Nintendo 64

"This console is the reason I started playing video games again."

Before I start my review of the Nintendo 64, I want to point out that I think it is one of the best consoles ever created. I know a lot of PS2 owners will not agree with me, but I don't care. Besides I own a PS2 as well. I'll admit, I got my N64 in the year 2000, so yeah I only had it hooked up for about two years before Gamecube came out. However I still bring it out to play games on it quite often.

The most obvious question to ask is how are the sound and graphical aspects of the system. Well, the sound is fine. Most games support Dolby Surround Sound, so sound isn't a problem. As for the graphics, well it depends on who you ask. I personally think that they are fine, a bit blurry at times, but fine nonetheless. Of course there are some games out today that make the N64 games look like garbage but back then these games blew away Playstation games in the graphical department. In addition, later in the systems life, the Expansion Pack was released in with Donkey Kong 64. This helped improve the graphics on almost any game that supported it.

How about the controller? It clearly was innovative. It's not as good as the Gamecube controller, but it is well designed. Let me describe it. First you had the analog stick and the start button in the middle and the D-pad in the left side. On the right side you had the A and B buttons along with the four directional C buttons. Finally you had the left and right buttons on the top of the controller on their respective sides and the Z button on the back. There was also a slot in the back for a memory card or a rumble pack.

Something else to consider when dealing with the N64. It's very likely that the N64 will be the final console ever to have cartridges. It's actually sad. With cartridges there are no annoying load times. In addition, some games also let you save to the cartridge itself, no memory card required. In fact most N64 games let you save to the game pack. Of course one downside is slightly blurry graphics, but it really isn't a problem.

So what is the point of a console without quality games? The N64 has them. Yes people go on and on about Goldeneye and Perfect Dark. Those are good games, but not in my A list. The games that I feel are essential to anyone's collection are; Super Mario 64, Paper Mario, Conker's Bad Fur Day, Kirby 64, Donkey Kong 64, Banjo Kazooie, Banjo Tooie, Castlevania 64, Castlevania: Legacy of Darkness, The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask, Mega Man 64, Dr. Mario, and of course The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time. In addition, gamers can also enjoy any of the Mario themed game series; Kart, Tennis, Golf and the Party games. Any of these games I would truly recommend to anyone who would be interested in this system.

In conclusion, I would like to explain my title line. The reason this console made me start playing video games again is simple. I never had a SNES growing up. Until the year 2000, all I had was an original NES. When I went to high school, I played sports and essentially I gave up on video games. It wasn't until I went to Wal-Mart in March 2000 and saw three games in the case that caught my eye, Super Mario 64, The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, and Castlevania 64. These were three games that I grew up with. Now they were in 3D. Something compelled me to buy an N64 just for these games. I did, and soon I had a nice collection. Who knows? Without the N64, I may never have gotten back into video games. That however was five years ago. Would a gamer in today's generation really want the N64? I would say yes. The system you can find pretty cheap, as well as the games. Just because the graphics aren't quite as good as we are used to today, it doesn't mean that the games are any less playable. The Nintendo 64 changed me in more ways than one. Hopefully it can to you as well.

Reviewer's Score: 10/10, Originally Posted: 01/11/05, Updated 02/21/06