"I Still Don't See Why People Bash This Console"

The N64 is Nintendo's third console in gaming and probably the worst, but it is by no means a bad system. Everyone seems to hate the Nintendo 64, but I really don't know why. It has a great selection of games if you are into the Nintendo franchises and all, but it does lack third party support. The PlayStation kind of killed it pre-maturely, really. It's a shame it died because it was a damn good console. Anyway, here is my review so read on.

Hardware

The hardware is very good and the best in the console's generation. It can pump out fantastic graphics and sound. The console itself has a 64-bit processor. The console uses cartridges instead of CDs and the cartridges can hold around 256 mega-bytes. The N64, unlike the PSX, has 4 controller ports instead of just 2, which is a good thing because a lot of the N64's multiplayer games feature 4-player multiplay. The memory cards don't hold too much memory, which is a problem, but a good bit of games save themselves on the cartridges, which is a very good thing. Overall, the hardware is very good for the console and the best in it's generation. It is also very durable.

Controller

The controller may seem weird or something at first, but after you get used to it, you will like the controller. It's buttons are Z, A, B, a D-Pad, a control stick, L, R, Start, and 4 C buttons. The memory card also goes in the back of the controller. The only bad thing about it is that the control stick starts to grind down the sides of place where the stick is inserted after about a month's worth of use, and the control sticks often break on people. The control is nowhere as durable as Sony's DualShock or the new GameCube controller. Because the controller has no rumble features to it, you will have to buy a rumble pack if you want the rumble feature, and they will run you around $10 now. Overall, the control is designed well, but not built too well.

Price

The price is very good. You can probably find an N64 for around $50 and the games for around $10 a piece, which is a pretty damn good deal. You can easily find most games if you go to the right stores. Wal-Mart usually has a few games and you can find N64 games in the bargain bins at GameStops and Electronic Boutiques. Overall, for the price, the N64 is a very good deal.

Graphics, Sound, and Load Times

The graphics are the best out of any console in the N64's generation (PSX, Saturn, N64). The console has 64-bits in it, and other things that were considered technologically advanced at the time. Some of the better looking games are Goldeneye, Perfect Dark (you had to have an expansion pack that made the game look better to play it), Mario Kart 64, and Super Mario 64. The sound, like the graphics, is also good. The load times are great because they are practically non-existant because of Nintendo's use of cartridges instead of CDs on their console. Overall, the N64 can pump out some great graphics, sound, and quick load times.

Games

The Nintendo 64 has tons of great games on it in a lot of different genres, but there are a lot of genres that aren't represented well. I'm going by GameFAQs's game listings in each genre when I recommend games, by the way. If you want role-playing games, you might want to check out Legend of Zelda: Ocarnia of Time, Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask, Super Mario RPG 2, Paper Mario, Mega Man 64, Gauntlet Legends, and Mega Man 64. If you want action games, you might want to check out Army Men: Sarge's Hereoes (the only good Army Men game), Banjo Kazooie, Banjo Tooie, Conker's Bad Fur Day, Donkey Kong 64, Doom 64, Goldeneye (best FPS ever), Kirby's Dream Land, Perfect Dark, Quake, Rainbow Six (excellent FPS), Resident Evil 2, Star Wars: Rogue Squadron, Spider-Man, and Star Fox 64.

If you want fighting games, you might want to check out Killer Instinct: Gold, Mortal Kombat 4, Mortal Kombat Trilogy, and Super Smash Bros. If you want racing games, you might want to check out Cruins'n USA, Cruis'n World, Cruis'n Exotica, Diddy Kong Racing, F-Zero X, Hydro Thunder, Mario Kart 64, Rush 2: Extreme Racing USA, and Rush 2049. If you want sports games, you might want to check out 1080 Snowboarding, the FIFA games, Madden series, NFL Blitz (only the first one because the rest are crap), the Tony Hawk series, the Wayne Gretzky series, NBA Courtside series, NBA Jam series, Mario Golf, and Mario Tennis.

Well, as you can see, the fighting games and racing genres aren't represented well and only have a few good games in them a piece.. The PSX has a way better selection in both of these genres so you might want to get it if you don't already have one. Anyway, overall, the N64 has a pretty damned good library, but no where as good as the PSX, but that doesn't mean it is bad or anything. If you like Nintendo games, you want to get a N64. You will love it.

Franchises

The N64, like all Nintendo consoles, has many of the franchises that we have grown to know and love on it. Some of the Nintendo franchises that are on the N64 are Legend of Zelda: Ocarnia of Time, Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask, Super Mario 64, Star Fox 64, Donkey Kong 64, Mario Kart 64, Kirby's Dream Land, Paper Mario, the first Super Smash Bros., and a lot more.

Some non-Nintendo franchises made appearances on the N64, also, and these include the best installment in the 007 James Bond series yet, Goldeneye, Resident Evil 2, Castlevania N64, lots of WWF and WCW wrestling games, Banjo Kazooie and Banjor Tooie, Mega Man 64, and a lot more. Overall, the N64 offers a great selection of old and new game franchises for you to play and enjoy.

Pros

-Great graphics in most games
-Virtually no load times
-Great sound
-Great game library
-Lots of great Nintendo franchises present
-Hardware is very good and very durable
-Tons of great racing, action, and adventure games

Cons

-Game library not as large as the PlayStation's
-Not all genres are represented well (fighters, racers, and role-playing games are an example)
-Controller may be a turn-off to some
-Controller isn't built well
-Memory cards seemed to hold almost nothing at all before they're full
-Nintendo is still using cartridges, which was fatal for the Nintendo 64
-Died pre-maturely

Conclusion

In conclusion, I highly suggest that you run out and buy a Nintendo 64 right now. It will give you countless titles that you will play and love. You can't get those fantastic first party Nintendo games anywhere else. So yeah, go buy it.

Reviewer's Score: 9/10, Originally Posted: 07/20/03, Updated 07/20/03