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Like with any console, though, some games stand out above the rest. Most of the Nintendo 64 games selected for Nintendo Switch Online are fan favorites for the console, but others are viewed by some as the best games of all time, which can now be enhanced further withexclusive Switch 2 features. Below are some of the console’s masterpieces and hidden gems, as well as a few that haven’t aged as gracefully.
S Tier N64 Games on Nintendo Switch Online Classics
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time
Rated as one of the best games of all time,The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Timeeasily finds a spot in the S-tier of the N64 Switch Online Classics catalog. Its world and storytelling have stayed with players for decades, and its influential game design is still used in modernZeldatitles.
The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask
The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s MaskfollowsOcarina of Time’s story with an experience that is just high quality. Instead of the lighthearted adventure of its predecessor,Majora’s Masktakes on a darker tone, giving more attention to how its side characters in a doomed Termina.
Super Mario 64
As a pioneer of the 3D platforming genre,Super Mario 64still holds up as one of the best. Mario is extremely fun to control, turning every level into a playground. This game is constantly referenced by newer installments, making it a must-play for fans of the series.
Mario Party 2
The spot for best Nintendo 64Mario Partygame is hotly contested, as each offers something more than the others.Mario Party 2only just triumphs because of its themed boards and selection of minigames.
Banjo-Kazooie
WhileSuper Mario 64revolutionized the 3D platformer,Banjo-Kazooiewas the first Nintendo 64 title to perfect the formula. Each world feels expansive but never outstays its welcome. The many collectibles available give players a reason to explore every nook and cranny.
Banjo-Tooie
Banjo-Tooieis a similar experience to the original, but handled very differently. Rather thanBanjo-Kazooiestraightforward, self-contained levels, the sequel focuses on interconnected worlds and backtracking, more in line with a Metroidvania. The original is a charming, smaller experience, butBanjo-Tooiemakes the world feel more expansive.
A Tier N64 Games on Nintendo Switch Online Classics
Paper Mario
Paper Mariolaid the foundation for the future of the series, and is a contender for one of thebest RPGs on the Nintendo 64. The stylized graphics are still fantastic multiple console generations later, and it laid the foundation for the series moving forward.
Pokemon Snap
Pokemon Snapis essentially a slow-paced rail shooter that tasks players with capturing the perfect images of the game’s Pokemon. It’s a relatively short game, but figuring out different interactions and navigating onto different paths makes the experience memorable. Players who enjoy the game can then move onto the Switch sequel,New Pokemon Snap.
Perfect Dark
Perfect Darkis everything that players love aboutGoldenEye 007and more. Not weighed down by an existing IP,Perfect Darkis given full creative freedomto offer one of the best first-person shooter experiences on the Nintendo 64.
Wave Race 64
Sin and Punishment
One of the platform’s underrated gems,Sin and Punishmentis one of the best shooters on the platform. It offers an interesting story and great visuals, and while it is often overlooked, it is well worth players’ time.
Mario Party 3
Mario Party 3is the favorite of many fans, and with good reason. It takes most of the ideas of the previous games andmakes it more expansive. However, when comparing mini-games and strategy, it takes a step back fromMario Party 2, but only narrowly. It remains one of the best games the franchise has to offer.
F-Zero X
The exhilarating racing gameplay ofF-Zero Xis some of the best in the series, rivaled only by its GameCube sequelF-Zero GX. The high-speed gameplay is very challenging, which some players might not enjoy, but is a thrilling experience for those that do.
Star Fox 64
Arguably the best game in the series,Star Fox 64’s branching pathwaysmake the rail shooter feel like an arcade experience to play at home. Now with the added online multiplayer capabilities, the Nintendo Switch Online version may the definitive way to play.
Mario Tennis
Looking back,Mario Tenniscan seem simpler than its modern iterations, but this is what makes it great. It’s a great game to pick up and play with friends at any skill level online, with enough depth to allow for competitive gameplay.
B Tier N64 Games on Nintendo Switch Online Classics
Mario Kart 64
Mario Kart 64feels like a standardMario Kartgame, but everything is done to perfection. Nintendo Switch and Switch 2 ownersmay get more out ofMario Kart WorldandMario Kart 8 Deluxe, butMario Kart 64perfects the core elements of the series.
Pokemon Puzzle League
Straying away from turn-based RPG combat,Pokemon Puzzle League’s puzzles offer players a lot of variety. It features multiple different game modes, but with Nintendo Switch Online, intense online multiplayer sessions give the game more life.
Mario Party
While it may be the origin of the series,Mario Partysits just below its sequels. This entry is still worth playing, but the additional features and lack of injuries sustained in the later entries make them much more approachable.
Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards
Kirby 64: The Crystal Shardsis one of the most unique games in the series, allowing players tocombine abilities. The gameplay does feel slow at times, but forKirbyfans, this game can’t be skipped.
Mario Golf
Mario Golfholds up really well, feeling very close to the experience of the modernMariosports titles. WhileMario Tennistakes a simulator-like approach,Mario Golfleans into the more cartoonish aspects of the series.
Yoshi’s Story
Despite having high expectations to live up to from its predecessor,Yoshi’s Island,Yoshi’s Storymanages to hold its own. It’s not very challenging, but it makes for a very cozy experience with a great aesthetic.
Extreme-G
Another hidden gem,Extreme-Gcombines combat and racingreally well. Its high-speed gameplay is comparable toF-Zero, but its weapons give players the chance to tip the scales in their favor.
Pilotwings 64
As one of the Nintendo 64’s launch games,Pilotwings 64is still a great experience and a definite step up from the SNES version. It’s full of personality and Easter eggs, making a great addition to the Nintendo Switch Online collection.
Excitebike 64
Excitebike 64plays how players would expect a 3D version of the NES original to feel. Players looking for analternative racing experienceshould try this out, but it can be difficult to get used to at first.
1080 Snowboarding
Another unconventional racing game,1080 Snowboardingis a very smooth gameplay experience. Though it is light on content, if offers a lot of replayability with its Time Trials and its score-based modes make players reconsider their approach to each course.
GoldenEye 007
First-person shooters wouldn’t be what they are today withoutGoldenEye 007. Unfortunately, it has started to show its age. The level design is the high quality players can expect from Rare, and the multiplayer mode is great with online functionality, but thegame’s controls are not the bestwithout changing some settings.
Custom Robo 2
The toy-like nature ofCustom Robo 2’s customization features are unparalleled, making for intense battles without losing its sense of fun and creativity. This game is currently only available with a Japanese Nintendo Switch account, though.
Blast Corps
Blast Corpsis one of Rare’s more overlooked titles on the Nintendo 64, but is no less enjoyable. There are plenty of destruction-based puzzles for players to solve, with enough variety to keep the game feeling fresh.
Killer Instinct Gold
As one of the few fighting game experiences on the Nintendo Switch Online,Killer Instinct Goldis a great experience. It is an enhanced version ofKiller Instinct 2, and is arguably one of thebest fighting games on the Nintendo 64.
C Tier N64 Games on Nintendo Switch Online Classics
Custom Robo
ThoughCustom Robohas fewer gameplay features than its sequel, it has a much better plot. However, being restricted to Japanese accounts, there is no official translation, restricting who would benefit from the story.
Ridge Racer 64
While it is a solid racing game experience,Ridge Racer 64is overshadowedby the many other racing games on the system, and other games in the franchise. Like the rest of theRidge Racerseries, its soundtrack is a highlight, but isn’t as bold as other games in the genre.
Iggy’s Reckin’ Balls
Iggy’s Reckin’ Ballsis by no means a bad game, offering a unique racing game experience that can’t easily be compared to the rest of the Nintendo 64’s library. However, its short bursts of fun don’t give it much staying power for longer play sessions.
Pokemon Stadium
Hindered by themissing Transfer Pak functionality,Pokemon Stadiumon Nintendo Switch Online doesn’t feel the same as its release on the Nintendo 64. It includes some greatMario Party-esque mini-games, but being restricted to Rental Pokemon makes the game more difficult to enjoy.
Harvest Moon 64
Harvest Moon 64was a great game for its time, but modernizations made to the formula make this entry feel more dated. Its visuals still look great, but the experience feels quite slow and limited.
Shadow Man
Shadow Manis a hidden gem in Nintendo Switch Online’s Nintendo 64 collection, but it feels a little rough to play in the modern era. For a slightly better experience, theShadow Manremasterhas some modern improvements and includes content missing from the original.
Turok: Dinosaur Hunter
With a similar problem toShadow Man,Turok: Dinosaur Hunterreceived a remaster on Nintendo Switch which is a major improvement. The Nintendo Switch Online version can give players a hint of what the game is like, but feels like a downgrade in comparison to the rereleases.
Turok 2: Seeds of Evil
Like the original,Turok 2: Seeds of Evilhas a more enjoyable remaster. Regardless, which of the two is better comes down to personal preference.Turok: Dinosaur Hunteris a much more streamlined experience, but the sequel’s expansive levels give the player more freedom to explore.
Jet Force Gemini
Another Rare game that suffers the same fate asGoldenEye 007,Jet Force Geminiis another game brought down by its controls, even at the time of its release. It’s a great collectathon in concept, but high difficulty and awkward controls can make this a difficult game to recommend.
Pokemon Stadium 2
On its original console,Pokemon Stadium 2was a clear step up because of theaddition of Generation 2 Pokemon. On Nintendo Switch Online, with the exception of the minigames,Pokemon Stadium 2is a step-down from the original because of its worse Rental system.
WinBack
Considered one of the first third-person shooters with cover mechanics,WinBackis an enjoyable and innovative experience. However, it offers very little challenge, with a fairly flat difficulty curve throughout.
Dr. Mario 64
The Nintendo 64 installment of theDr. Marioseriessadly has little to offer the original. At best, it’s moreDr. Mariofor fans that enjoy the game, but at worst, it feels like one of the more sluggish versions to play.
