Nintendo 64

"The N64, an amazing console"

When summing up the lifespan of the Nintendo 64, Nintendo's third home console, the big story would for many be the fact that it was the console that lost Nintendo its supremacy in the gaming world. This is of course an uncontroversial statement, as no-one in their right minds can dispute that PlayStation ruled the sales charts. However, almost equally obvious should be the fact that the N64 revolutionized gaming, and as far as innovation went it was a leader, not a follower, of its generation. Consider how Super Mario 64 rewrote the rulebook not just for platformers, but for 3D games in general. Consider how Goldeneye 007 redefined console First-Person Shooters, with it brilliant level-design and intricate missions. Consider how Zelda: Ocarina of Time ushered in the Zelda franchise into the 3rd dimension, in the process setting a new standard for all future games to live up to. Consider the popularization of the analog stick, of console/handheld connectivity, 4-player multiplayer and the rumbling feature. There is indeed much more to the story of the N64 than Nintendo's lock on the gaming marked being broken. But now it's time to get down to business, with a semi-comprehensive look at the console. On to the review itself:

Design 10

It really is a fantastic-looking piece of hardware, sleek and futuristic, yet clearly a gaming console. Like the Wii (but unlike the GameCube) everything about it, from the logo to the controller is aesthetically pleasing. Not to forget, it comes in many different colors too.

Graphics 9

The N64 was until the arrival of Dreamcast the powerhouse of its generation, and produced some of the most amazing visuals for its time. While a game like Mario 64 looked striking at the time of its arrival, later N64 classics (like Ocarina of Time/Majora's Mask, Perfect Dark, Conker's Bad Fur Day and Banjo Kazooie) would end up surpassing it by far. The limitations of cartridge-system, coupled with the challenges of programming for the N64 hardware resulted in some games suffering from limited texturing and the like, but its peak performances were very impressive indeed. It even mastered FMVs at the end, in Resident Evil 2, thus proving more capable than many would have imagined.

Sound 8

While the limitations of the cartridge-system again played a certain role, the N64 still managed to achieve some excellent peak performances. Games like Ocarina of Time, Star Wars: Rogue Squadron, Perfect Dark and Jet Force Gemini managed to produce some very memorable soundtracks, but were far from alone, as even some less known games like Castlevania 64 boasted genuinely great music and sound-effects. The system mastered realistic speech from early on (think Star Fox 64) and though heavy reliance on midi music was a weakness, the N64 generally generally defied the naysayers in this department as well.

Durability 9.5

While the decision to stick with cartridges as opposed to CDs probably cost Nintendo its top spot, nobody can deny their wonderful durability. This is equally applicable to the rest of the console, with the notable exception of the controller's analog stick, which loses much of its responsiveness after a couple of years of activity. Apart from that, the N64 is built to last.

Controller 9

Not only innovative and great-looking, the N64's controller is also a very comfortable controller, and to this day the best way to experience games like Ocarina of Time, Mario 64 and console FPSs in general. While relatively big, it's still a good fit for most hands. The only real issue is the analog stick, bettered now by most next-gen consoles. Considering it was pioneering the whole thing, one might want to cut it some slack on this count though.

Innovation 10

A revolutionary console, the N64 not only saw many beloved franchises make their 3D debuts, but also set the standard for how this type of games should be. By the way, have I mentioned the analog stick, the console/handheld connectivity, the 4-player multiplayer and the rumbling feature? Oh, I have? Very well then, lets move on.

Games

This is what makes or breaks a console, so I'm going to go through this aspect more thoroughly, with various sections for the different categories, and due to the highly subjective appreciations involved, I won't give a clear-cut grade at the end. Nowhere near all the 200 or so N64 games made will be mentioned, but while my selection may be arbitrary, I hope to highlight most of the notable games. That being said, lets get to it:

Action/Adventure

The fact that this category contains Ocarina of Time would alone make it stand out on any console, no question about it. What makes Ocarina of Time so special you ask? Well, if the way all the beloved aspects of Zelda series make a flawless transition to 3D doesn't impress you, then consider how much new features it adds to franchise, from a horse you can ride and an instrument you can play to a brilliantly executed system of time-travel. Add visuals and sound that at its time was the cream of the crop, and you get a game considered by many to be the best ever made, on any console. If it wasn't for the remakes on GameCube and Wii's Virtual Console, it alone would make the N64 a must-buy console.

But there's also the sequel, Majora's Mask, to consider. One of the most innovative games in the series, it changes much (the world you play in, the time at your disposition, the way you interact with NPCs) and adds a lot (transformations, masks, three days relived over and over again) yet retains the elusive Zelda feeling. A masterpiece that lives up to Ocarina of Time, and an incredible achievement.

But there are also lots of great games in this category that have nothing to do with Zelda. Jet Force Gemini is one of Rare's big titles, which should tell you all you need to know about the quality of this game. The two Castlevania games the console hosted are some criminally underrated gems. Shadow Man is an acclaimed title, Mystical Ninja starring Goemon and Body Harvest have a regular cult followings, Hybrid Heaven is an intriguing effort while Resident Evil 2 is textbook example of a good CD to cartridge port. Vigilante 8 and its sequel, Second Offense are also worth checking out, and the BattleTanx games offer great multiplayer experiences. Okay'ish to good games like Mission: Impossible, Spider-Man, Indiana Jones and the Infernal Machine, Mega Man 64 and Star Wars: Shadows of the Empire wrap up this roundup.

Platforming

The N64 is without peer the king of 3D platformers. Its first landmark title, Mario 64, is a platformer, and still considered one of the greatest ever. But it has many challengers to its throne, some of which (in my opinion) even surpass it. Rare was behind many of these, with games like Banjo Kazooie, Donkey Kong 64 and Banjo Tooie all being superb titles pushing the console to its limits. They also made Conker's Bad Fur Day, a game targeting a different demographic than the aforementioned ones, but which in similar fashion received rave reviews.

It wasn't all about Nintendo and Rare either, third parties also made their contributions. Best of the bunch in my opinion is Ubi Soft's Rayman 2, a game not only gorgeous to look at, but also a blast to play. Other contenders include the largely overlooked, but highly rated Space Station Silicon Valley and Rocket: Robot on Wheels, as well as the quirky platformer Glover.

Sports

Plenty of good sports games graced the console. Soccer-fans could enjoy several games in the highly acclaimed International Superstar Soccer series, as well as FIFA games up to FIFA 99. Also on offer was is Michael Owens WLS 2000. Those craving American Football should be more than happy with Madden NFL 2000 and the NFL Blitz and Quarterback Club games to name a few.

Wrestling-fans (I know it's technically sports-entertainment, not the real deal, but bear with me) have plenty to choose from, with games such as WWF No Mercy, Wrestlemania 2000 and Attitude being particularly well received. Boxing games were also available, with relatively strong outings such as Kockout Kings 2000 and Ready to Rumble.

Those taken in by extreme sports will be happy to know that 1080 Snowboarding is among the best snowboarding-games in the business, while Snowboard Kids 1 and 2 are good alternatives for those less fussed about realism. If they prefer skating to snowboarding, rejoice, the console boasts several great Tony Hawk's Pro Skater games.

In terms of tennis-games, the excellent Mario Tennis should scratch the itch of most fans of the sport, while Mario also stars in the best golf-game on offer, Mario Golf. Ice Hockey is represented with games such as NHL 99 and NHL Breakaway 99. In terms of what's on offer for basketball-fans, NBA Courtside 2: Featuring Kobe Bryant (before his reputation took a hit due to off-court allegations) being especially worthy, while other decent games include those in NBA Jam, Live and In the Zone series'.

The sport of baseball is done justice by the games in the All-Star Baseball series. Sports such as pool (Virtual Pool 64) and fishing (Bassmasters 2000) are also represented. There are more sports games worth mentioning, but that sports-roundup made me suitably out of breath, so I'm just going to jump to a new category now.

Racing

Much goodness here to explore. Futuristic racing can take pride in many good ambassadors, like the Extreme-G games, WipeOut 64, Star Wars Episode I Racing and most notably F-Zero X, ensuring lots of fast and furious action on the N64. ”Crazy Racers” are something of a genre of their own on the N64, much due to the classic Mario Kart 64. That game however, faces powerful challengers though from Rare-games Diddy Kong Racing and Mickey's Speedway USA (a good Disney-licensed game? I know, it rings weird in my ears as well). Don't forget Micro Machines 64, an entertaining topdown racer, as well as Hot Wheels Turbo Racing, South Park Rally, Lego Racers and Re-Volt.

If you want more kinds of racers, you're in luck, as the N64 has some good water-based racers (Wave Race 64 especially stands out, but Hydro Thunder is also a lots of fun), motorcycle-based games (Excitebike 64, considered to be one of the best games of its type on any platform, as well as the enjoyable Road Rash 64) and of course, lots of car-based racers.

Lets start here with Formula 1 games. Good to great games like F-1 World Grand Prix 1 and 2, as well as Monaco Grand Prix 1 and 2 make sure fans of the sport are kept happy. Now on to rally, where you'll find Top Gear Rally 1 and 2 both being solid games worth trying out. Chucking realism right out the window, Beetle Adventure Racing and San Francisco Rush 2049 have plenty of fun to offer, while Top Gear Overdrive is another highly entertaining arcade-style racer. Getting slightly more serious in the end, Ridge Racer 64 and World Driver Championship are two strong titles for those looking for a little more realistic fare.

Puzzles

Pokemon Puzzle League features both lots of Pokemon material and smart puzzle-action, making it possibly the best puzzle-game on the system. Other noteworthy games in the genre include Tetris 64, Doctor Mario 64, Wetrix, the Bust-A-Move games and Tetrisphere.

First-Person Shooters

Waddaya know, the ”kiddy” console features some of the best FPSs available. However, before moving to the usual suspects, it should be made clear that the N64 has many other good games to offer in this genre: The four acclaimed Turok games, their brother in spirit, Armorines: Project S.W.A.R.M, as well as Forsaken, Quake II and the second N64 James Bond-game, 007: The World is Not Enough ensure the N64 wouldn't be lacking in this department even without the big two. Of course, it does help immensely to have them on board.

We all know about Goldeneye, it's a superb shooter, incredible for its time and highly playable even today. However, even it is completely blown away by its spiritual sequel, Perfect Dark. And no, I'm not being an excitable fanboy when I say Perfect Dark owns Goldeneye in every way imaginable (except possibly for atmosphere, if you're hooked on walking in the shoes of James Bond and no gritty sci-fi shooter can create the same kind of sensation). Representing a huge upgrade from Goldeneye in terms of everything from missions and weapons to graphics and sound, Perfect Dark is possibly the best FPS ever made, but will not reappear on any future Nintendo console (thanks for that Microsoft..) and thus is alone reason enough to purchase an N64.

Other Shooters

Space shooters account for some of the best game in this category, with the excellent mission-based Rogue Squadron putting the Star Wars-license to great use, while its sequel of sorts, Battle for Naboo, does equally well, only in the Episode I setting. Even more fun is Star Fox 64 (known in Europe as Lylat Wars), a superb, adrenaline-pumping arcade-style shooter, with that special Nintendo magic. As for game set in more contemporary times, Rainbow Six and WinBack prove yet again wrong the thesis of the N64 being only for kids, while 3rd person Duke Nukem Zero Hour does the same, only using bigger guns.

Fighters

Not the genre the N64 covered best (not by a long shot), but it still has on offer Super Smash Brothers, the extremely entertaining Nintendo-fighter with a great multiplayer-mode. Aside from that we have some pretty good fighters in Mortal Kombat 4 and Fighter Destiny and not much more worth speaking of.

RPG and Strategy

With the N64 long lacking a quality RPG title, Nintendo themselves took care of matters with Paper Mario, a fantastic RPG that plays like no other (at least up until it got a GameCube sequel). The console also hosted the pleasing Harvest Moon 64, as well as some lesser RPGs. In terms of strategy-games (still with RPG-elements mind you) its star player is Ogre Battle 64: Person of Lordly Caliber, a game well received by gamers and critics alike. The iconic strategy franchises Command & Conquer and Starcraft graced the N64 with decent titles, while Premier Manager 64 also turned out pretty well.

Other games

Other N64 titles well worth looking closer into include launch game Pilotwings 64, Rare's Blast Corps, Animal Crossing (yes, the GameCube and DS hits owe it all to the N64 original), Yoshi's Story (one of the notable 2D N64 titles) the three Mario Party games (as long as you have someone else to play with), the short but cute Pokemon Snap, Pokemon Stadium (a shell for the GB games yes, but at the time the console/handheld connectivity was a new and exciting concept) to name a few. There are a number of other interesting games as well, but I'm too tired to go through all of them (if only the crowd moaning about the N64 only having some 10-15 good game had actually been right, then I'd be done a lot quicker).

In conclusion, while a library of 200 games might not sound like much, among those 200 you'll find lots of good games, plenty of great games, a number of superb games and some of the best games ever made. While it lacks in certain genres, it more than compensates for that in others, and ends up having a strong selection of games. And lest you forget, among those games are also plenty of fantastic 4-player multiplayer titles, making the N64 the console own for multiplayer-maniacs.

Final Thoughts

Out of the consoles I have owned, not a single one has given me the same kind of enjoyment as the N64. The combination of innovation, high quality (both in the terms of the games and the console itself) and sheer fun made sure I had the best time of my gaming life. An unforgettable console.

Score: 9.5, rounded up to 10 to fit the gamefaqs rating scale

Reviewer's Score: 10/10, Originally Posted: 04/16/07