frustrating
Something about Mario's wonderful selection of games seems to make players want to cause themselves hours and hours of misery. In the last few months, we've seen a player try to beat New Super Mario Bros. U without collecting a single coin, and that very same player went on to attempt a Super Mario Odyssey completion
February2019
Video A Look At Pokémon Snap's Cut Stages, Pokémon, Sequel Ideas And More
"Wonderful!"
Pokémon Snap stands out as one of the most memorable experiences on the Nintendo 64, especially if you're a fan of Game Freak's hugely popular monster-catching franchise, and was also one of the best-selling games for the system, too. It would appear that a considerable amount of content was cut from the final version of the game,...
January2019
News Unreleased N64 Game Dragon Sword Might Finally Be Completed 20 Years Later
Source code acquired
Around 1997-98, a hack-and-slash game under the name Dragon Sword was in development for the Nintendo 64. Sadly, it was never completed, and players never got to see it as it was truly intended, but that might be about to change. The game was originally being created by Team Storm at Interactive Studios, the team behind 1998...
News These N64 Spine Labels Are The Perfect Way To Organise Your Game Collection
Nintendo Sixty-phwoar
The Nintendo 64's wonderful library of games is pleasingly easy to store at home, with each cartridge fitting snuggly alongside one another and comfortably lining whatever box or shelf you decide to place them on. Of course, thanks to the fact that only their fronts have any artwork, it's frustratingly impossible to know which...
November2018
Feature Remembering Zelda: Ocarina of Time, 20 Years Later
A story of the best game ever made
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time turns 20 years old today. It's older than this site; in fact, it's older than most gaming sites. Despite its age, Ocarina's influence can be found in games big and small to this day. It's also still the highest rated game of all time according to Metacritic. It's still an...
October2018
Video The Nintendo 64 Classic Mini "Leak" is Completely Fake
"I would bet money that this isn't real"
If you keep up to date with the latest happenings in the world of Nintendo, you might have seen a few photos doing the rounds over the weekend of a supposed Nintendo 64 Classic Mini. It's the device that is expected to succeed the incredibly popular mini versions of the NES and Super Nintendo. After a closer...
Random This Unreal Version Of GoldenEye 007 Aims To Recreate Rare's Iconic FPS
Releasing in 2022
Rare's beloved 1997 Nintendo 64 classic GoldenEye 007 might be stuck in licensing limbo, but that won't stop the modding community from trying to revitalise the iconic first-person shooter. For years now, GoldenEye: Source - a fan mod available through Valve's Steam service - has allowed players to live out their old-school...
September2018
News Last Year's N64 Trademark Has Finally Been Approved, N64 Mini On The Way?
Things are looking promising
Back in July 2017, we reported on the fact that Nintendo had recently filed a trademark application for the Nintendo 64 controller in Europe, leaving fans dreaming of the possibilities of an upcoming Nintendo 64 Mini console. Now, new information has come to light which shows that the trademark has finally been accepted,...
July2018
Video Here's How Super Mario 64 Looks Running At 60fps In Widescreen HD
"Wahoo!"
If you've ever wondered what Super Mario 64 might look like if it could be played in widescreen HD, running at a silky smooth 60fps, today is your lucky day. Kaze Emanuar, who spends a lot of his time tinkering away at Super Mario 64 - including this mod project which introduces Sonic as a playable character - has been working
Random Toys R Us Employee Finds A Mario Kart 64 Box Hidden Under A Shelf
Dusty, but intact
Much like here in the UK, long-serving toy retailer Toys R Us is shutting its stores across North America. The worldwide chain also used to stock video games, and one employee just happened to stumble across a box that presumably fell down beneath some shelves back in the '90s. A box for none other than Mario Kart 64. Dusty (and...
May2018
News Nintendo Applies For New N64 Trademark - Is Another Classic Edition On The Way?
It's only a matter of time, right?
With the NES and SNES Classic Editions proving to be commercially successful, it's almost inevitable that Nintendo will produce another 'recooked' version of one of its vintage platforms. Given that Nintendo Co., Ltd. has just applied for an N64 trademark in Japan, one might assume that the 64-bit console...
February2018
News Lost N64 Title 40 Winks Is Resurrected Thanks To Kickstarter
No, you're not dreaming
Back in 1998, Eurocom began work on a 3D platformer called 40 Winks which allowed you to enter a world of dreams and transform into a wide range of different characters. Sadly, when publisher GT Interactive began to haemorrhage cash the N64 version of 40 Winks - which was eventually released on PlayStation and is known in...
December2017
Random These N64 Box Art Covers Have Not Aged Well
In fact, most of them looked terrible at the time
We've all got plenty of fond memories of Nintendo 64 - which is why we're excited for the inevitable N64 Mini and its third-party friends - but that doesn't mean we look back on every game with a smile. In fact, just thinking about some those box art covers makes us a little queasy. Over on N64...
News Hyperkin Has Created A Prototype Portable Nintendo 64 Mini
But it may not enter production, before you get too excited
Accessories maker Hyperkin is apparently working on a portable Nintendo 64 system. The news comes from Hyperkin Senior Account Manager Ramon Navos-Moral, who (rather foolishly, it should be said) posted the following images of a functioning prototype system on his Facebook page: The...
November2017
Rumour Buster The Nintendo 64 Classic Mini Game List 'Leak' is a Batch of Old PDF Files
So, erm, calm down
If we were to bet on whether the big N will produce a Nintendo 64 Classic / Mini in the next couple of years, we'd put our money on that happening. The success of the NES and SNES models has clearly got the company's attention, as it's been putting effort into distributing decent stock for the latest system and is preparing to...
September2017
News Fan-Made 'Super Mario 64 Online' Released
Mario 64 times 24 players
In a move that is sure to turn quite a few heads both inside and outside of Nintendo's legal department, the fan-made Super Mario 64 Online has been released by Kaze Emanuar. After an extended test period, the author deemed the current build ready for public consumption, and you can check the release trailer below...
August2017
News A Nintendo 64 Die Hard Prototype Has Been Preserved
"Yippee-Ki-Yay, Nintendo 64!"
Video game archaeologists can rejoice, because Assembler Games forum user 10ahu has dumped and released the three known working prototypes of the infamous Die Hard 64, a game that would try to give the revered GoldenEye 007 a run for its bullets. Canned mid-development by Fox Interactive, this Bits Studios-developed...
News 'Next Gen Nintendo 64 Controller' from Retro Fighters Smashes Kickstarter Target
Good news for those preserving their originals
When it comes to Nintendo's rich gaming history, there's little doubt that the Nintendo 64 holds a special place in many gamers' hearts. It delivered games that were revolutionary for the time, and it has an iconic look that's hard to forget. The controllers, particularly the analogue stick,...
June2017
News Congratulations Nintendo 64, You're A Proper Grown-Up Now
The classic system turns 21 today
It's a day of anniversaries today it seems, not only does Sonic The Hedgehog turn 26, but it is also a whopping 21 years since the Nintendo 64 was released in its native territory of Japan. Launched on 23rd June 1996, the N64 served as a landmark moment in Nintendo's history as a video game manufacturer, mainly...
Video Let's See How Super Mario Odyssey's Mechanics Work in this Super Mario 64 Rom Hack
Photoshopped eyes courtesy of Banjo-Kazooie
Super Mario 64 is arguably one of the most heavily modified retro games to date, and as soon as Super Mario Odyssey's deeper mechanics were shown off at E3, notable rom-hacker Kaze Emanuar set to work injecting these features into the classic N64 title. We decided to take it for a test-run to see what can...
March2017
Random Someone Turned a Dead Nintendo 64 Into a Funky Retro Switch Dock
Woah, 64-bit docking?
The Nintendo Switch dock is a nifty little solution for the system's key gimmick, with its near-instant conversion of the console's image to a TV and vice-versa when the tablet is removed. Presuming you're relatively careful with it and you're not one of a small number that ended up with a defective unit, it does the job...
News The Nintendo 64 Is 20 Years Old Today In Europe And Australia
That's right, you're old
Here's another anniversary to make you feel older - the much-loved Nintendo 64 is celebrating its 20th birthday today in Europe and Australia. Released in June 1996 in Japan and September 1996 in North America, eager Euro gamers would have to exercise patience once again as the N64 launched on 1st March, 1997 in Europe...
August2016
Discuss What Next For The Nintendo 64?
#N64Memories' Steven Smith asks the question
Considering the Nintendo 64 is a twenty-year-old console, the title of this piece may seem odd. However, I personally think there is a potential future for the N64's hardware and software. We are currently in an important period for the console – 2016 and 2017 mark its twentieth birthday, depending on...
May2016
Video Check Out a Surprisingly Simple Nintendo 64 Anti-Aliasing Hack
You just need a GameShark cart and your wits
The Nintendo 64 enthusiast scene is one of the most interesting (to us, anyway) in retro circles, as fans find ways to improve the classic system. The focus, often, is on visual quality - mods and tricks that can help the early 3D graphics shine. Back in October last year we shared a video by My Life in...
March2016
News Synthwave Artists Celebrate N64's 20th Anniversary with Free Music Compilation
Two decades "synth" Nintendo's 64-bit powerhouse released
This June marks an important occasion in Nintendo history: the 20th anniversary of Nintendo's first 3D home video game system, the Nintendo 64, which released in Japan on 23 June 1996. To mark this momentous occasion, a group of artists has released a free unofficial synthwave compilation of...
October2015
News Apparent Prototype of Unreleased N64 Game Found at UK Sale
Getting Freak Boy on
Sometimes fate isn't on the side of game concepts and their makers. An idea might just not pan out, or get caught in a vicious cycle of corporate choices. The latter, according to an article at Unseen 64, happened to "Freak Boy," a prospective N64 title that was under development by Zono Incorporated and Burst Studio. Virgin,...
News A Prototype Cartridge For an Unreleased N64 Shmup Recently Sold for $3,000
Buyer shares first footage of the game since Space World 1999
It seems that game collectors will go to extraordinary lengths to ensure that their collection is virtually peerless. Be it traveling across the world or spending an enormous sum of money for an obscure piece, it's somewhat inspiring to see someone who's so absolutely dedicated to the...
June2015
News Fans Are Creating A Brand-New Quest For The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina Of Time
It's called Third Quest
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time is a game that speaks, well, volumes. The revolutionary 3D entry to the Zelda series has led to the game holding its own to this day, encouraging replay value for copious amounts of reasons. Aside from receiving a beautiful 3DS remake in 2011, it has fired-up the competition in the world...
April2015
Video The Nintendo 64 Kid Is Taking Unboxing To The Next Level For Taco Bell
"Nintendo Sixty-Foooooooooour!"
Remember Brandon Kuzma, AKA The Nintendo 64 kid? He got rather excited about his shiny new Nintendo 64 console back in 1998, and when YouTube arrived a few years later, became something of a celebrity. He's now harnessing that power by starring in a commercial for Taco Bell's Steak DoubleDilla. His sister Rachel is...
March2015
Gallery This Custom Mario Party N64 is a Sight for Sore Eyes
The analogue joysticks will still burn your palms, though
Mario Party 10 isn't far away, arriving in the West - along with the Super Mario amiibo range - on 20th March. Its minigames have come a long way from the days of destroying Nintendo 64 analogue sticks; waggle, pointing and gyroscopic movement and aiming are now more common. For some it's a...
January2015
Feature The Making of Wetrix and Its Route to Nintendo 64
How the Pickford Bros' creative little puzzler made a huge splash
Time hasn't been kind to the memory of the Nintendo 64. While it was extremely well received upon its release 18 years ago, and still holds a special place in the hearts of many gamers, it signalled a turning point in Nintendo's history. The company's controversial decision to opt for...
November2014
Nintendo 64x64 The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time
One game to Hyrule them all...
The most hyped game the N64 ever received was a heavenly gaming spectacle. The franchise leapt across to 3D glitch-free, providing everything that was already loved: a franchise-traditional story, dungeons, longevity and challenge. The game's engine, controls and camera were perfect and allowed us to be immersed in...
Nintendo 64x64 Rocket: Robot on Wheels
Unfairly overshadowed by its high-profile counterparts, Rocket: Robot on Wheels is one of the best 3D platformers available for the N64. Physics-based gameplay and a futuristic theme park setting provide the basis for seven different game worlds, each filled to the brim with challenging platforming segments and hugely inventive puzzles -- the...
Psygnosis could've released a port / rehash but us Nintendo 64 gamers were treated to an exclusive: delivering the best of the franchise at that time. Seven tracks were people's negative but quality was important here – mastering them on Phantom tested the pros; varied challenges kept the one-player interested. The signature soundtrack didn't...
October2014
A divisive DK outing where the character's transition to 3D split fans' opinions. Plot, graphics, locations, and handling all do a DK game justice and are not faulted. However, it suffers from over-collectablitus, causing some tedious gameplay. DKC games had an addictive simplicity - offering challenge in a far more rewarding way which is lost...
Combining Tetris with terraforming isnÂ’t your usual recipe for making a video game. Nevertheless, the Pickford Bros. managed to take these elements and merge them into the creative tour de force that was Wetrix. A thrilling 3D puzzler in which you attempt to create lakes to contain a never ending flood of water; it's remarkable just how tense the...
RareÂ’s follow-up to Banjo-Kazooie didnÂ’t arrive on the N64 with quite the same amount of impact as that of its first 3D platformer, but it nevertheless an impressive, and one which drew much critical acclaim. Banjo-Tooie is an even bigger game that achieves a number of technical feats, such as long draw distances and real-time shadows, without...
Taking everything that made ISS64 a true next-generation football game, ISS 98 went far further, solidifying its reputation as the best football game on the N64. Its arcade style stands the test of time with fluid controls and ISS64Â’s bugs eradicated. Tournaments / scenarios allow immense enjoyment alone but multiplayer is where it truly shines...
As a rally racer, TGR was not alone on the N64. Yet it stood shoulders above the competition. Its copious variables really added longevity; taking time to become skilled enough to be an expert, whether racing in snow or choosing the right suspension. Graphically impressive with excellent course layouts and locations: Strip Mine a personal...
Nintendo 64x64 Jet Force Gemini
Rare again with another original title: wonderful visuals, addictive gameplay and atmospheric soundtrack. You're the JFG team, attempting to thwart antagonist Mizar and his insect army. As a third-person shooter, it showed another string to Rare's bow and was very popular. Personally, a least-favourite Rare N64 outing, having awkward controls and...
Nintendo 64x64 Turok: Rage Wars
Amongst four Turok games, Rage Wars is only for the purest Turok fan. Essentially, itÂ’s a multiplayer-only game: lots of game options, characters, weapons and levels make for great battling. Single-player is weak compared to canonical Turok games, with its most redeeming feature being Co-op mode; although, subsequently bettered by Perfect Dark...
In the 3D age, this took Tetris to the next logical stage. By matching shapes, you break into a sphere to (e.g.) rescue that which is trapped inside. Graphically, it sensibly wasnÂ’t overcomplicated, further accompanied by superb music score. Highly addictive in single and multiplayer modes, as all puzzle games should be. Despite this, still parts...
Nintendo 64x64 Super Smash Bros
It may feature a limited number of characters and stages compared to later instalments, but Super Smash Bros. packed one hell of a punch when it landed in 1999. It feels a tad sluggish today, but the brawl 'em up's arena style gameplay system stills offers an addictive and frantic multiplayer experience. The merging of different Nintendo universes...
Nintendo 64x64 Shadows of the Empire
At the time, a decent addition to the Star Wars franchise despite its failings being magnified up against Mario 64. Level locations, atmosphere, music capture the Star Wars universe well. Personally, too many third-person platform levels: the game needed more variety. These levels are clunky and some overly long. Bosses can also be unnecessarily...
Nintendo 64x64 The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask
A Link To The Mask
Releasing another same-platform entry following up the greatest game the N64 had seen was bold by Nintendo. Its two new gameplay mechanics, time travel and the use of masks, were simple at heart yet utterly integral in creating a sublime, more interesting, and darker world than Hyrule. It retained everything exquisite about OoT...
What a treasure
Few N64 games manage to come close to delivering the sheer amount of chaotic action that Bakuretsu Muteki Bangaioh delivers in droves. A Japanese exclusive, this 2D shoot ‘em up majestically -- and intentionally -- puts both the player and the console through their paces; the hundreds of projectiles and enemies on screen at any one...
Say Cheese
Off-beat and remarkably novel, it’s surprising just how well Pokémon Snap works as a concept. In this snap ‘em up, you trade in your Pokéballs for a trusty camera, with which you have to take the best Pokémon portraits possible. Sporting delightful environments and plenty of secrets to keep you coming back, it’s still one of the...
Mario Kart on snow
Racdym's cute and vibrant snowboarding-themed racing game is one that's unfairly drowned out by the perpetual, yet understandable noise that surrounds its more popular counterparts, Mario Kart 64 and Diddy Kong Racing. Incorporating a remarkably balanced offensive / defensive power-up system and a nifty stunt system that feeds...
Nintendo 64x64 007 The World is not Enough
Christmas only comes once a year
No beating around the bush here; Eurocom produced a Goldeneye clone of epic, almost plagiaristic, proportions. Yet if one ignores this, TWINE is still an enjoyable FPS: objectives vary and increase with difficulty; AI is decent; locations represent the film faithfully; and itÂ’s well-animated throughout. A return to...
Nintendo 64x64 Pokémon Stadium
THE PRE-BATTLE HAS BEGUN!
Transferring data between games is a common feature nowadays, but in 1999 it was a huge deal for Pokémon fans who could finally see their favourite creatures battle it out in 3D. The pure focus on battling -- with various rule sets to choose from -- makes for a change of pace from the Game Boy original. The mini-games,...
Operation Alien Overlord
A valiant console port of a PC classic, Quake II on the N64 comes with an original campaign and four-player multiplayer. The latter is where the game truly shines, providing a quicker and much deadlier arena shooter experience than competing titles on the system. It excels in terms of technical performance -- notably the...
Hey, Mario! We got a letter from Princess Peach!
It may possess a paper-thin aesthetic, but Paper Mario's biggest success is that it adds considerable depth to what is historically a story-weak franchise. The puzzles may be a little on the simple side, but otherwise this is a rich and fulfilling RPG experience -- something which is quite hard to...
Nintendo 64x64 Conker's Bad Fur Day
One mean %&*@% Squirrel…
Only Rare could have taken the cutesy adventure platformer genre and so masterfully warped it into such an hilariously offensive and beautifully vulgar gameplay experience. Enter Conker, a binge-drinking squirrel, whose walk home from the pub quickly turns into an adventure of inappropriate and scatological proportions...
Par 4
One of Mario GolfÂ’s biggest successes is its intuitive and simple interface; itÂ’s easy for anyone to play, making it a title that appeals even to those who donÂ’t show any enthusiasm for the real-life sport. Featuring a good number of playable characters; varied and challenging courses; and connectivity with the Game Boy Color version,...
Nintendo 64x64 Mystical Ninja 2 Starring Goemon
Goemon returns!
The follow-up to Goemon's first 3D outing trades the free-roaming environments of its predecessor for a tighter and far more challenging 2.5 experience. The game comes with a two-player cooperative mode, which also extends to the series' renowned giant robot battles. Of particular note is the fantastic music, which merges traditional...
Near Perfect?
The Messi of FPSs: sublime graphics, gameplay, longevity, multiplayer. Goldeneye was tough to follow but the freedom of originality allowed Rare to let their creativity loose: Co-op mode; superb array of weapons; using Miyamoto's face (!) are some of my favourites. So why do I prefer Goldeneye? To me, it reinvented FPSs; Perfect Dark...
Nintendo 64x64 Mission: Impossible
"should you choose to accept it"
Best enjoyed without the obvious comparison with other movie tie-ins. Don't judge on the poor opening two levels; they're far more engaging and complex as it progresses, plus unlocking levels like Terminal Room is immensely rewarding. Its strength is the stealth elements of the game, although unfortunately hindered...
Nintendo 64x64 WCW/nWo Revenge
"Fighting Game of the Year"
The best WCW game ever and only bettered by THQ's very own No Mercy. The game engine was the best a wrestling game ever had; simple controls to use, with scope to hone and perfect for expert status. It had a fantastic roster, all WCW arenas and competition for every belt. Revenge should have had a proper create-a-player...
Acclaim Entertainment took the successes and failures of its original first-person shooter for N64 and used them to influence the creation of a sequel that was superior in virtually every single way. The campaign mode is much more tightly designed, although getting lost is still quite easy at times. When played using an Expansion Pak, the game...
Nintendo 64x64 Sin & Punishment
A real gem from the legendary shmup factory that is Treasure, Sin & Punishment delivers a consistently action-packed experience from start to finish. A Japanese exclusive that finally saw an international release through the Wii Virtual Console in 2007, the combination of ranged and melee combat results in a varied gameplay experience. The story is...
Nintendo 64x64 Space Station Silicon Valley
ItÂ’s hard to believe that SSSV was created by the team that would go on to develop Grand Theft Auto III; quirky, playful and downright bizarre in tone, yet remarkably fun as a result. Playing as a crawling microchip, you must commandeer various robotic animals to defeat enemies and solve exceptionally creative puzzles in a futuristic amusement...
Nintendo 64x64 Mickey Speedway USA
Rare's spiritual follow-up to Diddy Kong Racing didn't contain quite the same level of magic and charm -- surprising given its Disney setting. Nevertheless, Mickey's Speedway USA achieves on a technical level, sporting a mostly consistent frame rate and tight track design to boot. The multiplayer mode is a worthwhile alternative to more popular...
Nintendo 64x64 Mischief Makers
2D on 3D platforms is risky. Mischief Makers shows how to get it right: by being utterly unique. Immediately surreal, youÂ’re Marina; a robot on a quest to save her creator..! You jump, shake and throw your way through levels and worlds, and this simple premise is variedly combined to offer many types of level. 2D but nothing like you played on the...
Imagine the fast-paced gameplay of Quake, throw in some futuristic hover vehicles and you've pretty much got Forsaken. Perhaps the most impressive aspect of this game is the incredible sense of speed you move at, although this quickly disappears with three other players also firing off various high-tech weapons. The campaign doesn't provide quite...
September2014
Nintendo 64x64 Killer Instinct Gold
Wisely held back from the Snes; giving gamers a further reason for a N64. Subsequently, better fighters did arrive but this became one to saviour as Rare never produced its own sequel. Instantly, the killer soundtrack stands out as well as great backgrounds, fresh new characters and team battles. Pitched perfectly to novices and experts; a rare...
The best F-Zero
F-Zero had abundant stand-out features, leaving even the strong competition tailing. Although graphically divisive, fans hailed Nintendo for capturing the Snes essence - choosing speed and frame rate over unnecessary graphical overhaul. Persevere with completion - the ground breaking random track generator ensures longevity almost...
Nintendo 64x64 Gauntlet Legends
While a multiplatform release, the N64 version of Gauntlet Legends benefited greatly from the system's four built-in controller ports. Ported over from the arcade, Gauntlet Legends' simplistic hack n' slash gameplay makes it accessible to players of all skill levels. It's a solid, button-bashing adventure which is best enjoyed with three friends...
Nintendo 64x64 F1 World Grand Prix
Solid racer but one only suitable for the niche F1 gamer, not a casual lover of the racing genre. The F1 'feel' is realistic and racing from the bumpy cockpit view is awesome. Accurate track layouts yet backgrounds are dull and racing them doesn't engage like a F-Zero or MK64 track. Advice: conquer the challenges but turn down that incessant...
18 years on and the wave physics still mightily impress; capturing the essence of jet skiing is WR64's finest achievement, yet not its sole one. Firstly, eight tracks that are so well-constructed the replay value moves into decade three. Secondly, it's immensely challenging - myself yet to win at expert! If the PAL version hadn't suffered and...
At a popular period for futuristic racers, Extreme-G was certainly not ground breaking... nor terrible either. Pace is extreme indeed; developers allowing this by misting the upcoming track, luckily not spoiling your ability to race. Admirable scenery (dystopian industries, Aztec past / future fusions) and fitting soundtrack rescue it because track...
Excitebike 64 serves as yet another prime example of Nintendo's sheer mastery when it comes to developing technical racing games. A fully 3D sequel to the NES classic, this title requires players to pay particular attention to the topography of tracks. Features some of the best quality visuals and audio on the N64, although Hi-Res mode comes at the...
Rescue you he will not dare, there's many dangers in my lair!
Its Mario 64 comparison was always inevitable and which is better is divisive. BK's biggest strengths lie in its 'Rareness': game engine crafted excellently; splendidly contrasting worlds of increasing challenge; Grunty's surprise quiz; and Rare's unique humour injection. Does it have...
Nintendo 64x64 Beetle Adventure Racing
Arcade-style racing from the creative minds behind N64 launch title, Pilotwings 64. What makes Beetle Adventure Racing so enjoyable is that it feels fast and doesnÂ’t punish you too much when you make mistakes. It looks pretty good too, with its decent lighting effects and accurate VW Beetle models. The multiplayer battle mode makes for a nice...
Nintendo 64x64 Mystical Ninja Starring Goemon
Your friendly neighbourhood ninja
A platforming adventure that takes place across Feudal Japan, Mystical Ninja Starring Goemon focuses on a kiseru-wielding hero and his friends trying to prevent the country from being turned into a westernised fine arts theatre. Rich in Japanese folklore, yet stuffed with anachronisms such as giant robots, the...
On target
Released alongside the N64, Pilotwings 64 delivered a sense of scale and open-world exploration that easily rivalled that of Super Mario 64. While it may not have been as revolutionary, it arguably did a better job of showcasing one of the N64's major unique selling points: the analog joystick, which provides a level of precision that...
Nintendo 64x64 Chameleon Twist
Chameleon Twist is the game that Yoshi's Story should have been. Playing as an anthropomorphised chameleon, you're tasked with traversing a range of 3D environments, using your character's remarkably long tongue to reach otherwise inaccessible places and defeat enemies. An innovative idea that uses the control stick to its strengths, and one which...
Quite the smash
It wasn't the portly plumber's first outing on the virtual court, but Mario Tennis was nevertheless the first smash-hit in the franchise. The simple control input is easy to understand, yet allows for advanced techniques too; the control sticks enhances accuracy greatly. The single-player tournament mode is a bit drawn and...
Nintendo 64x64 BattleTanx: Global Assault
Madison's Militia
BattleTanx: Global Assault is one of those games that deserved far more attention than it actually got. Incorporating fast-paced gameplay based around tank warfare, the game's sense of scale and all-out action is surprising for an N64 title. The campaign mode is a tad repetitive, although more enjoyable when played cooperatively;...
They see me cruis'n...
An arcade port that never used the N64's true capabilities and looked easily at home on a PSOne with its pop-up cardboard scenery. Although there are finer racers on the system, it's an enjoyable arcade-style racer: plenty of tracks with recognisable locations, and unlockable cars. It's slightly average but as a Brit who's...
"Mr. Diaz, a synthetic human hybrid created by aliens"
Hybrid Heaven was certainly an ambitious game from Konami and felt widely ignored at a time of MGSs, Final Fantasies, and Zeldas. It deserves praise for trying to revolutionise the norm: a unique battle system; an outlandish plot; claustrophobic playing areas rife. Faults? Much like M:I and SOTE...
An exclusive to the console in what is a relatively small-scale franchise, Doom 64 has been unfavourably compared to Rare's masterpieces when it's a great FPS in its own right. An abundance of well-designed levels, monsters, secrets, and weaponry is wonderfully coupled by the haunting soundtrack and dark, atmospheric scenery. This is still a joy to...
Nintendo 64x64 Diddy Kong Racing
Despite obvious comparisons to Mario Kart 64, DKR was a unique experience: platformer elements (explorable world, bosses and collectable items) were unique for its time, ensuring one-player longevity. Three vehicle types presented new areas already explored / raced. Vibrant storybook colours may have put off mature gamers but many challenges and...
Stop the evil Herd Army!
Featuring the most annoying theme song to have ever graced the medium, Buck Bumble is an aerial combat game in which radioactive waste has transformed the insect world into a high-tech war zone. Playing as a gun-wielding bumblebee, the task of completing garden-based objectives is unusually appealing, yet a lack of polish --...
Nintendo 64x64 Star Wars: Rogue Squadron
I'm Hit! Rear shields down!
Taking everything that is loved about the grand battles of the original Star Wars trilogy -- the dogfights, the scale and the classic theme of good versus evil -- Star Wars: Rogue Squadron delivers an authentic aerial action experience with its own bespoke storyline. Produced with astonishingly high production values --...
Do a barrel roll!
Nintendo: excellent decision. Ditch Starwing 2 and go for a next-gen sequel. Lylat Wars delivers on many fronts. Corneria is a perfect opener - capturing StarwingÂ’s feel yet graphically upgraded. From then on levels are superbly varied: corridor levels, dogfights, numerous routes to Venom based on mission success. Not just a...
A hugely underappreciated gem, Body Harvest was DMA DesignÂ’s (later Rockstar North) first attempt at a 3D open-world game. Playing as a genetically enhanced super-soldier, you must travel across time and thwart a race of sinister aliens before they can harvest mankind. Ambitious, yet buggy and lacking in polish, Body Harvest is greater than the...
It didn't sit well with purists at the time, but Bomberman's first outing in 3D was nevertheless a valiant effort on Hudson Soft's part to ensure its explosive star remained relevant in gaming. To its credit, the single-player mode delivers an engaging experience based around puzzles and exploration; the multiplayer, however, fails to retain the...
Aside from being the first release in Nintendo's long-running party game series, Mario Party's biggest claim to fame is its stick-spinning mini-games, which left many eager players with blisters on their palms. The series may have come a long way since 1999, but this title nevertheless features a diverse range of timeless mini-games and every...
A divisive first foray into 3D for the franchise as it suffers from mixed fortunes. The feel of 2D versions was captured well through music, locations, enemies and plot. Its controls are quite tight and graphically impressive. ItÂ’s a challenge; albeit, for the wrong reasons. Certain areas, bosses and gameplay choices leave one extremely...
Revered as the N64's favourite football game despite (in technical terms) not being the best. Yes, it had bugs, no FIFA licence and comedic commentary but ISS64 shone because it was the ground breaking next-gen football game. Gameplay bettered FIFA 64, multiplayer so addictive it caused sleep deprivation and, solo, it still had scenarios that kept...
Few games outside of the horror genre get the heart pounding quite like Rare's Blast Corps does. ItÂ’s a race against the clock: playing as a demolitions expert, you must clear a path for a nuclear missile carrier that's out of control -- not too much pressure then! The range of real-life and absurd fictional vehicles on offer ensures that...
Nintendo 64x64 1080° Snowboarding
Almost Wave Race on snow; 1080° recreates the feel of snowboarding via the realistic sound effects and beautiful backdrops. The developers have worked hard to create engaging, differentiated tracks despite the constriction of snow. To master the game, time needs to be invested in learning the tracks but the true fun of the game is pulling off...
Celebrating 64 Nintendo 64 games over 64 days in 64 words
Today we bring you something a little different, Nintendo 64x64 - a collaboration project between @N64Memories and Nintendo Life. Now, if you've been a reader of Nintendo Life for a while you'll no doubt be aware that some of our team are huge Nintendo 64 fans, so you can imagine their...
August2014
News Sean Bean Declares His Head is 'A Bit Square' in GoldenEye on N64
But he's Bean a fan for a long time
In a recent 'ask me anything' (AMA) on Reddit, Sean Bean confessed his admiration for the N64 classic Goldeneye 007, but also made reference to how polygonally-handicapped his head appeared. Oh, it's good, it's great! Especially because it's so popular, it's like, quite unique really. It was such a big hit. But...
June2014
News The Nintendo 64 is Now 18 Years Old in Japan
Finally old enough to run Conker's Bad Fur Day
Time flies when you're having fun, especially for those of us who grew up spending excessive amounts of time playing GoldenEye 007 and Mario Kart 64. That's because the Nintendo 64 was released a whopping 18 years ago today in its native territory of Japan. Released on 23 June 1996, the N64 served as a...
Nintendo 64 - Features
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