Nintendo 64 Guide
The best Nintendo 64 games in 2026
The Nintendo 64 had a much smaller catalogue than other consoles of its generation, but it brought together some of the most influential and recognizable games of the late 1990s.
We have selected seven titles that particularly represent its 3D platformers, adventures, racing games, shooters and local multiplayer experiences.
Quick selection
Best platformer
Super Mario 64
Best adventure
Ocarina of Time
Best multiplayer
Mario Kart 64
Best shooter
GoldenEye 007
What makes the Nintendo 64 catalogue special?
The Nintendo 64 stood out for bringing many classic Nintendo franchises into 3D. Super Mario 64 and Ocarina of Time helped establish ideas for movement, camera control, exploration and gameplay that would later be adopted by countless video games.
It also developed a strong identity around local multiplayer thanks to its four controller ports. Mario Kart 64, GoldenEye 007 and other titles made playing together in front of the same TV a fundamental part of the console experience.
Best platformer
Super Mario 64
Super Mario 64 was one of the games that defined how a three-dimensional platformer could work and remains one of the most important experiences on the Nintendo 64.
Why is it still worth playing?
Its movement, level design and freedom of exploration still work remarkably well several decades later.
Ideal for
Anyone who wants to experience one of the foundational games in the history of 3D gaming.
Highlights
- ✓ Very precise movement
- ✓ Levels full of secrets
- ✓ Wide variety of objectives
- ✓ Enormous historical importance
Things to consider
- • The camera can feel awkward compared with modern games
- • Some controls require a short adjustment period
If you like this game: Banjo-Kazooie if you want a platforming adventure with a greater focus on exploration and collectibles.
Best adventure
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time
Ocarina of Time brought the Zelda formula into 3D with exploration, dungeons, puzzles, combat and a structure that had an enormous influence on later adventure games.
Why is it still worth playing?
It remains an exceptionally well-balanced adventure and one of the most important titles in the Nintendo 64 catalogue.
Ideal for
Players looking for adventure, exploration, puzzles and a classic Nintendo story.
Highlights
- ✓ Memorable dungeons
- ✓ Excellent progression
- ✓ Great balance between exploration and combat
- ✓ One of the most influential Zelda games
Things to consider
- • Some interface elements show their age
- • The opening can feel slower than in modern games
If you like this game: Majora’s Mask if you want a stranger, darker and more experimental Zelda adventure.
Best multiplayer
Mario Kart 64
Mario Kart 64 turned Nintendo racing into one of the most recognizable local multiplayer experiences on the console.
Why is it still worth playing?
Its tracks, items and simplicity still make it especially enjoyable for quick matches with friends.
Ideal for
Families, groups of friends and players who want immediate local multiplayer fun.
Highlights
- ✓ Excellent local multiplayer
- ✓ Very easy to learn
- ✓ Highly recognizable tracks
- ✓ Perfect for quick matches
Things to consider
- • Single-player content is relatively limited
- • Driving is much simpler than in later entries
If you like this game: Diddy Kong Racing if you want more exploration, vehicles and single-player content.
Best shooter
GoldenEye 007
GoldenEye 007 proved that a first-person shooter could work remarkably well on a console while also offering an extremely popular local multiplayer mode.
Why is it still worth playing?
Its objective-based campaign and split-screen matches still perfectly represent an era of multiplayer gaming.
Ideal for
Fans of classic shooters, James Bond and competitive local multiplayer.
Highlights
- ✓ Campaign with varied objectives
- ✓ Legendary local multiplayer
- ✓ Wide variety of weapons
- ✓ Enormous importance for console FPS games
Things to consider
- • The original control scheme can feel unusual today
- • The frame rate can drop significantly in intense situations
If you like this game: Perfect Dark if you want a more complex and ambitious evolution of the same formula.
Best platforming adventure
Banjo-Kazooie
Banjo-Kazooie combines platforming, exploration, humour and collectibles across varied worlds filled with secrets.
Why is it still worth playing?
It is one of the most complete examples of the 3D platforming style for which the Nintendo 64 became particularly well known.
Ideal for
Players who enjoy exploring every corner of a level and discovering secrets and collectibles.
Highlights
- ✓ Worlds full of personality
- ✓ Great sense of humour
- ✓ Very satisfying exploration
- ✓ Excellent soundtrack
Things to consider
- • There are many collectibles
- • Some sections can feel a little slow
If you like this game: Super Mario 64 if you prefer an experience more focused on movement and platforming.
Most unusual experience
The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask
Majora’s Mask used the foundations of Ocarina of Time to create a much stranger adventure built around a three-day cycle and numerous characters following their own routines.
Why is it still worth playing?
Its atmosphere, time-based structure and side quests create an experience that feels very different from other Zelda games.
Ideal for
Players looking for a darker, more experimental and character-focused adventure.
Highlights
- ✓ Extraordinary atmosphere
- ✓ Unique time system
- ✓ Excellent side quests
- ✓ One of the most distinctive Zelda stories
Things to consider
- • The pressure of the time cycle can feel uncomfortable at first
- • Its structure is less traditional than Ocarina of Time
If you like this game: Ocarina of Time if you want a more traditional and accessible Zelda adventure.
Best advanced FPS
Perfect Dark
Perfect Dark expanded on many of GoldenEye’s ideas with more complex weapons, multiplayer modes, artificial intelligence and a science-fiction setting.
Why is it still worth playing?
It is one of the most technically ambitious Nintendo 64 projects and offers an impressive number of options.
Ideal for
Players who already enjoy GoldenEye and want an even deeper shooter.
Highlights
- ✓ Huge number of multiplayer options
- ✓ Highly creative weapons
- ✓ Campaign with varied objectives
- ✓ Impressive depth for its time
Things to consider
- • It can suffer from performance issues
- • Some content requires the Expansion Pak
If you like this game: GoldenEye 007 if you want a slightly simpler and more direct experience.
Quick comparison
| Game | Genre | Players | Ideal for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Super Mario 64 | 3D platformer | 1 player | Best platformer |
| The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time | Action-adventure | 1 player | Best adventure |
| Mario Kart 64 | Racing | 1–4 players | Best multiplayer |
| GoldenEye 007 | FPS | 1–4 players | Best shooter |
| Banjo-Kazooie | Platformer and adventure | 1 player | Best platforming adventure |
| The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask | Adventure | 1 player | Most unusual experience |
| Perfect Dark | FPS | 1–4 players | Best advanced FPS |
Which one should you try first?
If you have never played Nintendo 64 before, Super Mario 64 and Ocarina of Time are probably the two best starting points, as they perfectly represent Nintendo’s transition into 3D.
If you plan to play with other people, Mario Kart 64 and GoldenEye 007 remain two of the console’s most characteristic multiplayer experiences.
If you already know the main classics and want something more distinctive, Majora’s Mask and Perfect Dark show the more ambitious and experimental side of the catalogue.
Keep exploring
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Some products from the RetroWorld Store catalogue related to this guide.
