25 Years later! The Top 5 Nintendo 64 N64 Games

In 1996, the Nintendo 64 home console hit store shelves and instantly enamoured gaming fans who were eager to jump in. Now, 25 years later, we fondly look back on the 64-bit system with immense nostalgia, as it was responsible for some of our most cherished gaming memories. To celebrate the milestone anniversary of this beloved late-90s gem, we've whipped up a list of our top 5 N64 games of all time. With nearly 400 different games released in its life-cycle, there were plenty of options to choose from, so it was especially hard picking our favourites. To ensure that there's a decent variety on our list, we're limiting our picks to one game per franchise, so don't worry if your favourite isn't on the list. From the platformers that effortlessly guided the industry into the third dimension to the adventure games that paved the way for the genre moving forward, these are our picks for the top 5 N64 games of all time!

The Top 5 Nintendo 64 Games

1. The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time

We can't gush enough about Ocarina of Time, our top pick for the best N64 game ever made. This fantastic adventure game brought this classic Nintendo franchise into 3D, leading players on a whimsical journey across fantastical landscapes and even through time itself. Guiding Link through themed dungeons, collecting new gear, and exploring the sprawling world of Hyrule was endlessly entertaining. In one fell swoop, Ocarina of Time changed the way that adventure games were made moving forward. With its consistently imaginative tone, iconic music, and satisfying puzzles, Ocarina of Time is a timeless masterpiece. It's no wonder why it earns the top spot on our list of the top 5 N64 games of all time.

2. Super Mario 64

It's no secret, Mario is the king of Nintendo, and the N64 made that abundantly clear. From the casual but addictive sports and racing titles like Mario Kart 64 and Mario Tennis to the quirky spin-offs like Paper Mario and Super Smash Bros, there was no shortage of Mario games on the Nintendo 64. However, we have to give it to Super Mario 64, one of the best launch titles of all time. This 3D platformer immediately showed gamers what the N64 was capable of, immersing them in over a dozen unique worlds as they collect Power Stars to save Princess Peach and defeat the forever-villainous Bowser. While the camera is a bit shoddy by modern standards, there's no denying the complete joy that Super Mario 64 brings to the table.

3. Banjo-Kazooie

Developed by RARE, one of the most prolific developers during the N64 heyday, Banjo-Kazooie was another 3D platformer that was a major influence on the genre moving forward. Playing as the eponymous bear and bird duo, players jump, flutter, and search every nook and cranny of nine unique thematic worlds. From the marshy lagoons of Bubblegloop Swamp to the arid dunes of Gobi Gobi Desert, these lively levels were packed with stuff to collect and secrets to find. For gamers who prefer to take their time and enjoy the sights, Banjo-Kazooie packed a lot of content into a vivid and memorable adventure.

4. Star Fox 64

The Nintendo 64 also raised the stakes on the action genre, with Star Fox 64 acting as an unforgettable aerial dogfighting game that mixed sci-fi and arcade-style rail-shooting to complete success. Traveling across the multi-planet Lylat system, you gun down enemy ships as you battle through stages of high-octane starship action. With its intuitive controls and remarkable replayability, Star Fox 64 was a game that was easy to pick up time and time again. Even now, decades after its initial release, we love to fire up Star Fox 64 and take a quick trip across the stars.

5. Perfect Dark

When it comes to first-person shooters on Nintendo 64, everyone has their favourite. It might be considered blasphemous to place Perfect Dark on this list instead of GoldenEye 007, the former edges out the latter with its wide variety of modes, neat sci-fi gadgets, and arsenal of advanced weaponry. Playing as elite spy Joanna Dark, you'll sneak and shoot your way through a futuristic tale full of espionage, technology, and even aliens. In addition to the wonderful campaign, the game also includes competitive split-screen multiplayer, as well as additional arena challenges to test your skills. Don't forget the deceptively addictive gun range either, which contains accuracy challenges for every gun in the game. Simply put, Perfect Dark was our favourite FPS on the console, sneaking its way onto our list of the top 5 N64 games of all time.