Each Nintendo Change On-line N64 Recreation Ranked

29. 1080° Snowboarding (N64)

A sport which teaches the rewards of dedication and perseverance. Profitable the race may seem like the purpose of the sport, however the actual objective is there within the title — pulling a 1080°. It took a few of us years, however we saved at it and — increase! — lastly, we nailed it.

The velocity and precision are paired with lovely visuals, with daylight glistening off the piste and snow spraying up behind your board. 1080° Snowboarding’s body charge suffered accordingly, however its delicate controls enabled you to sharpen up shallow turns and gracefully arc throughout the course; coupled with these visuals, it conveyed that feeling of freedom and velocity you get from the real-life sport.

While you’re not falling in your arse, that’s.

28. Pokémon Stadium (N64)

Pokémon Stadium was a revolutionary step up for the monster-catching franchise, and that is not simply as a result of the truth that we bought to see all 151 critters in full-fledged 3D.

The inclusion of the GB Tower, in addition to permitting gamers to expertise Pokémon characters in enjoyable new methods via minigames and the Pokémon Lab, felt remarkably recent and provided a brand new perspective on our repository of ‘mons.

Certain, the battling can get a bit repetitive and prolonged, however the superior visuals, animations, and commentary might help maintain this from turning into mundane. When you’re taking part in this on NSO, you are after all restricted to rental groups, however there’s loads to like right here should you’re an OG fan. And the Lickitung sushi minigame is ace.

27. Jet Power Gemini (N64)

An underrated entry within the Rareware library, Jet Power Gemini coupled cute design with chunky, gungy third-person blasting in a world-hopping quest to defeat insectoid overlord Mizar.

Juno, Vela and trusty good boy Lupus’ journey will not be with out flaws, however JFG is a surprisingly deep and satisfying one which’s price investigating should you’re a Uncommon fan in search of gems that handed you by across the flip of the millennium.

26. Turok 2: Seeds of Evil (N64)

Turok 2: Seeds of Evil was a technical showcase for the system which took the baton from the immensely in style first sport and upped the ante in each attainable means.

Highlights embrace the Growth Pak-powered 640×480 decision visuals and the long-lasting Cerebral Bore, a gun that fired a brain-drilling bullet when you locked onto an enemy’s melon.

Along with its NSO iteration, Acclaim’s sport is offered on Change in remastered kind courtesy of Nightdive Studios. Neither of those variations come on a kickass black cartridge, sadly.

25. Pilotwings 64 (N64)

Pilotwings 64 was an excellent launch title for the system which showcased its options and offered gamers with a stunning flight sim journey — one thing worthy of taking part in alongside the mighty Tremendous Mario 64.

It proved to be a diverting companion piece for early adopters which constructed on the Tremendous NES authentic with gameplay equal elements tense and enjoyable. Cracking sport.

24. Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards (N64)

In Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards, HAL Laboratory managed to maintain the core construction many knew and beloved concerning the Kirby sequence whereas glossing it up with a shiny coat of polygonal paint for the brand new console era.

Kirby’s 64-bit foray into the third dimension (effectively, kinda — it is 2.5D, or on-rails 3D, should you want) stands out as one of many extra distinctive entries within the sequence, feeling considerably recent compared to the numerous, many 2D Kirby platformers and nonetheless pleasurable to play to today.

23. Harvest Moon 64 (N64)

As with most entries on this farm sim sequence, let its mild cycle of farm work and soil-based simulation seep into you and Harvest Moon 64 has the potential to suck hours and days out of your life.

It is hardly a technical tour-de-force, however tending livestock, stitching seeds, harvesting your crops and placing up a relationship does not require huge {hardware} horsepower, and the sequence’ 64-bit entry is as engrossing as any.

22. Blast Corps (N64)

Blast Corps includes clearing a path for a slow-moving truck carrying a malfunctioning nuclear missile to a secure detonation zone — a zone which is blocked by buildings and different buildings ripe for destruction.

As with many 64-bit titles, its early polygonal visuals are arguably wanting slightly dogged today, however do not let its appears to be like put you off. This extremely foolish idea makes for a Uncommon gem and some of the enjoyable video games on the N64.

21. Mario Celebration (N64)

The sport that bought the Celebration began. Mario Celebration kicked issues off raucously and with out it, we would not have the ability to maintain holding essentially the most almighty of Nintendo events at NL Towers.

Feuds which have lasted a lifetime might have spawned due to this sport again in 1998. Conspiracy theories that Nintendo created this sport solely to power the acquisition of further controllers after Aunt Susan and Uncle Stan destroyed your analogue sticks are spurious.

Mario Celebration’s slate of minigames actually shines, with Bumper Ball, Face Raise, and Mushroom Combine-Up serving to to cement a legacy that endures to today.

20. Rayman 2: The Nice Escape (N64)

A really robust 3D platformer from a time whenever you could not transfer for them, Rayman 2: The Nice Escape noticed Ubisoft’s gangly protagonist make the bounce from 2D in a vibrant journey that delivers virtually every little thing you can need from the style.

It is not fairly on the extent of Uncommon or Nintendo’s efforts, maybe, however it’s nonetheless a high quality, high quality sport up there with the easiest.

19. Pokémon Snap (N64)

Sitting in a car transferring alongside a set path as you’re taking images won’t seem to be a lot enjoyable, however Pokémon Snap shortly proves to be a extremely fulfilling, if short-lived, expertise.

The hunt to search out a couple of extra Pokémon or rating higher to open up new phases or get a helpful merchandise retains you engaged for the sport’s temporary length and the number of creatures and their actions retains issues attention-grabbing when replaying phases. There are solely 63 Pokémon to search out, and it may be cleared in a short time, however there’s loads of alternative for brand new and improved (or funnier) photographs with every playthrough.

The Change sequel might have far eclipsed this one, however Pokémon Snap’s inhabitants will certainly deliver a smile to your face.

18. Sin and Punishment (N64)

Avid gamers within the West would not have the ability to get their fingers on Treasure’s hectic N64 on-rails shooter (not simply, that’s — there was all the time the choice to import) till it got here to the Wii Digital Console.

On authentic launch it shortly turned a cult traditional due to its developer’s heritage and its Japan-only standing, and whereas it is most likely not price importing a Japanese console to get pleasure from this sport alone (we did, however we’re a bit obsessive) — and its sequel Sin and Punishment: Star Successor for Wii arguably improves on this basis in each means — that is nonetheless a really high quality shooter from a really high quality developer.

Cracking field artwork, too.

17. Mario Golf (N64)

Camelot introduced Mario and his {golfing} buddies onto the 3D fairways on this wonderful entry in his catalogue of sports activities video games. This sport additionally linked up with the superlative Mario Golf for Recreation Boy Colour. They’re very completely different video games, and the hand held model might be even higher due to its sensible RPG parts, however collectively they make an unbeatable pair.

After we’re disenchanted that later video games like Mario Golf: Tremendous Rush do not match the standard of older entries, it is Mario Golf that we’re remembering with a faraway wistful look in our eyes.

16. Pokémon Stadium 2 (N64)

The unique Pokémon Stadium was high quality, however Pokémon Stadium 2 expanded the idea of a 3D companion cartridge to play alongside the mainline Recreation Boy video games.

It included Pokémon from each the Johto and Kanto areas and provided some juicy extras should you owned the Recreation Boy entries (we pity whoever had a Pokémon Stadium sport with out proudly owning Blue, Purple, Yellow, Gold, or Silver!).

Solely within the soundtrack division did it arguably not stay as much as its predecessor, however in any other case this felt just like the ‘correct’ execution of the idea.

15. Mario Tennis (N64)

The primary within the Mario Tennis sequence (second, should you depend Mario’s Tennis for the Digital Boy) was one half of a successful doubles crew within the Mushroom Kingdom sports activities division from Camelot — the studio additionally launched the sensible Mario Golf for N64, in addition to Recreation Boy Colour variations of every sport that linked up with their house console cousins through the Switch Pak.

Mario’s performed loads of tennis through the years, however this stays one in every of his most interesting on-court shows.

14. Wave Race 64 (N64)

No matter you do, do not return and play Wave Race 64.

Its unimaginable water physics, tight controls, chunky visuals, and titanic brilliance will instantly have you ever degenerate right into a forum-lingering whinger and you will not have the ability to cease your self complaining concerning the absence of this sequence (and F-Zero, and 1080° Snowboarding) from Nintendo consoles for the reason that GameCube, and the way Nintendo hates its followers and does not need their cash, and the way the success of the Change means there’s area for these ‘lesser-known’ franchises to make a return, and the way we will not have good issues, and…

13. Mario Celebration 3 (N64)

The third and remaining fiesta thrown by Mario on the Nintendo 64, the Mario Celebration components was well-established by this level.

Hudson Gentle noticed no cause to alter it in any means or kick it up a gear past a brand new inflow of minigames, however that does not cease Mario Celebration 3 from being a quintessential entry within the sequence: a riot with a number of pals, and a soul-crushing grind for a lonely single participant… however why would anybody play Mario Celebration on their very own? Nicely, for the brand-new story mode after all!

Everyone knows the actual cause this locations as excessive because it does. No, it is not the actual fact you possibly can maintain three objects, however relatively that Daisy and Waluigi make their polished celebration debut. As the ultimate Mario sport to be launched on the N64 (besides in Australia), it was a darn good send-off.

12. Mario Kart 64 (N64)

Whereas the racers themselves won’t have been actually 3D (relatively they have been detailed Donkey Kong Nation-style sprites created from 3D character renders), Mario Kart 64’s large, undulating circuits nonetheless confirmed off the advantages of 64-bit {hardware}. It added inclines, objects, obstacles, and a four-player multiplayer mode to the successful components Nintendo cooked up on Tremendous NES. That is additionally the sport which gave us Toad’s Turnpike.

Every iteration of the Mario Kart sequence provides slightly one thing new, however following on from the flat circuits of Tremendous Mario Kart, there’s arguably been nothing fairly like this primary bounce to 3D-except-for-the-racers. Like several Mario Kart sport, add three pals and you will have an epic time very quickly.

11. Banjo-Tooie (N64)

Following the James Cameron college of thought for sequels, Banjo-Tooie takes a ‘extra is extra’ strategy, with bigger worlds, a number of minigames, an expanded moveset (together with new first-person sections), Mumbo Jumbo as a playable character, bosses, and a multiplayer mode, plus the flexibility to separate the dynamic duo at sure instances.

Though it arguably flirts with the kind of excesses that made Donkey Kong 64 really feel grindy at instances, it is a large, chewy sequel, and one which holds up very effectively all these years later — maybe due to a few a long time’ price of coaching within the large and interconnected open worlds of different video games.

Banjo-Tooie is crammed to the brim with the sequence’ trademark model of cheeky fairytale marvel and followers will discover a entire lot to like.

10. Mario Celebration 2 (N64)

Writer: Nintendo / Developer: Hudson

Launch Date: twenty fourth Jan 2000 (USA) / twelfth Oct 2000 (UK/EU)

Obtainable On: NSO + Growth Pack

There ain’t no celebration like a Mario Celebration, though he positive has thrown an terrible lot of them.

Of the three Hudson-developed minigame bonanzas that got here out on N64, Mario Celebration 2 is arguably the fan favorite. That is the place Battle, Merchandise, and Duel minigames bought their begin, and you can spend on a regular basis on the planet practising them earlier than you begin, so you possibly can make sure you’re prepped for celebration play.

Clearly, you may nonetheless want three pals to get essentially the most out of this, however the first sequel constructed on the muse of the unique and steered the sequence on a gentle course which now extends effectively into double figures. Even a long time on, it stands as probably the greatest celebration video games ever, and it is accessible on Change through the Nintendo Change On-line Growth Pack.

Simply watch these Pleasure-Con analogue sticks — they’re fragile at the most effective of instances!

9. F-Zero X (N64)

Writer: Nintendo / Developer: Nintendo EAD

Launch Date: twenty seventh Oct 1998 (USA) / sixth Nov 1998 (UK/EU)

Obtainable On: NSO + Growth Pack

Discussion board wars proceed to wage over whether or not F-Zero X or its successor on GameCube is the superior white-knuckle futuristic racer. Each are important, after all. The 64-bit entry is steel: pure, easy, guitar-screeching, all-out steel. EAD stripped again extraneous element to attain the smoothest, most blistering and nail-bitingly exact racing expertise.

At this velocity, on these dizzying tracks, even the tiniest prod on the spindly analogue stick issues, and the unique N64 pad presents peak precision for micro-adjustments which make the distinction between gracefully sweeping via a nook with nary a pixel to spare… or catching mentioned nook and ricocheting between limitations to an explosive, humiliating retirement.

How way more steel may this get? None. None extra steel. Flaming skulls and chromed bikes would truly scale back the steel content material of this sport.

8. Good Darkish (N64)

Writer: Uncommon / Developer: Uncommon

Launch Date: twenty second Could 2000 (USA) / thirtieth Jun 2000 (UK/EU)

Obtainable On: NSO + Growth Pack

An unimaginable follow-up to GoldenEye which threw in each concept the builders at Uncommon may muster (plus a kitchen sink or two), Good Darkish actually stretched the Nintendo 64 {hardware} and was arguably essentially the most bold sport on the console.

James Bond was by no means going to be a straightforward act to observe, however Joanna Darkish’s noir-ish sci-fi was pretty much as good a non secular sequel as you can hope to have — near good, the truth is — and practically two-and-a-half a long time on, it nonetheless stands as a exceptional achievement.

7. Paper Mario (N64)

Writer: Nintendo / Developer: Clever Methods

Launch Date: fifth Feb 2001 (USA) / fifth Oct 2001 (UK/EU)

Obtainable On: NSO + Growth Pack

Over twenty years later, Paper Mario won’t look as sharp because it as soon as did, however it holds up very effectively the place it issues and jostles with The Thousand-12 months Door for the title of ‘Finest Paper Mario Recreation’.

The N64 authentic does very effectively to ease Mario followers into a brand new model of journey whereas offering a depth for RPG players that you simply won’t count on from the paper-thin premise. With an ideal supporting forged and buckets of trademark Nintendo allure, the OG is up there with the most effective. Play it on Change should you missed out.

6. Star Fox 64 (N64)

Writer: Nintendo / Developer: Nintendo EAD

Launch Date: thirtieth Jun 1997 (USA) / twentieth Oct 1997 (UK/EU)

Obtainable On: NSO + Growth Pack

Often known as Lylat Wars in Europe, Star Fox 64 initially got here in a whopping nice field containing a Rumble Pak and was many a gamer’s introduction to power suggestions on console. It paired superbly with the cinematic battles and derring-do of Fox McCloud and his crew’s cinematic dogfighting on this on-rails shooter.

It is nonetheless a superb sport all these years later, with thrilling motion, delicate and exact controls, stirring music, humour, spectacle, and edge-of-your-seat pleasure. Certain, it is bought a surplus of Slippy Toad, however you possibly can’t have every little thing.

Whether or not you are having fun with it on authentic {hardware} or taking part in through the Nintendo Change On-line Growth Pack, a fast blast via this and it is clear to see why so many individuals suppose the Star Fox sequence peaked with its first sequel. It is not simply the nostalgia speaking — it actually holds up superbly a long time later.

5. Banjo-Kazooie (N64)

Writer: Nintendo / Developer: Uncommon

Launch Date: twenty ninth Jun 1998 (USA) / seventeenth Jul 1998 (UK/EU)

Obtainable On: NSO + Growth Pack

Rareware put out a number of platformers on Nintendo 64, every with their very own execs and cons, however the Twycross crew arguably by no means topped the debut of the bear and chicken. There’s one thing within the exact platforming and fairytale components of Banjo-Kazooie that resulted within the quintessential 3D collectathon.

It is large, however not sprawling; candy, however not sickly; difficult, however by no means unfair (okay, a few these Rusty Bucket Bay jiggys stroll a high quality line). From the roaming grublins to Mumbo Jumbo’s hilarious transformations, its vibrant characters and assorted worlds are shot via with humour, cute animation, tight controls, and an ‘oom-pah’ musical field soundtrack that nails the spirit of a cheeky storybook journey completely.

Mario 64 might need the sting in the case of status, invention, and affect — that is the one you vote for together with your head — however Banjo steals hearts. A completely sensible sport.

4. GoldenEye 007 (N64)

Writer: Nintendo / Developer: Uncommon

Launch Date: twenty fifth Aug 1997 (USA) / twenty fifth Aug 1997 (UK/EU)

Obtainable On: NSO + Growth Pack

The perfect film tie-in ever made? Not solely was Uncommon’s sport (which after a long time lastly broke out of its Nintendo 64-shaped cell onto Change and Xbox) massively influential on the console FPS style, however it additionally gave N64 house owners a correct ‘grownup’ expertise to sink their enamel into.

At a time when PlayStation was too cool for varsity, GoldenEye 007 offered some actual ammo within the console wars, and its four-player deathmatches — remarkably, a last-minute addition earlier than the sport went gold — led to among the finest multiplayer reminiscences we’ve, for any system. You Solely Dwell Twice>Bunker>Energy Weapons? How about Licence to Kill>Facility>Pistols?

We’re straightforward, however no matter you do, be sure you’ve bought ‘Sight ON Auto-Intention OFF’. And no Odd Job.

3. Tremendous Mario 64 (N64)

Writer: Nintendo / Developer: Nintendo EAD

Launch Date: twenty sixth Sep 1996 (USA) / 1st Mar 1997 (UK/EU)

Obtainable On: NSO + Growth Pack

The 3D platformer that outlined what that label meant, it is exceptional simply how a lot Shigeru Miyamoto and his crew bought proper with its first foray.

It feels easy, as if these mechanics have been someway self-evident or arrived at via pure evolution. Nintendo completely nailed the components from the very starting – a lot in order that the fundamental 3D template hasn’t actually modified a lot, even at the moment. We nonetheless management Mario a lot as we first did with that splendidly odd-looking N64 controller.

Tremendous Mario 64 is offered on Change should you nabbed a time-limited copy of Tremendous Mario 3D All-Stars or as a part of a Nintendo Change On-line Growth Pack subscription, and blather on endlessly about its genre-birthing mechanics, the way it set the stage for 3D gaming as we all know it, and the infinity of tiny particulars that make this a pleasure to fireplace up all these years later.

However you recognize all that. Do your self a favour and blast via a few dozen stars subsequent time you are pondering what to play. It nonetheless feels virtually pretty much as good because it did the very first time.

2. The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Masks (N64)

Writer: Nintendo / Developer: Nintendo EAD

Launch Date: twenty sixth Oct 2000 (USA) / seventeenth Nov 2000 (UK/EU)

Obtainable On: NSO + Growth Pack

Identified colloquially round these elements as Majora’s Marmite, the three-day cycle added a relentless strain that turned off many gamers. Nevertheless, that cycle can also be key to the distinctive means Majora’s Masks focuses on its forged of uncanny characters and soaks the journey in melancholy and insanity.

The truth is, ‘journey’ is not fairly the appropriate phrase for this Zelda sport. It is extra of a Lynchian dreamscape in cartridge kind, which is not for everybody. The wonderful 3DS remake is one of the best ways to play today due to some welcome additions for managing your restricted time, though the unique is conveniently accessible to play through Nintendo Change On-line.

Wherever you play, the clockwork land of Termina presents one thing actually distinctive within the Zelda sequence.

Oh, and we do not actually name it Majora’s Marmite.

1. The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time (N64)

Writer: Nintendo / Developer: Nintendo EAD

Launch Date: twenty third Nov 1998 (USA) / eleventh Dec 1998 (UK/EU)

Obtainable On: NSO + Growth Pack

Ocarina of Time introduced The Legend of Zelda into the third dimension as efficiently because the plumber made the identical leap in Tremendous Mario 64. But the place Nintendo may throw any playground-style concept into Mario’s 64-bit debut, Ocarina needed to inform a narrative and evoke a constant temper all through.

Going again today, the body charge and cumbersome menus might shock you, and Hyrule Discipline feels decidedly smaller (extra like a area, the truth is) in comparison with the huge kingdom of Hyrule offered in Breath of the Wild, however the pure magic of the sport nonetheless shines via any ageing techniques.

This set the template for not solely each subsequent Zelda title, but in addition the vast majority of action-adventure video games from the previous two-and-a-half a long time; no marvel it is so revered.

The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D on 3DS is the extra streamlined model, however there are issues that Grezzo’s wonderful remake could not fairly recapture. Whether or not it is the Rumble Pak compatibility or the 64-bit mist hanging over Lake Hylia within the early hours, the N64 authentic nonetheless has that particular one thing.

Not a foul 64-bit choice, eh?

N64 Nintendo Change On-line FAQ

Lastly, we reply some widespread questions Nintendo Life readers have concerning the N64 video games on Change.

Are there some other N64 video games on Change?

Nicely, Tremendous Mario 64 can also be included in Tremendous Mario 3D All-Stars in case you have a duplicate (it was a limited-time launch, though it is nonetheless straightforward to search out bodily variations).

Past that, there are a superb handful of N64 video games accessible in a single kind or one other. Nightdive Studios has launched remastered variations of Turok, Turok 2: Seeds of Evil, and Turok 3: Shadow of Oblivion, and Bethesda launched Doom 64 as a obtain on Change eShop.

Sticking with seminal first-person shooters, Quake 64 is a part of the Quake remaster on Change, and the 64-bit model of Quake II is within the Quake II remaster. Duke Nukem 3D: twentieth Anniversary World Tour brings the PC model of the sport, which was ported to N64, to Change, and Shadow Man Remastered can also be accessible, as are Star Wars Episode I: Racer and Glover.

Is GameCube coming to Change?

Not Change 1, however GameCube video games are playable on Change 2.

As of fifth June 2025, the likes of Wind Waker, SoulCalibur II, and F-Zero GX are playable on Change 2 for anybody with an Growth Pack sub, with extra on the way in which.

How can I modify the rating on this article?

It is a dynamic, real-time rating of each accessible N64 sport playable as a part of a Change On-line + Growth Pack subscription that we compiled with the assistance of Nintendo Life readers.

You may add (and even change) your Person Scores for each sport you have performed at any time, even after publication. Attempt looking for your favorite NSO Nintendo 64 video games within the field beneath and charge them to affect the order.

When you’re wanting to choose up a Change On-line + Growth Pack membership to play all or any of those video games, seize a subscription right here:

Purchase Nintendo Change On-line Memberships

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Tell us your ideas beneath. New video games added to the service will seem right here, too, so test again sooner or later and rank them as effectively. You already know, should you like.

And should you’re after a full checklist of each Nintendo Change On-line retro sport presently accessible, we’re completely satisfied to oblige.

Additional studying:

Up Subsequent: Genesis / Mega Drive Video games Ranked

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Gavin first wrote for Nintendo Life in 2018 earlier than becoming a member of the positioning full-time the next 12 months, rising via the ranks to turn into Editor. He can presently be discovered squashed beneath a Change backlog the dimensions of Normandy.