The Nintendo 64, an iconic console from the late 1990s, brought forth a wave of memorable games that continue to captivate players decades later. It was the machine where 3D control conventions got settled — the analogue stick, the camera you steer yourself, the open hub world you re-enter with new abilities — and a surprising number of its best titles still play well precisely because they got those fundamentals right the first time.
This is our full run through the N64 library: twelve games spanning platformers, shooters, racers and a couple of genuine oddities. If you already know the classics and want the deeper cuts, our N64 hidden gems list picks up where this one leaves off.
Banjo-Kazooie
Banjo-Kazooie is a hallmark title that blends humour, exploration and platforming. Players accompany the bear Banjo and his bird companion Kazooie as they journey to rescue Banjo's sister from the evil witch Gruntilda. The game is renowned for its colourful graphics, playful soundtrack and whimsical characters, creating an immersive world filled with quirky challenges. The combination of Banjo's strength and Kazooie's agility allows for inventive gameplay mechanics that encourage exploration and problem-solving. It is fondly remembered as one of the greatest platformers ever made, and it remains the cleanest expression of what the N64 was good at — a compact world you learn by heart rather than a large one you grind through.
Donkey Kong 64
Donkey Kong 64 expanded on the 3D platforming formula laid down by its predecessors. Players explore the sprawling world of Donkey Kong Island with five distinct Kongs, each possessing unique abilities crucial for solving puzzles and defeating enemies. The game is notable for its vibrant environments and the sheer volume of hidden collectibles and unlockable characters tucked into them. It also included a capable multiplayer mode. Donkey Kong 64 is the more maximalist cousin to Banjo-Kazooie — whether that reads as generous or exhausting depends entirely on how you feel about collecting, but there is no questioning the ambition.
Conker's Bad Fur Day
Conker's Bad Fur Day is perhaps the most unusual entry in the N64 platforming catalogue. Released in 2001, it is famous for its irreverent humour and adult themes, which set it sharply apart from the family-friendly Nintendo games of the era. Players control Conker, a cheeky squirrel who stumbles through a series of misadventures while trying to get home after a heavy night. The clever writing and sharp parody of other well-known titles keep it entertaining throughout, and the gameplay mixes platforming, puzzles and mini-games so that each session feels different from the last. Its cult status is deserved.
Star Fox 64
Star Fox 64 blends exciting combat with a compact, well-paced story. Players control Fox McCloud as he leads his team through the Lylat System to confront the villainous Andross. The game revitalised the rail shooter with smooth handling and memorable multiplayer dogfights, and its use of voice acting was striking for the time. The branching mission structure is what gives it staying power — the various routes through the campaign mean each playthrough can differ substantially, which is unusual for a game you can finish in under an hour.
Perfect Dark
Perfect Dark stands as one of the finest first-person shooters of its generation, setting a high bar for gameplay, storytelling and innovation. Players take the role of Joanna Dark, a covert agent working against sinister organisations and uncovering a deep conspiracy. The game pairs a substantial single-player campaign with an unusually generous set of multiplayer modes, including co-operative missions and competitive matches. Its configurable bot system was genuinely ahead of its time, making the multiplayer accessible to newcomers without thinning it out for experienced players. Note that it leans hard on the N64's hardware, which matters when choosing how to emulate it.
Wave Race 64
Wave Race 64 is a standout title that showcased what the Nintendo 64 could do. Released in 1996, this jet-ski racer combines tight racing with water physics that were revolutionary at the time and still feel distinct today — the swell moves, and you have to read it. Players choose from several riders, each with different handling characteristics. The courses are excellent, ranging from tight buoy-weaving technical runs to open stretches of heavy surf. Whether racing AI opponents or friends, Wave Race 64 has aged far better than most launch-window 3D games.
Diddy Kong Racing
For racing fans, Diddy Kong Racing offers a competitive and surprisingly deep alternative to the obvious kart game. Players race in three vehicle types — karts, hovercrafts and planes — across imaginative tracks full of obstacles and shortcuts. What sets it apart is the adventure mode, which wraps the races in a hub world with boss challenges and unlockables, giving it a single-player structure most racers of the era did not attempt. It is one of several strong options covered in our N64 racing games list.
Star Wars: Rogue Squadron
Star Wars: Rogue Squadron puts players in the cockpit of some of the most recognisable starships in the franchise. Released in 1998, this arcade flight combat game runs through space battles and ground missions across a range of planets. The controls are precise enough to make the harder medal objectives feel fair, and the mission variety — dogfights, escort runs, salvage operations — keeps the campaign from settling into repetition. For fans of the films it remains one of the better Star Wars games of any era.
Rayman 2: The Great Escape
Rayman 2: The Great Escape earns its spot with strong visuals and unusually fluid animation for the hardware. Players guide Rayman through a series of beautifully designed worlds filled with challenges and collectibles. The diverse environments and memorable supporting cast create an enchanting experience, and the movement — floating, swinging, wall-running — has a lightness that many contemporaries lacked. It is one of the few N64 platformers that holds up on presentation alone.
Mystical Ninja Starring Goemon
Mystical Ninja Starring Goemon blends action, adventure and platforming with a tone unlike anything else on the system. Players work through colourful, detailed environments, battling enemies and solving puzzles, with regular detours into mini-games and giant-robot battles. Its quirky characters and catchy soundtrack make it memorable, and its willingness to change shape every few hours is exactly what makes it worth seeking out. If you enjoy games with a light-hearted tone and a whimsical art style, this is an essential addition to an N64 collection.
Blast Corps
Blast Corps is a unique action-puzzle game released in 1997 that quickly earned a devoted following on the strength of its premise. Players control a rotating cast of vehicles tasked with clearing a path for a runaway nuclear transport — which means demolishing buildings, crushing obstacles and working out which vehicle's peculiar capabilities solve each intricate layout. The levels escalate into genuine puzzles that demand both strategic thinking and quick reflexes. Nothing else on the console plays quite like it.
Mario Golf
Mario Golf is the friendliest competitive game on the system. Released in 1999, it is accessible to players of all skill levels thanks to easy-to-learn controls, while retaining enough shot-shaping depth to reward practice. The vibrant courses and charming presentation draw you into tournaments or casual rounds, and the RPG-flavoured adventure mode lets you level up a character and improve their stats, adding real longevity. Solo or with friends, it is a classic that balances strategy against simple, satisfying mechanics.
Playing these on a retro handheld
N64 emulation is the point where budget handhelds start to separate. Unlike 8- and 16-bit libraries, which run on almost anything, N64 titles vary widely in how well they emulate — Perfect Dark and Conker's Bad Fur Day are notably more demanding than Mario Golf or Wave Race 64, and per-game results depend heavily on the device and emulator settings. If N64 is a priority rather than a bonus, check compatibility for the specific games you care about before buying, rather than relying on a headline claim that a device "does N64."
As you explore the Nintendo 64 library, remember that a lot of its best work was structural rather than technical: hub worlds, branching missions and multiplayer modes designed for a room full of people. Whether you are drawn to racing, exploration or sports, there is something in this list worth your time.
