Video games were a huge deal in the 1990s. A lot of that has to do with the success and popularity of the Nintendo 64. While the console has a small library of games and was outsold by the original PlayStation, it remains one of the most beloved game systems ever made.
The reason why? Some of the best games of all time can be found on the N64. These 5 games, in particular, are not only highlights from the system’s library but a huge part of what made the 90s so awesome.
Super Mario 64 (1996): The Best Nintendo 64 Game?
A Nintendo 64 launch title, Super Mario 64 took players on a journey through Princess Peach’s castle via magical paintings that led to various levels. The game was many people’s introduction to 3D gaming. It also showcased the true potential of the N64’s hardware.
Super Mario 64 was a gaming experience that was unlike any before it. It had a massive influence on all 3D platformers that came after it.
GoldenEye 007 (1997)
Released in 1997, GoldenEye 007 included a memorable single-player campaign and an addictive multiplayer mode that ruled sleepovers and hangouts in the 90s.
The game had amazing graphics (for the time), an engaging storyline, and memorable multiplayer maps. Similar to Mario 64, no first-person shooter that came out after GoldenEye didn’t take at least a few things from the couch co-op classic.
Mario Kart 64 (1997)
One of the Nintendo 64’s best features was the four controller ports that were built directly into the console. Those four ports made the N64 a must-have for anyone who liked gaming with friends.
And if you had friends coming over, you were going to fire up Mario Kart 64 at some point.
Whether competing against friends or playing solo, Mario Kart 64 is etched into the memories of gamers who experienced its greatness in real time.
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time (1998)
The Legend Of Zelda franchise shined brightly on the N64. Perhaps the best entry on the system, and maybe in the entire franchise as a whole, is The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time.
Simply put, OOT’s time-traveling mechanics, memorable characters, and epic battles are as good as it gets. The game’s influence can be seen in all Zelda titles, as well as all other adventure games, that followed.
WWF WrestleMania 2000 (1999)
Much like the video games industry, the world of professional wrestling was booming in the 1990s. WWF WrestleMania 2000, released in 1999, is one of many incredible wrestling games in the N64’s library.
We’ll be honest. The game’s sequel, WWF No Mercy, released in late 2000, is the better game. It built off of everything good that was first introduced to gamers in WrestleMania 2000 and then mastered it.
But WWF WrestleMania 2000 is an absolute blast, too. The game’s intuitive controls and diverse match options made it a favorite among wrestling fans and multiplayer enthusiasts alike. It’s easily one of the best Nintendo 64 games of the 90s.
