Nintendo 64

"Although the console was disappointing, it still won some of my respect."

Nintendo 64, I can safely say, was the boat Nintendo sunk. It was hyped as the “next-generation console”, as the world’s “most advanced gaming system”. Big mistake. Without the support of third party companies, N64 was pretty much one of the weakest consoles that ever graced the gaming kingdom. However, there are a few strong points that still makes this console respectable.

Visually, 90% of the games in N64 are in full 3D while some are 2D embedded into the 3D world. Generally speaking, the graphics are smooth and impressive. Waters are impressively crystal clear in many adventure games (such as Banjo-Kazooie, Donkey Kong 64, Zelda: Ocarina of Time). Characters in Goldeneye and Perfect Dark looked very realistic while the cartoony characters in most Rare games are comical looking. Overall, graphics are smooth, sharp, crisp and clean. This was one of N64’s stronger points. However, many games produced by Sony, Square, Konami, and Capcom for the PSX was able to pull off much better visuals due to the fact that the PSX is more capable in handling graphics than N64. This is because the N64 supports cartridges which means, limited space for graphics. The N64 cannot handle eye-popping Full Motion Videos due to the said fact.

Audio is a mixed bag. But in terms of the console’s audio capabilities, the sound quality is more decent than its older brother, SNES. Yet, again, it’s audio in cartridge format at its best. Due to limitations, sounds are not CD quality like PSX but it still sounds great nonetheless. Some of the great tunes are from Goldeneye, Zelda: Ocarina of Time, and Mario Party. There are bad ones as well but it’s a matter of personal preference.

The control in most games rely on the control stick which is pretty nice in my opinion. The stick is very sensitive. The control stick is definitely for the “exploration” style adventure games such as Mario 64, Banjo-Kazooie, Donkey Kong 64, Zelda: OoT, etc. The use of the stick is pretty good to in racing games such as Mario Kart 64 and Wave Race 64 and action games such as Goldeneye and Perfect Dark. However, it feels kinda awkward to use in games that are intended to be 2D. The controller is pretty much comfortable to use (there are 3 ways to hold it, in fact). The “Z” button underneath the controller is a great innovation for shooting games such as Goldeneye. Very good.

Now, let’s talk about the games for N64. The games were the main downfall of N64. Here is the list why N64 was a big disappointment to the gaming world.

1. Like the other N64 hardware reviews, the games consists mostly of… you guessed it… KIDDY GAMES. I’m not totally against it, really, but there’s an imbalance between KIDDY GAMES, TEEN GAMES, and MATURE GAMES. Only a few kiddy games are worth playing and those are the games made by Rare. The rest are just bunch of childish platforming junk that shouldn’t be in the gaming lineup. Such examples are “Scooby Doo” and “Elmo”. The overabundance of kiddie games did not appeal many older, mature gamers that are looking for more mature gameplay. Oh, boy… What a turn off.

2. Many of the N64 games did not have that lasting appeal the SNES had. In my own opinion, I think Super Mario World was more enjoyable to play than its 64-bit brother. There are however, a few games that did have a lasting appeal and that’s because the games offered fresh, new, innovative such as… MULTIPLAYER GAMES!!!

3. Another reason why this console flopped was the lack of major third party developers or lack of participation of third party developers. Capcom offered the N64 some games alright, AFTER those games were released for the PSX (Resident Evil 2 and Mega Man 64). Some of SNES classics such as the Street Fighter series and Final Fantasy series are not even here. Those games were considered all-time favorites of SNES owners.

4. Lack of decent fighting games and RPGs. 80% of the gaming world are RPG’ers. This console is definitely not for the RPG types for it offers not a single decent RPG. Quest 64, the very first RPG for the N64 could be the console’s alpha and omega, the first and the last. Too bad the RPG was nothing but pure garbage. How shameful. But there’s also two Zelda games which the first one became the game of the year. And of course, there’s the hilarious Paper Mario and Enix delivers to us Ogre Battle 64, which is good in my opinion but it was rather too late for the now semi-defunct console. Fighting games in the N64 are equally bad as well with the exception of Super Smash Bros, which is the best and the only decent free-for-all fighting game ever existed for the N64. Remember, there are no 2D fighter games here like Street Fighter.

5. There are a couple of 2D games from the SNES era that jumped on the 3D bandwagon. The result is an undesirable mess. The unwritten rule here is: “Games that are intended for 2D should not be in 3D”. Examples are Bomberman and Castlevania. Both games were loved to death due to the fact that it’s in 2D. But when both games were sent to 3D, it did not work out pretty well. The transition of 2D to 3D was not desired by many gamers. 2D had a certain magic that 3D did not have. Some 2D games just did not work out well with being 3D.

6. Pokemon. I cannot say if this was N64’s success or demise. Actually, I do not detest Pokemon, in fact I love the anime series even more than the Gameboy game itself. However, many people were getting sick and tired of the Pokemon wave and thinks that Pokemon is the only way Nintendo can milk money from the once loyal Nintendo fans.

7. Majority of the games are sold at incredibly high prices ($99 for Mortal Kombat Gold?!?). Even today, Mario 64 is sold for $39-$49. Shouldn’t they lower the price since the game had been out for quite a while?

8. Cartirdge format! SHOCK! SHOCK! Pit that against the almighty CD format of the PSX. Let’s see who will lose…

However, there are some games and innovations that saved N64’s butt.

1. Multiplayer games seemed to be the ultimate savior. I’ve never had more fun playing with your friends at the same time. Almost every action/adventure games available have multiplayer/deathmatch mode. The fad starts with the classic Goldeneye, where you and 3 of your friends can duke it all out like laser tag. Mario Kart 64’s multiplayer battle modes and racing are indeed fun as well. Super Smash Bros. is also a blast to play (Free For All). This console will be remembered for having the multiplayer option.

2. Party games are N64’s specialty which later spawned other copy-cats in the PSX and Dreamcast. The best party game of all is no other than Mario Party! This game is indeed one of N64’s best. Very fun! Very Whacky! It’s so fun that I laugh on every little thing from the sound effects to the mini-games. PSX’s Crash Bash and Dreamcast’s Sonic Shuffle couldn’t beat that for sure!

Here is are some of N64’s best-sellers in no particular order. You should have it if you don’t.

1. Mario Kart 64
2. Goldeneye
3. Perfect Dark
4. Mario Party
5. Ogre Battle
6. Paper Mario
7. Many Kiddie games of Rare (Banjo-Kazooie, DK64, Conker’s Bad Fur Day (gasp!) )
8. Zelda: Ocarina of Time / Majora’s Mask
9. Pokemon Stadium (I prefer this more than the Gameboy version)

Overall, the N64 is the console that either disappointed everybody or delighted everybody. The main downfalls of N64, the cartridge format, expensive games/peripherals and lack of good quality games buried the console down its grave. I have waaay more games for the SNES and PSX than for the N64. Hopefully, Nintendo will realize their mistake and not apply that on the upcoming Gamecube. Buy it for the decent multiplayer games. If you’re looking for good RPGs, fighting games, and mature gameplay then this console is definetly not for you.

Visuals: 9/10
Audio: 7.5/10
Control: 8/10
Game Library: 4/10

OVERALL: 7/10

Reviewer's Score: 7/10, Originally Posted: 08/06/01, Updated 03/23/03